Picture of Pokhara, Nepal

PICTURES OF POKHARA VALLEY

Pokhara, the starting point of Trekking in Nepal

Pokhara second city, at least in tourist terms, Pokhara is the end point for the famous Annapurna Circuit trek and the starting point for a dozen more treks through the mountains of the Annapurna Range, including the perennially popular Jomsom Trek and the equally dramatic (but less busy) trek to the Annapurna Sanctuary. It's unashamedly touristy, in the Thamel mould, but the setting is spectacular - the perfect pyramid of Mt Machhapuchhare looms high above Pokhara, reflected in the placid waters of Phewa Tal.

For many travellers, Pokhara represents a last chance to stock up on creature comforts before hitting the mountain trails. For others, it's a place to enjoy a steak dinner and cold beer after weeks of daal bhaat in the hills. Even if you aren't a dedicated trekker, there's plenty here to keep you busy. Pokhara has numerous museums and there are some fascinating caves, waterfalls and Tibetan villages in the surrounding hills.

For the adventurous, travel agents in Pokhara offer a slew of adventure activities, from trekking and microlight flights to river rafting and jungle safaris. Paragliding from  Sarangkot viewpoint has to be one of the most thrilling experiences in the subcontinent. Alternatively, bring a good book and spend your days reading in a café overlooking languorous Phewa Tal. Phewa is the 2nd biggest lake of Nepal after the remote Rara Tal. Pokhara also offer the Ultralight flight, Mountain flight over the Annapurnas, Zipflyer, Boating, Rafting etc.

Pokhara is situated in the northwestern corner of the Pokhara Valley, which is a widening of the Seti Gandaki valley that lies in the midland region (Pahad) of the Himalayas. In this region the mountains rise very quickly and within 30 km, the elevation rises from 1,000 m to over 7,500 m. As a result of this sharp rise in altitude the area of Pokhara has one of the highest precipitation rates in the country (3,350 mm/year or 131 inches/year in the valley to 5600 mm/year or 222 inches/year in Lumle). Even within the city there is a noticeable difference in rainfall between the south and the north of the city, the northern part of the city situated at the foothills of the mountains experiences proportionally higher amount of precipitation. The Seti Gandaki is the main river flowing through the city. The Seti Gandaki (White River) and its tributaries have created several gorges and canyons in and around the whole city which gives intriguingly long sections of terrace features to the city and surrounding areas. These long sections of terraces are interrupted by gorges which are hundreds of meters deep. The Seti gorge runs through the whole city from north to south and then west to east and at places these gorges are only a few metres wide. In the north and south, the canyons are wider.

In the south the city borders on Phewa Tal (4.4 km²) at an elevation of about 827 m above sea level, and Lumle at 1,740 m in the north of the city touches the base of the Annapurna mountain range. 3 eight-thousand meter tall peaks (Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu) can be seen from the city. The Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) with an elevation of 6,993 m is the closest to the city. The porous underground of the Pokhara valley favours the formation of caves and several caves can be found within the city limits. In the south of the city, a tributary of the Seti flowing out of the Phewa Lake disappears at Patale Chhango (पाताले छाँगो, Nepali for Hell's Falls, also called Davis Falls, after someone who supposedly fell into the falls) into an underground gorge, to reappear 500 metres further south. To the south-east of Pokhara city is the municipality of Lekhnath, a recently established town in the Pokhara valley, home to Begnas Lake.

Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park is the first national park of Nepal . Formerly called Royal Chitwan National Park it was established in 1973 and granted the status of  UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1984. It covers an area of 932 km² (360 sq mi) and is located in the subtropical Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal in the Chitwan District. In altitude it ranges from about 100 m (330 ft) in the river valleys to 815 m.Since the end of the 19th century Chitwan - Heart of the Jungle – used to be a favorite hunting ground for Nepal’s ruling class during the winter seasons.

In 1950, Chitwan’s forest and grasslands extended over more than 2,600 km² (1,000 sq mi) and was home to about 800 rhinos.  

By the end of the 1960, 70% of Chitwan jungles were cleared using DDT thousands of people had settled there, and only 95 rhinos remained. The dramatic decline of the rhino population and the extent of poaching prompted the government to institute the Gaida Gasti – a rhino reconnaissance patrol of 130 armed men and a network of guard posts all over Chitwan. To prevent the extinction of rhinos the Chitwan National Park was gazetted in December 1970, with borders delineated the following year and established in 1973, initially encompassing an area of 544 km² (210 sq mi).

In 1977, the park was enlarged to its present area of 932 km² (360 sq mi). In 1997, a buffer zone of 766.1 km² (295.8 sq mi) was added to the north and west of the Narayani-Rapti river system, and between the south-eastern boundary of the park and the international border to India.

Chitwan National Park is one of Nepal’s most popular tourist destinations after Kathmandu valley and Pokhara. In 1989 more than 31,000 people visited the park, and ten years later already more than 77,000 have visited.

Hotels and lodges operating inside Chitwan National Park had to close in July 2012 as the government did not renew licenses and land rental agreements.There are around 350–400 hotels outside the national park, which conduct around 800 elephant rides for the tourists. All of the lodges offer almost the same programs with elephant and jeep safari, rafting tours and guided jungle walks.

On the edge of the national park Sauraha is a well-known spot for tourists. Accessible from the nearby Bharatpur Airport after 25 minutes of flight from Kathmandu, Sauraha offers a choice of hotels, lodges, restaurants  into the protected area. Chitwan National Park very rich in Flora and Fauna. Chitwan National Park is a home of around 400 One horned Rhinoceros, 100 Royal Bengal Tigers, Sloth Beer, Leopard, Chitta, Wild Buffalo (Bisen)  Monkeys,  Fox, Jackles, four different kinds of deer as Hog Deer, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer and the biggest Sambhar Deer and many more mammals. There are two kinds of crocodiles as Marsh Magar & Gharial. About 500 species of birds are found in this park with some exotic butterflies. The park is full from 70% Sal tree, 20 % grassland and 10% riverine of mixed forest. Most of the tourists come in this park with the 2nights/ 3 days packages to 4 nights/ 5 days packages from Kathmandu by Bus or flight to Bharatpur.

Picture of Chitwan National Park

Kathmandu, the city of temples...

Kathmandu is a capital city of Nepal. The name Kathmandu is derived from the "wooden structure" called Kasthamandapa (The house of wood) . The city has another name Kantipur, used in the past. Kathmandu is the full of living cultural heritage and monuments. Therefor, it is also known as the city of temples and house of Gods. Four sites of city are enlisted in World Heritage Sites of UNESCO in 1979 AD. These are : 

1) Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Kathmandu Durbar Square is  full from the medieval architectural monuments. Here, we find beautiful shrines and monuments with fabulous art; dated from 12th century A.D to 19 the century. The ancient royal palace, Hanuman Dhoka was used by Malla Dynasty from 15th to 18th century A.D Kumari Bahal, the house of living Goddess  - is the superb example of Nepali architecture & house of living  Goddess in Nepal. Kasthamandapa, Taleju temple, Hanuman dhoka, Basantapur palace and many monuments are already in the World Heritage Site of UNESCO on 1979AD.

2) Swoyambhunath

Swoyambhu Nath is the pre-historic Buddhist stupa (chaitya) of antiquity & situated in the hillock. It has not only religious sanctity but also stands as a typical example of the Nepali stupa architecture. Swoyambhu (the self-existent one) was existed as a lotus flower when Kathmandu was a big lake in the ancient time. The  site was registered in World Heritage Site of UNESCO in 1979AD. This temple is also known as Monkey temple among the tourists in Nepal. Walking tour to Swayambhunath from Kathmandu is quite popular with its 365 ascending steps of main entrance gate.

 3) Pashupatinath:

Pashupani Nath temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva as the God of all living beings.  Pashupati Nath is a one of the most sacred site for Hindus in Nepal. Lord Shiva is the most worshiped God in the Hindu world as the God of the Gods & power of destruction & recreation with His Phallic form. The temple is in pagoda architecture with gold plated roofs, four silver doors and fine wood carvings on it.There is a gold plated statue of large Nandi (Bull) on the western door of the temple.Near of the temple there is a sacred river bagmati along this river there are cremation grounds for the Hindus. The  site was also registered in World Heritage Site of UNESCO on 1979 AD. This site is quite popular for the colorful Sadhus (Holy men) and Hindu Sanskar.

4) Bauddhanath: 

Bauddhanath is  the biggest stupa of Nepal & one of the biggest in the world. This place is known as the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Kathmandu. Surrounded by spectacular Baudha stupa, there are more than 35 Buddhist monasteries  belongs to  different schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It is believed that this 46 m. high stupa was constructed in 5th century A.D and registered in World Heritage Site of UNESCO on 1979 A.D.

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Patan, another royal city of Kathmandu valley..

Patan is the third main city of the Kathmandu Valley & another ancient royal town with typical Newari settlements. This city is enough rich in metal handicrafts and architectural designs. It is full from Buddhist and Hindu shrines everywhere in the city corner. The city was developed in 3rd century by Lichchhavi dynasty. In the four corner of the city, there are four ancient Buddhist stupas & believed these were established by Emperor Ashoka the great, of India in 3 century B.C. Durbar Square of Patan is considered as one of the most beautiful Durbar square in the whole valley & it was registered in World Heritage Site in 1979 A.D. Patan is also known as "Lalitpur"  the city of fine arts.

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Pictures of Patan

Bhaktapur, the home of living heritage..

Bhaktapur is one of the smallest historical royal town and considered as the cultural capital in the valley. It was the ancient capital of the Malla ruler & capital of whole Kathmandu valley until 15th century A.D. Historically the city was built in the 9th century (889 A.D.) during the reign of king Anand Deva. However, it might be older than that. The city was originally built in the shape of a sacred conch (shell), which is associated with Lord Vishnu, the of protector of Hinduism. It is also believed that the city was built in the shape of Mandala (Mandala is a kind of graphic chart of ritual interpretation of Hindu or Buddhist deities). Bhaktapur is the house for over a hundred temples, Shrines and “Maths” (pilgrimage rest house) with rich architecture and master piece of many craftsmanship as wood carving, metal and stone carving of ancient and medieval period. It is a living museum itself and native typical town of newar lifestyle. Bhaktapur is also known as Bhadgoan (village of rice) whereas for the historians it is the " City of Culture ", "Living Heritage " , "Nepal's Cultural Gem " and "An open museum".,The whole city is full from the old houses, narrow tranquil lanes paved with bricks & interesting monuments everywhere.  UNESCO has included this wonderful city in world heritage site in 1979 AD.
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Pictures of Bhaktapur