Posted by
Jyoti Manandhar
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Posted in
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Posted on
2:15 AM
There are many beautiful and interesting places to visit outside the Kathmandu Valley. Places full of history and historical remains, or remarkable for their scenic beauty. Most are easily reached from Kathmandu by road or by air and are at the end of the good trek like the Everest, Langtang, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri areas.
Kakani: 6500 ft. above sea-level, lies 27 kilometers northwest of the Kathmandu valley. It overlooks the northwestern Himalayan ranges against the vastness of the blue sky in the northeast. The fabulous holiday area of Kakani features attractions ranging from beautiful alpine scenery to the magnificent Himalayan panorama, particularly of the Ganesh himal massif.
Nagarkot: Nagarkot is about 32 kilometers east of Kathmandu. A tour
of Kathmandu is considered incomplete without a one-hour ride to catch the awesome views from this hilltop. It is situated at an altitude of 7,133 ft. above sea level the cool mountain air augments the pleasure of beholding a sight so beautiful. It is a year round holiday resort. The panorama of major peaks of the most of the eastern Nepal Himalayas, including Sagarmatha, (Mt. Everest) can be seen from here. You will get the best views from Nagarkot at sunset and sunrise. Many trekkers itinerary includes a trek to Nagarkot at the end of a weeklong trip to Langtang or the Helambu circuit. Besides trekking, there are bird watching trips, village walks, mountain biking up and downhill and pony treks to fill your hours in the wilderness. Biking to any of the trekking destinations can be an exhilarating experience.
Dhulikhel: Dhulikhel, the scenic and ancient Newari town is situated 30 kilometers east of Kathmandu on Araniko Rajmarga (Kathmandu-Kodari Highway). It has been one of the favorite destinations for mountain views. From here one can have the Complete Panoramic view of the snowy ranges from east to west, with the vast panorama of Himalayan peaks stretching from the Annapurnas in the west to Gauri Shanker in the east clearly visible, the resorts here are much sought after.
Daman: For the view of the breath-taking grandeur of the world’s highest peaks, extending in one glittering arc from far west of Dhaulagiri to far 
east of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest), there is no better place than Daman, daman lies 80 kilometers southwest of Kathmandu on the Tribhuvan Rajmarga mountain highway. There is a view tower fitted with along range telescope. An unrivalled view of the Himalayas in the monopoly of Everest Panorama Resort, perched high on the hilltop of resort enjoys a sweeping view from beyond Everest in the east to Dhaulagiri in the west. While in Daman, there are villages to hike Sarovar Lake, biking trips to Palung valley or pony treks in the wild. If you want more, there is the mini golf pitch, snooker table and tennis court to keep you occupied. After a day full of adventure, there is a sauna or Jacuzzi to relax in. The resort is also an excellent conference venue given its tranquil surroundings and cool refreshing air.
Chaku, the Last Resort: Built high on solid rock overlooking the gushing waters of the Bhote Koshi River, only 12 km from the Tibetan border, the resort exudes peace. The resort also built the Swiss-designed suspension bridge that enables you to cross over from the Araniko Highway to reach there. This bridge is a blessing for the locals who previously walked five hours to cross the deep gorge. The Last Resort’s biggest attraction is without doubt, the Bunge Jump. The crowd of people, who drive three-and-a-half hours just to jump off the bridge with a cord tied to their feet, speaks v
olume of its popularity. It’s a 160m drop to the river below tourist call it ‘Nepal’s Ultimate Rush’. But jumping is not all you have there. The river below provides rafters the thrill of their lives as they soar above rapids, you can also try canyoning, a relatively new sport where you can do anything from abseiling down a waterfall to literally sliding down a rock canyon, wearing protective gear, of course. If kayaking is more to your liking then the Bhote Koshi provides an excellent opportunity to speed down the river all by yourself or join the kayak clinic as a beginner. The resort is surrounded by high rock cliffs, which gives an opportunity for great hikes. An early morning trek up these cliffs can be invigorating. The Duganagadi Hidden Fort & Monasteries trek takes you through the historic trade route between Nepal and Tibet. This resort may also be considered for seeking an escape from the stress and strain of city life. Stretch out in the spacious Instant Karma Bar or lie back in the late afternoon sun surrounded by nature’s wonders. This is your holiday paradise.
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Nepal is a country of amazing extremes. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha and world’s highest mountain, Mt. Everest are not only the two subjects that one should wonder of there are other great summits almost as high, towering above populated valleys and forested plains in which the wildlife is preserved. Adventure and amusement is everywhere, on trek onto the high mountains, on climbing ridges, on quiet lakes or rushing Himalayan Rivers or in forests full of wild life, flowers and birdsong. There are lots of ancient temples, palaces, ageless sculpture in the capital, Kathmandu Valley and near by and are like living museums. Nepal has something for everybody-tourist, trekker, river runners, wild life enthusiast, Geographical & Historical surveyors, Nature lovers, travel photographers and artists or the weary in search of a personal Shangrila. There are easy walks lasting a few days and there are strenuous expeditions that will take three weeks or even more. All of them have great scenery in the background. You will find all the details about combination of cultural riches and natural beauty of Nepal after your visit which will surely be the memory of your lifetime. You will be visiting some places already declared as the World Heritage Sites, Mountain Lakes and Botanical resorts above 4000 meters, you'll be walking through forested areas with wild life conservation centers, villages and there will always be the icy white Himalayan peaks in the background. A day on the trail usually consists of four to six hours of walking broken by a lunch stop. You will have to travel slowly to enjoy the scenery on the trail, not to get to a destination quickly in a hurry. The main precaution to be taken while trekking in high altitude is not to go up too high too fast. Because you may be the victim of (AMS) Acute Mountain Sickness, the effect of thin air above 4000 meters which can be very dangerous and may even result in death. If you have the first symptoms like swelling in the face and breathlessness, dizziness and nausea than descend to the lower altitude as soon as possible and ask for medical help. Comprehensive travel insurance is advised to cover emergencies like helicopter rescue and medical treatment in case of accidents on the trail. There are lots of authorized trekking agencies who will take care of almost all the details like guides, porters, government permits, air and bus ticketing, food and lodging, tents and equipments and even the medical precautions. One should also be careful while making the journey in high altitudes and should not go all alone if not well experienced. Trekking is possible at any time of the year depending on where you are going. Winter is too cold, high mountains passes and near by areas may be fully covered with snow, but it’s nice for trekking at lower altitudes. In the monsoon season you can trek in northern Himalayan areas like Dolpo and Mustang. Those are the rain shaded areas so rainy clouds don’t reach these areas because of the high mountains. Annapurna sanctuary, Langtang and the Mt.Everest are the most popular Himalayan trek in Nepal. The trekking route to these destinations goes through the paths that have some of the most stunning scenery on earth for the trekker, nature lover, wild life enthusiast, Geographical & Historical surveyors, rafters, artist, documentary movie maker and a travel photographer as well.
The sovereign independent Kingdom of Nepal lies between 80 deg 15’ -88 deg 15’ East Longitude and 26 deg 20’- 30 deg 10’ North Latitude. It is bounded on the north by the Tibet Region of the People’s Republic China, on the east by Sikkim and West Bengal (India) and on the south and west by the Indian States of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The length of the Kingdom is approx 880 kms east-west, and its breadth varies from 144 to 240 kms north-south. It lies in the temperate zone with the added advantage of altitude. Expect for the Tarai on the south, even the valleys, with some exceptions, are seldom less than four thousand feet above sea-level. All this adds up to one significant conclusion: There is no seasonal limitation to travel in and through Nepal. Even in December and January, when the winter is at its severest, there are compensations bright sun and brilliant views. Winter days may begin in mist which can last until noon, and then disappearing fog brings the view of snowy white peaks against the clear blue sky.
