Nepal: A Travel Hub in South Asia

Nepal is increasingly becoming a travel, trek and meeting hub in the South Asia region. After ending of the 10 years Civil War, Nepal has become even more popular travel destination. A recent Global Peace Index says that Nepal is the second most peaceful country in the South Asia. The Australia and US-based Institute of Economic and Peace’s ranking shows that when it comes to peace, Nepal is far more ahead than its neighbors like India, Sri-Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Nepal is even ahead of her northern neighbor China.

That’s one of the reasons why Nepal received a record number of tourists last year. Not only the tourist stay but the average number of days spent by tourists has also increased to a 7-year high in 2011. The trekking route in the Everest, Annapurna, and Langtang region also received increased number of tourist arrivals. The number of mountaineers and the number of their stay also rose in that year.

Not only that, Nepal is also increasingly becoming a meeting hub for regional and international organizations. Various international organizations and companies are finding Nepal a perfect place for conducting their seminars and meetings owing to Nepal’s scenic beauty, pleasant climate, and hospitable people.
Similarly, Nepal also hosted a regional level film festival week recently. Documentary films on environment protection were shown in the festival. The participants were from Nepal, India, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and the Philippines.

Nepal is also increasing becoming a regional adventure sports center. Besides mountaineering and trekking, you will find opportunity for many adventure activities here: bungee jumping, mountain biking, kayaking, paragliding, rafting, etc. Nepal is also seeing more adventure related infrastructure in its tourism industry. The recent one is the plan of creating an international standard rafting center at Bhotekoshi.

Recently, another adventure sports was introduced in Nepal’s tourist capital of Pokhara: Zipflyer. A popular adventure sport in Europe, Nepal’s Zipflyer is South Asia’s first Zipflyer adventure. This adventure sport takes you on ropes from Pokhara’s Sarankot Hill to Yamdi. You cross and pass by various mountains, jungles, lakes, and rivers. Pokhara’s Zip Line is supposed to be one of world’s fastest and longest Zip–lines.

Manaslu to Tillicho Trek

Everything about the trip was excellent. Our leader, Bir Bahadur Magar, was very good – very conscientious and hardworking and very well organised. The crew was very good. The food was excellent and we really appreciated the effort Bir and the head cook went to to ensure we had fresh local vegetables all the time.

The only suggestion I would make is that the trip needs a couple of extra days. A rest day/optional excursion day on the day after coming down from Larkya La to give people’s knees a chance to recover from the huge descent before yet another long day of descending to Dharapani and at least one extra day in Manang as a buffer against bad weather. If that day isn’t needed, it can always be used in Jomsom (side trip to Kagbeni perhaps) or in Pokhara.

Best wishes for now,
Lesley and Carmel

Langtang, Manaslu, Everest Trek & Tibet Overland tour

Ms Conny and Mr Patrick arrived in Nepal on 9th February 2007 and did several treks and tours in Nepal and Tibet. First two days they spent in Kathmandu for preparation and adjustment and they flew to Lukla from where Everest Base Camp trek start. After 17 days great Everest Trek they returned Kathmandu. After 3 days rest in Kathmandu they started Langtang Circuit Trek. They did exciting two weeks trek is known as the “Trekkers Paradise of Nepal” because it offers some of the most captivating cultural encounters and exceptional diversity of scenery available in Nepal After unbelievable Langtang Circuit trek they started AROUND MANASLU. This trek around Manaslu is a true classic traveling into one of the most remote regions of Nepal. Many consider it to be the best trekking route in all the Himalayas. This Challenging trek is spectacular, both geographically and culturally. Everest Base Camp and Langtang Circuit Trek they did lode to lodge trek but this trek they did full bard tent to tent camping trek.

Before they went to Lhasa overland tour they went 3 days Chitwan National park for jungle safari and they did fantastic Elephant safari. Royal Chitwan National Park, the oldest National Park in Nepal, is situated in the sub-tropical inner Terai lowlands of South-Central Nepal. The Park was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1984.

Himalayan Glacier Trekking organized their 5th trip Kathmandu to Lhasa overland tour. The drive from Katmandu to Lhasa over spectacular Passes and revealing views of the majestic Himalayas, takes seven days over the “Friendship Highway”. The drive is well worth it as you encounter some enchanting Buddhist monasteries, highest mountain of the world (Mt. Everest) and remote villages untouched by modern civilization. While approaching the city you will be able to notice the Potala Palace, a vast white and ochre fortress that dominates the Lhasa skyline, en route we will stop for one night in Everest Base Camp (Ronbuk). Beside the Everest Base Camp, the will by pass through the major highlighted places of Tibet, Nyalam, Shigatse & Gyantse the historical seat of Tibetan power and the location of the tombs of previous Dalai Lamas, the Potala Palace has been reduced to serve as a symbolic feature for Tibetan aspirations.