Sunday, November 27, 2011

VISIT NEPAL 2011

VISIT NEPAL 2011
WELCOME TO GREEN AND ADVENTURIOUS NEPAL


INTRODUCTION


Nepal, home to Mount Everest, is known by the world's most imposing mountains. Although the country is small (147,181 square kilometers), 80% of its territory is occupied by the dramatic peaks of the himalayas. Nepal was closed to foreign visitors til 1951, a situation which contributed greatly to its mystique in the west. This small, hospitable country has since become an exceptionally popular destination for travelers, whether they are in search of adventurous journey,risky traveling and lots of enteraining like mountain climbing, sight seeing,bungy jumping and others.Nepal can be divided into three geographical regions, stretching from east to west across the country. The southernmost strip of land, the Terai, is bordered to the north by Himalayan foothills and to the south by the Ganges River. The area was originally covered with tropical vegetation, but has been almost completely converted to agricultural production.The terai is now the breadbasket of Nepal and is covered with farms as most of the supplies required for the people are supplied from the terai.
The central section of Nepal is formed by the Mahabharat Chain, a range of mountains that reach modest altitudes of 2,000-3,000 meters. Farming has become an important activity in the area; terraced farms produce rice, corn and wheat. The Kathmandu Valley, a stretch of green in the middle of the Mahabharat, is home to Nepal's capital and other historic cities.
The Himalayas stretch across the northern section of Nepal. Eight of the ten highest peaks in the world are located here, and most are covered with permanent snowfields. The area is sparsely populated, with little vegetation above the tree-line (4,200 meters).
The climate varies considerably with elevation. May to October is monsoon season, when rain soaks the Terai and snow falls on the Himalayan peaks. Mid-October to mid-December is prime mountaineering weather: the skies are clear and sunny, temperatures range from warm in the lowlands to crisp in the mountains. March and April are also good months for mountain treks, although temperatures in Kathmandu and the Terai tend to be steamy.

Where is Nepal located?
Nepal is located in South Asia and shares its territorial borders with India and China. Previously ruled as a kingdom, today it is a Federal Democratic Republic. Nepal is known for its natural beauty, with the iconic Himalayas running across the northern and western part of the country. Eight of the ten highest mountains in the world, including Mount Everest,is located in NEPAL.Though Nepal is relatively small country in comparison with its neighbors, it has an astonishingly diverse landscape, from the rugged Himalayas in the north to the humid Terai plains in the south. The capital and largest city is Kathmandu. The currency of Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee(NPR).

HOW TO GET HERE
The Tribhuvan International Airport(TIA) in Kathmandu welcomes visitors into the country and an additional 47 airports make getting around Nepal relatively easy, despite its rugged and mountainous terrain that makes some of the more remote virtually impossible to reach by road. Nepal Airlines is the official air carrier of the country, with a fleet consisting of two Boeing B-757s and seven DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft. A rail link between Nepal and Lhasa in Tibet, China is under consideration for future development.

ABOUT PASSPORT AND VISAS IN NEPAL
In most cases, visiting Nepal requires a valid passport and visa with an exception for visitors from India and China- as they do not need a passport or visa.British, Australian, Canadian, USA and European Union nationals may apply for a visa on arrival in Kathmandu at the Department of Immigration. However, all visitors should check with their travel agent for current visa requirements. Most visas are valid for sixty days for the first visit. Subsequent visits in the same year may be restricted to thirty days. An application for a visa extension should be made for that.


Accommodations in Nepal
Tourism provides a significant source of income for Nepal and a wide variety of accommodation ensures that travelers will find what they need within their price range. Most of Nepal’s world-class luxury hotels are located in Pokhara and Kathmandu, catering to the every need of the discerning traveler and business person, while providing a base from which to explore the surroundings in day trips. Health spas and yoga retreats are also popular among city-dwelling holiday-makers looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of modern living. Mid-range and budget hotels are plentiful throughout Nepal, while families in remote areas welcome visitors into their homes to live as one of the family for the duration of their stay – an option which fits in well with trekking expeditions.


FLAG OF NEPAL
Symbolism
The blue border in the National Flag of Nepal symbolizes peace, while red is the colour of the Rhododendron- Nepal's National flower. The crescent moon represents the Royal House, while the Sun is the symbol of the Rana family of Nepal.


HISTORY OF FLAG
Initially the sun and moon in the National flag of Nepal had human faces, but they were removed when the flag was updated in 1962. The flag is said to express the hope that Nepal will endure as long as the sun and the moon exist. The present National Flag of Nepal was adopted on December 16, 1962. The flag of Nepal is the only national flag which is not rectangular in shape. It is based upon two separate pennants which belonged to rival branches of the Rana dynasty, which formerly ruled the country. The two pennants were first joined in the last century, but it was not adopted as the official flag until 1962, the year in which the constitutional form of government was established in Nepal.


The Danphe-The National bird of Nepal

The Daphne is the national bird of Nepal. These exotic of all pheasants are the inhabitants of high elevation of the Himalayan range. Over 850 species of birds have been recorded in Nepal.
When they dance, they stretch their wings and tail feathers showing their glorious colors.Daphne is also called as Monal, which is more commonly used by the people who see them the most – the mountainous people of the country.


COW-
THE NATIONAL ANIMAL OF NEPAL

Cow is a sacred animal,also the national animal of Nepal.Cows are worshiped specially during festivals such as Tihar and also worshipped as God MAHALAXMI.Cow’s dung and Urine are used during Puja (Act of honoring, respecting or worshiping Gods). Killing or Eating Cow Meat is a Felony in Nepal.It 's a mammal so it gives milk which is used my human beings to eat.

RHODODENDRON-THE NATIONAL FLOWER OF NEPAL

Rhododendron, the national plant or flower of Nepal.Rhododendron The name Rhododendron is derived from the Greek words Rhodos (meaning rose) and dendron (meaning tree).forests throughout the country ranging in elevation from around 1,400 to 3,600 meters.
However, the highest species diversity is found in the Himalaya.

Starting at elevations of around 1,400 meters the flowers are a vibrant red. However, as altitude increases the color begins shifting to pink, gradually becoming pure white as elevations approach the species’ upper limit of 3,600 meters.For Nepalis the most beloved of the tree rhododendrons is the Lali Gurans, or red one, and it has a special place in the people’s hearts, culture and economic life. In March and April it blankets the hills with great beauty, heralding the coming of Spring with warmer days and the promise of bountiful harvests to come. Red is also a most auspicious color commonly used for “tikas” and women’s saris during weddings and major festivals such as Dashain and Teej. Due to its special qualities and widespread distribution in the country’s hills Lali Gurans is the national flower of Nepal. In addition to this, in December 2006 during the reconciliation period following the civil conflict, Nepal adopted a new national emblem incorporating Lali Gurans.The beauty of the flowering rhododendrons draws thousands of trekkers to Nepal every year. Trees begin flowering at lower elevations in early March and the season can extend into May at the higher elevations.

No comments:

Post a Comment