The workshop will center on eco-tourism, developing corporate culture, responsible tourism, trade unionism, flora and fauna and field-based practical for eco-tourism, according to Bachhu Narayan Shrestha, first vice-president of TAAN.
The main objective of the workshop is to enhance professionalism among trekking workers in TAAN member agencies.
The last edition of the workshop was organized in Godavari of Lalitpur.
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Dear Bishnu and team, Namaste!
Last October I returned from my 10th visit to Nepal.
After first meeting you at the holidayfair (Vakantiebeurs) in Holland some years ago and a visit to your office in Kathmandu later that year, this was the 4th time you and your team arranged my stay, including a trekking, in Nepal. Like previous years my flight was booked in Holland by a Dutch tour operator.
This year I wanted to visit Lower Mustang again, so in spring of this year I started to mail you about my wishes.
This time I had some special wishes, I wanted to attend the Lama Dance Festival (Lakhe Nach) in Marpha and I wanted to visit the village of Lupra with its Bön monastery.
And another request to you was to have the same guide as last year, Kami Lhakpa Sherpa from Solo Khumbu.
I had a wonderful time with him on last year’s trekking and we were having e-mail contact sometimes and I already had asked him if he wanted to be my guide again this year.
As usual the e-mail contact with Nature Trail was excellent, immediate reply and great suggestions to make my stay a wonderful experience.
After arriving in Nepal I was heartily welcomed at your office and the last details of the trekking were discussed so after a few days in Kathmandu I was ready to fly to Pokhara and start the trekking.
Unfortunately the weather conditions were that bad that the flight had to be cancelled, but Nature Trail booked an extra night in Kathmandu and changed all the flights and reservations the same day. Also guide Kami was informed about the delay.
The next day I could fly to Pokhara and start the trekking.
As a representative of the Dutch-Nepalese Friendship association I was asked to do some official things in the Marpha monastery and neighboring villages, so together with the monastery, officials from Marpha and guide Kami we made a schedule in which also my wish to visit Lupra was included.
During the trip Kami was not only my guide, but also my translator (sorry that I still do not speak much Nepali after all these years), photographer and teacher. Also porter Suklal form Chairro did a great job and it was fun to be with them on the trekking.
Thanks to the suggestions of Kami I also could visit Muktinath for the second time, a wonderful experience again.
Looking back on my trip I can only say that it was great!
I want to thank you Bishnu, the office team, drivers Dipendra and Keshar and especially guide Kami for making my holiday so wonderful!
I hope to meet you all in good health next year!
Dhanyabad and Pheri betaunla from Connie didi.
The Netherlands, December 6th 2009.
In addition with our best wishes for a happy New Year we would like to thank you for the organization of the most exciting and impressive travel of our life.
Although the trekking in the unusual altitude was strong and exhausting, we enjoyed every minute within the impressive mountains – we liked the silence within the mountains, the long distances, far away from the daily business life, the various vegetation zones and the small villages – however, most of them, we loved the friendliness of the people there. And what a contrast to the dusty and noisy city of Kathmandu, where the poorness of Nepali people can be seen at every corner! Also those impressions, we will never forget again!
We are very thankful that we met you on the ITB Berlin 2008, because from the very first moment, we trust you and we felt in good hands with Nature Trail. During the Nepal trip, all Nature Trail people looked after us carefully und we felt safe all the time. Bishnu and his colleagues had always an open ear for our questions and problems and Dandi, our guide, was always flexible and prudent – please send them our congratulations and our best wishes for the year 2010. We learnt to love this country and its people from the deep of our heart and we are quite sure to visit Nepal again.
Meanwhile we excuse the delay of our feedback and we hope to see you and Bishnu again – maybe on the ITB 2010?
With our best wishes to all of Nature Trail
Claudia Walser and Frank Duckwitz
claudia.walser@freenet.d
See our set itineraries or inquire here ]]>
With the help of the buttons above you can navigate our Tibet section and get more information on the services we provide. Our places of interest section gives you information on all the places worth seeing and with the help of us you can assemble your very own and unique tour. To make it more easy, we have already selected some popular and fabulous Tours and trekking which can be altered or combined to your liking as well.
Let us take you on a magnificent journey through Tibet that will last for a lifetime.
]]>Hidden away in the Himalayas Bhutan and its people have largely lived a life of isolation from the rest of the world. The Bhutanese have succeeded in maintaining their cultural and spiritual heritage and belief that they live in the last Shangri-La by strictly limiting the number of tourists to the Kingdom to a maximum of 5000 a year. Western values have little or no impact. There in this land of culture and extreme charm which exudes a special feeling of serenity. The people are intensely religious, much in evidence here, even in urban centres the spinning of prayer wheels the murmur of mantras and the glow of butter lamps are still important features of daily life. Monasteries temples and religious monuments are dotted across the landscape bearing witness to the importance of Buddhism, while red robed monks, young and old, are everywhere mingling freely in towns and village markets.
Bhutan boasts a wealth of Bio Diversity with almost three quarters of its land area covered by forests, it has been declared amongst the ten most prominent areas for environmental protection in the world. Its rich Himalayan flora and fauna, dazzling snow capped peaks, lush valleys and unbelievably beautiful rural landscapes will leave all but the very hardened asking : That if there is a heaven on Earth? The Land of the Thunder Dragon it probably is. Select the topics from the left menu bar or click here to continue the Tours in Bhutan.
]]>Nepal is blessed with a vast array of exceptionally rich bird life with total of over 850 species recorded . A diverse topography and climate has resulted in a variety of habitats within the country, which are home to over 8% of the world’s total bird population Nepal is a paradise for the birdwatcher. From the lowland jungle of the Terrai and the Koshi Tappu barrage through dense rhododendron and Oak forest of the middle hills to the windswept plateaus of the high Himalaya. There is always something to keep one twitching.
Birds of the Kathmandu Valley
Within the Kathmandu valley alone, over 500 species of birds have been recorded. The surrounding hills offer a varied ecology ranging from primary and secondary forests to rhododendron, oak and pine forests. In addition, the wetlands and open fields inside the valley make up a diverse habitat for many species of birds. The most popular bird watching spot is the Phulchoki hill, the highest peak on the Valley rim situated 20 km South East of Kathmandu, with some 265 species recorded to date. The birds seen here included babblers, warblers, tits, thrushes, minivets, woodpeckers, eagles and many migrant birds. Godavari, at the foot of Phulchoki hill where the Royal Botanical Garden is situated, records over 100 species of birds including the lesser racket-tailed drongo, Tibetan siskin and the spotted forktail.
The Shivapuri Watershed and Wildlife Reserve
Situated 11km to the North of Kathmandu, is another very good location. Nagerjun Royal Forest on Jamacho hill is situated 5 km from Kathmandu on the way to Kakani from Balaju. It is a renowned sight for bird enthusiasts with blue magpies, kalij pheasants, Bonelli’s eagles, great Himalayan barbets amongst them many species found here.
The Valley Wetlands
The wetlands in the valley, the banks of the Manohara river on the way to Bhaktapur, and the Bagmati river, which flows into the Valley from Shivapuri hill and out through Chobhar Gorge, are good places for watching waders and waterfowls. Harbouring 40 species of birds mostly dependent on wetlands, Taudaha, a lake on the way to Dakshinkali, attracts flocks of migrant birds.
Popular Bird Watching Sites Outside the Kathmandu Valley
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
As well as other kinds of fauna, the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is renowned for being one of the best locations for birding. Still within Nepal’s sub-tropical Terai belt, this is the smallest (175 sq km) and Easternmost reserve in Nepal, just to the North East of the convergence of the Sapt Koshi and Trijuga Khola rivers. Its situation on the Sapt Koshi floodplain means that the environment of this reserve varies dramatically according to the seasons. During the Monsoon (May to September) the flow becomes torrential and covers most of the floodplain, while during the dry seasons, many flat, sandy islands are exposed. The habitat is a combination of scrub grassland and deciduous riverine forest, with over 280 species of birds recorded so far, including 20 species of duck, ibises, storks, swamp partridges (Francolinus gularis), herons, egrets, Bengal floricans (Eupodotis Bengalensis), and many other exotic and migratory waterfowl not found elsewhere in Nepal.
Chitwan National Park
Is approximately five hours by road from Kathmandu or a 35 minute flight situated in the Terai region. It is renowned for its array of birds, with over 255 species recorded. There are many species of parakeets. Other birds include Blue-Throat (thrush), Long-tailed Nightjar, Indian Peafowl, Great Barbet, red-billed blue magpie and Tickell’s red-breasted blue flycatcher. A two night/three day package, staying at a lodge within the park, is an ideal way to combine bird watching with other pursuits.
Bardia National park
Bardia is also a popular destination for bird watching situated in the far West of Nepal it is an area of extensive jungle which is covered by sal forest riverine and grass lands. A boat ride on the slow moving expanse of the Karnali River provides plenty of opportunities to view a vast variety of birds including Ruddy Shelduck, darters, brahmini kites, brown headed gulls, cormorants, oriental pied hornbills, night heron & purple heron, cinnaon bitterns, orioles and majestic peacocks.
Trekking Regions
One of the best ways of viewing birds in Nepal is a leisurely trek through the foothills. There are three main trekking areas in Nepal: the Langtang region six hours by road North of Kathmandu, the Solu Khumbu region eight hours by road East of Kathmandu and the Annapurna region, six hours by road or a 30 minute flight West of Kathmandu. Of the three trekking regions, the Annapurna region offers the widest variety of species. The region is also easily accessible.
The Annapurna Conservation Area
To set the scene a little, the Annapurna region is a Conservation Area is the largest and most protected region in the World (ACA), covering around 2600sq km towards the North-central region of Nepal. The Kali Gandaki river runs North to South through this region, through the world’s deepest gorge, some 6000m below the high Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs, seven of these peaks are over 7000m, the highest (Annapurna I) at 8091m. A few facts and figures above, but as you can imagine, the ACA supports a remarkable but delicate biodiversity, with 441 recorded species of birds (so far), including the only endemic species of Nepal, the spiny babbler (Turdoides Nepalensis). The bird habitat ranges from the sub-tropical lowlands towards Pokhara in the south of ACA to dry sub-alpine conditions above the tree-line towards the North.
The Kali Gandaki valley is also a major migration pathway in the autumn, when 40 species, including demoiselle cranes (Anthropoides Virgo), can be seen around Jomsom and Tukche. Happily this coincides with one of the two trekking seasons (Spring and Autumn).
Migrating West about this time further South around Kaare and Dhampus are about 20 identified species of eagle and other birds of prey. The most commonly observed are:lammergeier gypaetus barbatus (Bearded Vulture), known as the giddha in Nepal, it frequently occurs at 4100m.and the golden eagle Aquila Cryaetos, known as baaj in Nepal.
There are six Himalayan pheasants to be found in ACA: Himalayan The Monal Lophophorus impejanus satyra Tragopan Tragopan satyra (Crimson Horned Pheasant) Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus Koklass Pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichiiKalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelana, are the most commonly occurring of Nepali pheasants.
Nature Trails ongoing bird watching and wildlife programmes run from October to May each year. One month advance notice please.
An introduction to the Birds of the Kathmandu Valley . (Eight days)
The tour is designed for those with less time. It is a full and very interesting tour providing the the best locations for bird spotting in the time available. We stay at three different destinations around Kathmandu including two hill resorts outside of the Kathmandu valley renowned for their variety of birds.
Itinerary early starts late finishes.
Day 01 Arrive Kathmandu, transfer hotel / tour briefing / Introductory evening meal
Day 02 Drive Phulchowki and surrounds./ return hotel
Day 03 Drive Shivapuri watershed and wildlife reserve / return hotel
Day 04 Drive early a.m.to Nargakot hill resort / overnight
Day 05 Nargakot / overnight
Day 06 Drive Dulikhel hill resort /overnight
Day 07 Dhulikhel hill resort / return Kathmandu late p.m. / transfer hotel
Day 08 Groups choice of bird watching destination within the valley based on preference.
Day 09 Transfer airport for onward destination
For price and further information, please e-mail to us.
Wing Nepal with Nature Trails. Twenty Days.
A fully inclusive and varied tour (apart from lunch and dinner in hotels Kathmandu and Pokhara) allowing the an ideal opportunity to view birds in a variety of ecological locations and at various altitudes. From The Terai plain in the South of the country at almost sea level to our Study Centre in the Annapurna Himal situated at an altitude of 6,400 feet. Commencing within the exotic Kathmandu valley we travel to the wet lands of the Terrai plains and on to the dense Jungle terrain of Royal Chitwan National Park.We continue to the wonderful lakeside setting Pokhara with arguably the most impressive mountain backdrop anywhere in the World and birds to match. A days hike follows, for an exclusive three days stay at our Study Centre in the Annapurna Region . A total birding experience in the time available which in terms of species is very hard to match anywhere in the World..
Tour Breakdown.
a . Six days in the Kathmandu visiting the important bird sights within the Kathmandu valley.
b. Internal flight to Biratnagar transfer for three nights four days at the Koshi Tappu Aqua Bird Wildlife Reserve.
c. Air conditioned support / transport overland for a two nights three days stay inside Royal Chitwan National Park.
d. Air conditioned support/ transport for three nights fours days stay in Pokhara, Phewa Lake and surrounds. (staying in a resort hotel)
e. Trek into the mountains for one day, for a three nights four days exclusive stay at Nature Trails Study Centre in the Annapurna Region.
f . One further night in Pokhara followed the next day with an internal early morning flight to Kathmandu, transfer for two further nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu.
g. Airport Transfer for onward destination.
Itinerary
Day 01 Arrive Kathmandu, transfer hotel / tour briefing / Introductory evening meal
Day 02 A full day sightseeing tour within the Kathmandu valley
Day 03 Godawari botanical garden and surrounds (full day)
Day 04 Phulchowki hill (full day) early
Day 05 Manohara river (full day)
Day 06 Fly, Kathmandu / Biratnagar / Koshi Tappu Aqua Birds Resort
Day 07 Koshi Tappu Aqua Birds Resort
Day 08 Koshi Tappu Aqua Birds Resort
Day 09 Biratnagar / drive Chitwan National Park
Day 10 Chitwan National Park
Day 11 Chitwan / drive Pokhara / transfer hotel
Day 12 Bird watching around the lake Phewa and surrounds.
Day 13 Birdwatching around lake Begnes and surrounds
Day 14 Pokhara drive / Nayapul trek Ghandruk Study centre
Day 14 Ghandruk Study Centre
Day 15 Ghandruk Study Centre
Day 16 Ghandruk / Pokhara
Day 17 Pokhara fly Kathmandu/
Day 18 Kathmandu at leisure
Day 19 Transfer to airport for your onward destination
For price and further information, please e-mail to us.
These itineraries run from the beginning of October through to May each year. The price is based on a minimum of four people travelling. We offer a 10% discount on the quoted price for groups of 6 and above. The group will be accompanied by an English speaking expert on the birds of Nepal. The tour is based on sunrise to sunset days throughout. People are requested to bring their own optics and other equipment with them from their country of origin.
Chitwan is Nepal’s most popular National Park offering excellent opportunity to see Royal Bengal Tigers, one horned Rhino, crocodile and thrilling wilderness experience into its deep and thick jungle. Bardia is Nepal’s second most popular National parks offering excellent jungle safari. Ride on an elephant’s back or on four wheeler will lead you to path where you can discover some rare natural habitats.
Most jungle safari consists of canoe rides on the jungle’s rivers, nature walks, birds watching excursions and quick Tours around the villages to discover unique culture and traditions of the local village people.
With Nature Trail, Travels and Tours, Trekking and Expeditions, you will have choices of activities/packages for all above mentioned National Parks, wildlife Reserves, and Conservations areas. More information is available per park or go to our booking form to request for more information on the national parks.
]]>On beaten trails or virgin tracks, Nepal is a trekker’s paradise. The organic rhythm of foot travel is a wonderful way to explore and make meaningful contact with the country. Trekking usually consists of a series of ascents and descents walking 5 to 7 hours (9 to 14 kms per day on average with a guide, cook and porters and on some occasions pack animals.
Trekkers rely on our staff for path finding and an introduction to the local people, culture, religion, and lifestyle. A trekking route will often pass through forests of rhododendron, bamboo, oak, and hemlock, visiting one or two villages each day. Rivers are crossed on log passages or suspension bridges. Himalayas of Nepal are the most popular trekking region in the world.
It’s not unusual to cross snowfields in the morning and bathe in sub-tropical streams in the afternoon. For the most part, trekking routes are well traveled by local people, but remain unmarked without sign posts.
The objective of trekking is not just the particular destination, but the journey itself. You travel at a modest pace, observing nature, rural communities, and spectacular mountain panoramas.
Our job is to ensure your comfort and safety as we take you where you want to go, at your own pace. We show you what you have come to see, and help you discover things you had no idea exists there!
Click below to find what you’re looking for !
Trekking in Nepal Himalayas, Annapurna Region, Everest Region, Langtang Region
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Welcome to Nepal, the most happening destination in the world! With a heady mixture of unique culture proudly preserved, mind boggling adventure and remarkable natural beauty, Nepal offers an astonishing diversity of sightseeing attractions and adventure opportunities found nowhere else on earth. Imagine a trekking with a breathtaking view on eight of the fourteen highest mountains in the world or an elephant ride in the jungle, all within a distance of only 150 kilometers! Click here for more detailed travel information about Nepal, its people and its culture.This website has been developed to give you an idea and an overview of the many possibilities Nepal has to offer. Take your time to stroll through the places of interest, our trekking section and our special Tours to assemble your very own unique holiday. All itineraries and example Tours can serve as a guideline for your trip and can be altered to your wishes or budget. If you have any questions or want some advice on your trip don’t hesitate to contact us.
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