Explore Himalaya Tourism News, Trip Reports, Travel Guide & Photos

24th Grand Annual Rafting Festival at Trishuli – 19th May 2012

Himalaya — Tue, 15 May 2012 08:12:45 +0000

Nepal Association Rafting Agents ( NARA) is organizing the 24th Grand Annual Rafting Festival on 19th May 2012 on the Trisuli River. Price of participating in the rafting festival is Rs. 1599 (includes transportation to and from Kathmandu, buffet lunch and 3 hrs rafting). The put in point is Belkhu, Dhading and ending point is Malekhu, Dhading. One can avail the tickets for the event from NARA or any rafting agency.

Wet & Wild Adventure

Russian Group goes on a Yoga Trek to Lower Mustang

Himalaya — Mon, 14 May 2012 08:10:18 +0000

Explore Himalaya recently organized a Yoga Trek to Lower Mustang for twenty Russian participants. The group’s spiritual leader was Ilia Beliaev. Nadia Neupokoeva and trek guide Lama Babu provided the much needed support to the group from EH’s side. All the group members were very satisfied with the trip and found the trek spiritually enriching and memorable. Here we reproduce some of their testimonials:

“Thank you for a very good trip, it was really great! Many thanks to Nadia and our Nepali guide Lama Babu. They are the best guides ever. I can say that I want to come here again and again. Om Namo Shivaya! The travel itinerary was perfect. We had a lot of attention from our guides. It was pleasurable trip for me! And surprise – there was no untoward incident even though we travelled on such a difficult route!”- Natasha, Moscow

“Many thanks to our guides and Explore Himalaya Company for showing a high level of professionalism, for their support and friendly service!”- Elmira, Kazan

“Very enriching experience! The trip has left a lasting impression! Thank you!”- Igor, Riga

“Thank you for an excellent and well organized trip! The experience was memorable and heartwarming!” – Anna, St.Petersburg

“I had dreamt about this trip my whole life. My dream was realized during these 15 days. This was one of the most important events in my life! Thank you!” – Elena, St.Petersburg

“Incredible route! Mountains, monasteries, very friendly local people!Everything ran smoothly! Perfect organization! Thank you for your professional support!”- Svetlana, St.Petersburg

“My husband and I had a satisfactory trip! Thank you for organizing it so excellently!”- Tatiana and Vlad, Moscow

(Pics courtesy:Ilia Beliaev)

Trek to Lower Mustang

For a greener and cleaner Kathmandu

Himalaya — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:55:06 +0000

In a move to make Kathmandu a plastic-free zone, the government has banned the use of polythene bags in the city effective from today, ie, 14th May. To implement the ban, Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has been issuing official notices at public places and through print and broadcast media urging the public to stop using plastic bags and to use environment-friendly bags made from paper and fabrics. The anti-polythene campaign for the first five months will be targeted at raising awareness and after that those flouting the law have to pay penalty from October.

Bhaktapur’s charm attracting tourists

Himalaya — Fri, 11 May 2012 06:50:45 +0000

As per the data collected by Bhaktapur Municipality Tourism Information Centre, a total of 225,000 foreign tourists visited the famed UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bhaktapur from April, 2011 to April, 2012. One of the three medieval kingdoms in the valley and an ancient cultural heritage site, Bhaktapur received a total 88,948 tourists from SAARC countries and 126,741 from other countries, earning the municipality a total revenue of Rs. 159.31 million from entry fees.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square – A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Take a cultural tour and explore the medieval city of Bhaktapur

Greetings & a warm welcome to the 74 strong Russian team from MTC, Russia

Himalaya — Thu, 10 May 2012 06:31:16 +0000

Explore Himalaya’s team extends a warm welcome to the 74 strong team from MTC, Russia who arrived today in Kathmandu for a team building session cum trekking expedition. Explore Himalaya is managing the group’s visit. The team will be visiting Nagarkot and later on will trek through the virgin trails of Sindhupalchowk. The descent to The Last Resort, Kodari will be the finale of the trek. EH wishes all the members a grand and memorable trip.

(Pics: Explore Himalaya)

First WWF International President’s Award to Nepali Mountaineer & Climate Change Activist

Himalaya — Wed, 09 May 2012 09:22:51 +0000

The first WWF International President’s Award has been awarded to 28 year old Nepali mountain guide, conservation activist and WWF Nepal’s Climate Ambassador under the ‘Climate For Life’ campaign, Dawa Steven Sherpa. According to a press release issued by World Wildlife Fund, the new WWF International President’s Award has been created to acknowledge and encourage outstanding achievements of young people under the age of 30 who are making strong and compelling contributions to nature conservation around the world. The award was given away during a special ceremony at WWF’s Annual Conference in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Visitor Arrivals in April 2012

Himalaya — Wed, 09 May 2012 06:29:04 +0000

Visitor arrivals via air soared to 59,415 in the month of April 2012, an increase by 14.3 percent as compared to the same month last year, as per the data released by the Immigration Office at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). While arrivals from South Asian region have shown positive growth of 35.4 percent, arrivals from the rest of Asia saw an overall rise of 16.7 percent. European market registered a positive growth of 3.2 percent compared to the same month last year with total visitor arrivals of 19,286. Arrivals from Denmark, Germany, Italy, Russia and Sweden were up by 4.9 percent, 5.5 percent, 115.8 percent, 83.1 percent and 4.7 percent respectively. Arrivals from Australia (4.7 percent), USA(9.8 percent) and Canada(39.1 percent) also registered positive growth.

Namche Festival 2012

Himalaya — Wed, 09 May 2012 05:55:54 +0000

Namche Festival 2012 will be held from 27th to 29th May, 2012 at Namche Bazaar in Everest Region. The inauguration of the festival coincides with the Fifth International Sagarmatha Day. Namche Festival will feature cultural programs (folk dances, songs, masked dance etc. and will showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Sherpas living in the Solu Khumbu region. The festival will also provide a platform to raise public awareness on the adverse impact of climate change.

Namche Bazaar – Sherpa capital (Pic: Explore Himalaya)

Visit the Nepali Countryside

Himalaya — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:04:28 +0000

Tucked away just a few kilometres away from the bustling capital, Kathmandu are small villages filled with traditional houses, farms and fields. Surrounded by greenary and wonderful views of mountains, these villages offer respite from the hustle and bustle of city life and a wonderful insight into Nepalese village life and culture . The natural surroundings and peaceful ambience makes these places perfect to relax and unwind.

En route Samari via Trishuli Bazaar

Homestay at Samari, a Tamang Village

En route Sele

Camping site – Sele

Boghteni village

Syabrubensi

Dhunche

Langtang National park permit check point

(Pics: Samir Shrestha)

To visit Nuwakot & Samari Villages send an email at sales@explorehimalaya.com.

Tsum Valley Festival (25th-27th April, 2012)

Himalaya — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:06:24 +0000

Tsum Valley Festival was inaugurated by Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai in Chekkampur, Gorkha District yesterday (25th April). During the inaugural ceremony venerable Lama Ngawang Khenrap Drukpa Rinpoche, the re-incarnation of the then Lama Sherap Dorje Drukpa Rinpochhe, declared Tsum Valley as a valley of non-violence. In Tsum Valley, locals refrain from killing animals. This custom came into practice in 1920 when Tsum Valley experienced a severe drought and many people died of starvation. Seeing how the people were suffering , the then Lama Sherap Dorje Drukpa Rinpochhe prohibited local people from slaughtering animals. The local people, nuns and monks readily obeyed him and signed a document written in their local language to this effect. They reaffirmed their commitment again in 1972. In 2009, the local people in Tsum Valley expressed a desire to continue this commitment as part of their Buddhist faith. Now in 2012, continuing with their tradition, Tsum valley has been declared a non-violent zone.

The Tsum Valley Festival will run till 27th April and will showcase the unique culture of Tsum Valley through cultural programmes (dances, songs, rituals).Indegenous local products will also be exhibited during the festival.

Tsum Valley (Pic: Valeriy Garkaln)

Trek to Tsum Valley