About Pokhara:Pokhara is a perfect triangular mountain, capped by snow and buffeted by the icy winds of the Himalaya. Imagine a millpond calm lake, perfectly reflecting the snowy peaks. Now imagine a village on the lakeshore, thronged by travellers and reverberating to the sound of om mani padme hum from a hundred shops selling prayer flags, carpets, singing bowls and CDs of Buddhist mantras. That’s pokhara.Nepal’s second city, at least in tourist terms, Pokhara is the end point for the famous Annapurna Circuit trek and the starting point for a dozen more treks through the mountains of the Annapurna Range, including the perennially popular Jomsom and the equally dramatic ( but less busy ) trek to the Annapurna Sanctuary . Its unashamedly touristy, in the Thamel mould, but the setting is spectacular the perfect pyramid of Mt Machhapuchhare looms high above Pokhara, reflected in the placid waters of Phewa Tal.
For many travellers, Pokhara represents a last chance to stock up on creature comforts before hitting the mountain trails. For others, it’s place to enjoy a steak dinner and cold beer after weeks of daal bhaat in the hills. Even if you aren’t a dedicated trekker, there’s plenty here to keep you busy. Pokhara has numerous museums and there are some fascinating caves, waterfalls and Tibetan villages in the surrounding hills.
For the adventurous, travel agents in Pokhara offer a slew of adventure activities, from trekking and micro light flights to river rafting and jungle safaris. Paragliding from Sarangkot view point has to be one of the most thrilling experiences in the subcontinent. Alternatively, bring a good book and spend your days reading in café overlooking languorous Phewa Tal.
Nepal Wildlife Safari:Nepal is a country of exceptional biodiversity and a beautiful natural environment. The tropical jungles of the Terai preserve some of the best wildlife habitat in the subcontinent. Nepal has 16 national parks, wildlife reserves and conservation areas, occupying 16 percent of its total geographical area.
For those who wish to experience the natural environment at its best there is no better place to visit than Nepal. The outdoor adventure sports into the wilderness to see wild animals, birds and natural beauty. You ride on an elephant's back or on a four wheeler jeep accompanied by a fully trained guide (also known as expert Naturalists) for the love of nature and animals. In Nepal, Chitwan and Bardia are two hot dishes on the menu. Pick Chitwan as this is Nepal's most popular National Park offering excellent opportunity to see Royal Bengal Tigers, One horned Rhino, crocodile and thrilling wilderness experience into its deep and thick jungle. Pick Bardia also, as this is another National Park, which offers excellent jungle safari. Here too you can ride on an elephant or a take four wheel to discover some of Nepal's unspoiled natural habitats. Most jungle safari consists of canoe rides on the jungle rivers, nature walks, birds watching excursions and quick tours around the villages to discover unique culture and traditions of the local village people. There are also scheduled cultural-musical programs performed by the villages, which are also in the Jungle Safari itinerary.Chitwan and Bardia national park have excellent accommodation.
Bardia National Park is the largest National Park situated in the mid-far western region lowlands of the Terai, and covers 968 sq. km. The park is home to the largest population of the elusive Bengal Tiger and there are 30 more species of other mammals, such as Bears, moneys, civets, hyenas, wild dogs, otters, wild boar, leopards adn deer. It is regenerated habitat for endangered animals like the Tiger, Rhinoceros, wild Elephant (the park harbors the largest wild tusker in Asia) and the black duck. Crocodiles, Masher fish and the Gangetic dolphin cavort in the river waters. There are more than 350 spces of birds which include the cormorants, egret, stork, geese, jungle foul, Kingfisher, horn bills plus endangered species such as the Bengal florican, silver eared mesia and the saurus crane, making the park a true delight for bird watchers. more.........
Bhaktapur :This is third important sister city of the valley. The local people call it Bhadgaon. This city is named Bhaktapur, which means the place (pur) of devotees (Bhaktapur is a very sanskritiesed name which is difficult to pronounce. Therefore, the natives of this place, for their convenience, changed it to Bhadgaon, where ‘Gaon’ means ‘village’ and ‘Bhad’ could be the simplified form of ‘Bhakta’ . Bhaktapur is the ancient capital of Mallas. Historically, the city way built in the ninth century (889 A.D) during the reign of King Anan Deva. However, it might be older than that. The city was originally built in the shape of a sacred conch shell, which is associated with Lord Vishnu, the Lord Protector.
Kathmandu Durbar Square:
It is the historic seat of royalty built between the 12th and 18th centuries. The Durbar Square is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979 which epitomizes the social, religious and cultural life of the Nepalese people. It is the place where the kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronation solemnized. The interesting things to see here are: the ferocious Kal Bhairav, Nautalle Durbar Square, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, The statue of King Pratap Malla, the big Drum and the Jagannath Temple. It is the place where the visitors can see uncountable monuments. There is also the Numismatic Museum and Tribhuvan Museum inside the place building. Photography is prohibited inside the museum. It is the place to observe the juxtaposition of past and present, old and new.
