Travel And Leisure | adventure-vacation-travel.com

Archive for Travel And Leisure

Nepal – Asia’s Fastest Growing Adventure Play Ground

Posted by: adventure-vacation-traveler | Comments (0)

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Jenny Lama asked:

In two weeks in Nepal it’s possible for the adrenaline seeking traveller to do a short trek, go white water rafting, take a bungy jump and perhaps throw in a spot of paragliding and mountain biking. So pack your bags and get ready for the adventure of a life time. Don’t forget 2011 is visit Nepal Year so here are some ideas of the adventures that await you.

White Water Rafting & Kayaking
Nepal offers some of the best rivers in the world for white water rafting and Kayaking. There is a river to suit all levels from the first time rafter to the most experienced kayaker. You can try one to two day trips on the family fun and friendly Trushili and Seti Rivers or go further afield on longer three to ten day adventures on the Sunkoshi (one of the world’s top ten rivers), Marsyandi, Arun or Tamur Rivers. Don’t forget the action packed Bhote Koshi, a pure white adrenaline rush. Also there are adventures to be had for kayaking expedition adventurists with trek and kayak trips to all of Nepal’s remote rivers.

Mountain Biking
For every ten trekkers in Nepal you will barely see one mountain biker. But the sport is fast taking off and there are endless tracks and trails to explore. There are some pure downhill tours, but for the majority you will need mountain honed thighs to get up these serious climbs. The rewards are endless, uncrowded trails, remote wilderness, life changing culture and unbelievable views! There are places in both Kathmandu and Pokhara to hire bikes, guides and arrange tours. Trip length varies from one day sightseeing and downhill tours to longer five to twenty day adventures.

Bungy Jumping
Bungy Jumping is popular worldwide, but nowhere offers as spectacular jump as right here in Nepal. Spanning over the raging Bhote Koshi, one of Nepal’s fiercest rivers, this 160 meter jump is not for the feint hearted! The gorge is surrounded in jungle and natural wilderness and from the Last Resort, you can not only Bungy, but you can canyon swing, trek and hike as well.

Paragliding
Nepal is now well established as a paragliding destination. The sunny lakeside town of Pokhara is popular world wide as a place to learn paragliding. The beautiful scenery and back drop of the Annapurna Himalaya make this the most serene and spectacular place to fly. Flights on offer vary from half hour tandem flights, longer cross country flights, para-hawking flights to intensive ten day polite training programs. All equipments and flight companies operate in line with international standards. It’s truly a must do for any visitor to Nepal seeking a little bit of action.

Rock Climbing
With Nepal being home to some of the world’s tallest mountains, it’s no surprise that there are many places to hone your climbing skills. Rock faces are abundant and the sport of rock climbing is fast become popular among tourists. Trained instructors offer courses from beginner to advanced and courses last from one day to three days. Most rock walls are found around Kathmandu and Pokhara so you don’t have to trek all the way up into the mountains to do some “hanging around”!

Canyoning
Canyoning is another new adventure sport to Nepal. This wilderness adventure takes you into the jungles of Eastern Nepal. Grapple, abseil, climb, wade and crawl your way through some pristine canyons before retiring at the night time to your river side camp. Canyoning is fun and exciting and a great way to be at one with nature.

There is so much on offer in Nepal in the way of Adventure. But as with everything, remember, “Safety First”. Make sure you book your adventure with a reputable operator, cheapest is not always best, experience and safety far outweighs budget when it comes to this kind of holiday!

Caffeinated Content

Share and Enjoy:

Categories : Travel And Leisure

Comments (0)

A Multi Environment Adventure in Nepal

Posted by: adventure-vacation-traveler | Comments (0)

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Ellen Taylor asked:

A Nepal trek is for some a once in a lifetime adventure while for others it is a place to return to again and again. It’s no wonder that Nepal holds such a fascination for so many. This little mountain kingdom is home to some of the cultures and religions that have molded the philosophical outlook of the civilized world for over a thousand years. And, of course, there’s the splendor of its natural wonders. What follows is a plan for experiencing the best of Nepal.

The natural starting place for this and almost every other place in Nepal is the valley of Kathmandu since this is surely where you’ll arrive in the country. Though you could land in Khatmandu and be flying off for a trek the next day this could be a major mistake. Khatmandu is not just another dirty international city; instead it offers a wide range of interesting cultural heritages well worth exploring. An ancient city, Khatmandu was first settled in the eighth century. The valley of Kathmandu is actually composed of three royal cities, Kathmandu (the capital), Patan & Bhaktapur. If you love culture, religion and history you’ll want to leave yourself at least a day each for exploring these 3 cities.

Having explored the cities of the Kahmandu valley it’s time to set off on a trek. Here it is suggested that you look towards Dhampus and Ghandrung, with spectacular mountain views. Pokhara looks on to one of the most beautiful Himalayan panoramas in the world. The Annapurna and famous “Fishtail” mountain peak of Machhapuchhare tower over the tropical setting of Pokhara, and the time you spend here will be the scenic highlight of your trip if not your lifetime.

Make sure not to skip the traditional Newari village of Bandipur with its stunning vistas, and relaxing ambience.

When you have had enough of walking let one of Nepal’s rivers help you to continue your adventure. A two-day rafting trip on the Trisuli River with it’s lovely valleys, deep gorges, and a mixture of both thrilling rapids and milder sections will bring you to Chitwan National Park. Within the par you can travel by jeep and elephant as you search for Asian One-Horned Rhino, Leopard, and the Royal Bengal Tiger. Home to over 400 species of birds and the Gangetic Dolphin, Nepal’s first national park is an ecological treasure.

If you haven’t yet had enough of Nepal, and who can ever get enough of this country, consider taking an airplane ride to see one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, Mount Everest. You will be awestruck by the beauty of this mountain. If an airplane isn’t enough of an adventure for you, you could always opt for a flight in an ultra-light tandem paraglider. Just be sure you have an experienced pilot flying with you.

The ideal length of time for the trip laid out here would be 18 days in Nepal. If you’re short on vacation time you could pack it in to as few as 13 days, but considering what you’ll be missing it would be worth negotiating hard for those extra few days away from the job.

Caffeinated Content

Share and Enjoy:

Categories : Travel And Leisure

Comments (0)

Explore the Adventure of Sikkim – Sikkim Tourism

Posted by: adventure-vacation-traveler | Comments (0)

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Kandpal Chandra Subhash asked:

The serene surroundings and lush green environment of Sikkim, makes it an ideal destination for people seeking breaks from their hectic schedules. Known for its scenic beauty, the state borders Nepal in the west, the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north and the east and Bhutan in the southeast. The main attraction of the state is its mountainous terrains that have elevation ranging from 280 meters (920 ft) to 8,585 meters (28,000 ft).The awesome heights and charm of Sikkim makes it an ultimate destination for adventure activities like trekking.

THE MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OF SIKKIM

North Sikkim Tours

The northern part of Sikkim is well-known for its mysterious beauty and gorgeous landscapes. Some places to visit in this region are Mangan, Kabi Longtsok, Phodong Monastery, Singhik, Chungthang Monastery and Lachen.

South Sikkim Tours

Located at an altitude of 400 meters to 2000 meters,the southern part of Sikkim offers a refreshing temperate climate throughout the year, making t relaxing for tourists. Some of the eye-catching views can be seen in areas like Namchi, Ravangla, Temi Tea Garden and Tendong Hill.

East Sikkim Tours

The eastern region spans across the south-east corner of the state and is recognized as the hub of all administrative activity in the state. Some of the attractions in located in the southern regions are Government Institute of Cottage Industry, Deer Park, Hanuman Tok and many more.

West Sikkim Tours

A favorite destination of trekkers, western Sikkim has a wide variety of flora and fauna to offer. Some of the places of importance in West Sikkim are Gyalshing, Pemayangtse Monastery, Tashiding Monastery and many more.

EXCITING TREKKING TOURS IN SIKKIM

Darjeeling to Kanchenjunga Trek

The enthralling beauty of Darjeeling manages to attract numerous tourists not only from India, but also from different parts of the world. Owing to the mesmerizing altitudes, the place is recognized as an ultimate destination for trekking. Some of the places of importance are Garibas – Sandakphu, Raman – Rimbik, Dzongri – Thangsing and many more.Moreover, the Kanchenjunga range is highly fascinating and manages to attract the adventure lovers from all over the world.

Darjeeling and Sikkim Trekking

Another fabulous trekking experience is offered by trekking line that spans across Darjeelingto Sikkim.The tourists grab for a lifetime opportunity and enjoy the most fascinating trekking experience. Some of the places of interest are Gangtok – Bagdogra, Martam – Gangtok and many more.

Off Beaten Treks

Sikkim has distinct trekking destinations that are well-known for their scenic beauty and tranquility. There are numerous destinations in Sikkim that have gained acclaim in providing facility for Off Beaten Treks. Some of the places are Rabongla To Maenam Bhaledunga Trek, Tolung Monastery Trek, Damthang – Tedong Trek and many more.

Singalila Ridge & Goecha La Trek

The Singalila Ridge & Goecha La Trek offers fascinating trekking experience and manages to attract a huge bunch of tourists across the globe. Some places of interest are Sandakphu – Phalut, Raman – Rimbik, Gairibas – Sandakphu and many more.

Sikkim and Kanchenjunga Trek

The Sikkim and Kanchenjunga Trek offers an awesome as well as adventurous experience for all the tourists and visitors. Some of the places of prime importance are Tsoska – Dzongri, Samity Lake – Goecha La, Martam – Gangtok and many more.

Sikkim Culture Tour

Sikkim is a land of diverse culture, cuisines and people. All these factors make Sikkim a must-see place. The original inhabitants of Sikkim are broadly divided into following categories:
The Lepchas The Nepalese The BhutiasThe Sikkimese culture finds expression in it’s beautiful art and craft. Some of the noticeable works are knotted woolen carpets with the dominating dragon emblem, and eight auspicious signs; wood carvings. Apart from this, Lepcha handlooms in traditional designs and rich colors for clothes, bags, linen and accessories are also in vogue.

Sikkim Wildlife Tour

Sikkim has a wide variety of flora and fauna to flaunt. The lowlands in the southern part of Sikkim about 800′to 5000′, lush vegetation such as figs, laurel, Sal trees and bamboos have been cleared in some areas for farming. Other plants that are grown over here are oak, chestnut, maple, birch, alder, magnolia and silver fir.

As far as fauna is concerned, bird life is abundant with giant lammergeier, vultures, eagles, whistling thursh, minivets, bulbuls and pheasants. There are 550 species of birds seen in Sikkim.

Sikkim Festivals Tour

The main attraction of Sikkim is its range of festivals, which is considered as the holy start of one or the other activity or occasion. The main festivals that are celebrated in Sikkim are Phang Labsol – End August, Bum-chu – January-February, Lhabab Dhuechen, Saga Dawa – End of May or early June and Drupka Tekshi – Around August.

Sikkim Peaks Tour

Sikkim put its visitors and tourists in the lap of its high peaks that are synonymous to serenity and tranquility. Not only has this, Sikkim Peaks Tour offer the tourists a fascinating experience of trekking, camping, expedition and many more.

Sikkim Monasteries Tour

Sikkim is the land of monasteries, which acts as a catalyst towards achieving such a high level of peace and tranquility. Some of the monasteries found in Sikkim are:
Pemayangtse Monastery Rumtek Monastery Pemayangtse Monastery Enchey Monastery Phensang Monastery Enchey Monastery Phodang Monastery Tashiding Monastery Phodang Monastery Sanga Chelling Monastery Dubdi Monastery Sanga Chelling Monastery Khechopari Monastery Melli Monastery Khechopari Monastery Sinon Monastery Dalling Monastery Sinon Monastery Yangyang Monastery Namchi Monastery Yangyang Monastery Kwezing Monastery Simik Monastery Kwezing Monastery There are ore such monasteries found in various regions of Sikkim.

Weather in Sikkim

Sikkim has a pleasant weather to offer tourists. Apart from the months May to October, Sikkim is almost always wet due to the heavy monsoons, with rains at times continuing for days on ends.

Best Season to Visit
March to June and September to December Maximum Summer Temperature 28 Degrees C Minimum Winter Temperature 0 Degrees C A Rainfall 325 cm. RF / Year. Sikkim has been fantasized for its ravishing beauty, cool environment and relaxing ambience. The visitors are left spell bound by the enchanting flora and fauna found in this thumb shaped state. The state has a noteworthy altitudinal owing to which it possess a wide variety of plants, from tropical to temperate to alpine and tundra. Sikkim is perhaps one of the few regions to exhibit such diversity within such a small area. Moreover, the fauna also includes snow leopard, the musk deer, the Himalayan Tahr, the red panda, the binturong, the jungle cat, the civet cat and many more.

Website content

Share and Enjoy:

Categories : Travel And Leisure

Comments (0)

People of Nepal – As Diverse as the Landscape

Posted by: adventure-vacation-traveler | Comments (0)

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

Ellen Taylor asked:

Nepal’s diverse culture is inextricably connected to its unique geography, as a country squeezed into the mountains between the high plateau of Tibet and the vast low terrain of India. The first people in the historical records of Nepal were the Kiratis in the 6th to 8th century BC. The Kiratis were herders who brought their sheep from the east to graze in the lush temperate zones found in the middle hills and Katmandu Valley. Though many tribes dotted Nepal’s landscape, Mongoloid groups from Tibet and Indo-Aryan clans from Northern India formed the initial major settlements, sparking the influx of a wide variety of cultures that characterize Nepal today.

Nepal’s population is just over 28 million people, comprised of about 40 distinct ethnic groups. These range from cosmopolitans with well-paying jobs and nice cars in Kathmandu to farmers in the Himalayan hills using stone-age methods to raise their crops. Nepal has a cultural diversity greater than countries many times its size.

About 80% of Nepalese are Indo-Nepalese/Aryan, while Tibeto-Nepalese or Mongoloids, which trace their roots directly to Tibet, account for the other 20% of the indigenous population. Nepal is officially a Hindu kingdom with no legitimate decrees against other religions such as practicing Buddhists and Moslems, which comprise less than 20 percent of the populace. Along with the cultural and religious groupings that separate the people of Nepal, the extremely mountainous geography makes the separation of various groups more pronounced than would be expected for a country of only 53,000 square miles.

Nepal’s unique geography divides the major Nepalese cultural groups. One of the most famous Nepalese groups is the Sherpas-or people of the east-from the High Himalayas. Though gentle Buddhist by nature, the Sherpas are renowned for their strength, ruggedness and their mountaineering skills. The Dolpa people are also part of the High Himalaya cultural group and are practicing Buddhists. The Dolpa people may be the highest living peoples in the world. Other High Himalayan ethnic groups are the Larke, Siar, Manang bas, and the Olangchung.

Two other geographical divisions in Nepal are the Middle Hills or Valleys Group and the Terai Region Groups, which also define Nepal’s caste system. Nepal’s caste system is derived from its Hindu associations. The group forming the highest caste among ethnic groups in Nepal is the Brahmin and Chhetris from the Middle Hills. The Kirati, Newars, Tamangs, Gurungs, and Magars are other lower caste groups, to name but a few. The Tharus are the oldest group in the Terai Region, speaking their own language derived from Sanskrit. The Terai Region also encompasses the Satars, Musalmans, and smaller subgroups.

The extraordinary geographic and cultural diversity of Nepal offers visitors a wide range of experiences, from the colorful exuberance of the various Hindu groups to the serene nature of the Buddhist mountain groups, and many others in between.

Website content

Share and Enjoy:

Categories : Travel And Leisure

Comments (0)

Responsible Tourism – The Right Way to Travel

Posted by: adventure-vacation-traveler | Comments (0)

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

Jenny Lama asked:

A holiday should be much more than an occasion to snap trophy photos and go home and boast your friends. A holiday should be an enlightening cultural experience from which you learn a little of the countries, people, cultures and structure of a country. Now days it is not just enough to book a holiday through an agent, get on a plane and tour around some exotic location.

We have to think about how our holiday impacts the places and people we are visiting, not only how it impacts them, but how it can benefit them. Too many people these days just book a holiday out of a glossy brochure or over a flashy website, but we put little though into who is running our holiday, where the money is going and who is benefiting.

It may be unknown by the traveler who is forking out big bucks for a holiday that as little as 30% of that money stays in the country they are visiting. Tourism is a cut through competitive industry and the people that bear the brunt of pricing wars is the local communities, the local guide that works so hard to make your expensive holiday a success, that little bent dude that hauls your baggage on a trek, or that chain smoking wrinkly old driver that works a night time job as well to feed his seven children.

With “responsible tourism” being a boom marketing tool in the travel industry, it’s important that you, the traveler makes sure you are getting what you pay for and the company that is running your trip is delivering their promise to be a ” responsible tour operator”

Before you book -

Who will my guide be? Will they be local or western?
How much do the guides get paid per day?
What hotels will we be staying in, are they locally owned?
Do you support any local projects? If so what are they and what is your commitment to them?

While on your holiday -

Get to know your guide
Ask to visit the tour companies “local projects”. Check them out and make sure they are legitimate. In a lot of cases money just gets thrown into projects and not much of it actually does any good.

What about women and ethnic minority groups, are they given equal rights for employment in the tourism industry. How much of your tour is actually unique and hands on and how much of it just follows the trodden tourist trails. When visiting villages, home stays, local projects and remote regions, is consideration given to the local people. Do they benefit from your visit at all? Have a chat with them and see what their views are about tourists visiting them.

Transport used.

Is it locally/independently owned or part of a large franchise company? Is it safe and in good working order. Make sure it’s not chugging out black polluting smoke!

Another thing to consider when booking a holiday is the price, It’s a common trend for people to look for the cheapest holiday on offer, thinking they are getting better value for money. In most cases holidays are not cheaper because the agent is taking a cut in profit, but because they are cutting corners o n the ground. Maybe increasing groups sizes, not operating safely or to the best standard, underpaying local staff etc. Cheap is not always best. If a travel agent is real about their claim to be responsible, then they will be paying guides, contract operators and local staff better wages, will be supporting local projects etc, so a cut price holiday is NEVER going to be a socially responsible one!

If you want a cheaper holiday, my best advice is forgoing the travel agent and browse the net. Go local, find a locally owned company that operate in the country you are visiting. The internet is a wonderful place to do this, with nowadays social networking it should be easy to check company and traveller reviews and feedback and find a reputable company that will deliver what you are looking for. The best thing, 100% of the money you pay for that trip will stay in the country and benefit it, not stay in an international travel agents pocket! Not only will your holiday be cheaper I guarantee it will be a ten times better experience.

So next time you book a holiday that pledges to be “the trip of a life time” do a little research and planning and in may not only be the trip of YOUR life time, but of somebody else’s to. Never ever forget that we are all just tourists in somebody else back yards and a little bit of respect, consideration and kindness goes a very long way to finding us the ultimate local experience, perhaps one that could even change our lives!

And don’t forget if you are genuinely satisfied and impressed with your social and environmentally responsible tour operator, make sure you let them and other people know, and equally if you are unimpressed let them know too. After all its all of our jobs to ensure that the little people don’t get bitten by global business and that the wonderful, magical places of this world are not ruined by thoughtless tourists and greedy travel agents.

Kansieo.com

Share and Enjoy:

Categories : Travel And Leisure

Comments (0)

Archive for Travel And Leisure

Nepal – Asia’s Fastest Growing Adventure Play Ground

A Multi Environment Adventure in Nepal

Explore the Adventure of Sikkim – Sikkim Tourism

People of Nepal – As Diverse as the Landscape

Responsible Tourism – The Right Way to Travel

Categories

Archives