Sustainable Tourism in Nepal Himalaya

The term sustainable tourism is aggregate form of community based tourism or Eco tourism or green tourism, which refers to preserve locality. Sustainable Tourism “managing tourism’s impacts on the environment, communities and the economy to make sure that the effects are positive rather than negative for the benefit for future generations”.  Community based tourism is touristic activities to be benefited local community without negative impact for future.  Green tourism is about to encourage to the development of tourism enterprises with minimum impact on wildlife and the environment.

"Sustainable tourism: Tourism that is economically, socioculturally and environmentally sustainable. With sustainable tourism, sociocultural and environmental impacts are neither permanent nor irreversible. – John Beech and Simon Chadwick"

Hiking in Nepalese Village

Travelers are responsible to preserve those fragile nature and cultures. How local people benefited from the tourism in Nepal Himalaya is major question for sustainable tourism. Especially in Nepal Himalaya, local peoples are Sherpa, Tamang, Gurung, Rai, Limbu, Bhote, Lama, Hyelmo; they are living there for past thousands year and should live for long future. Guide and tourist should be conscious and committed for protecting mountains, nature and culture. Trekking, tour or any tourism activities in Nepal Himalaya should ensure the cause of minimal environmental and socio-cultural impact for sustainable tourism.

Guide should encourage to clients/porter/supporter to bring warm clothes to stop the use of campfires, use of filtered drinking water, use kerosene or gas for cooking and dispose the rubbish. Home stay supports the local community and visitors are able to learn and experience the local culture.

Home Stay in Nepal can be one of the unforgettable holidays for sustainable tourism; because Nepal has diversity in culture, community, climate and geography. That is why you plan to go Nepali typical home to understand nature and local culture. The Home stay service offers you for sleeping in Nepali home, eating with the Nepali family, live as local and feel the locality.

First Women Journalists Everest Expedition – 2018 in rigorous training

KATHMANDU, The First Women Journalists Everest Expedition-2018 (FWJEE18) is currently in Dolakha in connection with an intensive training in preparation for their Everest expedition in coming spring season.

Everest Range

The team, comprising five young women journalists involved in different facets of journalisms in the country, are going to climb the highest mountain in the world- Mt Everest (locally known as Sagarmatha) with the slogan ‘Unified Voice for Equity’ in May, 2018.

According to Rosha Basnet of Rastriya Samachar Samiti, a member of the FWJEE18, they have climbed two mountains in Dolakha as part of their training. The two peaks they have climbed are Mt Ramdung (5925 metres high) and Mt Yalung-Ri (5630 metres high), both situated in Rolwaling valley in Dolakha. The expedition members climbed these mountains on November 26 and November 28 respectively.

FWJEE 18 is climbing the world’s tallest peak under the banner of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ).

The other members of the expedition include Priya Laxmi Karki of News 24, Kalpana Maharjan of Mega Television, Rojita Buddhacharya of Nepal Television and BP Koirala Memorial Planetarium Observatory and Science Museum Development Committee and Deuralee Chamling, a freelancer.

The team is preparing to return to Kathmandu in a few days after completing an intensive training involving rock climbing, ice-slamming and high altitude training among others in the Rolwaling area of Dolakha.

Dreamers’ Destination Treks and Expeditions is going to facilitate the team for their expedition.(RSS)

Nepal Tour Package

This tour package is a complete holiday program which includes all the best part of heritage, nature and culture tours. Visit world heritage sites temples-monasteries and ancient court yard tour of interesting areas of Kathmandu-Patan and Bhaktapur medieval city, scenic popular tourist spot at Pokhara for sunrise with panoramic Himalaya, Asia’s best Chitwan National Park; for Jungle Safari and elephant ride, and Lumbini; the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. 

Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to hotel

Day 2 : Sightseeing in Kathmandu Heritage sites
Morning after breakfast at given time, we visit four world heritage site in Kathmandu; Basantapur Durbar Square, Pashupatinath temple, Boudha Stupa, and Swayambhu (Monkey Temple), after an interesting sightseeing back to the hotel, preparation for the trip beyond Kathmandu.

Day 3 : Early in the morning Mountain flight and then fly to Pokhara, Sightseeing in Pokhara
An early morning start for an hour of scenic mountain flight including Mt. Everest then again we fly to Pokhara valley for 25 minute. Transfer to Hotel and sightseeing in Pokhara.

Day 4 : Morning visit Sarankot for sunrise and Drive to Lumbini
Early in the morning we go to Sarangkot for sunrise and Mountain View. After breakfast, We move to Lumbini by driving.

Day 5 : Visit Lumbini in the morning and drive to Chitwan
After breakfast, visit Lumbini. Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, who was born in the 7th or 6th century BC. Lumbini is enlisted in UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. After visiting Lumbini drive to Chitwan.

Day 6 : Jungle Safari in Chitwan
Starting early before breakfast optional jungle activities as per the lodge listed programs elephant safari – jungle or nature walks-dugout canoe ride on Rapti river to view birds life and two species of crocodile the marsh mugger and Gangetic crocodile with bird watching after the great activities refresh for dinner with Tharu cultural folk dance.

Day 7 : Drive to Trisuli River for Rafting and after rafting drive to Nagarkot
After breakfast, drive to Trisuli river for white water rafting. After rafting, drive to Nagarkot via Kathmandu.

Day 8 : Sightseeing in Bhaktapur and Patan and overnight in Kathmandu
We visit old city Bhaktapur Durbar square where we can see Datrataya temple, Nyatapola Temple, 55 window Palace. After Bhaktapur we visit Patan durbar square; Krishna temple, Golden Temple, Kumbheswor Temple and museum. After these entire wonderful trips we reach hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 9 : Transfer for departure

Major attraction of Manang

Manang Youth Society

Manang village:

Location:  4-5 hours from Pisang.

Special feature: Manang is a charming village with all facilities of home. There are many places for day hiking to the surrounding hills to enable you to acclimatize and enjoy the spectacular culture and natural beauty of the  area.

Ice Lake:

Location: 3-4 hrs. walk from Manang village on local trek.

Special feature: The view of Annapurna range and natural beauty of the lake are magnificent as is a walk in yak pasture and habitat for snow leopard.

Lake near by Pisang Village

Gangapurna Lake:

Location: Easy 15 min. walk from Manang village to local trek.

Special feature: Spectacular view of Gangapurna peak and glacier.

Gangapurna Lake

Tilicho Lake:

Location: 3 days from Manang on the Khangsar/tilicho trail.

Special feature: A trip to the highest lake in the world (4900m) is a good way to acclimatize with good views of Tilicho peak and surrounding valley. On the way up you pass Tare gompa, one of the oldest (500 years in the district).

Yakkharka:

Location: 3-4 hrs. walk from Manang village on the trekking rout.

Special feature: This small peaceful town is habitat for the endangered snow Leopard and unique Blue Sheep. 

Thorong-la Pass:

Location: 2 days walk from Manang village on the trekking rout.

Special feature: The most popular trekking pass as 5416 meter from sea level.

Thorong-la Pass

Tal village:

Location – Situated at the gateway of Manang district from Lamjung district on the trekking trail.

Special feature – A relaxing, peaceful small town at the gateway of Manang district. Tal is hometo a beautiful waterfall that flows all year round.

Hot spring:

Location – Dharapani, Latemrang and Chame.

Special feature – Water remains hot all year round for a rejuvenating natural shower or to ease those aching muscles after a long days hike.

Sworga dwari (Gateway of heaven):

Location: Between Bratang and Pisang on the trekking route.

Special feature: Spectacular sheer rock face rising from the Marshyandi River.

Gyaru and Ngwal:

Location: 1.5 to 2 hours walk from Pisang off the trekking trail.

Special feature: traditional village, situated high on the hillside, with some of the most spectacular view of all of Annapurna.

Gyaru and Ngawal village

Braka Gompa:

Location: Braka village,on the trekking trail.

Special feature: This historic Buddhist gompa is typical of the district and a testament to a traditional culture of more than 500 years.

Braka Gomba

Code of ethics issued to systematise tourism in Chitwan

CHITWAN: Tourism entrepreneurs in Chitwan have issued a 16-point business code of conduct to systematize tourism sector of Sauraha.

Elephant Breeding center in Chitwan

Minimizing noise pollution, building of tourism-friendly environment and conservation of flora and fauna have been focused in the code of conduct.

A meeting of tourism entrepreneurs from the district agreed to issue the code of ethics aims to better manage the Sauraha tourism’s business, according to tourism entrepreneur Suman Ghimire.

Proprietors of hotels and restaurants have been asked to keep their business open till 11:00 pm in winter and 12:00 midnight in summer.

Likewise, playing of loud music has been prohibited citing that it would cause negative impact on health of wildlife and could disturb them, local and tourism vehicles are banned from blowing horns and tractors and trippers shall be allowed to operate only from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Students on uniform shall not be provided a hotel room until they come with their guardians and wearing of a life jacket while swimming has been made compulsory. Likewise, the use of drone without permission has been prohibited while onwards liquor stores cannot serve their clients in open.

Preparations are on to announce Sauraha a no-horn zone from December 16, according to Regional Restaurant and Bar Association Nepal (REBAN) chair Gokarna Giri. There are a total of 110 hotels and 60 restaurants with well facilities in Saruaha and they have the capacity of accommodating 2,800 people daily.

Sauraha, the eastern gateway to the Chitwan National Park is famous for specially jungle safari and elephant riding.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP)'s Activities

Jomsom

The Annapurna Conservation Area is Nepal's largest protected area covering 7,629 km2 (2,946 sq mi) in the Annapurna range of the Himalayas across the Manang, Mustang, Kaski, Myagdi, and Lamjung districts. The area ranges in altitude from 790 m (2,590 ft) to the peak of Annapurna I at 8,091 m (26,545 ft).

The multifaceted problems of ACA have been addressed through an integrated, community based conservation and development approach, an experimental model which has been in the vanguard of promoting the concepts of “Conservation Area” through an “Integrated Conservation and Development Programme” approach in the country and abroad.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project's Activities: together with local communities

• Visitor centers: in many places, info + leaflets on local villages and culture, local guided tours, festival dates
• Check posts: in many places
• Mustang Eco museum at South end of Jomsom, local culture, nature, geology
• Garbage/pollution control: awareness, incinerators, clean-up campaigns, toilets
• Conservation: tree planting, soil conservation, river bank protection, biodiversity survey and protection.
• Alternative energy: micro hydro plants, solar water heaters, lights, etc
• Trail improvement: widening, paving, bridges, signs, etc
• Agriculture and gender development
• Community infrastructure
• Health services support
• Conservation education
• Heritage conservation
• Lodge management and training
• Training for guide and porters
• Signs and notice board
• Safe drinking water stations.

Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trekking (Original Route)

Original trekking route to Everest Base Camp starts from Jiri and then ends at Lukla, the wonderful trekking is moderate in the beginning and to adventurous. This trek leads through many traditional Sherpa villages famous as mountaineers and warm hospitality. On this trekking, We can enjoy with the green scenery hills and panoramic view of Mt. Everest (8,848m / 29, 028ft) Lhotse (8,516 m-24,940 ft), Nuptse (7,855m-25,772 ft) and Lho – La or Khumbutse peak (6,036 m – 19,992ft) Mt. Lingtren (6,749 m / 22,142 ft) Chnagtse ( 7,583 m / 25,230 ft) Mt. Pumori (7,161 m / 25,772 ft)  Ama Dablam ( 6,812 m / 22,480 ft) Kangtenga (6,782 m / 22, 380 ft) Tharmarserku ( 6,623 m / 21, 855 ft) Kwangde (6,011 m / 19,837 ft) Kusum Khanguru (6,373 m / 21,030 ft) holy peak of Khumbi-la (5,761 m / 19,012 ft) and as far world’s 5^th highest Mt. Makalu (8,463 m / 27, 766 ft) with trekking peaks Island Peak / Imjatse (6,160 m / 20,328ft) Lobuje Peak (6,119 m / 20,192 ft) Pokhalde ( 5,806 m / 19,159 ft) and many other smaller unnamed peaks.

This remarkable trek starts from Jiri the old and original gateway to Everest area and then over to famous Junbesi, Takshindo and Namche Bazaar at 3,440 meters over the high pass Lamjura-la 3,530m with enough rest day for proper acclimatization and then heading higher to Imjatse valley through the Thyangboche and Pangboche then finally reaching our destination at world’s highest Mountain base camp at 5,360 meters and then climb up to Kalapathar the highest point of this trek at 5,555 meters and slowly with a scenic walk ending this beautiful and awesome trekking at scenic valley at Lukla.