Trip Advisor's top holiday destination 2014

With technology and searching options, traveler and tourist have become smart and resources full. Every year Trip Advisor comes out with its list of top ten destination  highlighting the best of world's hospitality.This year 54 places across the globe, the spots were selected based on data collected from millions of TripAdvisor user searches and reviews. These were the places that have seen the “greatest increase in positive traveler feedback and traveler interest”, said the travel search engine.

Havana took the top world spot, beating off stiff competition from La Fortuna de San Carlos in Costa Rica, Kathmandu in Nepal, and Jerusalem, while Kailua-Kona, Hawaii nabbed the top U.S. destination over Anchorage and Destin, Fla.

Top 10 Destinations on the Rise in the World:

1. Havana, Cuba
2. La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica
3. Kathmandu, Nepal
4. Jerusalem, Israel
5. Cusco, Peru
6. Ambergris Caye, Belize
7. Sapporo, Japan
8. Hanoi, Vietnam
9. Corralejo, Spain
10. Fortaleza, Brazil

Top 10 Destinations on the Rise in the U.S.:

1. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
2. Anchorage, Alaska
3. Destin, Florida
4. Bar Harbor, Maine
5. Santa Fe, New Mexico
6. Jackson, Wyoming
7. Galveston, Texas
8. Brooklyn, New York
9. Moab, Utah
10. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Everest Controversies of 2013

Everest being one of the most known landmarks has attracted huge controversies where it has charts news with its headlines. With high rise in numbers coming for Everest Expedition from all over the world, the cases and controversies related to Everest scaling are also increasing. From the small brawl to an actress climbing without permission to the live broad casting from Everest, Everest is buzzing everywhere in News.  

With such controversies happening around, the government of Nepal has decided to organize a three-day event to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the first ascent of the Mt Everest, with a three-day event from May 27-29. Reality is Everest marks its 60 diamond jubilee with popularity of high controversies and faces of dissatisfaction.

Contemplating such condition and situation the government of Nepal should seriously think about maintaining a strict rules and regulations in retrospect to the revenue and services that can be given and managed.

Fight at Everest

April 27, 2013: News tops the chart with controversies of violence breaking out at 24,000ft – 5,029ft below the summit. Professional climbers Ueli Steck, Simone Moro, and their photographer, Jonathan Griffith, were attacked at Everest's Camp II (23,000 feet) by an angry group of Sherpas. It was reported that Sherpa guides, who were fixing ropes and digging a path on the snowy trail above Camp 2, asked the climbers to wait until they were finished. Steck, Moro, and Griffith ignored them and started upwards, knocking ice chunks onto the Sherpas below.

 Moro wrote in a press release that the "lead Sherpa was tired and cold and felt that his pride had been damaged as the three climbers were moving unroped and much faster to the side of him."


Everest controversies of 2013
Arjun and Nisha Adhikari climbing without a permit

Nisha Adhikari and Arjun Kari, who have successfully scaled the Mt Everest on 20^th May 2013, attracted huge controversies when they were questioned for their permit at the Everest Base camp.

During a check by the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), Namche, the actors names were not listed in the expedition team sent to us by the ministry. However, her Everest adventure became controversial after it was discovered that she did not have the permission to climb the peak, as the papers showed her as an assistant in a Chinese expedition team. No climber can go beyond the base camp without expedition permit issued by the Nepalese government.

Daniel Hughes broadcasting
British climber Daniel Hughes has been charged with illegal broadcasting on top of Mt.Everest.
Hughes was found broadcasting live on air with BBC for a live video interview from Mt. Everest  on Sunday without permission from the Nepal Government.

According to Nepal Government, “There is a permit that is required to film or use alternative forms of communication on top of the Everest. Even using a satellite phone on Everest requires a special permission from the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) and a fee of Nrs 120,000. Filming for public broadcast could be higher than USD 10,000. Hughes had not taken any permission from the authorities hence his broadcasting has been termed illegal.”

Though the climber has auctioned his red nose which he wore during the live broadcasting to raise £1 Million for the charity of Comic Relief but still his lack of carelessness shown towards authorities has made expedition controversial. 

Hughes was quoted, "This is the world's first live video call -- never been done before -- from the rooftop of the world," Hughes used his HTC one smartphone to provide video for the call.

AFP reports, “Nepalese government says Hughes' interview broke the law because Hughes did not seek the government's permission for his broadcast.”

Preparation before Trekking

Trekking is rigorous activity that requires high energy hard work, dedication, persistence and focus. Before starting any trekking there are few things that you must do. Yes, you need to prepare /shortlist your things that you will need during the trekking.   One thing that you have to understand is Trekking is not a calculative event/program, it is an unconditional program that is highly affected by various elements like climate, time, situation, natural calamity etc so the first thing one should be prepare for is uncertainty and  situation. You just have to be fully prepared for the coming.

Trekking is considered high energy draining activity so one has to be physically fit as well as need to hydrate constantly during the trip, so be well prepared for sweat and heat.

Generally during the trekking, all equipment and other items are carried by the porters. It is only necessary for you to carry a camera or small day pack, but one have to understand that trekking is not a solo activity. It is something of a team that needs proper coordination and team work so helping your guides and porter is always the best way to be friends and to know more about the place and region.

Prior trekking always do a research and search for blogs searching clues and regarding the health hazards, priorities, cultural oops, dos and don’ts

The following is a list of clothing and accessories that are recommended. This is not intended to be a comprehensive clothing and equipment list, rather it is intended to act as a reminder of those items that we feel are essential for your comfort and convenience. However personal preferences for clothing and equipment can shortlisted be which may be equally as suitable.

Before trekking always let your guide know about any physical conditions or deformity that may intrude during the trekking at times such condition can be life threatening due to carelessness.  

Needed items during the trekking 

-Trekking or running comfortable shoe- Make yourself comfortable with the shoe

-Sandals (lodge)- Gripped anti slip

-Some pair of trekking socks

-Warm jacket,

-Hiking pants

-Pile jacket

-Sun hat
-Some pair of shorts
-Fleece Jacket

- 1 medium sized quick drying towel

- Tooth brush/paste (preferably biodegradable)

- Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)

- Deodorants

- Nail clippers

- Face and body moisturizer

- Feminine hygiene products

-Wet wipes (baby wipes)

 -Tissue 

-Anti bacterial hands wash

-Sleeping bag ( can be hired in Kathmandu and Pokhara)

-Sunscreen lotion

-sun glass, lip bam

-Mosquito repellent for Chitwan

-Personal medicines ( Most)

-Day bag pack

-Camera

-Trekking Poles

-Water bottle

-Head Torch

-Binoculars

-Reading book

-Trail Map/Guide book

-Journal & Pen

-Walkman

-Pencils and small notebooks

-Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble

-Swimming customs (for Kathmandu)

Just for precaution always have a small knife; some useful medicine, a match box, compass and a detail map of the region.

A new way to see Adventure with wings …

How would you feel? If you are flying hundreds of meters above in the sky, just to witness the
magnificent birds Black Kites and Egyptian Vultures. Insane or crazy or adventurous whatever you
might say but for bird lovers, it is a treat. To be precise, Parahawking is an art of training birds of prey
to fly with paragliders; it was developed and pioneered in Pokhara by combining paragliding with the
ancient art of falconry. Parahawking provides a unique insight into these birds in-flight behavior from a
completely unique perspective as well as giving an experience of adrenaline. You can imagine yourself
flying like a bird with the attention and focus of another giant bird.

Especially being recognized as one of the number 1 adventure activity in Pokhara, by BBC, Nat Geo,
Discovery Channel and recommended by the Lonely Planet, the Parahawking Tandem has been taken
seriously by adventure enthusiast.

Parahawking was developed by British falconer Scott Mason in 2001. Mason is a common name in the
Nepal rescue and rehabilitation of birds’ conservation society. With Parahawking, birds of prey are
trained to fly with paragliders, guiding them to thermals for in-flight rewards and performing aerobatic
maneuvers. During the flight the pilot or passenger will place small morsels of meat onto their gloved
hand, the birds will come and gently land on the hand to take the food, and then gracefully fly away to
find the next thermal.

On average Parahawking costs around 130 pounds where is feasible from October to mid April. Training
and flying birds are done during the dry season between September and March. Parahawking supports
Vulture conservation by donating 10 Euros from every Parahawking activity in Nepal. The Parahawking
project not only supports the Vulture conservation but during the spare time its volunteers are actively
seen in saving and raising awareness about the project of these big giant birds.

The concept of Parahawking began when Mason was on a round-the-world trip in Pokhara, Nepal,
where he was studying about birds behavior specifically griffon vulture, steppe eagle and black kite.
During one of his research session, while taking a tandem paragliding flight with British paraglider Adam
Hill, he had the opportunity to see raptors in flight, and realized that he could combine the sports of
paragliding and falconry. He figured out it was interesting as well as exciting as people were unaware
about the giant birds and people had many question regarding their in flight behavior.

The team started by training two black kites, but have since added 2 Egyptian vulture. With a lot of
restrict and limitations Parahawking has been fight against legal grounds with the wild life protection
act. Adapting the norms and regulation only rescued birds are used none of the birds have been taken
from the wild as the wild life protection act of Nepal Prohibits the use of any wildlife in any commercial
purpose.

Still struggling with controversy, Parahawking is an amazing experience where the bird guides you
through the skies. The experience is totally unique and unforgettable where you get to learn a lot about
these gentle beasts. On one hand surfing in the sky with the giant birds, you have the fun of a lifetime
where as on the other you play an important part in saving the bird by donating a certain amount for the Jatayu Restaurant.

Tamang Heritage Trail a unique way to see Nepal's cultural heritage

Located between Langtang and the Ganesh Himal, the 'Tamang Heritage Trail' offers an immersive
cultural experience and scenic views of the adventurous Mountain Range. It covers an area of
outstanding natural beauty with a rich cultural heritage preserved by its ethnic Tamang Community.
Richness in both cultural and natural aspects of this area truly fulfills your desire to make your holiday
for lifetime experience. The main inhabitants of this area are believed to be the descendants of Tibetans
from Kerung who intermingled with Tamang of the Helambu area. Tamang communities are generally
found on higher elevations with the peasants engaging in shifting cultivation and extraction of forest
products. They are mainly sheep and yak herders but grow some hardy grains and vegetables. Their
daily life activities include raising livestock, agriculture and trade with Kerung in Tibet. They also make
baskets and mats from mountain bamboo.

Practicing a unique and rich culture, it is considered as one of the prized cultural heritages of Nepal.
The people, craftsmanship, dress, traditionally built stone houses and the beautifully carved wooden
porches reflect the solitude and the serenity of the Himalayan scenery make this are an ideal model
trekking destination in Nepal.

The Tamang culture mostly searches beliefs of Shamanism that is still used in daily lives of the people.
The trek takes you through a number of settlements where these communities live, while also taking
you to a high mountain ridge to give you breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain peaks of
Langtang, Ganesh Himal and peaks in bordering Tibet. The valley offers pine forest, swift mountain
streams, rugged rock and snow- capped peaks, grassy downs and meadows strewn with daisies and wild
primula. During the trekking one can we enjoy the panoramic mountain views of the nearby peaks and
soak in the natural hot springs at Tatopani.

If you love wild life then there are great chances of spotting bears, leopards, red panda’s and musk deer
that however are no danger. In March and April the Rhododendron forests have many different species
of trees, birds and butterflies while trekking you can discover the rough history of the Tibetan ancestors.

The trail starts either from Dhunche or Syabrubesi and passes through Goljung, Gatlang, Thuman,
Timure, Briddim, Lama Hotel, Langtang valley and Kyangjin Gompa. Goljung, Gatlang and Langtang are
traditional Tamang villages culminating cultural features. The visit to beautiful local Tamang monastery
and the holy Parvatikunda Lake at Gatlang adds exhilaration to your trekking.

Trekking in Tamang Heritage Trail offers; to the mountains lovers’ opportunity to observe Syabru, Mane
and other local dances at Goljung, Brimdang and Gatlang village, this is nearby Tibetan border. The
villages also sell exclusive handicraft items like traditional caps, mufflers and other items, where the
stay is a unique experience. The ancient monasteries and houses adorned with rich wood engravings
at Thuman is an unforgettable experience. At Briddim one gets to experience the famous Tamang
hospitality, where there is home stay facility in two dozen houses.

Brief Itinerary:

Day 01 : Drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi (1467 m.) via Trishuli

Day 02 : Syabrubesi to Gatlang (2238m.).

Day 03 : Gatlang to Tatopani (2607m.).

Day 04 : Tatopani to Thuman (2338m.) via Nagthali (3165m.).

Day 05 : Thuman to Timure (1762m.).

Day 06 : Timure to Briddim village (2229m.).

Day 07 : Briddim village to lama hotel (1900M).

Day 08 : Lama Hotel Trek ThuloSyabru (2100.):

Day 09 : Thulo Shyabru to Dhunche

Day 10 : Drive from Dhunche to Kathmandu

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 01 : Drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi (1467 m.) via Trishuli

The trip starts from Kathmandu with a bus ride and it takes about nine hours to reach Syabrubesi. You
will stay overnight in Syabrubesi. You head north out of Kathmandu driving through scenic foothills
and ridgeline vistas to Syabru Besi passing through Dhunche. While passing along the road at the bank
of Trishuli River you catch a glimpse of Ganesh Himal, terraces and green hills. As you pass through
Dhunche you feel as if you are heading towards deep land.

Day 02 : Trek from Syabrubesi to Gatlang (2238m.).

Walking for about six hours you will experience the Tamang culture. You can see scenery from view
point. This day you walk through village. The cultural show at Goljung and Gatlang makes your trekking
a memorable one. Gatlang set high on a hillside among terraced fields is a Tamang settlement. One can
visit a Tamang monastery and beautiful Parvatikunda Lake at Gatlang.

Day 03 : Trek from Gatlang to Tatopani (2607m.).

On the way you will enjoy sightseeing of Langtang range and Ganesh Himal. At Tatopani which naturally
signifies 'hot water', you can take hot bath in natural hot springs with bathing areas in the lap of the
mountains. It is believed that taking a dip into this spring would heal you from your aches and pains. This

day's trekking provides you an opportunity to experience of the Tamang culture.

Day 04 : Trek from Tatopani to Thuman (2338m.) via Nagthali (3165m.).

Trekking about 5 hours via Bimthang you can encounter animals like red pandas, monkeys and deers.
The panoramic view of Langtang, Kerung, Ganesh Himal, Sanjen ranges can be distinctly experienced
from Nagthali. Nagthali used to be a popular meditation center for the local monks and priests. Another
cultural village Thuman is popular for its Shamanic performances and beautiful view of Langtang.
Beautiful view of the mountains can be seen from every house in Thuman.

Day 05 : Trek from Thuman to Timure (1762m.).

It takes about five hours, while trekking from Thuman to Timure you can visit nearby historical
Rasuwagadi. This day's trekking grants you an opportunity to observe Tibeto Burman Tamang culture on
the two villages on the way. Timure is on the old trade route to Tibet. A fort here is a historical reminder
of the Nepal Tibetan relations that has existed for many centuries. A suspension bridge here links Nepal
and Tibet.

Day 06 : Trek from Timure to Briddim village (2229m.).

It takes about six hours. You can experience village life of Briddim. Moreover you can enjoy cultural
show performed by community members. You can also experience of home stay and Tamang culture.
To mention about Briddim is a Tibetan Buddhist village in the bosom of Langtang Himal. As direct
descendant of ancient Tibean immigrants, the culture and tradition of Briddim closely resembles that of
nearly Tibetan villages.

Day 07 : Trek from Briddim village to lama hotel (1900M).

From Bridim village to Lama hotel it takes about 4 hour easy walking, the trek starts in the morning then
after 2 hours we will pass through forest and along the river.

Day 08 : lama Hotel Trek ThuloSyabru (2100.):

It takes 4/5 hours easy downhill walking along the river and the trail moves gentle descent passing
through forest , terraces and magnificent views of surrounded hills and Ganesh Himal and Langtang
Lirung etc.

Day 09 : Thulo Shyabru to Dhunche

It takes about 4 hours easy walking passing trough tamang village where we can explore their rich
culture, life style as well as beauty of Nature and landscape. The journey then will stop after 2 hour
trekking where you can get a breath taking views and wild experience. Then we will reach Dhunche

Day 10 : Drive from Dhunche to Kathmandu

It takes about 9 hours. It is a pleasant drive back to Kathmandu with splendid views of hills, mountains,
terraces and villages.

The first climb to Everest

It has been decades, from the day when Humans laid their first step on the highest point of earth. It
was a historical movement that marks history of human domination over nature. Edmund Hillary and
Tenzing Norgay were people who made this possible and were part of the British Everest Expedition,
1953, led by Colonel John Hunt. For this expedition Hunt had selected a team of people who were
experienced climbers from all around the British Empire. With specific criteria, Edmund Hillary was
selected as a climber from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, though born a Sherpa was selected for
being native to the Himalayas. More or less, the team was setup with a strategy for laying the historical
step over Mt. Everest. The team also included a filmmaker to document their progress and a writer to
record the details of the expedition.

After months of planning and organizing, the expedition began to climb. On their way up, the team
established nine camps, some of which are still used by climbers’ today. Due to harsh climatic condition
and bad weather only four of the team member would get a chance to make an attempt to reach
the summit. Hunt, the team leader, selected two teams of climbers. The first team consisted of Tom
Bourdillon and Charles Evans and the second team consisted of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.
The first team left on May 26, 1953 to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. Although the two men made
it up to about 300 feet shy of the summit, the highest any human had yet reached, they were forced
to turn back after bad weather set in as well as a fall and problems with their oxygen tanks. With the
failure of the first team there were less hopes but Edmund and Tenzing were determine to concur
Everest. They had the pressure as well as the motivation to do something which no one had done. The
first step on Everest was not just a dream but a legacy where number of people had already lost their
lives.

Nearly at 4 a.m. on May 29, 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay awoke in camp nine and readied
themselves for their climb. Like always the weather was harsh and due to heavy snow fall things were
frozen solid. Hillary discovered that his boots had frozen and thus spent two hours defrosting them.
Mount Everest has an extreme climate. The summit temperature never rises above freezing or 32° F (0°
C). Its summit temperatures in January average -33° F (-36° C) and can drop to -76° F (-60° C). In July, the
average summit temperature is -2° F (-19° C). In such harsh climate condition it is nearly impossible to
do anything.

With determination and strong will, the two men left camp at 6:30 a.m. Upon their climb, they came
upon one particularly difficult rock face, but Hillary found a way to climb it (The rock face is now
called "Hillary's Step) Stepping up in the harsh climate every step was a hard blow in the face but
determined with the objective of making history. At 11:30 a.m., Hillary and Tenzing reached the summit
of Mount Everest.
“A symmetrical, beautiful snow cone summit,” said Edmund Hillary.

Hillary reached out to shake Tenzing's hand, but Tenzing gave him a hug in return. The two men enjoyed
only 15 minutes at the top of the world because of their low air supply, but they spent their time taking
photographs, taking in the view, placing a food offering (Tenzing), and looking for any sign that the
missing climbers from 1924 had been there before them (they didn't find any).

Edmund Hillary took several photographs of the scenery and of Sherpa Tenzing waving flags
representing Britain, Nepal, the United Nations and India. Tenzing buried some sweets and biscuits
in the snow as a Buddhist offering to the gods. They looked for signs of George Mallory and

Andrew "Sandy" Irvine who had disappeared in 1924 in a similar attempt to conquer Everest, but found
nothing.

Then they began the slow and tortuous descent to rejoin their team leader Colonel John Hunt further
down the mountain at Camp VI.

When he saw the two men looking so exhausted Col Hunt assumed they had failed to reach the summit
and started planning another attempt.

Prior Hillary and Tenzing successful scaling Mount Everest had long been considered un-climbable due
to innumerable number of failures but Edmund and Tenzing mark the history with their accent. Till date
more than 5,000 people have climbed Everest and 219 have died trying. About 77 percent of those
ascents have been accomplished since 2000. Currently the permit fee of climbing Mt Everest is USD
10,000 and still the craze of Everest has not gone down in fact the human domination nature has grown
so much Nepal ha established itself as a mountaineering country.

Adventurous White water rafting in Nepal

White water rafting is one of the most exciting and sort after activity in Nepal, people from all over the
world come here just to enjoy and relax the nature’s exotic creation.

The Bhote Koshi, which runs alongside the Arniko Highway to the Tibetan border northeast of
Kathmandu, is probably the steepest and hardest commercial rafting river in Nepal. It has been rated
Class 4+ river which in normal terms mean high adventurous.
It is a Twenty- Six Kilometers of continuous white water that soaks rafters as they shoot through a
veritable maze of canyons and boulders and requires a lot of concentration. Starting above Barabise, the
river moves toward Lamosangu with a twist and turns.

Passing by the big rapids and facing waves arouses the sense of emancipation where fear and
excitement melts down and the splash of cold water refreshes you. Dare to challenge nature, come face
it at its best form with an exciting taste of adrenaline and you will know the real meaning of adventure.
This river of Nepal is ready to take you up for a rollercoaster ride that is more than fast and furious.
Full with excitement and exhilaration White Water Rafting in Bhote Koshi is accustomed to the real
adventure of what Nepal has to offer. Within the swiftly flowing rivers and tantalizing sheer music,
the rivers seem stalled in time. Shattering its image the river comes alive with raging attitude to an
aggressive twists and turns. Fear takes a new form of excitement creating an enthusiasm to testify your
will where no one can keep themselves from the adrenal rush. Divine to sight, the natural raw terrain
and unexploited greenery adds satisfaction to the eyes. The journey on the flowing torrents could thus
be an exhilarating and fun-filled adventure.

After a series of Class III rapids, easy yet so adventurous, then comes the first Class IV rapid popularly
known as Gerbil in the Plumbing followed by the technical rapid Frog in a Blender, which makes us
fearless while tackling the churning waves in a big swirling pool. After a long gutsy ride, which feels like a
ride on the back of a giant dragon?

This river is one of the most fun things you can do right out of the Kathmandu and a great way to get
an adrenaline fix during the low water months. It is one of the most exciting ways of exploring Nepal.
The Government has opened 16 rivers graded on a scale of 1 to 5 for commercial rafting. Continuous,
challenging and action-packed, the Bhote Koshi offers nothing less than the ride of a lifetime.

Bhote Koshi River rafting is also an idyllic rafting trip for the experienced Rafters and Kayakers.
During the rafting you cruise through a stupendous setting, thrilling drops, gorges and limestone
formations welcome you into another dimension where your instinct becomes your driving force and
your body is your best ally. Both experienced and novice paddlers will agree that this is the Ultimate
Rafting Experience.

Rafting in the Bhote Koshi is a full body activity, with much more than mere paddling. You learn how to
throw your body weight around the raft in desperate, yet effective attempts to swing the raft around
boulders and through the hydraulics. Owing to its sharp gradient, this is a fast flowing river, offering a
unique combination of exceptionally fun and challenging rapids without it ever getting past the point of
recreation. Suitable for both novices and expert rafters, Bhote Koshi offers the ultimate adrenaline rush.

The best time for rafting along this Bhote Koshi river is from October to December and From February
to April. This is an ideal package either for veteran or beginner on river rafting. If you have never rafted
before but want to get an experience Bhote Koshi is a wild ride. Awesome scenery of the territory,
gorges, formation of limestone and thrilling drops of river makes your adventure an ever memorable.