Every Nepali there was honored, as on cloud nine an American shouted, “Only paradise on Earth is Nepal.”

Towering ice-topped mountains sparkle with the colorful prayer flags, while the fanatical streets of Kathmandu are a ceaseless delirium of honking motorbikes, additionally the historical and religiously important 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites scattered in different corners of Kathmandu: Nepal is  thoroughly a vibrant slice of Asia.

If there is a trekkers’ paradise, then beyond doubt Nepal is the first pick. Trials to the base of Himalayas in Nepal offer top-notch trekking terrain – from verdant Annapurna to eminent Everest – sprinkled with rural mountain hamlets, and hundreds of rolling trails that have been trodden upon for centuries.

But divinely and naturally blessed Nepal is indeed not only for mountaineers who set off to clamber the higher elevation; from the lime-green grasslands of Chitwan National Park rustling with the dark grey flash of One-horned rhino, to the eclectic cafés and unconventional vibe of Lake-side Pokhara, Nepal is truly an interesting and convivial destination for all.

As a part of company CSR, six Explore Himalayans toured and trekked around few prominent destinations of Nepal which included Chitwan, Pokhara and Poonhill Trek. The FAM trip involved more fun and of course little bit of work. Field work obviously was focused on visiting our service partners so that we could improve the level of our services offered to the clients. Fun part definitely boosted our work efficiency while on work table . Have a look at a photo essay which highlights the prime attractions of the trip.

Day 1: Drive to Chitwan and transfer to Tigerland Safari Resort

166 km South East of Kathmandu lies the first Wildlife Park of Nepal, Chitwan National Park

Thrau-stick-dance

One of the biggest Ethnical tribes of Terai Lowlands of Nepal, Tharus have unique history and culture. The tharu stick dance at the resort is an insightful opportunity to peep into rich Tharu culture and history.

Day 2: Bird watching tour at the bank of Rapti River, Elephant wildlife Safari at Chitwan National Park and transfer to Hotel Water Front in Pokhara

birding-rapti-bank

Boating or Canoeing in Rapti River inside the Park is wonderful chance to spot different species of birds. Chitwan National Park is the home to 543 species of birds including 160 species of migratory birds.

elephant-wildlife-safari

The total area of 932 sq. km, Chitwan National park offers one of the best Wildlife Safaris in the world on the back of giant Asian Elephant. The Park comprises diverse species of floras in the form of wide grasslands and dense deciduous moist forest.

pea-cock

Birds like peacock and Braminhy Duck are easy spotting in the park whereas endangered bird species like Gould’s sunburn and Slaty-breasted Rail among others can also be spotted here which depends on traveler’s luck.

one-horned-rhino

Chitwan National Park is the home to 43 species of mammals which includes one-horned rhino and Royal Bengal Tiger. Varieties of species of reptiles, insects and amphibians also share the wild habitat.

After the safari and lunch with wonderful hospitality at Tigerland Safari Resort, we drive 146km North West of Chitwan and arrive to TripAdvisors’ ranked hotel of Pokhara, Water Front Resort.

Day 3: Drive to Nayapool in a private vehicle, drive to Kimche in a public vehicle and then trek to Tadapani

fishtail-pkr

Initial view of stunning Mt. Fishtail from Pokhara. The view changes as we climb higher.

Kimche

One and half hour drive to Naya Pool from Pokhara followed by 1 hour drive brings us to our trek starting point Kimche. The massif of Mt. Fishtail at the backdrop.

ghandruk

Two hours long steep uphill climb on the stone staircases from Kimche brings us to wonderful Gurung hamlet, Ghandruk. The first glimpse of rural lifestyle at Ghandruk.

tadapaniAlmost 4 and half hours of ascending climb followed by the final part of the pleasant walk along the rhododendron and bamboo woods takes us to the major stopover point in the region Tadapani. Places to stop for tea and snacks between Ghandruk and Tadapani- Sitkyu and Bhaisi Kharka

Day 4: Trek to Ghorepani via Deurali

tadapani-view

The morning view from Tadapani- From right to left- Fishtail, Gangapurna, Hinchuli and Annapurna South

Gurung-hill

Three hours of walk on the slippery, icy and rolling trial via Banthati brought us to Deurali 3105m. The view of Gurung Hill from Deurali. Gurung Hill is almost 150m steep uphill climb from Deurali.

dhaulagiri-gurung-hill

One hour up and down from Deurali to Gurung Hill rewards with striking view of Dhaulagiri, Tilicho Peak and Dhampus Peak

mt-view

One hour walk from Deurali and just before the final descend to Ghorepani the mountains open up even more. The view from the ridge of a hill between Deurali and Ghorepani. Ghorepani is just 45 minutes walk from this point.

Day 4: Early Morning Trek to Poonhill for the sunrise view, trek back to Ghorepani, and trek to Hille via, Nangethati, Banthati, Ulleri and Thirkedunga. Drive to Nayapool and drive back to Lakeside Retreat in Pokhara.

sunrise-poonhill

Colorful Nature- Dark Hills, silvern Himalayas, aureate sky and nigrescent cloud during the emerging new sun somewhere in the horizon- a striking view from Poonhill

view-poonhill

Color changes in a flash at Poonhill. Wide Himalayan range sprawls right before the eyes.

view-poonhill

The section of hills swarming to the wide Range of Dhaulagiri Himalayan Range, yet another contrast view from Poonhill- Anyone would call this place a paradise

poonhill-view

Dhaulagiri witnesses the expression of love! Where else in the world people can find such a romantic place?

Day 6: Boating at Fewa Lake in Pokhara

tal-barahi

A sacred Hindu shrine, Taal Barahi Temple in the middle of Fewa Lake

fewa-lake

Tranquil Fewa Lake, colorful boats and sacred small island- A place to enjoy serenity in Pokhara

fishtail-paragliding

Flying to face the beautiful Fishtail- Pokhara is also an adventurous flying hub of Nepal

Day 7: Drive back to Kathmandu

group-pic

Explore Himalayans during the FAM Trip with their guide/porter Mr. Phool Man Kafle

Fishtail Air

Fishtail Air’s second AS350 B3 lands at TIA
Fishtail Air’s second AS350 B3 helicopter landed at Tribhuvan International Airport on 1st March at 2:30 pm. The helicopter was flown to Kathmandu from Singapore by Capt Deepak JB Rana and Capt Siddartha Jung Gurung, accompanied by Bishwo Gorkhali, Chief Engineer. With this new addition, Fishtail Air now has five helicopters in its fleet — a Bell 206 BIII Jet Ranger, an AS350 B and AS350 B2 and two AS350 B3s.

The company received the helicopter delivery on February 2nd at the Singapore Air Show at a function organized Eurocopter. The seven seater AS 350 B2, which was kept on display during the Singapore Air Show was handed over to Mr. Bikash Rana, Chairman of Fishtail Air by President of Eurocopter, Mr. Lutz Bertling.

Birth aboard Fishtail Air’s Chopper

Woman gives birth aboard Fishtail Air’s Chopper

This year’s Valentine’s Day(14th Feb 2010) turned out to be a memorable one for the crew at Fishtail Air  and the family of Mrs.Roshni Acharya. On this day Mrs Roshni Acharya a passenger flying from Diktel to Kathmandu gave birth to a baby boy mid – air, aboard Fishtail Air’s helicopter 9NAIK around 3:15 pm. The lady was being flown to Kathmandu when this rare incident occurred in mid air above Ramechhap. As soon as the helicopter landed in Kathmandu Fishtail Air made sure that Mrs Acharya and her baby were rushed to Om Hospital. Conditions of both the mother and the newly born are said to be stable.

Unusual Rescue by Fishtail Air Helicopter

An usual rescue operation was performed by Fishtail Air’s Newly arrived AS 350 B3 Helicopter this morning in Mt. Langtang Lirung 7234m. Forty years old Slovenian climber, Tomaz Humar who had been missing in the mountain since 10th of November was air lifted by the helicopter through specially performed rope operation. Unfortunately the ill fated climber could not be brought back alive.

The team from a rescue company of Switzerland, Heli Zermat arrived yesterday evening for this special mission under the leadership of Chief Rescue Officer, Bruno Zelk which included the Rescue Pilot, Robert Andenmatten and a popular young climber, Simon Anthamatten.

The As 350 B Piloted by Capt. Sabin Basnet and supported by the Swiss Rescue Pilot, Andenmatten from the passenger’s seat left for the mission at 7.15 this morning which made an aerial survey over the mountain first. After locating the climber at a height of 18000ft, the chopper returned to the Base Camp at Kyangjin and flew back over the site with climber Simon Anthamatten hung on a 30m long rope through sling operation. On reaching close to Tomaz in the middle of a cliff, Simon detached himself from the rope, hooked on the dead climber’s body harness and signaled the hovering chopper to fly off.  Simon was brought back the same way on the second load.

This is first time in the history of Nepalese mountaineering that an evacuation had been done through rope work in a such way. Pilot Andenmatten thinks that it is usual in the mountains of Europe and they would be willing to help the mountaineers in Nepal through exchange of technology for such missions so that mountaineers could be rescued and evacuated from extremely difficult conditions. “This would not have been possible without an AS 350 B3 Helicopter “said Bruno Zelk, chief rescue officer of the Company, Heli Zermat.

Late Climber Tomaz Humar is considered to be one of the best and popular climbers of the day and has climbed Mt. Dhaulagiri from the South Side, Pumori from South, Amadablam from North ridge and Mt. Nuptse from the North Face. His reputation stands for taking up most difficult and challenging routes on the mountains allover in Alpine Styled Solo climbing. According to Mr. Jagat Limbu, his base camp companion from the agency, Asian Trekking, He had left Base Camp and was off on 7th of November to make a solo ascent of the mountain and was last in contact till 10 Am, 10th of October after suffering a fall which caused a broken leg and broken back.

(Click for high resolution images. Photos by Jagat Limbu, Asian Trekking)