Travel Annals

Rafting in Tamor River

noreply@blogger.com (Govinda Prasad) — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 12:49:00 -0700

Hitting the ' Go Boat ' how recess pirates when our rabarabota Tamor river water ( boat ) with vigor. Bead enthusiasts and friends face a dilemma db less involved. Swimming ignorant by those ambassadors to plan for ! Approval was not compatible to reinvent a religious guardian . So I ' ello go to ' saying a rally was crap .

Most Saturday Marxism and the forest , lays the log house for a trip is not new . Sometimes Friday Pathologists forth 3 / 4 days for files not need to answer . Family members and acquaintances think - ' This is no doubt the bird would come after it . '

Dharan - Dhankuta road Snell iron bridge Suddenly, unseen to be unconscious before . About 5 minutes, the first wave of awkwardness , unemployment was PAF . I think it was fear , that legitimacy . Might, the martyrdom of the underlying flow rabarabotako foot sailboat . We were all cold water nithurakkai . Walmart helmet ' Go - Pro ' ( a type of camera ) were found innovative Azythromycin GenieWidget.apk . He would go a little before . They are available to indicate the condition of the wave pacchayaumthyo our dungale . A small boat is only compatible GenieWidget.apk live with that. Lump under the living man to come over before the subsequent indicate how the insurgency.

The second wave of fear was a little less . However , the same happened again . Them again Visio . Safety camera bag package already ruined selling because I photograph doing before. It was the wrong place depositories selling ksyms lives . Within the language of propaganda called the troubled place legitimacy . The levels are also told that our guide setule . Taking advantage of the more risk and marrow come -4 . Third legitimacy met all fear would disappear again , saying waiting to be cognizant of the wave face incident.

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An attractive feature of the eastern town of Dharan closest to those who are , here are some new . Fashion , likely to create a new way of entertainment and a different group of drastic step. ' Richard Williams ' in the realm of the different branches of a journey to find possible noises . The meetings tended to come and go Dharan Lex wrapped afoot receive 25 sayamai 6 h adventure recreation . ' Legitimacy , as it observed that many spirals and awkward rocky river , " Kushner says Das Madan River Within the operator , ' ambassadors should go to the heart of the malaise . Previously, only the foreigners enjoyed . Now , those who are all Nepalese . '

Schemes is that there is suffering equally called Himalayan Arun River , this notion , dudhakosi , uncertain , cartoons , EIA and the confluence of calcium . All mountain and requirements are . Saptakosibhitra looting . Sunsari and Saptari equally broad size after 2 hundred 60 miles to travel to the regions of India Kursela TO THE habitat. Lex nightfall comes nadimadhye fall mountain valley tensions . Nepal and Sikkim border 8 thousand 5 hundred and 86 feet high snow Chomolungmo the third world nightfall . Whereas the West and East Securities Trajectory out of selling the EIA are the goal journey . Cusecs of water, 19 percent Snell bagnemadhye mingled its information book - magazine found . 3 thousand 8 hundred and 53 meters height to fall down from Mobilisation Shiva was observed that rapid flow of the river . According to the weather even lowering Nuclear riverbeds as Snow River drought. Resale and Montenegro.

Reporters , Karnali , cartoons , MMC , shareholders , Seti , boxes , trident and the river are many MNC EIA , including such long - for a short trip . Lex same nadimadhye skilled , more dangerous legitimacy of the category should .

'Nap those businesses are very kind . Me some different , some stranger came to think . Partner found . And ambassadors to sink investment , Sasser said, ' choose the class. Before the first visit , we learned together partner . That day, my life I will never forget that . ' He said , ' we began in 2061 is derived from the first year of the student branches of the BP reading doctor . ' The students also take before it slowly began to adventure recreation .

According to the tourism activity Kusanagi 6 months runs . ' Investment in five months collector , a snatch of profit , ' he said , ' the boat to buy , office use , neglect , and his staff spent more nikalnebhanda some not very . '

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Many many swim naturally. Najanneharu swim the river might be a rubber plant that came after such a trip seeking adventure . Tehran slowly understood , rubber plunger assembly plant to be protected ' tips ' given . Khasihale auspicious plant life jacket , helmet and clothing cold stimuli found sustenance . Jin - who traveled , learned , it did sunekaharu excited for a trip began . Trishuli River villages raised ryaphtara guide the life of the bridge are the DL experience .

Vicarious - 7 HIV- BISEP these young aspiring to lead the wave of joy for nine years has been started . ' Does not that Swimming fear . We also indulge in one flock , ' he said , ' What can we conclude that while not as a threat only when river views and preparing paschaum . ' His experience the last four years, this day has increased participation in adventure tourism in Nepal .

Predominance of foreign tourists on package rphamaharule capital Malinowski operator . Such travel weeks, also. However , 6 h -Richard Kusanagi easily be said to take . ' I am here before Manali , India also agrees with the hand piles . The guide was not there before , ' he said , ' Now, if a decent . Our work is not . Now, where is the work done Defeat . '

30 -year-old setule chicoleka rabarabotama are many river . ' There are many traits . Not organized , ' he said , ' All my life I find that I should take once the trip fun . Foreign come to us to take marrow , later to be the Why ? '

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Died in the EU, plus cataraghatasamma arrived - four called the legitimacy discovered two dozen loans . Plus a little risk and we deserve to be saved and grow a little easier report. Towns died in the realm of Caswell . The air was filled with unwanted stuff to work on the shore . Setule ' safety tips ' after two plant formerly GenieWidget.apk surprising .

Rabarabotama essential goods , including food were . Democratic one - a loud clothes , camera also nabhijne were tied to the case . ACLs priyasa guragainle chalasamgako paunthejorilai brought the video to apply ' Go - Pro ' camera to depict the journey was the same test . Go fastened helmet use GenieWidget.apk Sunuwar - Pro Tour Helena was the only condition to look . Hamas lowering of the night because some of our journey, the day Snell was increased . " Even the water is pressing right . Legitimacy is a little more , ' RIGHTS said , ' constant flood of water fell and we had very difficult to . '

Suddenly increased pulse . Spirals of water ' hellhole' called a brother in our plant fell legitimacy . There was no place to stop the boat . However , kayaks returned . He slowly grabbed the dubekako jacket . Coastal boat felt a little Disneyland . Immediately became his salvation .

Disneyland is a flicker of the river as a jetliner , bhelasamgai rabarabota sustained challenge with that. Large stone above municipal water plants to control sectarian spins rotate Rattner . Touches people. Rabarabotama strong cords called Lifeline support apartheid , according to the President, in order to come to run alright, can not explain the oar . ' I know the people I prefer swimming . Still life, to take such a trip, found in bone marrow , " Dr. Biratnagar . Shiv Kumar Rai said , ' and what happens is that as we go river rafting again and again demanding a different mind full . '

A team of 23 men traveling to the realm of day Kusanagi . 34 km journey chalasamgako morning snack , food system. Seibert utriera Chest rabarabotaka air khuskaepachi it is loaded . Dharan again bringing passengers died in the morning, take all vehicles . Died in steep slope into the mind like the challenge of riding experience ranging from incentives to follow the trip home sweet mire. Bridge , said he likes the MD and Sunuwar Travel calunjela new airlines as well as each day goes on we went .

From: ekantipur.com

A Day in Pokhara, Nepal

noreply@blogger.com (Govinda Prasad) — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 21:26:00 -0700

Like thousands of other tourists and travelers drawn to Nepal for trekking in the Himalayas, Kim and I have found ourselves in the city of Pokhara. It’s the base of operations for anyone planning to trek in the Annapurna region.

At first glance, one word came to mind upon arrival in Pokhara: touristy. The more I travel, the more ‘touristy’ becomes a four letter word, and usually said with a sneer that is reserved for cockroaches and bus station touts. At first blush we were questioning our decision to spend a week in Pokhara before heading out to Annapurna Base Camp.

But we decided to set our first impressions aside and give it a chance, and Pokhara has shown itself to be a nice little city. Despite being Nepal’s second largest city, its population is only 265,000, and outside of the tourist district it almost has a small-town feel. It’s located beside the man-made Phewa Tal (lake), the second largest lake in Nepal. On clear days you can see three 8,000 meter (26,246 feet) mountain peaks from pretty much everywhere in town, the highlight being Annapurna, the 10th tallest mountain in the world.

We arrived in town with no guest house reservations, but that doesn’t seem to be a problem in Pokhara. There seems to be a higher guesthouse-to-tourist ratio here than anywhere else we have visited. We stayed in the Iceland Guest House, by my reasoning that staying at a guesthouse named after a country that believes in gnomes would be good karma while on my one man search for the Yeti.

One of the many sign clusters pointing you to side streets full of guest houses

Despite the tourist-y-ness of the city, we have had a great time here. The city has a laid-back, mountain town pace about it and has all of the creature comforts to cater to the western tourists (good wi-fi, hot water, real coffee, etc.) There are day hikes up the steep hills surrounding the lake. We have taken advantage of our time here to whip our legs back into trekking shape after our relaxing, but not so active, stay in Goa.

We spent one day renting a boat to row across the lake and hike up to the World Peace Pagoda that overlooks the city. The hour-long hike, straight up the hill (I don’t think they believe in switchbacks here), was a wake up call to how out of shape I am. I had to huff, puff, sweat, and haul myself up to the top, barely able to keep sight of Kim’s feet scampering up the trail.

Rowing our rented boat across Phewa Tal

Once we reached the top, and I finally caught my breath, we explored the Peace Pagoda. We learned that there are 100 Peace Pagodas located around the world and they are built to help spread peace throughout the world, as taught by the Buddha. The Peace Pagoda in Pokhara is the first built in Nepal, and the 71st Pagoda constructed around the world.

The World Peace Pagoda in Pokhara

After stopping for a cold drink and exploring a peak covered in prayer flags, we headed back down to our rented boat. As we rowed back across the lake, we stopped at a temple located in the middle of the lake. I am not sure what the temple is for, as I was unable to make the connection between the bird hotels constructed for the hundreds of pigeons on the island and the statues of fire-breathing tigers guarding the entrance of the temple. We didn’t stay long, as there were probably 200 people on the tiny island temple: Nepali tourists in town for the new year celebration.

After rowing back to shore and a much needed shower, we set out to stop the grumbling in our bellies. Just down the street from our guesthouse I see one of my favorite sights in the world. Kim had to nearly tackle me to stop me from running down the street to my newfound, albeit temporary, savior: the street food vendor. We fill ourselves with mixed chaat, samosas, and my new favorite street food: pani puri.

Samosas fresh out of the fryer

The deliciousness that is Pani Puri

We get overcharged for our food, but the combination of spicy, sweet, crunchy, and tartness from fresh squeezed lime temporarily dulled our penny pinching. We realize that we have been overcharged by little over one dollar. I guess my hunger induced over zealousness didn’t do me any favors. And really, the vendor, trying to scratch out a living selling food to tourists, probably needs it more than we do.

After we regain all of our senses, we take an evening stroll on the lakeside path. It’s dusk and the sunset over the lake is beautiful. After taking in the last of the daylight, we make our way back to our temporary home, having enjoyed everything this city has to offer, even if it is a little touristy.

Sunset over Phewa Tal

From: wanderingsasquatch.com

Visit Baglung

noreply@blogger.com (Govinda Prasad) — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 13:30:00 -0700

Baglung District,(Nepali: बागलुङ जिल्ला ), a part of Dhawalagiri Zone, is one of the seventy-five districts of Nepal, a landlocked country of South Asia. The district, with Baglung as its district headquarters, covers an area of 1,784 km² and has a population (2001) of 268,938.

Baglung is surrounded by Parvat, Myagdi, Rukum, Ropla, Pyuthan and Gulmi districts. It looks like Nepal in shape. It has 59 Village Development Committees and one Municipality. It has many rivers and streams and so, many suspension bridges. Baglung is also known as the district of suspension bridges because of the large number of bridges. It is a hilly district, most of the population settled in the sides of the rivers. Fertile planes situated in the either sides of the rivers are used for farming. Headquarter of Baglung (Baglung Bazaar) is also situated in the bank of the holy river- Kaligandaki. Like Nepal, Baglung is also diverse in religion, culture, ethnicity, altitude, temperature etc. Hinduism and Buddhism are the major religions. pun, thapa, rana ,Chhantyal, magar, Chhetri, Bramhan, Newar, Gurung, and Thakali are the main ethnic groups living in Baglung. Highest temperature in the lowest altutude of baglung rises up to about 37.5 degrees Celsius in summer and the lowest temperature at Dhorpatan falls up to about −15 degrees Celsius in winter. Altitude of Baglung varies from about 650 meters at Kharbang to about 4,300 meters in Dhorpatan.

Baglung is rich in herbal medicine plants. Rice, corn, millet, wheat and potato are the major crops of baglung.There were many mines in use in Baglung in the past; Iron and Copper mines being the most prevalent. But they are not in use for long time because of the heedlessness of the government. There are numerous slate mines in use in Baglung. These slates are excellent for roofing.

Baglung Bazaar, Hatiya- Galkot, Kushmi Sera and Burtibang are the main trading centers of Baglung. Galkot, Kushmi Sera and Burtibang are connected with the district headquarter Baglung Bazaar by raw roads. Small part of Baglung is electrified by Nepal Electricity Authority and some other parts are electrified by small local hydroplants. Recently, telephone has been accessible in almost all villages of Baglung.

Baglung is considered to be one of the politically most conscious districts and it plays a significant role in the Nepali politics. Moreover it is the only district of Nepal whose shape is roughly like the country itself.

Towns and Villages

Adhikarichaur, Amalachaur, Amarbhumi, Argal, Arjewa, Baglung, Baskot, Batakachaur, Bhakunde, Bhimgithe, Bhimpokhara, Bihunkot, Binamare, Boharagaun, Bowang, Bungadovan, Burtibang, Chhisti, Daga Tundada, Damek, Darling, Devisthan, Dhamja, Dhullu Jaidi, Dhullubaskot, Dudilavati, Gwalichaur, Harichaur, Hatiya, Heela, Hudgisheer, Jabdi, Jaljala, Kandebas, Khungkhani, Khunga, Kusmishera, Lekhani, Malika, Malma, Mulpani, Narayansthan, Narethanti, Nisi, Paiyunthanthap, Palakot, Pandavkhani, Paiyunpata, Rajkut, Ranasingkiteni, Rangkhani, Rayadanda, Resha, Righa, Salyan, Sarkuwa, Singana, Sisakhani, Sukhaura, Sunkhani, Taman, Tangram, Tara, Tityang,

Rhododendrons dream destination city

noreply@blogger.com (Govinda Prasad) — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 10:57:00 -0700

Opinion - Opinion Tinjure spring VD , pastures and forests of rubble color revised. Ratamya lays guramsale are everywhere .
' Athol capital ' of those entering the village the natural beauty test plot near the village spring boom that rational obligations could also toast .
Particularly as the city as urban planning , digitally alapatrai unrestrained on wire could also add charm .
ADB plans to construct the city government of denying the village ten years ago brought the two . Also, Truth and business center are trying to be a selected village ten lucky . Urbanization plan made vasantapuravasima excited .
Organising a meeting were to be held at the local level stakeholders . Fourteen boom , denying odds and citregaum and Fat tamaphoka village samgetera ' Civics model city ' plan became making . Locals prepared new city model . Trade , tourism , housing , education , health and government bodies in different areas toekie .
Rinarodale tear derailed and ten broad, road making , Koshi Highway dhepera who live today , nearly unchanged - also became a political consensus at the local level .

One million population of the respectable -sized city, urban development plan Ellen why he has failed ?
Local leaders are now looking for the same answers the capital bonds.
A weekend UML vice julan Tiwari , Congress Civics village committee chairman Devendra Thapa and Lokendra Khadka capital district member Anniversary TO THE various body bonds. According to them, the government of the City Development Committee to quickly and JHU New Town project office has been established to agree .
The Committee stressed the city's blueprint for the government party equates thinking is based . Department of Urban Development and Building Construction Division Office , said , according to engineers, Shyam hedge nagarasamiti only became counsel be appointed to make DPR . ' Nagarasamiti formed to work but can not move forward , ' unako WCS .
.........
Neighbors and the slope of the ground boom area of a tourist hub . Athol minted Tinjure capital , and another is entered . CE Till now come here to see the internal and external tourists greatly . Savings and Vanniyars reach towards financing the boom . Vasantapuramai village also forming four road .
Civics money, ancient , cardamom and vegetables sales center . The current area of a hundred tons of annual leave from here Chiraito kevalamana Dhan Gurung says Chairman drilled irregular .
The city and surrounding area are trying to be a painless land value skyrocketed . Resort , hotalalagayata buy land for infrastructure boom to reinvent local businessman Chandra Tiwari says , Chine . TI also 6 million each to give 7 adopting pact . According to him, a businessman Fourteen 9 thousand to 7 are adopting bought .
Carcaaghi city land price to be low due to swerve 2 million , he says. Obasanjo, the disclosure of a house 30 years ago the market value of the area is now 10 million, has reached 1 million Babu experience .
Urban yojanasamgai government gave 50 million the previous year, was equally fridge . Minors 50 million for 2069 , according to hedge the information came , but the situation can not implement . " Lately, the budget was set aside for respectable name , the implementation may mistaken , " he said .
Urbanization yojanaarntagata forces this year to spend 86 million on the street, and the influx of Democratic choke - choke boxes to two kilometers way to ban the construction contract , he said . Moreover, 50 million allocated for the purchase of land . However , the City Development Committee also become more susceptible to the budget has not been spent .

The city is also making some of the plan has not been able to attract to local said . Discuss new city began to move here too the number is significant . VDC office bucky 14 households have moved to a report in the previous fiscal year . Happy family was here the same period the number 11 . The current fiscal year the losses are 24 families went elsewhere nine families have come from another place . According to the JHU now 60 VDC 8 hundred thousand households and a population of about 5 .
New city, called Samantha fry combinations and rotate the village about 2 thousand , and the population is less than a thousand villages Fat tamaphoka . Opinion about a million population, migration should be the leader of the district .

From: Nagariknews.com

Nepal considers 'renting out' Himalayas to private companies to sell tourist trips

noreply@blogger.com (Govinda Prasad) — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 11:47:00 -0700

Popular peaks: Nepal is considering leasing some of its 326 open mountainsides to private companies

Nepal's most famous Himalayan peaks could soon be leased out to private companies to sell holidays to tourists, in a bid to cut down on the numbers attempting to conquer Everest.
The controversial new tactic would involve the Nepalese government hiring out some of the country's 326 pristine mountainsides to private companies who would then sell them as new tourist products.
The move aims to capitalise on Nepal's biggest tourist draws, while also combating overcrowding problems on Everest.
Mohan Krishna Sapkota, spokesman for the tourism ministry, said: 'We have begun discussion on leasing unclimbed peaks to the private sector, to promote these mountains as new tourism products.

Pastures new: Private companies will be able to offer exclusive trips to new mountainsides in a bit to boost tourism

'We are open to both Nepalese and foreign private companies... we are confident that if the plan goes ahead, it will generate revenues for Nepal.'

The country is also considering lowering mountaineering fees to attract more trekkers to the region.
Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world and relies on tourism for foreign revenue.
The government has not confirmed when it would implement the proposal, as the finance and tourism ministries are still discussing the number of peaks that could be included and the length of leases.
The proposal would need to get the green light from the Cabinet before it is implemented.

The Nepal Mountaineering Association, which represents tourism promoters, has welcomed the proposal, saying it is a 'very good step'.
NMA president Ang Tshering Sherpa said: 'The private sectors can sell tourism products better in comparison to the government sector. Private sector professionals have good networks worldwide.'

Clear-up: Trekkers hoping to conquer Everest will have to descend with rubbish under new rules

Decades of mountaineering has taken its toll on Everest which is strewn with rubbish from past expeditions, including oxygen cylinders, human waste and even climbers' bodies, which do not decompose in the extreme cold.

Last month Nepal slashed fees for individual climbers on the famed mountain and other Himalayan peaks to attract more mountaineers, sparking concerns of increased traffic and more rubbish.
Everest, scaled for the first time by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953, is a key revenue-earner for the country, with hundreds heading there every year during the peak climbing season in April and May.
Under the new rules Everest expeditions will have to take their trash to an office which will be set up next month at base camp.
Last year, more than 500 climbers reached the summit of Everest and there were lengthy delays as 150 people ascended the final 915 metres within hours of each other on May 19.

(From Dailymail.com)

Nice Dolpa

noreply@blogger.com (Govinda Prasad) — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 10:10:00 -0800

Dolpa The “Hidden land”

Dolpa is one of the largest and most remote district of Nepal which covers 7,888 sq.km. of the total landmass of the country but least populated and Dunai is the District Headquarter. It is situated far to the North of Kathmandu (capital) and borderly touched with Mustang on the East, Myadgi, Rukum and Jajarkot on the South, Jumla and Mugu District on the West and the Tibet Region of China on the North. This district completely lies in the Trans-Himalayan region of Nepal and is separated in Upper and Lower Dolpa. Where as an attitudinal range from just over 1,500 meters in the Southern part is called Lower Dolpa and to 7,381 meters at the summit of the Chure Himal is called as Upper Dolpa. Dolpa is known as “Hidden Land” as well “Hidden Paradise”, because of its mysterious Natural Beauty. From Upper Dolpa, nature decorated scenery such as wide glacial valleys, high rock headwalls/peaks, steep slopes, folded/faulted limestone and sandstones can be viewed. In Dolpa there we can find many Historical Ancient Buddhist Monasteries, Gompas and remote villages which are waiting for reconstructing.

Shey Phoksundo National Park, Lake Phoksundo and Ancient Monasteries are the prime attraction of this region. Except Natural Beauty, Dolpa is rich in Natural Resources. More than 1,200 plants species, over 400 species of Medicinal and Aromatic Herb Plants such as Meconosis, Wild Rose, Wild Asparagus, Scrophulari, Orchid, Dipsacia Hookeri, Lilac, Aconities, Halenia, etc. including Yarshagumba as well as medicinal minerals like Calcium, Iron Magnetite, Pitch/Bitumen. Precious stones like Turquoise, Pearls and Zhi are also found in the mountain regions which are used as a jewel.

Nature, Nature gave many Natural Gifts to Dolpa which can be unforgettable memories to experience. But a problem to be in Dolpa is about Land Transportation. There are no roads built still, so only the way to Dolpa is by Air, from the city of Nepalgung, in the Western Terai region of Nepal.

Great Himalayan Trail in Dolpa

See more view of Dolpa on Google Map>>>

Dolpa People

Dolpa people are generally seen to settle at an altitude of 3,660 meters to 4,070 meters from sea level probably highest settlements in the world. The people there are warm hearted. Approximately Dolpas population is around 29,550 where ethnically Hindu people live 60%, Buddhist 35% and 5% ancient Bonpo and Shananistic Religion. Mostly In Lower Dolpa, Chhettri, Brahman, Thakuri, Newar, Sarki, Damai are found to be live where as in Upper Dolpa Bhotiyas, Sherpa, Gurung and Magar are live. And the languages, mostly they speak are Nepali, Dolpo, a local dialect of Tibet and Kaike.

Due to Remote district of Nepal the people in Dolpa are not getting proper basic governmental supports such as Transportation, Education, Healthcare service, Electricity, Telephone, Pipeline water etc. Thus the district still is one of the most underdeveloped and economically poor districts of Nepal.

Most people in Dolpa live in the river valleys of Lower Dolpa, where the higher rainfall supports a lush vegetation and forest. Agriculture is the major occupation of Dolpa People where 79% of the population is depends in Agriculture and 3% in service. Most households have some small plot of land where the inhabitants of Lower Dolpa people grow Rime, Millet, Potatoes, Wheat, Buckwheat, Maize and Native Crop as well Upper Dolpa People grow Tibetan Barley as sole crop. Due to few land they can grow food hardly for 6 to 7 months.

Animal farming is another major occupation of Dolpa People. This farming is their traditional and most economical support activity. They keep Yaks, Sheep’s, Goats and Cattles. From the hair of Yaks and Sheep’s they make warm blankets and clothes for their own use and also sale. Milk for these pets are the major diet of Dolpa People. Even dried dung of Yak is used as fuel in the lack of firewood. As the district is so remote and mountainous, Yak is supposed to be the vital means of transportation, by the help of which Dolpa people trade Salt, Medicinal Plants and other Mineral resources for Food grains and other essentials they need from neighboring VDC, district and across the border into Tibet.

More the number of Pet Animals they owned recognized the Wealthy Person in their society.

Summer Grass, Winter Worm

Another highly income resource of Dolpa People is Yarshagumba. This is a combination of Insect and Mushroom so called “Summer Grass, Winter Worm.” It is a rare fungus, grows only at the High Altitudes Himalayans of 3000 to 5000 meters in Tibet, Nepal, China, Bhutan and North-East India.

Yarshagumba is a Tibetan word and it literally means summer plant and winter insect (caterpillar). The caterpillar of moth genus Thitarodes lives underground in alpine grass and shrubland spending up to 5 years before pupating, feeding on roots of plants. During the larva stage, just earlier in the rainy season, spores of Cordyceps fungus infect these caterpillars found on moist grass and hollow soul. After the infection of fungus it works as a parasite. The fungus parasite gets the energy form the caterpillar and gets so much into the body of the caterpillar’s that it drains all the energy from the insect and ultimately it dies. As temperature increases and melts snow, mushroom emerge out from the forehead of the caterpillar. Matured mushroom grows from 5 to 15 cm above the surface are ready to collect as Yarshagumba. The Matured Mushroom that releases its spores on the ground and the cycle repeats.

Medicinal Uses

Yarshagumba is scientifically known as “Cordyceps Sinensis” and numerous scientific studies and research reveals that it has properties of antibiotic in it which is used for :

1. Treatment of lung and respiratory infection, pain, sciatica and backache.

2. Increases physical stamina of the body.

3. Cure for hepatitis B and immune function such as dysfunction of the liver, cancer.

4. Effective against Tuberculosis as well as in the treatment of leprosy.

5. Treatment of Leukemia.

6. Energizes lung, kidney and liver.

7. Improves memory and purified blood; keeps a person physically and mentally sound. It is the importance of great for any age group, players, people working with physical stress, suffering from premature ejaculation and sexually inactive ones. It gradually empowers internal energy of our body in a natural way.

Due to such medicinal uses, it is known as “Himalayan Herbal Viagra” with no side effects as well as “Himalayan Gold” as it has high commercial value.

Source: http://dolpadevelopmentsociety.com/

Tilicho Lake, Manang

noreply@blogger.com (Govinda Prasad) — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 12:30:00 -0800

Tilicho Lake is one of the highest lakes in the world. It is 4,949 m high in the Annapurna range of the Himalayas in Manang district of Nepal. Another source lists Lake Tilicho as being 4,919 meters high (16,138 feet).

Mountain lakes are known to geographers as tarns if they are caused by glacial activity. Tarns are found mostly in the upper reaches of the Himalaya, above 5,500 meters.

Tilicho Lake is the destination of one of the most popular side hikes of the Annapurna Circuit trek. The hike takes an additional 3-4 days. No camping is required, as new lodges have been built between Manang and the lake. The final approach to the lake is done in a day hike from the lodge at Tilicho Base Camp.

Trekkers attempting the Annapurna Circuit route usually cross the watershed between Manang and Kali Kandaki valleys over the 5414 meters high Thorong La pass. The alternate route skirting Tilicho Lake from the north has been gaining popularity. This route is more demanding and requires at least one night of camping. There is no teahouses or lodges past the Tilicho Base Camp lodge some kilometers east of the lake and the next village of Thini Gaon in the Kali Gandaki valley. Most groups spend two nights between these places. There are two passes leading to Thini Gaon and Jomsom; Mesokanto La and Tilicho North pass known also as Tilicho "Tourist pass". These routes via Tilicho Lake are more often closed by snow than the higher Thorong La.

It was also the site of one of the highest ever altitude scuba dives. A Russian diving team consisting of Andrei Andryushin, Denis Bakin and Maxim Gresko conducted a scuba dive in the lake in 2000.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilicho_Lake

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilicho_Lake

Mustang Caves

noreply@blogger.com (Govinda Prasad) — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 12:18:00 -0800

Sky Caves of Nepal Cliffside caves in the former kingdom of Mustang are giving up their secrets.

By Michael Finkel

Photograph by Cory Richards

The skull, a human skull, was perched atop a crumbly boulder in the remote northern reaches of the Nepalese district of Mustang. Pete Athans, the leader of an interdisciplinary team of mountaineers and archaeologists, stepped into his harness and tied himself to a rope. He scrambled up the 20-foot boulder, belayed by another climber, Ted Hesser.

When he reached the skull, he pulled on blue latex gloves to prevent his DNA from contaminating the find, and gradually removed it from the rubble. Athans was almost certainly the first person to hold this skull in 1,500 years. Dirt spilled from the eye cavities. He placed it in a padded red bag and lowered it to three scientists waiting below: Mark Aldenderfer of the University of California, Merced; Jacqueline Eng of Western Michigan University; and Mohan Singh Lama of Nepal’s Department of Archaeology.

Aldenderfer was especially excited by the presence of two molars. Teeth can provide insights into a person’s diet and health and general place of birth. Eng, a bio-archaeologist, swiftly determined that the skull likely belonged to a young adult male. She noted three healed fractures on the cranium and one on the right jaw. “Signs of violence,” she mused. “Or maybe he was kicked by a horse?”

But more intriguing than the skull itself was where it fell from. The boulder Athans scaled sat directly below a soaring cliff, tan rock streaked with bands of pink and white. Toward the top of the cliff were several small caves, painstakingly hand-dug from the brittle stone. Erosion had triggered the partial collapse of the cliff face, dislodging the skull. Now the same tantalizing question was on everyone’s mind: If a skull tumbled out, what remained up there?

Mustang, a former kingdom in north-central Nepal, is home to one of the world’s great archaeological mysteries. In this dusty, wind-savaged place, hidden within the Himalaya and deeply cleaved by the Kali Gandaki River—in spots, the gorge dwarfs Arizona’s Grand Canyon—there are an extraordinary number of human-built caves.

Some sit by themselves, a single open mouth on a vast corrugated face of weathered rock. Others are in groups, a grand chorus of holes, occasionally stacked eight or nine stories high, an entire vertical neighborhood. Some were dug into cliffsides, others tunneled from above. Many are thousands of years old. The total number of caves in Mustang, conservatively estimated, is 10,000.

No one knows who dug them. Or why. Or even how people climbed into them. (Ropes? Scaffolding? Carved steps? Nearly all evidence has been erased.) Seven hundred years ago, Mustang was a bustling place: a center of Buddhist scholarship and art, and possibly the easiest connection between the salt deposits of Tibet and the cities of the Indian subcontinent. Salt was then one of the world’s most valuable commodities. In Mustang’s heyday, says Charles Ramble, an anthropologist at the Sorbonne in Paris, caravans would move across the region’s rugged trails, carting loads of salt.

Later, in the 17th century, nearby kingdoms began dominating Mustang, says Ramble. An economic decline set in. Cheaper salt became available from India. The great statues and brilliantly painted mandalas in Mustang’s temples started crumbling. And soon the region was all but forgotten, lost beyond the great mountains.

Then, in the mid-1990s, archaeologists from the University of Cologne and Nepal began peeking into some of the more accessible caves. They found several dozen bodies, all at least 2,000 years old, aligned on wooden beds and decorated with copper jewelry and glass beads, products not locally manufactured, reflecting Mustang’s status as a trade thoroughfare.

Pete Athans first glimpsed the caves of Mustang while trekking in 1981. Many of the caves appear impossible to reach—you’d have to be a bird, it seems, to gain entry—and Athans, an exceptionally accomplished alpinist who has stood atop Everest seven times, was stirred by the challenge they presented. It wasn’t until 2007, however, that he secured the necessary permits. Mustang immediately became, he says, “the greatest expedition of my life.” This trip in the spring of 2011 was his eighth to the area.

During previous visits Athans and his team had made some sensational finds. In one cave they discovered a 26-foot-long mural with 42 exquisitely rendered portraits of great yogis in Buddhist history. In another was a trove of 8,000 calligraphed manuscripts—a collection, most of it 600 years old, that included everything from philosophical musings to a treatise on mediating disputes.

What Athans and the scientists wanted most was a cave with items from before the era of written records to shed light on the deepest mysteries: Who first lived in the caves? Where did these people come from? What did they believe?

Most of the caves Athans had peeked into were empty, though they showed signs of domestic habitation: hearths, grain-storage bins, sleeping spaces. “You can spend your life looking in all the wrong caves,” says Aldenderfer, whose long career as an archaeologist has included no shortage of frustrating quests.

The ideal cave, he felt, would be one used as a cemetery rather than a home, with pre-Buddhist-era ceramic remains scattered below, on a cliff too high for looters to reach, in a part of Mustang where locals are comfortable with foreigners disturbing their ancestors’ bones. All this, and one additional factor. “Sometimes,” Aldenderfer admits, “you just need to get lucky.”

The most promising site was a cave complex near a tiny village called Samdzong, just south of the Chinese border. Athans and Aldenderfer had visited Samdzong in 2010 and found a system of funerary caves. On the first workday at the site in the spring of 2011, during a scouting hike at the base of the caves, the team’s photographer, Cory Richards, noticed the skull.

The next morning, the climbers prepared to investigate the caves above the skull find. Mustang’s cliffs are gorgeous beyond measure—the immense walls appear to be melting like so much candle wax under the intense high-elevation sun. The ridgelines have eroded into wild shapes: bony fingers supporting colossal rocky basketballs, towering tubes arrayed like an endless pipe organ. The color of the rock, shifting as the day passes, seems to encompass every shade of red and ocher and brown and gray.

But the climbing is horrible. “Pure thuggery,” says Athans. “Industrial, inelegant—the Dumpster diving of climbing.” The rock, fragile as peanut brittle, breaks off with every touch. It’s extraordinarily dangerous. A few months earlier, Lincoln Else, a videographer, was struck in the head with a rock shortly after he’d removed his helmet. His skull was fractured. He underwent emergency brain surgery in Kathmandu and survived. In 2010, Richards, a climber as well as a photographer, tumbled and broke a bone in his lower back. Like Else, he had to be evacuated from Mustang by helicopter.

To access Samdzong’s caves, Athans and Hesser, the team’s chief climbers, hiked around the back side of the cliff and reached a flat area above the caves. Here, with special permission from authorities, they hammered several long pieces of rebar into the rock and tied on a rope. Athans was going to entrust his life to this anchor. There was a discussion of what to do if the rebar started to loosen. Hesser suggested that he shout an expletive at the top of his lungs.

“That will work,” said Athans. He then calmly rappelled off the edge. A rain of dirt and rocks clattered off the dome of his helmet.

Below, on flat ground, sat Aldenderfer, his prodigious mane of silver hair corralled by a red bandanna—he hasn’t had a legitimate haircut, he says, in 20 years. Aldenderfer held a small monitor that received a wireless feed from Athans’s video camera, allowing the anthropologist to direct the search from a safe position.

Nearby, sitting cross-legged in his maroon robe, was the local lama, 72-year-old Tsewang Tashi. He lit a small juniper twig fire and filled a chalice with holy water from an old plastic Pepsi bottle. Then he chanted softly while ringing a brass bell and dipping his fingers in the water—a Buddhist protection ceremony to remove troublesome spirits that could endanger the team’s work.

Athans, dangling on the green rope, maneuvered nimbly into the smallest cave. He had to crouch to get in—it was only five feet high and roughly six feet wide and six feet deep. This cave, it was clear, was once a hidden shaft tomb, or mortuary cave, dug in the shape of a wine decanter. When it was excavated, only the very top of the shaft was visible. Bodies were lowered down the sewer-pipe-size shaft, and the hole was backfilled with rock. When the cliff face collapsed, the entire cave was exposed, creating a cross-sectional view.

A large boulder, once part of the ceiling, had landed on the cave’s floor. If there was anything in the cave, it was beneath that rock. Athans tugged at it, levering it gradually toward the cave’s mouth. Then he shouted, “Rock!” and the boulder thundered down the wall, kicking up a cloud of amber dust. Fifteen centuries or so after it was sealed, as carbon dating later proved, the cave was once again clear of debris.

Aldenderfer divides cave use in Mustang into three general periods. First, as long as 3,000 years ago, the caves were burial chambers. Then, around 1,000 years ago, they became primarily living quarters. Within a few centuries, the Kali Gandaki Valley—the neck in the hourglass connecting Asia’s highlands and lowlands—may have been frequently battled over. “People were scared,” Aldenderfer says. Families, placing safety over convenience, moved into the caves.

Finally, by the 1400s, most people had moved into traditional villages. The caves were still used—as meditation chambers, military lookouts, or storage units. Some caves remained homes, and even today a few families live in them. “It’s warmer in winter,” says Yandu Bista, who was born in 1959 in a Mustang cave and resided in one until 2011. “But water is difficult to haul up.”

The first thing Athans found in the closet-size chamber—later designated Tomb 5—was wood, superb dark hardwood, cut into various planks and slats and pegs. Aldenderfer and Singh Lama eventually fitted the pieces together, creating a box about three feet tall: a coffin. It was ingeniously constructed so that the sections fit through the tomb’s narrow entrance and then could easily be assembled in the main chamber.“Like Ikea before Ikea,” says Eng.

Painted on the box, in orange and white pigments, was a rudimentary but unmistakable image: a person riding a horse. “Probably his favorite horse,” Aldenderfer guessed. Later, as if to confirm the man’s status as an equine aficionado, a horse skull was found in the cave.

On the 2010 trip to Samdzong, in the two biggest caves on the cliff wall, the team had located human remains from 27 individuals, including men, women, and one child. There were bedlike or rudimentary coffins in those caves as well, but they were made of much inferior wood and far simpler construction, with no paintings.

Tomb 5, Aldenderfer theorized, was the burial plot of a high-ranking person, perhaps a local leader. The tomb, it turned out, held two bodies—an adult male and a child, maybe ten years old. The youth was a source of much speculation. “I don’t want to characterize the child as any kind of sacrifice or slave because I really don’t have a clue,” says Aldenderfer. “But a child in there does suggest a complex ritual.”

When Eng, the team’s bone sleuth, took a close look at the remains, she made a startling discovery: The bones of 76 percent of all the individuals she examined bore the unmistakable scars of knife slices. These marks, says Eng, were clearly made after death. “This wasn’t hacking and whacking,” she says. The bones were relatively whole and lacked signs of deliberate breakage and burning. “All the evidence,” Eng notes, “indicates there was no cannibalism here.”

The bones date from the third to the eighth centuries—before Buddhism came to Mustang—but the defleshing may be related to the Buddhist practice of sky burial. To this day, when a citizen of Mustang dies, the body may be sliced into small pieces, bones included. These are all swiftly snatched up by vultures.

In the age of the Samdzong cave burials, Aldenderfer posits, the body was stripped of flesh but the bones were still articulated—“like a Halloween skeleton,” he says. The skeleton was lowered into the tomb and folded to fit in the wooden box. “Then whoever was down there with him,” says Aldenderfer, “climbed back out.”

Before doing so, the ancient burial crew had made sure the corpse was regally adorned for the great beyond. As Athans hunched inside Tomb 5, sifting through dust for hour upon hour, he discovered these adornments. “It was so mesmerizing,” he says, “that I forgot to eat or drink.”

A trove of beads, the garment they’d been sewn on long disintegrated, was scooped up by Athans and placed in plastic sample bags. Singh Lama painstakingly sorted them. There were more than a thousand beads, made of glass, some as minuscule as poppy seeds, in a half dozen hues. As lab studies later showed, the beads were of various origins: some from what is now Pakistan, some from India, some from Iran.

Three iron daggers, with gracefully curved hilts and heavy blades, also emerged. Then a bamboo teacup with delicate circular handle. A copper bangle. A small bronze mirror. A copper cooking pot and a ladle and a three-legged iron pot stand. Bits of fabric. A pair of yak or cow horns. An enormous copper cauldron, roomy enough to boil a beach ball. “I’m betting that’s a chang pot,” said Aldenderfer, referring to the regional beer made of fermented barley.

Finally Athans sent down a funerary mask. It was made of gold and silver pounded together, with high relief facial features. The eyes were rimmed in red, the mouth was slightly turned down, the nose was linear; there was a hint of a beard. Pinholes outlined the edge. Likely the mask was sewn to fabric and draped over the face. The beads had been part of the mask.

Aldenderfer, normally restrained and scholarly, could not contain himself as he cradled the mask in his palms. “It’s stunning,” he marveled. “The workmanship that’s involved, the obvious wealth it represents, the colors, the delicateness—it’s the best thing ever found in Mustang. Period.”

Nearly all the items in the cave had been imported from elsewhere. Even the coffin’s wood had come from a tropical environment. How could a person from this place—today so bereft of resources that merely accumulating firewood requires hours of effort—gather such riches? Salt, most likely. Controlling a piece of the salt trade may have been the current equivalent of owning an oil pipeline.

The entire haul, from what seemed a nondescript cave, left Aldenderfer giddily struggling to place the find in historical context. “This is unique,” he said. “Spectacular. This is rewriting the region’s prehistory in a serious way.”

Everything the team found was left behind, in the care of Samdzong’s village leaders. Athans, as he’s done elsewhere in Mustang, also donated personal funds to endow a modest museum. “The people of Mustang should have pride in their own rich history,” he says. Only tiny sample chips and bits of bone were removed by the scientists. These will be studied in various labs—teeth go to the University of Oklahoma; metals to University College London. Paints will be separated into chemical constituents, to see which plants were used to make them. A splinter of wood, a thread of textile, a powder of tooth enamel; all will be rigorously analyzed. The process could take a decade.

That’s without any additional materials. Early Mustang, it’s thought, was ruled by powerful kings. With so many exposed caves and an unknown number of hidden crypts, far more remarkable troves may be awaiting discovery. “It could be in the next cave we visit,” says Aldenderfer. “It could be in a hundred more caves.” Indeed, as the team finished their work in Samdzong, there was one more find. Walking across the cliff top after removing the rebar anchors, Hesser came across a distinct, unnaturally round depression in the gravel. Very likely, he had stumbled upon the entrance to another shaft tomb—this one still plugged, its contents sealed within.

The team’s travel permit was set to expire; they had a long journey ahead of them. There was little choice but to let this pass by. At least for now. As ever in Mustang, the cliffs hold secrets yet to be uncovered.

Source: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/

The Top 7 Destinations

noreply@blogger.com (Govinda Prasad) — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 05:12:00 -0800

Many travelers are taking a look at their 2014 calendars to determine what new places they want to visit in the coming year. Travelers today want to do, see, and interact more than ever before as international travel continues to grow, and we're looking to the future to those countries that will take center stage in the minds and hearts of travelers in 2014. These are based on economic changes, health of the country's tourism industry, historically popular attractions, and emerging hot spots. Here are some reasons to consider these top international destinations next year.

1. Turkey. Travel enthusiasts will continue to flock to Turkey in line with the strong trend we have witnessed over the past six months. Turkey is the crossroads of Europe and Asia, finding its roots in Greek, Roman, and early Christian history. This combination of influences mingles in everything you see -- including its rich history, archaeological sites, and ancient architecture. In addition, Turkey is in tune with modern tastes, from world-class restaurants, glamorous shopping and nightlife that's the envy of many a European capital. Travelers recognize the immense cultural and historical value of this destination, and Turkey will make many travelers' short lists in 2014.

2. Greece. Greece is poised to bounce back in popularity in 2014. Although it suffered from economic problems over the past few years, they never impacted the safety of travelers to the country or the beauty of its magnificent landscapes and seascapes. It appears that travelers are taking note, and are now ready to return to this beautiful country. Andreas Andreadis, the head of Greece's SETE tourism body, predicts it will be the country's most popular year for tourism ever, taking in 18 million arrivals in 2014. The Greek islands have remained one of the most romantic vacation spots in the world, sitting among the most amazingly gorgeous azure sea, with iconic sheer cliffs and whitewashed houses. And of course, Athens is still a hub of history and culture, the birthplace of Western civilization. It's these factors and more that have always made Greece a desirable destination, and if the country sees the tourism boost that it's predicting, its hard times might come to an end more quickly. It doesn't hurt that Greeks are very happy to lure travelers back with good deals. From a tour operator's perspective, we haven't seen prices like this for a long time, and travelers will surely take advantage.

3. Kenya. Gazelles grazing, elephants strolling with their calves, lions leading their prides in a hunt - these images and more are why travelers always want to travel to Kenya. In fact, Kenya makes my top destinations to visit list almost every year. One of the best parts of visiting Kenya is that you can see wildlife in its natural habitat and still have access to modern day conveniences. You can experience an incredible amount of comfort and even luxury in places where you would swear that no human touch has ever been felt. After a day out in the bush, where you've seen once-in-a-lifetime sights, you'll end the day at a beautiful safari lodge with all of the trappings of civilization. Kenya is a truly remarkable destination that represents a siren call to individuals, couples, families, and just about anyone who loves wildlife.

4. South Africa. South Africa remains fresh in travelers' minds with the tragic passing of Nelson Mandela, but it's always been attractive to travelers for its colorful culture, experiences, and people. Cape Town is considered one of the hottest cities in the world for nightlife and shopping. It's a modern, bustling city boasting gorgeous scenery as well as fabulous restaurants, hotels, and beaches. But no trip to Africa would be complete without at least one safari game drive. Travelers to South Africa get to experience both. If you're trying to decide between Kenya and South Africa, a trip to Kenya focuses mainly on seeing the continent's magnificent wildlife, while a journey to South Africa gives you an opportunity to experience a mix of metropolitan energy and the rugged outdoors. Both are true bucket list destinations, capturing the attention and imagination of people all over the world.

5. Cuba. Cuba will continue to grow in popularity as we make our way through the New Year. Friendly Planet Travel, for one, is in its third year of offering travel to Cuba, and there has been no decrease in demand thus far. From more than 2,000 travelers in 2013, we see this trajectory only going up in 2014. Word of mouth from our travelers is spreading. Traveling to Cuba is for those who love to meet, interact with, and engage in meaningful educational exchanges with Cubans to see where they live, how they work, and how they play. People to People programs offer a true opportunity to get up close and personal with the fascinating people of Cuba. Plus, because Cuba has been so isolated from us for so long, many travelers are itching to discover how engaging, artistic, talented, and friendly the Cuban people are. There is music and art everywhere, and the colonial architecture, though definitely in dire need of attention, is beautiful.

6. Peru. Travelers have traditionally visited Peru to see landmarks like Machu Picchu, the most familiar icon of the Incan people. But now people have new reason to visit Peru, as it's becoming one of the foodie capitals of South America. The World Travel Awards recognized Peru for culinary tourism in 2012 and 2013. Restaurants in Peru are winning countless awards for their innovative culinary creations, using locally grown ingredients unique to South America. It's a really fascinating country and very organized for tourism. There's a wide range of fantastic accommodations for tourists, and the people are incredibly friendly and helpful. We see even more travelers taking advantage of these aspects and more by visiting Peru in 2014.

7. Japan. Japan's high prices have usually made it challenging for many travelers to visit the country. But with the slight weakening of the Yen, visiting Japan at a moderate price is within reach. Japan's culture is very different from ours. Tokyo is one of the only places I've ever been where you can find a picturesque meditation scene in the middle of one of the most crowded cities on the planet. There's a unique juxtaposition of frenzy and solitude that you find as you explore Japan. Magnificent poetry, touching, delicate art, and more are in store for travelers who visit Japan in 2014.

Those are our seven hot destinations of 2014. Where are you planning to travel this year? Let us know in a comment below.

Source-http://www.huffingtonpost.com/