Happy New Year 2072 !

Happy New Year 2072 !

Samrat Group of Companies wish all our valuable clients,  Agents & well-wishers an exciting Nepalese Happy New Year 2072 !

New-year-2072-greeting-card

Kathmandu, Pokhara, Muktinath and Chitwan – Client’s Review

pokhara1Dear Mr. R R Tiwari ji,

We thank you very much for the service and hospitality provided to us by you and your team during our tour of NEPAL from 16~27th of March, 2015.  We really enjoyed the entire trip everywhere in KTM, POKHARA, MUKTINATH and CHITWAN.

Especially the driver Mr. Shyam and Hotel Manager at Pokhara Mr.Krishna Pandey has taken extra care.  However, I would like to draw your kind attention towards some points to be take care in future to improve your Planning and service.

(1) At Muktinath temple we can spend enough time if one more night hold can be arranged at Muktinath.

(2) At JANAKPUR temples are remains closed during 12 to 4 pm, hence timing should be set accordingly. As we can’t get DARSHAN of any temple inside.

 (3) At chitwan we were not informed about Jungle Safari by Zeep as we had enough time on the day of arrival and payment was also to be made by us separately.

 (4) At JOMSOM hotel Majesty is a good property but service needs improvement. May be at extra cost. In such a cold area no hot water or fire vessel provided.

 But in general our trip was extra fine. Luckily we enjoyed heavy snow at Muktinath and at Annapurna base camp which was arranged by us separately by helicopter.

 Thank you very much once again,

Regards,

Ganeshbhai Thumar
+91 98242 14881

Nepal -India commit tourism promotion

Nepal -India commit tourism promotion

Nepal and India agreed to jointly promote the Buddhist Circuit (Sarnath-Bodhgaya-Kushinagar-LumbiniSwayambhunath-Kankrebihar) and two other religious circuits namely, PashupatinathMuktinathGosaikunda-Varanasi-Kamakhya-Bhubaneshwar and Janakpur-Ayodhya during the first meeting of the joint working group (on tourism) held in New Delhi today.

Nepal-India
Both the parties agreed to sell joint packages for the Buddhist circuit in the international market by setting up joint travel marts in the international market.

The 12-member team, including the private sector, led by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) Joint Secretary Umakanta Parajuli held a meeting with the team led by his Indian counterpart today.Both parties have signed a memorandum of understanding regarding joint promotion and exchange of tourism related information, according to Shreejana Rana, senior vice president of Hotel Association Nepal.

Talking to The Himalayan Times from New Delhi, Rana said that both the countries will enhance cooperation for better promotion of tourism in each other’s country. Both the parties discussed about developing common infrastructure for tourism too.

Along with Parajuli and Rana, Director General of Department of Tourism Tulasi Prasad Gautam; Member Secretary of Lumbini Development Trust Ajit Man Tamang; Ramesh Dhamala, president of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal; DB Limbu, president of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, Ashok Pokhrel, chairman of Nepal Association of Tour Operators, Nandini Lahe Thapa and Ghanendra Bahadur Shrestha of Nepal Tourism Board participated in the meeting.

The meeting of the joint working group will take place every two years. Both the countries had signed a MoU to enhance cooperation on tourism on the sidelines of the 18th SAARC summit held in Kathmandu and a joint working group was formed to implement the MoU. It will be automatically extended for further periods of five years at a time, unless either of the parties wants to terminate it.

Top 10 Most Popular Himalayan Trekking Routes

Top 10 Most Popular Himalayan Trekking Routes

One of the greatest adventures you can possibly have in a lifetime is trekking in the Himalayas. Walk at the feet of these majestic giants with snow covered peaks, pass by mystical temples, walk on ancient trails, and experience the culture and the daily life of the hill tribes and breath in the most amazing nature and scenery that you have ever seen. For many people it remains just a dream, sadly. When talking about the highest mountains of the world they picture snow covered paths, climbing gear and extreme physical strength and stamina they must bear with. Well, this is not the case. Or at least not for every route. Make sure to pick a suitable itinerary, have a knowledgeable guide and do not expect luxury accommodation. Apart from that? Take with you the love of nature, sense of humor and a pair of comfortable walking boots.

1.    The Everest Base Camp, Nepal

Lukla-Airport

Photograph taken by Andrew McDougall

The EBC trek in the Khumbu region is one of the most popular routes in the Himalayas. It starts with a mountain flight to Lukla and gives you the opportunity to explore the mountains and valleys around the highest peak on Earth, rest in Nepalese tea houses in the evenings and to learn about the traditions and cultures of the famous Sherpas.

2.   Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Annapurna- circuit-trekking

Photograph taken by Dragan Tapshanov

The Annapurna Circuit is the second most popular trekking route in Nepal. It passes through various terrains starting from jungle to high alpine, ending in dry deserted region and gives a chance to have a closer look into Tibetan Buddhist culture and with an extension you can enter into the restricted Upper Mustang Region, which goes all the way to Tibet. The highest elevation and also the toughest part of the trek is climbing to Thorung La Pass (5416m).

3.  Markha Valley, Ladakh, India

Markha Valley, Ladakh, India

Found journeys2remember.blogspot.com

It is one of the greatest treks in North India, Ladakh. A truly beautiful and very diverse route, passing through charming valleys, picturesque villages, colorful canyons, and high alpine grasslands. The highest pass on the trail is Kongmaru La (5200m).

4.  Mount Kailash, Tibet, China

Mount-Kailash

Photograph taken by Raphael Bick

Mt. Kailash described as the spiritual center of the universe in ancient texts, is a sacred mountain to four religions and the greatest mountain pilgrimage on Earth. Many Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims walk the very strenuous sacred circuit around the mountain to cleanse themselves of sins of a lifetime. Given that Tibet is not available for solo travelers this trek is only accessible with tour guide lead groups.

5.  Annapurna Base Camp with Poon Hill, Nepal

Annapurna Base Camp with Poon Hill, Nepal

Photograph taken by Nathan C. Potter

This route combines many different landscapes and brings you close to the base of 7000 and 8000 meter high peaks in a short period of time. The entire trek can be completed in 7 to 11 days depending on the itinerary. The Annapurna Base Camp trek famous for it’s variety of people, rich culture, beautiful landscapes and panorama view.

6.  The K2 Base Camp Trek, Karakoram Range, Pakistan

The K2 Base Camp Trek, Pakistan

Photograph taken by Javier Camacho Gimeno

The K2 Base Camp Trek is an extremely strenuous, long and challenging walk through an isolated and craggy land. K2 is considered to have one of the world’s most magnificent scenery that can not be compared to anywhere else in the mighty mountains. Unfortunately trekking in Pakistan can be difficult or even impossible due to the unstable political situation.

7.  Ganden to Samye, Tibet

Ganden to Samye, Tibet

Photograph taken by Carlo Marrazza

With its mysteries and legends, Tibet has long been a desired destination among trekkers. This route East of Lhasa, is one of the most beautiful trekking routes of central Tibet linking two of the most prominent monasteries together and providing access to Tibet’s first monastery of the 8th Century.

8.  Valley of Flowers Trek, Uttarakhand, India

Valley of Flowers Trek, Uttarakhand, India

Photograph by Leonid Tit

There are many legends associated with the enchanted and magical Valley of Flowers National Park. Due to its outstanding natural beauty locals believe it is the playground of fairies and that they descend in the valley in the absence of humans. The best time to visit the valley is from the beginning of July when the plants begin to bloom. In September, the plants prepare for over eight-months of hibernation. By the end of September, the valley is again covered with snow.

9.  Druk Path Trek, Bhutan

Druk Path Trek, Bhutan

Found on Pinterest.com

Bhutan is one if the most isolated countries on this planet, also called “Land of The Thunder Dragon“. It requires previous planning and organization but it worth’s all the effort, time and money.
This trek takes normally six days to complete and it is the most popular in the country as it passes through a gorgeous natural landscape of pine forests, high ridges and pristine lakes offering the opportunity to visit some ancient villages and monasteries.

10.  Chadar Trek on the Frozen River of Zanskar, India

Chadar Trek on the Frozen River of Zanskar, India

Found on Pinterest.com

This is the ultimate experience for adventure lovers. Walking on top of the frozen river of Zanskar creates the most exciting and unique experience, a very special and an extraordinary trek on shiny ice.
For the local people for centuries it has been the only possible way of accessing snow-bound villages in winter. Nowadays this is a popular route among thrill seekers for the breath-taking views of ice-peaks and hanging icicles.

Source: Top Inspired

Google launches virtual tour of Everest

Google launches virtual tour of Everest

Google launched a virtual tour of Nepal’s Everest region today, allowing armchair tourists a rare glimpse of life in one of the toughest and most inaccessible places on earth.

The Street View project takes viewers into the heart of the Sagarmatha national park, home to the world’s highest mountain, where icy blue rivers run below snow-capped peaks, monks play traditional music and yak-herders navigate precipitous stone-strewn trails.

everest virtual tour

Armed with two single-lens tripod cameras and a 15-lens custom-built “Trekker” unit designed for backpacks, teams travelled on foot to capture more than 45,000 panoramic images of the remote villages inhabited by the ethnic Sherpa community in the eastern Himalayas. Google worked on the project with Kathmandu-based start-up Story Cycle and Nepali mountaineer Apa Sherpa, who scaled Mount Everest a record 21 times before he retired from climbing and set up an educational charity.

“Everyone in the world knows Mount Everest but very few people know how hard life is in these villages,” said Apa Sherpa, who was forced to drop out of school at 12 and work as a porter after his father died. “Thanks to Google Street View, everyone can see these villages and understand that people here need help. Hopefully we can then raise funds to build more schools and hospitals for them.”

Nepal’s Sherpa community, who have long laboured as guides and porters on mountaineering expeditions, hope the project will promote the region and raise funds to improve access to education, offering future generations a way out of the high-risk climbing industry. Visitors to the Google Street View website can scroll through a slideshow of 360-degree views created by digitally stitching together thousands of 75-megapixel photographs, or click on the online map to see images of individual sites.

“Googlers, Story Cycle employees and Apa Sherpa spent about 11 days on the move last March, using the tripod cameras and fisheye lenses to shoot inside monasteries, schools, clinics,” said Raleigh Seamster, programme manager for Google Earth Outreach.

Google held a digital mapping session in the Himalayan town of Namche, where around 50 locals chipped in with suggestions of places to add to the online map. Lodge-owner Tenzing Sherpa was among those who attended the session and said he hoped the initiative would attract more tourists. “These online maps are a good source of information for visitors and if more tourists come here, it will create more opportunities, better opportunities than working on the mountain,” he told AFP.

Mount_Everest

Apa Sherpa, now 55, first climbed the 8,848-metre high peak as a porter, and described the feat as “a dream that had never been mine”. “My dream is that one day, young kids in Nepal won’t have to risk working on the mountain as porters or guides, they will be able to get an education and build better lives for themselves,” Sherpa told AFP. Sixteen Nepali guides, including 14 members of the Sherpa community, died last April in an avalanche, marking the deadliest accident to hit the world’s highest peak.
“Sherpas die on the mountain every year — no one pays attention. This time it was the biggest disaster on Everest, so it hit the headlines, but we have lost many people over the years,” Sherpa said.

Since its launch in 2007, Google Street View has captured some of the world’s most far-flung and scenic destinations, including the Amazon forest, Antarctica and Canada’s Arctic tundra.

Sichuan Airlines flying to Kathmandu from April 1

Sichuan Airlines flying to Kathmandu from April 1
  • ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TREK - 15 DAYS
    ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TREK - 15 DAYS
    This trek is the one of best views of annapurna range, nilgiri , Dhaulagiri , Tukuche peak , Dhampus peak , Hiunchuli ,Machhapuchhre , Gangapurna, Lamjung Himal other many more greatest views of mountains you never seen before.
  • KATHMANDU-POKHARA-CHITWAN TOUR (BY FLY/LAND)- 07 NIGHTS 08 DAYS
    KATHMANDU-POKHARA-CHITWAN TOUR (BY FLY/LAND)- 07 NIGHTS 08 DAYS
    Nepal, the land of splendid nature and rich culture is waiting for you exploration through its different facets.
  • DAMODAR KUND TOUR BY HELICOPTER - 05 NIGHTS 06 DAYS
    DAMODAR KUND TOUR BY HELICOPTER - 05 NIGHTS 06 DAYS
    Many Hindus from round the globe are dreaming to take a holy bath at least once in their life time in the sacred Damodar-Kund
  • 08 DAYS 07 NIGHTS NEPAL TRIP:  KATHMANDU 3N, CHITWAN 2N, POKHARA 2N
    08 DAYS 07 NIGHTS NEPAL TRIP: KATHMANDU 3N, CHITWAN 2N, POKHARA 2N
    Nepal, the land of splendid nature and rich culture is waiting for you exploration through its different facets.
  • EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK - 17 DAYS
    EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK - 17 DAYS
    Sagamartha (Everest) Base Camp trek takes us into one of the most spectacular regions of Nepal where the Sherpa culture thrives amongst the highest peaks in the world.
  • KAILASH MANSAROVAR YATRA BY OVERLAND - 14 DAYS
    KAILASH MANSAROVAR YATRA BY OVERLAND - 14 DAYS
    Mt. Kailash (6714m) is the most sacred mountain in Asia.
  • KAILASH YATRA BY HELICOPTER VIA NEPALGUNJ/SIMIKOT/HILSA/TAKLAKOT - 11 DAYS
    KAILASH YATRA BY HELICOPTER VIA NEPALGUNJ/SIMIKOT/HILSA/TAKLAKOT - 11 DAYS
    Mt. Kailash, the sacred mountain and the abode of the Hindu god Shiva is one of the world's greatest pilgrimage destinations especially for Hindus, Buddhist, Jains and others.
  • MUKTINATH TOUR BY LAND/FLIGHT
    MUKTINATH TOUR BY LAND/FLIGHT
    Muktinath is one of the most ancient Hindu temples of God Vishnu.

Chinese carrier Sichuan Airlines is commencing daily flights on Chengdu-Kathmandu-Chengdu route via Lhasa from April 1.
According to Sunil Sharma, managing director of Society Travels — the general sales agent (GSA) of the airline, the airline will conduct test flight as per the rule of the Chinese government on March 31st and begin commercial operation from April 1. “Our aircraft will depart from Chengdu at 7:30 am and arrive in Kathmandu via Lhasa at 10:10 am. It will leave Kathmandu at 11:10 am,” Sharma said. “It will be easier to get tickets to Lhasa once Sichuan starts operation.” As only one airline connects Lhasa with Kathmandu at present, it is difficult to get tickets to the Tibetan capital. Sichuan Airlines
Three Chinese airlines — Air China, China Eastern and China Southern — connect Kathmandu to different Chinese cities at present. Air China operates daily flights to Chengdu via Lhasa, while China Eastern flies to Kunming on a daily basis and China Southern operates double daily flights to Kathmandu from Guangzhou.
“We will soon launch promotional fare for one month. As Kathmandu is the gateway to Lhasa, the operation of Sichuan Airlines will help to bring more tourists to Nepal,” Sharma added. Sichuan Airlines that started operation from 1988 operates a fleet of 94 Airbus aircraft. The airline will operate Airbus 319 series aircraft for Nepal flights. It has 120 seats including eight business class seats. “Sichuan will have 110 aircraft by the end of 2015,” he added.
Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) granted permission to Sichuan Airlines to operate flights to Nepal in February.
With the increase in number of Chinese tourist visiting Nepal, more Chinese airlines are coming to Nepal and existing airlines are also increasing flight frequency. According to MoCTCA data, Nepal welcomed 113,173 tourists from the northern neighbor in 2013.

Source: My Republica