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From mountain Climbing to elephant riding and everything in between
There are Few places on earth with so many adventure opportunities in such a small like Nepal. Thanks to the topography which rises abruptly from tropical jungles almost at sea level to the high Himalaya within a distance of a mere 150 km, you get a mind-boggling diversity of flora, fauna, ecosystems and landscapes depending on the altitude. This provides the setting for a traffic range of different action-packed activities. The terrain changes so rapidly you could be tramping through sweltering forests in the morning and strolling over freezing glaciers in the afternoon. And then there are other thrills in between- white water rafting on the thundering rivers, trekking through gorgeous rural vistas of the mid-hills or soaring over all this stunning scenery by hot air balloon, motor glider or pressurized aircraft. There are specialized tour operators who have the skill, equipments and trained personnel to bring you the experience of a lifetime.
Mountaineering With eight of the 10 highest mountains in the world, it is no wonder that Nepal is the top destination for mountaineers. In addition to these 8,000m giants, there are hundreds of lesser peaks strewn across the Himalaya that stretches all along the length of the country. Since the first ascent of Everest by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Sherpa in 1953, climbers have been regular visitors to this land. | | Mountaineering expeditions are required to obtain a permit from the Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation. Because of a long waiting list, the ministry recommends that applications be made several years in advance. Climbing permits for mountains less than 6,600 m high (known as trekking peaks) are given out by the Nepal Mountaineering Associations in Kathmandu. |
Trekking
Crawling up 8,000 m cliffs may not be for everyone, but anybody can go trekking. If you are reasonably fit and are not afraid of walking, you qualify. In fact, a quarter of all visitors to Nepal come solely to trek, and sizeable proportion of trekkers happen to be past their youth.
Trekking in the mountains of Nepal is a cultural experience, as opposed to exploring uninhabited wilderness. The trails pass through bustling villages, and trekkers will encounter local people at their daily chores- farmers water and villagers traveling to visit relatives or take part in a festival. Walking through this idyllic scenery with the towering Himalaya as a backdrop is a truly rejuvenating experience. The entire length and breadth of Nepal is a paradise for trekkers, and trekking can be done at any time of the year depending on the route. The Annapurna Trail north Pokhara is the most popular. It winds around the magnificent peaks of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhre and passes through the deepest gorge in the world. The Everest trek is a classic which retraces the foot steps of the great mountaineering expeditions to the tallest mountain in the world. The langtang region north of Kathmandu is the third most popular trekking destination and attracts adventures with its diverse flora. Treks off the beaten path are becoming increasingly popular, and remote areas like Mustang, Manag, Makalu, Manaslu and Dolpo are drawing more and more trekkers away from the established routes.
White Water Rafting: For the ultimate adrenaline rush, there’s nothing like riding the waves of Nepal’s Himalayan Rivers. Because of the country’s steep terrain, the rivers charge down with extra ferocity to offer some of the best white waters in the thundering rivers means an action packed cruise over foaming white water and crashing waves. There’s also the spectacular scenery of magnificent river gorges to enjoy on the way (if you can take your eyes off the swirling water.) River rapids are graded on a scale of one (swimming pool) to six (apocalypse). Take your pick: The Trisuli river (grade 3+) is close to Kathmandu andn is the favorite of the Nepal’s raftable rivers. You can raft down all the way to Royal Chitawan National Park. The Kali Gandaki (4 to 4+) near Pokhara winds through remote canyons and deep gorges for five days of intense rapids. The Bhote Koshi ( 4 to 5) is a three hour drive from Kathmandu and batters river runners with continuous white water as they shoot through a veritable maze of canyons and boulders. The Marshyandi (4 to 5) near Pokhara rages through the gorges of the Annapurna Range and packs boiling foam and awesome whirlpools. The Karnali (4 to 5) in far west Nepal offers some of the most challenging rapids in the world. The Sun Koshi (4 to 5) is only three hours from Kathmandu and thus a popular choice with many. It requires eight to 10 days to complete and offers exhilarating white water.
Mountain Flight Mountain flights appeal to all categories of thrill seekers. For those who are restricted by time or other considerations from going trekking, mountain flights are the answer. Travelers take off in the early morning in a pressurized aircraft for an hour of unforgettable Himalayan sightseeing. The plane cruises alongside the mountain range very close to the snow peaks and offers passengers stunning eye-level views. For those who are not satisfied with admiring the scenery from the window of an airplane, there’s the helicopter. The whirlybird will not only take you as close as you can get to the Himalaya from the air, but you down so that you can feel the energy and breathe the air of the mightiest mountains on earth. The helicopters operating in the private sector are highly maneuverable and have been specially selected for their suitability in mountainous environments.
Jungle Safari: The southern plains of Nepal are covered with dense tropical jungle teeming with fascinating wildlife and exotic birds. The one-horned rhinoceros, Royal Bengal tiger, crocodile and Himalayan black bear are the stars of the show among the hundred of species of wild animals that make their home here. The Nepal also contains over 800 species of colorful birds, or about 10% of the world total. An excursion through this zoological garden by elephant, canoe or four-wheel drive vehicle is a jungle safari you’ll remember for a long time. Among the 14 national parks and wildlife reserves in Nepal, the Royal Chitwan National Park to the southwest of Kathmandu is the most popular. Other renowned safari venues are the Royal Bardia National Park in the far west and the Koshi Tappu wildlife reserve in the east. There are fine resort hotels in the jungle and they are conveniently reached by plane or road connections. Tibet and Bhutan: Nepal is the gateway to the exotic Himalayan destinations like Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim. Tour operators in the Kathmandu are specialists in organizing treks, expeditions and adventure tours to these fabled places. Tibet, the Roof of the world, offers the enchanting cities of Lhasa and Shigatse as well as amazing monasteries and natural landscapes. Bhutan, the land of the Thunder Dragon, delights sight seers with its religious lifestyle untouched by modern civilization. Kathmandu and Lhasa are connected by direct flight as well as by picturesque trans-Himalayan highway that retraces the ancient mule caravan route. Kathmandu and Bhutan are also linked by direct air service. With such an array around, Nepal is the natural choice for adventure tourists.
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