हनी हुन्तिंग इन नेपाल

Honey hunting is an age-old tradition here in Nepal. Local honey hunters show their exceptional skill by hanging themselves from cliffs as high as 300 meters using bamboo ladders and hemp ropes, while harvesting the honeycombs. See the spectacular honey hunting on the steep bee cliffs to experience the tradition and culture of the local people. See them while you trek in the foothills of The Himalayas.


Honey Hunting is the real and frequent activity of indigenous Gurung and Magar Community in Bhujung and Pasgaon for honey hunting from which they are able to solve their problem of bread and butter. This ancestral job of honey hunting still continues in many remote villages of Nepal while offering high tourism potential. A large section of travelers are increasingly showing their interest in honey hunting thereby ensuring staple sources of local revenue generation, besides Ghalegoan Bhujung and the hole of Annapurna region, Dhading and Jharlang across Ganesh Himal Arun valley in Makalu and other trekking areas have become Popular for honey hunting, a new tourist activity but in Nepal except Bhujung area of Annapurna region, special package of Honey hunting for tourist is not developed yet. Nerveless few lucky tourist get chance to observe honey hunting on spot while traveling along the trekking routes. There are myriad be nests found in the inner and outer rings of different trekking areas which if professionally scientifically and technically managed, provides an immense potentiality of promoting honey hunting as an add- on product.



Honey Hunting, the collection of Honey from the nests of wild Bees built on steep cliffs is an age-old tradition. Local honey hunters show their exceptional skills by hanging themselves from cliffs as high as 300 meters using Bamboo ladders and hemp ropes, while harvesting the honeycombs. Everyone is thrilled to watch honey hunters at work.
Adventure Pilgrims Trekking & Travels organize this kind of Honey hunting Tour With part of Trekking. This is a camping Trek including Honey Hunting. Ghal Adventure Pilgrims Trekking & Travels has well experience at Honey Hunters to do the Job, you will enjoy the Trip. Come on our holiday and discover local tradition and Goring culture in Nepal. Don't forget your camera!!

Trekking in the foothills of the Annapurnas. See the spectacular honey hunting on the steep bee cliffs. Be welcomed by the Gurung people and learn about their traditions and customs.

These holidays give you the opportunity to sample traditions and culture. See them while you trek in the foothills of The Himalayas.

Season : Spring & Autumn
Itinerary Details:

Day 01 : Arrive Kathmandu, Adventure Pilgrims Trekking & Travels Rep. will transfer to Hotel. O/n at Hotel.
Day 02 : Kathmandu – Besishahar (5hr Drive) by Tourist coach. O/n at hotel.
Day 03 : Besishahar – Ghalegaun (6-7hr trek). O/n local lodge.
Day 04 : Ghalegaun – Bhujung (3hrs trek). O/n local lodge.
Day 05 : Bhujung – Thaku Bhir (hunting place). O/n camping.
Day 06 : ThakuBhir (Free day to watching hunting). O/n camping.
Day 07 : ThakuBhir – Bhujung (3hrs trek). O/n local lodge.
Day 08 : Bhujung – Besishahar (6hrs trek back). O/n at Hotel.
Day 09 : Besishahar – Kathmandu. (5hrs Drive Back). by Tourist coach O/n at Hotel.
Day 10 : Kathmandu O/n at Hotel.
Day 11 : Departure onward.

For more details contact info@trekinepal.com or see Adventure Pilgrims Trekking on web.

ट्रेक्किंग थे टॉप ऑफ़ थे वर्ल्ड ऎंड प्रोफ़ वेक्स्लेर क्रेअशन

The government of Nepal and the Maoist rebels who have been engaged in a civil war since february 1996 have signed a historic peace treaty, paving the way for the restoration of the tourist trekking trade in this beautiful Himalayan countrey. More than 13,000 people were killed in the conflict, and though the voilence was never directed towards tourists who converge on the contry to enjoy treks through the stunning landscape, tourism(a major component of the nation's economy) was down more than by 30% in recent years. This year is satisfactory. Under the new agreement, Maiost insurgents will be confined to 28 UN-monitored camps(to which many have already reported) and the turn over their weapons to be placed in safekeeping. The government's army will be confined to barracks, and lock up an equal number of arms. An interim government, which will include the Maiosts, is to be established to oversee elections that are to take place by june but it postponed and going to held in November 2007.


Art of Prof. WEXLER

For the last 200 years, Nepal has been ruled by a Hindu monarchy, and the king was considered an incarnation of the god Bishnu. But calls for change became more intense after the ruling king family was gunned down by the heir apparent, who also killed himself,in June 2001. Then- reigning King Birendra had made democartic reforms, but his brother Gayandera( who was named king after his demise) did not enjoy the same popular support, and declared martial law when the insurgency escalated. The upcoming vote will establish the future of the monarchy, and the Maoist have pledged to honor the results but now Maoist wants republic from the cenate, even if the monarchy they wish to abolish is voted to remain in existence as a ceremonial institution.

WEX Kathmandu (World Explorer Club) Manager Govinda Panta says that it is a time of great hope in his nation; even though his generation has suffered, they are looking forward to a time of peace for theis childreen. He will be happy to organize treks for any WEX members, and intresteted peopls wanting to visit, through his company ADVENTURE PILGRIMS TREKKING. Keep an eye out in future World Explorer issues for WEX trek, on November. In the meantime, see Govinda,a website at: www.trekinepal.com. (Retuers, 21 nov. 2006; World Explorer editorial)

हिमालयन पिक्चर स्लिदे Show

You are now in Himalayan Shangrila Overview Page via Slideshow.

Those picture is from Himalaya, Hills, Low Land(Terai) Darjeling, Sikim, Phuntsuling Bhutan. Following is based upon Annapurna Himalaya Trekking. World Famous Trekking Route/Trail which lies in Nepal.

Do you love to read FOLKLORE and Adventure Stories?? Go forward.

Thank you very much for taking time to look it out. I welcome all if have comment or question which you are egar to know.

Unseen Caves of Nepal

The Upper Mustang region has been opened to foreigners only recently and access to that region is restricted. The trekking routes in the area are arduous and few venture along the winding rough trails beyond a certain point. The cliffs are dotted with caves, many of which are inaccessible to man. It is believed that many of them house beautifully decorated chortens and other religious artifacts.
Two caves that have been explored and unfortunately even vandalized recently are known as Luri and Tashi Kabum, a few hours walk from Yara, along the Puyonkhola gorge. The Luri gompa can be accessed from the Gara village, on the ridgeline to the north above Yara. However if one takes another route one can see the Tashi Kabum caves too.

A narrow ravine to the east from Yara forks with one trail climbing the ridge to the left and going to Gara. The trail to Tashi Kabum is to the right and goes over a ridge to the Puyon Khola valley. Tashi Kabum is an hour's walk above Yara. Access to Tashi Kabum is difficult and you have to crawl on your stomach to enter the cave. The Luri and Tashi Kabum caves are very similar. The walls and ceilings are plastered and are attractively painted. In the center of each cave is a beautiful chorten with sufficient space to go around it. The two chortens are alike in size and shape but differ in their decoration. The base of each chorten consists of a staggered 12-cornered tiers and the tall terracotta spire is crowned by a canopy. The Luri chorten has small paintings around the base and four larger frescoes on the upper dome. They are covered with a hard ceramic-like glazing.


The walls are painted with religious frescoes on the lower walls and ceilings that are similar to Newari thangkas. Painted in earth and ochre colors, the artwork in both caves is quite different from anything else in Mustang. The Luri cave has a mandala on the apex of the dome surrounded by frescoes of eight teachers. To think that there are many other cave temples around that may never be seen by man!

Exploring Untouched Dolpo

Dolpo, pronounced “Dolpo-pa” in Nepali, is a region located in the Shey-Phoksumdo National Park, which was established in 1984. The National Park lies in the distinctly remote and isolated corner of mid-west of Nepal. Its area covers more than 3555 square kilometers.


Dolpo-pam, as it is called in the local language, lays behind the Dhaulagiri massif which boarders the Tibetan Plateau. Thus, its culture is often equated to be more akin to the Tibetan culture than that of the Nepalese as the Tibetan culture of today has been more predominate within the Dolpo region of Nepal. Adding to this basis, Dolpo’s seclusion has often been compared to the secretive world of the Tibetan people.


Only recently has the Nepal Government permitted the journeying into the undisturbed and vague ecological mystery surrounding Dolpo. Since ancient times, the locals in Dolpo have lived, traded and cultivated as was done by counterparts in Tibet. The symmetry has led to a rich cultural arena privileged to live in its virgin past and with only a minimal degree of influenced from the dominating Western world.
In Dolpo’s ecological system, the wild fauna and flora are at their most prominent and innocently beautiful state. Within this picturesque forum the dramatic Snow Leopard, prized Blue Sheep and Himalayan Black Bear reside in this vastly undisturbed conservation area. The majestic awe is further displayed when one considers the unquestionable beauty of the surrounding landscape.


Dolpo’s rich habitat can be seen through the forests which are made up of the delicate Silver Fir and Birch forests as ones makes their way to Chaurikot. It’s a tranquil yet memorable encounter that includes both exciting and emotional experiences. Suddenly and without realizing you have come across a mystical cloth of mist over the rugged narrow hilltops, the scenes of the North Jagadu Himal and Patrasi emerge partially shrouded in the distance through the unstable weather systems that are manifested by changing cloud formations.

Within this latitude of Nepal, which is similar to that of Cairo, the horse shoe with rising majestic mountain peaks soars over 21,000 feet. These and other dramatic changes take place as travelers wander deep into the center of Dolpo. Here an unexpected desert takes shape, cold in frame but home to the undisturbed Tibetan people of times past.

It’s here that the hidden secret protected by unclimbed peaks and deep valleys that you will find secluded monasteries. Treks through these parts are breathtaking and a once in a life time experience as few have made the effort because of the challenging geography known centuries back. Its richness is being discovered now in Nepal and in all its beauty as one travels through the Dolpa area.
Explorer DOLPO with WEX NEPAL & Adventure Pilgrims Trekking Nepal's Member.

तीजी फेस्टिवल इन लोमंग्थंग, उप्पर मुस्तंग

Mustang the last Forbidden Kingdom in Nepal - Mustang trek is an exceptional, extended trek in a remote and wholly unique corner of Nepal - a great cultural trek of the Himalaya and totally safe!

The Tiji Festival ( Festival in the Forbidden Kingdom, Mustang Lo- Manthang)
Portions of the following account of the Tiji Festival are excerpted from: East of Lo Manthang: In the land of Mustang. Peter Matthiessen and Thomas Laird, Shambhala Press, Boston, 1995. and Mustang, a Lost Tibetan Kingdom. Michel Peissel, Book Faith India, Delhi, India, 1967.

"We found ourselves in the midst of a festival in which over a thousand men, women and children were taking part. Before us spread a sea of weather-beaten brown faces that contrasted with those of the beaming, dirty little children who clung like grapes upon the rooftops of the houses" " The women… looked superb in hand-woven sleeveless Chubas (a bath-robe style dress made of thick wool) over bright, loose silk blouses. Around their wastbands were tucked two aprons, a short one that hung down in front, the other caught in the belt and hanging down behind to the ground. These were gaily striped in bright, narrow bands of blue, red, green and yellow. Many women were literally smothered with ornaments of silver and precious stones…necklaces of bright orange corralline stones alternating with turquoises…ivory-white bracelets made of truncated conch shell (and). head-dresses…studded with turquoises. ran along the central parting of their hair and fell down their backs." Michel Peissel

Michel Peissel was the first westerner to witness the Tiji festival in 1964 during a visit to Mustang by special permission of the Government of Nepal. He was also only the third westerner to ever visit Mustang. He arrived in Lo Manthang in time to witness only the last day of the festival and later wrote: "The scenes I witnessed were so extraordinary and so unexpected that I dared not believe my eyes and even today I have some trouble in believing in the reality of what I saw that day."

The Tiji festival is a three-day ritual known as "The chasing of the Demons" that centers on the Tiji myth. The myth tells of a deity named Dorje Jono who must battle against his demon father to save the Kingdom of Mustang from destruction. The demon father wreaked havoc on Mustang by bringing a shortage of water (a highly precious resource in this very dry land) and causing many resulting disasters from famine to animal loss. Dorje Jono eventually beats the demon and banishes him from the land. Tiji is a celebration and reaffirmation of this myth and throughout the festival the various scenes of the myth will be enacted. It is of course timed to coincide with the end of the dry winter / spring season and will usher in the wetter monsoon season (the growing season for Mustang). Tiji comes from the word "ten che" meaning the hope of Buddha Dharma prevailing in all worlds and is effectively a spring renewal festival.

For 2008, the Mustang Tiji festival date are May 2, 3, 4

Itinerary of Tiji Festival Trek.

Day 1: Arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA), you will be met by our Airport Representative, and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel. B.B.

Day 2: Full day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley (Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, Swayambhu, and Kathmandu durbar square) and receive the official permit from Immigration. Overnight at hotel. B.B.

Day 3: Drive or fly to Pokhara. On arrival you will transfer to Hotel for your overnight stay. During day time you can do a sight seeing to Davisfall, Mahadev Cave, Tibetain Refugee Camp or boating in Fewa Lake. Overnight at Hotel. B.B

Day 4: Pokhara fly to Jomsom 2720m and trek to Kagbeni2810m.
Fly to Jomsom, the district headquarters of Mustang and short trek up to Kagbeni. You will explore the town of Kagbeni with visiting Red house Monastery, the starting point of the "Upper Mustang".. Overnight at Camp. B.L.D.

Day 5: Kagbeni trek to Chhuksang 2980m and hike around with visiting some monastery. Overnight at Camp. B.L.D

Day 6: Chhuksang trek via crossing Dajori la pass 3736m to Samar 3660m. Overnight at Camp. B.L.D

Day 8: Samar trek via Charate or Rangchyung Cave of Guru Padmasambhav and Shyangboche la 3850m to Gheling 3570m. Overnight at camp. B.L.D.

Day 9: Gheling trek via crossing Nyi la 4010m and to Ghami then continue to Drakmar 3820m. Overnight at camp. B.L.D.

Day 10: Drakmar trek via crossing Mui La 4170m and to Lo Gheker then continue to Tsarang 3570m. Overnight at camp. B.L.D.

Day 11: Tsarang trek to Lo Manthang and rest 3800m. Overnight at camp. B.L.D.

Day 12: First day of Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang. Overnight at camp. B.L.D.
Early in the afternoon, horns resounded — the short horn or kagyling, which announces the two twelve-foot copper dunchens, with their elephantine blartings, followed by two double-reeded horns, all accompanied by drum and cymbals. Next, an ancient and enormous tanka three stories high was unrolled down the entire south wall of the square. The tanka portrayed Padma Sambhava (or "Guru Rimpoche") who brought this ceremony to Tibet in the 8th century. At mid-afternoon, in high wind and blowing dust, eleven lamas in maroon and gold, wearing high red hats, came from the palace and took their places along the wall beneath the tanka, with Tashi Tenzing on the elevated seat just in the center. As the monks and lamas commence chanting, twelve more monks come from the palace in maroon and royal blue and glittering gold brocade, with cymbal-shaped hats decked with upright peacock plumes. Soon they withdraw, to be replaced by the masked dancers who" start the portrayal of the Tiji myth. "Dorje Jono repels the demon through the power of his magical dancing — he dances fifty-two separate dances, one of them in ten different bodies, each with a different head. As the dances end, Dorje Jono kills the demon, after which his people are relieved of their plague of misfortunes, water becomes plentiful once more, and the balance and harmony of existence are restored.Camp at Lo Manthang.

Day 13: Second day of Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang. Overnight at camp. B.L.D.
For the second day of Tiji, numbers of Loba have arrived from the outlying hamlets, and the small square is thronged with wild beautiful people, with all of the women and children, at least, in traditional dress.The King of Mustang, " wears a whole crown of tiny river pearls set off by dozens of large red coralline tones interspersed with matched ornaments of turquoise. Fortunately, all lost in the horde of undefended merry faces. The costumes and masks, the twelve-foot horns, the gold cups of wheat, the butter cakes, the snow peaks and wind and dust and sun, the mehti, snow leopard, snow pigeons, saligrams, the dying glacier and the desert ruins, the drunks and rajas and foreigners, the dogs and yaks. Tantra! Camp at Lo Manthang.

Day 14: Third day of Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang. Overnight at camp. B.L.D.
On the third day, Tiji ends with the ceremonial destruction of the evil remains, represented by some long black yak hair and red torma cakes minced to a dark red gurry. The demons red remnants are set out on an old tiger skin, where-upon they are attacked by bow and arrow, slings, and the old guns. The poor devils remains are over- turned upon the ground, each time to a wild cannonade from the old muzzle-loaders and a wave of cheers and smoke. Tiji is over, and next day the people will go home to their own villages.

Day15: Day trip with horse to Upper part of Lomanthang such as Nyphu, Garphu, Namdrul, Tingkar and Namgyal Gompa (The richest Gompa in Upper Mustang) and return to Lo Manthang. Overnight at camp. B.L.D.

Day 16: Lo Manthang trek down to Tsarang 3560m and explore the valley with visit Old Buddhist Library of Lo Manthang and Monastry the trip will continue after lunch to Ghami. Overnight at camp. B.L.D.

Day 17: Ghami trek via crossing Nyi la 4010m to Gheling trek down to Samar 3050m via crossing Shyangmochen 3800m and same route. Camp at Cheile. Overnight at camp. B.L.D.

Day 18: Samar trek down to Chhuksang and continue to Kagbeni. Overnight at camp. B.L.D.

Day 19: Kagbeni trek back to Jomson and short hike to Thini Village. Overnight Guest House. B.L.D.

Day 20: Jomsom fly to Pokhara and free time for walk around or continue fly to Kathmandu which can make 1 day shorter from this trek. Overnight at Hotel. B.B.

Day 21: Pokhar fly or drive to Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel. BB.

Day 22: Leisure day in Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel. BB.

Day 23: Transfer to Airport for your home departure. Farewell !!

Note: B.B> Bed and Breakfast, B.L.D> Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Note: For this trek it require minimum 2 person in a group.

The above prices are includes:
- Airport pick up and drop by car / Van / Bus.
- Accommodation with breakfast at deluxe hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara as per above program.
- Kathmandu City Tours as per above program, inclusive of tour guide, car / van.
- 1 Sirdar, necessary Sherpa, Cook, Kitchen Boy and helpers.
- Full board Camping with 3 times meals a day and Hot drinks cooked in our private kitchen, 2 men tent, Foam mattress, Dining tent, kitchen tent, toilets tent, tables, chairs & All necessary kitchen utensils and camping equipment.
- All necessary porters, their equipment & sleeping tent and Insurance or donkey.
- All the ground transportation from Kathmandu to Pokhara and to starting point and back to Kathmandu.
- 13 days Upper Mustang Special Permit US$ 910 per person and T.R.C fees.
- Government taxes and Insurance for Nepalese staff.
- Welcome and farewell dinner.
- Domestic flight from Pokhara/Jomsom/Pokhara and all the tax in domestic Air.

The above prices are excludes:
- Lunch and dinner while in Kathmandu - allow US$ 15 - US$ 20 per day.
- Travel insurance
- International air fare to and from Nepal.
- Nepal entry visa fee US$ 30 (duration 60 days from date of issue)- you may easily issue the visa upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport - Kathmandu.
- Departure Airport Tax in Nepal - approx. US$ 24.
- Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry and telephone calls.
- Personal Trekking Equipments for detail please Click here, High risk medical insurance and Emergency rescue evacuation if needed and flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
Tips for trekking staffs.
Entry fees of Temples and other sites while sightseeing around Kathmandu.

The Lost Tibetan Kingdom Of Mustang

The flight from Bangkok touched down nimbly, and taxied into one of our favorite cities in the world, Kathmandu. This time there was extra element of excitement for us, though, because we were here to explore the Forbidden Kingdom of Mustang. You can usually have a pretty good time in Nepal throwing together treks without a lot of pre-planning, but this is not the case if you want to set foot in Mustang. Govinda Panta, our friend and associate, runs Adventure Pilgrims Trekking (look for the world explorer?s logo outside his office on the street running north from the main square of the Thamel tourist district). Govinda can help with any Nepal adventure, but even for him, getting to Mustang involved months of bureaucracy- filing permits, registering staff, enumerating equipment and supplies, defining itineraries, etc. But here we were, ready to go! And there was Govinda, greeting us outside the airport with katas, the white scarves presented to people as a sign of respect and courtesy.

As we go re-acquainted with Kathmandu traffic on our taxi ride to our hotel (the pretty swanky Vaishali), Govinda introduces us to Pratap Gurung, who would serve as our sirdar, or expedition coordinator. To go to Mustang, an expedition has to have full staff including a sirdar, a cook and enough porters to carry all the supplies, which must include tents for lodging and all food to be consumed during the stay. Stoves and cooking utensils must also be carried in, with enough kerosene to last the duration. And, as noted above, all those things must be documented and approved by the trekking authorities, who will then issue the very expensive permit to enter the Forbidden Kingdom (which fees is on the process to reduce now.).

Mustang (also called the Kingdom of Lo) is a kingdom within a kingdom. It is a small northwestern border district which has historically walked the tiger trope between its larger neighbors, Nepal and Tibet. The people and traditions are Tibetan Buddhist, but the region has long been recognized as an automonomous Nepali state with its own king. The arrangement came about in antiquity when the King of Mustang began paying tribute to the Ghurka rulers of Nepal, and the status quo was respected even by Chinese when the overran Tibet in the 1950s. Today, the King of Mustang has a seat in the government of the King of Nepal, and spends some time in Kathmandu each year tending to affairs of state.

From Kathmandu, we flew to Pokhara and then to Jomsom to position ourselves for the 80_mile trek in and out of Mustang. The short flight to Jomsom is one of the most spectacular you can take, as you basically fly from the Pokhara Valley into the "Great Himalayan Breach" and land on a postage stamp-size runway 8,000 feet up. The Great Himalayan Breach is so named because here the Kali Gandaki River cuts through the highest part of the Himalaya, between the Annapurna range and the 26,800- feet Mount Dhaulagiri. The peaks on either side of the river tower 18,000 above it, so the canyon walls here rise over three miles above the riverbed. One feels very diminutive in a little 18-seater being buffeted by the wind!

This day, we made a safe landing and met our porters at the designed inn. We strapped on our loads (theirs significantly larger and heavier than ours) and set off to kagbeni, the gate way to mustang. In past trips, we had turned at Kagbeni and trekked off to the holy temple of Muktinath since we lacked the necessary permits to enter Mustang. This time, we were elated to stop at the police checkpoint and the be able to sign in and processed toward Lo Manthang, the medieval, walled capital city of The Forbidden Kingdom!

Trekking is a whole lot of work, no matter how you slice it, during this trip, I was reading the book Mustang: A Lost Tibetan Kingdom by Michel Peissel, the first Westerner granted to a permit to spend time in the area in the 1960s. I was gratified to read the part where he asks his Tibetan friend which part of trekking he liked best and the answer was: "Going down when I'm climbing up; going down up when I'm walking down." Once you realized that the gorgeous mountain-and-valley vista you see before sunset, you have the picture. Mustang is particularly rugged country reminiscent of the American Southwest, expect on a much grander scale; mostly desert and rocky, its mean elevation of 15,000 feet makes it even higher than Tibet. The road to Lo Manthang involves crossing three mountain passes over 12,000 feet.

So we set off, following the course of Kali Gandaki at first. The Land of Lo is typical of other parts of Nepal in certain ways. The people are quite spiritual, and along the footpaths, even in the middle of nowhere, are placed orange, white and black chortens which are to be circled clockwise, or passed to the right. Rock cairns (to which all are encouraged to add) are also abundant, particularly at the passes. All along the landscape, but particularly on bridges and passes, prayer flags wave their petitions heavenward. Prayer wheels are inserted in walls built along trails to help travelers send their requests into the ether. We shared the path with a Saddhu one day. These men are typically successful businessmen who, later in life, decide to leave their families and wander the countryside seeking spiritual enlightenment, dressed in saffron fobs and carrying staffs. Some that you encounter in the towns or larger temples seem to be in it for the photo-opportunity tips, but we had little doubt this man in remote Mustang was really on a quest.

In the ensuing days, we scrambled through the ruins of the fortresses of forgotten medieval warlords; we visited Buddhist monasteries with their dusty libraries, grand status and grisly relics(e.g. an old mummified hand with long fingernails); we played Yathzee by candlelight in towns with no electricity; we sweated in our T-shirts on the trail had no immediately change and don down jackets when we stopped; we marveled continuously at presence of living, literally, "at the top of the world" for a couple of weeks.

As it happened, we got to meet the King of Mustang as he was returning by horseback to his palace in Lo Manthang with entourage, when our paths crossed at the inn at Geling. He was quite an amiable man, and had a few words with Govinda and took some pictures with all of us. It was quite an experience visiting his country and seeing a society just on the brink of new era. The reason expeditions have to bring in everything they will need is that Mustang reportedly has no infrastructure for tourism. But the Tibetans and Nepalese seem to have an innate market sense, and, since trekking permits began to be issued ten years ago, they have seen the needs of tourists and nascent inns, restaurants and stores are forming. The Chinese (whose border is only five miles away from Lo Manthang) are building a road in this direction from Lasha, and one has the sense that things are changing substantially for the Kingdom of Lo. We were glad to visit when we did, and see these things first person.

फोतोस फ्रॉम Nepal

rereMixture of Himalaya, culture and wildlife">

Nepal--Stunning scenery, Wonderful people

Nepal's cultural landscape is every bit as diverse as its topography. This small country covering a rough rectangular area of 800km by 300km, it has over two-dozen distinct ethnic groups and tribes with over forty languages and dialects. The numerous festivals celebrated in Nepal throughout the year mixed with Hindu, Buddhist, and other tribal traditions are a testament to this remarkable diversity.
Green paddy terraces, wind-swept deserts, dense forests and marshy grasslands are also features of the landscape. The country is well endowed with perpetual rivers, lakes and glacial lakes that originate in the Himalayas.
The variety in Nepal's topography provides home to wildlife like tigers, rhinos, monkeys, bears, yaks, leopards and different species of insects and birds. Nepal is a home to almost 10 percent of the world's bird species among which 500 species are found in the Kathmandu Valley.
Understanding the Geography Nepal is a landlocked country in Southern Asia, between China and India. It contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest - the world's tallest - on the border with China.
Regions of Nepal
Kathmandu Valley
Annapurna
Everest - stunning scenery, friendly and honest people
Langtang
Mustang
Terai
Cities of Nepal
Kathmandu, काpital and cultural centre of Nepal
Bhaktapur, well-preserved historical city, centre of Nepali pottery making.
Patan, sister-city of Kathmandu and metal working centre
Pokhara, picturesque lakeshore town and base for many of Nepal's most accessible treks
Climate Conditions Nepal is subject to Monsoon climate with four main seasons. Nepal has traditionally six seasons: Basanta (spring), Grishma (early summer), Barkha (summer monsoon), Sharad (early autumn), Hemanta (late autumn) and Shishir (winter), but here only the international standards of four are described which is sufficient for planning you trip
The heavy rains from June to September Clear and cool weather (one of the two high-seasons for travel and trekking) from October to December
Winter in the mountains, creating weather too cold and snowy for some treks from December to March.
The temperature of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, can go down to 0 degrees Celsius at night, and cold waves cause several deaths in the city every season.
Spring-like and vibrant from April to June Note that every year can be different, with rains or freezes coming early or late, so check ahead before planning your travel.

Understanding the Culture Greet people with a warm "Namaste". Show marked respect to elders. Be friendly, be patient.
Feet are considered dirty. Don't point the bottoms of your feet (or your bum!) at people, or at religious icons. In this vein, be sure not to step over a person who may be seated or lying on the ground. Be sensitive to when it is proper to remove your hat or shoes.
Accept tea.
Circumambulate temples, chortens, stupas, mani walls, etc. clockwise.
When haggling over prices, smile, laugh, and be friendly. Be prepared to allow a reasonable profit. Don't insult fine craftsmanship, it's much better to lament that you are too poor to afford such princely quality.
Many Hindu temples do not allow non-Hindus inside certain parts of the temple complex. Be aware and respectful of this fact, as these are places of worship, not tourist attractions.
Things to See and Do Rafting - Overnight trips for all levels of experience leave from Kathmandu and Pokhara. The Kaligandaki is a popular river.
Jungle Safari - Chitwan National Forest offers elephant rides, jungle canoeing, nature walks, and birding, as well as more adventurous tiger and rhino-viewing.
Parties - "The Last Resort", near the Tibetan border, has frequent Full Moon Trance Parties, lasting 2-3 days. Watch for posters and check music shops. Pokhara has started featuring its own brand of Full Moon raves and interesting Western takes on Nepali festivals.
Massage - "The Healing Hands Centre", in Kathmandu, has monthly five-day, ten-day and one-month Ancient Massage courses.
Trekking
Most of the trekking Nepal is called "Tea-House Trekking" as the day's hike is between guesthouse-filled towns. While this doesn't make the treks that much easier, it means there is no need for tents, food and water. Remote trekking is also possible, but unless you are an experienced wilderness trekker, it is recommended to hire a guide and porters.
Mt. Everest Base Camp Trek: Stunning scenery, Wonderful people.

Mera Peak & Amphulapcha Pass Experience

Dear Climbers look my report for Mera Peak and Amphu Lapcha pass Expedition The trip started with a flight to Lukla where the Yeti Airlines pilots did a good job of landing the 16-seater plane on the tiny steep runway. Lukla was shrouded in mist and we hoped for better weather the next day when we would start trekking. The day dawned still misty and wet. The clouds parted briefly to reveal a rocky spire high above, just with a light dusting of snow on its slopes before the clouds closed again. We spent a wet first night camped at the base of Chatrwa Og pass. The next day there was yet more rain and as we trudged up through the mud and mist all we could see was the immediate vegetation slowly thinning and the path getting steeper as we approached the pass. We stopped in a teahouse after a couple of hours; tired and drenched we were told it was another hour and a half to the top of the pass. After warming up and drinking some tea we stepped out into the rain again and continued up the steepening path. I started to feel the altitude after a while and a throbbing headache set in. I kept plodding behind a porter to try and get it over with and eventually we past the prayer flags at the crest and descended to a small teahouse on the other side of the pass. I sat in the smoky little hut waiting for the rest of the group to arrive, after quite a long wait, Dannie, one of the party came staggering in with a severe headache and barely able to walk straight. He lay down groaning while his sister administered Diamox and painkillers. We then descended further to Thuli- Kharka where we spent the night all sandwiched into a small room with stone walls plastered in yak dung to keep out the wind.
The following day was better weather and there was a nice view of clouds below and the wide boulder strewn valley. We then had a long descent to the Inkhu Khola, which is the river we would follow for next couple of days. We spent the night at a clean teahouse in the little Maoist village of Kothe We were approached that evening by the Maoist leader of the village for 3000 rupees per person, which we handed over so as to be allowed to continue the next day. In the morning I walked out of the teahouse to see the enormous west face of Mera peak towering out of the mist. It was an impressive sight with Dannie commenting, 'I don't think this is possible,' as his freshly awakened, slightly altitude sick brain tried to comprehend the fact that we were intending to climb that huge thing. As we started up the riverbed I stopped a couple of times to take pictures of the beautiful shape of Kusum Kanguru rising up before us. We continued to the town of Tagnag that day, where I started to feel the altitude again.
Khare was where we got to the next day after an interesting walk through ever changing landscapes. From Khare at 5100m you could see Mera peak dominating the skyline to the south and Kyashar and Kusum Kanguru to the west. I woke in the morning feeling nauseous and weak with a headache and no appetite. The weather was perfect, avalanches were thundering down Mera as the temperature rose. We rested for another two days at Khare in which time my condition deteriorated and I developed flu symptoms. I started taking antibiotics and lay around not eating and feeling like death. Dannie was also feeling the altitude and also had a headache but Mathilde was strong as always and was doing long trips up the surrounding ridges to acclimatise, as well as practise some ice climbing with Sange, the climbing guide. The porters sat around playing cards, looking bored and trying to get me to eat something.
After three days at Khare we did a short trek up to a camp about two hundred metres above the village. The weather was unstable and it snowed most of that night.
The next day was an uncomfortable plod through the snow up to high camp at 5800m. We walked up one slightly steep icy section before coming out on a huge snowscape which is Mera La. From here the views are incredible with Malanphulan's pyramid like shape as well as Makalu, Peak 41, Kang Tega, Kyashar and many others surrounding you. We were lucky to have perfect weather as we made the long slog up to high camp, which was situated behind some rocks on the edge of a huge drop on Mera's east face.
We were supposed to leave at 12.30am to climb Mera but it snowed all night and we ended up stepping out into the freezing cold at 1:30am. We roped up and headed up through the soft snow towards the summit. I was still feeling ill and had no strength in me making the going slow. Mathilde turned around due to cold feet, Sange and I continued. After some time I had no feeling in my toes and my hands weren't very warm, I had absolutely no energy. The sky started to light up so I took some pictures and turned to head down. We reached high camp at 5:30am and Mathilde said she would try for the summit again. I collapsed into my tent and had to rub my feet with the help of Shanta for about half an hour to regain any feeling in them before falling asleep. I awoke to find myself sweating in what was now a hot tent being warmed by the midday heat. Mathilde had just returned from the summit with Sange and Arjun. We packed up and headed down the mountain to a campsite below Mera La.
It felt very calm and relaxing to be at a lower altitude in a more hospitable environment as we set up camp next to a small lake below Mera's east face. It snowed all of that night and I remember lying in my sleeping bag listening to the soft, barely audible sound of the snow landing on the tent roof.
The next day was misty with a bit of snow falling. We wound our way down through interesting little valleys to the Hongu Khola where we sheltered under a boulder to make lunch. We headed up the Hongu valley for a few more hours before making camp in a nice flat area. It was another cold night but the morning was clear with impressive mountains revealing themselves on either side of the valley. We set off up the Hongu Khola valley with the awesome beauty of this high altitude wilderness revealing its self from the horizon as we ascended. Everest and Lhotse straight ahead, Baruntse to the right, glacial lakes and mountain formations I thought only possible in the imagination. We camped above one of the big lakes at a place called Panch Pokhari, meaning five lakes. It was an amazing place surrounded by impressive mountains on all sides with the ominous ice steps that form the south side of the Amphu Lapcha pass directly above. There was an air of anticipation and nervousness that night as we sat around the kerosene stove, we all knew that the next day would be the most dangerous of the trip.
Sange was going to help a New Zealander and his porters over the pass the next day because their climbing guide had turned around at the Mera La along with the rest of his group. This meant that about twenty people had to go up the fixed ropes. All their loads would then have to be lowered down the 60-metre drop on the steep North face of the Amphu Lapcha. We would first had to wait for a group of Climbing Sherpas from a Baruntse expedition to take some of their loads over the pass before we could go because they got to the base of the pass before us.
It was a freezing night and we were meant to set off early to have plenty of time to get over the pass safely. When I woke up it was nine o'clock and no one seemed to be making any movement towards the pass. The camp was still up and I could hear the roar of the Kerosene stove in the kitchen tent. I gazed up at the tent roof encased in ice from our breathing in the night. Trying to get motivated to get dressed and step out into the freezing cold to see what was happening. When I emerged from the tent I saw Sange standing next to the kitchen tent. He came over with some tea and said that we could only set off then because the Baruntse expedition started at eight. We were soon plodding up towards the menacing folds of ice draped in enormous icicles. After scrambling up some rock, we started up the ice. Sange had fixed ropes and we jumared up without too much trouble. At about twelve o'clock we came out at the top of the last ice step. Everyone was in good spirits, taking pictures and posing for the camera, but I knew that the descent was the hard part. After a long time I decided to traverse across to the true apex of the pass. I came out on an awesome knife-edge ridge which dropped away to Panch Pokari on one side and the Everest region on the other. The panorama was spectacular: we were on a small pedestal in amongst Himalayan giants. I sat on the summit taking in the view for a few hours before we could start the down climb. The Baruntse Sherpas only finished lowering their loads at three o'clock, which didn't leave us much time. We all virtually ran down the abseil and continued down the very steep north face of Amphu Lapcha. I reached the flat valley bottom as it was getting dark. Sange was still descending, as he had to take the fixed ropes down. He came in with Shanta after dark-we traced their descent by Sange's bobbing headlamp. Everyone was deadbeat, but very relieved at having got over safely. It was another cold night and in the morning I felt the adventure was over. We headed down until the snow slowly disappeared and some beautiful aquamarine lakes revealed themselves. There were little green clearings with boulders and it was hospitable in comparison to the nine days we had just spent above 5000 metres.
On reaching Chhukung we walked into a brightly painted teahouse, very different to others we had experienced so far. At Chhukung there were a lot of trekkers who generally seemed out of touch with the mountains. Many people spent most of the day in the teahouse trying to keep their 'fashionable trekwear' clean. This is the tourist scene. We were out of the mountain wilderness and back to the real world. We had a good party that night with the porters and guides. We were drinking whisky, roxi and beer and eating crazy amounts of yak steak. Civilisation can be fun!
The following day was a rest day and I decided to climb Chhukung Ri, 5500 metre scramble. From the top, I had amazing close up views of Lhotse and Ama Dablam on the other side of the valley. At Periche the next day, I parted company with Dannie, Mathilde, Shanta and Arjun, which was sad after becoming their friend. They were going to Everest base camp and I was going straight down to Lukla. We spent the next few days trekking down the famous Everest base camp trail, past places like the Tengboche monastery and Namche Bazaar. There were beautiful mountains emerging on either side and ahead. The large trail snaked its way down the valley over suspension bridges and through small Sherpa villages. It was interesting to see the opposite side of mountains like Kusum Kanguru from the Everest side. It is difficult to comprehend the scale of these mountains. Thirteen days before we had been on the other side of this huge dividing mass of rock and ice, created so perfectly and apparently so randomly by shifting tectonic plates over many thousands of years.
We reached Lukla with its army troops surrounding the town and relatively plush hotels. I spent the evening with Sange, Kumar and Zamka playing pool and eating momo's at Kumar's house. These men had become friends of mine, for whom I had gained much respect during the time we had spent together. Sange was always quiet, controlled and polite, a very professional guide, and Zamka an inventive cook in difficult situations. The same can be said for all our Nepali team on the trip.
We landed at Kathmandu the next day and the relative heat of this lower altitude struck me as we stepped out of the plane. Back on the streets of Kathmandu the noise, warmth and filth seems to be almost a new experience after the crisp, cold, and clarity of the mountains.