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Showing posts from March, 2016

Hiking the Himalayas: What to Know Before You Go

Surprise! You don’t have to be an extreme athlete to tackle Nepal. When my friend Owen suggested last year that we go trekking in Nepal, I thought he was nuts. I’ve always considered myself adventurous but not an adventurer, the type who flies to the ultimate thrill-seeker’s destination, where badass climbers scale impossible mountains, wincing through blisters and blizzards. I was picturing Into Thin Air or a playground for the ultra-fit (and the ultra-rich). But on an eye-opening trip last October along some of the country’s most celebrated trails, I realized that Nepal is doable for just about everyone—as long as you know what you’re signing up for. Below, the answers to all the questions I had. Has the country recovered from the April 2015 earthquakes? In Kathmandu, many buildings and stupas remained in need of repair, and tidy piles of rubble lined the streets, but much of the city was back in action. In Namche Bazaar, a hub for trekkers, tourism was down 60 percent comp

Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha

Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, the Lord Buddha, was born in 623 B.C. in the famous gardens of Lumbini, which soon became a place of pilgrimage. Among the pilgrims was the Indian emperor Ashoka, who erected one of his commemorative pillars there. The site is now being developed as a Buddhist pilgrimage centre, where the archaeological remains associated with the birth of the Lord Buddha form a central feature. Outstanding Universal Value Brief synthesis The Lord Buddha was born in 623 BC in the sacred area of Lumbini located in the Terai plains of southern Nepal, testified by the inscription on the pillar erected by the Mauryan Emperor Asoka in 249 BC. Lumbini is one of the holiest places of one of the world's great religions, and its remains contain important evidence about the nature of Buddhist pilgrimage centres from as early as the 3rd century BC. The complex of structures within the archaeological conservation area includes

Langtang Gosainkunda Trek

Trip Highlights of  Langtang Gosainkunda Trek Half day guided tours of UNESCO World Heritage Site (Kathmandu Durbar Square) in Kathmandu. Visiting Langtang Village, Kyanjing Gompa, Gosainkunda Holy Lake and optional hike to Tserko Ri Visiting Langtang National Park is also home for many endangered wild animals including red panda and abundant of wild flowers in nature Insight into the varied ethnic lifestyles of Tamangs and Sherpas (Similar to Tibetan) inhabitants of this area. Taste of Nepali cuisine with a local cultural show in Kathmandu Outline Itinerary of Langtang Gosainkunda Trek DAY PROGRAM PLACES ALTITUDE WALKING / DRIVING DURATION 01 Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel Kathmandu 1356 m 02 In Kathmandu- Half day tour of Kathmandu City Kathmandu 1356 m 03 Kathmandu to Syabru Besi drive by 4 WD Jeep Syabru Besi 1450 m 6 hrs driving 04 Trek from Syabru Besi to Lama Hotel Lama Hotel 2840 m 6  hrs walking 05 Trek from Lama Hotel to Langtang Vi

Gosainkunda Trek

Gosaikunda Lake treks Gosaikunda lies north of Kathmandu. The Gosaikunda loop is quite remote and thinly populated area. Gosaikunda, a glacier lake, is the most famous one with several others glacier lakes adjoining it. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit the lakes during a full- moon festival in August and Hindu people believe that the god Mahadev (Shiva), intoxicated by grief due to his wife’s (Pārbati) death, felt thirsty so he hit the stone with his holy stick, thus creating the lakes. In the same place Lake Gosaikunda originates and Hindu people believe that the image of Mahadev can be seen in the middle surface of the water. The lake is also scared to Buddhists. This is a journey with numerous highlights, stunning views of Ganesh Himal, Manaslu and Annapurna massif as far as you can see. The Tamang and Sherpa people living here, physically and culturally resemble the Tibet inhabitants and their unique lifestyle is still thriving under their traditional attitude. Abundant w