Introduction to Kathmandu

Kathmandu(1400m) history dates back an impressive 2000 years. It is located centrally in Kathmandu Valley with its metropolitan area consistings of three cities: Kathmandu (Kantipur), Patan and Bhatapur. Thamel the old part of the city with quaint short and narrow streets, numerous nooks and crannies contains hotels, restaurants, offices and shops. Durbar Square, world heritage site, is important and fascinating place to visit, containing numerous Hindu temples, statutes of various Hindu deities and the palace of Kumari, the living goddess. Other important place is Pashupatinath, the biggest Hindu temple in the world, considered the most significant for Hindu followers attracting numerous pilgrims and colourful Sadus; for many Hindu it is a preferred cremation site on banks of Bagmati River. There are two significant Buddhist Gompas in Kathmandu Swayambhunath and Baudhanath, and also world heritage sites. Nagarkot, the highest hill in the range surrounding Kathmandu Valley, some 35km from the city centre offers unprecedented view on Langtang range and some of the giants beyond the range such as Annapurna, Manaslu, Cho Oyu and Shishapangma.

Solo Khumbu Region: Lukla, Namche Bazaar

Lukla(2850) the village with the airport closest to Everest base camp and the area to the north is called the Khumbu region. The half-hour flight from Kathmandu can be a spectacular and exhilarating experience, flying by close to some of the highest peaks in the world, it is however unreliable due to mountain weather conditions.
Namche Bazaar ancient trading hub located on the trading route from Tibet via pass of Nangpa La (18,000 ft) still is the major regional trading centre, and hosts the headquarters of the Sagarmatha National Park, banks, shops medical and dental facility. Namche has been a tourist hub and acclimatization point for Everest trekkers and climbers since 1950, when first Europeans visited the area. The basic character of the village remains unchanged, it has an aeroplane landing strip high above and a temple with a stream of clear water flowing past it, Prayer flags, inscribed with "Om mani padme hum" flutter from every rooftop and Yak wool is spun and woven into carpets and thick sweaters.

Thyangboche, Khumjung and Everest View Hotel

The monastery at Thyangboche is one of the most famous gompas in Nepal and one of the most important centres of Buddhism in the region. The largest gompa in Khumbu built in 1923, destroyed by fire in 1989 and subsequently rebuilt by volunteers and some foreign aid, offers a classic view of the Himalayan giants Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Amadablam, Kangtenga, and Thamserku.
Khumjung a village east of Thyangboche hosts also a famous gompa, where the skull of a supposed Yeti, the Abominable Snowman, is preserved under the supervision of the head Lama. Kumjung is also renowned by Kumjung High School founded by Sir Edmund Hillary foundation, and is also a location of famous Hotel Everest View, the highest altitude hotel, with luxurious accommodation among a stunning panorama of the valley leading up to Mt. Everest. Build by Japanese tour company in 1973 to accommodate wealthy guests brought by planes to nearby Shyangboche airstrip or by helicopter. The clients suffered with severe altitude sickness and even oxygen available in each room wasn’t sufficient solution. The strip was closed down leaving access to the hotel only for those willing to fly to Lukla and hike for 2 to 3 days to get in, which turned off many of the normal clientele.

Introduction to Trishuli River

The Trishuli River is a trans-boundary river; it originates in Tibet and is one of the major tributaries of the Narayani River basin in central Nepal. It is named after the trishula or trident of Shiva, a powerful god in the Hindu pantheon. The legend says that Shiva drove his trident into the ground high in the Himalayas at Gosaikunda, to create three springs – the source of the river and hence its name Trisuli.
More than 60% of the total drainage basin of the Trishuli lies in Tibet with about 9% being covered by snow and glaciers. 85% of its catchment area of 4,640 square kilometres (1,790 sq mi) lies above 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) out of which 11% lies above 6,000 metres (20,000 ft).
The river has carved some truly impressive gorges in its lower part as it cut its way through the 2000 meter high Mahavarat Range. Nepal is a river rafter paradise, there is no other country with such a choice of multi-day trips away from roads with magnificent mountain surroundings, warm rivers, a semi-tropical climate, impressive geography, exotic cultures, wildlife and hospitable people.

Introduction to Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park the first national park in Nepal formerly called Royal Chitwan National Park it was established in 1973 and granted the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984. It covers an area of 932 sq km and is located in the subtropical Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal in the Chitwan district. In altitude it ranges from about 100 metres (330 ft) in the river valleys to 815 metres (2,674 ft) in the Churia Hills. The park contains rich fauna and flora including exotic and endangered Bengal Tigers, Crocodile spices, Indian Rhino and Elephants. The stay and activities inside park are organised and controlled by the rangers to ensure safety of visitors and environmental protection and include elephant bathing rituals and safaris, bird watching, jungle walks and canoeing. The park also offers informative slideshow, introduction to local culture with the Tharu traditional dance shows. The rivers feeding to Chitwan allow a number of options for spectacular rafting adventures on Seti and Treshuli Rivers.

Introduction to Pokhara

History of Pokhara is linked with an important old trading route between China and India. In 17th centaury Pokhara was a part of very influential Kingdom of Kaski ruled by Shah Dynasty. Pokhara Valley is a home to ethnic groups of Brahmin, Gurung and Newar who are predominantly Hindu with a minority of Buddhists in particularly of Tibetan origin. It is one of the most spectacular valleys in Nepal, where two 8000m peaks Annapurna(8091m) and Dhaulagiri(8167m) raise up dramatically within 30km from Pokhara(1000m) forming incredibly picturesque vista over the Phewa Tal (lake). At Sarangkot (1680m) you will experience the golden sunrise view of Annapurna and magnificent vista of Lake Phewa and city of Pokhara. There will be optional activity of paragliding back to Pokhara on 45 minutes para-flight tandem. We also visit the amazing Bidubashini temple complex, Old Market, David’s Fall with Hindu Grotto Temple and the cave and Tibetan Buddhist monastery.

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