Travel to Pokhara Nepal

It is the gateway to the Annapurna region where many a trekker finds his Shangri-La. Pokhara’s spellbinding beauty has been the subject of many travel writers. Its pristine air, the spectacular backdrop of the snowy peaks of the Annapurna Range and the serene Phewa, Begnas and Rupa Lakes, makes this destination ‘the Jewel of the Himalaya’. It is home to exceptionally warm and engaging people and is the starting point for treks into the Annapurna Himalaya, which dominates the skyline. The area along Fewa Tal, the largest lake in the valley, was first a camping ground for trekkers and has gradually developed into the tourist hub of this rapidly growing city.

Activities and points of interest in Pokhara Venture to Fewa Lake, the largest and, some would say, the most beautiful of Nepal’s lakes. Here, you can enjoy boating on its placid waters and tuck into mouth-watering menus at one of the many restaurants that dot the lakeshore. Explore the Mahendra Cave, a large limestone cave famous for its stalactites and stalagmite rocks. Marvel at the World Peace Pagoda, situated on the southern fringe of Fewa Lake. It has four images of the Buddha facing in the four directions. The dome-shaped pagoda is an impressive sight. It is a great vantage point, offering spectacular views of the Annapurna.

Travel to the old Pokhara Bazaar. This traditional market is also a colourful gathering place for an ethnically diverse group of traders. The temples and monuments of the bazaar showcase a close resemblance to the Newari architecture of the Kathmandu Valley. The old bazaar is also home to one of Pokhara’s most important shrines, the Bindhyabasini Mandir, a white dome-like structure atop a hill. Revel in the exceptional birdwatching opportunities in Pokhara. Grab your camera and head to Devil’s Fall, known locally as the Patale Chhango. This beautiful waterfall is located about 2 kilometres south-west of the Pokhara Airport on the Siddhartha Highway. Embark on scenic trekking adventures in the Annapurna region. Immerse yourself in the culture of the region by enjoying a day walk to nearby local communities

My interest in Nepal

My interest in Nepal was spurred over 40 years ago by my grade five social studies teacher. I fell in love with Nepal when Mrs. McLandress enchanted us with heroic tales of Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary summiting Mount Everest. The mountain looked so remote, and so beautiful, and I couldn’t get enough of the story of their climb. (I’m still fascinated by tales of mountaineering; both Into Thin Air and Touching the Void kept me up reading all night.) So Nepal became an almost-mythical destination for me. Bhaktapur, Nepal Bhaktapur, Nepal But I’m not a mountain climber! There was only one problem with this dream – I’m not a mountaineer. I’m healthy, and my regular Pilates classes and walks keep me in decent shape. But mountain climbing is totally outside my area of expertise, and I wasn’t interested in taking it up as a new hobby. The practical details didn’t keep me from reading everything I could about visiting Nepal, including Intrepid’s website. CHECK OUT INTREPID’S RANGE OF SMALL GROUP TRIPS IN NEPAL Nepal mountainsThat’s when I noticed that they offer 32 itineraries in Nepal. Many involve trekking, of course, like the Everest Base Camp treks (rated 5-star difficult), or the nearly-as-challenging Annapurna circuit. The truly fearless can hike both in one trip. Then I saw their Classic Nepal trip. There were no strenuous treks at altitude, but between canoeing in Chitwan National Park, full-on cultural immersion and jungle resort stays, it offered plenty of adventure. Because here’s the thing: I may not want to hike eight-hour days at altitude, but I’m not ready to give up adventure travel. I spent much of my 30s and 40s enjoying “soft adventure” journeys. I’ve walked through moonscapes in the Atacama desert and hiked in the Atlas Mountains. I’ve snorkeled at the Great Barrier Reef and gone sea kayaking in Belize. I’m in my 50s now, but I’m no more interested in a beach holiday than I’ve ever been. And so I booked my trip to Nepal. READ MORE: WHY THE BEST TRAVELS OF MY LIFE STARTED AFTER 50 Annapurna Base Camp NepalHow can anything compete with Mount Everest? From the beginning, I knew the highlight would be the scenic flight by Mount Everest. On our first day in Kathmandu, our group boarded a 16-seater plane. We soared into the air and peered out the windows as we approached the Himalayas, identifying each mountain by a chart the flight attendant had passed out. At last we approached Everest, that mythical mountain that I’d imagined in grade five, and read about as an adult. Even from a distance was it imperial and remote. It seemed impossible that I was seeing it in person. READ MORE: 8 AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN NEPAL (THAT AREN’T HARDCORE HIKING) And don’t just take my word for how impressive it was – on our way back to Kathmandu, I visited the cockpit to speak to the copilot. “Do you ever get tired of seeing Mount Everest?” I asked. He smiled. “Never,” he said. That was day one. How could the rest of the trip live up to that? Nepal sunrise Sunrise, with my Intrepid group Luckily, Nepal is a country full of highlights, and every day brought completely new experiences. In Pokhara, we took a beautiful sundown walk around Lake Phewa, and in Bandipur we explored a mountain village that only recently became accessible to outsiders. SUBSCRIBE TO INTREPID’S NEWSLETTER FOR DEALS, GIVEAWAYS, TRAVEL TIPS AND STORIES At Chitwan, we stood a few feet away from a hungry Greater One-Horned Rhino, and were amazed by the number of crocodiles basking in the Rapti river. At night, we watched members of the Tharu ethnic group perform a traditional stick dance. Bhaktapur, a UNESCO World Heritage site and former kingdom of the Kathmandu Valley, is crammed with architectural marvels – and we were wakened early (oh, so early!) by devout villagers ringing bells in Taumadhi Square.

Sundown at Lake Phewa Nepal Sundown at Lake Phewa The trip seemed long in the best possible way. Every day was so jam-packed with new sights, sounds and flavours, it seemed like three. (Don’t overlook those flavours! My trip became a quest to find the best momos – plump Nepali dumplings, often stuffed with spiced ground chicken and dipped in a savory chutney sauce.) READ MORE: AN ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO NEPALI CUISINE And as thrilling as the scenic flight by Mount Everest was, I was even more dazzled by the helicopter trip to Annapurna Base Camp. I wouldn’t have believed the contrast between the snow-covered peaks and the impossibly blue sky if I hadn’t been there myself. With fewer than a dozen travellers, it was easy to find a secluded spot and savour its sacred beauty in silence. Making new friends Before I left, I wondered how I’d feel about travelling with a group of people I didn’t know. As a solo traveller, would I feel part of the group? And what would their travel styles be?

Visit Nepal Year 2020 Lifetime Experiences

Mount Everest – The highest point on earth Mount Everest is a spectacle that is also situated in the beautiful country of Nepal. Getting the chance to view the highest point is in itself a feat. This is why the presence of Mount Everest is one of the 10 reasons you must visit Nepal in 2020. Standing above 8850m over sea level, Everest is the highest point in Nepal. Scaling this peak has been considered to be one of the most significant achievements of mountaineering. It was scaled first by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary. Climb Mount Everest? Even if you are not a mountaineer, trekking to the Everest region in Nepal is a beautiful experience that is undoubtedly set to remain embedded in minds throughout many years. Everest region holds other mountainous peaks like Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, etc. all of which call for a perfect trekking destination offering views of these snow-clad mountain peaks.

The land of rivers – More than 6000 rivers flow in Nepal Nepal is the country with the second most abundant water resources. It is the land of rivers that flow down from the abundance of mountains that the country holds. Nepal has over 6000 roaring rivers that flow through it. A land filled with water resources all around, this is another one of the 10 reasons why you must visit Nepal in 2020. An abundance of rivers means personal views and adventure activities. Rafting in Nepal Nepal is also known for a huge number of water-related activities. Rafting, kayaking, and canoeing are extremely popular in Nepal. Nepal has a number of fast flowing rivers that make it a destination for water sports seekers. The water activities found in Nepal are rated as the top ones in the world. If you are an enthusiast willing to partake in water activities then Nepal is the perfect destination for you. Bungy Jump in Nepal Bird Watching – Nepal is the home of 876 species of birds Nepal is also a haven for bird watchers all over the world. It is a destination for geographic experts and people who study flora and fauna too. However, it is more critical for bird watchers and ornithologists as Nepal has over 879 species of birds. Among these species, two are endemic species which are found only in Nepal.

Ladies, why the female guide for your trek and tour?

Nepal, one of the safest countries to travel to worldwide. Although there were only a few cases were in headlines related to the harassment for the females in the past. But the recent situation is not like the past. All the concerned people related to this industry have become responsible for their profession. They have become client-oriented. The guests who visit this country are also well knowledgeable and educated ones.

In recent years the number of female tours and trekking guides in Nepal has increased rapidly. There are numerous inquiries for female guides these days. Travelers who adapt to travel with female guides makes them loyal and more secure. But it doesn’t mean that there is no security with the male guides.

Myanmar tours

This tour felt like 3 tours in one! Started with an introduction to Myanmar's history, culture and language, then we were off to a local market to practice our newly learnt language skills to purchase ingredients for lunch. Had a bit of a cookery demo with our guide, Mo, rustling up tea leaf salad and Mohinga. Stopped in at a tea house to sample the local tea, then off we went by boat to the other side of the river to visit local villages.

Back late afternoon we visited a local market where Mo took us to a few street food stalls to try local delicacies. Mo was the perfect host, he was really passionate about sharing his country with others and would happily answer our questions. Booked easily by contacting the company directly via WhatsApp. Perfect intro to Myanmar. Read more about One day - Burmese Language & Culture Adventure 2020 - Yangon - https://www.viator.com/tours/Yangon/One-day-Burmese-Language-and-Culture-Adventure/d5412-122073P1?mcid=56757

My Pokhara

Trekking in Nepal

Trekking in Nepal today is completely different from that of the 1960s. In all the main trekking areas, the National Parks and Conservation Areas lodges have been established where trekkers can find accommodation, food and meet other trekkers and locals along the way. A majority of the trails are well maintained and in many cases are sign-posted.

The lodges are well appointed and have facilities for charging batteries and the larger villages often have email facilities. The length, the difficulty and timing of the treks vary greatly and to add to that once outside of the main trekking areas, transport becomes more problematic and often involves at least two journeys made on domestic scheduled flights. Many treks in Nepal begin with a domestic flight to the starting point and many are in remote areas with no road access. Several days of trekking is required to reach the higher mountain areas from the local centers of population and administration.