Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), led the team of Nepalese Travel delegates while participating in the Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) held in Bangalore, India.

During India’s largest Travel Show TTF, nine Travel  Companies of Nepal accompanied NTB. The Travel Trade Fair was held from January 3 to 5. According to NTB visitors at TTF, made inquiries about Nepal´s prime touristic highlights as well as the pilgrimage destinations like Pasupatinath, Muktinath and Manakamana among others.

The statement of NTB says “Visitors also inquired about pilgrimage tour to Kailash Mansarovar via Nepal. The soft adventure holidays like trekking and rafting, leisure tour of Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan, and entertainment segments are also found popular among young travelers of India”, NTB statement adds.

News source: Republica

Nepal government is planning to develop and operate cable cars in Pokhara under the public private partnership (PPP) approach. The proposed cable-car venture will run from from Phewa Lake to World Peace Stupa, Pumdi Bhumdi stretching 1.5 km. The government has already invited expressions of interest (EoI) from eligible national and international firms for development and management of a cable car service in Pokhara valley. At present the only cable car service in operation in the country is  the Manakamana Cable Car Service which ferries pilgrims to the hill top shrine of Hindu goddess Manakama Mai in Gorkha.

Manakamana Cable Car, the cable car that ferries the pilgrims to the hill-top shrine of Manakamana Devi in Gorkha district, has recorded the highest number of passengers during the current fiscal year.According to reports, of the over 800,000 visitors, 60 percent were Nepalese while 40 percent were international.  Installed by an  Austrian company, the Manakamana Cable Car has been operating since 1998. The introduction of the cable car has reduced the previously arduous five-hour climb to the Manakamana Temple for pilgrims to a mere 10 minute trip. The cable car company has been ferrying around 2,500 passengers daily.

Since 17th century, Manakamana Devi has been widely venerated by Hindus as a ‘wish fulfilling goddess’. The shrine dedicated to Mankamana Devi lies south of the historic town of Gorkha and is located on the top of a ridge overlooking the river valleys of Trishuli and Marshyangdi. One can enjoy spectacular views of green hills and valleys, terraced fields as well as the Manaslu-Himlchuli and the Annapurna ranges from around the temple area.

A drive of 2 and a half hour from Kathmandu brings you  to the cable car company station.