Snow in High mountain
After a five-month dry winter, Nepal experienced widespread rain, with some areas even having hail mixed in. As the trekking season began in March and April, snowfall in the high Himalayas added excitement and challenges to the trails. Despite the difficulties, the snowy landscapes promised breathtaking views of the majestic Himalayas from cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Mustang is nominated to best destination
The New York Times nominated to Mustang Trekking to its 52 best destinations to the tourist in the world. The lost forbidden kingdom of Tibet, Mustang has its unique cultural diversity and landscape. The recent days, tourist attracted to explore its unique culture “mountain Buddhism”, rural life and barren mountains.
The north from Kagbeni is known as Upper Mustang which is a religious and archaeological site. The traditional houses, chorten, caves are mysterious. Lo Manthang, the previous kingdom of Lo King, the village is surrounded by stone wall around. The local people, Bhotia or Lo are very kind and helpful. The muktinath temple is equally worshipped by Bddhist and Hinu which is located at an altitude of 3800m to the west of Mt.Annapurna and East of Mt. Dhaulagiri. Thousands of Indian pilgrimage come to visit to that temple. The mountain view from here are spacticular including Mt Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Nilgiri, Dhampus Peak, Gurja Himal and many more.
There are clean and nice guesthouse to accommodate to the tourist and the lodge owner prepare delicious meal. Over 100000 tourist visited to the Mustang are in 2023. Mustang can be reach from Pokhara or via Annapurna circuit trekking (crossing Throng-la 5416m) or Tilicho pass. There are motorable road from Pokhara and regular flight from Pokhara to Jomsom.
World Record in Everest Climb
Sagarmatha 8848m is also known as Mt Everest is the top of the world is in Nepal. It was first summited by Sr. Edmond Hillary and Tenzing Norgey Sherpa in 1953 May 29. There are over 7000 successful ascents to the top of the world. There were over 300 death accident in Everest within this 70 years’ history.
In 2023-year spring season around 467 climbers got permit to scale the top of the world including 98 women climber from 65 countries including Nepal.
Mr Kami Rita Sherpa break his own record with 27times successful summit to the top of the world. This year expedition’s first summiteer was Ms. Kaine from Pakistan and Pasang Temba Sherpa from Nepal. Many climbers are near summit. As per the news agency, most of them will summit within 20th of May 2023.
Accident in Dhaulagiri trekking
Trekkers were going to Dhaulagiri trek from west side. One of the porter lift the luggage of the trekkers to Dhaulagiri Base Camp at an altitude of 4650m from sea level. The porters were returning to the Italian base camp (3500m) on 20th of April 2023. The avalanche hit them while returning. One of the porter name Amrit Rai, permanent resident of Solukhumvu, Dudhkunda-1, age of 20 was died.
Mt. Dhaulagiri I 8167m is 7th highest peak in the world. The round Dhaulagiri is considered as one of the difficult trekking pass.
Avalanche in Annapurna
An Indian climber, Mr. Anurag Malu went to climb Annapurna I 8091m (10th highest mountain in the world) was hit by avalanche. He was successfully rescued on 20th of April after 3 days of accident. He was in between camp 2 and 3 at an altitude of 5800m. The team did some primary treatment at the base camp and lift Pokhara for further treatment and preparing to air lift to India. One French and one Nepali climber were successfully rescued in the same avalanche. Avalanche is one of the high risk to the climbers. Every year, due to avalanche climbers lost their life. It is unpredictable and can be massive.
What to bring in Tea House Trekking in Nepal
Everest area, Langtang region and Annapurna trekking area offers a lodges (guesthouse) to sleep and eat. The lodges are nice, friendly and prepare delicious food. You do not need to carry or worry about basic daily needs even though the followings are suggestions for your comfortable and safety.
Sleeping bag: Binging your sleeping means you will have a good sleep without worry. Mostly, the lodges provide a blanket and it is nice to have extra while in cold temperature.
Permanent water bottle: Being a responsible trekker, you can’t buy plastic bottle and through after drink?! Further, in Annapurna conservation area they do not sell plastic bottle water. You have to bring your own permanent water bottle and every lodge offer filter water to refill with extra pay.
Copies of documents: You have to buy trekking permit/ national park entrance ticket/ conservation permit fee/ TIMS to do a trekking in Nepal. You will require all original copies of such documents and you can have a copy of each of them so that just in-case you can show when need. You can take pictures and save in to your cell phone as well as.
Map of the area: Carry a printed map of the area. In case, digital map do not work you have hard copy and you can explore while free time and know more about the area.
GPS- altimeter: It will help you to known how high you are trekking and in case if you miss the way, you can come back to normal route. It would be very much helpful in bad weather and in case you have to change the route.
Flash light: Some time you have to go to toilet at night or in case there may not have electricity. Bright a compact flash light.
Cell phone and charger: Generally, cell phone works around the route of trekking. Please do not forget to bring the charge and a sim card. You can buy an internet data pack to be connected all the time.
Camera: If you want to grab the best moment in a proper photo, bring a good camera.
Snacks: You can buy snacks all along the trekking route. Every day, before start your trek, fill your back pack with snacks. You would seem more smart and responsible trekker.
Proper cloths: The clothing’s depends on season and height. You must ask to your agency or ask to your friend or to the forums.
Personal backpack: Carry your personal items by self with at least water bottle and snacks so that when you feel thirsty or hungry you have some things to bite instantly.
Toiletries: Bring your won toiletries including toilet paper, tooth brush, towel, shaving items, sun block, etc.
Trekking pole: It helps if its slippery, while going down, in case your got some keen ache or in a small trail. Emergency number: Bring a emergency number in case you require to help
A Good trekking guide/ Porter: If you hire a good professional trekking guide, it worth more then you have paid. He can be your friend, tell you about Nepal, he could save your life in difficult time.
Medical Kit: bring at least some medicine in your back pack in case you got sick (stomach ache, head ache, Fever, diarrhea, Mountain sickness, pain killer, bandages, iodine etc.
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.