Author: nsadmin

Syabrubesi Nepal: Altitude, Weather and Bus Schedule

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Syabrubesi is a beautiful resident village inside the Langtang National Park. The local community, its festival culture and traditions and the famous religious yatra “Kailash Yatra” is beaming Syabrubesi in the spotlight for domestic and international tourism. Syabrubesi lies at the base of a green hill on the way to Langtang Valley.

Syabrubesi Nepal

Where is Syabrubesi?

Syabrubesi lies in one of the most beautiful countries to visit in the world, Nepal. Syabrubesi, Nepal lies in the Langtang National Park, a famous trekking region in Nepal. Syabrubesi has also dubbed the gateway to Langtang Valley and is a popular pit-stop of the route to Langtang.

Syabrubesi, Nepal is about 80 kilometers far from capital Kathmandu and has rough, graveled single lane roads.

Roads to Syabrubesi

Weather and Altitude of Syabrubesi Nepal

Syabrubesi lies on the outskirts of Langtang National Park and is thus covered by green hills filled with trees. Syabrubesi lies near the banks of Trisuli river. The weather of Syabrubesi is humid and sees rainfall quite often. The average temperature in summer lies from 20ºCelcius to 30ºCecius, and the winter sees the temperature of 10ºCelsius to 20ºCelcius.

The altitude of Syabrubesi is 2,380 meters as it lies somewhat in a gorge like a terrain in between two hills. However, the trip to Syabrubesi will touch heights about 5000 meters when crossing hills to reach Syabrubesi.

How to reach Syabrubesi, Nepal?

Syabrubesi is famous for its cool, temperate climate and its wonderful location. Syabrubesi lies on the bottom of a hill and the banks of the white-water rafting river Trishuli. It is around 80 kilometers far from Kathmandu and can be accessed through various transportation means.

  • Syabrubesi Bus Schedule: There is only a single period in a day when the local public bus leaves to Syarubesi from Kathmandu. The local bus leaves in the early morning around 7 am to 9 am. Unfortunately, the public buses are a bit old, smelly and congested. If you are looking for comfortable and cozy in local public transportation, it might prove to be non-existent in this tough terrain challenged trip.
  • Reserved Jeep: Unlike traveling to cities in air-conditioned tourist buses, Syabrubesi, Nepal does not offer exotic and lavish bus transportation mainly because of torrid road condition and a single lane road. If you do not like sharing a small space in a congested bus with people smelling like mud, you might opt to travel in a pre-arranged jeep.

Bear in mind that a mere taxi or a car cannot take you to Syabrubesi, because of rocky and uneven roads. It has to be a local bus or a jeep. The reservations of Jeep can be made through your traveling agency.

How long it takes to Reach Syabrubesi

Suabrubesi is just 50 miles north of Kathmandu Valley but might take up to 9 hours to travel. The local bus ride takes about 8-10 hours. This is mainly because of numerous stops in the way. There are lunch breaks, bathroom breaks, carrying and dropping people in many small villages and so on because of which the trip takes longer.

A reserved jeep can complete the journey in about 5 hours and save up time for sightseeing along the way.

Syabrubesi Nepal

Booking And Reserving Tickets for Syabrubesi, Nepal

Booking tickets for bus and reserving jeeps can be time-consuming for tourists with limited time on their travel. The tickets have to be scheduled manually by going to the ticket counter at the bus stop.

  • Booking tickets for the Bus: Tickets booking and availability of seats depends on the time you book your tickets. To get a seat on the local bus, you need to book tickets a day before the departure. If you look for tickets on the day of traveling, well let’s say you won’t get one and have to travel either standing or sitting in a tool at the passage between the seats. It will be a hellish ride considering the patchy, uneven roads.

The best way to ensure tickets and a guaranteed seat on the bus is to let your agency book the tickets. It helps to save the hassle to book tickets personally the day before and meanwhile save time to visit the city.

  • Reserving a Jeep: If you want to reach Syabrubesi, Nepal a bit quickly and save time to visit the area while surveying the scenes of the trip, reserving a jeep to Syabrubesi is the best option to go for. The travel agency can manage to book jeep service as per your travel needs and personal preferences.

Cost of Reaching Syabrubesi, Nepal

Syabrubesi is relatively easy and cheap travel destination in context of other remote places of Nepal. The public bus service costs around 600-800 Nepalese rupee ($6-$8) while reserving a private jeep costs around Rs. 15,000 ($150). We recommend reserving a jeep than the excruciating bus journey. The individual price can shimmer down by traveling in a group of about 5 to 6 people.

Thus, we recommend forming a group, and traveling to Syabruesi, Nepal by booking a jeep. You can contact the travel agency to pre-book a jeep service to travel to Syabrubesi.

For further details on itinerary, you can just email us at info@nepalsanctuarytreks.com 

Ruby Valley Trek – Ethnic Villages, Lakes and Passes

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Ruby Valley Trek is authentic and undisturbed trekking route of Nepal. This region is not explored extensively and provides the experience of unspoiled traditional Tamang and Gurung villages, their culture and lifestyle. If you desire some new experience than tourist hub trek routes, then Ruby Valley Trek is the one to explore.

Why Ruby Valley Trek

Ruby Vally Trek is a rare and unique trek, just like the precious stone Ruby itself. Ruby Valley is one of the unexplored trekking routes in Nepal. It is also called the secret path because not many people travelers take the journey.

Ruby Valley Trek

Trekking in Ruby Valley

Ruby Valley Trekking is perfect for individuals eager to experience something new or out of the ordinary. Unlike other trekking routes, trekking in Ruby Valley is different in many aspects. Some uniqueness of Ruby Valley Trek:

  • New, Unexplored Trekking Routes: Unlike other trekking routes with a distinct path, destination, luxury hotels, and transportation, Ruby Valley Trek is uncharted territory. You will be going through small traditional villages, through their barns and houses to next destination and so on. There is no fixed trail which increases the natural experience of a trek in the Ruby Valley region.
  • Local Homestay and Home Made Food: There are very few hotels on the trail of Ruby Valley so that you will be staying in local homes with the residents. You will also eat in local homes, have a conversation with peoples, know about their lives. Most of the stops will be in individual homes. Unlike staying in hotels, you will experience how it feels to live in a wooden and mud-built houses and eat locally produced cooked with firewood.
  • Visit of Authentic Tanamg and Gurung Villages: Ruby Valley trek route passes through some of the most authentic and undisturbed ethnic villages of different ethnic groups of Nepal. The trek passes through ancient Tamang and Gurung villages. The trek passes through foothills and lowland farm terraces of the local residents. The trail is actually these farms. You will literally walk in a field of wheat or rice, depends on the season of cultivation.
  • Ganesh Himal Close View and other mountains view: The Ruby Valley Trekking route falls between Manaslu Conservation Area and Langtang National Park. The trail is near the Ganesh Himal region so during the trek Ganesh Himal Range is observed from very close. In the course of the trek, other mountains like Annapurna Range, Langtang Valley, Twin Waterfall: Ganga Jamuna is seen.
  • Passes and Lakes: The Ruby Valley Trek passes through several passes. The highest pass during the trek is Sing La Pass (4050m). Some of the other passes are Pangsang pass (3850m), Kalo Kunda, Seto Kunda and Mangni Pass. The trek also passes through small but magnificent lakes. Some of the lakes seen in the trek are Kalo Kunda and Seto Kunda. These are very popular lakes. Rubies are mined around these lakes, and the lakes themselves are said to possess mystical powers. 
  • Rare and Endangered Birds and Animals: The Ruby Valley trek is unique because of the number of animals and birds seen from this route. The biodiversity in this area is outstanding. The area homes musk deer, Jharal goats, wild boars and, Langur monkeys. Pheasants and partridges also live in this area. Medically popular and strange, reportedly, aphrodisiac, caterpillar-fungus, Yarshagumba, is also harvested in the nearby highlands of villages found in this trekking route.

Ruby Valley Trekking route isn’t explored as much as other well-known trekking routes. Ruby Valley area lack tea houses and necessary infrastructure and other forms of lodging. Therefore, homestay is a standard option for accommodation and fooding on this trek. On some occasion, camping and tenting can also be an option for added experience.

Why choose Nepal Sanctuary Trek for Ruby Valley Trek?

Ruby Trekking is a new route and remains mostly unexplored. Trekking in these regions alone will prove substantially difficult. We have local guides who hails from Ruby Valley and knows the area very well. A guide with vital knowledge on the travel location and what to look for in the trekking route be the difference between an exception trekking journey and a very poor one. For an excellent guide who knows the terrain well and can attend to your travel needs, we are the best option for this trekking route.

You can contact us for any further details regarding the trekking routes, places to visit and any other aspects of your travel needs.

12 Facts of Nepal that you do not Know About.

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Though Nepal is geographically small but it is rich in natural as well as the cultural heritage. Nepal is a beautiful country with a wide variety of flora and fauna. Nepal holds the endangered species of wildlife such as Bengal tiger, one-horned, red panda and the multi-color of rhododendron.

Here are the facts listed below:

8 out of 14 highest Mountains

Himalayas in Nepal

Nepal is known as the Himalayas country over the worldwide. Nepal has eight out of the world’s 14 highest mountains including Mount Everest. Mount Everest the highest peak on the earth at the height of 8,848 meters. In Nepali Languages the Mount Everest is called Sagarmatha which means ‘Forehead of the sky.’

Unique Flag

Nepal flag is unique all over the world

Nepal is the only flag in the world that is a nonquadrilateral national flag. Nepal’s flag with two triangles shapes stacked on one another with colored red and its crimson with blue borders. The flag has two symbols: moon and sun. The red color signifies the national flowers rhododendron while the blue color is peace. The sun and moon represent the bravery of the warriors and peace.

Living Goddess

Kumari is living goddess in Nepal

Image Source: WelcomeNepal

Nepal is the home of living goddess where you can get to see in real. Kumari is the traditional worshipping young pre-pubescent girl selected and manifestation of divine female energy or Devi in Hindu religion. Kumari stays in the Kumari house in Kathmandu Durbar Square also known as goddess Durga.

Cow is considered God

Cow is considered God in Nepal

Cows are considered sacred in Nepal. Cow is national animal of Nepal and Hindu worshiped as a goddess Laxmi during the Hindu festival of Tihar. It is illegal to kill or eat the meat of a cow.  The cow has religious values in Hindu religion.

Greetings

Namastay greeting in Nepal

Namaste’is the way to greet everyone in Nepal. Joined two palms together with bowing their heads, at the same time. It is how to show respect and gratitude by using your both hands rather than a handshake when taking or giving things or even money.

Birthplace of Gautam Buddha

The Monastery of World Peace, Lu

Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha. Lord Buddha is known as Siddhartha Gautama who was born in Kapilvastu, Lumbini. Lord Buddha was the creator of the Buddhism. He taught that pain is a part of life and end the pain doing good things and training one’s mind in a difficult situation.

Food is tasty in Nepal

Nepali Newari food

Image Source: Inside Himalayas

Nepal’s famous fast food is Momo. Momo is made of flour and water then fills the blended meat and steamed. Then served with a dipping sauce. Momo is local fast food and loved by all Nepalese.

World Heritage Sites

places to visit in Nepal

Image Source: PlacetoTravel

Nepal has the densest concentration of World Heritage Site. Kathmandu Valley alone has seven World Heritage Cultural sides within a radius of 15 kilometers.

National Parks

Bardiya National Park

The protected area has cover mainly the forest land and various altitudes over Nepal. Nepal has ten national park, three wildlife reserves, six conservation areas and one hunting reserve. The Sukhlaphant and Parsa Reserves were upgraded to National Park in 2017. Chitwan is the oldest national park of Nepal. Chitwan National Park and Sagarmatha National Park both are enlisted in World Heritage Site.

Glacier Lakes

Nepal is home of many glacier lakes in Himalayas region on the earth. Many travelers visit the Himalaya region as their primarily trip. Tilicho lake is the highest lake on the planet where the Shey Pokshundo Lake is the deepest lake of the Himalaya region. And Rara Lake is the largest lake surrounded by the dense of the forest.

Variation of Altitudes

Geography of Nepal

Nepal has a different variation of altitudes and climates. Nepal is topographically divided into three regions: Himalaya region, Hilly region, and Terai region. Each area varies with varying ranges of elevations and climates. Nepal has four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The Terai is hottest where the Himalaya is the coldest region of Nepal.

Biodiversity

Shuklaphant National park

Nepal is rich in biodiversity and the diversity. There are various types of flora and fauna found in Nepal. Also, found many wildlife and medicinal herbs which cannot be founded in the world. Yarshaghumba (Ophiocordyceps sinensis is an entomopathogenic fungus) is found in the mountainous region of Nepal. Wildlife such as One horn-Rhino and Royal Bengal tiger can seen in the Wildlife Reserves.

What Country is Mount Everest In – History of Mt Everest

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Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world above sea level soaring at the impeccable height of 8,848 meters. People all over the world want to see this magnificent art of nature, and some even dare to scale to the top of it. Let’s know some more about the history of Mount Everest, what country is Mount Everest in, the dangers in climbing Everest and so on.

Mount Everest Climber

Image Source: Japantime.co.jp

What Country is Mount Everest In

You might be wondering about doing something exciting, praiseworthy and daring in your life. What is more exciting and exhilarating than climbing the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest. Then you might ask where is Mount Everest in the world and what country is Mount Everest in. Well, the godly peak lies in the Himalayan Range in Asia in a land of cultural and traditional diversity, Nepal. The Everest also touches China and Tibet, but Nepal is from where you can climb and conquer this monstrous mountain.

Where is the Country of Mount Everest

Mount Everest is in the Asian county, Nepal. The peak of Everest lies between Nepal and Tibet, but tourists mainly focus on Nepal in they consider an expedition to the summit of the world.

How to reach the Country of Mount Everest?

Now you know that the answer to the question “ What Country is Mount Everest In”. Mount Everest is in Nepal and Nepal is located in South East Asia. The puzzle remains how to reach the land of the Everest. You may not get a direct flight to his small and proud nation from any corner of the world. The best way to travel to Nepal, paradise land is by plane. Nepal has international flights from Dubai, India, Qatar, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Indonesia, and Bangladesh.

Nepal is a landlocked country, so sea route direct to the border of Nepal is not possible. The travel plans and ticketing is arranged through several travel agencies and also by tourism agencies. You can choose to buy tickets personally too by going to flight service providers and buying online.

From where to climb Mount Everest

The Everest summit is lies between Tibet and Nepal and can be climbed either from the Tibetan side (the north ridge) or the Nepalese side (the southeast ridge). Climbing Everest from Nepal and climbing from the southeast ridge is generally considered the easiest by the Sherpas and past expeditions, both for mountaineering and bureaucratic reasons.

Route to climb Mount Everest

Most climbers attempt to climb Mount Everest from the southeast side in Nepal, beginning at 17,598 feet from Everest Base Camp. Climbing Mount Everest from the Tibet is a little cheaper. However, rescue operations are limited and far more complicated as helicopters aren’t allowed to fly on the Tibetan side. Because of political restrictions and regional relationship disputes between China and Tibet, the Nepalese side of Everest is easily accessible and often in the spotlight. When people say they are going to climb Mount Everest, they are mostly referring to South Base Camp at the height of 17,598 feet in Nepal.

Geographical Location of Mount Everest

The geographic location of Everest is 27°59’ North latitude, 86°55’ East longitudes. The peak is about 160.51 km from Kathmandu which is equal to 99.74 miles.

Different Names of Mount Everest

Mount Everest is graced with many names. Everest is called ‘Sagarmatha,’ in Nepal which means “Forehead of the Sky.” The Tibetan’s the named the mountain ‘Chomolungma’ which means “Goddess Mother of Mountains.” The peak was named “Everest” name from Surveyor General ‘Sir George Everest’ who identified the exact location of the peak in 1865. Andrew Waugh, a British Surveyor General of India, recommended naming the mountain on his predecessor name “Sir George Everest.”

History of Mount Everest

The history of Mount Everest dates the back to early nineties. The mountain is expected as 60 million years old. The mountain is long worshipped by both Nepalese and Tibetan and has mentioned the peak in several ancient kinds of literature and writings.

The official and recorded history of Mount Everest can be traced to 1865 when Trigonometric Survey of British India pegged the height of the mountain at 8,840 meters.

People became aware of the possibility of climbing Everest in 1885 after Clinton Thomas Dent, then president of Alpine Club suggested that the mountain could be summited in his book Above The Snow Line.

The history of Everest summit completion surrounds a debate on who was the first to conquer the mother of all mountains. In 1921, the British Reconnaissance Expedition led by George Mallory and Guy Bullock discovered the northern approach as Nepal didn’t allow foreigners in the country. People reported seeing George Mallory and Andrew Irvine in the summit in their expedition of 1924 for a brief period before he vanished in the clouds at the height of 8,848 meters.

The official and recorded history of Mount Everest shows that Sir Edmund Hillary and local sherpa climber Tenzing Norgay Sherpa did the first successful summit of Mount Everest from the south side in 1953. The expedition was the ninth from the British team. Tenzing and Edmund were the second pairs in the journey.

Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay

Edmund and Tenzing reached the summit of Everest at 11:30 local time on 29th May 1953 through the South Col route of Nepal. After the expedition, both acknowledged the feat as a team effort and credited the whole team for completion of the expedition. After a few years, Tenzing revealed later that Hillary put his foot on the summit first. They paused at the summit of Everest for a short period to take photographs and buried sweets and a small cross in snow before starting to descend.

The 1970 Japanese Expedition

The team took over 100 people in the expedition that took a decade to plan. The team devised their own route to summit the Everest. They only were able to summit four people in the Everest. Yuichiro Miura became the first person to ski down Everest. He descended around 4,200 vertically before falling with several injuries. The team lost eight members and failed to ascend through their planned routes.

Mount Everest Deaths

Mount Everest has taken over 250 lives of climbers, sherpas, and porters who try to conquer the tallest peak of the world. Most of the deaths occur during descent because of lowering oxygen level in the tank and tiredness. Elevations above 8,000 are known as Death Zone, and oxygen levels here are too thin to support human life. If there is enough time, climbers even attempt to satellite phone their home from the summit.

Climbers say corpses guide the way to the summit. More than 200 corpses lie in the path to the top of Everest. The earthquake of 2015 also saw 10 people dead at Everest base camp.

The history of Mount Everest is saddening too. Statistics show 288 deaths from 1924 to June 2017. Of the deaths, 168 died attempting to summit without using supplemental oxygen. Of the 288 deaths, 71 died on the descent after their summit. The major causes for deaths during the Everest expedition are Avalanche, falls, altitude sickness and exposure to extreme cold.

The Height of Mount Everest

The height of Everest was first determined in 1856. The Great Trigonometric Survey of British India examined the height of the mountain, at 29,002 feet (8,840 meters) known to them as Peak XV. The surveyors then were at a disadvantage because Nepal didn’t allow foreigners in the country. The findings matched the findings of later observations done by the Chinese team in 1975.

Mount Everest is said to have formed because of a collision between the Indian Plate and the Tibetan Plate. Even now because of small collisions in tectonic plates, the height of Everest increases by 0.25 inch every year.

The current height of Mount Everest is 8,848 meters. The government of Nepal has decided to remeasure the height of Everest in the coming years.

Want to know more about Mount Everest?

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10 Tips To Find Best Trekking Company In Nepal

Posted on by nsadmin

The vacation season is fast approaching, and you must be searching traveling destinations and agencies to visit new places and spend quality time. And if you decided to visit Nepal, one of many questions swirling in your mind has to be “Which trekking and a traveling agency should I choose.”

If you have decided on trekking activities, there are more than 1000 trekking agencies all over Nepal, but what you need is nothing less than the best trekking company in Nepal. Among these many traveling and trekking agencies, not all are best at what they do. Some criteria need fulfillment by the company to be called the best trekking company in Nepal.

Here are 10 tips to help you find your “Best Trekking Company” while in Nepal.

Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) Membership and Government Authorization

Trekking agencies in Nepal are required active registration with Nepal Government, Nepal Tourism Board(NTB) and Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) to conduct services in Nepal. Investigate if the company has a valid license and has authority to conduct trekking activities. Some companies might have an old registration certificate, and some might even be banned from conducting tourism-related activities.

Check for valid registration documents in the agencies’ website and if unavailable, ask for proper legal documents as proof of the company’s official recognition as trekking agency.

Client Review and Testimonials

Not only the registered company should offer good service for trekking, but they must also be excellent at their job. Read the experience of past service users in various internet portals and get an idea of services available. TripAdvisor provides a somewhat fair review of trekking agencies, so look up the review submitted by TripAdvisor. Each agency posts its personal client’s testimonials on the website. You can look at these testimony to determine whether the agency suits your travel needs and expectations.

It is highly unlikely that agencies post bad comments about their services on their website. Thus the existing comments of clients may somewhat be misleading. Websites such as Lonely Planet and TripAdvisor can be considered to get the reviews of various travel agencies, their functions, and their services.

Quality Services

Quality in terms of products and service that trekking company offered should be considered while choosing the company. The service supplied during pre-trek can make the most important impact on your journey.  Choose the company that prioritizes on quality rather than quantity.

Make sure the trek specialist offer you first-hand experience and recommendations in your preferred trekking destination, listen to ideas and talk to you about a sort of trekking perfectly fit for you and can identify the most significant aspects of trip. The itinerary should prepared based on trekking profile, physical fitness, training, health conditions, trek duration and interests.  In addition, investigate the company what sort of accommodation they lodge, food list they offer during camp, the source that the company purchase the food and the quality of equipment they use during trek.

Safety and Hygiene Standards of the Company

Traveling in a remote land among remote people, tourist considers safety as a primary deciding factor in choosing or not choosing a specific travel agency. Trekking is strenuous but not a difficult or risky task, but trekking can be seriously dangerous if proper equipment and precautions are not taken.

To be considered the best trekking company in Nepal, one must make the safety of its client the most important priority during the trek. You may regard as few points; which will help you to recognize a company with good services and genuine responsibilities.

1. Make sure guide are well trained in First Aid procedures and carry a comprehensive First Aid kit. They should be knowledgeable enough to know how to cope with mountain conditions, rescue in an emergency situation.

2. Ensure whether trekking company take Portable Altitude Chamber on all treks above 3000 meters for the safety of trekkers.

3. Make sure the trekking company carry Oxy-meter device to check heart beats and the level of oxygen in the blood which is use for a trekker suffer from altitude sickness.

4. Satellite Phone, to communicate with the office to update on a trek situation and to update the concerned family right from the mountains.

5. Oxygen tanks and first aid kits

6. Check whether trekking company prioritizes plenty of time to acclimatize for high altitude adventure and takes into consideration on weather conditions in particular season and also the trekker’s physical capacity.

7. Make sure trekking company send checklist of required gear. Good gear is the means for a safe and successful trek. Make sure with trekking company about safety gear, camping gear & warm equipment in detail.

8. If any tourism agency in Nepal labels itself as the best trekking company in Nepal, then they must have a pre-signed contract with local helicopters as a back up  if their clients need rescuing.

Apart from Safety, Hygiene is also an important aspect that creates a huge impact during trekking. Make sure the company maintains hygiene standard especially during camping trek and check whether the company provides information on hygiene standard policy during pre-trek.

Thus, while selecting trekking company, one should check whether the company gives importance in safety, hygiene and values your life more than money.

Cost Comparison and Facilities

Do not be fooled by the cheaper prices, the standards that follow may also be below par. Even if the trekking route is same, the cost between companies varies because of the services provided and the policy of the company. Cheaper priced agencies mostly lack well-equipped equipment and latest trekking gears.

Find companies that provide the best value for the money they charge. So, compare the cost with relation to the services provided and then only decide the trekking company.

Experience of Company in the field

To select the best option among existing service providers, the experience level of agencies in the trekking field can play an important role. Realistically speaking, a company that has provided services for the last 20 years can be expensive than a startup traveling agency. The experience of the established company should not be looked over just because other small agencies are selling cheaper traveling packages.

The experience and longevity of service of an agency provide a guarantee of services despite the high cost. So look for a well-established company with long history in the trekking field.

Agency and their Guides

Your trek guide is the most important person during your trek. Any shortcomings in the expertise and experience of the guide can worsen your trek experience. Some trekkers report that they had to be rescued in a helicopter during treks because they lost their way and were in near-death situation.

The proper agency also must provide necessary gears for its guides and porters. The guide is the life of the trek group. If the guide is ill or sick or injured, the entire trek halts, so choose the company that prioritizes the safety of their guides and member staff.

Also, make sure the guide you choose of the one provided to you is an official guide with a professional license. Some guides can even speak multiple languages and can be beneficial for effective communication.

Sustainable Trekking

Usually, the treks take place in the Himalaya, reserved forests and restricted areas. The trekking company should take serious consideration on environmental, cultural and social ethics. While selecting the company makes sure they take initiative on “leave no trace” strategy so as to protect the environment and its biodiversity and respect the local culture, traditional and rules.

Before selecting trekking company try to understand their seriousness about environment, social, economic and cultural aspects.

Make sure the trekking company committed and aware to reduce impact on the environment through waste release reduction and management, energy efficiency and information dissemination on sustainable practices among clients.

Apart from this, make sure trekking company looks after their staffs well. This is the initial step to make a trek sustainable. Ensure the company comply the following porter and guide welfare policy:

  • First aid , leadership training for guide
  • Comprehensive insurance , proper equipment for high altitude and food
  • Proper fair wages
  • Allow porter to carry load according to their physical abilities and weight restriction of carrying no more than 30 kg
  • Make sure the company does not employ the child as porter.

As sustainability should prioritize to make certain that the local people aren’t just being exploited for their natural attractions. So check the company that supports lodge and restaurants operated by the locals and promotes local culture which is a part of sustainable tourism after the natural environment. In addition, check if company encourages clients to purchase local products. You can investigate this from their website or make sure sustainable information is included in trip dossier.

 You can also enquire with trekking company if they take any initiatives to reduce the impact on environment during trekking. For instance: collection of garbage from the destination they trek, discourage client to use plastic bottles. You can investigate, how company encourages their prospective and current clients to support and involve in environmental initiatives during their trip

Therefore, as a responsible trekker or client one should seek for companies dedicated in protection of environment and promotes sustainable trek as a major component on the trek.

 

Research on the founders and Owner of the agency

The motive of a business or agency can be understood by researching the founders, owners and past activities records. If the owners are money minded and give a damn about their services, clients, and other important factors, selecting such agencies will only bring future discomforts.

On the other hand, experienced veterans agencies who bask in years of first-hand experience in the field can understand the need for top-notch services and why to provide them. Thus, research can be beneficial to determine the best trekking agency as per your need and trek requirements.

Inquiry Through Email, Call, and Social Media Pages

A clarity on services and other facilities provided by a trekking company can be received through personal investigations. Inquiry can be made through calls, emails and social media pages. The contact information can be found in each agency’s website and easily available on the internet.

Follow the above-mentioned points and narrow down your list of clients. The above points will surely guide you to finding the best trekking company in Nepal that will make your trip most memorable and enjoyable.

4 places to do Jungle Safari In Nepal

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Nepal is famous for beautiful Himalayan ranges where the highest peak Mount Everest lies in Nepal. Not only Nepal is renowned for the mountain trekking and mountaineering worldwide but also offers for the adventurous jungle safari. Nepal is rich in biodiversity, wildlife as well as vegetations.

Nepal has ten national parks, four wildlife reserves, one hunting reserves and six conservatives areas. There are various flora and fauna in Nepal and also the treasures of medical herbs.

The southern part of Nepal, Terai low land tropical area preserve some endangered species. Jungle safari is a fantastic experience where visitors can get a chance to see the wildlife such as Bengal tiger, Musk deer, Elephant, One-horn Rihno, Gharial, Crocodile, Blue bull, wild buffalo and many other endangered species of animals, birds and so on. You will often know the traditional life of local people, variety of language and costumes.

The most popular jungle safari in Nepal.

Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park is the oldest national park of Nepal and also list in the World Heritage Site. Chitwan National Park is located in the subtropical Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal, covers 932 sq. Km (360 sq mi). The area stretches in the districts of Nawalparasi, Parsa, Chitwan, and Mankwanpur.

One horned rhinoceros in Chitwan National Park Nepal

Image from WelcomeNepal

Chitwan National Park was established in 1973 and granted the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984. Its altitude starts from 100 m (330 ft) in the river valleys to 815 m (2,674 ft) in Churia Hills.

Chitwan National Park offers jeep safari in the jungle around the national park where there is various species habitat. Chitwan National Park is the home to 68 mammals species, 600 species of birds and 55 species of amphibian and reptiles.

Chitwan is mainly known for One-horn Rhino and the king of the jungle, Bengal Tiger which lives in the dense of the forest. Besides tiger and rhino includes many species of mammals such as sloth bears, wild dogs, golden jackals, jungle cats, wild buffalo, elephants, deer, etc. Likewise, there are different kinds of birds like peacock, white-throated kingfisher, male paradise flycatcher, cuckoos, woodpeckers and many others. Similarly, includes many types of snakes, python, crocodile, gharial, etc.

Chitwan Park is one of Nepal’s most popular tourist’s destination.

Sauraha and Meghuali are two main entrance to Chitwan National Park.

Many visitors travel there to spend a vacation or have a wonderful weekend with family and friends.

Tharu community is the local inhabitants of this area. Tharu village is famous for its culture. Tharu people live near to the Chitwan National Park where they reflect the tradition.

Best time to visit Chitwan National Park is between September to March. On the months, the temperatures remain 25-35 degree Celsius.

Bardiya National Park

Jungle Safari in Bardiya National Park is a great experience, and Bardiya National Park is the largest and most undisturbed national park that was established in 1988, covering 968 sq. Km (374 sq mi) in Terai lowland Nepal. Bardiya National Park joins the eastern bank of the Karnali River and bisected by the Babai River in the Bardiya district.

Bardiya National Park

Bardiya National Park is the home to endangered Royal Bengal tiger and One-horn rhinoceros. Geographically the dense forest is cover by various factors of Sal, Savannah, grasslands with different wildlife.

The park has 53 species of mammals, 400 species of birds and 23 species of reptiles and amphibian. There are 839 species of flora and 642 species of fauna in this park.

The park offers the opportunity of fishing in Karnali River and Babai River.

The best time to visit in Bardiya is autumn, winter and early summer when the weather is warm and dry. Roads can reach Bardiya or by a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and from Nepalgunj travel by the bus to get there. Watch the various birds and mammals through jungle walk.

Shuklaphant National park

Another jungle safari in Nepal can be done in Shuklaphant National Park. It is a protected area of the Far-Western Region located in the Kanchanpur district in Terai, covering  305 sq. Km (118 sq mi). Shuklaphant National Park is famous as the hunting area for many years.

Shuklaphant National park

The park was declared a Royal Hunting Reserve in 1969 and gazetted in 1973 as Royal Shuklaphant Wildlife Reserve. In 2012, the status of the protected area was changed to a national park.

The tropical wetlands at an altitude of 174 meters (571 ft) to 1,386 meters (4,574 ft) which extend from north of the east-west highway to Sivalik Hills.

Shuklaphant National Park is one of the best conserved examples of floodplain grassland and part of the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion. Shuklaphant contains 700 species of flora where grassland constitutes almost half of the reserve vegetation including 46 species of mammals, 28 fish species, 423 species of birds, 12 reptiles and amphibian.

Shuklaphant National Park can be explored by jeep or walk around the jungle.

The forest occurs different types of vegetation like Sal, Sisso, Khair includes grassland like; Themeda, Siru, Kans, Munj and so on. Similarly species of wildlife such as Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, elephant, Swamp deer, owl, woodpecker, Sarus crane, grey-headed fish eagle including reptiles many types of snakes, Indian cobra, python and mugger crocodile.

The best time to go for Shuklaphant Jungle Safari is in winter season from November to February because the temperature is moderates and the views are clear.

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is the smallest protected area in the Terai of eastern Nepal covering 175 sq. Km (68 sq mi) in three districts: Sunsari, Saptari, and Udhyapur. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve was established in1976 and announces as a Ramsar site in December 1987. It contains mudflats, reed beds, and floodplain of the Sapta Koshi River. The altitudes range from 75 to 81 m (256 to266 ft).

Koshi Tappu is known as a home of birds.

Koshi Tappu is mainly established to conserve the birds and wild buffalo Arna. There are more than 280 species of birds in the reserve in which watercock, Indian Nightjar, striated grassbird, large adjutant stork and many others. The Koshi Tappu barrage is extremely important as a resting place for migratory birds.

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

Despite birds, there 31 species of mammals recorded. Wild Buffalo is a protected animal including Asian elephant, spotted deer, wild boar, golden jackal, sloth bear, in which the number of Gaur and Blue bull has declined. Also, include the endangered Gharial, crocodile, and Gangetic dolphin have been preserved in The Koshi River.

The vegetation is a mixture of the riverine forest, marshy and grasslands. The grassland covers the most land compared to the forest. Local villagers are permitted to collect grass which is used for thatching roofs.

In the extensive wetlands 514 plants are found including sugar cane, kapok, reed, eelgrass, lotus and 200 species of fish as well as different species of snake. The reserve is also available for fishing.

The best time to visit in Koshi Tappu Wildlife reserve is between October to March where visitors can explore the migratory birds resides.

Travelers can go through there by air flight, private vehicle, and jeep. There are many hotels and resorts available to stay.

Mountain Flight in Nepal: The Most Amazing Experience Above Himalayas

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Mountain Flight in Nepal is a must try activity when visiting Nepal. The exhilarating experience of flying over the tallest mountain, The Everest, is a rare experience in life itself. Passing the tallest mountain range, The Himalayas, within camera range entices viewers of the beauty of this majestic snow-capped paradise.

Mountain Flight is best suited for a person who doesn’t have the luxury of time to trek and physical attributes to scale many hills to reach the peak of mountains. Mountain Flights are readily available, time efficient and cheaper than weeks of rigorous trekking.

Helicopter Mountain Flight in Nepal

Mountain Flights are available in different forms, schedule, and duration in Nepal. All the mountain flights are done in the morning to catch a clear view of the mountains. Mountain flights are done in two ways in Nepal.

  • Airplane Mountain Flight
  • Helicopter Mountain Flight

Airplane Mountain Flight

Three major airline service provider in Nepal, Buddha Air, Yeti Air, and Simrik Air provides daily mountain flight services from Kathmandu Airport. Airplane Mountain Flights takes off from Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Helicopter Mountain Flight

Helicopter Mountain Flight is famous among tourists who like to view the mountains for an extended period, take videos and photos from close range. Helicopter Flight is used for reaching remote destinations and places where the regular airplane cannot reach. Heli Tour is massively expensive than Airplane Flight. The cost of Heli Tour is more than $1000 per trip. Heli Tour is available from Kathmandu Airport and Pokhara Airport.

A Glimpse of Heli Tour in Nepal

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Nepal Mountain Flight Price

The Airplane mountain flight is very cheap compared with the Heli flights. The cost of a Mountain Flight is about $180 to $200. The price varies based on the day of travel, weather condition, and your respective agent or booking agency and also the airline with whom you travel.

The cost of Heli Flight starts from $1000 and rises as per the destination and duration of the travel. The price of Everest Heli Tour is around $6000, and the trip will consist of five passengers only.

Nepal Mountain Flight Booking

The booking for Mountain flight in Nepal is relatively straightforward. The reservation of your window seat can be made individually by visiting the flight service providers website. You can also book a mountain flight through your choice registered tours and travel agencies in Nepal.

Everest Mountain Flight

Mount Everest is the tallest peak above sea level in the world. The existence of Everest has made Everest Mountain Flight one of the most sought out and attended tourism activity in Nepal. The one hour flight takes passengers over the soaring Himalayas and gives the view of the Tibetan lands beyond the Everest.

The trip takes place in mornings from Monday to Sunday. The tour takes you nearly 20 miles of the Everest and showcases neighboring lakes and glaciers. The flight comes with guaranteed window seat. The journey is carried out in 19 seater Beech 1900D aircraft, 24 seater ATR 42-300 aircraft and 36 seater 72-500 ATR aircraft.

Everest Mountain Flight Experience

The mountain flight begins early morning when you will be taken to the airport by a private vehicle. Then you will attend an hour flight over the glorious Himalayas, seeing the natural beauty of sky-high, snow-capped peaks followed by slow-moving glaciers.

After the takeoff, the aircraft heads eastward and immediately the view of peaks starts. The first peak in sight is Gosaithan (Shisha Pangma) standing at 8,013 meters. To the right of Gosaithan, Dorje Lakpa (6,966m) appears. Dorje Lakpa is known as number 8 mountain. It is a small mountain that looks like the number 8  covered with snow. At the right of Dorje Lakpa is Phurbi-Ghyachu, the mountain that stands atop of Kathmandu and smiles over the valley.

The plane moves along, and the Himalaya range comes close. The next mountain in the vicinity is Choba-Bhamare (5,933m), the smallest to view on the flight. Choba-Bhamare is also called the Virgin Mountain because nobody has climbed to the top of it. Then comes the Gauri-Shankar, at the height of 7,134 meters. This mountain carries Hindu belief; devotee believes that Lord Shiva and his consort Gauri protect the mountain.

As the plane moves towards the sixth longest mountain chain of the World, a succession of mountains follow starting Melungtse, a Plateau like a mountain that stretches up to 7,023 m, mountain  Chugimago is seen standing at 6,297 m and remains unconquered. At 6,956 m, Numbur mountain resembles a breast, maternal source in the sky providing pure milk to the Sherpas of the Solu Khumbu. Next comes Karyolung, the white mountain that at 6,511 meter gleams as the sun rises and the rays hit its snow-covered body. Then comes Cho-Oyu, the eighth highest mountain in the world, reaching a height of 8,201 m, appears stunningly beautiful from the aircraft.

View of Everest from Airplane

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The outlook continues with Gyanchungkang gleaming at 7,952 meters, one of the most challenging mountains to climb. The right shows Pumori at 7,161 meters. The trip then nears the Sagarmatha, as called by Nepalese people, also called Chomolungma by Tibetans. The majestic Everest, to view this beast of a mountain from closer than 20 miles is a sight to behold.

The airplane then takes a turn around the Everest to give a proper view for passengers sitting on both sides of the aircraft. Then the plane returns to Kathmandu Airport signaling the end of the mountain flight. During the trip, the passengers receive separate map marking the route of the aircraft, the mountains, and their location to ensure that passengers know about the where about of the mountains. The plane attendant will guide about the area and information about the numerous sights and mountains in the route.

The trip will land in Kathmandu International Airport, and you will leave for your hotel in a private vehicle.

Mountain Flight Pokhara

Pokhara is a major tourist city of Nepal. Tourists visit Pokhara to view lakes and indulge in other relaxing activities. Pokhara sits in the base of Annapurna Range and Machhapuchre, the fishtail mountain. Pokhara lies in Kaski, which is known as Lakes paradise. Numerous natural lakes like Phewa, Begnas, and Rupa and also has Davis falls, a favorite tourist hub.

Pokhara gives tourist with two separate experience of mountain flight.

  • Airplane Mountain Flight Pokhara
  • Ultra Light Flight Pokhara

Airplane Mountain Flight

Airplane Mountain Flight Pokhara

Tourists keen on mountain sightseeing can choose to take a mountain flight from Pokhara. The trip takes place over the Annapurna range, fishtail mountain and also reaches Mt.Lamjung and Mt. Manaslu.

After 15 minutes of boarding the plane, Mt.Dhaulagiri flashes before your eyes, the seventh highest mountain of the World standing at 8,172 meters. After Dhaulagiri comes Mt. Annapurna I (8,091m) followed by Machhapuchre (6,993m). Mt. Machhapuchre is famously called the fishtail mountain because the top of the mountain looks like a fish’s tail.

After crossing fishtail mountain, Annapurna III (7555m), Annapurna IV (7525m) and Annapurna II (7939m) come in view one after another. The carrier then takes a 360-degree turn providing a panoramic view of Mt. Lamjung(6,932m) and Mt.Manaslu(8,163m). The return trip offers a view of Seti river gorge and all-around greenery view of the mesmerizing Pokhara Valley.

Ultralight Flight Pokhara

Ultralight Flight is a new way of experiencing the natural beauty and exhilarating snow-capped mountains from touching distance. Ultralight is a light aircraft carrier with no window and can carry just two people, a pilot, and a passenger. Powered by engines, these carriers can reach very close to mountain peaks. The reach a high altitude and glides in the air giving a long viewing time for the passenger.

View from Ultralight Flight

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Ultralight Flight Price in Pokhara

The price of Ultralight Flight varies as per the package is chosen. There are three types of flight.

  1. Fly for Fun: It is a 15-minute flight over Pokhara Valley. The trip crosses over Pokhara city, a round of Phewa Lake, Sarangkot hill and gives a distance look on Annapurna Range and Mt. Dhaulagiri. The cost of the trip is $100 plus 13% VAT.
  2. Touch the Fish Tail: This flight is of 30-minutes and takes you higher and farther than the shorter trip. You reach close to Mt. Machhapuchre and get a spectacular broad screen view. The route reaches near the Tibetan Refugee camp in Lamachaur on the North of the Valley. Price of the flight is $175 plus 13% VAT.
  3. Mountain Range Sky Trek: If you have enough money and want almost to touch the mountains, this is the trip you must try. It is a one hour flight well over 12,000 feet covering the entire Annapurna Range and the fishtail mountain. The carrier gets so close to the mountain that the wind bouncing after hitting the peak sometimes hits your cheeks. The price of this package is $275 plus 13% VAT.

This ride is a unique experience in itself and must be on every traveler’s bucket list of activities.

Visit Nepal 2020 | What to Expect & Explore in Nepal in 2020.

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After the success of Visit Nepal Year 1998 and Nepal Tourism Year 2011, the Tourism Board of Nepal introduced Visit Nepal Campaign 2020. The Campaign was announced in 2015 to be held in 2018 but was later postponed to 2020.  

The mainstream media publicized Nepal as utterly devastated by the earthquake in 2015 and failed to show that Kathmandu with other major cities was almost intact. The earthquake significantly affected the inflow of tourists in 2016 as the number of tourists halved compared with previous year.

Visit Nepal Year 2020 Logo

 

The year 2017 saw the inflow of tourists bounce back to the pre-earthquake numbers. The year 2017 saw 940,218 foreigners enter the country. Some came for recreational activities while some visited to support the people of affected areas and with the motive to help the country economically by visiting Nepal.

The Visit Nepal 2020 campaign was scheduled in 2018 to promote that Nepal was a safe place to travel and only 12 of 75 districts were affected by the earthquake. The crawling upgrading activity of Tribhuwan International Airport and delayed construction of Gautam Buddha International Airport in Lumbini and improper transportation infrastructure led the Tourism Board to postpone the campaign to 2020.

Why should you visit Nepal?

Nepal is fifth among the Top 10 countries to visit in the world and number one in Best Valued Destination in the World. Why wouldn’t they be, Nepal boasts pristine natural beauty, sky-high Himalayas Range and endless culture and traditions spread out all over the country.

Trekking and Mountain Climbing

One of the reasons to visit Nepal is for trekking and climbing mountains. You can climb to the top of the World by scaling and conquering the Everest, the highest peak in the World. Trekking comes with viewing the natural beauty of Himalayas and knowing the lifestyle of people living in altitudes above 4000 meters.  

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Culture Tradition and UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Nepal is also rich in culture and traditions. There are countless ethnic groups each following their distinct art and religions. This diverse traditions and lifestyle is a prominent feature of Nepalese people.

Nepal boasts in cultural diversity, and this vast tradition showcases in the heritage and temples. In Kathmandu alone, there are 7 UNESCO World Heritage sites including Pashupatinath, Boudhanath and Durbar Squares.

Patan Durbar Square

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BioDiversity of Birds and Watching endangered animals

Nepal is not only about trekking and mountain climbing. Nepal boasts a wide range of animals and plants, some found just in Nepal. Nepal has 852 species of birds and bird watching has evolved into a sought out activity of tourists. Nepal also homes several endangered species such as the Bengal Tiger, One Horned Rhinoceros, Bengal Fox, Red Panda and the elusive Snow Leopard.

A Royal Bengal Tiger in Chitwan National Park

Royal Bengal Tiger

Image Source: The Himalayan Times

The objective of tourism campaign is to promote Nepal as a tourism destination and to improve the economic situation of the country.  

Is Nepal Safe to Travel after 2015 Earthquake

The earthquake of April 25, 2015, killed 8686 people leaving thousands injured and many more homeless. The rural parts of Nepal are still recovering from the damage caused by the incident. The resulting year saw tourists number all-time low in preceding six years. The Visit Nepal 2020 campaign can be the backbone to support the fragile economic conditions of numerous families in the rural areas.

Some media outlets reports of Nepal in the state of complete devastation and buried under heaps of pile is wrong. The earthquake mostly downed old buildings made of mud and some temples around the affected districts. The majority of Kathmandu remains intact which was not shown in the media, all a scheme to generate more TRP.

Nepal was affected majorly in about 5 districts and minorly in 7 other districts. All other destinations are entirely untouched. The repair and reconstruction of temples and heritage sites are underway and will finish come 2020.

Nepal, It’s People, Culture and the Beautiful Paradise Still Lives

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The Tourism Board has checked every route and the damage sustained by the trail. Currently, all 35 main hiking routes are declared safe to travel, and national parks cleared for visits. The government sees transportation infrastructure and airlines service as a primary aspect that needs improvement to ensure smooth flow of tourists both internationally and domestically. The government is mending roads and constructing new roads where necessary.

After the earthquake, all the buildings, trekking routes, temples and other commercial buildings all over the affected districts were thoroughly checked by Government approved engineers. The buildings with a red stamp are dangerous and best left unventured. There are very few buildings with red marks as most of these are broken down and replaced by new buildings.

A yellow mark represents minimal damage while a green stamp on the front represents that the building is safe and has not sustained damage from the earthquake. Pillars support most of the affected buildings, and in cases, new buildings replaced old worn out buildings.

So, Nepal is as safe as any place in the world to travel in now and also in coming years.

Preparation for Visit Nepal 2020

The government of Nepal is working rigorously to ensure a successful tourism period till 2020. The Tourism Board set a target of 2 million tourist arrival in 2020. Currently, the country sees nearly one million tourist visitors yearly and expect to double this number promoting Visit Nepal Campaign aggressively. At the moment, the tourism board is running Visit Nepal Europe campaign supported by ambassadors and diplomats of Nepal in European countries.

By 2020, the government plan to operate two new International Airport, Pokhara, and Lumbini and introduce new Airbus 330-200 to provide airline services to a large number of tourists. The government also plans to run Tribhuwan International Airport for additional 3 hours from regular 18 hours to ensure availability of services to incoming and departing tourists.

The private hotel sector has planned to add 4000 new rooms in four and five-star category in Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Pokhara. Many new international chain hotels, Hilton, DoubleTree, Marriott, are expected to operate in the coming years.

Why Choose NST for 2020

Nepal Sanctuary Trek is a certified Tourism Agency involved in providing tourism related services to tourists. We specialize in personalized itinerary made as per your traveling needs, capability and preferences. We offer services in all the activities mentioned above and promote green tourism and environmentally friendly traveling. For booking and reservations, you can contact us directly from the website or email us at info@nepalsanctuarytreks.com, or you can also visit us directly in our office in Kathmandu.

 

8 Himalayan Lakes in Nepal you should know

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Nepal is home to not only mountains and Himalayas but also to beautiful glacial-fed high-altitude lakes. Some of the lakes are situated near cities like Phewa and Begnas in Pokhara and some are located in high altitude mountains. Nepal also has the highest altitude lake in the world known as Tilicho Lake which is located in Manang District, Annapurna region of Nepal. 

While visiting or trekking in Nepal, you should definitely consider visiting these lakes which also carry religious and natural value. So let’s dive into our article to know more about lakes in Nepal since diving into lakes is not possible at this moment 😉 .

Rara Lake

Beautiful Rara Lake

Rara Lake is the largest and deepest freshwater surrounded by lush green forest and snow-capped mountains range. It is located in the Jumla and Mugu district in the far-western of Nepal at an altitude of 2990 meters (9,810 ft) and extended up to 10.8 sq. Km (4.2 sq mi) in Karnali zone.

The depth of the lake is 167 meters with 5.1 km long and 2.7 km wide. Rara Lake is also known for ‘The Queen of Lake’. Rara National Park is the smallest national park in the country which is home to different species of wildlife residents such as birds, wildlife, aquatics animals and various flora and fauna. It is one of the favorite destinations of tourist.

Tilicho Lake

Tilicho Lake

Image Source: Wikipedia

Tilicho Lake is the highest lake of the Himalayan Region, located in Manang district at an altitude of 4919 meters. Tilicho Lake is the most popular destination for hiking in Annapurna Circuit trek.

Tilicho Lake is surrounded by Khangsar, Muktinath peak, Nilgiri and Tilicho peak. The Lake also holds an essential belief of both Hindus and Buddhists.

Tilicho Lake leads the most exceptional village and a wide range of different ethnic groups of peoples.

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Phewa Lake

Phewa Lake

Image Source: Wikipedia

Phewa lake of Fewa Lake is freshwater and the second largest lake of Nepal, located in the Pokhara Valley. It is the only one lake in Nepal which has the temple in the central part of the lake named ‘Tal Barahi Temple.’

The splendid views of the white mountains of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna ranges can be seen from the lake. It is the central attraction for both internal and international visitors in Pokhara.

Shey Phoksundo Lake

Phoksundo lake

Image is taken from Wikipedia

Shey Phoksundo Lake is a fresh alpine water lake, at an elevation of 3,611.5 meters (11,849 ft) above from the sea level in the Dolpa district. Phoksundo lake covers 494 ha (1.91 sq. Km). Shey Phoksundo Lake is claimed to be the deepest the lake in the Himalaya region.

It is the real natural beauty along with spectacular views of magnificent snow-capped mountains. There are more than 20 stupas in the southern belt and one gompa in the eastern side of the lake. Once in the year’s pilgrims came there to be blessed. Phoksundo lake’s color is exotic turquoise blue.

Gosainkunda lake

Gosaikunda Lakes

Image is taken from Wikipedia

Gosainkunda lake is a holy lake located in Rasuwa district with the surface of 13,8 ha (34 acres), at an altitude of 4,380 meters (14370 ft). Gosainkunda lakes offer the panoramic views of Mt. Langtang ranges, Himal Chuli, Mt. Manaslu, and Ganesh Himal.

Gosainkunda is best and short trekking destination of Nepal. It is a significant place of interest on the Dunche-Helambu trekking route and adjoins Langtang Valley. According to the Hindu mythology attributes Gosainkunda as the abode of the Hindu god and goddess, Shiva and Gauri.

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Hindu scriptures Vishnu Purana, Bhagavata Purana and the epics of Mahabharat, Ramayan refer to Samundra Manthan, which is related to the Gosaikunda.  According to the Nepali Calendar, many pilgrims both Hindus and Buddhist come here to worship Lord Shiva. It’s a belief that once you take a bath in the holy lake, all the pain and sins are washed off.

Panch Pokhari

Panch Pokhari Sindhupalchowk Nepal

Image is taken from Wikipedia

Panch Pokhari is a group of five holy lakes, located in the Sindhupalchowk district in Nepal. It is ninth highest altitude wetland in the world.

It has been lately opened and includes the sacred places of Hindu. Panch Pokhari offers the pristine mountain views, rich culture, stunning natural beauty and features different biological diversity. Every year in Janai Purnima, numerous Hindus and Buddhist pilgrims visit Panch Pokhari.

Gokyo Lake

Gokyo Lake

Image is taken from Wikipedia

Gokyo Lake is one of the most picturesque and the highest lakes in Nepal. Gokyo Lake at an altitude of 4,700-5,000 meters above the sea. It is located in the Solukhumbu district insides Sagarmatha National Park.

Gokyo Lake is the fresh alpine lake, comprising six main lakes. Those who love the trekking in the Himalaya glacier, this is the best site to visit. It is the part of the Everest Base Camp Trek known as EBC trek via Gokyo lake.

Gokyo Lakes offers the spectacular views the backdrop of sixth world highest mountain on the earth.

Tsho Rolpa

Tsho Rolpa

Tsho Rolpa is one of biggest glacial lakes in Nepal. The lake is located in Rolwaling Valley, Dolakha district at an altitude of 4,580 meters (15,030 ft).

The Langtang and the Everest ranges make this lake highlights. The lakes provide the enchanting views of Majestic Mountains Gaurishankar, Langtang, Everest range and Tamakoshi river.

Tsho Rolpa is also known as Chho Ropla.

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Cost to Climb Mount Everest | A Detail Report

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Climbing Mount Everest is the most challenging and tough mountaineering in the world as a whole, only experienced trekkers can reach the summit. Every year, during the spring, many foreigners come to Nepal to fulfill their goals. 

The cost of climbing Mount Everest is from $35,000 to $ 60,000 and sometimes even upto $1,00,000 per person. The cost includes a guide and porters, food, climbing permit and other essential things that are needed.

The total cost of climbing Mount Everest is listed below.

Mount Everest

Climbing Permits

To climb Mount Everest first you need the permit from the Nepal Tourism Board which is located in Kathmandu. The climbing permits cost includes all permits to Everest Region. All climbers are required to obtain the permit which costs $11,000.

Training

Different agencies give training before climbing mountains. Training is a very crucial part of climbing Mount Everest. You should get the best trainer to get to know about techniques and tricks that can be used in the midst of climbing. The training cost can be $4000 to $6000.

Guide (Sherpas)

You should hire at least one Sherpa to guide you through and ensure your safety. The cost of each Sherpa’s guide is  $5,000.

Bottled Oxygen

The main things needed for Everest climbers is the supplement of oxygen on the way to the summit. You should carry at least 5 bottles of oxygen. Per bottles price of oxygen is $550 in which they also need an oxygen mask and regulator, which cost each $500 additionally.

Expenses at Base Camp

The heavy load is carried by porters and even yaks. So the climbing team is responsible for their food and shelter in Base Camp. This cost can go up to 4000 USD. 

Maintaining campsites

There might not be teahouses or lodges at a higher level. To keep the camps stocked and supporter adds some price for it. Climbers have to pay $2,000 for maintaining campsite. Climbers pay $800 per person for six weeks’ worth of food for their meals.

Gear

Climbers need to buy the high altitude gear while climbing the Mount Everest. Equipment includes a pair of boots, gloves, down suit, sleeping bags, electric socks, pee funnel, etc. All the gear price is $7,000.

Mount Everest Expedition

Image Source: Rmiguides.com 

Other climbing fees

Besides the permits and additional cost, climbers are required to pay some other climbing related fees such as medical support fee, hiring the relation officer to join them in base camp, phone bills (to make a call to their family) including the tip for Sherpa $500. Also, includes a refundable deposit for the removal of harsh and human waste. The other climbing fees are from $2,000 to $4,000 per person.

Miscellaneous

The emergency-rescue insurance if an accident happens during the climbing the Mount Everest or trip cancellation coverage, visa, immunization, cooks, porters, yaks, satellite phone and medical kit. Despite these expenses, the cost varies widely in which the whole price of the climb is $10,00 to 13,000.

So as a whole cost can go up to $100,000. Let us know if we have missed any cost in the comment section below. If you have any queries you can email us at info@nepalsanctuarytreks.com

Upper Mustang : Trek Ancient Caravan Routes to Reach the Last Forbidden Kingdom

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Upper Mustang Trek, also referred as Lo Manthang Trek, takes you to ancient villages enriched with deep-rooted Tibetan culture, vast form of Buddhist monasteries that contain precious paintings and relics, beautiful gorge passes and historical walled Land of Medicine, Lo Manthang.

The trip to Upper Mustang opens you to the vast windswept area at barren highland of the world with amazing scenery of naked hills and snow-capped mountains including Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Annapurna mountain ranges.

horses in Mustang Trek

The Upper Mustang trip provides you with real-life experience of a Himalayan desert, the beauty of a strange and uneven landscape, the soothing melody of crashing winds and the spectacular view of dead hills.

Nepal Sanctuary Trek is here to guide you through this arid mountainous beauty, diverse landscape and beautiful monasteries prevalent in Upper Mustang Trekking route in Nepal.

Upper Mustang was forbidden for foreigners to enter until 1992, thus named The Last Forbidden Kingdom. This is a pristine civilization and recently opened for foreigners to explore the evolution of culture and traditions and daily lifestyle of people of this remote location.

The landscape of Mustang bears similarity to that of Tibet. The land is dry with little greenery except on oasis near villages. Located north of Dhaulagiri, Tukche, and Tilitso Mountain, Mustang does not experience frequent rainfall which led the landscape to be dry, reddish brown and windy, almost like a desert.

Best Time to Trek Upper Mustang

Upper Mustang lies in the Himalayan Rain shadow thus it is suitable for trekking even during monsoon season. Monsoon in Nepal is during June, July, and August. During this time, the Upper Kali Gandaki valley remains dry enough with little or no rainfall, conditions ideal for trekking. Trekking Mustang in winter should be avoided as the weather becomes harsh, frequent snowfall and raging wind becomes common this time of the year and traveling in these conditions becomes impossible.

One of the highlights of this trek is the visit of Lo Manthang, the capital of Mustang. Lo Manthang in traditional language means the Land of Medicine. This settlement is inside a stone wall that covers the entire village. Lo Manthang is famous for monasteries which also includes the oldest monastery in the world, the Loghyakar Monastery also known as Ghar Gomba.

Mustang was separate kingdom until 1950 and had a separate king. The last King, Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista’s home still stands in Lo Manthang. He passed away during the course of treatment on December 2016 at Kathmandu following severe geriatric disorders with hypertension and uric acid.

The Upper Mustang region is famous for the sheer amount of caves, both natural and man-made. The gusty winds in this area cut rocks and hills forming many natural caves and gorges. Unlike these natural caves, there are more than 100,000 man-made caves all over Mustang. Some caves have carvings from ancient times, some have an inscription in the walls of their culture and traditions and some have stone objects and structures inside which are worshipped by the local people.

How difficult is Upper Mustang Trek

The trek is of moderate difficulty and is also compatible with children. The trekking route comprises rough dry terrain and cold speedy winds. One might face difficulty with altitude sickness and exhaustion during long hours of trek. The maximum altitude reached during the trip is around 3800 meters.

Temples in Upper Mustang Trek

The trek route is well marked with daily ascent and descent. The trail is the same trail used for salt by people in the past. The trail avoids any motor roads and crosses through several passes each day.  

To enter the Upper Mustang from Kagbeni, every non-Nepali citizens require an entry permit. The permit is called Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and costs $500 per person for 10 days and additional $50 for each additional day. The RAP cannot be obtained individually and must be obtained through a registered trekking company in Nepal.

Upper Mustang Permit Requisite

  • Valid passport with at least six-month validity
  • Original Passport and current Nepalese visa
  • Two passport sized photos
  • Scanned copy of passport and passport sized photo

The trip starts at Kathmandu with your arrival where we will pick you up and take to your hotel in a private tourist vehicle. The following day highlights with a visit to world heritage sites like Durbar Squares, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath and Bouddhanath shrine which is one of the largest stupas in the world.   

You can visit the valley to explore other interesting spots and do necessary equipment shopping for the trek after the briefing provided by us.

The trip takes you to the tourist destination Pokhara where you can visit the beautiful city and explore sites like Phewa Lake, Begnas Lake, and Davis Falls.

The trip continues to Jomsom from where the trekking portion begins. We take a short trek to reach Kagbeni and stay the night. The day will include a visit to Kagbeni monastery. The next day sees us enter Upper Mustang region along Kali Gandaki River. The trail is uneven and passes through numerous hills ascending to Tangbe village with narrow beautiful alleys. The trek continues to Chuhusang, then past the river, trek along a ridge to reach Chele village.

Another insightful day will be the trek to Syanbochen. The trek onwards will be longer and more strenuous. The trail to Syanboche will include spectacular views of Tilicho Peak, Yakawa Kang, and Damodar Danda and reach to the altitude of 3,475 meters.

People of Mustang

The trail will lead to our major destination Lo Manthang, the walled village. The trek includes views of Nilgiri, Tilicho, and Annarpurna1. We also visit Lo Manthang palace, the home of the last King of Mustang. We also visit Thubchen Gumpa and other important monasteries near the village and also explore man-made caves in the capital.

Another highlight of the trip will be the trip to Drakmar to see the Red Cliff. The trail east of Lo Manthang takes us to Dramkar where the hill lights up bright red during morning and evening sun.

In the entire trip, you can witness the ancient culture and traditions of Upper Mustang that links to the Tibetan tradition. The trip encompasses the first-hand experience with a secluded location of the world and interacting with local people and nun who have survived through centuries in this windy hills.

The return trip follows a separate path through Chhuksang valley where we again view Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri and explore Tibetan village and lifestyle through-out the way. The trail passes through dry plateau and fields. The trek will be challenging during descending due to the strong winds.

The next few days will be spent in Pokhara and Kathmandu, resting and accommodating to the city vibes. In your leisure time, you can explore the city for recreational activities, sight-seeing and so on. Upon completion of the duration of the trip, you will be escorted to the International airport for your departure.

Tengboche Monastery | Most Beautiful Monastery in Khumbu Region

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Tengboche Monastery is known as Thyangboche or Dawa Choling Gompa which is Tibetan Buddhist monastery. It is the largest monasteries in Everest region which located at 3,867 meters on the top of the hill and offers the magnificent views of mountain ranges including Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse. Mt. Lhoste, Ama Dablam, Tawache, and Thamserku. Tengboche Monastery lies in Tengboche and Sherpas inhabit it.

Tengboche monastery

Tengboche Monastery History

This Monastery has a strong connection with its mother, Rongbuk Monastery in Tibet. It was built in 1916 by Lama Gulu. In 1934, the earthquake devasted the monastery and was rebuilt. Again the second time, it was destroyed by fire and restored in 1989. During the earthquake in 2015, it was partially damaged, but it was recovered later.

Tengboche Monastery came under the influence of Buddhism about 350 years ago in Khumbu Valley. Lama Gulu who was known as Chatang Chotar found the Tengboche monastery in Tengboche village and established at its present location in 1916. The monastery is the first celibate monastery under the Nyingmapa lineage of the Vajrayana Buddhism.

Vajrayana Buddhism does not distinguish between male and female while teaching Buddhism. Nuns studied and practiced Buddhism during the years of establishing the Tengboche monastery. Then some years later, the nunnery was established at Devoche for sisters. This small nunnery, administrated by Tengboche, named Debuche Nunnery (Ani).

The Tengboche monastery was destroyed in 1934 due to the earthquake. Lama Gulu, who built the monastery was already dead so his successor, Umze Gelden rebuilt it with strong support from Ngawang Tenzin Norbu. The exclusive murals were painted by the well-known artist Kappa Kalden.

Moreover, on 9 January 1989, the monastery was again rebuilt; the fire destroyed all the precious old scriptures, murals, statues and wood carvings caused by an electrical short circuit.

Tengboche monastery.

Tengboche Monastery is the last stop of the “Sacred Sites Trail Projects” of Sagarmatha National Park which attracts vast numbers of visitors. Tengboche Monastery is surrounded by ancient mani stones and prayers flag. The flags are in five colors denoting five Buddhist elements: earth, wind, fire, water, and consciousness. The monastery is a home for 60 monks. Every year many visitors and trekker visit the monastery to get blessed by Lama. It is said that very few numbers of boys join as monks as they prefer to work in mountaineering or trekking activities.

Tengboche is a beautiful place, and it is in midway on the route to Everest

Many trekkers or visitors visit the monastery to lights the butter candles and pray for their good health and safe trekking to mountains. There are many lodges; small houses are available for trekkers. It provides the finest view of snowcapped Himalayas range. During the spring season, the slopes hill covered by variety rhododendron, pines forest and azaleas even make this place more beautiful.

namche bajar

Image Source: Steemit.com Namche Bazzar

Tengboche is inhabited by the Sherpas who emigrated from the Tibet around six hundred years ago. Sherpas follow the Buddhism and visit the monastery each day.

The Climate of Tengboche Monastery

The climate of Tengboche is varied from temperature to artic which depends on the altitude. The low height is also results of less snowfall in this area. July is the warmest month of the year with an average temperature of 10.1 degree Celsius. In January, the temperature falls into – 2.2-degree Celsius which is the lowest temperature of the whole year.

Mani Rimdu Festival

Mani Rimdu festival is the most important festival of Sherpa community in Tengboche Monastery. The festival falls in autumn season between mid-October and mid-November month. According to the Tibetan calendar, it is held on the tenth Lunar month.

mani rimdu festival

Mani Rimdu Festival (Image Source: The Himalayan Guide)

It lasts for the nineteenth day of the month. Thus, it officially celebrated three days. The festival is celebrated on the full-moon day in autumn and starts after Kojragat Purnima.

The meaning of Mani Rimdu is that Mani means ‘part of the chant of Chenrezig and Rimdu means ‘small red pills’ . During the festival, rep pills are distributed to all those who have attended the festival. Mani Rimdu preparation is divided into six steps; construction of the sand mandala, the empowerment (Wong), the dances (Chham), Ser-kyem, the fire puja (Jinsak) and Chhingpa.

The Mandala made with colored sand. The Mani Rimdu Festival begins with a continuous puja (24 hours) are performed by the monks dressed up in a traditional way and masks to bless the Mandal, the Mani Rilwu (scared pills), the Tshereel (pills for long life) and the Torma. Monks worship in front of the Mandala for ten days.

The festival includes 16 dances. The dances symbolize the victory of Buddhist over the ancient ‘Bon’ religion. They believed that the dance performed during the Mani Rimdu is very scared and is not for the ordinary entertainment.

On the last day when all the devotees leave, the monks perform a fire rite to remove all the negativity from the world. At the end of the festival, the resident of Tengboche Rinpoche of the monastery blesses the public after mask dances performed by the monks. Apart from Tengboche, Mani Rimdu is also celebrated in the monasteries of Chiwang and Thame.

The trek to Tengboche Monastery

To reach Tengboche Monastery, take the flight from the Kathmandu airport to Lukla which takes 25-30 minutes. You can reach Phadking after 4-5 hours of trekking from Lukla. Phadking is a small village which lies in the Dudh Koshi river just north of Lukla.  

Then walk towards steep inclines uphill to Namche Bazaar. Along the way, there are pretty small huts, crossing the suspension bridge, small villages, and passes through the rhododendron forest.

About 4-5 hours of walk you will reach Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar is a small-town market with numerous little stores with local selling various items from souvenirs to trekking gears to groceries. There are also many hotels, pud, restaurants, and lodges.

The trail to Tengboche monastery from Namche Bazaar is descending to the hills along with the suspension bridges and fantastic views of the Himalayas range. The path to Tengboche monastery is gradually steep to uphill. After 5-6 hours of walk finally, you can reach the destination, Tengboche Monastery.

Things to do in Tengboche Monastery

The forest and mountain ranges surround Tengboche Monastery. You can see Thar and yak as well as endangered musk deer along the way. Also, there are many medicinal plants and herbs in this area.

Tengboche Monastery is surrounded by the prayers flag and small stupas. Also, the lodges and hotels are available to stay. You can see the monks practicing the Buddhism and the beautiful paintings on the walls.

8 Incredible Facts about Great Himalaya Trail (GHT)

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Great Himalaya Trail is not only about trekking and enjoying the beauty of Himalayas but also helping people who live there. The trail passes through many lush green forests, valleys, incredible landscapes, upside and downside hills terrains in the Himalaya region.

The trail is always changing, so it is impossible to fix a route for trekking and to expect it not to change. This is because of landslides affect the trails, ice and snow conditions and sometimes bridges are washed away. Therefore before embarking on any mountain trek, you should study the route and condition of the trail properly. 

Great Himalaya Trail is for those who love adventure, Nepal’s Great Himalaya Trail presents once in a lifetime opportunity. Great Himalaya Trail is one of the longest and highest trekking trails in the world.

It takes you through Himalayas foothills, rocks, and ice, most of the times through the lesser-known routes exploring the something new in Nepal.

From the east to west of Nepal, the Great Himalaya Trail starts from eastern’s border Kanchenjunga to Humla on its western border with Tibet. 

high route GHT

Here 9 incredible facts about the Great Himalaya Trail:

Longest and Highest Trail

GHT is called the holy grail of trails. The Great Himalaya Trail is longest, highest and the most challenging alpine path in the world, running through Bhutan, Tibet, India, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Nepal.

First Trip of GHT

Great Himalaya Trail walked first time in 2008 and 2009 by a team of Robin Boustead in Nepal after a lot of research, documentation, mapping. The first trip started from February to August 2011 and was completed successfully in 157 days.

Length of Great Himalaya Trail

Great Himalaya Trail, the 1,700 kilometers long trekking trail from the east end to the west end of Nepal. The trail stretch roughly more than 4,500 kilometers (2,800 mi) length of Great Himalaya Trail running through 6 countries.

Time to trek Great Himalaya Trail

GHT is divided into ten connecting treks. The Nepal section of GHT takes 60 to 160 days of walking. The treks can be done individually or in the group. Despite that Great Himalaya Trail features numerous treks of long duration and difficulty during the trail. Some of the trails require camping equipment and some other can done in teahouses or lodges.

Routes of Great Himalaya Trail

Trekkers can choose between two routes: The GHT’s High route stretches over a distance of about 1,700 meters km and passes through several remote villages on the where people still follow their traditional life and untouched by the modernity, the high altitude mountain landscapes which offer the adventurous trekking, alpine valleys. It is the extreme route of the Himalaya region, crosses above 3,000 to 5,000 meters and takes up to 150 days. 

The low route is considered easy and is mainly popular as cultural trek. In both cases, you can either start from east part or the west part of Nepal.

Many areas of GHT especially high route cross through the restricted areas where you need to have permits.  

Low Route GHT

The GHT low route is shorter than the high route. The low route stretches the distance of about 1,500 km which will take about 100 days to complete the trek. The low route crosses through Nepal’s mid-hills with an average altitude of 2,000 meters (6,600 ft). GHT low route treks walking through the beautiful jungle, green paddy fields, fertile agricultural land and local settlements of different cultures.

Easy but not so Easy

GHT is considered comparatively easy but it is not a direct route. No technical climbing is required. Trekking for more than 150 days is quite difficult that climbing a single mountain. There are numerous mountains with high elevation. 

GHT connects 6 countries

GHT crosses through Myanmar, Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, India, and Pakistan. The total length of GHT is roughly 4500 km. It would take you 150 plus days to complete the Nepal part of GHT. 

View all packages under High Route and Low Route. You can email us at info@nepalsanctuarytreks.com or direct contact us through Contact us page. Please lets us know what you think about GHT in the comment section below. 

Island Peak | Everything you need to know about Island Peak

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Island Peak is a beautiful mountain in the Everest region where most of the trekkers experience incredible climbing and mountaineering; also, enjoy the magnificent views of panoramic Himalayas.

Island Peak is also known as Imja Tse mountain tower at 6,189 meters above from the sea level which situated in Sagarmatha National Park of the Himalayas of eastern Nepal. The peak is a part of Mt. Lhoste (8,516 m), Mt. Nuptse (7,861 m), Mt. Buruntse (6,770 m ), Amphu Lapcha (5,245 m), and Ama Dablam (6,856 m).

Island Peak named by Eric Shipton in 1952 (some sources says 1951) when the view from Dingboche seen as an ice island. In 1953, a team of British Expedition climbed Island Peak as a training exercise which included Alf Gregory, Charles Wylie, Charles Evans and Tenzing Norgay with seven Sherpas. Later the team went on to summit Mount Everest. 

Island Peak

Island Peak Trekking permit

A trekking permit is required before you start trekking in Island Peak. You would need Island peak climbing permit along with Sagarmatha National Park, TIMS (Trekking Information Management System) card.

Island Peak permit fee for a group of up to 4 climbers is USD 350 with an additional charge of USD 40 per person. Also, a deposit of USD 250 is required to ensure compliance with garbage regulations.

Best time to visit

Generally, Island Peak can be attempted throughout the year except during the monsoon and the winter. During Monsoon (June to August) rainfall makes it challenging to climb and in winter due to extreme cold. 

During Spring (March to June) and Autumn (September to November) seasons are the best time to visit Island peak. The weather tends to be clean during autumn and spring season. This is the time when most trekkers want to trek in Island Peak and the Peak is crowded during this time.

Island Peak Trekking

Trekking to Island peak and returning from there is the same route. The total time to climb the Island Peak depends upon trekkers. Usually, it will not take more than 6-8 hours excluding lunch. You should start early in the morning so that you can reach the destination on time and spend enough time to enjoy the fantastic view of the place.

The trek starts from the Kathmandu airport to Lukla flight with the greats views all the way along with the hair-raising landing at the Lukla’s short runway. Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla usually takes 25-30 minutes.

The treks begin from Lukla heading towards Phakding. After 4-5 hours of walk-on the gradual downhill trail, you reach a small village of Phakding which lies on the bank of the beautiful Dudh Koshi river.

Phakding is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.

Then the trail starts from Phakding to Namche Bazaar which takes around 5-6 hours to arrive there. Crossing through several suspension bridges, uphill and downhill and also there are small teahouses are available on the trail. 

Namche Bazaar lies in the Khumbu region.  Namche Bazaar is a small-town village. There are many good hotels, lodges, pub, cyber cafe, restaurant and many shops. It is one of the most popular stops along the everest route. It is also called Sherpa villages and is famous for the Sherpa’s Cuisine. Every Saturday morning, Namche Bazaar is lighted up with the weekly market.

The next day is acclimatization day where you can rest whole day or visit the museum.

After that, the trail continues to Tengboche from Namche takes about 5-6 hours of walk. The walk to Tengboche is an uphill trail. Arriving at the Tengboche, you will discover the Buddhist Monastery and Tengboche Monastery which is the biggest gompas of the Khumbu region. Also, the fantastic panoramic views of Himalayas ranges.

Then walk ahead from Tengboche to Dingboche, the elevation at 4410 m. Passing through the rhododendron forest, small villages, bridge with roaring Imja Khola and a gradual climb takes to the lower village Pangboche with beautiful views across to Ama Dablam. Trek to Dingboche takes around 6-7 hours to reach. Trek to Dingboche takes 5-6 hours to arrive there. Dingboche is larger than Tengboche.

Dingboche to Chhukung walk takes 2-3 hours to reach the height of 4730 m. It’s a short walking. On the trail to Chhukung, you can see the Island peak. At Chhukung Valley the prayers flag surrounded the Buddhist stupa.

The walk to the Island Base Camp takes 3-4 hours, which is a steep climb and walk through the river basin, up and down rough terrains with beautiful scenic views along the glacier moraine. Take rest on that day and prepared for next day to the summit.

Finally, the big day comes to climb the Island Peak which is also called Imja Tse. The trail begins through the sandy, walk continuously through some grassy path. Then as you trail higher to Island peak, the narrow path turned into a snowy ridgeline and then lead to the summit glacier. The glacier is the challenging part of the climb as it has several crevasses. With the help of a rope, walk up to Island peak. After the strength effort finally, you will see the splendid view from the summit and spend some quality time and take a picture before going down to the base camp.

Then head back to Island Base Camp to Chhukung to Pangboche which takes about 6-7 hours. Leaving behind the Dingboche village descend towards Pangboche.

Again walk descending to Namche Bazaar for 5-6 hours. Then Namche Bazaar to Lukla is a long walk about 8-9 hours. 

Island Peak

Things that you need for Island Peak

You should pack your luggage according to the number of days you will be trekking. The items that you need for climbing are; climbing helmet, a pair of boots, crampons, climbing harness, ascending and descending device, ice ax, carabiners, gloves, rope. Also, carry the warm clothes, sunglasses, water bottles, etc.

Island Peak Trekking Difficulty

Trekking to the Island peak is not technically challenging. Island Peak is the most famous trek and suitable for both beginners and experienced trekkers but always hire a professional guide with you which will be safe during the trek. 

Physical Fitness

Trekking to the Himalaya region requires both Physical and mental fitness. If you don’t have climbing experience, then you should ask the company to organize a special climbing training and also a guide.

The person who has cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, low blood pressure won’t be approved for the trekking. The health condition matters the most while going for the trek.

16 Do’s and Don’ts while hiking in Nepal

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Nepal is a small country with dramatic landscapes, lush green forest, beautiful Himalayas, and rich in cultural heritage. Nepal is a paradise for those who love to travel. Nepal is one of the world’s great travel destination countries which offers heaven beauty. The citizens of Nepal are very kind and frank to foreigners.

In every country, there are some cultures and rules different from other parts of the world. It is always good to have knowledge of such norms before entering the country. Some Do’s or Don’t while hiking in Nepal are listed below.

Indra Jatra Festival In Nepal

Image Source: Selfvisit.com

Here is how to make friends of Nepali people and not foes on your trip. 

Greeting

‘Namaste’ is the way to greet everyone in Nepal. Joined two palms together with bowing your heads, at the same time. This is how to show respect and gratitude by using your both hands rather than a handshake when taking or giving things or even money.

Leather Products

Always take off your shoes when you enter the temple or holy places. Don’t take the leather products such as a bag, belt, jacket, etc. inside any temples in Nepal.

You can buy different types of leather products all over Nepal, but using and carrying them into holy shrines is considered a sin. Most temples have got a locker system where you can place your belongings safely.

Get receipts

Do get a receipt of authenticity when buying an antique or something else otherwise, you will not be allowed to take things out of the country. Don’t purchase the items which are made of animals’ skin or fur. The goods aren’t allowed to take out of the state, and also you might have to face some problems.

There are plenty of cases when idols and antiques are stolen from temples, so to not get into any problem, get receipt for all the products you buy. 

Take Photographs with Consent

Don’t take the photographs of locals, holy shrines, and temples unless you have given their consent. Taking pictures of museums, palaces, security office might be restricted. Ask a local personnel before taking pictures of such places. 

There are many temples where no one is allowed to take photographs. In that case, respect their culture and do not take photographs. 

Beef 

Don’t ever talk or eat beef in front of Hindus and Buddhist because beef is strictly prohibited in both Buddhist and Hindu religions. Hindus and Buddhist worship the cow in Nepal.

Beef is not easily available in Nepal.

In temples

Do walk around the temple and stupas in clockwise so there will always be the walls on your right side. Don’t walk around in anti-clockwise.

Walking around the temples anti-clockwise is considered disrespectful. While worshiping the god inside the temple try not to disturb other people.

Changing Currency

Before traveling to Nepal, do change the Nepalese currency. There are plenty of money exchange stalls in the airport as well as in the market area of Kathmandu. You can also ask your Tour Operator to do it for you. You can not use foreign currency to buy things, so better get Nepalese Currency as soon as you land at the airport.  

Also, prior to leaving Nepal exchange all the Nepalese currency because you are not allowed to take the Nepalese money with you.

Dresses

Nepal is quite a conservative country especially in rural areas and holds true in religious. However, in some places like Kathmandu and Pokhara you can see peoples wearing the western clothes.

Do well dress which cover most body part like long skirts, loose trousers, full sleeve clothes, etc. Don’t wear proactive garments which shows openness of sexual disrespect.

Hiring a Cab

When you hire a cab, you do need to ask the driver to use meter for your travel. Otherwise, most drivers will want to bargain with you but insist using a meter. Also, note that the charge of the cab during night time is double after 10 pm.

You should ask at least two or more cab drivers before you hire one. If you have to reach your hotel from the Tribhuwan International Airport, there is a fixed fare to different places of Kathmandu. 

Drugs, Weed, and Alcohol

Don’t buy or use drugs here. It is illegal in Nepal.  Nepal Government is strict with the abuse of drugs. 

Buying and selling weed  is also illegal in Nepal. In addition, smoking in public places is also prohibited. A fine of 100 rupees or more is charged if found smoking in public places. 

Give Money to Beggars

Begging in Nepal is not as common as in India but still, you will see people and children begging in some places like temples and even in market areas in a different part of Nepal. Do not encourage them by giving money even a cute child ask for it. Instead, you can give charity to schools and other organizations that look after those street children if you really want to help. 

Nepal Sanctuary Treks has 30 years of experience in Trekking Industry of Nepal. Send us a message with any query you have about Nepal Now.

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Carry a Charger and Power Bank

Take an international charger with you. Most of the devices do not match this configuration so you might have to carry along with you.

You might want to carry a rechargeable battery for your camera and a power bank for your electronic devices like a phone. Powers cuts are still frequent and in hilly and rural areas you might not get electricity to charge your devices. So having a good quality power bank will definitely help you. 

Carry a Torch or Flashlight

Carry a torch or flashlight with you all the times. Sometimes you might face the power cut during the night. This will make sure that you don,t have to stay or walk in the dark. The power backups are available in most decent hotels.

Be Eco-Friendly

Nepal suffers from the issues of plastic uses such as plastic water bottles, bags, etc. There is no proper waste disposal management of the plastics.

The problem mainly occurs in Himalayan regions. Himalayan region is a remote area of Nepal. Tourist going there with mineral water bottles which increases the plastic waste, so Tourists or foreigners can help them by using their own bottles and reusable bags during the trek.

Don’t Drink Tap Water

Don’t drink tap water directly whether you are staying the deluxe hotels or in a small tea house. However, most places provide you safe drinking water. Always carry a water bottle with you in case you are outside.

For your own safety, you can carry water purification tablets or drops to treat drinking water. You may also want to carry a SteriPEN water Purifier. SteriPEN UV water purifiers use ultraviolet light to destroy bacteria and protozoan cysts without the effort required by many pumps and filters. 

Respect Local people and Culture

Image Source: ohheyworld.com

Mostly Nepalese people are very kind, down to earth and cheerful. Nepal is also a diverse country with a different kind of religion, culture, and lifestyle. Try to respect their culture and not to offend them. You can make great friends when you start enjoying their culture.

What to do Before landing in Nepal

You can contact Nepal Sanctuary Treks and clear all doubts about Nepal before actually coming to Nepal. Our Experts will help you with all the queries. 

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