Saturday, January 8, 2011
Nepal Classic Tours
This fourteen-day trip is an intensive tour of Nepal, which offers an insight into its rich ancient cultures and ethnic diversity. Explore the different areas and combine it with the simple pleasures of hiking through scenic countryside and the thrills of viewing the mighty Himalayan peaks from dose quarters. There are many country trails of which several of them are old trade routes or pilgrimage paths which lead through terraced hillsides, forested ridges, river banks, paddy fields; connecting picturesque hamlets and mountain villages. The most rewarding way to see Nepal and her people, their culture and rich heritage by walking or hiking like the traders or pilgrims. Outside the Kathmandu valley accommodation will be in small but comfortable country style hotels/lodges.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
birds check lists
A unique geographic structure ranging from low terrain to the tallest mountain chains and diversed natural resources have gifted Nepal with richness in varieties of flora and fauna. One of the most prized possessions of Nepal and what it is usually known worldwide is its natural collection of birds. Provided its limited area and complex topographical layout, nepal has more species of birds than anywhere in the world
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annapurna Conservation Area
The Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) is spread over 7,629 sq. km. of Kaski, Myagdi, Parbat and Manang districts in northwest Nepal. Established in 1986, the conservation area is surrounded by high mountains and deep valleys. The conservation area is also home to 1,226 species of plants, 38 species of orchids, 9 species of Rhododendrons, 101 species of mammals, 478 species of birds, 39 species reptiles and 22 species of amphibians. The symbolic species of the Conservation Area are the elusive snow leopard and its prey blue sheep. The other mammals found in the region include Himalayan Black Bear, Langur, Red Panda, Marten, Jungle cat, barking deer, Serow, goral etc. Among the avi-fauna are the 6 pheasants namely Damphe, Monal, Kalij, Cheer, Koklass and Blood pheasants.
The region comprises of the world’s deepest gorge of the Kali Gandaki river (2.4 km wide and 4.8 km long) between Mt Dhaulagiri and Mt Annapurna. The Kali Gandaki river valley is a store house of the fossils from the prehistoric Tethys sea dating back 60 million year ago. The other landmarks of the Annapurna Conservation Area are the world’s largest rhododendron forests of Ghorepani, and the highest glacial lake of Tilicho.
The cultural diversity of the region is equally vibrant. Gurungs and Magars are the major ethnic groups in the southern belt, and the Thakali, Manange, and Loba in the north. There are also Brahmins, Chhetris, Damai, and Kamis sparsely spread in the region.
Annapurna Conservation Area is a major trekking destination in Nepal. More than 40,000 tourists annually visit the conservation area. Ghandruk and Lwang are typical Gurung villages with scenic splendors. The King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC), a leading non-profit and non-governmental environmental organization in Nepal, launched the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) in 1986. ACAP’s grassroots philosophy involves local people in all aspects on conservation and development. The project aims to improve the socio-economic condition of the local people by integrating conservation and development. It encourages local people’s participatory involvement in the management of natural resources and community development activities.
shivapuri national park
The Shivapuri National Park (144 sq km) is the major watershed supplying drinking water to the capital city of Kathmandu. Lying in the transition zone between the subtropical and temperate climatic zones, its diverse vegetation is composed of pine, oak, rhododendron and others. The park is rich in wild mushrooms (129 species).
The wildlife found in the national park includes Himalayan black bear, leopard, jungle cat, and rhesus monkeys. The park is home to over 177 species of birds including 9 threatened species, over 100 species of butterflies including rare and threatened.
The park has several rain-red rivers that are the major source of drinking water for the capital city. The park produces 227 million liters water per day of which 30 million liters per day are collected for consumption.
Towering over the Kathmandu valley, the Shivapuri National Park is a fog-free zone. During winter while Kathmandu and the other towns and settlements of the valley are still dark under the thick cold fog, the park get sparkling sunlight. It receives regular westerly winds blowing from the Trishuli river valley.
Situated only 12 km to the north of Kathmandu, the park is the main entrance of the trekking routes to Gosainkunda, Helambu, Kagarkot and the Langtang National Park. The major routes include Pani Muhan to Shivapuri peak (2,732 meter above mean sea level), Nagi gumba to the peak, Nagi gumba to Baghdwar, Sundarijal to Chisapani. The breathtaking views of the high Himalayan peaks can be seen from the top of the Shivapuri mountain.
The park is a spiritually significant for the popular shrines and meditation centers in the natural surroundings. The park consists of several religious and cultural heritage sites for the Hindus as well as Buddhists. They include the peaks of Shivapuri, Manichur, Tarkeswor and the source of the Bagmati and Bishnumati rivers. The other famous shrines that are worth visiting are Budhanilkantha, Sundarimai and the Nagi monastery attract thousands of pilgrims during festive seasons.
Shivapuri National Park (Bird Check List)Shivapuri National Park (Flowering Plant)
koshi tappu
Located on the flood plain of the Koshi River in the eastern Terai of Nepal, the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (175 sq km) is home to around 441 species of birds, 30 shore birds, 114 water birds, 20 ducks and 2 ibises. The endangered swamp partridge and Bengal florican are also found here. The Koshi Barrage is an extremely important resting-place for migratory birds numbering to 87 winter visitors.
The Koshi river which forms the major landmark of the reserve is home to 80 fish species. The endangered Gharial crocodile and Gangetic dolphin have been recorded in the river. The last surviving population of wild buffalo or arna in Nepal is found here. Its number at present is estimated to be 150. The reserve is a habitat of 20 other animal species such as hog deer, spotted deer, wild boar, blue bull and rock python.
The vegetation mainly includes tall khar-pater grasslands with a few patches of khair-sissoo scrub forest and deciduous mixed riverine forest.
During the monsoon, the reserve is flooded with depths ranging from 10 to 300 cm. From season to season the Koshi River changes its course. The Koshi river also know as the Sapta Koshi meaning seven great rivers collects waters from the glaciers, glacial lakes, and the monsoon rains. Embankments are constructed parallel to the river to check flooding in the surrounding villages. Sunsets over the river are phenomenal. On clear days, views of the Himalayan peaks including the Mt Makalu add beauties to the landscape.
Recognizing its global significance, the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve has been recognized as the Ramsar Site in 1987. The reserve was gazette notified in 1976.
Bird watching along the eastern embankment at dusk and dawn is one of the most exciting pleasure trips in the reserve. The Arnas with their huge horns are equally impressive to look at. Elephant ride, nature walk, driving along the embankment and strolling around the villages are interesting activities.
chitwan
ecognized as the best managed national park, the Royal Chitwan National Park (932 sq km) is home to over 50 species of mammals, 525 birds, and 55 amphibians and reptiles. The world’s endangered species found in the park include One-horned rhinoceros, Gaur, Royal Bengal tiger, Wild elephant, Four horned antelope, Pangolin, Gangetic dolphin, Gharial crocodile, Golden monitor lizard and Python. Similarly, the endangered bird species of the park include Bengal florican, Lesser florican, Giant hornbill, Black stork and White stork.
In the late 1960s, Mr Karna Sakya, the chairman of nepalnature.com had initiated pioneering works such as reconnaissance survey, demarcation etc in Chitwan towards establishing the first national park of the country. It was declared as the Royal Chitwan National Park in 1973. Recognizing the global significance of natural heritage of the park, UNESCO declared Royal Chitwan National Park a World Heritage Site (#284) in 1984. Chitwan meets three criteria for the World Heritage Natural properties, such as the last major surviving example of the natural ecosystems of the Terai region (Criteria ii), superlative natural features of exceptional natural beauty in terms of its scenic attractions of forested hills, grasslands, great rivers and views of the distant Himalaya (Criteria iii), and significant populations of several rare and endangered species, especially the one horned Asian rhinoceros and the Gharial crocodile (Criteria iv).
Chitwan is a vivid illustration of the Terai-Duar Savannas and Grasslands, which is one of the most significant Global 200 Ecoregions. It holds a key segment of the ambitious Terai Arc Landscape approach that envisions long-term biodiversity conservation. The park is a mosaic of land uses comprised of pristine Sal forests, grasslands covered with tall grass including the elephant grass (Saccharum species), rivers and wetlands including the Beeshazari tal, a Ramsar Site.
Chitwan reflects a dramatic history of conservation. Initiated with rhino conservation in the late 1960s, Chitwan has been an icon of conservation. With the introduction of the progressive policy of the Buffer Zones (750 sq km) in the surround villages, Chitwan provides a world model of community based biodiversity conservation. The community including women groups has reclaimed the degraded land by growing community forests, which turned out to be the wonderful habitats for wildlife including rhino and tigers.
Mild winter is experienced in Chitwan during October through February followed by dry and hot spring season during March through May. The hot and humid season of monsoon lasts from June through September.
Wildlife sightings are most frequent in winter and early spring. In January when the annual grass-cutting season is over, wildlife sightings are most dramatic. Migratory birds flock with the residential ones in September-November and February-April, creating spectacular views. Unbelievably, the endangered species like greater one-horned rhinos can be closely viewed on an elephant back. With the help of nature guides, tiger and other species can be sighted. Equally interesting components of the park are the crocodile rehabilitation center and the elephant-breeding center where aged animals and their babies can be seen closely. Numerous other wildlife species both animals and birds can be watched in their natural habitats.
Chitwan offers diverse experience of nature within a relatively short span of space and time. There are opportunities for all sorts of personalized activities including nature walk in the forests, elephant ride in the thick tall grasslands, jungle drive along the forest roads, canoe ride along the gentle streams, strolling around the villages, bird watching, and so on.
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