Off beaten experience in the Nepalese mid-hills- Fun includes hunting and milking buffalo

GROUP-PIC

Explore Himalayans with the school kids at Nuwakot

Six of us, Explore Himalayans set off for 7 days FAM trip to Chitwan, Bandipur, Nuwakot, Samari and Selle. We started our trip from Chitwan, where we spent 3 days exploring the jungle and its vicinity at Chitwan National Park. The activities involved elephant ride, Tharu village tour, Tharu cultural dance, elephant ride, canoeing, jungle walk, Elephant breeding centre visit and bird watching. After our awesome exploration, we retraced back via Bishajari Taal, an enlisted Ramsar site. We also made a short visit to BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital Hospice and Palliative Care Unit. We continued our journey to the hilltop settlement of Bandipur. The stone paved town centre and the surrounding alleys were more than enough to savor the evening delights of Bandipur. Next morning, the downhill hike led us to Nepal’s biggest cave Siddha Gufa. The dark cave, which was full of strange images, effortful surfaces and hanging bats added extra thrill to the whole trip. The next stopover was Nuwakot village. Seven storied palace, Shree Bhairavi temple, local school and the home stay offered historical and cultural insights to us. The next 3 hours was a bit strenuous as we headed for Samari Ghar through the dusty main trail after the busy day. Samari Ghar, a neo traditional property at the farm terrace in Samari, is the most heart- warming stopover for the whole trip. 2 nights’ stay allowed us the best opportunity to explore the neighboring Tamang settlements Kallabari and Pokhari at their best. Some of the off- beat experiences we had there were chicken hunting, ghost hunting (?), milking buffalo, camp fire cum barbecue with locally brewed liquor etc. On the 6th day, we headed for Selle, the last stopover. Selle is best known for the mesmerizing 360 degree view of the Himalayas, villages and distant valleys. All those fun filled experiences concluded on 7th day after we were picked up at Torke. Here we have a photo easy on the tour.

VIEW-ON-THE-WAY

As usual view of hills and rivers in the Nepalese highways

nest

Shelter to domestic birds in the tharu village flanking, Chitwan National Park

SUNSET-RAPTI

Everybody admires the nature- Sunset view from the bank of Rapti River at Chitwan National Park

THARU-DANCE

Tharu cultural dance at Chitwan Adventure Resort Sauraha (one of our service providers in Chitwan)

SAFARI

Witnessing a reptilian giant Crocodile, sitting safe atop a mammalian giant Elephant- A thrilling experience during the wildlife Safari at Chitwan National Park

CROC

A closer view of the world’s oldest predator- The wetlands within the park offers an ideal ecosystem for these beautiful monsters

GHARIYAL

Chitwan National Park is the home to endangered species like Royal Bengal Tiger, Gangetic Dolphin, One-horned Rhino and of course Ghariyal Crocodile

ANTELOPE

A regal posture of Antelope Deer seen during the wildlife Safari at Chitwan National Park

Elepnat-breedingC

Elephant breeding Center at the end of the jungle, where young elephants are tamed for wildlife safaris

HOSPICE

Corporate Social Responsibility- Integral part of Explore Himalaya. Explore Himalayans visiting the Palliative Care Unit of BP  Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital

BANDIPUR1

Bandipur- A hamlet over the clouds was once an important stopover in the Indo-Tibet Trade route. Popular for the mid-hill views and culture of Newar and Magar tribes, Bandipur lies at easy access from three major towns of Nepal Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan.

BANDIPUR2

A wonderful view of altitude ascending from green hills to the Himalayan giants from Bandipur. A small stone paved town offers tremendously striking views of wide Himalayas including Manaslu Range on a bright sunny day

siddha-cave

A glimpse of devotion- Hindus visit to worship the stone deity inside the largest cave of Nepal- Siddha Cave which lies in the vicinity of Bandipur

patios

A hill of terraced fields usually seen during the trek in the Nepalese mid-hills- the place is even more beautiful to watch during the summers and springs- After all, green represents nature

oxen

Wheels have not been invented in the mountains of Nepal- Oxen harnessed to the plough are used to sow seeds in the fields till the date here

NUWAKOT-PALACE

Vicinity of Nuwakot Durbar Square- Nuwakot in the medieval age was ruled by a powerful king before it was conquered by King Prithivi Narayan Shah.

SAMARI-HOUSE

A beautiful Samari Ghar at Samari- The traditional house is one of the best home-stay accommodations of rural Nepal. Almost every object used in the house is 100% Eco-friendly.

mid-hill-walk

Sometimes on rolling trials up and down and other times on a straight path- But the best part is nature always walks with you, during the hiking or trekking in Nepal.

KALABARI

A typical Magar hamlet in the region. Mid-hill trek to Nuwakot offers historical outlook whereas, the cultural exploration in the region is of high significance as unique tribal groups of Nepal provide you the best hospitality during the home-stays and school visits

camping-sele

Selle in Nuwakot is a hilltop, ideal for camping accommodation. The place offers the striking views of Himalayan Ranges including the mighty Manaslu Himal. Setting the camps, and enjoying the camp fires at Selle is undoubtedly a thrilling fun attached to this trip

SELE-SUNRISE

Sunrise view, and that to exceedingly mesmerizing with your head on pillow- Definitely the day goes well. A sunrise view from the camps in Selle.

Nuwakot Palace to be Opened as Museum

Nuwakot Palace

(Image: Explore Himalaya)

Nuwakot Palace or Saat-Taale-Durbar, built by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, of the Shah dynasty will shortly be opened for public as a museum. According to historians the palace was built between 1818 and 1825 BS, after Shah invaded Nuwakot.Plans to capture Kathmandu were made in this very palace. The sprawling building is over 46.6 feet in length and 38.4 feet in width with spacious halls and beautifully designed bedrooms. Representing a vintage tradition, it exhibits maximum use of wood and bricks. The outer layer and façade of the palace are decorated with traditional windows and artifacts similar to those found in the Malla era palaces. Shah, according to historians, had called in masons from Kathmandu to give shape to his designs. The Department of Archaeology is currently renovating the seven storied palace. Shah´s beddings and furnishings, kept at Hanumandhoka Palace, where he spent the later part of his life as a ruler of newly united Nepal with Kathmandu as the capital, are among many things to be dispatched to Nuwakot.

(source- Republica)