Natural
Activities
Nepal offers an
astonishing topographical variation with altitude
ranging from 70 m to 8,848 m just within a span
of just 193 km. Partly on account of this, Nepal
boasts of all kinds of climates ranging from
alpine to temperate to tropical. All kinds of
flora from tundra-like vegetation to desert-type
cactuses to rainforest. All kinds of fauna from
prairie dog-like Marmot to snow leopard to dolphin.
All kinds of geo-features ranging from the steppes
(wind-swept desert landscape) to countless river
to lake valleys and vales to hills to mountains
to plains to jungles to marshland to grassland,
etc. Not to mention, hundreds of rivers, glacial
lakes, lakes, and creeks with their common origin
in the Himalaya. The Kali Gandaki meanders between
the world's deepest gorge/canyon. The highest
mountain in the world- still the last mystical
symbol of purity left in the world gone wrong.
Over 70 ethnic groups, each with its own unique
culture and language, spread out across the
length and breadth of Nepal mostly in hamlets,
villages and shantytowns. Temples, shrines,
festivals all year long. All you need to enjoy
all these are a pair of strong legs and the
spirit of adventure.
Crowned by eight
of the world/s 10 highest mountains (including
Mt. Everest at 8,848 m), Nepal/s geography packs
an extremely varied landscape into a small area.
This wild variation fosters an incredible abundance
of vegetation which is the habitat of an equally
amazing wealth of wildlife. Tigers, rhinos,
monkeys, bears, yaks, leopards and other animals
co-exist with thousands of species of insects,
birds and butterflies. Thanks to Nepal/s extensive
and effective park and reserve system, the country
has managed to preserve more endangered species
of flora and fauna than any other area in Asia.
Nepal has nine national parks and three wildlife
reserves, which include areas in the highest
mountains in the world as well as tropical lowland
of the plains. Most of these parks are accessible
by road and provide visitors with easy access
to the full array of Nepal/s natural wonders.
Nepal is home to almost 10% of the world/s bird
species - among them 500 species are found in
the Kathmandu Valley alone. Get your binoculars
and look up in the trees.
The beautiful
lake-city of Pokhara is nature/s favorite child.
The stunning Himalayan panorama and the serene
Phewa Lake and other rare creations of nature
make for a truly enjoyable and relaxing interlude
for delegates in between long and tiring talk
sessions.
Mountain
Travel TicketingMountain Travel Ticketingare a very convenient way of
exploring the Nepalese Himalayan peaks without
the hardship associated with treks and mountain
climbs. All the domestic airlines offer various
forms of mountain Travel Ticketing. Most mountain Travel Ticketingare done in the mornings and during all seasons
except in the rainy season of June and July.
Now mountain Travel Ticketingalso take off for all the
Himalayan ranges and also beyond to Mt. Kailash
and the Mansarover Lake in western Tibet. Other
forms of mountain Travel Ticketingare also catching
up. Ballooning and ultra- and micro-lites provide
such soaring Travel Ticketing. They offer spectacular
views of the Himalayan panorama around Katmandu
Valley and Pokhara.
Bird Watching
Bird Watching in Nepal is a rapidly growing
form of recreation. With the opening of Koshi
Tappu Reserve, this activity has rapidly gained
momentum. Other parks and reserves are also
attracting more birdwatchers. Nepal is home
to various species of rare and migratory birds.
Koshi Tappu alone has recorded over 250 species
of birds. Rare birds include Impeyean pheasant,
the national bird, snow cock, snow pigeon, giant
horn-bill, saras crane, babblers and others,
etc. Every year millions of birds migrate from
Tibet, Siberia and the northern mountains to
the lowlands and the Terai. The Koshi Barrage
is also one of the most important migratory
habitats. Other lakes and ponds in the Terai
and the midlands also form important migratory
routes. Bird watching is a very pleasant experience
during late autumn and early spring when the
migration occurs.
Photography
Photographic expeditions are gaining grounds
in Nepal in recent years. There are destinations
and areas in Nepal, which are photographers`
delights
Nature
Walk
Hiking in Nepal can be a very pleasant experience.
It is also the best way to know about the lifestyles
and culture of the people and the scenic beauty
of the places. A day`s hike can be done from
Pokhara, Kathmandu, Tansen or from any of the
hill resorts such as Dhulikhel, Kakani and Nagarkot.
Hiking routes are normally along foot-tracks
that have been in use for centuries. The pleasant
seasons of spring and autumn are the best times
to hike when the sky is clear and the mountains
present their full glory. Be sure to take along
drinking water, maps and picnic lunch to make
the hike a memorable experience. Interacting
with the local people can be a very informative
and illuminating experience in Nepal because
the country probably has the most hospitable
and friendliest people on earth. Also check
out the local culture and monuments on the way.
Flower
Tour
Due to diversity in climate and topography,
many different varieties of flowers are found
in Nepal. They range from tropical flowers found
in the Terai to flowers such as rhododendron
that are found only above the snowline. Out
of the many varieties of flowers found in Nepal,
many species of orchids and varieties of rhododendron
are the rarest and most of them are found nowhere
on earth. The Lali-Guras Festival, the festival
of rhododendron flowers, is held annually at
Helambu. Lali-Guras is the Nepalese name for
the red rhododendron, and is the national flower
of Nepal With all this richness in flowers,
Nepal is a flower lover`s paradise. Spring and
autumn are the best seasons to be in Nepal for
floricultural indulgence. Due to its richness
in flowers, Nepal is also known as the 'only
flower that blooms in winter'.
