Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park

The Sagarmatha National Park is the highest national park in world, located above 3000 meters i.e. 9700 feet. The park comprises the upper catchment areas of Dudh Kosi and Bhote Kosi Rivers. Most part of the landscape is rugged terrain and gorges of the high Himalayas.

The Park is located amidst the peaks which are counted among the tallest in the world. Mount Sagarmatha is none other than Mt. Everest itself. Other well known peaks such as Lhotse, Thamerku, Pumori, Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, Kwangde, Kangtaiga and Gyachyung Kang are also located nearby. More than 118 species of birds and 26 species of butterflies reside in the park.

Fast Facts

Location	Solu-Khumbu District of the Sagarmatha Zone, Northeast of Kathmandu
Established On	July 19, 1976
Importance	UNESCO World Heritage Site
UNESCO Category	Natural
Listed In Year	1976
Area Covered	1,148 sq. km.
Endangered Species	Wild Yak, Musk Deer, Red Panda, Snow Leopard and Himalayan Black Bear
Best Season To Visit	October to November and December to February

UNESCO World Heritage Site

• The Mt. Sagarmatha (Everest) and the surrounding areas are important not only to Nepal but also to the rest of the world. too. Its recognition as a National Park since 1976 intends to protect its unique cultural, physical and scientific values.
• The UNESCO recognised Sagarmatha National Park as a world heritage site in 1976 as the park 'contains superlative natural beauty and is of great aesthetic importance'.

Fauna
Creatures that can be witnessed in the wildlife tour of the park are following:

Endangered Animals : Endangered animals residing in this park are Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Wild Yak, Red Panda and Himalayan Black Bear.
Large Mammals : Big mammals commonly seen in the park are the Himalayan Tahr and Musk Deer.
Other Mammals : Other mammals include the Himalayan Black Bear, Jackal, Weasels, Marten, Common Langur and the Himalayan Mousehare (Pika).
Birds : The park is the residence of more than 118 species of birds. The most common ones are the Impeyan Pheasant (Danphe), Redbilled Chough, Blood pheasant and Yellow-billed Chough.

Flora
Pine and hemlock forests are found at the lower elevations of the park. Above 3500m, trees such as birch, rhododendron, silver fir and juniper trees can be seen. Rhododendron show luminous colours in spring and monsoon seasons. The tree line in the region is at 4500m. Birch gives way to juniper and rhododendron scrubs. The park landscape is cut by deep rivers and glaciers. It can be segregated into four climatic zones:

• The Lower Forested Zone where Juniper, Birch, Blue Pines, Bamboo, Firs and Rhododendon grow.
• The Upper Zone where plant life is limited to Lichens and Mosses.
• The Artic Zone where plants stop to grow.

Activities
Nature Walk
The park can be best experienced on foot. Nothing can match the walker's sense of excitement at complete fusion with the world of Nature by observing the park's vegetation and wildlife.

Trekking
From Sagarmatha National Park, trekking trail to Kala Pathar Peak is the most popular, though the treks to Gokyoand Chukung Valleys are no less thrilling.

Places of Interest
Apart from the greatly varied flora and fauna as well as the impressive mountain scenery of the park, there are some monasteries and gompas in the Sagarmatha National Park premises that hold the travellers' attention. Here is brief infomation about such places.

Park Visitor Center
It is located at Mendalphu i.e. the park's Headquarters. While staying at Namche Bazar, don't forget to visit the natural history and cultural heritage museum.

Thame Gomba
It is one of the most important religious centers in the area. Renowned Mani Rimdu festival is celebrated here in May.

Khumjung Gomba
In June the Dumje festival is observed here as well as at the monasteries of Namche and Pangboche.

Highlights

• Marvellous mountains, glaciers and deep valleys, dominated by Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world (8,848 m).
• Several rare species, such as the snow leopard and the lesser panda, can be found in the park.
• The presence of the Sherpas, with their unique culture, makes the site more interesting.

How to Reach
Common ways to reach the national park are:

• Flight to Lukla followed by two days walk.
• Bus to Jiri and 10 days walk
• Flight to Tumlingtar and 10 days walk.
• Flight to Syangboche, the highest airstrip in the world.
• Flight to Phaplu and 5 days walk.

Royal Chitwan National Park

Royal Chitwan National Park

Wild roars of tigers, chirping of jungle birds, soothing breeze and the splashing ripples of the river Rapti... a visit to the Royal Chitwan National Park may sound dream-like but reality speaks for itself. Visit Chitwan if you believe the above statement and all the more if you doubt it.

Fast Facts

Location	120 km South West Of Kathmandu, Nepal
Area Coverage	932 sq km
Wildlife Attractions	One-Horned Rhino, Royal Bengal Tiger
Temperature	Max- 34°C & Min- 1°C
Best Time to Visit	From October to February
Nearest Airport	Bharatpur, Chitwan.

Striking Features

• There are more than 43 species of mammals, over 450 species of birds, and more than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles in the park.
• One of the most important sub-tropical parks in Indian sub-continent.
• More than 43 mammal species, 450 bird species, and more than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles.
• Known for diversity of eco-systems. Within the park are Churia hills, ox-bow lakes, and the flood plains of Rapti, Reu and Narayani rivers.

Fauna and Flora
Mammals
There are more than 50 species of mammals in the park. The park is famous for conservation of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, tiger, gharial, gaur, wild elephant, four horned antelope, striped hyena, pangolin, Gangetic dolphin, monitor lizard, and python. Some other animals found in the park are sambar, chital (deer), hog deer, barking deer, sloth deer, common leopard, ratel, palm civet, wild dog, langur and rhesus monkeys.

Amphibians
More than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles live in the park, more famous of which are the marsh crocodile, cobra, green pit viper and various species of frogs and tortoises.

Birds
There are more than species of birds in the park. Counted among the endangered birds are the Bengal florican, giant hornbill, lesser florican, black stork and white stork. Few common birds are peafowl, red jungle fowl, and different species of egrets, herons, kingfishers, flycatchers and woodpeckers. The best time for watching birds is in March and December.

Flora
One fifth of the park is comprises the floodplain of the Narayani, Rapti and the Reu Rivers. It is covered by dense Elephant grass interspersed with forests of silk cotton (Kapok), Acacia and Sisam trees.

Adventure Activities
Watching the wonders of Nature
Watching unique birds and animals from atop an elephant can be quite exciting. Here is a list of activities that can make your trip to the Royal Chitwan National Park more memorable.

Canoeing
Canoeing on Chitwan rivers is an excellent way of seeing waterfalls. The park's dolphins and crocodiles, however, are seldom seen. The high temperatures experienced in the park make bathing in the river an attractive pastime. Water-holes are also lure for a swim. Watching the elephants showering is very interesting.

Elephant Tracking
Elephant rides is a major Chitwan attractions. Wild boar, red deer and other creatures of the jungle can be seen, in the morning and evening especially, from from atop the tall pachyderms. One more advantage is that rhinos can be approached without danger. Apart from the animals, luxuriant vegetation and jungle chorus - different sounds in different parts of the day - make the ride a memorable experience.

Jeep Safari
Jungle safaris make it possible to explore the length and breadth of the National Park.

White- Water Rafting
White-water rafting expedition and jungle safari together represent the ultimate adventure. The river trip itself takes two to three days, commencing at or upstream of Mugling and ending in Narayanghat.

Animal Watching from Hides
Apart from safaris on foot and elephant back, hides offer animal watchers another way of getting what they want. Called machans in local language, these wooden towers are usually erected in clearings crossed by game paths. Best time to watch red deer and rhinos is early morning and evening.

Travel Tips

• Try to be well informed about the routes of the park
• Consult the doctor before you leave for the trip
• Do not disturb the animals and birds in the park
• Remain in a group
• Try to take a guide along with you while exploring the park

What To Bring With You

• Binoculars
• Sun Hat and Sun Cream
• Swim Wear
• Light Clothes; Color should blend with natural surroundings
• Light sweater or jacket for mornings and evenings during the winter season (Dec to Feb)
• Shoes for easy movement
• Flashlight
• Swiss knife

How To Reach Royal Chitwan National Park
By Road
Move on the Kathmandu-Narayanghat Highway. Then drive on the Pokhara - Narayanghat Highway which takes you to the park.

By Raft
You can raft down the Trisuli River (from Kathmandu) or Seti River (from Pokhara) ro reach the park.

By Air
Regular charter flights are available from Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar (Koshi Tappu), Bhairawa (Lumbini), Nepalgunj (Bardia).

Bouddhanath Stupa

Bouddhanath Stupa

Bouddhanath Stupa, the biggest stupa in Nepal, lies about 7 km east of the capital. The Bouddhanath stupa, also called by many as Khasti Chitya, is one of the oldest stupas in the country. After 1959, many Tibetans arrived and settled in Bouddhanath area. The stupa, a well-known Buddhist pilgrimage site, is included in World Heritage Cultural site list by UNESCO.


Fast Facts

Location	7 km east of Kathmandu
Importance	UNESCO world Heritage Site
UNESCO Category	Cultural
UNESCO Listed	1979

Structure
With diameter of about 100m and 40m height, Buddhanath holds its place among the largest stupas in the world. The Buddhanath stupa covers a vast area. It has a round path at the bottom while another path is made of three-tier plinth. The stupa resembles Swayambhunath stupa to some extent. The most impressive part of the stupa is the eyes of the Buddha which are painted with red, white and blue colors.

Festivals
Lhosar, the Tibetan new year festival, is the most popular festival celebrated at Bodhanath Stupa. Lhosar festival begins with prayers and worship. Thousands of Tibetans dress in traditional attire and dance after expressing reverence for Buddha. Number of Tibetans come from Laddakh, Sikkim, Bhutan to take part in this festival.

Attractions
In Buddhanath Stupa, there are many monasteries or Gompa attractions. They are all impressively adorned and colorfully painted. Anyone can visit the monasteries and take visuals. It is advisable to give small donation if you take photographs.

Tit-Bits

• The whole structure has a diameter of about 100 meters and a height of approximate 40 meters.
• Legend holds that King Manadeva erected the Bouddhanath stupa during the Lichavi period. It has been refurbished many times. The present stupa was renovated in the seventeenth century.