KATHMANDU: As of Friday, a total of 46 expedition teams have been granted mountain climbing permits for this spring, according to the Department of Tourism.
The government has collected over Rs 255.6 million through the permits.
The teams receiving the climbing permits comprise 193 members. Of the collected revenue, Rs 240 million is collected from the mountaineering teams climbing the Mount Everest. As many as 19 teams are attempting to scale the world’s highest peak this time.
According to the Department, aspiring climbers have started flocking the destinations. Four expeditions are attempting each for climbing the Kanchenjunga and Lhotse peaks and two are each for the Annapurna and Ama Dablam, Department’s mountaineering section’s Nayab Subba Rameshwor Niruala said.
Permits have been given to two groups each for climbing Makalu, Nuptse and Gyalzen peaks.
The government has presently opened 415 mountain peaks for climbing and there are still over 1,300 mountains suitable for climbing.
LUMBINI: Minister for Finance Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada today said government resources are not enough to undertake the Lumbini Development Master Plan.
He pledged to initiate on behalf of the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) and the government to seek international community’s support for Lumbini’s development.
Minister Khatiwada, who visited Lumbini today, also stated that the government would cooperate with the LDT to realize its goal within the next three years.
On the occasion, he said the government lacks sufficient resources and budget required to implement the plan within the next three years.
He maintained that Lumbini being the world heritage site, needs international support for its management and promotion.
The minister also visited the Mayadevi Temple, and an under-construction meditation center, among other places in Lumbini.
KATHMANDU: Sometimes, records are made unknowingly. This happened in the life of Phurba Tenjing Sherpa – a proud recipient of two Guinness World Records.
On May 23, 2018, he climbed Mt. Everest with his siblings — Pemba Dorje Sherpa, Dawa Diki Sherpa, Phurba Thinley Sherpa – to set a record of the most number of siblings to ascend Mt. Everest concurrently. Did Phurba know that he was making a record by climbing with his siblings at the same time? “No, I only realized it later that we set a record,” he quips.
Born in 1988 at Rolwaling village in Dolakha, Phurba Tenjing started making a living as a porter at the age of 14. So far, he has guided a total of 23 Nepalis and a sizable foreigners to the peaks.
This young Sherpa also holds the record of ‘Most siblings to have climbed Everest” at different times. Seven out of the 11 offspring from Chhiring Nurbu Sherpa and Kimjung Sherpa have reached atop the Everest.
Photo: Thaneswar Guragai
Interesting! Phurba’s siblings, including Pemba Gyalzen Sherpa, Phurba Thundu Sherpa, Pemba Dorje Sherpa, Nima Gyalzen Sherpa, Dawa Diki Sherpa, Purba Thile Sherpa, and Phurba Tenjing have conquered the Mt. Everest. “Wasn’t that a moment to cherish?” he queries with a broad smile.
Born in 1988 at Rolwaling village in Dolakha, Phurba Tenjing started making a living as a porter at the age of 14. So far, he has guided a total of 23 Nepalis and a sizable foreigners to the peaks.
Photo: Thaneswar Guragai
In 2008 and in 2017, this enthusiastic Sherpa ascended the Everest twice in three days. He descended to Camp IV and climbed the peak again.
He reminisces those days when several porters came to the village from the lowlands and failing to cross the Tashi Lepsa Pass (5,750 m) to reach Lukla – a five-day trek — due to high altitude. “I then started working as a porter at a tender age,” he recalls. Barely three years working as a porter he made up his mind to give a try to climb the world’s highest peak. “I was able to gather the confidence, and finally I made it. I climbed the Everest from the Tibetan side with my eldest brother Pemba Dorje Sherpa in 2007,’ he told Khabarhub.
Before this, he made a failed attempt to ascend the Mt. Pumori (7,161 m) at the age of 16 years. “I could not reach the top due to an avalanche,” he recalls.
Sherpa community, he says, respect the mountains as God since they grow up in the lap of the mountains.
“We revere mountains as God like the way we love and respect our mothers,” he said.
Since then, there has been no looking back. “This boosted my morale,” says Phurba.
In 2008 and in 2017, this enthusiastic Sherpa ascended the Everest twice in three days. He descended to Camp IV and climbed the peak again.
He has also conquered Mt. Manaslu thrice. In 2011, he climbed Mt. Ama Dablam within ten days and stayed at the summit for a staggering 10 hours.
Photo: Thaneswar Guragai
Ask him what did he earn so far, and pat comes the reply: “The positive impression as well as the recommendation of being a hospitable guide and a supportive porter is what I have earned in all these years.”
Sherpa community, he says, respect the mountains as God since they grow up in the lap of the mountains.
“We revere mountains as God like the way we love and respect our mothers,” he said.
Phurba Tenjing, however, is saddened at the way the government has ignored the plights of Sherpa who guide mountaineers to the peak safely. “We feel overlooked,” he laments.
An adage, which he is accustomed to hearing from mountaineers, makes his chest broader. Consider this: “Everest can be conquered without oxygen, but not without the Sherpas.” What could be more heartening than this for Phurba and rest of the Sherpa porters and guides?
He is equally worried over the dwindling number of Sherpas in the mountaineering sector. “Youngsters have started losing interest in mountaineering as they are more options available. They prefer going abroad,” Phurba told Khabarhub.
Photo: Thaneswar Guragai
In the course of the conversation, Phurba gives a sad expression while reminiscing a horrific moment when an avalanche hit the Everest in the 2015 devastating earthquake that left him with a fractured backbone. “I never thought that I would survive,” he said adding, “Even now, I get scared while ascending.”
An adage, which he is accustomed to hearing from mountaineers, makes his chest broader. Consider this: “Everest can be conquered without oxygen, but not without the Sherpas.” What could be more heartening than this for Phurba and rest of the Sherpa porters and guides?
Photo: Thaneswar Guragai
By saying so, he also recalls the moment when he guided Rosha Basnet, a journalist, to the summit. “Rosha appreciated my support,” he says adding, “When God is always with us, why we need to fear?”
(With inputs from Thaneswar Guragai)
BHIMDATTA: In a bid to increase the number of tourists, the Suklaphanta tourism festival kicked off today at the Suklaphanta National Park.
Organized by the Bhimdatta Municipality in collaboration with the National Park, the week-long festival is expected to promote the national park as well as increase the number of visitors.
Chief of the Municipality, Surendra Bista informed that the park is like an open university where once can find and explore diversity. He added that they are also planning to construct Suklaphanta Tourism route, bridges, park and Rana Tharu home stays.
According to him, the festival is also aimed at supporting the government’s initiative of Visit Nepal 2020 campaign.
The Bhimdatta Municipality has announced year 2019 as the year of Promotion and Infrastructures.
KATHMANDU: Kathmandu has been placed in the 19th position out of 25 best-rated destinations in the world, according to TripAdvisor’s annual Travelers’ choice.
The winners were determined based on algorithm that analyses the millions of reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants and attractions collected in a single year from TripAdvisor travelers worldwide.
London bags the first spot this year, followed by Paris while Rome comes third in line among top-rated holiday destinations.
Trip adviser’s top-rated holiday destinations
1. London
2. Paris
3. Rome
4. Crete
5. Bali
6. Phuket
7. Barcelona
8. Istanbul
9. Marrakech
10. Dubai
11. Prague
12. Siem Reap
13. New York City
14. Jamaica
15. Hanoi
16. Tokyo
17. Playa del Carmen
18. Lisbon
19. Kathmandu
20. Jaipur
21. Hurghada
22. Hong Kong
23. Cusco
24. Sydney
25. Tel Aviv
Manaslu Base Camp, 4800m, trek has always been a fascinating route for trekkers and climbers. Also dubbed as an untouched paradise, it has been one of the most popular trekking destinations in Nepal.
Officially opened in 1992, the base camp route is considered as an adventure trek for travelers.
In fact, Manaslu trek offers an absolute view of the mountain peaks, rich cultural heritage, breathtaking panorama as well as rural civilization. To add more, it has an incomparable beauty blended with the natural assortment.
The majestic Mt. Manaslu, 8163m, which is one of the eight tallest mountains in the world, stands tall with its name “The Spirit-Mountain” in the local language.
The sunrise view of Mt. Manaslu Main 8163m (L) and East pinnacle 7992m (L), seen from the renowned village Samagoan (3520m) of Gorkha.
Trek to the Manaslu Base Camp can be a blend of an unforgettable experience and wonderful adventure.
Trek to the Manaslu Base Camp begins from Sotikhola Bazar to Budhi Gandaki passing through steep yet picturesque valleys.
Magnificent view of Birendra Tal seen on the way to the Manalsu Base Camp.
The Manaslu base camp trek begins from Kathmandu to Arughat in Gorkha district. The 18-day trek will lead a traveler through the banks of the Budi Gandaki River passing through scenic valleys, green hills, ridges, jungles, prayer flags, Buddhist monasteries, typical villages, and what not!
The best time of Manaslu trekking begins from September, October and November or March, April and May. Trekkers are usually not recommended to go for trekking from June to August, which is a monsoon season.
A man with a mule heading toward Manaslu basecamp (4800m). Donkey and mule are the major transportation means in the Manaslu Region.
Two local women carrying loads to the Manaslu Base Camp.
Tents at the Manaslu Base Camp (background is the Panpoche Peak 6620m). Climbers stay at the basecamp using tents for more than 30 days during the entire expedition. Each year more than 500 climbers climb the peak.
Man carry water from the source of melting ice at the basecamp.
Lit up tents seen at the basecamp of Manaslu (4800m)
Man Marshaling helicopter at the basecamp. Some of the climbers chose to return to Kathmandu by helicopter after the climb. Helicopters are also used for rescue operations.
A chopper is seen at the Manaslu Base Camp.
Helicopter and crows at the basecamp.
Sherpas preparing to go to the higher camp.
Climbers hiking towards Camp I from the base camp.
Climbers on the way to Camp 1.
KATHMANDU: Basantapur is one of the most favored tourist destinations in the historic Kathmandu valley.
The country has seen an influx of over 200,000 tourists in two months alone, a 33 percent up as compared to the same period last year, according to the Department of Immigration. Altogether, 216,214 tourists visited the country in January and February (91,793 in January and 97,694 in February).
Photo: RSS
Photo: RSS
KATHMANDU: View of Mt. Annapurna from Kothe Khola Rural Municipality -3, Dhamja, Baglung. Mt. Annapurna is the tenth highest mountain in the world at 8,091 meters (26,545 ft) above sea level.
Annapurna is a massif in the Himalayas in north-central Nepal that includes one peak over 8,000 meters, 13 peaks over 7,000 meters and 16 more over 6,000 meters.
The massif is 55 long, and is bounded by the Kali Gandaki Gorge in the west, the Marshyangdi River in the north and east, and by Pokhara Valley in the south. At the western end, the massif encloses a high basin called the Annapurna Sanctuary.
KATHMANDU: The country has seen an influx of over 200,000 tourists in two months alone, a 33 percent up as compared to the same period last year, according to the Department of Immigration. Altogether, 216,214 tourists visited the country in January and February (91,793 in January and 97,694 in February).
A total of 163,694 tourists had visited the country in the same period last year. The tourist inflow in the two months saw a rise by 92.5 per cent in Indian tourists as compared to the same period last year. Likewise, SAARC tourists surged by 85 per cent, and Chinese tourists by 5.3. Tourist influx from European countries including the United Kingdom, Germany and France increased 8.7, 27.9 and 7.6 per cent respectively. In February alone, 7,133 tourists from the United States of America visited Nepal, which is five percent increment than last year.
Dipak Raj Joshi, chief executive officer of the Nepal Tourism Board, credited it to various promotional activities carried out by the Board and the private sector for the increment. Additional tourism promotional program would be launched to make the government’s announced ‘visit Nepal year 2020’ a success, he said.
Dreams can be fulfilled if you have the burning desire. In fact, all journeys begin with a dream. For many, climbing the top of the world, Mt Everest could be a dream while some people might dream of reaching to the foot, the Everest Base Camp (EBC) at an altitude of 5,364 meters.
Reaching to the Everest Base Camp is now an achievable dream for those who want to glimpse the 8,848 meters summit. The EBC now has become one of the most popular adventure tourism destinations.
It will be a super adventure full of exciting moments, breathtaking snowy peaks, stunning glaciers, ancient monasteries, and ice falls, as well as the Sherpa culture and tradition.
Tents at the Everest Base Camp. Climbers stay at the tent for around two months in each spring season.
Trek to the EBC can be enticing making it a lifetime experience for trekkers since this has been in the high priority list of trekkers.
Trekkers, however, cannot halt at the EBC, which is one of the most popular trekking routes in Nepal’s Himalayas. They have to return from there while climbers stay there for days before climbing the Everest.
The EBC as seen from the Khumbu Icefall. In each season, around 2,500 trekkers and climbers come to the base camp.
Thousands of trekkers visit the EBC every year. Trekkers wishing save time and energy fly to Lukla, the gateway to Everest, from Kathmandu.
Tents at the EBC. Mt. Lingtren (6,749 m) is seen at the backdrop. Each tent accommodates only two persons.
Tents at night. Mt. Pumori (7,161 m) is seen very close. The temperature at the EBC at night deeps down to a minimum of minus 20 degree Celsius.
Porters are seen delivering gas cylinders at the base camp. Trekkers started using gas cylinders to cook food since the last one decade. The cylinders are also taken to the Mt Everest Camp 2.
Helicopter is seen at the EBC. Trekkers also prefer choppers for viewing the Everest. Helicopters are also used in rescue operations.
Sunrise seen at the ridge of Mt. Nuptse (7,861 m).
Trekkers, climbers making a round of the Khumbu Icefall as part of the expedition. Before climbing the Mt. Everest, each climber needs to make at least two rounds of the Khumbu Icefall.
Climbers undergo training at the base camp before making their final climb. Climbers learn to use gear and equipment in the training.
Porters carry the stuff back to the helipad.