Why Go To Nepal?
(Amidst of earthquake & destruction)
Nepal is a celebrated tourist destination because of
spectacular geography, rich cultural landscape, astonishing diversity of
sight-seeing and adventure opportunities found nowhere on earth. With scenic
natural beauties, climate and culture, Nepal can compete in tourists’ list of
destination. The exotic scenery, a mild climate, mountain and a friendly
welcoming ambiance have made Nepal successful destination. Mighty snow clad
mountains, lofty hills, dancing rivers, greenness & wilderness enchanting
the myths of peace & harmony are seducing to people around the world. We
are beholder of highest mountain in Earth ‘Mount & Everest’ &
birthplace of Lord Buddha.
Travel and Tourism Impact 2013 report published by
World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) explains that tourism industry
contributes 8.8 % of total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) turnover of 145.3
billion dollar in Nepal. Nepal is ranked 30th best tourist
destination in the world. Forbes Magazine report 2014, explained that Nepal is world’s top 10
cheapest tourist destinations. Similarly WTTC report gives the insights that it
was possible provide direct and indirect employment to 504,000 people which
cover 3.2 % of total employment generation. It further says that 796,000 people
visited Nepal which helped to collect revenue of 0.42 billion dollar. Domestic
travel spending is 71.1 billion dollar and government and private sector has
invested 14.6 billion dollar in tourism sector.
There are still mesmerizing & wonderful places
to visit, interesting thing to do & have time of your life in Nepal despite
April 25 & May 12 Earthquake that created Nepal. Rumors keep coming that
Nepal is under rubles & ashes which is not true with the fact that only 13
out 75 districts are affected by earthquake. We have to go to detail. Tourism
is a composite of product involving transport, accommodation, catering, natural
resources, entertainments, and other facilities and services, such as shops
banks, travel agents and tour operators.
According to Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepal major
highways are not destroyed, damaged or blocked by earthquake. They are seen to
have performed very well with abundant number of buses & vehicles in major
routes as usual days. Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) representative
organization for all after hotels, restaurants & accommodation related
services releases official report that 90 % of the hotels are safe &
providing services smoothly. All of the domestic airlines & helicopter
companies are carrying locals & tourists regularly are hassle free. Nepal
Airlines with 4 International Airplanes is having regular flights in major
destinations of Asia according to Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. Tribhuwan
International Airport is operating without any hurdles. Nepalese hotel,
restaurant, catering & accommodation service providers have proven capacity
to serve tourists at any given time & any occasion. Trekking Agencies’
Association of Nepal has assured that trekking & tour operators are
back on track with their operations along with sound availability competent
tourism sector manpower. Government has opened cultural heritage sites. All banking & financial institutions are providing
services of deposit lending, swift, wire transfer, ATMs, currency exchange.
Central bank of Nepal, Nepal Rastra Bank confirms that there is no liquidity
crisis amidst of disaster. Shops, restaurants, shopping malls are already open
to fulfill basic, comfort to luxurious needs regarding touring, travelling,
food, beverage, materials, equipment’s, supplies & needed resources.
Furthermore, there hasn’t been any problem with Internet service providers says
Internet service provider association of Nepal. Besides these local Nepalese
have local knowledge & expertise with heartwarming hospitality will never
let you down. These all facts leave us to a conclusion that there is not going
to be problem with travelling & touring.
Nepal is almost into the phase of reconstruction &
rehabilitation. Let’s not be discouraged with the fact that
only 13 out of 75 district are found to be affected. Country, business,
economy is still alive. Government & its organs, functional, administrative
bodies are running with full democratic values. We Nepalese have mental
strength & courage of bounce back again & we are inspired to start anew
fresh.
For
those who want to visit Nepal for their next holidays, leisure & vacation
& those who are staying in Nepal should not be discouraged. There are many
tourist destinations which aren't affected by Earthquake & you have many
reasons to come for. Some of the notable places & activities I would like
to explain with details. It's encouraging that there has been significant number of tourist arrival.
Besides these, one of the finest trekking destinations in the world 'Annapurna Conservation Area or Annapurna Circuit' and 'Khumbu Circuit' are declared safe by both national and international delegation. These are one of the monumental trekking destinations for tourists over many years. In addition, Kathmandu, the capital is safe, sound and already into booming business as usual.
Besides these, one of the finest trekking destinations in the world 'Annapurna Conservation Area or Annapurna Circuit' and 'Khumbu Circuit' are declared safe by both national and international delegation. These are one of the monumental trekking destinations for tourists over many years. In addition, Kathmandu, the capital is safe, sound and already into booming business as usual.
Below
mentioned are the notable destinations, you can make up your mind.
Destination
|
Feature & Activities
|
Illam
|
Picturesque tea garden, sunrise view
|
Kanchanjunga Conservation Area
|
World’s 3rd highest peak,
observe bio diversity while hiking, trekking.
|
Koshi Tappu Wild Life Reserve
|
Home to variety of spices of animals
& bird watching.
|
Janaki Temple
|
Ancient & monumental hindu temple
|
Chitwan National Park
|
Famous for rarest 1horned Rhino,
spotted tiger, crocodile, snakes and lot of animals. Experience elephant safari, jeep safari,
rafting, canoeing, jungle safari. Enjoy scene of dense rain forest
grasslands. UNESCO world heritage site.
|
Parsa Wild Life Reserve
|
Embrace equatorial climate &
sightseeing of variety animals, birds.
|
Lumbini
|
Birth place of Lord Buddha. Founder of
Buddhism in world. UNESCO world heritage site.
|
BouddhaNath (Katmandu)
|
UNESO world heritage sight
|
Pokhara
|
Most beautiful, picturesque & most
visited place in Nepal. Amazingly beautiful landscape, boating, sightseeing,
paragliding, mountain flight
|
Mustang , Jomsong
|
Raw & wilderness of Nature,
tranquil
|
Dhorpatan Hunting & game reserve
|
Hunting of animals with permission
|
PasupatiNath Temple Katmandu
|
Holiest religious shrine for hindu
community
|
Rara National Park
|
Biggest lake of Nepal. Challenge
yourself with one of the wildest adventurous landscape on planet earth,
virgin lands, beautiful rara lake, amazing peaks, land with snows most of the
time
|
Bunge Jumping
|
Worlds 2nd highest altitude
to jump & bungee swing
|
Shey Phoksundo national Park
|
Deepest Lake of Nepal. Wildest,
untouched, tranquil landscape, biggest lake shey phoksundo, coldest climate,
|
 |
Best in the world trekking route "Annapurna" and 'Khumbu' are evaluated as safe by both national & international delegations and already open to tourists. |
WHAT
PLACES YOU CAN STILL VISIT IN NEPAL?
Illam
Team Garden: (Eastern package)
Loation
|
Illam
District
|
How
to reach
|
Regular
buses available form Kathmandu which takes up to 16 hours. Or take 40 mins
flight to Biratnager & then travel 2 hours in Bus.
|
Things
to do
|
Embrace
yourself with one of the famous appealing tea gardens of Nepal & refresh
yourself with morning sunrise. Visit very sacred Hindu temple Pathivara and have home-stay around there. Recommended to visit in winter
|
Accommodation
|
Living
& food in standard hotels, lodges in economy rate
|
Cost
|
Total
cost for 2 days US$ 53
|
 |
Pic :Beautiful Illam Tea Garden
Koshi
Tappu Wildlife Reserve
Location
|
Sunsari
District
|
How
to reach
|
Buses
form Kathmandu will take 14 hours or take flight for 40 mins to Biratnagar
|
Things
to Do
|
Enjoy
various spices of reptiles, wild animal mammals, and bird watchers paradise. It
has wetland eco system.
|
Accommodation
|
Plan
your trip with Illam & Koshi Tappu Wild Life reserve package. Visit
wildlife reserve & get back to hotel or lodge
|
Cost
|
Food, hotel expenses,
travelling in a day $15-20
|
Pic:
Birds flying in Koshi Tappu Wildlife reserve - wetland eco system
Janaki
Temple
Location
|
Dhanusha District
|
How To Reach
|
Deluxe buses form Katmandu, takes
around 10 hours
|
Things to Do
|
Visit monumental, religious, antique
heritage Janaki temple of high artistic, archeological & cultural value
|
Accommodation
|
Reasonably good hotels. Food, living,
travelling expenses for a day around $ 10
|
Pic:
Historic & Artistic Janaki Temple
Chitwan
National Park (UNESCO world heritage site)
Location
|
Chitwan District
|
How to reach
|
Take buses or any private vehicles to
chitwan. It may take up to 5 hours
|
Things to Do
|
Most visited place for jungle safari, elephant
safari, jeep safari, sightseeing,
sunset-sunrise view, rafting, cannoing,
, famous for rarest one horned rhinos, spotted tigers birds, reptiles, crocodiles,
tallest grass, grasslands, vegetation, dense forest. Rarest sport in world
Elephant polo world championship played annually.
|
Accommodation
|
Economy to deluxe class hotel
available.
|
Cost
|
2 way travelling, food, living,
recreation 165$
|
Pic:
setting sun in horizon in chitwan national park
Pic:
sunrise view form one of the lakes in chitwan national park
Lumbini
Location
|
KapilBastu District
|
How to reach
|
8 hours Bus form Kathmandu
|
Things to Do
|
Birthplace of Lord Buddha who founded
Buddhism. Holy shrine to Buddhist community. Maya Devi temple, ruins of Lord
Buddha’s palace. Peace flame. Buddhist shrines, stupas, flags, music,
peaceful ambience.
|
Accomodation
|
Hotels & lodges abundant
|
Cost
|
15 $ a day. Travelling fare 2 way 15 $
from Kathmandu
|
Pic:
Hoistoric Maya Devi temple holy shine for Buddhist community all around the
world. Birth place of Lord Buddha
Pic: Eaternal Peace flame in around Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Buddha
Pokhara
Location
|
Kaski District
|
How to reach
|
A lot of buses & vehicles
available form Katmandu. 4 hour by bus or travel in airplae 30 mins. 10$ by
bus & 50$ by airplane
|
Things to do
|
Said as most beautiful place in Nepal.
Picturesque & unprecedented scene of white mountains, lakes, George,
caves, rivers. Splendid & gorgeously awesome place. Travel, hike, bike,
boat unleash yourself with nature. Famous for boating, do paragliding &
take glide to have unparalleled scenic view for snow white mountains, villages,
green forest, crystal clear lakes. Go cycling, hiking, trekking
|
Accommodation
|
Economy lodges to star hotels
available
|
Cost
|
Entire average cost for week package
may cost $200-$500
|
Pic:
Beautiful place of Nepal, Pokhara. Phewa Lake & reflection of mount
MacchaPuchre, Annapurna Mountain Range
Pic:
Paragliding paradise Pokhara
Jomsong
Muktinath
Location
|
Mustang District
|
How to reach
|
Buses form Katmandu to Mgagdi
district, then take reserved vehicle for Mgagdi to Muktinath. Or Fly upto
Pokhara then take bus. The Roads are bewildering & narrow in mountains.
Or trek form Mgagdi as most of people do
|
Things to do
|
Raw, wildest form of nature to
adventure. Offers all panoramic mountain view trekking through Himalayas.
Unbelievable treeless landscape of upper mustang valley, kaligandaki river, lomanthanka
palace. Holy Muktinath temple. Having alpine climate it never receives any
rain. Best to visit before start of winter. Dare to thrill?
|
Accomodation
|
Limited hotels. Tents, food &
essentials be carried
|
Cost
|
Expensive but gives once in a life
time experience. May cost upto 500$ for total package
|
Pic:
Valley of Mustang & its wilderness
Pic:
Awe-enchanting desert like valley of Kagbeni Mustang
 |
Pic: You can bike, tike or trek in these breathe taking teaarin. |
Pic: Try horse riding in this sandy valley.
Pic:
peace & serenity defining holy Muktinath Temple.
Rara
National Park
Location
|
Mugu District
|
How to reach
|
Occasioinal flight available form
Katmandu-Nepaljung-Jumla. May charter Helicopter but who dare to adventure
choose 10-20 days Jumla Mugu trekking
|
Things to do
|
Embrace wild, adventurous,
unimaginable alpine climate. Beautiful untouched virgin Freshwater alpine
lake rara, largest lake in Nepal at 3000m form sea level. Trek for 20 days
rocky, fragile, treeless, snow covered land,
explore unimaginable landscape & challenge yourself with
wilderness & tranquil place with Buddhist monasteries, stupas, culture
|
Accommodation
|
Hard to find hotels. Homestays
available. Better to carry food, tents, medicine, supplies, equipment.
Recommended to travel with experts only.
|
Cost
|
25000$ + if charted helicopter , less of trekked or used airplane
|
Pic: Nepal’s biggest lake Rara & its
unprecedented scenic beauty
Pic:
fresh deep blue rara lake with welcoming mountains & treeless naked hills
Se
Phoksundo National Park & upper Dolpa
Location
|
Dolpa District
|
How to reach
|
Only way is reach is to charter
helicopter. Wildest, remotest & unexplored beautiful place.
|
Things to do
|
Those who dare to challenge limits of
wilderness & adventure visit this. View of Nepal’s deepest lake Se
Phoksundo, alpine freshwater lake. Landscape covered with snow; explore the
lifestyle of one of the remotest places to be in planet earth. View of
mountains & mountain range. Upper dolpa is tranquil. Trekking advised for
10-15 days peaceful, naked raw land, human less topography, find Buddhist
shrines. Rarest Blues sheep, Himalaya
black beer, snow leopard are found here. Adventure wilderness is redefined by
this this place.
|
Accommodation
|
Few homestays available. Better to carry
supplies, medicine, and trekking equipment.
|
Cost
|
Expensive of all destinations in Nepal
30000+ if helicopter used, less if prefered trekking & airplane
|
Pic:
Nepal’s deepest lake Se-Phoksundo which redefines adventure & wilderness.
Khaptad
National Park en route SK wildlife reserve & Bardia National Park (Far West
Package)
Location
|
Bajhang, Bajura, Doti en route
KanchanPur & Bardia District
|
How to reach
|
Katmandu to Dhangadi 24 hours by bus.
45 minute by plane. 300$ by bus & 1000$ by plane. From dhangadi take
buses or hire vehicles any of mentioned districts. Can use same bus for
Wildlife reserve & national park
|
Things to do
|
Hike trek in one of the amazing
grassland in Nepal with beautiful appealing green forest. Enjoy typical far western culture. Feel
tranquil with fresh deep green lakes with soothing landscape. Visit
celebrated Khaptad Baba Ashram. Trek is recommended just about start of
winter & make package to visit Suklaphata wildlife reserve & Bardia
National Park, hot grassy land of variety of animals, dense forest. Homestay
with typical Tharu community, culture & cuisine.
|
Accommodation
|
Few hotels for Khaptad national park
visit. Carry own essentials. Better food & lodging available for wildlife
reserve & national park visit along with homestays.
|
Cost
|
500$+ for whole package
|
Pic: Beautiful eye
catching khaptad lake & greenery.
Pic:
Plain grassy land of SuklaPhata Wildlife reserve, feel yourself you’re in
Africa
Pic:
Grassland, greenery & dense forest in Bardia National Park.
Katmandu
package
Location
|
Katmandu, Bungee jumping with rafting,
kayaking – Sindupalchok,
|
How to reach
|
Bus form Katmandu to Sindupalcok in
major highway upto Nepal-China border
|
Things to do
|
Visit UNESCO world heritage site,
Buddhist shirne BouddhaNath Stupa, largest in the world in Katmandu along
with ancient religious temple Pasupatinath. Take mountain flight to see
world’s highest peak Mount Everest once in a life time experience. Bunjee jumping from world’s 2nd
highest altitude to jump 160 meters above a tropical George. Feel thrill
& wildest adventure for life time. You can still visit
Nagarkot(Bhaktapur) coolest hill station for sunrise view or stay in exotic
hotel/resort around Dhulikhel (Kavre), for peaceful setting & typical
Nepalese cuisine for a morning sunrise
view, best experienced in winter. Even try rafting, kayaking in BhoteKoshi and
sunkoshi river for extreme thrill.
|
Accommodation
|
Best in world hotel services available
any time
|
Pic: Brace yourself for Rafting - excitement, thrill & advendure
Pic:
Hiking trails like stairway to heaven
Pic:
Extereme sport Bunjee jumping in BhoteKoshi River.
Pic:
UNESCO world heritage site Bouddha Nath Supa. Buddhist Shrine
(Disclaimer: all pictures except mine are used
form wiki & internet for noble cause of supporting tourism during Nepal Quake Relief)
Organizations
related to Tourism sector in Nepal
6. Nepal
Association of Tour Operators.
MY
FINAL WORDS
Every
dark cloud has silver linings. These tourist destinations I mention are not
affected by Earthquake. We felt earthquake but we are not shaken & broken.
Significant number of tourist arrival will contribute to revive tourism &
help to bounce back economy. People are ready are to provide you warm
hospitality as always. Tourism related organizations are ready to serve at your
beck & call. In addition, you are expected to get handsome & desirable
incentive as those concerns have promised. We still expect around Two hundred
thousand people to visit Nepal with contribution of around 40Bn$. At this
moment I also give pledge to my nation that, I will host you in my house for
free if you are willing to visit Nepal in days to come. On the other hand, you
are guaranteed that you will be benefitted from my expertise in local
knowledge, culture, language & lifestyle. I can be reached in any social
networks i.e. Facebook, twitter, Skype, what’s app, viber, couch surfing for further information.
