Category: Attractions

Nepal doubles tiger’s population

  
  
     

Nepal has achieved an impressive feat for an endangered species. We have doubled the population of Tiger, giving hopes and inspiring many other countries to do the same. Tiger is one of the most endangered species of wild cats if not the whole animal kingdom. Since most parts of lands where their natural habitat is, has been occupied by humans to create houses or farms. These beautiful cats were left with only 7% of what they had.

So how did we manage to achieve these impressive feat? Well, the first step was to stop the poaching of tigers. If the government could not always be there to stop the poaching, they thought of one brilliant way to manage that. They did not hire anyone by opening a vacancy or giving the contract to a private conservationist. Instead, the Government of Nepal hired the locals to take care of their surroundings, forests and look for any illegal activities in collaboration with the Forest Department of Nepal.

This step proved to be very effective, since the locals were always present there, it was very difficult to do any illegal activities. Besides these, drones were used to monitor the usual trafficking routes of poachers, giving them little to no chance of harming these beautiful creatures.

With clever thinking, proper planning and understandable collaboration, Nepal has proved to that unthinkable can be done with sheer determination. We from Botanical Treks and Excursion, congratulate and thanks the Government of Nepal and the locals contribution in helping save the endangered species. The majestic and beautiful predator, The Tiger.

Since 2011, we have also successfully clocked 7 years without a record of poaching of Rhinos.


  
  
     

Top 5 Mouthwatering Nepali Dishes

  
  
     

The multi ethnic and multicultural Nepal has its own rich variety of dishes to offer. Nepalese food is not only rich in its taste but reflects the wide variety of culture and traditions. When you look deeper into the Nepali kitchen you will discover a new dish in every home for every occasion. Nepali dishes that you should try while in Nepal. Here are our top 5 favorites:

  1. Daal Bhat Tarkari

The expertise says that, the simple daal, bhaat, and tarkari as one of the most well balanced and lot of nutrients meal. Daal bhat tarkari is the daily meal eaten by all the Nepalese throughout the country.  Every Nepal household has the spiced lentil soup (daal) and steamed rice (bhat) along with curries, (Tarkari-Mash up of different vegetables or Meat curries) salad, pickles, papad and curd for at least twice. If you’ve been to Nepal or are currently in Nepal, there are lots of restaurants in Kathmandu mostly all tourist areas who makes this dish so appetizing for a plate of lip-smacking and finger-licking dal-bhat.

  1. Dhido –Gundruk

Dhido is a traditional Nepali food widely consumed in hilly and mountain region of Nepal. Dhido is a sugar-free and no salt dish made by continuously mixing hot boiling water and flours of stirring corn or buckwheat flower. It is usually eaten with Gundrook soup. Gundrook is dried and fermented green vegetable leaves. Which is slightly sour and tangy with very unique taste.  Some Nepali people calling it as their national dish.

  1. Newari Cuisine

Newari foods are very unique to any other ethnic people from other parts of Nation.  Every single rituals they perform or the festival they celebrate, food will be the most significant part of it. Newari foods are extremely spicy and has got unique attributes. It has over 200 varieties and made a special Newari set. The food plate consists of meat items like choila, Sukuti,alu tama, bara and types of pickle, beaten rice and many more. Newars are also commonly known for their home-brewed liquors, including Thwon and Aila. Newari foods are generally eaten with the bare hands.

  1. MOMO

No matter where you are in Nepal. You’ll find yourself consuming more momo’s than you could have ever imagined. Momos are bite-size dumplings with a meat or vegetable filling, wrapped in a dough accompanied by variety of spicy dipping sauce.  Momos are usually steamed, though they are sometimes fried or steam-fried.There have lots of varieties like: vegetable momo’s, chicken momo’s and buff (buffalo) momo’s,Mutton momo’s ,Pork momo’s, Banana momo’s,Khuwa momo’s,Tofu momo’s,Paneer momo’s etc

  1. Sel Roti

Sel Roti looks like a thin puffed doughnut. Sel Rotis are thinner as compared to a doughnut. It is reddish brown in color and has a crispy texture on the outside but soft on the inside. Sel roti is made of rice flour and deep-fried in butter. This dish mostly prepared during the festival of Tihar as a snack also they are served during many special occasions, such as weddings and holidays.  It is also prepared as an offering to gods during the pujas and ritualistic occasions. Sel Roti can be stored up to 20 days.


  
  
     

Tea house Trekking In Nepal

  
  
     

A Tea House is the combination of guest house, restaurant, and social hang out. Tea house Trek is one of the most popular styles of trekking in Nepal among both foreigners and locals. Most of the teahouses are owned, managed and inhabited by local families. Tea houses basically mean small hotels established along the trekking routes in local villages. This is a cheap way of trekking where both meals, as well as accommodation, but the cost are depends on remoteness and altitude of the place together with the standard of the rooms and services it provides . Teahouse trekking also saves you from having to carry your own camping equipment like tents, sleeping bags and food. This is the great places for you to interact with them, experience the local hospitality and diverse culture. Most lodges have all the basic requirements for trekkers to stay overnight – a dormitory, several private rooms, toilet and a shower room. They offered very serve simple and hygienic meals. Most of the popular trekking routes of Nepal like Annapurna, Everest, Langtang or Helambu areas have tea-house lodges in different milestones. In recent years with the help of Government as well non-Government agencies many of these lodge owners have gone through training programmes aimed at raising the quality of services as well as instilling environmental awareness.

Food:

Basically, tea houses offer traditional home cooked meal Dahl Bhat. A plate of Dal Bhat includes steamed rice, lentil soup, vegetable or non-veg curry and sautéed spinach. And of course Nepali milk tea is served everywhere. But these days teahouses offer an astonishing combination of world cuisines like: Chow Mein, Mo:Mo, Pizza, Pasta. Generally, cereal, porridge, bread and egg dishes are available for breakfast. Similarly every tea house are with bar alcohol and soft drinks are easily available. In some areas you will also find, Biscuits, Chocolates bards and local seasonal fruits.

Accommodation:

The accommodation is very simple, yet clean and functional. The rooms usually include single sized beds that have the mattress, sheets, pillows and blanket. Some teahouses may have rooms with en-suite bathrooms and western toilets but most often they are a shared facility with traditional squat toilets Rooms are quite drafty, and with no heating available (besides perhaps a wood fire burning in the dining hall), be prepared for cold nights the higher up in the mountains you go.

Wi-Fi:

There is normally no electric lighting in the rooms unless the village has hydroelectric power. The dining room usually has solar lighting.  When weather turn bad no sun, no electricity. Some teahouses on the main trekking routes like Annapurna and Everest Base Camp offer wifi and charging outlets accessible in the eating lobby.

Cost:

The benefit of Tea house Trekking is a relatively cheap way of trekking. The price of your accommodation will vary depending on where the tea house is located and what comforts and services it offers. It is cheaper at lower altitude and dearer as we get higher. Tea house trekking is for the adventurous, curious and open minded traveler. For many this is a rustic experience, away from the comforts and frills of western living.


  
  
     

Gosaikunda Janai festival Trek-Holy Lake

  
  
     

Nepal is not only popular in its natural beauty; it is also very popular for its unique culture, tradition, and festivals. Gosaikunda Lake situated at an altitude of about 4381 m. in north east of Kathmandu surrounded by Himalayas. Gosaikunda Janai Festival Trek is one of those travelers who have an interest in festivals of Nepal. Gosaikunda area represents as a religious site, This Lake is religious symbol of a Shiva and Gauri. The water of Gosaikunda is considered holy and has its own importance during the Gangadashahara and the Janai Purnima festivals. Gosainkunda is known as Hindu pilgrimage, Buddhists community people also take part equally as important for their own values & tradition of acquiring strength for meditation, cosmopolitan feelings & enlightenment. Its holy waters are considered of particular significance during Gangadashahara and the sacred thread festival Janai Purnima when thousands of pilgrims from Nepal and India visit the area.

In the occasion of Full Moon Festival, Shamans (“Dhami Jhankris”) come from all over Nepal arrive to the lake dressed in belted white robes and crowned with porcupine quills and peacock feathers, perform ritual dances to throbbing drumbeats night and day and camping and cooking on their own.According to religious belief channel carries water from the lake directly to the tank at the Kumbheshwar Temple in Patan (Kathmandu Valley), 60 km south west. Hindu people chant Gayatri Mantra and change their Sacred thread (Janai) for the protection and Rakshya Bandhan-a sacred red-yellow thread tie around the wrist by the priest. We can see an image of Shiva at its center is filled with water in this lake.

During this trek, anyone can experience the lifestyles of diverse ethnic groups along the trail. If the day is clear, you will have some spectacular views of the valley below and of the magnificent waterfalls cascading down the mountain ranges across the valley.


  
  
     

Tattoo Culture in Nepal

  
  
     

Nepal is now a known as one of the best destinations for getting inked.  Tattooing is as old as paintings and it is painful and gruesome, if done the traditional way. This is one piece of art that one takes to one’s grave. Tattoo culture in Nepal is one of the oldest traditions practiced in Newars, Tharu ,Gurungs and Magars communities of the country.

In Newars Culture, Tattoos are most commonly used by women and lower-caste Newaris. Tattoo in legs is also referred to as ‘Lha Chyogu’ in newari language. ‘Lha’ means flesh and ‘chyogu’ means writing.  The tattoos on the feet of Newari women from the Bhaktapur-Thimi area symbolize strength and are supposed to be attractive to the men folk. Tattoos making in children at an early age are also believed to protect them from illness and evil spirits.  Newar individuals normally get Symbols and images of various divine beings and goddesses and particular examples identified with nature. The traditional way of making tattoo colors are- Mixture of coal and milk from selected plants. Newaris have a traditional belief that tattoos on one’s body drive away misfortunes. Another belief is that, when a man dies he takes nothing from this world with him except the tattoos on his body.  On the way to heaven if this man comes up against hardships he can sell the tattoos and thus make his way to heaven more comfortable.

In Tharu community the tattoo is known as ‘godhani’ but usually old women, are called Tikaniya. Getting a tattoo is quite common in both men and women in tharu community. Ladies embellish their hands, limbs, legs and chest with symbolic designs of nature mythological stories and historical events. Other markings were simply meant to look aesthetically pleasing, like jewelry. In this community a newborn child is tattooed either on his leg, hand or chest with designs mostly of birds. These tattoos are done following Hindu rituals. They belief that getting tattoos designed on their bodies will find a place in heaven. Getting inked before marriage is also a part of their beautifying process. Tattooing was compulsory for married Tharu women and they used to get tattooed on their legs prior to marrying Mustard oil and cow dung are the traditional ointments used as ink and thorn from Neem trees to imprint a tattoo in Tharu culture.

Gurung and Magar people group have a typical pattern of beautifying their countenances and close lips with plans of sun, moon and the stars. It was believed that getting inked brought good fortune for them and their families. Tattooing is traditionally done with the help of a ‘nilkadha’ (the thorn from the nil tree). The nilkhada is dipped in goat’s milk and designs are made mostly on the hands, cheeks chin, legs and the forehead.

Tattoo culture in Nepal has found a new niche among youths today. It has grown increasingly. Now, Nepali tattoo artists are even internationally renowned for their artistic work and creativity.