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  • Tales Mystical Jomsom

    By HousingNepal.com →


    From jaw dropping landscape to amazing mountain views and mysticism, Jomsom is Nepal at its best

    Jomsom, also known as Dzongsam or New Fort, is a town located at an altitude of 2,800 metres above sea level in Mustang District, at the Annapurna region. Jomsom's rugged terrain, bare hills and mountain views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri, make this place surreal giving visitors their most lasting impression of Nepal. Famous for its juicy apples and local brandy, Jomsom is also the gateway to the popular and picturesque Upper Mustang.

    The soaring peaks of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri form a backdrop. However, be prepared for harsh climatic conditions, heavy winds, glaring sun and cold nights.

    Muktinath
    Muktinath is a famous pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. For the Hindus, Muktinath is a sacred place for salvation. They believe that bathing in the water here guarantees salvation after death. For the Buddhists, it is the place where the great sage Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) meditated. And for everyone, it is the source of fossilised ammonites, known locally as Shaligrams that are found all along the upper reaches of the Kali Gandaki River valley. This trek is recommended year round as most of this trek is always in the rain shadow. From Jomsom, it is three or four hours' drive or a seven-hour trek.

    Marpha
    Popular for local brandy and apples, Marpha is a small town and the main market in Jomsom. This place has plenty of shops that sell interesting souvenirs and trekking goods. There are plenty of restaurants as well, serving all kinds of dishes. A visit to one of the many apple orchards is a must to try out the famous `Jomsom Apple'. Marpha is just 10-minute drive from Jomsom Airport and takes 45 minutes to reach on foot.

    Kali Gandaki Gorge
    The deepest gorge in the world, Kali Gandaki Gorge is flanked by the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri on either side. The gorge passes through Tatopani, where you can relax in the hot water spring. Tatopani is twoday trek from Jomsom or sixhour drive.

    Lo Manthang
    The village is noted for its tall white washed mud brick walls, monasteries and the King's Palace -a ninecornered, five-storey structure built around 14th century and served as the capital of ancient Kingdom of Mustang. Lo Manthang's three big monasteries are storehouses of some of the most exquisite Buddhist artworks in the entire Himalayas. With its ancient monasteries, palaces, caves and ruins of old forts, Lo Manthang is rich in art and history where little has changed over the centuries. It is two to three days' trek from Jomsom and five to six hours' drive.

    source: the himalayan times,26 Sep 2013

  • Top 5 local holiday destinations in Nepal

    By HousingNepal.com →
    Apart from the religious and cultural importance of Dashain and Tihar, the festive season is a great time to travel and take a vacation. Here are five popular places in Nepal that are leading holiday destinations. Bon Voyage!

    POKHARA
    Pokhara, my personal favourite, is a city that has it all to make your getaway a perfect one. Drive to Sarangkot early in the morning to be awestruck by the sunrise view. It will be worth the few hours of sleep that you have to sacrifice.

    From the top, you also have a beautiful view of the city, further beautified with a chain of mountain that crowns her. Feeling lazy?Hire a boat and go for a boat ride in Phewa Tal and get tanned absolutely free. Or awaken the spiritual side with a visit to Bindyabashini or Tal Barahi temple. For the adventurous, zip down the world's most extreme zipline (bookings: 61-466349) or soar in the sky like a bird with paragliding or take on the ultralight flight (bookings: 61-463338). When the sun goes down, take a stroll down the beautifully lit streets of Lake Side, go window shopping and you might just find something interesting or hang out with tourists in the cafés and hot spots.

    Attractions:
    Davis Falls, Peace Pagoda and Gupteshwor cave Getting there: Take one of the daily flights to Pokhara Airport or a bus from Kathmandu

    BANDIPUR
    Nestled atop a hill 3,500 ft above sea level, Bandipur is an old laidback Newar town. The centuries old temples and houses in the town resemble a living museum and stand as testament to its once glorious and important history. Pristine natural surroundings with great views of the Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh and Langtang Himal, Bandipur make it an ideal escape for a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. There are plenty of hiking options around this old town as well.

    Attractions:
    Siddha Gufa, Patali Dwar, historical fort at Gadhi, Mukundeshwori and Bindyabashini temple Getting there: Drive from Pokhara or Kathmandu to Dumre, from where it is another half-an-hour bus ride

    CHITWAN
    With the oldest of the country's national parks, Chitwan's steaming jungle host one of the largest population of the rare Bengal tigers, along with the one-horned rhinos and wild elephants that are best viewed on elephant-back safaris. If you are lover of wildlife this is the place to go. There are plenty of options to explore the jungle as per your liking -jungle walk, elephant safari and jeep safari. Explore the river with river safari on a canoe in Rapti river or Narayani river and you might spot ghairals, crocodiles and various wildlife. After a day of hectic jungle activity, get a drink and relax on the bank of the Rapti river in Sauraha and watch the sunset.

    Attractions:
    Wildlife, wildlife and more wildlife Getting there: Take one of the daily flights to Bharatpur Airport or a bus from Kathmandu

    LUMBINI
    The birthplace of Buddha is the reason scores of Buddhists travel from all over the world to Nepal.The best time to visit is from late autumn to spring to escape the scorching heat of the plains. To add to the whole religious significance of the place and the spiritual vibe, there are number of beautiful monasteries built by various Buddhism following countries. The Royal Thai Monastery, Myanmar Monastery, Dhamma Janani Meditation Centre (Nepal) and Sri Lankan Monastery are some definitely worth visiting.

    Attractions:
    Mayadevi temple, Marker Stone and Puskarini -the holy pond Getting there: Take one of the daily flights to Bhairahawa Airport or a bus from Kathmandu

    NAGARKOT
    With breathtaking mountain views, sunrise and sunset and beautiful trekking trails through villages and beautiful landscapes, Nagarkot is perhaps the most popular overnight destination for valley denizens. Hike or drive to Nagarkot View Tower for the best view of sunrise, sunset and the surrounding mountains.
    Few hotels and tour operators have come up with interesting village walks, so do remember to pack your hiking shoes. Up there, the air is crisper and the temperature too drops down by few degrees compared to Kathmandu. Hence, make sure you have a pair or two of warm clothes.

    Attractions:
    Sunrise and sunset, panoramic mountain views and trekking Getting there: You can take a public transportation from Kathmandu or hire a vehicle

    source: The Himalayan Times,20 Sep 2013

  • FHAN to organise handicraft fair

    By HousingNepal.com →
    The Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN) will organise the 11th Handicraft Trade Fair from November 27 to December 1. The event is being organised to promote Nepali handicraft products and to create a forum to establish direct contact between buyers and sellers for business development.

    “The trade fair also has a target to develop the country as a business hub for handicraft entrepreneurs of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation,” said deputy director of the federation Rishi Raj Subedi.

    According to FHAN, the trade fair will have participants from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Bhutan. It will have around 200 stalls with 10 pavilions. The stalls will exhibit products such as metal crafts, pashmina, Nepali handmade paper, felt products, woollen products, silver jewellery, leather products, natural fibre, wooden products and ceramics, among others.

    source: the himalayan times,17 Sep 2013

  • Hiking options around the Kathmandu valley

    By HousingNepal.com →
    Kathmandu valley and its surrounding areas offer perfect day hikes for those with a desire for hiking or easy trekking in Nepal. The valley offers some excellent short treks and walks just outside the urban sprawl of the city . Without having to go very far, you can experience nature, culture and the traditional way of life in Nepal on these hikes that can be completed in a day .

    Champadevi
    Hiking to Champadevi is an exhilarating experience. The trail is an opportunity to experience nature and culture at its best.
    Starting from Pharping village and rummaging around for the cultural experience of Pharping, you start walking uphill through pine forest. However, the trail is quite steep, the reward is a panoramic view of Taudaha and Kathmandu, when you reach the top. It takes about two to three hours to reach the hilltop. Monsoon may not be the best time to hike, but it sure is the time to relish lush greenery! Visit during September through October for spectacular mountain views.

    Getting there:
    You can take the bus from Old Bus Park to Pharping, from where your hike starts. Or you can choose to walk from Kirtipur.

    Phulchowki
    Known as a trekker's paradise, the country boasts of breathtaking trekking options. However, you need not always travel to remote places to experience their glory . Located about 16 km southeast of Kathmandu valley and perched at a height of 2,800 metres, Phulchowki is a threeto four-hour hike from Godavari.

    Starting from the invigorating greenery of Godavari, you ascend upward to reach the hilltop. Passing through lush green forest, you can watch different types of birds. When you reach the hilltop, you get to enjoy a surreal view of rolling hills and Kathmandu valley . If you want to enjoy snowfall, visit during winter.

    Getting there: You can take a bus from Lagankhel Bus Park. It takes around half an hour by bus to reach Godavari.

    Namobuddha
    A beautiful monastery located about 38 km east of Kathmandu at an elevation of 1,750 metres, Namobuddha is one of the important pilgrimage sites for Hindus and Buddhist in Nepal. Starting from Dhulikhel, you can enjoy panoramic views of the hillside, terraced rice fields and pass through Tamang communities. After a three-hour walk from Dhulikhel, you reach haven of peace and tranquillity. Several stupas and monastery provide a spiritual vibe to the place while you can enjoy a commanding view of the hills.

    Getting there: Buses to Dhulikhel ply from Old Bus Park.

    Shivapuri
    Hill Hiking to Shivapuri takes about four to five hours uphill from Budhanilkhanta. Located at a height of 2,563 metres north from Kathmandu, the trail passes through lush forest of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. Once you enter the main gate of the national park, soothing sound of birds overcome the maddening crowd of the city. Deeper into the forest, you reach Baghdwar, the main source of Bagmati and one of the important holy sites for Hindus. You should walk about half an hour further to reach the hilltop. Since the hike is through the conservation area, there are no shops or restaurants, so do not forget to carry some fast food and water.

    Getting there:
     You can get transportation to Budhanilkhanta from Sundhara.

    source: The Himalayan Times,5 Sep 2013
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