April 2011 Blog Posts (14)

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Anand Gurung



Sharmila Pandey (name changed), 21, from the impoverished Kailali district in Western Nepal never thought that she would end up doing a "man's job". About a year and half ago Sharmila, after not being able to pursue her studies further from standard 9 due to the poor financial conditions of her family, came to Kathmandu through a local NGO network for a training at Underprivileged Children's Education Programs (UCEP). Now fast forward to present, she can be seen… Continue

There are mountains behind all that cloud... atleast that is what we were told.

 

A few weeks ago I wrote an article about ‘nearly trekking in Kathmandu Valley’. We walked from…

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Boys urging the crowd to pull the Bhairav Chariot faster

 

The Bisket Jatra is considered one of the liveliest cultural festivals in the world. The celebration in Bhaktapur (14km, 1 hour drive, from Kathmandu) is a nine day celebration at the time of Nepalese New…

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In 2006 I embarked on a trekking adventure into Nepal, lured by the mighty Himalaya and the prospect of walking a region relatively untouched by Western influence. Granted I still got the odd BP solar panel and Mars bar but what this trek offered was the chance to go culturally much further than…

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April is a confusing and crowded month for festivals. Within 10 days Ghode Jatra, the Newari Chariot festival, Seto Machhendranath, Chaitra Dasain , Ram Navami were all celebrated. New Years, Balaju Mela and Loktantra Diwas Day are on the way before the month ends.

 

It is really difficult to find information for when the festivals begin and with some of the rituals occurring on the same days it is often hard to know what you are watching. Here is our break down of the first…

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I have been scared of heights since I was small. On a school trip we visited a science theme park. One of the rides was a huge slide where you hung in the air from a bar and drop a meter to a steep slide. It probably wasn’t very high but when I was swinging from that bar in midair the drop seemed huge. I froze. I couldn’t let go and drop to the ground. It was terrifying and ever since I have stayed away from heights.

I am not sure why I decided to face my fear of heights in a…

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By Anand Gurung



Sometimes even charity can seem so ugly, especially when it is done out of a feeling of pity instead of real affection. It was International Women's Day, and Nepal Beautician's Association had organised a programme for the children of Bal Mandir orphanage at the banquet Hall of the old palace it is housed in, at Naxal. Mostly little boys and girls aged between 5 to 10 years had gathered in the hall enthusiastic about the function, as any children of their age would… Continue

Annapurna Terai (Gurung Heritage Trail) Trekking is newly explored trekking routes in the lower part of Annapurna regioni. This trek provides first-hand experience of Gurung lifestyle and culture. It is popularity for short period of being wonderful Gurung Culture, natural scenery, and enthusiastic of Local peoples to 

develop as tourist destination with the fantastic and superb views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Annapurna ranges, Mt. Manaslu ranges, Lamjung Himal and many more… Continue

If you are pressed for time and want a quick getaway, or if you have a motorbike and prefer a reasonable, comfortable 30 km distance to travel  (pillion riders take note), take the high road to Kakani in Nuwakot-it offers a lovely view of the central mountain range of Annapurna, Ganesh Himal and Dhaulagiri. Kakani is an hour plus drive, north of Kathmandu.  The only hassle is getting out of Kathmandu with its traffic jams, endless honking and pollution. Thankfully, I was given a bandana to…

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So you think you know about trekking in Nepal? Well, let me tell you about a fabled land, a land hidden deep within the Himalayas. A magical, secluded land situated in the highest, most Northern district of Nepal... Let me tell you about Humla.

Many have…

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If you are reading this then you are one lucky human ! Prakash and the boys at Nepal Guide Treks & Expedition really know their stuff.



Me and my buddy Kyle were lucky enough to stumble upon this opportunity early in our first Nepal trip. We went out on the Annapurna trail and did one of the best trekking i've ever done in my life. I have been trekking all over the U.S. for years but none of it compores to the stuff we did here. The viens, heights, people, and ambiance are really… Continue

This year Nepal is very lucky first Bryan Adams came to perform here and then we heard news about Kailash Kher coming to Nepal to perform now the royal UK couple are coming to Nepal for their Honeymoon.



Prince William and Kate Middleton have decided on Nepal for their…

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No floor covering, no stove or oven, no cabinets, no hot water - Nepali kitchens can be a shock.

 

I read a lot of the Nepal forums and I get asked all the time how to find long term accommodation in Kathmandu. It is difficult being a foreigner and looking for an apartment…

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