Category: Miscellaneous

Day of Lord Shiva and Saint Valentine

Its 14th February tomorrow, a feast day of Saint Valentine. World is celebrating Love tomorrow. People almost all over the world are sending greetings cards and gifts to their loved ones and dating with them. Nepal is not aloof from it. But before the Valentine’s day, we are celebrating the night of Lord Shiva today in Nepal. The festival is named Shivaratri. It’s a coincidence that Saint Valentine has his day the next day after Shiva’s day. It’s a national holiday today.
The Hindu people of Nepal visit the temple of Lord Shiva today with different offerings. Shivaratri is one of the major festivals of Nepal and is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Magh month, as per the Hindu lunar calendar. Thousands of Hindu devotees from all over the world visit the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu today. Many Sadhus Baba are seen in Pashupatinath. Some of them are naked and covered in ash. These Babas are also known as Naga Babas. Children are blocking road and asking for money from the passers by which is used to have a fireplace and meal in the evening. Many devotees are fasting today in the name of Shiva. Artists from various classical music and dance forms perform through the night. On Shivaratri, married women pray for the wellbeing of their husbands, while unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, considered as the ideal husband.
Similarly, youth of Nepal are celebrating Valentine’s day tomorrow. Though there is no official celebration on Valentine’s Day, people manage to take out time for the celebration. Couples are seen in the restaurants and parks. Hence it feels like Nepal is having festive season in February because of the Shivaratri and Valentines day being celebrated so closer.Shivaratri_@_Pashupatinath_02

Wrong assumptions about Trekking in Nepal

Nepal is a cheap destination:

Though Nepal still has a reputation of being a cheap destination. It’s not. Nepal’s Himalayas, culture and landscapes are priceless and a low price doesn’t suit the value of trekking in Nepal. So, Nepal is not as cheaper as people assume to be. Since Everest is the highest mountain in world, you need to get special permits and they are costlier. Cost rises after you add flight fare, food and accommodation cost.

One can trek alone in Nepal

Though getting guides and porters is not a legal requirement for trekking in Nepal but still hiring one is highly recommended. Its somehow foolish trekking alone in Nepal for the first-time trekkers.

One can shorten the trek

It’s a a wrong assumption that treks can be shorten. If you seriously want to enjoy trekking in Nepal. Plan a good vacation and buy the packages sold by travel companies to avoid any risk of high altitude. Its not a good idea to shorten the trek because you should have enough time for acclimatization.

Porter and guide are same

No, it’s not. Its illegal to use a porter as a guide. Porters are just for carrying your luggage not for guiding you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why Nepal?

Gods in the Himalayas

Nepal is very rich traditionally and culturally. Nepali people believe in converting a stone into god and worshiping it. While trekking in high Himalayas, you will come across such small temples that contains stone that has been worshiped with different offerings since years and years.

Heaven for trekkers

Nepal is home to different Himalayan range that has been opened for trekkers such as Everest range, Annapurna range, Manaslu range and so on.  Some of these trekking has been listed as world’s best trekking experience.

Rich in Adventure

Nepal is known for its adrenaline thrill providing adventurous activities like paragliding, white water rafting, zip-flying and bungee jumping,

Hospitability

Nepal is safer compared to other south east Asian destinations because of its welcoming nature. Local people here are so friendly and hospitable that they are always smiling and providing you a reason to smile.

Forests

Chitwan national park is rich in wildlife species. A total of 68 species of mammals, 544 species of birds, 56 species of reptiles and 126 species of fish have been recorded in the park.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Nepal is rich in UNESCO world heritage sites. Some of the examples are Durbar squares, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swyambhunath etc.

 

Paintings of Nepal

Nepal can be a very interesting destination for a traveller who is interested in Paintings. He can either try making one himself or can buy some Nepali paintings. Studies has shown that artist interested in paintings choose to stay in local accommodations, take longer trips and shop more in Nepal.

Nepal has awesome scope for paintings. Any artist would fall in love with the nature and culture of Nepal and would definitely be interested to create something out of what he gets to see here. The unique culture, tradition, people, the panoramic nature, temples and heritages deserves to be painted. In fact, they have been already presented in paintings by many national and international artists.

Since the real artists are more into creation than promotion, this segment of tourism has slightly been overlooked. These days more Nepali are buying the paintings than foreigners. Nepali paintings are classified based on the subject matter and material used. For example, landscape, cityscape, abstract, semi abstract, modern art, charcoal, water colour, acrylic paintings and oil portrait.

So, next time when you are here, visit different art galleries here in Nepal.

 

Christmas 2017 in Nepal

Nepal is simply magical in winter. Mainly the Kathmandu and Pokhara city are blessed with sunny days and cool nights with fresh air. Nepal can be considered a perfect festive break this Christmas and new year. Taking this into consideration, Imperial Nepal treks has made a week long “Christmas & New Year holiday” package for this festival season.

Hence if you are looking for a nice holiday break, how about visiting Nepal through us?

Outlined Itinerary

  • Day 1/ 23rd Dec: Arrival in Kathmandu, overnight in hotel in Kathmandu
  • Day 2/ 24th Dec: Drive to Nagarkot, Christmas eve celebration, overnight in hotel in Nagarkot
  • Day 3/ 25th Dec: Sunrise view from Nagarkot, Drive back to Kathmandu, overnight in hotel in Kathmandu
  • Day 4/ 26th Dec: Drive to Pokhara, stroll around Lakeside, overnight in hotel in Pokhara
  • Day 5/ 27th Dec: Drive to Dhampus, overnight in hotel in Dhampus
  • Day 6/ 28th Dec: Drive back to Pokhara, tour of Pokhara city, overnight in hotel in Pokhara
  • Day 7/ 29th Dec: Drive back to Kathmandu, New Year’s Eve celebration, overnight in hotel in Kathmandu
  • Day 8/ 1st Jan: Final Departure

Cost: $ 350 per person in twin sharing basis (minimum 10 Pax)

The cost includes are:

  • 3 nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu
  • 1-night accommodation in Nagarkot
  • 1-night accommodation in Dhampus
  • 2 nights’ accommodation in Pokhara
  • All transportations to and from the hotel in private vehicle
  • 2 dinners (Christmas and New years eve)
  • All breakfasts

The cost excludes are:

  • Christmas and new year’s celebration costs

Few hundred dollars and you will have a memorable holiday celebration in Nepal.  What else do you need? Just book with us or contact us if you have any further inquiries

Holidays are for festival, festival are for celebrations, celebrations are for memories and memories are possible in Nepal.

 

 

 

 

 

Who is a tourist in a Nepalese eye?

Nepal is rich in nature and culture but poor economically. Nepal is still a long way to go before being fully developed. Tourism has always been a backbone of Nepalese economy. Hence tourists have always been considered guests and guests are always considered god here.

In this blog, I tried to point out who you are in a Nepalese eyes, if you are a tourist here:

Someone coming from a developed country: Though there are few other countries in the globe who are more under developed than Nepal. For a Nepali, if you have visited Nepal as a tourist, you are from more developed country and have enough money to spend.

Someone who understand English: For most of the Nepali people, you understand English, even if you don’t. And you can also expect a Nepali to at least understand “Yes” and “No”. People in rural Nepal still think that every outsider is from a English-speaking country.

Someone who can give tips: As I already stated above, for Nepalese a tourist is always rich and if they are served good, they will offer a tip.

Someone who is interested to know our culture and tradition: Nepali people has always loved and preserved their culture and tradition. Tourism has either been related to nature or culture. Hence for a Nepali, a tourist is always interested to know about the local culture and tradition.

Someone who wants to know our stories: You might notice, every Nepali you meet here share their personal stories. Some stories are not meant to be shared with another Nepali or some stories might be inspirational that a Nepali feels it must be shared to someone from another country.

Someone who has come to Nepal for holiday: Since Nepal has always been in a bucket list of most of the tourists, for Nepalese, a tourist in Nepal is here to spend his holiday or vacation.

Someone who is an adventure lover: For Nepalese each and every tourist visiting Nepal is an adventure lover. Either they have visited Nepal for peak climbing, trekking or rafting or bungee jumping or other adventure.

Someone who is interested to get closer with the real Nepal: There is a belief among Nepalese that tourists are more interested in local things. They are more interested in knowing the ancient Nepal.

Someone fulfilling one of the item in his/her bucket list: It might be a misconception but being a citizen of a home country of Everest and birth place of Buddha, we are always proud and consider our country to be in the bucket list of every outsiders.

Someone who knows about Everest: Finally, someone visiting Nepal must at-least have a knowledge about the highest peak in the world and that Nepal contains that highest peak.

8 reasons why you should hire a travel company for your trip to Nepal

Recently I read an article in internet. Someone wrote that travel agents are dying these days. The author mentioned that he would prefer to travel on his self because everything is available in internet these days. For example, you can book a hotel through a website of the hotel itself, book flight through the airlines website itself.

Though the author is right in some ways, sometimes traveling on self might not be a good idea. Especially when you are travelling to Nepal.  Here are the reasons

  • Documentation: Traveling doesn’t mean air tickets and hotel only. Every country has its own rules and regulations. Travelers may need certain government permits in certain places. For example, in Nepal, for going to Everest region one needs to have a national park permit and TIMS card. A travel company can assist you with the documentation required.
  • Information about road and trekking routes: Nepal is still in the development stage. Every rainy season come with flood and landslides and these landslides affect the roads and trekking routes. Being an outsider, one might not have the latest information about road and trail condition. Hence a travel company can provide the right information and plan the trip accordingly.
  • Hotel accommodation in mountains: Hotel in mountain rarely have their website. For booking hotels in mountain region, a travel company can help.
  • Hire Guides/ Porters: Nepal government does allow foreigners to go for trekking without a guide but we recommend you to hire a guide. Hence if you contact a travel company they can assign you best guides and porters.
  • Latest information about political situation: Nepal has always been a politically unstable country. The present status of Nepalese politics is very frustrating, sometimes the political parties announce strikes. A travel company can handle the situation
  • Safety: Traveling with someone is safer than traveling alone
  • Responsible: A travel company is always responsible for everything related to travel
  • Emergency help: A travel company can be your home away from home and the people working in that company is your well-wishers. They will help you in any kind of emergency.

Last but not the least, a travel company makes money by providing services. Just because they are slightly costly, don’t plan a trip to Nepal on your own. We, at Imperial are always looking forward to serve you.

 

Thinking of ABC trek? Go up to Tharpu Chuli

One of our guest recently did Annapurna Sanctuary Trek.

Prajwal is an American citizen who was born in India. Though he planned to visit Nepal in 2015, his plan was postponed because of the devastating earthquake that year. In these three years gap, he generated a lot of information about Annapurna that he could remember the name of each and every places in the route and mountains in the Annapurna range.

Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

Prajwal identifies himself as a gay person and frankly shares his story.

Our blogger Banita Khanal had short conversation with Prajwal after his trek to Annapurna. The conversation has been shared here as a blog,

  • What was your feeling when you first landed in Kathmandu?

I did not have a specific idea of how Kathmandu would look like but coming from India and living in India for a long time, I saw the similarities between the culture of Nepal and India. Nothing was particularly shocking for me but there were some differences. Besides having congested roads similar to many places in India, people in Kathmandu manage to get through traffic without honking.

  • Tell us about the place that you find most beautiful in the whole trip

I had a fortune of having a good weather every single day. The sky was clear, the scenery was clear. As we got closer to ABC, mountains got bigger and bigger and for somebody like me who has been obsessed with mountains, I was excited to go closer to mountain. Annapurna Base Camp is very unique place. You can see all the mountains from up close. But the best view I enjoyed was beyond ABC, the Thapru Chuli Base Camp. Because, although you are on the Annapurna Base Camp itself the ridge blocks the half views of peaks like Gangapurna, Annapurna -3, Annapurna 2 &4.

  • Did you talk about your identity as LGBT to anyone you met during the trek?

I did, I am pretty open about my LGBT status, I identify myself as a gay, open to most of my friend, family and my extended family and my co-worker. I am not really shy about talking about my orientation. I definitely talked about it with the guide and assistant guide. I told about my life story to them and asked them about their life story. There was no reason not to talk about me and my family when everyone was talking about theirs.

  • Why did you choose Annapurna Base Camp when you had an option to choose of Everest Base Camp?

I believe lots of people choose EBC and not ABC but from what I have heard is that getting to Everest Base Camp needs a flight to Lukla and the weather tends to be a problem.

  • What else do you want to say to the travelers to Nepal?

One thing I want to say to someone who wants to come for a ABC trek, if you are in a physical fitness, I would recommend you to go beyond ABC but if you are just an outdoor person, I highly recommend you to take a trip to Tharpu Chuli Base Camp. Because although the Annapurna Base Camp covers a beautiful view, once you go up to Tharpu chuli the view becomes phenomenally better.

We thank Prajwal for taking out time and sharing his experience with us. We look forward to serve more and more travellers.