Thursday, December 24, 2009

TREKKING IN NEPAL










For suggested Nepal Trekking itinerary, please visit : http://kundalinitravelnepal.blogspot.com/ or please contact Kundalini Travel Nepal, email : kundalinitrv@ntc.net.np

Adventure tourism in Nepal dates back to the early attempts to scale the world’s highest peaks. It has come a long way since. While trekking, mountaineering and game watching have long been popular, an entire range of other possibilities have been explored in the recent years – rafting, biking, fishing, rock climbing, paragliding, ultra-light aircraft, hot air ballooning, mountain flight, boating, pony treks, jet scooter, boating and bungy jumping. This varied landscape has some of the best sites for these activities, raging rivers to run, mountains to scale, clear blue skies, challenging treks, fine lakes and rivers to boat, fish and raft down, and a wild terrain to ride.
Trekking in the lower slopes where along with forests of rhododendron, isolated hamlets, villages, temples, monasteries and breathtaking landscapes, you will also encounter friendly people of different cultures offering a fascinating taste of traditional rural life.

Enjoy scenic rafting, one of the best ways to explore the typical cross section of natural as well cultural heritage of the country. You can glide on clam jade waters with magnificent scenery all around or rush through roaring white rapids. Rafting is inarguably the best way of exploring Arcadian Nepal, as it takes you through hamlets, canyons, virgin forests, and wildlife.

How about a jungle safari in the densest forest in South Asia? Venture into the jungles of the National parks located in the Terai region on elephant back across rivers and swamps, rare animals and birds will greet you at every corner. Be prepared for a royal treat. Royal Bengal tiger may surprise you by his majestic appearance. Nepal’s diverse terrain is a mountain biker’s dream adventure come true. Mountain biking offers an environmentally sound way of exploring this magnificent country, its landscape and living heritage. Because this is a Spartan, laborious mode of travel, it is also considered the way to travel by the so-called “purists”.
For all those cliffhangers out there, Kathmandu offers terrific places for rock climbing that make for an experience of a lifetime. Make sure you leave time for hot air ballooning for a bird's-eye view of the Kathmandu Valley and the magnificent Himalaya. See life from a new perspective as you take off in a micro-light aircraft for motor gliding in Pokhara. A trip will take you over some of the best scenery on earth, as you share airspace with Himalayan griffin vultures, eagles, kites and float over villages, monasteries, temples, lakes and jungle, with a fantastic view of the majestic Himalayas. If you thought that bungy jumping is restricted to some locations in North America, Europe, and New Zealand, it's time you got an update. The sport has found a natural home for itself in the highest and most magnificent mountain range in the world. The ultimate thrill of a bungy jump can now be experienced in Nepal at one of the best sites that this sport can boast of anywhere in the world. The Bhote Kosi, one of the world’s wildest raging rivers, rushes down from the heights of the Himalayas. It roughly translates as `river from Tibet’ and so there are a lot of rivers that go by this name in Nepal. This Bhote Kosi is the main tributary of the Sun Kosi and is followed by the Arniko highway from Kathmandu to Lhasa.

Nepal’s first Bungy jumping site is situated 160 m over this river, inviting you to experience the ultimate adrenaline rush in the surroundings of this amazing place. An extreme sport popular in Europe, canyoning is now available in Nepal. Canyoning gives you the freedom to explore some of the most ruggedly beautiful, yet forbidden places in the world. Top off your visit with a mountain flight for a stunning visual finale. Mountain flights offer spectacular views of the Himalaya in just one hour. Only awe-stricken silence can come close to matching the experience of going on a mountain flight to encounter the tallest mountains of the earth. These flights offer the closest possible aerial views of Mt. Everest and other above 8,000 m peaks.
MOUNTAINEERING
With eight of the highest peaks in the world, Nepal has been the focus of some of the most outstanding achievements in the world of mountaineering. For many decades the dauntless icy peaks have posed as challenge to those who dare. There are some 326 peaks in Nepal open for mountaineering today. Government of Nepal opened around 175 peaks in the last two years to mark the Mount Everest Golden Jubilee Celebrations.
Climbing permit to scale the Nepal Himalayas is issued in all seasons by the Mountaineering Section of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. Certain official documents are required to seek permission for climbing peaks. Around 121 peaks do not require liaison officer for expedition. Fees or ties depend upon the altitude of the peak starting at US $ 1,000 for peaks below 6,501 meters and rising by US $ 500 for every 500 meters.

Climbing gears and equipments can be bought or rented in Kathmandu. Many mountaineering and trekking agencies also offer packages that take care of needs like gear, food, transportation, guide and porter services. They also arrange insurance. Visitors should choose an agency that has good track record.

Nepal Himalaya is known as the rooftop of the world. The Himalayas are the highest mountains in the world. Their scenery is legendary. These mountains have had an air of mystery until recently. Even today, the vast area of the Himalaya is untouched. It has always remained a source of fascination and inspiration for people from all walks of life in the world. Himalaya ("Him" means snow and "Alaya" means abode), the abode of snow and the Gods, extends about 2500 Kilometers. The Brahmaputra (Assam) in the east and Indus river in the west demarcate the length of the Himalaya. It is 300 Kms wide and rises nine kilometers above the sea level.

The Nepal Himalaya is in the centre of the Himalayan range. Eight peaks that exceed 8000 metres including the world's highest peak Mt Everest are the prominent members of Nepal Himalaya. It has a convergence of 1310 magnificent peaks over 6,000 metres. Nepal has become famous through out the world due to these mountains.

It is a very interesting thing to know that there was a sea (the Tethys sea) between Indian Gondwana continent (Indian sub continent and Eurasian continent). Around 70 and 80 million years ago, the Himalaya began to come into existence. It is a peak of each evolution only about 10 to 20 million years back. Therefore, the Himalaya is extremely young and geologically active. According to geologists, mountains are growing at a rate of 15 cm (6 inch) a year as the Indian plate moving northward and forcing under the Eurasian plate. This process (plate tectonics) causes the earthquakes in this region. Geologists say that the collision of continents is squeezing up sedimentary rocks that were once below the sea. The mountains of Himalaya are the result of the collision of continents.

TREKKING

Nepal offers excellent trekking options to visitors from the easy walking excursions to the strenuous climb of the snowy peaks. The most rewarding way to experience Nepal's natural embellishment and cultural assortment is to walk through the length, breadth and the altitudes of the country. Trekking in Nepal is a big part of the ultimate Himalayan adventure and a majority of tourists have trekking as a part of their itinerary.
One can also trek on ponies in some remote places, which is equally enthralling for visitors. Pony treks follow nearly the same routes and are offered mostly in western region of Pokhara, Dolpo and Lo Manthang (Mustang).

Located in the eastern half of Nepal, the Everest region offers a wide range of trekking experiences. From the well-developed trail to Everest base camp to treks in remote semi-wilderness areas, there is a choice to suit all-corners.

The most frequented part of the region is located in Solukhumbu district, the home of the legendary Sherpas. The northern part of the district (Khumbu) is encompassed in the Everest National Park , which was established to protect the fragile environment of the alpine region. To the east of the Everest National Park is the Makalu-Barun National Park , a remote and wild stretch of mountain peaks and deep densely forested valleys. To the west is the Rolwaling valley, a well protected microcosm of cultures and ecology. The southern part of the district, Solu is much less frequented by tourist and be a very rewarding destination in its own right.

Beside Mount Everest there are other 8,000 meter peaks in the region. In addition there are numerous other peaks a lesser altitude but no less stunning. Add to this glacial lakes rhododendron forest, native flora and fauna, traditional villages and ancient Buddhist monasteries, all go to make this region a spectacular destination.

Beside the Everest region, the area around the Annapurna massif is perhaps the best known trekking destination in Nepal. Based on sheer numbers of trekking visitors it is certainly the most popular. As the title suggests, the centre piece of this part of Nepal is the range of mountains that includes Annapurna I, the first of the 8000 meter peaks to be climbed. Also included in this general area is another 8000 meter giant, Dhaulagiri which is located west of Annapurna I. Between these two mountains runs the valley of the Kali-Gandaki River, the deepest gorge on earth. Combine this with lush, fertile farming land, stands of undistributed natural forest and a mixture of different ethnic inhabitants and you have a diverse range of experiences that makes this area one of the most satisfying trekking destinations in Nepal.

The fact that the main Himalayan range runs south of the border with Tibet means that that the northern parts of the area are in the rain shadow and are considerably drier than the southern slopes of the mountains. This leads to unusually diverse landscapes.

Langtang trek route goes through traditional, ethnic villages and untouched forests on the way to the peaks of Langtang-Lirung. The highlights of this tour include a visit to the Langtang valley, Kyangin Gompa and the Lirung Glacier. One can also climb the Lang Sisa Peak and visit Lake Gosaikunda, which is nearby.

One can catch a bus to Trishuli Bajaar from Kathmandu and from there again drive down to Rasuwa headquarters Dhunche and then to Syabrubesi from where the trek begins.
For top rated trekking itineraries we recommend to visit Kerr & Downey website:

No comments:

Post a Comment