Himalayan beauty often comes at a cost! You have to stretch your comfort zone, ramble on the rocks, pump your heart and do a bit of huff and puff. However, there is a way out! You can experience the Himalayan giants including Everest in style and comfort. Yes, we are talking about Everest Heli Tour.      

When it comes to exploring Everest region and getting a bird’s eye view, nothing beats the experience you get from a helicopter ride! You can enjoy the breath taking heavenly landscapes along with the world’s gigantic mountains including Mount Everest (8848 m). It is the best and easiest way for the travelers who wish to reach the lap of astonishing highest mountains but have very limited time. You get an experience that is worth every penny and it’s quite likely that the time you spend in air will turn out to be one of the most thrilling minutes you will ever have in your life.

Everest Heli tour is not just about flying to Base Camp and returning back. It comes with different side tours like visiting Kala Patthar (5545 m), the historic site of World’s Highest Cabinet meeting and stopping at Kongde, World’s highest Resort where you can stop for a celebratory meal. So, without straining yourself and spending longer trekking days, you can marvel at the panoramic views of astonishing mountains, tranquil valleys, glittering snow peaks, Khumbu glacier of Nepal’s North East Himalaya region and many more. It not only gives you the thrill of being in the air, but offers you the whole new level of experience. So, welcome abroad to have the exclusive escape to one of the world’s most challenging landscapes.

The second Globeriders Himalaya Expedition’17 is already underway and the participants have today crossed the Nepalese border to enter India and further ride to Bhutan. After the successful recce ride in 2015 with many learnings about the route, this year’s expedition started in Chengdu and will end in Bangkok (the opposite route done in 2015).

Explore Himalaya is managing all the logistics for this expedition which consists of 4 riders and 1 pilon rider including the leader- world famous Helge Pedersen. Pedersen is a well-known name in the Motorcycle world and also the owner of Globeriders.

The group will ride for 62 days in total starting from China thorugh Nepal, India, Bhutan, Mynamar and ending the journey in Thailand spanning a total of approx 8300 Kms.

For daily updates of the Expedition – http://www.globeriders.com/live!journal_pages/ghe17_live!journal/ghe17_main.shtml

For information about Himalayan Expedition 2018: helge@globeriders.com

Monsoon season in Nepal brings joy and happiness for everyone. It is the main season for agriculture as well as the season of the festival in Nepal. A monsoon festival falls on different date every year.

During monsoon season, Seasonal tourism activities in Nepal are low in numbers and trekking in monsoon season is not favorable time. However, during monsoon season, Pilgrimage tourists are high in number; especially from India. They prefer to visit Muktinath and Mansarovarduring monsoon season as these places are rainy shadowed area. But from the cultural point of view; monsoon season is best time to observe Nepalese cultural way of Living, festivals, Monsoon cycle of agriculture and Lush green valley’s with seasonal crops.

Festivals fall on Monsoon

                Enjoying throwing Hilo ”wet mud” during Ropai ” Paddy Plantation

15^th Ashar (June) is celebrated as Paddy Plantation day  “RopaiJatra” all around Nepal. “RopaiJatra“is a most awaiting and cheerful time for farmers. This day symbolizes the end of the rice planting period, a day when all farmers enjoy the end of the plantation of rice and wishes for good production. As an entertainment, they will sing a Nepalese folk songs and dance in rhythm on field while cultivating the crops mainand as lunch they will have homemade yogurt and beaten rice and drink a special kind of local drink called ‘Chyang’, which basically is made up of fermented rice.

On this day, especially Pokhara and Kathmandu (being a touristic area), different programs are being held targeting the foreigners, on the muddy flied to show Nepalese culture and traditional way of farming. This festival has been able to attracted many tourists though the festival is quite weird, yet fun. And the number of tourist wanting to participate on this festival is increasing. On this day especially for the foreigners, a travel and tour offices organizes a program/event for “Paddy Plantation” festival. This program is all about planting rice, playing around with mud, dancing in a traditional Nepalese folk song and not to forget to test traditional foods. Not only that, you can have an opportunity to communicate with Local Nepalese families which will help to learn about the Nepalese life style, culture and tradition.

                          Nag Panchami and JanaiPurnima/ RachayaBandan:  

This following year Nag Panchami and JanaiPurnima festival falls on same day.The festival Nag Panchami,Picture of Nags is posted above the doors of Nepali households with the belief of keeping away the evil spirits.

Normally, the priest visit door to door carrying the poster of Nags, Dubo (Cynodondactylon. Priest paste the poster of Nag with the help of cow dung, post a coin and Dubo. People offer milk in the temples of Nag Pokharai (snake pond) Naxal /Kathmandu and NagDaha (Snake Lake) in Lalitpur.       

                                             Naag Poster, Doro and Rakhi”

According to the Puran”Ancient Scriptures”, the earth is lifted by Shesh Nag on his head with Lord Vishnu Sleeping on its coil inside the ocean. Shesh Nag, BasukiNag,KaliNag,AsthaNag,Padma Nag and Karkot Nag are the most powerful Nags in Hindu religion.

Ancient Scriptures also mentioned that without Nags, the rainfall will not be possible, that’s why people worship Nags for causing the rain fall.

Janai Purnima is the festival of the Holy Thread which is also falls on same day of NaagPanchami

On this day every Hindu/Buddhist tied a Yellow, red colorful cotton strings in wrist of right hand. Nepalese people call it Doro.Especially Brahmins and Chettri change theirJanai, once a year. White cotton string wears on his chest or tied around the wrist of his/ her hand.  In every house this day, cooks mixed of every grain Quawati “and eat together with family members.

Similarly, this is also a day of Rachaya Banda, Rachya means to protect and Bandan means bond of togetherness. Where sister tie the rakhi on brother wrist, pray for the long life and success of her brother.Brother promise sister to protect from every harm and give gifts and sisters

                      Brahmin “Priest: tiding a sacred thread   Sacred thread (Local Nepali Word “Janai”

                                                                                    Gaijatra:  August

 Gaijatrais the festival of cows is one of the most popular festivals of Nepal. GaiJatra festival came in the tradition of the medieval period of Nepal, under the reign of the kings JayasthitiMalla.  

According to traditions since time immemorial, every family who lost a family member during one year period must participate in a procession in the streets.Bhaktapur, Kathmandu and PatanNewar community follow this tradition. If a cow is unavailable then a young boy dressed as a cow is regarded as a fair substitute.

In Hinduism, a cow is regarded as the most respected among all pets. It is believed that the cow, venerated as a sacred animal by Hindus, will help the deceased parent’s journey to heaven.

Stick dance (Typical Newari word: Ghintangghisitwakin Bhaktapur

                                                        PATAN: KRISHNA MANDIR

Krishna Janmastami is one of the popular festivals in Hindu religion. It is a festival celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna. Krishna is believed as the eighth incarnation of lord Vishnu and powerful. It is celebrated as victory of good over evil and their power.

All the devotees gather in Krishna Mandir, the ancient Krishna Temple in Patan other temples which is the symbol of Lord Sir Krishna.

                                        Baby dress up like Krishana

                                                                    Teej:  August

Teej is also known by the HariTalikaTeej. It is biggest festival and celebrated by Nepali women all across the world. Every Married women,Child and Young girls wears red and green attire decorated with jewelries gather at a place where they enjoy singing and dancing. Songs normally have words that describe the holiness and divine power of Lord Shiva. The musical celebration goes till midnight. Meanwhile, men of the maternal family host feast for their married sisters and daughters offering them complete liberty to enjoy this particular day.

Foreigners Joining Dance with Local Nepalese Women in Teej Festival

After the feast, a 24-hour long fast begins. Teej, a traditional festival where women also express their pains through the lyrics of the songs they sing while dancing.

According to the Holy Purans say that “on this day the Himalaya’s Daughter Goddess Parbati had finally receive Lord Shiva after her long time of devotions towards him.From this day, Teej festival was celebrated.                        

Married women’s take fast for the long life of their husband, good health of their children. And young ladies take fast in desire to get their dream husband.

Rishipanchami:

Rishipanchamiis the last day of Teej and women worship Sapta Rishi (seven saints). In Hindu religion, menstruation is taken as a symbol of impurity and women are not supposed to take part in religious performance during their periods. Hence, it is believed that Rishi Panchami is the occasion to wash off one’s impurity of the entire year

 IndraJatra: September

 Indrajatrais the celebration of God Indra” the god of Rain, King of Heaven”. This festival begins each year from the day of BhadraDwadasi to Aswin Krishna Chaturdasi according to the lunar calendar, which falls during place to celebrate is in Kathmandu Durbar Square which is known as Basantapur Durbar.

Bhairav a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva

The Kumari (living goddess), departs the shelter of her temple in a palanquin and leads a parade through the streets of Kathmandu to thank Indra. The main attraction of the festival is the procession of chariots and masked dancers representing deities and demons.           

According to myth, Indra’s mother Dagini wanted night-flowering coral jasmine “PARIJAT” tree in the gardens of heaven to perform some ritual and Indra disguised as human and came to Earth for the plant. While Indra was stealing the plant from a garden in Kathmandu Valley, the communities captured him. Unknown to the fact that the God of Rain was captured Kathmandu suffered extreme dryness; however, the capturers would not free Indra. Dagini came down to the earth in search of her son and discovered that the people of Kathmandu held him caged

Upon Dagini’s request, the people of Kathmandu agreed to free Indra. Pleased with the kindness of the people of Kathmandu, Dagini promised for the timely rainfall and good harvest. She also took all the people of Kathmandu who died that year to the heaven. Since then IndraJatra is observed enthusiastically in Kathmandu Durbar Square.

                                                                           Chariot of living Goddess Kumari

Short Ghorepani “Poonhill” Trek Annapurna from Deurali

Interested in trekking to have panoramic views of Annapurna Region????? But you cannot trek for long days???? Yes, we have Poonhill trek which is suitable trek for you. Enjoy short trek with unreal mountain scenery that will leave you breathless. Annapurna foot hill trek is one of the most popular trekking routes for group of beginners, family holidays and for soft adventure seekers. This trek offers you the panorama view of Himalayas including Fishtail, Annapurna ranges, Dhaulagiri, Lamjung Himal, Gangapurna, and Manaslu. Challenging uphill to burn your extra calories and detoxify the body physiology with snow town breeze in peaceful atmosphere.

                                           Deurali 

                                   Glimpse of Annapurna 

This is one of the most popular trek; known as Annapurna Sunrise Trek or Annapurna Panorama Trek and relatively one of easy trek. Poon hill is the Photographer’s Paradise with maximum elevation 3210M. The trail passes and twists through the beautiful ethnic Gurkha Warriors villages and lush green rhododendron forest. Especially Ghandruk Village is known to be unique and special to represent traditional culture of Gurkha Soldiers. Covering main highlight of Annapurna Mountain ranges you will trek about 5-6 hours a day for 5-6 days. It is also the prime choice for first time trekkers.                                              Poonhill tower

                          Annapurna range from Poonhill

Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara Approx. 220 km/ 6-7 hrs. Or fly to Pokhara which is about 20 minutes. Pokhara city is tourist zone of Nepal for domestic and international tourist. Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul about two hours/ 45 kms. This trek goes from Nayapul to Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani, Poon hill,then to Tadapani and Ghandruk or Landruk then back to Nayapul where you will drive back to Pokhara. 

                      Descending from Tadapani to Ghandruk

          Trekkers enjoying their moment at Naya-pul 

Historical Event, Himalayan Travel Mart 2017 offered an opportunity for a group of traveler Bloggers to experience this Poonhill trek and have a close sight of the Himalayas. The post trek article written by professional travel writers and photographers, JenniferDombrowski and Tim Davis did this trek. They have some memorable experience while doing Ghorepani- Poonhill trek.  They sum to be enjoyed this trek. However, this trek is one of the most challenging tasks of their life as the pain of exhaustion and tiredness seem to have moved away by the sums of achievement, overcoming to a height and serenity observed in the wilderness of Nepal Himalaya even an acute pain caused by the cramping of her foot muscles feels nothing bad as her joy and ecstasy of happiness was indefinable after completing her memorable trek.   

You can also read their experience at http://luxeadventuretraveler.com/ghorepani-trek-nepal

                                      Typical Nepali House

If you are interested in doing this trip, please have a look at the details about the trip in our website at https://www.explorehimalaya.com/packages/a-week-below-annapurna-poonhill-trek/

                                           Poonhill: 3210m    

                                                                 Annapurna Ranges: on the way to Tada-pani from Ghandruk

                   Picture Courtesy: Jennifer Dombrowski

The Rupakot Resort is a new luxury 5 star category property located in Kaski district, which was officially inaugurated jointly by the Non-Resident Nepali Association’s President, Mr. Shesh Ghale and Mayor of Tielt-Wenge, Belgium, Mr. Rudi Beeken on December 26th, 2014.

This five star category resort is located on the top of Rupakot village about 22 KM East from Pokhara spreading in 25 acres of land. The resort is a combination of nature, luxury and heritage.

 Nature is always at its best at Rupakot offering a wonderful view of Rupa & Begnas Taals (lakes), Himalayas (Annapurna, Fishtail & Manaslu), Pokhara valley and, of course, the sun-rise and the sun-set. This area with sub-tropical climate is a home to verities of flowers, plants, trees, birds, animals and butterflies. Therefore, the resort garden is green and lively with colorful floral species round the year.

 The rooms are carefully designed and decorated with modern amenities to create the richness of luxury. Every room has a specious balcony to offer a tempting view of lakes, jungles, local villages and the Himalayas.

The architect of the resort adheres the medieval mountain village set up theme, keeping the houses facing south so that every household gets enough sun and fresh air. A great deal of attention has been given to the design to retain and regain the heritage of the mountain. The cluster of tiny houses of the resort, looking as if like a small village keep and maintain the harmony with nature and the surrounding.

Services that include free wifi, DTH television,  drop & pick up facilities to and from Pokhara, Village tour / Hiking around resort, Sun rise & sun set views from resort makes Rupakot Resort an ideal place for researchers, nature lovers and holiday makers.