Surrounded
by the greatest heights of the Himalaya,the kingdom of
Nepal
is a land of eternal attraction, a place where one visit is hardly ever
enough.
It's
a land of colorful cultures, ancient history and people, superb scenery
and some of the best walking on earth.
Nepal's
history is closely related to its geographical location, separating the
fertile
plains
of India from the desert-like plateau of Tibet. Its position between Indian
and
China
meant the country was able at times to play the role of intermediary -
a
canny trader between two great powers - while at other times it faced the
threat of invasion. Internally, its history was just as dynamic,
with city-states in the hills vying
with
each other for power until one powerful king, Prithivi Narayan Shah, overran
them all.
That
history is very visible today with the three great towns of the Kathmandu
valley -
Kathmandu,
Patan and Bhaktapur - still bearing witness to their days as
fiercely
competitive mediaeval mini-kingdoms. Indeed, in Nepal
it's
often possible to suspend belief and mentally roll the
clock
right back to the mediaeval era.
Behind
the old temples and places of the Kathmandu Valley,above and beyond the
hills that
surrounding
the valley,another kingdom' rises skyward. The abode of snows' which
is
what Himalaya means in Sanskrit, is a natural kingdom'
and
a magnet to mountaineers from all above the world.
You
don't have to be Sherpa or Hillary in order for you to get
in
amongst these great mountains.With a touch of enterprises
and
a modicum of fitness most travelers can walk the trails
that
lead into the road less heights of the Himalaya.
In
Nepal one trek is rarely enough, and many visitors soon
find
themselves planning to return. Fascinating old town,
magnificent
temples and great walking are not all Nepal has to offer.
Many
visitors come to Nepal expecting to find these things
but
also discover how outstanding friendly the Nepalese are.
Trekking
is not the only activity which draws visitors,
it
also has some superb white-water rafting opportunities,
mountain
biking, which is become more and more popular,
and
down in the jungle, safaris on elephant-
back
into the Royal Chitwan National Park are another
not-to-be-missed
part of the Nepal experience.
KATHMANDU
VALLEY IN A NUTSHELL
KATMANDU
Known
as Kantipur, the capital of the Kingdom of Nepal. Nowhere in the world
can one find
the
same concentration of culture, art and tradition that exists in Kathmandu
valley. This city is
aconcentration
of temples. Near the Durbar square is the residence of Kumari the Virgin
Goddess
who
acknowledges the greetings of the devotees from the balcony of her temple
residence.
Kasthamandap
the source of the name Kathmandu. Hanuman Dhoka the ancient Palace of the
Nepalese Royalty.
PATAN
CITY
Known
as Lalitpur. It is 6 km south east of Kathmandu city across the southern
bank of the river Bagmati.
The
city is full of Buddhist monuments, Hindu temples and the ancient palace.
Noted for its
craftsmen
and metal workers it is also known as the city of artists.
BHADGAON
CITY
Known
as Bhaktapur is the home of medieval art and architecture. 14 kms east
of Kathmandu city.
The
main square of the city contains innumerable temples and other architectural
showpieces:
The
Lion Gate,the palace of 55 windows, the Batsala temple, the Nyatpola temple,
The
Bhairav Temple and also a pottery village.
KIRTIPUR
It
is a small town 8 kms southwest of Kathmandu on the top of a hill. This
historical town has many sights
to
offer: old houses,traditional costumes, people working on ancient looms.
SWAYAMBHUNATH
This
stupa is said to be 2000 years old and one of the world's most glorious
Buddhist Chaityas,it is 4 kms west
of
Kathmandu city, and is situated on a hillock, from where we can have a
spectacular view of Kathmandu city.
PASHUPATINATH
The
temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated 5 kms east of Kathmandu
on the bank of the sacred Bagmati river. It is a pagoda-style temple with
a gilt roof and richly carved silver doors. One of the most holy temples
in the entire Hindu world. Cremation rituals are performed on the banks
of river Bagmati.
DAKSHINKALI
Literally
meaning the Kali of the South, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali,
a Hindu goddess of power.
It
is situated 20 kms southwest of Kathmandu and is famed for its natural
surroundings. Every Tuesday
and
Saturday, animals are brought for sacrifice at the pith of Kali
CHANGU
NARAYAN
It
is situated 24 kms east of Kathmandu on a hilltop, this temple is dedicated
to Lord Vishnu.
It
is said to have been built in the 4th century A.D. The temple is richly
decorated with sculptures
and
carvings,from where you can have a beautiful view of the surrounding's
countryside.
NAGARKOT
It
is situated at an attitude of 7133 ft. above sea level,32 kms east of Kathmandu.
A panorama of the
major
peaks of most of the eastern Himalayas, including Mt. Everest and Khumbu
Himal as wells
many
of the western Himalayan peaks can be seen from here. Best for sunset and
sunrise.
DHULIKHEL
It
is situated at an attitude of 5500 ft. above sea level, 30 kms east of
Kathmandu on the Kodari Highway,
a
scenic and ancient town. From here one can have a panoramic view of the
Himalayan ranges
from
west to the East. Best for sunset.
DAMAN
For
a view of the breath-taking grandeur of the world's highest peak,from far
west of Dhaulagiri
to
east of Mt. Everest.There is no better place than Daman. It lies 80 kms
southwest of Kathmandu
on
the mountain highway-the Tribhuvan Rajpath.
POKHARA
The
Pokhara valley is scenic and exciting.This area is famous for trekking
and lies
200
kms west of Kathmandu.It is an enormous sunlit playground covered by green
hills,lakes,
forest,rivers,water-falls
and terraced fields.For the mountain lover Annapurna range and
Fishtail
peak are just standing in front of you for clear views.
LUMBINI
Lumbini
the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the apostle of peace, compassion and non-violence.
It
is situated 306kms in the western Terai of Nepal. The Lumbini garden complex
has a stone
pillar
commemorating the visit of Emperor Ashoka around 250 BC.
ROYAL
CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK
The
Royal Chitwan National Park is a large area of low, heavily forested hills
bordering India
in
the South,a heaven of wild life, the lordly tiger, lumbering one honed
rhino,leopard,varieties of deer,
wild
boar and some four hundred species of birds. It is situated 162 kms south
of Kathmandu.
VACATION
PACKAGES FOR INDIANS
MOUNTAIN
FLIGHT
Nepal
Trekking
