NEPAL Tourism

For the Indians, Nepal would seem like home away from home. Indians don't need a visa to enter Nepal. A passport or a voter's identity card will do. You can go there by land or by air. Most people in Nepal/especially those in the travel and tourism industry understand Hindi and English. Indian currency (except notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denominations) is accepted everywhere. If it's so similar to home, when why go there, you would wonder. Nepal's similarity with India is not where all its charm lies.

Reaching Tribhuvan international airport at Kathmandu by flight takes around two hours from Delhi. On Our first evening there, our Nepali friend decides to take us to Thamel, the central shopping area in Kathmandu. On the way, we drive past theaters screening Kabh alvida na kehana and Lage Raho munnabhai. Thamel is the heart of the city. Quint, wood and glass restaurants offering everything from Indian to Nepali, Thai, Italian, Japanes and Chinese cuisine: bakeries and confectioners filling the streets with the heady smells; Live music emannating from bars and restaurants :music stores playing devotional Tibetan music: people of all nationalities jostling for space in the streets; shops displaying Pashmina shawls, handicrafts and bead jewelery; stores selling Nepal's famous Rudrakshas there's everything. A 30 minute drive from Central Kathnmandu takes you to the Swayabunath stupa, from where you can get a bird's eye view of the entire Kathmandu. This World Heritage site is known as much as a religious destination because of the scenic beauty surrounding it. Visits to the Pashupatinath temple and Bouddahanth stupa are an integral pat of every traveler's itinery. However, though temple tourism inflow here, there are other things too.

A visit To Nepal is incomplete without a trip to Pokhara, the city of Lakes. The best way to go there is by a 30 minute domestic flight from Kathmandu. A small 20-seater Beech craft takes us there, offering us a glimpses of the Himalayas towering above the clouds surroundings us.

Sometimes the journey is as good as the destination. Five minutes after coming out of Pokhara airport, our van stops and we're told that reaching our lodge will entail a boat ride across the Pew lake. One by one, we get in carefully, the tiny boat threatening to give us an actual feel of the water around. This 5 km long lake is lone of the major draws of Pokhara are spent that the numerous restaurants dotting the length of the lake, accompanied by traditional dance and music. Besides Phewa, Rupa and Begans are the other important lakes in Pokhara.

If you want to see the World Peace stupa, be prepared for a 2 hour climb. While we're busy huffing and puffing, title school children run past us, silently showing off. Also planned is a sunrise view at Sarangkot. Cursing and cribbing at the unearthly hour at which our hotels receptions gives us the wake up call, we point where you're at eye-level with snow-capped peaks. You'd thank the good gentleman. As the sun continues too make us wait, the white peaks slowly changes it color to golden. The moment finally arrives and everyone heaves a sigh of relief and wonder.

You can also go exploring Mahendra Gufa at Batulachaaur in Pokhara. If that's too staid for our taste, there are the bat caves nearby, Devi falls with water gushing greenery, is another treat for eyes.The international Mountain Museum is where we got to see and learn about every mountain expedition made to the Himalayas.

After two days in Pokhara, we return to Kathmandu. At a distance of 100 km from Kathmandu is Manakammna. Reaching there means a 3 hour drive on hilly terrain. Earlier, You would have had to walk a 3 km distance for a dradshan. Now a 3.02 km cable car of slopes and villages, takes you there. The rates are fixed, whether it's for a child, adult or goat. About 323 km from Kathmandu is the trade s villages of Nagarkot. Situated at 7200 ft; it's a place where you get a spectacular view of Mt Everest, Mt Annapurna, Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. Don't miss it.

Getting there

Kathmandu Nepal airlines fly to Kathmandu from Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai. Air Sahara (Delhi) Cosmic Air (Delhi, Dhaka and Vadnais), Indian (Delhi, Kolktha and Varnasi) and jet Airways (Delhi) also operate flights to Neplal. Entry by land is from Kakarbhitta, Birguni, Belhiya, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunnj, Dhangadi and Mahendra Nagar on the Nepal-India border.

PokharaA 30 minute flight from any of the domestic airlines that fly everyday.

Nagarkot One hour drive from Kathmandu

Chitwan 21 km Drive from Bharathpur (146 km by rod from Kthamandu)

Activities

Trekkng There are many trekking routes in Nepal Park, Annapurna Conservation area, Langtang National Park, and Sagarmatha National Park are some of the most popular are some of the most popular among them. For details wwwtaan.org.np

BoatingPhewa, Begnas and Rupa lakes are ideal for boating. One can try canoeing on Narayani and Rapti rivers near Chitwan national park.

Jungle safariParse wildlife reserve, Bardia National Park, Chitwan National Park and Shuklaa Phanta Wildlife Reserves.

HuntingDhorpatan hunting reserve (west Nepal). For details dnpwc.gov.np

MountaineeringOne has to get permission from the mountaineering department of ministry of culture, tourism and civil aviation Log on to www.nepalmountaineering.org for details.