The trans-Himalayan bus service from Lhasa, capital of the Chinese-occupied Tibet to Nepal which had been the easiest means of transportation for Nepal and Tibet was suspended due to political fallout over issuance of Tibetan visas. After a halt of 4 years, China government is getting ready to resume the service. The service was started on May 1, 2005. According to the “a two-day meeting” between the officials of Nepal Tourism Board and Tibet Tourism Administration held months ago, the service will resume in the next few days. Though a February-end deadline has been fixed, much will hinge upon the snows that block Himalayan passes leading up the Tibetan Plateau from Nepal. In the past, deadlines have been set for resumption of services but were not met. One such notable deadline was January 1, 2008; the year China hosted the Beijing Olympics. Nepal and China signed a formal agreement to promote tourism by restarting the service. China aims at bringing in tourists – ...

Save the Children is the world’s largest independent child rights development organisation, making a difference to children’s lives in more than 100 countries.  Save the Children Australia manages and implements programs in Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and also support development programs through global network in selected countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Save the Children Australia and Inspired Adventures have been hosting trips to raise funds. In a similar project 12 people came to visit Nepal last October, which involved trekking through the careening routes with stunning mountains as backdrop. The participants of this trip raised $50,000 to help build a classroom in the small village of Bihun. According to the participants, “the trek was a visual feast – stunning snow capped mountains one day, lush rainforest the next and acres and acres of rice fields everywhere ...

Gokyo Lake – Dr. Ravi Shankar Gokyo is a series of high altitude lakes at around 4800 m in the Sagarmatha National Park in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal. Gokyo Ri, a rocky ridge near Gokyo is a spectacular Himalayan view point. Elevation: 4,750 meters Location: Sagarmatha National Park Best for Trekking: March, April, May, Oct, Nov, Dec Transportation: Car / Van / Plane Nearest airport: Lukla Trek Grade: Moderate to Strenuous Trek Highlights: Scenic mountain flight to Lukla; Sherpa home town; Gokyo Lakes; amazing view of Mt. Everest, Cho Oyu; Ngozumpa Glacier The high altitude Gokyo lakes lie in the Sagarmatha National Park in the Solukhumbu district of Eastern Nepal. Founded in 1976, the park was designated as UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. It encloses the upper drainage areas of the Dudh Koshi (milk river) and is surrounded by some of the highest mountains on earth. The first man to climb Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary had an important role in convincing the Nepalese government to establish the park and the New Zealand government to support the venture. The Gokyo valley lies to the west of the traditional trek to Kala Patthar and Everest Base Camp (EBC). Gokyo lakes lie along the lateral moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier, Nepal’s longest. Most tourists reach the lakes trekking up from Lukla, during trekking season, the second busiest airport in Nepal.

An Unforgettable Trip through the Annapurna Sanctuary - James Ward Locally called Tharpu Chuli, Tent Peak is an attractive mountain situated in the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary. Elevation: 18,577feet / 5,663meters (17th highest trekking peak of Nepal) Location: Annapurna region of Nepal Best for the Climbing: July, August, September, October Nearest Airport: Pokhara Trek grade: Moderate & Strenuous Dominating the mountains of central Nepal is the mighty Annapurna Himal, which lies between the Kali Gandaki and Marsgyangdi river valley and forms a solid mountain bastion. It covers a distance of 40 miles and encompasses within its range some twelve peaks that rise to an elevation of more than 7000m besides numerous other smaller peaks. The Annapurna Massif forms an almost complete ring of high peaks. The sanctuary encompassing this area, known as the Annapurna Sanctuary, is an enthralling amphitheatre of ice, snow, glacier and moraine. The mountain first received attention from Jimmy Roberts who was exploring the sanctuary during a reconnaissance for the 1957 British Machhapuchhre Expedition. It was Roberts that gave the mountain its descriptive name, Tent Peak. The peak was first climbed via the south-east ridge by members of the Japanese Annapurna South Expedition from Kyoto University in 1964, led by Dr. Harou Higuchi.

A popular trekking trail that uses alternate routes in the same area, the Gokyo Ri trek features the unbelievable scenery of the remote Gokyo Valley as well as complimentary views of turquoise lakes, huge glaciers, and stunning mountain vistas that include Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu - four of the eight highest peaks on earth. The 360-degree view from Gokyo Ridge is lauded as the best in the Khumbu area. The beginning of this trek is the same as the trail to Everest Base Camp. Most trekking agencies will schedule two nights in the village of Namche Bazaar to acclimatize. Namche is considered the trading center for the Khumbu region, and people walk from as far away as Tibet Saturdays to sell their wares here. This is also the hub onto which each trail converges, so yaks and people compete for space in this amphitheater style city. After visiting ...

The Everest Base Camp trek is arguably the most famous trekking route in the world and provides you with opportunities to take in some truly amazing views from the roof of the world. The trek also gives an insight into the lives and culture of the Sherpa people who are local to the area and closely linked to the Tibetans on the other side of the summit. The view of the sunrise on the snow capped peaks above the Khumbu Glacier is an unforgettable sight from the summit of Kala Patthar. An EBC trek requires physical fitness as it demands some challenging climbs on the trail. A lot of the trail has well graded paths; however there are pretty tough sections along the Khumbu glacier where utmost care is required. Most trekkers fly to Lukla from the capital; the adventure beginning even before you land as the plane takes you right between hills and lands on a unique inclined landing ...