Nepal tourist places

Nepal - a country of amazing extremes is divided into five major physiographic regions which run in more or less parallel bands from northwest to southeast. Each of these regions has a distinctive agricultural and forestry land utilization pattern. These regions are known as Terai, Siwaliks, Middle Mountains, High Mountains and High Himal from south to north direction. Nepal was once extensively covered by forests. Demand for fodder, overgrazing and uncontrolled cutting of timber and fuel wood, have significantly reduced the original forest cover. The composition of vegetation is closely related to the climate, which in turn is related to the physiographic region. There is not only a difference in vegetation from north to south, but also from east to west. The latter is caused by the decrease of monsoon rains in the western part and to some extent by the latitudinal differences between the eastern and western regions of Nepal.

There are numerous exciting places to visit in Nepal. Due to its rich cultural diversity, art and architecture have flourished in various places in different ways. These wonderful arts and architectures of the ancient times which remain as cultural heritages nowadays are worth seeing. Nepal, being the country of the highest mountains and hills in the world offers excellent trekking and adventure facilities. Various places which lie on hill tops offer both trekking and historical study facilities. Below, Exotic-Nepal.Com has outlined the most interesting and culturally, geographically and historically rich places of Nepal which any tourist would want to see and relish.

Bardia: Habitat of the Endangered Species

Bardia is a geographic region in the Kingdom of Nepal. Bardia comprises a portion of the Terai, or lowland hills and valleys of southern Nepal with a drier climate and a remote location, Bardia encompasses 1,000-sq-kms of riverine grassland and sal forests which adds to the joy of an adventure trip. To reach Bardia, take the daily air flight or public bus from Kathmandu to napalgunj, from where it is a five hour drive to the park office at Thakurdwara. The faunal diversity of the park includes 53 species of mammals including endangered mega herbivores like rhinoceros and elephant, more than 25 species of reptiles, over 400 species of birds, 121 species of fishes and unknown diversity of mollusks and arthropods.

Bhaktapur: The Heritage Town

Bhaktapur is the home of traditional art and architecture, historical monuments and craft works, magnificent windows, pottery and weaving industries, excellent temples, beautiful ponds, rich local customs, culture, religion, festivals, musical mystic and About 16 km from Kathmandu. If you are not arriving as part of a tour group, you may take mini bus (bound for Kamal Binayak stop in Bhaktapur) or big bus (bound for Chyamasingha stop in Bhaktapur) from Bus Stop near Bhadrakali. Bhaktapur is still an untouched as well as preserved ancient city, which in fact, is itself a world to explore for tourist. From time immemorial it lay on the trade route between Tibet/China and India. This position on the main caravan route made the town rich and prosperous.

Chitwan: Wildlife Safari

Chitwan is only 150m above the sea level. Bharatpur Airport, Bharatpur, Nepal is about 10 km away. By bus take the tourist bus from Kathmandu or Pokhara. From Kathmandu, Chitwan is about 4 hours. From Pokhara, it is around 6 hours. When you arrive in Chitwan (the village), you will need to take a horse cart or bicycle rickshaw (what the locals call a "taxi") the 7km into the tiny village that Sauraha. The area is located in the central climatic zone of the Himalayas, where monsoon starts in mid-June and eases off in late September. Chitwan is only 150m above the sea level. The place gets steamy from March-June, with peak temperatures reaching 43°C in the shade. Short grass makes Feb-May the best game-viewing season, but the autumn months are gorgeous, with Himalayan views, and in winter (December-January), Chitwan is pleasantly warmed compared to Kathmandu. The monsoon season (July-August) is intense. The wildlife and the landscape are not as breathtaking as those found in Africa but still, the experience will stand out.

Dhulikhel: Paradise City

Dhulikhel is popular for viewing the sunrise and sunset. It is popular for its natural scenic beauty and Dhulikhel lies along the B.P Highway and Arniko Highway. Arniko Highway connects Kathmandu, Nepal's capital city with Tibet’s border town of Kodari. And in November and December the weather is normally very clear and tropical-hot during the days but chilly and even cold in the evenings and nights. Dhulikhel is the administrative center of Kavrepalanchok District, Nepal. Drinking water in Dhulikhel is one of the best water in Nepal. The town has benefited for hundreds of years from being on the trade route between the Kathmandu Valley and Tibet. Dhulikhel once an important trade route between Tibet and Nepal has the old buildings, cobbled streets and ancient temples.  Dhulikhel offers the travelers the superb views of the snowcapped mountain ranges and many places for day hikes.

Kathmandu: Where the Gods Live

Kathmandu is the general lack of street names (except for major roads such as Tri Devi and Ring Road) and address numbers. In most cases directions are given relative to the nearest chowk or tole  or a noteworthy building such as a temple or restaurant. In the tourist district of Thamel, the Kathmandu Guest House and Hot Breads bakery are two main landmarks. Climatic conditions of Kathmandu vary to a large extent in view of several geographical factors. Five major climatic regions have been deciphered in Nepal, out of which Kathmandu valley falls under the Warm Temperate Zone where the climate is fairly pleasant, atypical of the region. Directions are given relative to the nearest chowk or tole (an intersection or square, often with a market) or a noteworthy building such as a temple or restaurant. In the tourist district of Thamel, the Kathmandu Guest House and Hot Breads bakery are two main landmarks. It is possible to get across the city by foot, but it is not always a pleasant walk and you may want to consider a rickshaw for anything more than wandering around a specific area. Rickshaws are bicycle driven; the motorized ones have been banned from the valley in a bid to check rising pollution.

Lumbini: Birth place of Buddha

Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautama Buddha is the most important pilgrimage site for the Buddhist and has also been one of the major attractions for people from other religions too. Lumbini, like the Buddha, stands peacefully and calm, away from the crowds of the cities, on the southern plains of the country, surrounded by forests. Lord Buddha is believed to have been born in Lumbini as Prince Siddhartha, when his mother Queen Mayadevi of Kapilbastu stopped to rest on her way to her parent's palace in a neighboring country some 2,600 years ago. People here also believe that she chose the place because of its peaceful setting. Although there are no cities or heavy population nearby, there are plans to develop the area, with gardens, trees, canal, accommodation facilities and even a library. Adequate lodging is available to the visitor and pilgrims, including a luxury hotel made by the Japanese. There are many places to visit like as Ashoka Pillar, Maya Devi Temple etc.

Pokhara: The Lake City

The magnificent city is located west of Kathmandu and the climate is sub-tropical but due to the elevation the temperatures are moderate: the summer temperatures average between 25 - 35°C, in winter around 5 - 15°C..It is the third largest city after Kathmandu and Biratnagar. Pokhara has always been a favorite among tourists visiting Nepal, to get away from the hustle and bustle of the capital to a peaceful setting, to relax by the lake side or take a hiking trip around the valley, with routes available to suit everyone's needs and The valley is about 35 minutes abroad a plane, on about six daily flights available from Kathmandu or about 7 hours’ drive on a luxury bus. The city itself is divided into two zones - the lakeside and the bazaar area. As the jumping grounds for trekking, the stores around the lake carries all the necessary equipment needed for such trips, plus it is a good place to buy souvenirs to take back home.

Nagarkot: Sunrise Town

Nagarkot is renowned for its sunrise view of the Himalaya including Mount Everest as well as other snow-topped peaks of the Himalayan range of eastern Nepal.

There are various places around the edge of the Kathmandu Valley that offer great mountain views, but the resort village of Nagarkot, 32km from Kathmandu, is generally held to be the best. Dedicated mountain watchers make their way up to the village, stay overnight in one of Nagarkot's lodges, then rise at dawn to see the sun appear over the Himalaya. Between October and March a trip to Nagarkot will nearly always be rewarded with a view, but you will be very lucky to catch more than a glimpse through the monsoon clouds between June and September. During the summer, sweaty valley residents escape the heat for the resort's cool mountain air; in winter they rush up if there's even a chance of being able to throw a tiny snowball. It can get very cold at Nagarkot in autumn and winter, so if you're staying overnight come prepared with warm clothing.

Travel to Nepal

Nepal is named for the Kathmandu Valley, where the nation's founder established a capital in the late eighteenth century. Nepali culture represents a fusion of Indo-Aryan and Tibet-Mongolian influences, the result of a long history of migration, conquest, and trade. Nepal is a roughly rectangular country with an area of 381,200 square kilometers. Nepal is home to the Himalayan Mountains, including Mount Everest. From the summit of Everest, the topography plunges to just above sea level at the Gangetic Plain on the southern border. This drop divides the country into three horizontal zones: the high mountains, the lush central hills, and the flat, arid Terai region in the south. Fast-moving, snow-fed rivers cut through the hills and mountains from north to south, carving deep valleys and steep ridges.

Nepal attributing an angelic beauty is situated between two large countries called china in north and India in three sides. The population density of Nepal is 154 people in per sq.km but the valley and the plains are densely populated. Nepal is a agro based country. Eighty percent of the people of Nepal are depend upon the agriculture .Although the people of various social group, various religions, they really practice "unity in diversity". The follower of one religion respects the follower of another religion. Most of the people of the Nepal follow the Hindu religion and rest of the people follow the religion like Muslim, Christian, and Buddha etc.

Nepal is popular for the angelic beauties, unique wonders and gifts in the world, although it is a land locked country. It is famous for river lakes and mountain. Tourist comes here for relaxation in their holiday. The highest mountain peak Mount Everest in the world, fascinates many foreign tourist every day. Nepal is rich in water resources it is the second richest country in water in the world. Many rivers flow from the mountain and it passes through the terai. Many brooks and stream serves the people in many ways. They are advantageous for irrigation, transportation, rafting and so on.

Nepal seems to be beautiful because of the green forest, National parks and wild-life reserves preserve many wild animals .Many tourist come here to watch them. Nepal is a developing country .About 50%of the Nepalese people are literate .Many school and colleges have been running all over the country .Due to high percent of poverty Nepal many children do not go to school. Nepali people respect each other. They are co-operative. The culture has many symbols from Hindu and Buddhist sources. Auspicious signs, including the ancient Hindu swastika and Shiva's trident, decorate buses, trucks, and walls. Other significant symbols are the emblems (tree, plow, and sun) used to designate political parties.

A typical Nepalese meal is dal-bhat-tarkari. Dal is a spicy lentil soup, served over bhat (boiled rice), served with tarkari (curried vegetables) together with achar (pickles) or chutni (spicy condiment made from fresh ingredients).. The Newar community, however, has its own unique cuisine. It consists of non-vegetarian as well as vegetarian items served with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Mustard oil is the cooking medium and a host of spices, such as cumin, coriander, black peppers, sesame seeds, turmeric, garlic, ginger, methi (fenugreek), bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, pepper, chilies, mustard seeds, etc., are used in the cooking.

Most houses in rural lowland of Nepal are made up of a tight bamboo framework and walls of a mud and cow-dung mix. These dwellings remain cool in summer and retain warmth in winter. Houses in the hills are usually made of unbaked bricks with thatch or tile roofing. At high elevations construction changes to stone masonry and slate may be used on roofs. Nepal's flag is the only national flag in the world that is non-quadrilateral in shape, and one of only two non-rectangular flags in use . According to its official description, the red in the flag stands for victory in war or courage, and is also color of the rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal. Red also stands for aggression. The flag's blue border signifies peace. The curved moon on the flag is a symbol of the peaceful and calm nature of Nepalese, while the sun represents the aggressiveness of Nepalese warriors.

The Newar dances can be broadly classified into masked dances and non-masked dances. The most representative of Newari dances is Lakhey dance. Almost all the settlements of Newaris organise Lakhey dance at least once a year, mostly in the Goonlaa month. So, they are called Goonlaa Lakhey. However, the most famous Lakhey dance is the Majipa Lakhey dance; it is performed by the Ranjitkars of Kathmandu and the celeberation continues for the entire week that contains the full moon of Yenlaa month. The Lakhey are considered to be the saviors of children.

Travel to Bhutan from India

Bhutan (The Land of Thunder Dragon) is no ordinary place. Bhutan is one of the world’s most unusual countries. It is the only country which has been independent throughout its history, never conquered, occupied, or governed by an outside power. The kingdom of Bhutan lies to the north east of India and is situated between west Bengal on the south, Tibet on north, Sikkim on the west and Arunachal Pradesh on the east. It has very high mountains, fertile valleys and thick forest forests. This is a country where buying cigarettes is illegal.

Indians do not require a visa to enter Bhutan. A permit is required to enter Bhutan and can be obtained from the border of Bhutan. They require you to present either an Election voter ID card, Driving license or passport. Indians carry at least eight passport photos and eight photocopies of ID card. And after receiving your permit you can go through public transport bus for the very rough and bumpy something around 148 km road to pheuntsholing. On the way you will pass the Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary and various tea and bamboo plantations. And after crossing a huge wooden arch which separates the border and after entering in to Bhutan you will fill Bhutan like as a magical fantasy land.

In Bhutan the walls of the hotels cheerfully paints with various signs and symbols related Buddhism and Bhutan including the auspicious and friendly Bhutanese dragons. Bhutanese affiliation for color is event in the multi-colored walls and roofs of building and monasteries. In Bhutan the women wear ‘Kira’ a long overlapping, tight cloak up to the ankle, with a wide sash fastened at the shoulder by a silver broach. The languages spoken are Dzonkha, Hindi and some speaks very good English. Education and medication are free and hospitals are well maintained and it is advisable to carry your personal medication. The ancient capital of Bhutan is the Punakha and located at a height of 5,000 ft. There are many attractive places to visit like as a Bumthang, Jakar, Paro, Punakha, and Thimphu etc. Paro is colder than Thimphu and it is a very beautiful place with the hotel consisting of small cottages located at Satsum Chortled, overlooking famous Tiger Top Monastery. The beautiful flowers and birds the winding Paro River, the green rice fields and the entire area surrounded by fog-covered mountains makes it a paradise on the earth. The Drukgyel Dzong which is situated in Paro and it is a monastery to commemorate the victory of the Bhutanese over the Tibetans. From the Dzong you can see mount Chomolhari’s peak, the highest in Bhutan (24,000 ft.) and a gateway to Tibet. Chillela pass is located 33km away at the height of 11,964 ft. The Chillela pass divides Paro village and Haa village, from where can go to Tibet on foot. There is a bus till Haa but a separate permit is required. The Paro Museum is open on all days. It contains several photos of the Bhutanese kings and their dynasties, a huge collection of Bhutanese stamps, majestic `thankas', hats, swords, dresses, silver and copper vessels. And many more happens and attractions to see in Bhutan. Here you can observe how the country is seeking to merge new practices within its rich traditions. Although knowledge of prehistoric Bhutan has yet to emerge through archaeological study, stone tools and weapons, remnants of large stone structures, and megaliths that may have been used for boundary markers