Lifetime Experiences: Off-The-Beaten Paths You Shouldn’t Miss This Visit Nepal 2020
In 2018, Nepal Tourism Board launched “Visit Nepal 2020” with a tagline of “Lifetime Experiences”. Nepal awaits and welcomes you with our diverse culture, untarnished nature and geography. Nepal is a country with 8 of the 10 highest mountain peaks, and several layers of hills between the Himalayas and plain Terai range. Here are 4 places which are suitable for Visit Nepal 2020.
Pokali Jharana (Waterfall)
Best Season: April - July
Location: Okhaldhunga, Mid-Eastern Nepal
Duration: 2 - 3 days
Considered as second largest waterfall of Nepal, Pokali offers indifferent and mesmerizing experience with a touch of simplicity. Pokali Waterfall lies at Likhu rural municipality-9, Okhaldhunga, with view of mountains and green hills to accompany you through the way. Pokali is 200 km from Kathmandu. Sirishe Bazar (starting point for hike) can be reached in 8-9 hours drive from Kathmandu.
Pokali waterfall falls from 130m above from ground level. Once you are there, you can hear the magnificent waterfall through its roar from several hundred meters away and feel those cold droplets of water bouncing off the rocks as you draw near which reinvigorates your whole experience. On a lucky day, rainbow created by the sun’s rays around waterfall can be seen some time during the afternoon. It is highly recommended to spend some time in Hadi Daha (pond) located at the bottom of the waterfall where you can alleviate along the banks.
Moreover, Pokali is culturally diverse as people from different cultures such as Sunuwar, Sherpa, and other communities live together and have created a mixed culture with some interesting food variety. The delicacies in Pokali is worth the travel.
Tsum Valley Trek
Best Season: October - November and February - April
Location: Gorkha, Central Region
Duration: 10 - 14 days
The name Tsum” is derived from Tibetan word “Tsombo” which refers to vivid. Tsum valley is located in the northern Gorkha. This hidden valley hosts the view of Manaslu Himal(8156m), Ganesh Himal(7429m), and Boudha Himal range and is rich in ancient art, culture and tradition.
Tsum valley is one of the least trekked trail in comparison to other destination as it was restricted to travel before 2008. The local population of the valley are mostly of Tibetan origin and have their own dialects, traditions and customs. In a way, their culture and tradition are in contrast to other parts of Nepal. The valley is still untouched from privileges of modern society, as such, unique culture of Tsum has remained intact and unchanged for centuries, with minimal influence from the outside world. In addition, flora and fauna is culturally protected as hunting and fishing are prohibited here. And in the valley, clear nights give way to vivid stars and galaxy dust.
Trek to Tsum starts from Arughat in Gorkha district, one can easily reach in 7-8 hrs drive from Kathmandu. After which, the route follows through banks of Budhi Gandaki river and passes through dense forest, terraced fields & villages. You can also experience the beauty of alpine forests and glacial rivers along the way. Several Buddhist monasteries, Mani walls, illustration of deities provide a glimpse of ancient relics. The altitude in this trek varies from 1905m in Lhokpa to over 5093m on the Tibetan border at Ngula Dhojhyang Pass. The Tsum Valley trek is remote area trekking therefore, you cannot expect to have luxury accommodation so, camping can be a good option for the visitors and could be a once in a lifetime experience.
Khaptad National Park
Best Season: October - November and April - June
Location: Far-western Nepal
Duration: 7 - 10 days
Khaptad National Park, a protected area established in 1984, stretching over four districts of Bajhang, Bajura, Achham and Doti with elevation ranging from 1,400m to 3,300m above sea level. This park is regarded as a garden of herbs and a museum of natural history for its variety of medicinal herbs, various species of flowering plants, bird species such as flycatchers, bulbuls, cuckoos and eagles. Khaptad also hosts a rich variety of wild animals, such as barking deer, wild dog, wild boar, himalayan black bear, yellow-throated marten, macaques and langur monkey.
Escaping from city life into serene view of the meadows, sweet chirping of birds whilst listening to whistling winds is the kind of acquaintance you get from Khaptad. During spring to autumn, the fields have a magical touch and are said to be covered with various colorful blooming flowers such as Primulas, Wild Berries and Bistortas. However, being a high plateau, the weather can be unpredictable. Occasionally the clouds from neighbouring lowlands would cover sky in no time creating foggy environment.
Khaptad is also regarded with religious importance as it was home to Khaptad Baba (hindu saint) where he spent most of his life and it’s called Khaptad Baba Ashram. It is now an open museum. The other religiously important sites within the park include Tribeni, Khaptad Daha(lake), Kedardhunga, Maithan, Sahashra Linga.
The gateway to Khaptad is Silgarhi Bazaar in Doti district, from where the park headquarters is 50 kms. The best way to reach Silgarhi is via Attariya Chowk in Kailali district which is 9 hours drive. Buses to Attariya Chowk & Kailali, are available at the Central Bus Station, Gongabu, Kathmandu. Another option is to catch a flight to Dhangadi from where one can drive to Silgarhi Bazaar.
Makalu Barun National Park
Best Season: October - November and February - April
Location: Solukhumbu, North-Eastern Himalayas
Duration: 10 - 12 days
Makalu Barun National Park is situated in Sankhuwasabha and Solukhumbu districts. The Park covers 2,330 sq. kms out of which 1500 sq. kms is virtually uninhabited. This remote terrain stretches east from Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park, between the high plateaus of Tibet and the deep gorge carved by The Arun River. The view of vigorous Himalayan peaks, including Mt. Makalu (8463m) 5th highest in the world, Mt. Chamlang (7319 m) and Mt. Baruntse (7129m) is beyond comprehension due to its altitudinal incline.
Glaciers, glacial lakes, rivers, hot springs, cliffs, gorges and snow-capped peak are few of the main attractions here. This unique landscape shelters various unspoiled mountain ecosystems where rare species of animals and plants flourish in diverse climates and habitats, relatively undisturbed by human intrusion. Over 400 species of birds have been sighted in the Makalu Barun area, including spotted wren babbler and olive ground warbler. Wildlife including the endangered red panda, musk deer, Yarsagumba (caterpillar Fungus) are found here.
There are regular flights from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar. Or you can drive 11-12hours from kathmandu to Hile and then trek 3 days to Tumlingtar. From Tumlingtar you can head towards Sedua (headquarters of Makalu Barun). If u wish to go higher, then Tashi Gaon is your next stop where you have to refill your food and fuel supplies. Along the trail you have few designated camping sites with very few lodges. Some of these sites are: Khongma(3500m), Dobato(3500m), Yangle(3570m), Neghe(3700m), Langmale(4100m) and Shersong(4600m).
Note: Mountain sickness can also be a serious risk if elevation gains are rapid without proper acclimatization.
Be prepared for the variations in temperature and precipitation due to extreme difference in altitude, slope and aspect within the area. All of this makes Makalu Barun National Park a must visit place for the adventure seeker and those want to experience pristine wilderness of the eastern mountains of Nepal.