1st Indo-Nepal motor rally to kick off next week

1st Indo-Nepal motor rally to kick off next week

The first-ever Indo-Nepal Motor Rally from Odisha to the Nepalese capital will kickstart next week, linking key Buddhist cities in the two countries to boost “spiritual” and “adventure” tourism.

nature-adventure-culture

The rally will begin on February 27 and will conclude in Delhi on March 8, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae told mediapersons here. The rally – aimed at promoting nature, culture and adventure tourism – would be instrumental in strengthening people-to-people contact between the two countries, said Rae. The rally will link Jagannath, Puri and Pashupatinath as well as sister cities Bodhgaya and Lumbini, highlighting age-old cultural and civilisational links between Nepal and India, he pointed out.

The rally will see participation of around 110 people in 30 cars which will cover a total distance of 2,500 km in 10 days. 25 vehicles from India and five vehicles from Nepal will take part in the rally. “The event also aims to give tremendous impetus to tourism, both spiritual and adventure tourism in both the countries. “This venture also attaches great importance to the Buddhist trail, linking Bodhgaya, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment with Lumbini in Nepal, where Lord Buddha was born,” remarked Rae.

The rally will open up new avenues of tourism in both the countries by encouraging young travellers of the two countries to each other’s territories through the land route, he pointed out. The Nepal-India Motor Vehicle Agreement signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Nepal during the 18th SAARC Summit has helped promote tourism between the two countries through land route, Rae said.

Three Nepalese motor drivers today embarked towards Puri to take part in the rally.The motor rally will enter Nepal at Jogbani customs point at Biratnagar on March 2 and will halt at the picturesque town of Dharan before embarking to Dhulikhel, another scenic town situated in the east of Kathmandu famous for its mountain views.

The rally will reach here on March 4, marking the end of its first leg. On March 5, the second leg of the motor rally will be flagged off by Rae and Nepal’s Minister for Youth and Sports Purushottam Paudel. It will then pass through the beautiful cities of Pokhara, Lumbini and Dhangadhi before reaching Delhi on March 8.

The rally is being jointly organised by Kalinga Motor Sports Club, Bhubaneswar and Nepal Automobile Sports Association with support from the Indian Embassy here and the Nepal government.

Source: News Nation

Pokhara hoteliers eye more Chinese tourists

Tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara are redecorating their hotels in Chinese themes to attract more tourists from China.

landmark pokharaNot only that, they have also started appointing Chinese-speaking staffers and serving Chinese cuisines in their restaurants.
Daya Nanda Pokhrel recently leased out his hotel — Nepal Guest House — to a Chinese national for 10 years. The Chinese promoter is decorating the hotel in Chinese theme. The hotel is starting operation as a Chinese hotel in the near future.

Similarly, Giri Guest House and Eagle Nest Hotel of Lakeside have also been redecorated in Chinese style. These hotels are already receiving Chinese tourists in large numbers. Unlike other hotels in Pokhara, they are getting tourists almost around the year.

“Flow of Chinese tourist has increasing significantly over the past five years. Steady growth in the number of Chinese guests have encouraged hoteliers to redecorate their hotel in Chinese theme,” Khim Bahadur Nepali, proprietor of Giri Guest House, said. “After I adopted Chinese theme, I have not faced dearth of tourists. My hotel is full most of the time.”

According to Giri, Chinese tourists are coming even during off-seasons. “It is because of this reason that hotels are pack with tourists even during off-seasons these days,” he added

Hoteliers say most of the hotels in Pokhara are filled with Chinese tourists at present. They say even paragliding and ultra-light flight operators are benefiting from the surge in the number of Chinese tourists.

Landmark-pokhara-hotel
“Increased flow of Chinese tourists has forced hoteliers to introduce Chinese theme and menu in their hotels,” Daya Nanda Pokhrel, proprietor of Nepal Guest House, said. “I decided to lease out by hotel to a Chinese national because his offer was difficult to resist.” Chinese tourism entrepreneurs in Nepal have even formed an association. Zhang, president of Overseas Chinese Association of Pokhara, said local hoteliers are adopting Chinese themes to attract more Chinese visitors. “Hotels designed in Chinese themes are pack almost around the year. There are around 15 hotels and restaurants that target Chinese tourists,” he added.

Stating that more than 90 percent of foreign tourists enjoying paragliding in Pokhara are Chinese, Zhang said: “Attractions like natural beauty, trekking trails and paragliding are attracting more Chinese tourists to Pokhara.”

Source: Republica

Circuit trek route being developed

  • 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.

A study has been initiated to develop a circuit trek route encompassing Pokhara and villages in Tanahu and Syangja districts in a bid to boost rural tourism.

The survey will plot a route joining Pokhara, Chisapani, Chitre Bhanjyang, Kihu, Arudodaya, Siddha Cave and Bhimad. “The circuit has been developed with a motive to promote rural tourism,” said Aash Bahadur Gurung, general secretary of the Trek Management Committee.

The plan to develop a trek route was launched 14 years ago but no serious efforts have been made since. The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (Taan) have pledged to promote the initiative.

The trekking circuit will pass through 15 village development committees (VDCs) consisting of more than 30 villages in Tanahun and Syangja and two municipalities. The planned trekking circuit is 57 km long and rises from an elevation of 420 metres to 1,709 metres.

The trekking circuit aims to offer trekkers an experience of endangered cultures. The walk can be completed in 10 days. It will offer scenic views of mountains that cannot be seen from the cities. The route also features picturesque spots like Millennium Cave, Budha Kot, Deupuje Dhunga, Bhirkot Kalika, Manakamana Temple, Raipur and Kolma Kot. The Millennium Trek Festival has been organized for the past three years to promote the trekking circuit. “Our initiative has helped the increased the number of tourists,” said Harka Gurung, coordinator of the festival.

Source: ekantipur

Nepali tourism delegation off to New Delhi

  • 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.

The first meeting of Joint Working Group (JWG) on tourism between Nepal and India is starting in New Delhi, India from Thursday.

A 12-member delegation led by Joint Secretary Umakanta Parajuli left for the Indian capital of Wednesday to attend the meeting. Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation had formed the 12-member team last week to represent Nepal in the JWG meeting. Along with Parajuli, Tulsi Prasad Gautam, director general of Department of Tourism; Nandini Lahe Thapa, officiating CEO of Nepal Tourism Board; Shreejana Rana, tourism convener of Nepal India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI); Ramesh Dhamala, president of Trekking Agencies´ Association of Nepal (TAAN); DB Limbu, president of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), a representative from Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and five government officials are in the team.

According to Parajuli, JWG will oversee implementation of agreements related to tourism sector that are included in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that Nepal and India signed on the sidelines of the 18th SAARC Summit in Kathmandu in November. “In the meeting, we will discuss how Nepal and India can benefit from each others. Similarly, we will also explore the possibility of launching joint tourism promotional campaigns,” he added.

According to officials, Nepal will focus on joint promotion of the Buddhist Circuit (Lumbini-Boddgaya-Sarnath-Kushinagar), facilitate banking system for travelers, human resource development, and promoting cities in Nepal and India with historical and religious similarities as sister cities, among others.

The MoU, among others, aims to expand bilateral cooperation in tourism sector, facilitate exchange of information and data related to tourism, encourage cooperation between tourism stakeholders, and establish exchange program for cooperation in human resources development. Similarly, it aims to increase investment in tourism and hospitality sector, exchange of experience in the areas of promotion, marketing, destination development and management, and promote sustainable tourism, among others. The meeting of JWG will take place every two years. According to NICCI, JWG will also work to simplify procedures and policies for third-party payment collections as well as transfers between India and Nepal and create a Nepal-India Tourism Forum for discussing bilateral tourism issues. JWG will also work toward holding B2B mart for international travel operators to jointly promote tourism attractions in both the countries and explore the possibility of launching joint promotional campaigns in the international market. TAAN President Dhamala said it is a necessity to jointly promote Nepal and India as both countries have many similarities. “Tourism industry in Nepal can take huge benefit from the joint promotion campaigns as this will help in bring not only Indians but also others tourists visiting India to Nepal,” said Dhamala.

Source: Republica

Malindo Air to fly to Nepal from Feb 6

  • 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.

Malaysia-based Malin-do Air is beginning scheduled-flights on Kuala Lumpur-Kathmandu sector from February 6. The airline has appointed Yeti Incentive Travels, a member of Yeti Group, as its general sales agent (GSA) in Nepal. According to Yeti Incentive Travels, Malindo Air will operate daily flights on Kuala Lumpur-Kathmandu-Kuala Lumpur with a Boeing 737-900ER. It will offer 160 seats in economy class and 12 in business class.

Chandran Ramamurthy, CEO of Malindo Air, said though Malindo Air is a hybrid airline, it provides full service in business class and best service in economy class. “We will try to bring foreign tourists to Kathmandu,” said Ramamurthy. Saying that Malaysia has a huge number of middle-income earners who travel frequently, Ramamurthy said the airline hopes to bring more Malaysian tourists to Kathmandu.

Officials of Yeti Incentive Travels said introductory price for Kathmandu-Kuala Lumpur flight will be fixed at around Rs 20,000. It, however, has not been finalized, they said. Norbu Tshiring Sherpa, managing director of Yeti Incentive Travels, said Malindo Air will provide the best service at affordable price. “We are confident that we will be able to stand out among our competitors within a few years,” he added.

Malindo Air is adding 100 aircraft in its fleet in the next 10 years. Initially, it will serve routes with flying distance of up to five hours from Kuala Lumpur. Ramamurthy said the airline plans to start services to Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and China within few years.

Ratish Chandra Lal Suman, director general of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), said international passengers have increased significantly in the last five years. “The launch of new airline will contribute further in the growth of international passengers,” he added. Malindo Air has received temporary operating permit (TOP) as two Malaysian carriers — Malaysia Air and Air Asia — are already operating 21 flights a week on Kuala Lumpur-Kathmandu sector. The existing Air Service Agreement (ASA) allows carriers of Nepal and Malaysia to operate a maximum of 21 flights each per week.

Suresh Acharya, joint secretary of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, said Malaysia has proposed to Nepal to revise ASA. “We are studying their proposal. Nepal and Malaysia are likely to revise ASA in February,” added Acharya.

Source: Rrepublica

Pokhara aspires to become international city

  • 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.

The initiative to develop Pokhara as an international city has picked up momentum.

As many as ten formulas have been mooted by an all-party meeting to be coordinated by the regional office for the tourist city’s development. Similarly, as many committees have also been formed to conduct feasibility study.

Several coordinators have been nominated to carry out different works. The international conference centre will be coordinated by Sanjeev Bahadur Koirala while the view tower and Pokhara National Bus terminal will be looked after by Surya Bahadur Bhujel and Baburam Giri respectively.

Ganesh Bahadur Bhattarai has been selected as coordinator of Botanical garden. Himalaya Bakhrel, Ashok Palikhe, Tirth Shrestha, Bindu Kumar Thapa and Biswo Prakash Lamichhane have been nominated as coordinators for the zoo, art and literature park, Pokhara domestic bazaar and Pokhara ring road respectively. Coordinators have been authorised to add members to their committees as required.

The committees will submit the names of their team members within a deadline of three days and devise a work plan within one week.

Western regional administrator Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya said he will forward the work plan to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. “Once the work plan is approved by the OPMCM, work will begin,” Thapaliya added.

Thapaliya said the initiative had been taken to develop infrastructure in Pokhara to establish it as an international standard city. “Pokhara will lag behind if we do not take necessary measures now,” Thapaliya said.

Chairman of Pokhara Chapter of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Bindu Kumar Thapa pledged to lend all possible support for the new venture.

source: Thehimalayantimes