ADVENTURE TOURISM – Bird-eye view series of Nepal

Nepal offers a year-round calendar of activities and events, as varied as pony treks and elephant back safari, while water kayaking and sport fishing, hang gliding, and hot air ballooning, yoga trekking and attending dramatic festival ceremonies.

TREKKING
Trekking in Nepal is basically backpacking, and can be done in an organized group or on your own. You can contact with a trekking agent for full ‘inclusive’ services, including a guide, cook and porters, plus provision of camp equipment, food and even a bathroom tent and dining table. Such ‘luxury’ trekking invites the first time hiker, the young or elderly, or the any-age vacationer who just wants to walk and enjoy the scenery, and let someone else take care of logistics.
Some more experienced trekkers prefer to ‘tea house trek,’ that is – to carry their own gear and eat and sleep in local lodges.
Then when and where to trek?
Nepal’s great variation in elevation – from 70 to over 8000 meters – and the rain shadow effect of the Himalaya means that trekking is feasible in some part of the country throughout the year. Autumn and spring promise clear weather; spring’s long days and glorious blooms, plus less crowded trails and facilities made it increasingly popular. Low elevation treks, such as around the Kathmandu and Pokhara Valley rims, are delightful during winter when poinsettias are in bloom and mountains are easily visible. Summer rains rarely moisten the western side of some Himalayan ranges, in the upper Kali Gandaki Valley (Muktinath area), for example, or in the newly opened Dolpa region.
Most first-time trekkers choose the Everest (Khumbu) and Annapurna regions, best known, and unquestionably spectacular, for their mountain and village life scenery. There are scores of other areas, however, which also offer close up Himalayan views and a look at traditional life styles… and from a slightly less beaten track. Consult the experts, professional trekking agents to help you decide where to trek. Trekking books describe some of the better known routes, but agents know current conditions and have a retinue of their own favorites. If you still plan to trek on your own without a guide, it is advisable to bike with other trekkers to avoid unnecessary mishaps.

MOUNTAINEEERING
Home of eight of the world’s ten highest peaks, Nepal offers some of the most challenging mountaineering known. Local trekking agents can arrange for permits, staff, transport, food, equipment, and all logistics for large and small expeditions. The Government charges a royalty fee which varies from peak to peak. ‘Trekking peaks,’ peaks of moderate scale (in the 5000 to 6000 meter range), can be, and climbed for a lesser fee.
For those without the time, neither interest nor resources to take on one of the major peaks, there are plenty of opportunities for rock climbing, of all grads and difficulties, along trek routes, and even close to Kathmandu. Several spots in the Kathmandu Valley are already set with pistons. Beginners or experts can test their skills, or learn from the local climbers, some of whom advertise their teaching services.

JUNGLE SAFARI
Some of Nepal’s richest wildlife habitats are now protected as national parks and wildlife reserves, and can be toured by elephant, land rover, and dugout canoe or on foot with licensed guides. Jungle safari agent can arrange tow to three days or longer stays at Chitwan National Park, the most popular wildlife viewing destination, or at one of the reserves out cast or west (Koshi Tappu, Bardia or Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserves). You’ll see a wide variety of exotic wildlife including the great one horned rhino, sambar and chital deer, gharial, and marsh mugger crocodile, hundreds of bird species and perhaps the king of jungle, the Royal Bengal tiger. Luxury to budget accommodations is available both within and outside the parks.

DAY HIKES
One needn’t stray even a night from five-star comfort to see the ‘real’ Nepal. Half or full day hikes out of Pokhara, Kathmandu or from nearby hilltop resorts such a Dhulikhel, Kakani or Nagarkot can be arranged with a local agent, or plotted with the help of a map and guidebook. Bus or taxi transport is available to all trailheads,. Take along a picnic lunch and drinking water, and enjoy a day in the life of Nepal.

PONY TREKS
Ponies (actually small horses) can be rented for one day or longer in Pokhara and in some mountain area. Trekking agents can plan a full pony trek or short stints to lessen the strain of daily hiking. Several outfits are located in Pokhara.

BIKING
Nepal’s another mode of mountain touring is mountain biking. There are plenty of dirt roads and trails to scenic destinations even close, to Kathmandu. These 15 to 18 gear all terrain bikes can handle almost anything, and make climbing the hills to mountain lookouts a breeze. Mountain bikes are available for rent by the day or longer, on guided trips around the Kathmandu Valley.
One speed Indian bicycles are also readily available.
Motorcycling is a fun, slightly easier way to see the sights, and can be rented for day or longer outings. A driver’s license is required.

RAFTING
Rafting is Nepal is rapidly growing as adventure travelllers’ other favorite sport. In paddle or oar boats, rafters drift lazily through lush tropical gorges, or roller coaster through white water stretches rated up to 7 on the Colorado River rating system. On overnight trips, guests camp on sandy river banks, from where they can explore side canyons and nearby by villages.
Rafting companies operate on eight of Nepal’s major rivers: the Trisuli, Sun Koshi, Karnali, Tama Koshi, Seti Khola, Kali Gandaki, Arun, and Bheri..Trips run 1 to 14 days, and pass through varying types of vegetation, topography and ethnic settlements, some end in the jungle lowlands with a few days’ wildlife safari. October through mid-December and March through early May are the best times to river raft. It is also possible during winter but slightly cold. During monsoon (June through September) white water sections are out but gentler stretches are runnable.

KAYAKING
Though not usually operated on a commercial basis, kayaking expeditions are organized by experienced international river runners who find the Himalayan white water yet another arena in which to play. Several first run expeditions have earned respect for surviving hair-raising descents. A few agencies can arrange to rent kayaks on a daily basis; but most paddlers bring their own craft. For more information on kayaking in Nepal, contact the rafting agencies.

HUNTING
Since the early 19th century, Nepal has been a favored ground for game hunters. The thrill of scouting out big game amidst the spectacular Himalayan scenery still draws the confirmed marksman. Organized hunting parties tramp (or helicopter) into high terrain areas in search of the Himalayan tahr and the blue sheep. Mid-elevation prizes include wild goat and sheep; in th Terai lowlands deer are sough. Hunting in Nepal is permitted only in designated areas, and hunting parties must be accompanied by a licensed guide.

BOATING/WINDSURFING
Pokhara’s Phewa Lake is th e most accessible lake for recreational boating. Set in lush tropical valley, with a backdrop of the Annapurna range not 25 km away, Phewa Lake is Pokhara’s prime attraction for photographers, boaters and shore side stroller. Spend an hour or a day rowing (or being rowed by one of the local boatmen) throughout the many inlets, with a visit to the Varahi island temple. Fishing and swimming are also possible.
From time to time, windsurfing boards are available on hire from one of the lakeside hotels or vendors. By afternoon, winds usually rise enough to fill a sail. For information, inquire locally.

SPORT FISHING
Sport fishing, like hunting, is not well advertised in Nepal, but is possible and rewarding. Approximately 118 varieties of fresh water fish live in this Himalayan water. Mahaseer is the most commonly sought sport fish, besides mountain stream trout-like varieties and lowland water species. Anglers can try their luck in Pokhara’s crystal clear lakes or in west Nepal’s Bardia Wildlife Reserve where Karnali Tented Camp and Lodge organized guided fishing trips. While trekking or rafting, bring along your pole, or give the locals’ methods a try with a bamboo pole or crude fish trap. Some trekking or travel agencies also organize fishing trips in streams close to Kathmandu.

SOARING
Lofty minded adventures have know to soar through the Himalaya, and even from the tops of the highest mountains, on artificial wings. Some try hot air balloons; others hang gliders, para planes and even micro lights, with mixed success. Some hang gliders have sailed from Sarankot (Pokhara); ballooners have flown close to Everest and now a para planer has sailed from the top of Everest.
Commercial ballooning has great potential, with fabulous views if staircase terraces and barbet snowy peaks, but is not yet available to the general public. Please check on what permits are required before proceeding with soaring or sailing plans.

MOUNTAIN FLIGHTS/CHARTERS
Buddha Air offers several mountain flights daily from Kathmandu within camera shutter range of the world’s highest peaks. The hour long trip and offers passengers a close-up view of Everest, among other giants.
Helicopters and airplanes are available for charter use. STOL (short take off and landing) air strips are located throughout the country, in remote regions from Simikot in the west to Taplejung in the east, both tail heads to newly opened trekking areas. Charter trail heads to newly open trekking areas. Charter service is available for group treks and expeditions.

CULTURAL TOURS
For the les sport-minded though not less adventurous traveler, Nepal offers untold opportunities to witness (and sometimes participate in) festible celebrations. Monsoon season is alive with dance scenes, parades and religious fests; a pilgrimage trek to Gosaikund alpine lakes combines trekking with festivities. Autumn trekkers can enjoy the colorful Mani Rimdu dance performance at Tengboche (Khumbu), Some groups organize treks to practice yoga, to bird-watch, to study ecology, or historical places. Others arrange cross-cultural exchanges for students, or litter clean-up campaigns with local inhabitants.