Bhaktapur Photos, Images of Bhaktapur, Temple, Pagodas and Locals

Tiji Festival in Upper Mustang 2023

Tiji festival is the Tibetan three day dance rituals in Lo-Manthang, Mustang. The festival is about a historical story where the Lord Buddha's incarnation Dorjee Sonnu battles against his demon father to save the kingdom of Mustang from destruction. This is not only a festival but resembles the great history of Lo-manthang and the Choedhe Monastery is organizing yearly on May. The festival takes lasts for 3 days and during the festival, the monks with the colorful dress perform ritual dances. First day the group of monks dance Tsa Chham with different traditional cloths and mask. Second day it follows as Naga Chham dance and third day, there will be Rha Chham.


Tiji festival trekking is a spring festival in Nepal that combines the visit of Mustang villages, monasteries, Buddhist shrines and temples. Tiji festival in 2023 is going to be held in 7, 8 and 9 May in Upper Mustang - Lo Manthang City.

Holi - Colorful Festival in Nepal

Holi is a festival of color celebrated in March 12, 2017 in Kathmandu Valley and March 13 in Terai region. The festival also symbolizes the farewell of winter and welcoming the glooming spring summer season. Celebrated in Full moon day in Falgun (March) is also called as Fagu purnima in Nepali. As the festival of color, water, sweets and music, people put color on each other and sharing the love with delicious food and music. In day time, people of all age group play with color and water and at evening sing, dance and eat the delicious food gathering the family members. Holi holds a mythological importance - that of the triumph of good over evil. It is also associated with the eternal love of Lord Krishna and his consort Radha. The holy festival is celebrated in Nepal, India and Bangladesh.

Mira Rai voted National Geographic’s 2017 People’s Choice Adventurer of the Year

Photo Credit : Lloyd Belcher

The Nepalese trail Runner Mira Rai has been voted as the National Geographic’s 2017 People’s Choice adventurer of the Year 2017. According to a press release by National Geographic, she was selected from an impressive group of adventurers whose extraordinary achievements in exploration, conservation, humanitarianism and adventure sports distinguished them in the past year. The 10 honorees were announced on Nov. 3, 2016, and the public was invited to vote through Dec. 16, 2016, for the People’s Choice Adventurer of the Year.

Rai, along with ten other adventurers, had been nominated for NatGeo's annual list that selects adventurers for their extraordinary achievement in exploration, adventure sports, conservation, or humanitarianism.

 She was on the competition along with other adventurers include, Park Protectors Pete McBride and Kevin Fedarko, Rock Climber Ashima Shiraishi, Cave Diver Krzysztof Starnawski, Celestial Circumnavigators Hōkūle‘a Team, Ocean Advocate Shannon Switzer Swanson, Kayaker Semit Lee, Paraglider Antoine Girard, Wilderness Defender Kristine McDivitt Tompkins and Mountaineer Colin Haley. The 29-year-old former Maoist soldier had garnered the highest votes among the 10 nominees.

In 2016, Mountaineer Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita was voted as the 2016 People's Choice Adventurer of the Year and in 2017, Mira Rai save the position for the same category for Nepal.

Congratulations Mira Rai!!! - Nepal Footprint Holiday (P) Ltd.

Nepal Travel Guide 2023

Nepal is a landlocked country situated in between two giant countries India and Tibet. Rich in culture and nature, Nepal is the home to the world's highest glorious mountain peaks including Mount Everest as top of the world. 

If you are planning for Nepal Holiday in 2023, 24 then our travel guide will help you to get the essential information about the trip plan, accommodation, food, money, shopping, health, transport, visa information, travel insurance, climate and gears. Nepal is a small Himalayan country in south Asia lying between the two big countries China and India. With an area of 147,181 sq. kms. and population approx. 27 million, Nepal is the world's 93rd largest country by land mass and the 41st most populous country.

Visiting Nepal in Spring and Autumn season are highly recommended as during these seasons, weather is clear enough to view the mountains and landscapes, blooming rhododendron forests will be awesome, temperature will be moderate and opportunity to join the Nepalese greatest festivals.

The transportation and luxury hotels are available in city areas whereas in the Himalayan areas, you are managed to stay in tea-houses and homestay. Normal Nepalese food is available in the village areas whereas in the city areas, you can taste the international cuisines as per your interest.

Except Indian, all of international tourist are required an entry visa which can be obtained from the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and in the boarder between India and China.

Nepal Travel Information

Nuwakot Bull Fighting Festival

The annual bullfighting festival at Taruka Village (76 km north of Kathmandu Valley) in Nuwakot is going to be held on January 14 this year as organisers said.

The event is going to be organized on the auspicious occasion of Maghe Sankranti, one of the popular Hindu festival in Nepal and India will be a great highlight for visitors. Around fourteen bulls took part in the competition this year in a ring overlooking the stunning terraced hillsides of Nuwakot in front of huge crowd of visitors. For the annual bullfighting event, the bulls are selected when they are calves and are trained to fight. The festival is going popular in Nepal in different parts of the country, including Dhading, Rasuwa, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lamjung and Tanahun.

As we operate the animal friendly tourism in Nepal, we strongly avoid and raise voice to save animals against such events that give torture to the animals. Bull is worshipped during the Tihar festival by Hindus and consider to the father. Also the bull is worshipped as the vahan or vehicle of Lord Shiva. Bullfighting was banned 20 years ago in neighboring India, but the event is going to be popular in Nepal. 

Top 5 Mountain Biking Holidays in Nepal Himalayas in 2017

Do you love adventure? then why not Mountain Biking. Biking the rugged Himalayan trail is the fastest growing adventure holidays in Nepal.

Nepal is one of the world's best adventure destination with the eight of the world's 14 highest mountain peaks including Mount Everest. Due to the natural and cultural diversity, Nepal has been developing as the hub for Biking Holidays. Those who are planning for cycling in the Mountains, in the rugged trails of mid-hills and lower Great Himalayan Trail, We Nepal Footprint Holidays are arranging pedaling adventure throughout Nepal.

Along with Nepal, we operate Mountain Biking Trips to Tibet and Bhutan in the High Himalayas Single Track in the lap of Himalayas. Mountain Biking is not only the epic adventures but it provides the opportunity to explore the remote villages, jungles, scenic beauty, the Himalayas and beautiful panorama.

The most popular Mountain Biking destinations are Kathmandu, Pokhara, Mustang, Annapurna and Langtang. With our expert guides, we are operating Biking adventures in Nepal this year 2017. If you are planning for epic adventures this season, join our Mountain Biking Holidays.

Top 5 Mountain Biking Holidays in Nepal Himalayas
Kathmandu Cultural Trail Biking
Kathmandu Pokhara Biking
Upper Mustang Biking
Annapurna Circuit Biking
Biking Langtang Tibet Border

Nepal Holiday Tour Packages 2017

Nepal is a country of beautiful sceneries, rich culture and historical sites, wildlife and adventure trekking spots. Not only for Himalayan adventure activities, Nepal is also popular for cultural, historical, wildlife and pilgrimage tours. The places like Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan are popular for historical and cultural tours whereas Chitwan National park offers the adventure wildlife safari holidays.

If you are looking for Nepal Holiday Tour Packages 2017, Nepal Footprint Holiday operates
Kathmandu Day Tour
Kathmandu City Tour
Explore Nepal Tour
Culture and Wildlife Tour
Mountain Mystical Nepal Tour
Pilgrimage Tour
Buddhist Tour in Nepal
Discover Nepal Tour
Honeymoon Package Tour

Nepal Footprint Holiday Operates Mountain Biking in Bhutan

Bhutan is the best travel destination with the mountains, the valley of Himalaya ranges and the remote villages offering prominent options to fulfil the lifetime adventure for adventure lovers. Mountain Biking in Bhutan is gaining popularity among the worldwide tourists.

Nepal Footprint Holiday has been operating with the great success since its inception. We guarantee the unique and authentic way of exploring the natural spectacle and interaction with the local people. Bhutan Biking offers the superb chance to experience the breathtaking adventurous sports.

Currently we are operating Bhutan Biking Tour starting from November 7 - November 14. Our Managing Director, Mr. Bashu Thapaliya will be leading the group to the Thimpu, Paro, Punakha and Tiger Nest.

Visit our website for more details about Bhutan Biking Tours.

Mira Rai nominated for National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year 2017

Mira Rai, a Nepalese trail runner has been nominated for National Geographic's Adventurer of the year 2017. As a teenager, Rai joined the Maoist rebel movement. She has been selected for nomination among the 10 honorees based on their extraordinary achievements in exploration, adventure sports, conservation or humanitarianism in the past year.

Online voting for the 2017 People’s Choice Adventurer of the Year is now open and will run through Dec. 16, 2016. Fans can go to www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/adventurers-of-the-year.html to vote every day for their favorite honoree.

The adventurer with the most votes at the end of the voting period will be announced in January as the 2017 People’s Choice Adventurer of the Year.

Former Maoist combatant, Rai, who hails from hilly district Bhojpur, has already achieved the Skyrunning World Championships award.

National Geographic has named Adventurers of the Year since 2006 and mountaineer Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita was voted the 2016 People's Choice Adventurer of the year.

Nepal Footprint Holiday Fixed Departures

If you are looking for Nepal short tour and trekking packages? or willing to join a group, Nepal Footprint Holiday has some fixed departure trips for you that has been specially designed according to our clients.

Here we have the list of some trips that you may like to do
Everest Mountain Flight - Every Morning ($195)
Kathmandu City Sightseeing Tour - Every Day ($55)
Sunrise/Sunset Tour - Every Day ($40)
Day Hiking Tour - Every Day ($45)
White Water River Rafting - Every Day ($35)
Chitwan National Park Jungle Safari - Every Day ($90)
Poon Hill Trek 5-7 Days (Price on request)

Domestic Trekkers Flow High in Annapurna Circuit

The world famous Annapurna Circuit trekking route has been a big draw for foreign adventurers for decades, but now the scenic walking trail in the Annapurna mountains of central Nepal has been pulling domestic thrill seekers in droves too.

According to the police office in Mustang, around 1,800 Nepali trekkers have been arriving daily since the start of the Dashain festival. The Jomsom and Muktinath trekking trails are part of the Annapurna Circuit.

Upper Mustang, Thorung La Pass, Tilicho Lake in Manang and a number of places in the Annapurna foothills are major attractions for domestic tourists. “More than a dozen reserved vehicles enter Mustang daily,” said Yogendra Yadav, sub-inspector of the Ghasa Police Office in Mustang. “This year, domestic visitor numbers have been encouraging.”

All hotels on the route from Jomsom to Mustang are packed. “This year has been really surprising. We have not seen such a big number of domestic visitors,” said Mohan Kumari Serchan, the proprietor of Hotel Muktinath in Jomsom.

Bel Bahadur Pun, an official at the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (Acap) Jomsom, said that they didn’t keep records of Nepali vacationers visiting the area, but that their numbers were exceptional this year.

Tourism entrepreneurs said that the number of domestic tourists had been increasing by the day. They added that a rise in disposable incomes was one of the major reasons behind the motivation to see one’s country.

“I have been mesmerized by the beauty of Muktinath,” said Pabitra Thapa, a local of Lamachaur, Pokhara.

“It was the experience of a lifetime. We enjoyed a lot,” she said. “I would like to visit this place again.”

Likewise, the number of sightseers travelling from Beni to Jomsom by motorcycle has risen sharply after the construction of the road.

The September-November period is considered to be the best time for trekking in Nepal due to the excellent weather and tantalizing mountain views.

According to a report entitled Travel and Tourism Economic Impact 2016 published by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the total contribution of travel and tourism to Nepal’s gross domestic product (GDP) was Rs173.7 billion (8.1 percent of GDP) in 2015, and is forecast to rise 6.5 percent in 2016.

Domestic travel spending generated 57.5 percent of direct travel and tourism GDP in 2015 compared to 42.5 percent for foreign visitor spending or international tourism receipts. Acap statistics show that foreign trekker numbers have also been rising. In August, there were 1,857 foreigners which is more than double the figure for the same period last year.

Likewise, 3,620 foreigners received trekking permits in September, up 89 percent compared to the same period last year.

Nepal on the Top 10 Best Value Destinations list for 2017

Nepal is a naturally beautiful country in the world and most popular destination for all kinds of adventure holidays and city guide sightseeing tour. Every year about 1 million tourist around the world visit Nepal for trekking, peak climbing, adventure holidays and cultural sightseeing tour. No doubt Nepal offers the best holiday activities according to the interest of tourist. This beautiful country has been listed on the top 10 best value destinations for 2017 by Lonely Planet.

According to the biggest travel guide books, The Lonely Planet says: “Even natural disasters can’t keep Nepal down for long. The 2015 earthquakes caused devastation, but what is most striking from a traveler's perspective is not how much was lost but how much remains. Landmark temples crumbled, but others came through with just the odd tile out of place, and whole swathes of the country escaped serious damage, including most of the popular trekking trails. Nepal has all the skills required to repair monuments and infrastructure, but what it does need is income. By visiting Nepal now and supporting local culture and people, you could help a nation rebuild and bounce back even stronger.”

Along with the Nepal, Canada, Colombia, Finland and Dominica complete the top five destinations for 2017. Similarly Nepal has also named as the best value for money destination for travelers in 2017.

The Lonely Planet website says “Nepal is bouncing back from earthquakes and a fuel strike that made getting round the country tough. It remains a fabulous choice for budget-conscious travelers, who can access the best of its world-famous trekking routes and underrated wildlife for well south of US$50 a day. Visitor numbers are slowly recovering and the time is ripe to get back to Nepal’s mighty mountains; wherever you go, you’ll receive a warm welcome, as your visit brings much-needed income to communities getting back on their feet.”

Solo trekker missing for a week in Annapurna Range

Israeli national Amit Mosche Reichman, 42, has gone missing while trekking along the Annapurna trekking circuit. Reichman had last contacted friends and families a week ago and was reported to have been trekking along the Mardi Himal trekking route. Since then his whereabouts remain unknown.

"Reichman contacted his family on 17 October. Since then, he has not come in contact with anyone," said police inspector Jayram Wanta, who is a part of the search team. "Our investigation so far has revealed that he had stayed at the Fishtail Guesthouse. From where he had headed out for Mardi Himal telling the lodge staff that he would return in two hours," Wanta added.

He informed that the search team has been searching for Riechman intensely in all the possible areas and trails of Mardi Himal area that is around 5553 meters above the sea level.

"His personal belongings, which include clothes and other stuffs, are at the hotel. Though he had told the hotel staffs that he would return back in around two hours for lunch, he never showed up."

The search team has been camping in higher altitude of Mardi Himal for conducting the search. Along with them, Israeli embassy has also sent out additional members with a helicopter for assisting, he informed.

"A joint search team which includes Nepal Police, search professionals sent by the Israeli embassy, locals and tourist guides has been making every effort possible to search Riechman. But so far we have not been able to get any positive sign," said Wanta. He informed that the search operation is getting affected from time to time due to bad weather. "We have been conducting aerial and ground search, despite challenging weather. But so far we have been not successful."


Apart from the lodge staff, Riechman was spotted by another team of trekkers just few kilometers away from the lodge. But he is reported to have separated from them after a while. Since then, he was not spotted by anyone, the search team informed.

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) records state that Riechman, who is an engineer by profession, arrived in Nepal on October 2 and has a visa valid until the end of the month. He had taken permission from the NTB, Pokhara, for trekking to Annapurna Base Camp after Mardi Himal.

Tourism entrepreneurs informed that it takes an additional day of trek from Mardi Himal to reach the high camp. As the trek above the high camp is very tough, only few tourists go for it.

"It is very tough to trek above the high camp. So many trekkers give up the quest from there. It is not possible to climb it without using expedition gear," said Milan Tiwari, a trekking guide.

Missing tourists: A challenge in Annapurna range

Just three months ago, Adina Monica Popescu of Romania who had gone missing, was found dead. Her body was found lying on the bank of Suikhola River in Ghandruk-1. Similarly, not all of the Japanese and Malaysians tourists, who were reported missing in the area in the last few months, have been found. Dead bodies of only a few of them have been recovered so far.

According to tourism entrepreneurs, around 5 to 6 tourists go missing in the Annapurna range annually. And few of them come out alive.

Call for banning solo treks
"Safety of trekkers call for trekking with professional team or guide instead of solo treks. When someone goes on to trek solo along a dangerous trail, they are prone to go missing," said Deepak Raj Adhikari, president of Western Chapter of Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN). "Therefore we have long lobbied for banning solo treks."


"When we allow solo trekkers, we not only allow them to risk their life but also put our safety measures on the stake. When a trekker goes missing, along with the suffering their family and loved ones have to go through, our trekking industry earns a bad name," Adhikari said, adding that those who go for trekking in group are far safer and at ease. He called on government agencies to introduce proper guidelines and make provisions for strictly monitoring their implementation to make trekking safer.

Wanta who has been involved in other search operations previously said that foreigners opt to visit alone in the trekking route in search for adventure but it becomes a grave problem when they go missing. "Tourists should not be over confident when in unknown terrain as it can push them and those associated with them into trouble" said Wanta while stressing on restricting solo treks.

Junko Tabei, first woman to scale Mt Everest, dies at 77

Junko Tabei, the first woman to scale Mount Everest in 1975 has died of cancer at the age of 77.

He had been victim of cancer for the past four years and died at the course of treatment in Japan.

Born on september 22, 1939, Tabei became the first lady to summit Mount Everest in 1975.

Even after reaching the world's highest 8,848-meter peak at age 35, the Fukushima native actively climbed mountains abroad.

In 1992, she became the first woman to complete the "Seven Summits," the highest point on each of the seven continents.

She visited Nepal on April 30 this year to observe the golden jubilee of the first ascend of Mount Manaslu and Mount Lhotse.

Nepal Travel and Tourism

The country marked the 38th World Tourism Day yesterday. Because of the earthquake and the unofficial Indian blockade, 2015 was a particularly bad year for the country’s tourism sector. Tourist arrivals to Nepal fell to a six-year low last year. However, the industry seems to have bounced back now. There has been a sharp increase in tourist arrivals for mountaineering and trekking activities in the past few months. This is a much needed respite for the tourism industry and the economy as a whole.

The travel and tourism sector accounts for 9.5 percent of global GDP and plays a key role as a driver of growth and job creation. The industry now accounts for one in 11 jobs on the planet according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). In terms of direct contribution to job creation by the industry, Nepal is ranked sixth among 184 countries by the WTTC. The Tourism Employment Survey 2014 of the Nepal government shows that every six tourists create one job in Nepal and that the tourism industry provides better access of revenues that it generates to poor communities.

This means Nepal’s economic growth and employment generation depend to a consideration extent on the advancement of the tourism sector. In a welcome move, the Tourism Ministry recently launched the new National Tourism Strategy 2016-2025, which envisages a fivefold increase in arrivals to 2.52 million annually by the year 2025.

Achieving the target, however, is going to require more work than simply drafting a plan. With eight of the 10 highest mountains in the world and a rich Hindu and Buddhist heritage, Nepal does have a high potential to be a tourist hotspot, but it is far from realising it. The annual number of visitors to the country has yet to reach the one million mark. Last year’s quake and the subsequent avalanches in the Himalayas dented Nepal’s image as a safe tourist destination. So the government needs to repair the trekking routes and enhance their safety.

But the main focus of government spending in the tourism sector should be on developing infrastructures like airports. Flying is key to the country’s tourism industry as it is an important mode of transportation in Nepal given its difficult terrain and limited road connectivity. But our air safety record leaves a lot to be desired; there have been four air crashes in the past six months alone. As such, improving the quality of our aviation needs serious attention. And the country’s only international airport, the Tribhuvan International Airport, has just one runway and was rated the third worst airport in the world last year by sleepinginairports.com, a website that does research on airports. TIA needs a complete overhaul.

Other tasks like upgrading the Gautam Buddha Airport in Bhairahawa to an international airport should also be completed on time. With China and India touching 150 million and 50 million outbound tourists by 2020, Nepal’s best bet to meet its set tourist target is to enhance the travelling experience within the country so as to attract at least a fraction of these tourists.

News Source: Kathmandupost

TAAN celebrates World Tourism Day Today

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) organized 'Heritage Walk with People with Disabilities' in Kathmandu on Monday on the eve of World Tourism Day 2016.

Tourism fraternity across the world is celebrating World Tourism Day by organizing various programs on Tuesday. The theme for this year's celebration is 'Tourism for All: Promoting Universal Accessibility'.

World Tourism Day 2016 - Tourism For All

As the theme of this year's celebration is related to making tourism services accessible to all, TAAN organized a walk with people with disabilities. Around 30 people with disabilities actively participated in the program, carrying placards with messages like 'Tourism for All', 'Promoting Universal Accessibility', 'Put no barriers in tourism', 'Make tourism services accessible to all', Everyone can travel', 'Yes, we can travel' and 'Make Nepal accessible to all', among others.

Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Shankar Prasad Adhikari, inaugurated the rally that started from Tridevi Marg and passed through Narsingh Chowk, Thahity, Bhedasingh and Indrachowk before culminating into a corner meet in.

Speaking at the corner meet, TAAN General Secretary Karna Bahadur Lama said that the main objective of the program was to create awareness about accessible tourism among both the government and the private sector. Similarly, Ram Prasad Sapkota, coordinator of TAAN's Sports and Events Department, said the event was organized to draw attention of policymakers toward the need to make tourism services accessible to all. "There should be no barrier in tourism. Everyone has the right to travel. The government should prepare necessary infrastructures to uphold such rights," he added.

Similarly, Uttam Deuja of Accessible Himalayas said that the government needs to learn a lot from other countries in terms of making tourism accessible to all.

TAAN President Chandra Prasad Rijal said disabilities shouldn't confine one's willingness to travel and enjoy tourism products and services. He also urged the government to make tourism services accessible to all without further delay.

News Source: Myrepublica

1 Spanish Trekker, 3 Nepalese Guides Killed in Nepal Manaslu Landslide

A Spanish trekker and three Nepalese guides were killed Thursday and 14 other people were injured when they were hit by a landslide triggered by heavy rain in Nepal's northern mountains, officials said.

Government administrator Narayan Prasad Bhatta said the landslide occurred near Kerauja village, about 160 kilometers (100 miles) northwest of Kathmandu, the capital. The injured were airlifted to a hospital in Kathmandu, where 10 were admitted.

The identities of the victims were not immediately released. They were on a trekking trail heading toward Mount Manaslu.

Bhatta said rescue efforts were delayed because of bad weather and helicopters reached the victims hours after the landslide. The area is not accessible to cars.

Trekking season in Nepal begins in September, when the monsoon rainy season normally ends. However, this year it has continued to rain.

Himalaya Airlines to launch flights to Colombo on Oct 1

Himalaya Airlines announced on Tuesday that it would be launching scheduled commercial flights between Kathmandu and Colombo on October 1, re-establishing direct air links with Sri Lanka after more than three decades.

The newly established carrier, a China-Nepal joint venture, will operate three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using 158-seater Airbus A320 aircraft. The flight will depart from Tribhuvan International Airport at 11:30 am and land at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo at 15:15 pm local time. The return flight will leave at 16:15 pm local time and arrive in Kathmandu at 20:15 pm.

The airfare for the three-and-a-half-hour flight has been set at Rs 29,191 one way (including taxes). A return ticket costs Rs 50,041, according to the airline.  

Himalaya Airlines had received permission to operate charter flights to the island country last April. The planned direct service is the first time that scheduled commercial airlines have been allowed to connect Colombo since the 1980s.

“We reviewed the passenger traffic on the route and saw that it has potential two-way traffic demand,” said Vijay Shrestha, vice-president administration, of Himalaya Airlines. “Direct air connectivity will help both countries to promote trade and tourism.” Sri Lanka is the third largest tourist source market for Nepal after India and China. Despite the earthquakes and trade embargo last year, arrivals from Sri Lanka rose significantly to 44,367. In the previous year, 37,546 Sri Lankans visited Nepal.

Only 2.5 percent of the arrivals or 1,089 visitors came by air, a trend attributed to lack of direct flights between Nepal and Sri Lanka. According to government statistics, 97.5 percent of the Sri Lankan visitors entered Nepal overland from Bhairahawa to visit Buddhist sites in nearby Lumbini. A survey entitled Visitors Survey and Observation has shown that 72.6 percent of the visitors spent only half an hour sightseeing in Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha in southern Nepal.

“After the start of direct flights, we expect more travellers to visit Nepal and stay longer,” said Raju Bahadur KC, commercial general manager of Himalaya. “Currently, travellers have to spend a whole day to reach Nepal or Sri Lanka by flying through India, Malaysia, Thailand or even Dubai,” he said. “Besides, the airfare is also reasonable.”

KC said that the scheduled flights would also benefit the thousands of Nepalis working in the Maldives. “We have estimated that nearly 10,000 Nepalis are currently employed in the Maldives.”

National flag carrier Nepal Airlines, in its previous avatar as Royal Nepal Airlines, used to operate direct flights to Colombo during the 1980s. But the carrier suspended operations following an armed movement by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka. There have been no direct air links between the two countries since then.

Plans to establish direct flights on the Kathmandu-Colombo route were revived during the 18th Saarc Summit held in Kathmandu in November 2014. Subsequently, the Sri Lankan government officially applied for authorisation to conduct daily flights between the two countries with Colombo-based carrier Mihin Lanka planning to start services. In March 2015, the Tourism Ministry had issued an operating authorisation to the carrier. But the proposed services did not happen.

US Secretary of State John Kerry is to Trek Nepal

United States Secretary of State John Kerry has expressed his interest to make a visit to Nepal.

Secretary of State Kerry articulated his intent in a meeting on Tuesday with Minister for Foreign Affairs and leader of Nepali delegation Dr Prakash Shran Mahat. Minister Dr Mahat is presently in New York in course of attending the 71st General Assembly of the United Nations.

"I wished to visit Nepal last time when I was on India trip. But, I could not make my visit arrangement due to hectic schedule. I will visit Nepal on any opportune time in future. The US is ever ready to provide assistance to Nepal's efforts for her development and prosperity", Secretary of State Kerry noted.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Mahat shared that the US Foreign Secretary had expressed his interest to have a trekking on one of the tourist destinations of Nepal.

Enquiring about the situation of Nepal following the promulgation of constitution in Nepal, US Secretary of State Kerry had expressed his best wishes for the political parties of Nepal to work together for institutionalizing democracy in the country.
Source: RSS