How to Spot Red Pandas and Dolphins in Nepal

Plataniste or Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangética), Karnaphuli river, Bangladesh Plataniste or Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangética), Karnaphuli river, BangladeshDo you know what makes Nepal one of the most biodiverse countries in the world? Hint: it has something to do with a giant called the Himalayas. The climate range is so broad – from the highest point in the world (Everest) to the tropical lowlands that are engulfed in humidity and home to rainforests – the tremendous geographic diversity plays a part in the range of flora and fauna that exist within the country. Continue reading

New Year, New Beginning, Pristine Nepal

Pherice
From the window of 2016, if we have to look back Nepal in 2015, we can see enough ups and downs. Last year Nepal was in the major spotlight for the international media. 7.9 magnitude earthquakes produced enough gravity to attract major international media. But, we as Nepalese can argue that before the earthquake, Nepal was already a major source of inspiration for many travel writers, bloggers, newspapers, and magazines.

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Best Time To Go Trekking in Nepal

DCIM100GOPRO

When is the best time to go trekking in Nepal? This is a question often asked by people planning to go on a Nepal tour. Well, there’s no time like now, is what we’ll tell you. Most definitely, October and November are the best months to go trekking in Nepal. The rains have stopped, the sky is getting clearer, the climate is temperate with a bracing chill in the air in-short, the weather is beautiful and the views promise to be splendid. Continue reading

Fourth Week in Kathmnadu – by Juho Paukku

Royal Mountain Corporate Building

Royal Mountain Travel Corporate Building

Another week in Kathmandu & in office. I have learned about more of the activities of the company and the company’s internal affairs. They actually gave me some more responsibilities.

This week has been Nepali New Year, don’t ask me why but we celebrated the fact that we entered the year 2072. They are way ahead of us 🙂  Continue reading

Lhabab Duchen, Festival of the Buddha’s Descent from Heaven

Lhabab Duchen is a festival celebrated to observe the descent of Buddha from heaven to earth. That would be his second visit on earth from heaven. First, when he was born and second, when he returned to earth after preaching gods and his mother in heaven. He was exhorted by his followers to return, and it was only possible after long debate.

Buddha

Like all religions, Buddhism, too, has its share of fantastic tales. Indeed, Lord Gautam Buddha’s birth itself is a miraculous one. His mother, Queen Maya, while on the way to her maternal home, suddenly developed labor pains at Lumbini. She grabbed hold of a tree branch, and even while standing up, delivered a bonny baby boy. This, by itself, was a wondrous event, but what was more amazing was that the infant started to walk straightaway. And, at every spot where he took a step, sprang forth a lotus flower. Continue reading

An Afternoon in Patan Durbar Square

“Dashain is over and done with, for this year, at least! But, everybody’s looking forward to the another big one, that is, Tihar “

Nepal’s great festival of Dashain is over and done with. For this year, at least! But, everybody’s looking forward to the another big one, that is, Tihar, which is just around the corner. In addition to joyous get-togethers with family and friends, and plenty of feasts, people also enjoy the great weather at this time of the year. (A rare exception this year being the heavy blizzards on the mountains leading to many tragic deaths.)patan-durbar-square

Anyway, the weather is pleasant mostly, and you just cannot stop yourself from going outdoors. I took one such outing just the other day, and it took me to Patan Durbar Square, where I found the famous square full of life. Plenty of folks were sitting on the steps of ancient temples, basking in the warm sunshine, and plenty of tourists, both domestic and international, were strolling around, clicking away busily. Well yes, busily, since almost every sight is worthy of a picture. After taking a leisurely walk to the end of the square, I sat down on a pati (a public resting place) next to Bhimsen Temple and the Mangal Hiti (a large watering place for all). Continue reading