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NEPAL
Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of
bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and latitudinal
variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60m above sea
level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 m, all
within a distance of 150 km with climatic conditions ranging from
subtropical to arctic. This wild variation fosters an incredible
variety of ecosystems, the greatest mountain range on earth, thick
tropical jungles teeming with a wealth of wildlife, thundering rivers,
forested hills and frozen valleys.
History
Nepal has always been an independent and sovereign country with
glorious history, culture and tradition that date back to time immemorial.
Before King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the Great, the Kathmandu Valley
launched the Malla Kings, whose contributions to art and culture
are indeed great and unique, ruled the campaign of national integration.
In 1768 AD, the Shah dynasty ascended the throne of the unified
Kingdom. His majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev is the twelfth
King in the Shah dynasty. The new Democratic Constitution of the
Kingdom was promulgated on November 9,1990.
General Information
Area : 147,181 sq. km
Geography : Situated between China in the north and India in the
South.
Capital : Kathmandu
Population : 22 Million
People : Nepal has more than 61 ethnic groups and 70 spoken languages
Language : Nepali is the national language. However, travel trade
people understand and speak English as well.
Currency : Nepalese Rupee (Approximately US$ 1 equals Rs. 75.40
as of Sept. 2001)
Political system: Multi party democracy with constitutional monarchy.
Religion : Nepal enjoys the distinction of being the only Hindu
Kingdom in the world. However, there is a harmonious blending of
Hinduism and Buddhism.
Places to see
Kathmandu Valley
 The
valley is situated at an altitude of 1,336 m above sea level and
covers an area of 218 sq. miles. The rich tapestry of the cultural
heritage of Nepal is synthesized in the Kathmandu valley, the home
of the ancient and sophisticated Newari culture. The Newars ate
the indigenous inhabitants of the valley and the creators of the
splendid civilization of its three cities - Kathmandu, Patan and
Bhaktapur.
KATHMANDU Hanumandhoka (Kathmandu Durbar Square) :
It is the historic seat of royalty. The Durbar Square, with its
old temple and palaces, epitomizes the religious and cultural life
of the people. It is here that kings of Nepal are crowned and their
coronations solemnized. Interesting things to see here are : Taleju
Temple built by King Mahendra Malla in 1549 AD, the temple of Kal
Bhairav, the God of Destruction, nautalle Durbar, Coronation Nasal
Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, the statue of King Pratap Malla, the Big
Drum anf the Jagannath temple. It was listed in the UNESCO World
Heritage Monument List in 1979.
Temple of Kumari (Kumari Ghar) : Kumari, or the Living
Goddess, who represents a very ancient Hindu deity of Nepal locally
known as Taleju, is Buddhist by birth. The temple if Kumari is situated
in the vicinity of Hanuman Dhoka Palace. The building has intricately
carved wooden balconies and window screens.
Swayambhunath : This is one if the world's most glorious
Buddhist Chaityas. It is said to be 2,000 years old. Painted on
the four sides of the spire's base are the all-seeing eyes of Lord
Buddha. This Stupa is the oldest of its kind in Nepal.
The National Museum : Located about 2km west of Kathmandu,
the National Museum has a splendid collection of weapons and artifacts
from ancient, medieval and modern Nepal.
Pashupatinath Temple : Situated 5 km east of Kathmandu,
the temple of Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath, with two tiered golden
roof and silver door is considered one of the holiest shrines for
Hndus.
OUTSKIRTS OF KATHMANDU
Bouddhanath : The Stupa of Bouddhanath lies 8 km east of
Kathmandu. This ancient colossal Stupa is one of the biggest in
the world, and the center of Tibetan Buddhism in the world.
Gokarna : This lovely Royal Games Sanctuary, also known
as Gokarna Safari Park, lies about 10km north east of Kathmandu.
On the northern side of Gokarna, is a pagoda of Gokarneshwor Mahadev.
Dakshinkali : The temple of Dakshinkali is situated about
two km south of Shekha Narayan. Dakshinkali is regarded as one of
most important Hindu goddesses.
PATAN
 The
ancient city of Patan, lying 5km southeast of Kathmandu, is known
as the city of fine arts. The city is full of Hindu temples and
Buddhist monuments. The diversity of the medieval culture that allowed
both Hinduism and Buddhism to flourish has left a rich legacy of
impressive sightseeing in this city for today's visitors.
Patan Durbar Square, situated in the heart of the city,
constitutes the focus of visitor's attraction. The Square is full
of ancient palaces, temples and shrines, noted for their exquisite
carvings.
Patan Museum : This museum inside the Durbar square specializes
in bronze statues and religious objects. It is considered as one
of the best museums in Asia.
Krishna Mandir : Built in 1637 AD, the temple of Lord Krishna
holds a commanding position in the palace complex of Patan.
Temple of Machchendranath and Minnath : The pagoda of Red
Machchendranath built in 1408 AD is situated in Tabahal. The temple
of Minnath is situated in Tangal on the way to Tabahal.
BHAKTAPUR (BHADGAON)
Situated at an altitude of 1,401m, Bhaktapur covers an area of
four square miles. Bhaktapur or the city of Devotees still retains
a medieval charm and visitors to this ancient town ate treated to
myriad wonders of cultural and artistic acievements. The city lies
about 14 km east of Kathmandu and can be reached by public transport
and by trolley buses.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square : The Golden Gate is the entrance
to the main courtyard of the Palace of 55 Windows. Built by King
Ranjit Malla, the gate is one of the most beautiful and richly carved
specimens of its kind in the entire world. The Palace of 55 Windows
was built in 1700 AD. The Stone temple of Batsala Devi, which is
also located in the Durbar Square, is full of intricate carvings.
WESTERN SITES
POKHARA VALLEY
 Pokhara,
an enchanting city nestled in the tranquil valley (827 m), is the
starting point for many of Nepal's most popular trekking and rafting
destinations. The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificence of
the fish - tail summit of Machchapuchhre (6,977m) rising behind
it create an ambience of peace and magic. Situated 200 km west of
kathmandu, Pokhara is connected by air as well as by road from Kathmandu
and Bhairava, a border town near India.
GORKHA
Gorkha is the birthplace of King Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great,
the founder of modern Nepal. Situated on a hill overlooking the
snowy peaks of the Himalaya is a beautiful old palace known as Gorkha
Durbar.
LUMBINI
Lumbini, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam, the Shakya prince
and the ultimate Buddha, the Enlightened One, is the pilgrimage
destination of the world's millions of people faithful to all schools
of Buddhism. The main attraction at the Lumbini remains the Sacred
Garden spread over 8sq km and possessing all the treasures of the
historic area. Standing west to the Mayadevi shrine is the oldest
monument of Nepal, the Ashokan Pillar, erected by Emperor Ashoka
in 249 BC to commemorate his pilgrimage to the sacred pond, Puskarni,
where Queen Mayadevi has taken a path just before giving birth to
the Buddha.
MUKTINATH AND JOMSOM
It is believed that all miseries/sorrows are relieved once you
visit this temple. The famous temple of Lord Muktinath lies in the
district of Mustang and is situated about 3,749m. The temple is
situated on a high mountain range and is visited during fair weather.
The Jwala Mai temple nearby contains a spring and an eternal flame
fed by natural gas underground. Jomsom is a major center in the
Annapurna region.
CENTRAL SITES
CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK
 Chitwan
is one of the finest national parks in Asia, renowned for its dense
concentration of wildlife and topclass tourist lodges, which provide
the opportunity to see animals in their natural habitat. Chitwan
which means the 'heart of the jungle' is among the last surviving
examples of the continuous band of forests and grasslands which
once extended from the Indus river in Pakistan to the Burmese border.
The main attraction is the Royal Chitwan National Park, one of the
largest foreign regions in Asia teeming with wildlife. The five
hour drive to Chitwan (165km overland) from Kathmandu is filled
with thrilling view of the hils, rivers and plains with jungles
on either side.
Entry Procedures
Indian nationals: Indian nationals do not require visa.
However, effective from October 1, 2000, Indians travelling to Nepal
by air have to show upon arrivals at entry point either a passport,
voter's identity card issued by the Central or State Government
of India.
Foreign nationals: Foreigner who intends to visit Nepal
must hold valid passport or any travel document equivalent to passport
issued by the Govt. for visiting a foreign country prior to apply
for Visa.
NEPAL TOURS
KATHMANDU EXPERIENCE
Day 01 : Arrive Kathmandu. Meet/assist at the airport and transfer
to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 : AM: Visit Pashupatinath & Boudhanath. PM: Visit kathmandu
City, Swayambhu.
Day 03 : AM: Visit Patan City & Tibetan Camp. PM: Visit Bungamati
& Khokana Village. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 : AM: Visit Bhaktapur City and Drive to Dhulikel. PM: Explore
Dhulikel village or hiking. Overnight at hotel in Dhulikel.
Day 05 : Early morning wake up to view sunrise over the mountain.
Rest of the day free Until departure transfer to airport for onward
flight.
NEPAL ADVENTURE
Day 01 : Arrive Kathmandu. Meet/assist at the airport and transfer
to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 : Visit Patan City & Swayambhu. Visit Bhaktapur City. Overnight
at hotel.
Day 03 : Drive Kathmandu to Chitwan national Park. Overnight at
Jungle Lodge.
Day 04 : Full day jungle activities. Overnight at Jungle Lodge.
Day 05 : Drive Chitwan to Pokhara. Overnight at hotel in Pokhara.
Day 06 : Whole day free in Pokhara. Overnight at hotel in Pokhara.
Day 07 : Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 : Rest of the day free until departure, transfer to airport
for onward flight.
TREKKING, RAFTING & JUNGLE
Day 01 : Arrive Kathmandu. Meet/assist at the airport and transfer
to hotel. Evening walking tour to Kathmandu Durbar Square. Overnight
at hotel.
Day 02 : Visit Pashupatinath & Boudhanath. Evening visit to Patan
City & Swayambhunath. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 : Visit Bhaktapur City and drive to Dhulikel. Explore Dhulikel
Village or short hiking. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 : Early morning wake up to view beautiful sunrise over the
mountain. Visit Panauti village and back to Kathmandu. Overnight
at hotel.
Day 05 : Transfer to airport and fly back to Pokhara. Meet by
Sherpa team and transfer to trek start point and start Panchase
Trek. Overnight at camp.
Day 06 : Trek. Overnight at camp.
Day 07 : Trek. Overnight at camp.
Day 08 : End trek and transfer to Pokhara. Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 : Whole day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 : Drive to raft start point Damauli and start 2 days rafting.
Overnight at camp on river beach.
Day 11 : Again start rafting and after lunch end raft and drive
to Chitwan National Park. Overnight at Jungle Lodge.
Day 12 : Jungle activities. Overnight at Jungle Lodge.
Day 13 : Drive to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14: Free day. Evening farewell diner in typical Nepali restaurant
with cultural program. Overnight at hotel.
Day 15 : Departure transfer to airport for onward flight.
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