Nepal Government in consultation with Nepalese travel trade sector & concerned organizations decided on October 25, 2008 to lunch a national campaign “Nepal Tourism Year 2011”. This announcement reflects the government’s anticipation to bring into Nepal one million international tourists by the year 2011 & tourism industry’s exigency to organize a tourism promotion campaign for wider impact.
Natural beauty Nepal, a country of sublime beauty, tucked away in the shades of the highest mountain range in the shades of the highest mountain range in the world can’t truly be labeled the “last paradise” on earth. Even in such a small area of 147181 sq. km. Nepal presents a myriad of attractions to tourists & locals alike ranging from its scenic beauty & well preserved exotic culture to the adventure opportunities in every nook & cranny in the country. When the hippie culture hit the world in the mid 20th century, Nepal couldn’t remain an exception. Indeed, the first tourists who came to Nepal were these hippies who arrived in search of cheap marijuana. Hashish was available here & there were no laws preventing its use. Thus backpackers with like of Jim Morrison & Jami Hendrix thronged to Nepal & well known “Freak Street” established itself as the tourist hub of Nepal.
Tourism has developed much in Nepal & it has lots more to offer to tourists than just narcotic. Due to the diverse topography, altogether different forms of live have developed in the northern Himalayan valleys & the southern plains of the terai. These lifestyles have given rise to different customs & traditions. Exotic cultures have developed which differ with the part of the country you are in the mid hills & southern pains being the richest in traditions. Festivals like the Bisket Jatra & Kumari Jatra cannot be seen in any other part of the world. Neither can one experience such hospitality any where else. Nepalese believe in traditional Sanskrit saying “Atithi Devo Bhava” (meaning guest & gods are like)”. This is what makes them so hospitable that they can never regard their guests with differences & always warm heartily welcome them & try to help them as much as possible where else in the world you can paragliding, ride, bungee jumping, mountain flight, river rafting off one of the highest fall in the world, bird watching, go for a safari in jungles home to one horned Rhinoceroses, royal Bengal tigers & yet canoe or kayak in white water rivers or go for trek or even try to ascend the world’s highest mountains? Nepal has it all which many destinations lack. This country always makes you feel elated, as it you have just landed into the paradise, a small yet really beautiful utopia. The wilderness Kenya might be excellent for jungle safari but can it offer snow? The bleacher of Hawaii be the best in the world can one go for a safari there? Here in Nepal, one can do all the things they have never even dreamt of one can go for an elephant ride to see the endangered one horned rhinos & an hour later be at the foot of Everest with all the mountaineering gear ready to scale it. Nepal has it all, from riverside beaches & exotic wildlife to people who value their traditions & presents them selves with almost hospitality to tourists.
1. World Heritage Sites in Nepal
A. Kathmandu Durbar Square
B. Patan Durbar Square
C. Bhaktapur Durbar Square
D. Pashupatinath Temple
E. Swayambhunath Stupa
F. Changu Narayan Temple
G. Lumbini- Birthplace of land Buddha
H. Chitwan National Park (932 sq km)
I. Sagarmatha National park (1,148 sq km)
2. The Himalayas About 8000m. in Nepal
A. Sangarmatha (Mt.Everest )-------------------- 8,848m
B. Kangchenjunga------------------- 8,586m
C. Lhotse-----------------------------------------------8,516m
D. Makalu----------------------------------------------8,463m
E. Chuoyn------------------------------------------------8,201m
F. Dhaulagiri--------------------------------------------8,167m
G. Manaslu--------------------------------------------- 8,163m
H. Annapuran(I)---------------------------------------8,091m
3. Top Tens Festivals of Nepal
A. Magh Sankranti Devghat (January)
B. Lhosar, all Tibetan Areas (February)
C. Mahashivaratri, Pashupatinath (February)
D. Balkumari Jatra, Thimi (mid-April)
E. Bisket Jatra Chariot Festival, Bhaktapur (mid-April)
F. Rate Machhendranath Festival, Patan (April/May)
G. Indra Jatra Charit Festival Kathmandu (August/September)
H. Dasain, Nationwide (September/November)
I. Tihar / Deepawali, Nationwide (October/November)
J. Mani Rimdu, Tengboche (November)
4. Honey Hunting
Honey hunting is an age-old tradition in Nepal. Local honey hunters show their exceptional skills by hanging themselves on cliffs as high as 300 meters using bamboo ladders and hemp ropes, while harvesting the honeycombs.
See the spectacular honey hunting in the steep bee cliffs to experience the tradition and culture of the local people sees them while you trek in the foothills of the Himalayas.
5. Ultra Craft Aircraft
Ultra light aircraft offer breathtaking bird’s eye view of Pokhara valley and the surrounding mountains. Flights are operated almost throughout the year except during the monsoons June through August. Flights take place from sunrise to 11am and from pm to sunset every day especially if the weather is clear and the day is sunny. In the half- hour flight, one can fly over Pokhara City, Phewa Lake, Sarankot hill and get close to the Mt. Fishtail another option is the exploration of Annapurna range from 13000 feet or higher in an hour. Pokhara is easily accessible from Kathmandu, chit wan and other major towns.
