22. A festival tour of Nepal where a festival takes place every week: Festival of comedy/light/colors and more….

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The colourful spectrum of Nepal celebrating festivals creates lasting and cherished memories for anyone involved. Throughout the calendar year, there are many festivals being celebrated. One of the best ways to truly understand the beauty and richness of Nepali culture is through festivals, lively and purposeful; they are a treat to all senses.  A rich display of culture, festivities include rituals, songs, dances, food and performances.

GAIJATRA (Cow Festival): August. It is a carnival lasting 8 days. Highlights include; dancing, singing, comedy and anything that causes mirth and laughter.

TEEJ: September. A Hindu festival celebrated by women. Dancing, folksong and the colour red of women’s wedding saris dominate the days of Teej.

INDRAJATRA: September. The festival of Indra, the God of Rain is celebrated with great enthusiasm, lasting 8 days. The Chariot of the Kumari, the Living Goddess, is taken out into procession through the main streets of Kathmandu.

TIHAR/DEEPAWALI: November. Known as the festival of the lights, Tihar is celebrated for 5 days during which time houses are illuminated at night and special sweets are prepared and enjoyed.

HOLI (Festival of Colors): Celebrates Spring in the most extraordinary display of colour and happiness

LOSAR: January-February. Impressively observed by Sherpas who organise folksongs and dances for the occasion.

Options:

Just be an observer and capture moments in photographs, or participate in the festivals with locals (e.g. planting rice in the paddy farm and playing with mud, playing with color and water with locals in Holi festival or dancing with locals in Bisket festival).

You can time your visit with any of these festivals. You can enjoy a festival with a local expert photographer who will take you to spots from where you can take best photographs.

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21. A tour of High Himalayas to encounter with Samans, tantric healers. Will it cure you!

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Samanism still exists in rural Nepal as a form of religion to cure for the illnesses.

The ancient wisdom tradition of Tibetan and Nepalese shamans is passed on through pilgrimage type full-moon initiations in which master shamans, like those with whom we work, transmit power (sakti) for the healing of self and the prosperity of the community.

A key feature of the tour is a pilgrimage to a sacred shrine in the Nepal Himalayas outside Kathmandu, for shamanic initiation and empowerment. It is a sacred journey to Nepal for deep immersion into the culture, spirituality, and healing practices of Tibetan, Tamang, and other tribal shamans.

Interact with Shamans, who learned the shamanic ways of divination, extraction, healing and trance from their elders, and hear their stories.

Options:

Interaction with Shamanistic Studies & Research Centre, trek to Gosaikundaduring a Saman festival or visiting nearby villages from city of Kathmandu to observe Shamanism.

Festival: Gosaikunda Festival

Where: Langtang

When: Sep

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20. Do something unique at the roof of the world

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Many different people have done many different things at the roof of the world.

Talk to us about your interest or to get an idea for you or your group.

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19. Birdwatching in Nepal including transcontinental and altitudinal migrants

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For best of bird watching in Nepal, we travel from temperate to Subtropical climate, from over 2000m above sea level to just 100m, visit world heritage natural and cultural sites, ramsar site, other wetlands and birth place of Buddha.

Nepal supports over 10% of the world’s bird species diversity. To-date about 860 bird species has been recorded from Nepal in the last 150 years. The corresponding altitude and habitat in the five physiographic zones including special sites such as Mai Valley, Rara Ringmo finger and western Terai contributed to the bird species richness in Nepal.

There are transcontinental and altitudinal migration of birds in Nepal. There are about 150 winter migrants residing in forest and wetlands. The summer migrants (about 62) include cuckoos, crow-billed drongo, pitta, Chestnut headed bee-eater etc.

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18. Scenic Heli-Tour to Mt. Everest and other mountain ranges in Nepal

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1.     Everest Heli-Tour

The scenic heli-flight to Everest, over farming hills, alpine rivers and lush forests, will first take us east from Kathmandu Airport, flying parallel to the Himalayan Range before landing at Lukla. The second stage of the flight will take us to Syangboche, from where a spectacular view of the one-and-only Mt Everest can be seen. Our final stop will be at Tengboche at an altitude of over 3,600 metres, offering a panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountains, including the well-known peaks of Tawache, Everest, Nuptse,  Lhotse, Ama Dablamand Thamserku. Upon our return flight, we will be flying close to Mt Langtang.

2.     Annapurna Heli-Tour

A scenic helicopter flight will take us to Mustang, a natural and spiritual mecca of the Annapurna region. The area is characterized by traditional monasteries, holy Hindu temples, the Bonpo religion, a fascinating, ancient faith pre-dating Buddhism, and an as yet unsolved archaeological mystery involving potentially thousands of unexplored, man-made caves (known as the Sky Caves) dug in cliff sides centuries ago. The flightwill take us over the world’s deepest valley, situated between the two Himalayan giants of Dhaulagiri (8167m) and Annapurna (8091m), offering great views of them in addition to other mountains including Tukuche Peak (6920m), Nilgiri Central (6940m), Baraha Shikar (7647m) and Lamjung Himal (6932m).

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17. Luxurious Short trek in Everest/Annapurna.

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1.     Everest Region

We can take you on a short guided circuit trek in Everest region, staying in modern lodges with creature comforts and traditional Sherpa decor, for the first hand exploration of some of the highest mountains in the world including Everest, and traditional Sherpa culture.

The concept of luxury lodges has changed the trekking experience over decades. The group of luxury lodges in the everest region are so located that a long strenous trek hours can be broken down into smaller easier ones , thus making it easy even for trekkers from all age groups. Moreover the facilities including attached bathroom in the rooms, hot shower, high quality cuisine and a warm Sherpa welcome to weary trekkers give an additional significance to the lodges.

2.     Annapurna Region

You can stay in luxurious resort in Jomsom, a popular hub in Annapurna region, and take day hike in the area. The region is full of cultural, religious, historical and archeological significance. Alternatively, you can take a few days scenic and cultural hike in the midhills of Annapurna and stay at modern lodges. All meals on trek will be included in the package, and all necessary support of guide and porters will be provided.

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16. A cultural tour to peek into eluding history of ancient Bonpo religion

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Among the many Tibetans who fled their homeland since the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959, many are Bonpo, followers of Bon, which is the oldest spiritual tradition of Tibet.

The ancient roots of pre-Buddhist Bon religion derive from a profound respect for nature and emphasize the healing of physical and environmental as well as spiritual afflictions.

Buddhist influences are abundantly evident in Bon religion as it currently exists. The two religions are distinct in many ways but share a strong and identical commitment to bringing an end to all suffering.

Separated from the rest of Nepal by high passes to the south including the mighty Dhaulagiri Massif, Dolpo is also known as a ‘ba-yul’ or ‘hidden land’. The area is an isolated Himalayan sanctuary, a marvellously preserved ecosystem featuring a wonderful variety of native flora and indigenous fauna, including bharal (blue sheep), mountain goats, jackals, Tibetan wolves and the legendary snow leopard. Apart from an impressive array of alpine wildlife, this rare jewel of Nepal has preserved one of the last remnants of traditional Tibetan culture, mountain communities in which the pre-Buddhist Bonpo religion is still practised. Time has literally stood still for centuries in this spiritual sanctuary as inhabitants of Tibetan stock continue to live, cultivate and trade the way they have done for hundreds of years.

Where: Mustang and Dolpa.

Activities: Visiting ancient Bon monastries in the areas, interacting with people of Tibetan origin who follow this religion and trekking.

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15. Indigenous people Tour

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The rich heritage of Nepal has evolved over centuries. Nepal has around 36 different ethnic groups and 100 dialects. Most of the ethnic and tribal groups have their own distinct language, dress and culture. The diversity of Nepal is reflected in each group’s unique music, dance, art, crafts, folklores, food and drinks.

SOME OF THE INDIGENOUS FACES

FROM THE HIMALAYAN ZONE (influenced by Tibetan based languages and religion) – Thakalis, Tamangs, Tibetans (including those seeking refuge in Nepal) and Sherpas.

MIDLAND ZONES

  • -Rais and Limbus-Being Himalayan hunter-warriors , they make up some of the Gurkha regiment and have proven to be excellent soldiers.
  • -Newars- Lead a communal way of life and are recognized by their Mongoloid and Caucasian physical characteristics.
  • -Gurungs-Originally migrated from Western Tibet, Gurungs make up a large number in the Gurkha regiment.
  • -Magars-Renowned Gurkha soldiers.

TERAI ZONE

  • Tharus-Thought to be the earliest inhabitants if the Terai. Tharu beliefs are largely Animistic.

OPTIONS

– You can do a tour to visit one particular indigenous group of people concentrated in an area or visit rural villages where you meet multiple indigenous people.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES TRAIL

The first of its kind in Nepal, the ‘Indigenous Peoples Trail’ offers unique, living, exposure to one of the most culturally diverse areas of Nepal. The ‘Indigenous Peoples Trail’ offers scenic trekking at relatively low elevations, below 3000M. This trail presents an incomparable and natural blend of cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity coupled with breathtaking Himalayan panoramas, stretching from Dhauligiri and Annapurna in the West to Numburchuili and Kanchenjunga in the East.

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14. Trekking along historical routes

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1. GUERRILLA TREK

The first of its kind in Nepal, the ‘Indigenous Peoples Trail’ offers unique, living, exposure to one of the most culturally diverse areas of Nepal. The ‘Indigenous Peoples Trail’ offers scenic trekking at relatively low elevations, below 3000M. This trail presents an incomparable and natural blend of cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity coupled with breathtaking Himalayan panoramas, stretching from Dhauligiri and Annapurna in the West to Numburchuili and Kanchenjunga in the East.

In spite of what the name might suggest, the area is very peaceful nowadays.

OPTIONS:

13 Days trekking Itinerary in the area;

19 Days trekking itinerary in the area;

27 Days trekking itinerary in the area.

2. TRACING THE HISTORY OF BRAVE GURKHA SOLDIERS

Until recently recruitment had been mainly from the Nepali hill tribes such as the Magar, Gurung, Tamang, Sherpa, Chhetri, Thakuris, Rai and Limbu, although original Gurkhali soldiers were mainly of Chhetri, Thakuri, Gurung, and Magar ethnics. Gurkhas were thought to be a martial race because they were considered to be naturally warlike and aggressive in battle; to possess qualities of courage, loyalty, self-sufficiency, physical strength, resilience, orderliness; to be able to work hard for long periods of time and; to fight with tenacity and military strength

OPTIONS:

Visiting Gorkha Palace, Kathmandu Durbar Square and historical museums in Kathmandu Durbar Square and Chauni;

Interacting with Gurkha soldiers and the ethnic tribes who make brave Gurkha soldiers;

Trekking in Lamjung, Gorkha and Nagarkot.

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13. Archeological tour of Nepal – Lumbini and Mustang

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1. Lumbini is the birth place of Buddha.

Archeologists have recently uncovered evidence of a structure at the birthplace of the Buddha dating to the sixth century B.C which links to the life of the Buddha.

The place is full of archeological importance. There are few different sites that revolve around the life of Buddha.

Options

A visit to the birth place of Buddha or a full circuit tour of all archeologically important sites in Lumbini.

2. Mustang

“Mustang, a former kingdom in north-central Nepal, is home to one of the world’s great archaeological mysteries. In this dusty, wind-savaged place, hidden within the Himalaya and deeply cleaved by the Kali Gandaki River—in spots, the gorge dwarfs Arizona’s Grand Canyon—there are an extraordinary number of human-built caves.

Some sit by themselves, a single open mouth on a vast corrugated face of weathered rock. Others are in groups, a grand chorus of holes, occasionally stacked eight or nine stories high, an entire vertical neighborhood. Some were dug into cliffsides, others tunneled from above. Many are thousands of years old. The total number of caves in Mustang, conservatively estimated, is 10,000.”

–          National Geographic

In addition to these mysterious caves, the region has ancient monasteries, eluding history of ancient Bonpo religion and holy hindu temple.

Activities in Mustang: Trekking, exploring old monastries and temples, villages, meeting with different ethnic people of the Himalaya and encounter with traditional Tibetan people.

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