Shivapuri Nagarjun National park hiking
Shivapuri Nagarjun National park hiking is the nearest park from Kathmandu which is situated to the north. The park is established in 2002 with the area of 144sqkm. The park receives local and international tourist to explore its natural beauty, flora and fauna. The Shivapuri Peak 2720m high from sea level offers a crystal view to Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang and many more to eastern.
The park is considered good location to bird watching as it harbors 318 spices of bird and 14 of them are threaten and 117 are migratory bird. The major birds are Spiny babbler, oriental hobby, Cinerous vulture, Himalayan griffon, Hen harrier, Sparrow, Hawk, Magpies, Kalij, bushchat, Cuckoos, bulbul, warblers, etc.
Beside the birds, there are 2112 spices of plants and 1250 are flowering plants and 57 medicinal. The park is the residence of leopard, sloth beer, deer, pangolin, monkey, wild boar, porcupine, large indian civet, flying squirrel, bat and masked palm civet etc. Common cobra, green pit viper, rat snake also found in the park.
There are many hiking routes within the park. Some routes are good to track and some are difficult to find the right one. The park is good for nature hike as there are no man made disturb like vehicles, hotel, restaurants or etc. There is a Nagi gumpa (Buddhist) to the eastern side from the park headquarter and some ashram are near the peak. The hiker should bring their lunch pack, few bottle water to drink with them.
Lodges guesthouse in Annapurna Base Camp Trekking
Lodges and guesthouses in Annapurna Base Camp trail
Annapurna Base Camp Trekking is more convenient than in the past. The lodges and guesthouses have contact number to confirm you booking before you arrive to the village. This would also help to know the situation of weather and climatic conditions.
Lodge/ Guesthouse/ Restaurant in Jhinu Dada
| Name of Hotel Guesthouse | Telephone number |
| Namaste Guest house and Restaurant | 9856068888, 9846267024 |
| Tibet Guest House and restaurant | 9846306024, 9848257645 |
| Hotel Evergreen and Restaurant | 9856031459, 9846148858, |
| Jhinu Guest and Restaurant | 9866009975, 9846999946 |
| Hot Spring Guest House and Restaurant | 9846394428, 9856036459 |
| Gurung Cottage and Restaurant | 9825144411, 9867358032 |
| Green View Restaurnat (Upper Jhinu) | 9864656988, 9863512910 |
| Machhapuchare View Point Homestay and restaurant (upper Jhinu) | 9748401869, 9846857496 |
Lodge/ Guesthouse/ Restaurant in Chomrong
| Heaven Guest House and Restaurant | 9846459051, 9741786419 |
| Panorama Point Lodge and Restaurant | 9846978430, 9851048487 |
| Fishtail Lodge and Restaurant | 9864372469, 9745457684 |
| Himalaya View Guesthouse and Restaurant | 9856048888 |
| Excellent View Top Lodge and Restaurant | 9856048777, 9856017888 |
| International Guest House and Restaurant | 9846107026, 9846728166 |
| Kalpana Guest House and Restaurant | 9846086194, 9856038149 |
| Mountain View Lodge and Restaurant | 9861503261, 9869213842 |
| Lucky Guest House and Restaurant | 9840152548., 9846054685 |
| Monalisa Guest House and Restaurant | 9860232784, 9856050815 |
| Chomrong Cottage and Restaurant | 9846756209, 9864379428 |
| Elysium Guest House and Restaurant | 9866544324, 9846280528 |
| New Chomrong Guest House and Restaurant | 9856066344, 9856036343 |
| Hotel Alpine and Restaurant | 9846512738, 9748401871 |
| Real Chomrong Guest House and Restaurant | 9863376854, 9864426864 |
| Millennium Lodge and Restaurant | 9846623995, 9844914725 |
| Smriti German Bakery and Coffee shop | 9863490052 |
| Garden Villa Lodge and Restaurant | 9863427465, 9840778917 |
| New Destination Hotel and Restaurant | 9856044245, 9846469596 |
.
Lodge/ Guesthouse/ Restaurant in Lower Sinuwa
| Brother Guest House and Restaurant | 9745452960, 9866346852 |
| Super View guesthouse and Restaurant | 9742928313, 9848568356 |
| Organic food and Beverage Restaurant | 9846464165/ 9867795749 |
| Kalpana Guesthouse and Restaurant | 9846086194/ 9856038149 |
| Nepali Restaurant | 9869093137 |
| Hotel Himal and Restaurant | 9867060232/ 9864371767 |
| Real Sinuwa Cottage and Restaurant | 9846004266/ 9860409015 |
| Preeti Guesthouse and Restaurant | 9846342258/ 9866099316 |
| Sherpa Guesthouse and Restaurant | 9864374467/ 9846740944 |
| Muna Guesthouse and Restaurant | 9819134937/ 9865093172 |
Lodge/ Guesthouse/ Restaurant in Lower Sinuwa
| Hill Top Lodge and Restaurant | 9847023138/ 9860198011 |
| Sunuwa Lodge and Restaurant | 9748211423/ 9856017499 |
| Sinuwa Guesthouse and Restaurant | 9846262409/ 9846785834 |
| Shailent Peak Restaurant | 9846623995/ 9846719276 |
Lodge/ Guesthouse/ Restaurant in Bamboo
| Buddha Guesthouse and Restaurant | 9866015164/ 9846257607 |
| Bamboo Guesthouse and Restaurant | 9846318952/ 9866290080 |
| Trekking Guesthouse and Restaurant | 9867060232/ 9862864742 |
| Bamboo Lodge and Restaurant | 984173809/ 9865535290 |
| Green View Lodge and Restaurant | 9846257879/ 9814148911 |
| Eco Friendly Lodge and Restaurant | 9846855161/ 9863427465 |
Lodge/ Guesthouse/ Restaurant in Doban
| Doban Guesthouse and Restaurant | 9840778715/ 9846523411 |
| Annapurna Approach Lodge and Restaurant | 9745283198/ 9816155501 |
| Tip Top Lodge and Restaurant | 061621655/ 9846027793 |
| Destination ABC Lodge and Restaurant | 9846257685/ 9856044245 |
| Green Land Lodge and Restaurant | 9749433227 |
Lodge/ Guesthouse/ Restaurant in Himalaya
| Himalaya Guesthouse and Restaurant | 9766027283/ 9856077000 |
| Hotel Himalaya and Restaurant | 9842283392/ 9844901740 |
| Hotel Royal Family and Restaurant | 9861355596/ 9846233819 |
Lodge/ Guesthouse/ Restaurant in Deurali
| New Panorama Guesthouse and Restaurant | 9846257775/ 9856077000 |
| Dream lodge and Restaurant | 9863500218/ 9846287693 |
| Shangrila Guesthouse and Restaurant | 9862385328/ 9840679043 |
| Hotel Viewpoint Deurali and Restaurant | 9846359832/ 9746304090 |
| Deurali Guesthouse and Restaurant | 9846280870/ 9866050425 |
Lodge/ Guesthouse/ Restaurant in Machapuchare Base Camp (MBC)
| Fishtail Guesthouse and Restaurant | 9856069055/ 9856035086 |
| Shanker Guesthouse and Restaurant | 9745457948/ 9866343291 |
| Gurung Co-Operative Guesthouse and Restaurant | 9749359056/ 9745289937 |
| Machhapuchare Guesthouse and Restaurant | 9846257774/ 9762868430 |
| Gangapurna View Lodge and Restaurant | 9846214351/ 9745449332 |
Lodge/ Guesthouse/ Restaurant in Annapurna Base Camp (ABC)
| Annapurna Guesthouse and Restaurant | 9846063557/ 9844920552 |
| Annapurna Sanctuary Lodge and Restaurant | 9846397742/ 9846923397 |
| Hotel Paradise Garden and Restaurant | 9846605439/ 9869141256 |
| Sunrise Guesthouse and Restaurant | 9869093628/ 9866099316 |
| Hotel Peaceful and Restaurant | 9864381912/ 9840604468 |
Spiders in Nepal
spiders in Nepal
More than 50 thousand spices of Spider are recorded in the world. From the study and research said that there are 386 types of spiders are recorded in Nepal and there could have many others spices which require more research. There are 34 different families found in Nepal and find till 6700m in Everest region. Some spiders live in group and some like to live alone. Some spiders hide in the hole and some make a net in the tree and bush.
Four spider species are reported to be unique to the southeast Asian region, including Nepal. They are species of colony spiders, tarantulas, goblin spiders and jumping spiders.
All spiders are predators. Some country use spiders to control the insects like Israel, China, South America and North America. Some spiders are toxic to human as well as.
Annapurna Trekking And Its Bio-Diversity
1400 different types of plants, 128 spices of wild animal, 518 spices of birds, 40 spices of reptile, 23 spices of amphibians and 350 spices of butterfly.
Annapurna is the series of mountain including Annapurna I 9091m. The Annapurna panoramic Himalayan range is known as the most beautiful mountain range in the world. The Annapurna circuit trekking is one of the best trekking in the world. The beauty of Annapurna is snow fun in the winter and full blossom of Rhododendron flower in spring. The other attractions are fresh water lake (Tilocho Lake at an altitude 500m) in the world, the valleys, world’s deepest gorge (Kaligandaki gorge 4.8km deep), the barren mountains, the biggest area of Rhododendron flower, Himalayan peaks attracting to the tourist.
In 1992, Annapurna Conservation Area is established to conserve the flora, fauna, culture and its nature and ecosystem. This is the biggest conservation area which covers 7629sqkm with different climate, geography and starts from 760m to 8091m. Annapurna conservation are harbor 1400 different types of plants, 128 spices of wild animal, 518 spices of birds, 40 spices of reptile, 23 spices of amphibians and 350 spices of butterfly.
Annapurna glacier flourish Marshyangdi river to the north east, Kali gandaki (holy river) to the west sough, Seti river, Modi river, Madi river to the east south. All the river combines and form as Narayani river when they arrive done to Terai (Narayanghad) south. The damodar Kunda (holy lake) and Muktinath Temple is also considered a sacred site to the Hindus. Approximately 100000 people live within the park. There are around 1000 lodges to supply the food and accommodation to the tourist. The lower village, there are mixed type people (Bramin, chhetri, GUrung, Magar etc) live and in the higher village Tibetan Bhotias (Gurung and Thakali) are the major resident. The lower village people cultivate rice, wheat, corn and also have farming and small business where as the upper village people do yak and sheep farming and logistic business to their living.
There are nice and tiny lodges and available good food to the tourist. There are small village with lodges and tea shop in every one-hour distance. From Manang to Muktinath has limited village to serve the tourist. The lodges are fully occupied in tourist season and the average is 40% busy within the year. The average expenses are about 10-15US$ per tourist for food and sleep whereas they spent US$39 per tourist (permit, transport, meal, sleep, guide, porter etc) per day.
Annapurna Conservation Area Project running training to the local, building trails, maintaining and motivation program to conserve the wildlife and nature. Even though, the environment issue is getting tougher. One study said that one tourist produces 1kg non bio degradable garbage per day and the local are consuming more and more firewood for cooking and etc. The highest number recorded more than 200000 tourists per year including domestic.
After COVID 19 pandemic, one study said that over 20000 guide loses their job, hundreds of tourist agency close their business, 230000 jobs are badly affected. Thinking of the crisis whether it is about nature conservation or earning or creating more jobs and earning, there should be a master plan. The lodge standard could be upgraded and the trekking guide and porter could have refreshment training. It seems like that should have to be done soon.
Trekking in Annapurna
Trekking in Annapurna is not very demanding as it there are lodges for accommodation and can buy a food from lodges. The trekking can be hard or serious even life threatening if any one do not care enough before start. It requires a proper clothing, enough information about the recent changes, personal physical condition, and good knowledgeable guide.
The major trekking itinerary are as following
- Annapurna circuit trekking (12-15days)
- Annapurna base camp trekking (7-10 days)
- Ghodepani trekking (4-5 days)
- Upper Mustang trekking (12-15 days)
- Mardi Himal trekking (7-9 days)
- Jomsom Muktinath Trekking (7-10 days)
- Kopre Ridge Trek (7 days)
The above mention information and statistic are taken from ntnc.org.np and an article from The Kathmandu Port 13/10/2022.
Dashain Festival in Nepal
Dashain is the great festival to the Hindu. Dashain is celebrated in Nepal, India and other Hindu community like Indonesia, Bhutan, Myanmar etc. The Dashain falls in September/ October. This year the main day of Dashain is on the 5th of October. The festival is celebrated for 15 days and the main days are 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th day. In this festival the Hindu worship to the power Goddess Durga for prosperity. They sacrifice animal to make happy to Goddess on 8th and 9th day of the festival. 10th day is the most important day of the festival. On the 10th day senior give blessings to the junior with TIKA and Jamara (red color and sprout) on their forehead.
In this festival, people paint their house, children get new cloth, make a delicious food, visit relatives are the most cultural aspect. The fix the swing (Linge Ping) and Ferris wheel (Rore Ping) in the middle of the village. In the remote village the young get together in the evening and enjoy singing and dancing playing tradition musical instrument Madal (hand drum), Mujura (Clappers) etc.
The government offices and school are closed for 5 days to celebrate the festival. The Autumn is already good season after a rainy season. The village would more colorful with the home returned people from town. This is also like reunion of the colleagues, relatives. It helps to develop a good relationship in between neighbor’s as well as.
According the Hindu literature, the Goddess Durga killed the demon king Mahisasur and according the Hindu Epic Ramayana demon king Ravana was killed by Ram. This festival symbolizes as a victory of GOD over evil. It is said that this festival was celebrated from Vedic time.
Teej festival in Nepal
Teej (Haritalika), is the great festival of Hindu women which was observed yesterday (30th Aug 2022) of this year. The festival is mainly dedicated to Goddess Parvati, as she has got a union to Lord Shiva of after her devotional prayer. Further unmarried girls wish to get a best husband and married women wish long and happy life to their husband. They do not eat whole day even a water to make a it more holy and believe that wish come true.
This festival is celebrated all over Nepal and also in India. The festival celebrates with its uniqueness. The women mostly wear red Sari (red dress) and get together in common place, sing a folk song and dance. As they do visit Lord Shiva temple nearby them to worship, most of them go to Pashupatinath temple standing in a huge row line. The Teej is an old traditional festival of Nepal, it is more popular around the modern city as well as the village.
This is one of the happiest and special days with them because they do get free from the regular work and stress and can fully enjoy with another closer feminine. Generally, the married girls are invited to their birth home and feed them a delicious food. They meet their childhood friend and family member which gives joy and happiness.
Nepal is very cultural country. There are many festivals accordingly the religion, cast and geographically as well as. This types festival helps to reunite the friendship, family and refresh personally. This festival falls after a couple of month of heavy rain and hardworking, it is also a break to them. After Teej finish, there are major festival in a way like Dashain and Dipabali. Happy Teej.
UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu
UNESCO World Heritage Sites and other heritage site entry fees (per person)
Kathmandu is a historical and cultural city. There are 7 UNESCO World Heritage Site only in Kathmandu valley and Lumnini and Chitwan national park is 2 other sites outside Kathmandu. These are worth visiting sites to the tourist in Nepal. Tourist have to pay the entrance ticket to visit the sites. The following are the entrance fee.
| Site Name | Foreign | Chinese | SAARC national |
| Kathmandu Durbar Square | Nrs.1000. | Nrs.1000. | Nrs.150. |
| Patan Durbar Square | Nrs.1000. | Nrs.1000. | Nrs.250. |
| Bhaktapur Durbar Square | Nrs.1500. | Nrs.500. | Nrs.500. |
| Swyambhunath Stupa | Nrs.200. | Nrs.200. | Nrs.50. |
| Boudhanath Stupa | Nrs.400. | Nrs.400 | Nrs.100. |
| Pashupatinath Temple | Nrs.1000. | Nrs.1000. | Nrs.1000. |
| Changu Narayan Temple | Nrs.350. | Nrs.350. | Nrs.100. |
| Lumbini | Nrs.200. | Nrs.200. | Nrs.100. |
23 Indonesian trekkers were rescued from Tillicho Lake 4919m
Annapurna trekking is one of the beautiful trekking in the world. Classic Annapurna circuit trekking starts from Besishar and end in Pokhara via Throng La pass 5416m. The worlds highest lake Tilicho (4919m) is just couple of days side trek from Annapurna classic route. The trail separates from Manang village 3440m before crossing the Throng La. Tilicho trek is considered challenging trek as the trail is rough and there are not enough lodges for food and sleep. When the weather is bad, this trek could be life challenging.
This week, the weather was suddenly changed with strong wind and heavy snow fall. There were 23 Indonesian trekkers to the lake area on Tuesday. As per news agency, they hold a night burning the firewood at a shelter nearby Lake. All 23 Indonesian trekkers were rescued from Tillicho Lake 4919m. They were Heli rescued to Pokhara on Wednesday. All trekkers are safe and their assistance are returning to Kathmandu by overland. They lost their trails after a heavy snowfall and were very much worried and inform to Police for help.
Frog worship in Kathmandu
Nepal is rich in its live culture and traditions. The richness of the culture represents the prosperity of the people in the society. Kathmandu is very rich in its culture and tradition. The farmer in Kathmandu worship Frog as a GOD. The tradition, which is called ‘Byanja Naka: Banegu’ in Newari, is a part of the belief that frogs are perceived god of nature and messenger of the god of rain and will help bring rain and good harvest. Frogs are also believed to help in protecting farmers’ crops by devouring harmful insects. Frog Worshiping festival in Kathmandu falls in a full moon day in July.
On that day, the farmer goes down to their green rice field and offer delicacies to the frog, boiled rice, 9 different types vegetable. This is also an excuse of an unknowing hurt to the frog while working in the field.