Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal. It is the only metropolitan city of Nepal. It has been remained as the first choice of almost all visitors of Nepal not because it is the capital city but because it is renowned throughout the world as a city of Temple. Yes majority of its visitors like this city for its grand development of art, handicraft, and metal-craft. Because of its thousands temples the whole city appears as a museum. Before the formation of current great Nepal, this valley, Kathmndu was a separate kingdom in itself which at that time used to manage(rule) other two fabled cities namely Bhaktapur and Patan. Out of tem world Heritage Sites of Nepal marked by UNESCO, seven cultural heritage sites alls within this valley.
At first Kathmandu valley was a large lake it is believed that civilization began in it only after the time when Manjushree, a Buddhist Saint slashed a narrow passage through surrounding hills at Chovar, a southern part of valley to drain-out the water and make it suitable to inhabit, after the drainage of water, there emerged a rapid growth of civilization under an unique synthesis of Hinduism and Buddhism.
This valley is ruled by different rulers over a long time period but it always flourished and remained as a central trade point of this whole area. And its unique and mystic development of art and sculpture supportd it to be an area of all’s attraction. The aboriginal natives of this area is newar community who made such fabulous city with their unparallel hard toil and artistic knowledge. Thus it has attracted not only its admirers from historic time but invaders too. For this reason it got assembled in greater Nepal in late 18th century by late king Pritivi Narayan shaha. From that time it has remained as capital city of Greater Nepal.
Geographically this city falls on Bagmati Zone in mid-western Development Region. It is situated at an altitude of 1350 meters i.e. its weather is very cozy to have a good stay either in winter or in summer season. This valley is spreaded in 50.67 square kilometer which holds 1096865 people to total population of Nepal according to the 2001 census. Tribhuwan International Airport, the only international airport of Nepal falls in this valley. Jawalakhel Zoo, Darbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa, Baudhanath Stupa, Narayanhiti Darbar Square Musuem are some important historical places and most desired sites of this valley by its visitors.
Adventurous activities in Nepal
People from the world know about Nepal for its different and exciting adventurous and expedition spots, tourist areas and wide and large ranges of Himalayas. The government of Nepal too has promoted tourism as its main economic activity. So anyone who choose either of activity or spots will find Nepal a really exciting place. Anyone can choose either of activity like that of mountain climbing, bungy jumping, rock climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, canyoning, hiking, trekking, mountain flight, ballooning, jungle safari, ultralight fly, rafting.
Mountaineering
Nepal is a country well known for its Himalayas. Among the 10 highest peaks of the world, 8 including the highest peak Mt. Everest(8,848 m), crown this country falls in its territory. No wonder Nepal is the favorite destination for mountaineers.
There are four main seasons for mountaineering in Nepal and they are: Spring Season(March-May), Summer Season(June-August), Autumn Season(September-November) and Winter Season (December-February). Nepal is a country where falls eight highest picks of the world including Mt. Everest. Nepali Government has in promoting tourism opened 153 Himalayan peaks to mountaineering.Government body, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has declared 135 peaks as mountaineering peaks and rest have been permitted to trekker as trekking peaks by Nepal Mountaineering Association. These small trekking peaks ranges from 5,587 to 6,654 meters in altitude.
Permission
For one to get the permission for mountaineering or trekking, following documents have to be drafted to Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mountaineering Division. And no one should pay any fees before receiving the climbing permit from the government body but it is necessary to appoint a government recognized trekking agency of Nepal to get the permission for trekking. Such permits will be issued by Nepal Mountaineering Association.
Required Documents
Completed application, endorsement of the National Alpine Club, short biographies of all the members of the expedition (with photograph and signature), map and/or photograph of the mountain indicating climbing route and approach route map.
Fee
A royalty (climbing fee) ranges from US$ 1,500 to US$ 10,000 (according to the altitude of the peak) and US$ 70,000 for Everest which is charged by Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) of Nepal for a group of seven persons. An additional US$ 200 to US$ 1,500 per person (US$ 10,000 per person for Everest) will be charged if the group exceeds seven persons.
The full amount of the royalty has to be paid within two months of the date of issue of the permit, otherwise it may be canceled. The royalty must be paid directly to Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) of Nepal either by bank draft or bank transfer (payable in convertible foreign currency only).
For trekking peaks, Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) charges US$ 300 or US$ 150 as royalty. The permit is valid for a period of one month for a group of up to 10 persons. An additional amount of US$ 7.50 per person is charged if the group exceeds 10 persons.
A rebate of up to 40% on the royalty may be given during the summer and winter seasons. Full or partial rebate for a fixed period may be given for new peaks or for unclimbed open peaks, on “first come first served” basis. On the especial occasions like of Nepal Tourism Year the rebate may be high.
Restrictions
All mountaineer and trekker should follow the rules and regulation of Nepal Government body to get permission. Offenders may loose their permit and may be punished as per rule.
• Food and equipment imported for expeditions require an import license and should be custom cleared.
• Walkie-talkies, transceiver sets and other communication equipment are controlled items in Nepal and have to be declared at the customs office at the entry point.
• For further information, contact Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Mountaineering Division, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu; Tel: 4241909 (direct), 4225556 extension: 381, 382 or Nepal Mountaineering Association, Naxal, Kathmandu; Tel: 4411525; Fax: 977-1-4416278.
Expeditions
Nepali Mountains and peaks have been opened for mountaineering and trekking from more than half century. Since then Mt. Everest the tallest peak of the world (8,848 m.) and other numerous peaks have been climbed many times now. Tenzing Norge Sherpa and Edmund Hillary reached the top of the world in 1953 for the first time. On one occasion Edmund Hillary said "Nepal is one of the world's great paradises and one of the nicest countries in the world for trekking."
The Nepal Government too, realizing the true power of travel and tourism in making Nepal a really famous and economically prosperous country in the world, is also taking interest to open new and restricted trekking areas and virgin peaks for the summit attempts. And in return many trekkers and climbers from the world are excited and interest to visit Nepal and test their endurance behind the other great climbers in history. It is easy and accessible for one to trod the peaks and make their holiday a really immemorable. Nepal Government doesnot discriminate any foreigner in terms of their race, gender, religion, age, ethnicity and other measures. Rather serves equally and easily on “First come first serve” basis. Peaks for the mountaineering are categorized by their height, area and royalty.
Mountain Flight
Airplane
There are other different means to sever a tourist and refresh his/her mind. For those who are restricted by time or other considerations from going mountaineering or trekking, there are mountain flights that offer a panoramic view of the highest peaks on earth. The plane departs from Kathmandu, Tribhuwan International Airport and flies alongside the Himalaya ranges to give you eye-level views of the snow peaks and then brings you back in one hour. Cruising close to the awesome massifs of rock and ice, the flight presents a mind-boggling sight.
Helicopter
You may experience the excitement of mountaineering and trekking with a flight in helicopter. In Nepal, going to remote corners of the Himalaya by helicopter is guaranteed to be an exciting activity. Since the helicopter needs only a small landing space, it can be hired to take tourists to whichever destination and at whatever time they want to go. Of course, amazing mountain views and excitement can give you mental retreat if you travel through helicopters.
Ultra-light Flying
A new era of recreational aviation has landed in Nepal. One can feel the real excitement and recreational power of Nepali Himalayas and its weather with this simple, elemental, pure flight. Feel the wind in your face, observe clear, unobstructed views and explore the stunning landscapes, surrounded by a backdrop of lofty mountain peaks
Cannoying in Nepal
Canyoning is an game of adventure which incloves excitemnent and high risk but an extreme sport geared to the ultimate sport enthusiasts. Experiences that one must have to collect with different separate games related with water and boats like
abseiling, sliding, jumping, swimming, and climbing down waterfalls through steep canyon walls to deep pools can be found in this single one. This unique combination of experiences and skills gives the intrepid canyoneer the freedom to explore some of the most ruggedly beautiful, yet forbidden places in the world.
The most real excitement for cannoying begins at the very edge of a 45m waterfall as per many true adventure seekers. After the first descent, swimmer abseil another 25m down a steep canyon, dares to cross the wild rock formations, through powerful blasts of water. At the end of the excursion, he/she makes the last jump and submerge him/herselves into a pool. Once on the ground, the rest on a beach within the canyon walls and swim out between narrow boulders also makes the trip really immemorable.
One will experience all the joys and excitement of canyoning from sheer cliffs and slides to the pounding waterwaves. Despite all the fun and games, this game demands one’s true sincerity and cleverness that the guidance of an expert is always suggested.The practice of safe canyoning necessitates the proper gear, continual vigilance and a good knowledge of the geography and its aquatic environment.
Location
It is an emerging new adventure in Nepal which has on one hand is establishing it as a good destination for cannoying in the world and on other helping world to explore the yet forbidden aquatic places of the world. In these days Nepal is earning fame among foreigners as their first place of choice for cannoying for its steep hilly areas and blasts of waterwaves and pure, clean and fresh water. Its canyoning site is located at some 100 km outside Kathmandu valley, on the Kathmandu-Tibet highway. It’s possible to make the trip and return to Kathmandu in one day but for real experience of canoying, it is suggested to extend the trip by some days. The availability of comfortable lodges and safari style tented camps can make it possible and it is easy and safe too. One can make those resorts or tented camps his/her bases for canyoning trips, and again the rafting on the 3-4 grade rapids of Bhotekoshi River too can make the trip a real wonder. One can also try the world's longest free fall-The Ultimate Bungy…….all adventures at one visit to Nepal.
One can also go canoeing on the Narayani or Rapti rivers in the Terai belt especially near Chitwan National Park. Canoes can be done on an hourly basis and the trip is rewarding in terms of both the ride as well as the wildlife that one encounters-gharials, muggers, water birds and the occasional dolphins. Ones tour will be more funnier it he/she goes jangle safari riding elephants. If lucky enough then he/she may get an opportunity to enjoy live elephant polo.
Boating
Boating is another most liked/loved activity of Nepal. It provides some fine opportunities for boating to those who likes some kind of natural retreat. Pokhara's Phewa Lake is the most popular destination among visitors of Nepal who love to be collect the richness of nature and be benefited from its recreational power.
Nepal Government and its local ruling body has tried from the last few decades to develop Pokhara and its main different tourist areas like David Falls, Mahendra Cave, Begnas Lake, World Peace Stupa, as good destination point for its visitors. Reflected panoramic view of Aanapurna Himalayan Ranges on clear and fresh water of Phewa Lake makes it a living paradise. Boating is one of the different activities mainly loved by its visitors.At Phewa, one has a choice of pedal-driven boats, rowboats & sailboats. There is also a choice between fiber-body sailboats and carved and decorated wooden ones.
Seasons:
Except the monsoon seasons boating in the Pokhara valley is fun throughout the year,. The best time period is between October and February.
Bungy Jumping
One among different adventurous activities of Nepal, the bunjee jump, the ultimate thrill of a bungee jump can now be experienced in Nepal at perhaps the best site in the world.
The first bungee jumping site of Nepal is situated over the wild Bhote Koshi River, which blows just close to the Nepal-Tibet border, a three-hour bus ride from Kathmandu. The jump, at 160m, was designed by one of New Zealand's leading bungee consultant, and is operated by some of the most experienced jump masters in the business and is renowned for its geographical appropriateness. The 166 m wide steel suspension bridge (Nepal’s longest suspension bridge) over Bhote Koshi was designed by the Swiss which has a loading factor of 250 kg per running meter that it can safely hold 4.5 tones weight. Less than 3 hours ride outside Kathmandu can take one by Ultimate Bungee Shuttle.
Jungle Safari
Terai Region, one among three geographical regions of Nepal is covered with dense trophical jungles teeming with diversified wild lives and exotic birds is also known as Nepal’s grain pot. It occupies only 17% of the total area of Nepal but contributes most of the food supplies to the nation. It is famous for its plane areas and exciting safari destination in the world. Lumbini, birth place of Lord Gautam Buddha too falls in this region. In this safari one will go deep into the jungle on elephant back or four-wheel drive vehicle to view wild animals on their natural habitat and especially one-horned rhinos. Other exciting thrills are canoe rides on the Jungle Rivers, nature walks, bird watching excursions and village tours.
Nepali Government has attempted most to preserve its biodiversities and natural prosperity.There are 14 national parks and wildlife reserves in this country. They provide one of the world's major habitats for endangered species like the one-horned rhino, Royal Bengal tiger, snow leopard, blue-clouded leopard, red panda, blue bull, blue sheep and the long-snouted fish eating "gharial" crocodile. The Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park and the Royal Chitwan National Park are listed as World Heritages Sites and Dhorpatan is the only park of Nepal where hunting is permitted.
This country boasts almost 10% of the world bird species with over 800 varieties of wetland, migratory and resident birds. koklas, giant hornbills, redheaded trogons, paradise flycatchers, herons, kingfishers, Tibetan snow cocks and many species of pheasants, herons, egrets, warblers and babblers are some of its examples.
Paragliding
Paraglidin, a kind of free-flight is a relatively new sport in Nepal which started in Pokhara about four years ago. It too have nowdays established Pokhara a first choice among visitors of Nepal. In this activity one can experience unparallel scenic grandeur as he/she can share airspace with Himalayan griffins, vultures, and kites while floating over villages, monasteries, temples lakes and jungles with fantastic and panoramic view of the wide ranges of Aanapurna Himalaya.
The take-off point for these flights is Sarangkot (1592m), which also offers prime views of Phewa lake and the mountains as a huge hip of gold during sunrise & sunset time and the landing is by the lake.
Season:
The perfect months for flying are marked from November to February, the best month being November and December.
Mountaineering
Nepal is a country well known for its Himalayas. Among the 10 highest peaks of the world, 8 including the highest peak Mt. Everest(8,848 m), crown this country falls in its territory. No wonder Nepal is the favorite destination for mountaineers.
There are four main seasons for mountaineering in Nepal and they are: Spring Season(March-May), Summer Season(June-August), Autumn Season(September-November) and Winter Season (December-February). Nepal is a country where falls eight highest picks of the world including Mt. Everest. Nepali Government has in promoting tourism opened 153 Himalayan peaks to mountaineering.Government body, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has declared 135 peaks as mountaineering peaks and rest have been permitted to trekker as trekking peaks by Nepal Mountaineering Association. These small trekking peaks ranges from 5,587 to 6,654 meters in altitude.
Permission
For one to get the permission for mountaineering or trekking, following documents have to be drafted to Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mountaineering Division. And no one should pay any fees before receiving the climbing permit from the government body but it is necessary to appoint a government recognized trekking agency of Nepal to get the permission for trekking. Such permits will be issued by Nepal Mountaineering Association.
Required Documents
Completed application, endorsement of the National Alpine Club, short biographies of all the members of the expedition (with photograph and signature), map and/or photograph of the mountain indicating climbing route and approach route map.
Fee
A royalty (climbing fee) ranges from US$ 1,500 to US$ 10,000 (according to the altitude of the peak) and US$ 70,000 for Everest which is charged by Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) of Nepal for a group of seven persons. An additional US$ 200 to US$ 1,500 per person (US$ 10,000 per person for Everest) will be charged if the group exceeds seven persons.
The full amount of the royalty has to be paid within two months of the date of issue of the permit, otherwise it may be canceled. The royalty must be paid directly to Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) of Nepal either by bank draft or bank transfer (payable in convertible foreign currency only).
For trekking peaks, Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) charges US$ 300 or US$ 150 as royalty. The permit is valid for a period of one month for a group of up to 10 persons. An additional amount of US$ 7.50 per person is charged if the group exceeds 10 persons.
A rebate of up to 40% on the royalty may be given during the summer and winter seasons. Full or partial rebate for a fixed period may be given for new peaks or for unclimbed open peaks, on “first come first served” basis. On the especial occasions like of Nepal Tourism Year the rebate may be high.
Restrictions
All mountaineer and trekker should follow the rules and regulation of Nepal Government body to get permission. Offenders may loose their permit and may be punished as per rule.
• Food and equipment imported for expeditions require an import license and should be custom cleared.
• Walkie-talkies, transceiver sets and other communication equipment are controlled items in Nepal and have to be declared at the customs office at the entry point.
• For further information, contact Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Mountaineering Division, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu; Tel: 4241909 (direct), 4225556 extension: 381, 382 or Nepal Mountaineering Association, Naxal, Kathmandu; Tel: 4411525; Fax: 977-1-4416278.
Expeditions
Nepali Mountains and peaks have been opened for mountaineering and trekking from more than half century. Since then Mt. Everest the tallest peak of the world (8,848 m.) and other numerous peaks have been climbed many times now. Tenzing Norge Sherpa and Edmund Hillary reached the top of the world in 1953 for the first time. On one occasion Edmund Hillary said "Nepal is one of the world's great paradises and one of the nicest countries in the world for trekking."
The Nepal Government too, realizing the true power of travel and tourism in making Nepal a really famous and economically prosperous country in the world, is also taking interest to open new and restricted trekking areas and virgin peaks for the summit attempts. And in return many trekkers and climbers from the world are excited and interest to visit Nepal and test their endurance behind the other great climbers in history. It is easy and accessible for one to trod the peaks and make their holiday a really immemorable. Nepal Government doesnot discriminate any foreigner in terms of their race, gender, religion, age, ethnicity and other measures. Rather serves equally and easily on “First come first serve” basis. Peaks for the mountaineering are categorized by their height, area and royalty.
Mountain Flight
Airplane
There are other different means to sever a tourist and refresh his/her mind. For those who are restricted by time or other considerations from going mountaineering or trekking, there are mountain flights that offer a panoramic view of the highest peaks on earth. The plane departs from Kathmandu, Tribhuwan International Airport and flies alongside the Himalaya ranges to give you eye-level views of the snow peaks and then brings you back in one hour. Cruising close to the awesome massifs of rock and ice, the flight presents a mind-boggling sight.
Helicopter
You may experience the excitement of mountaineering and trekking with a flight in helicopter. In Nepal, going to remote corners of the Himalaya by helicopter is guaranteed to be an exciting activity. Since the helicopter needs only a small landing space, it can be hired to take tourists to whichever destination and at whatever time they want to go. Of course, amazing mountain views and excitement can give you mental retreat if you travel through helicopters.
Ultra-light Flying
A new era of recreational aviation has landed in Nepal. One can feel the real excitement and recreational power of Nepali Himalayas and its weather with this simple, elemental, pure flight. Feel the wind in your face, observe clear, unobstructed views and explore the stunning landscapes, surrounded by a backdrop of lofty mountain peaks
Cannoying in Nepal
Canyoning is an game of adventure which incloves excitemnent and high risk but an extreme sport geared to the ultimate sport enthusiasts. Experiences that one must have to collect with different separate games related with water and boats like
abseiling, sliding, jumping, swimming, and climbing down waterfalls through steep canyon walls to deep pools can be found in this single one. This unique combination of experiences and skills gives the intrepid canyoneer the freedom to explore some of the most ruggedly beautiful, yet forbidden places in the world.
The most real excitement for cannoying begins at the very edge of a 45m waterfall as per many true adventure seekers. After the first descent, swimmer abseil another 25m down a steep canyon, dares to cross the wild rock formations, through powerful blasts of water. At the end of the excursion, he/she makes the last jump and submerge him/herselves into a pool. Once on the ground, the rest on a beach within the canyon walls and swim out between narrow boulders also makes the trip really immemorable.
One will experience all the joys and excitement of canyoning from sheer cliffs and slides to the pounding waterwaves. Despite all the fun and games, this game demands one’s true sincerity and cleverness that the guidance of an expert is always suggested.The practice of safe canyoning necessitates the proper gear, continual vigilance and a good knowledge of the geography and its aquatic environment.
Location
It is an emerging new adventure in Nepal which has on one hand is establishing it as a good destination for cannoying in the world and on other helping world to explore the yet forbidden aquatic places of the world. In these days Nepal is earning fame among foreigners as their first place of choice for cannoying for its steep hilly areas and blasts of waterwaves and pure, clean and fresh water. Its canyoning site is located at some 100 km outside Kathmandu valley, on the Kathmandu-Tibet highway. It’s possible to make the trip and return to Kathmandu in one day but for real experience of canoying, it is suggested to extend the trip by some days. The availability of comfortable lodges and safari style tented camps can make it possible and it is easy and safe too. One can make those resorts or tented camps his/her bases for canyoning trips, and again the rafting on the 3-4 grade rapids of Bhotekoshi River too can make the trip a real wonder. One can also try the world's longest free fall-The Ultimate Bungy…….all adventures at one visit to Nepal.
One can also go canoeing on the Narayani or Rapti rivers in the Terai belt especially near Chitwan National Park. Canoes can be done on an hourly basis and the trip is rewarding in terms of both the ride as well as the wildlife that one encounters-gharials, muggers, water birds and the occasional dolphins. Ones tour will be more funnier it he/she goes jangle safari riding elephants. If lucky enough then he/she may get an opportunity to enjoy live elephant polo.
Boating
Boating is another most liked/loved activity of Nepal. It provides some fine opportunities for boating to those who likes some kind of natural retreat. Pokhara's Phewa Lake is the most popular destination among visitors of Nepal who love to be collect the richness of nature and be benefited from its recreational power.
Nepal Government and its local ruling body has tried from the last few decades to develop Pokhara and its main different tourist areas like David Falls, Mahendra Cave, Begnas Lake, World Peace Stupa, as good destination point for its visitors. Reflected panoramic view of Aanapurna Himalayan Ranges on clear and fresh water of Phewa Lake makes it a living paradise. Boating is one of the different activities mainly loved by its visitors.At Phewa, one has a choice of pedal-driven boats, rowboats & sailboats. There is also a choice between fiber-body sailboats and carved and decorated wooden ones.
Seasons:
Except the monsoon seasons boating in the Pokhara valley is fun throughout the year,. The best time period is between October and February.
Bungy Jumping
One among different adventurous activities of Nepal, the bunjee jump, the ultimate thrill of a bungee jump can now be experienced in Nepal at perhaps the best site in the world.
The first bungee jumping site of Nepal is situated over the wild Bhote Koshi River, which blows just close to the Nepal-Tibet border, a three-hour bus ride from Kathmandu. The jump, at 160m, was designed by one of New Zealand's leading bungee consultant, and is operated by some of the most experienced jump masters in the business and is renowned for its geographical appropriateness. The 166 m wide steel suspension bridge (Nepal’s longest suspension bridge) over Bhote Koshi was designed by the Swiss which has a loading factor of 250 kg per running meter that it can safely hold 4.5 tones weight. Less than 3 hours ride outside Kathmandu can take one by Ultimate Bungee Shuttle.
Jungle Safari
Terai Region, one among three geographical regions of Nepal is covered with dense trophical jungles teeming with diversified wild lives and exotic birds is also known as Nepal’s grain pot. It occupies only 17% of the total area of Nepal but contributes most of the food supplies to the nation. It is famous for its plane areas and exciting safari destination in the world. Lumbini, birth place of Lord Gautam Buddha too falls in this region. In this safari one will go deep into the jungle on elephant back or four-wheel drive vehicle to view wild animals on their natural habitat and especially one-horned rhinos. Other exciting thrills are canoe rides on the Jungle Rivers, nature walks, bird watching excursions and village tours.
Nepali Government has attempted most to preserve its biodiversities and natural prosperity.There are 14 national parks and wildlife reserves in this country. They provide one of the world's major habitats for endangered species like the one-horned rhino, Royal Bengal tiger, snow leopard, blue-clouded leopard, red panda, blue bull, blue sheep and the long-snouted fish eating "gharial" crocodile. The Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park and the Royal Chitwan National Park are listed as World Heritages Sites and Dhorpatan is the only park of Nepal where hunting is permitted.
This country boasts almost 10% of the world bird species with over 800 varieties of wetland, migratory and resident birds. koklas, giant hornbills, redheaded trogons, paradise flycatchers, herons, kingfishers, Tibetan snow cocks and many species of pheasants, herons, egrets, warblers and babblers are some of its examples.
Paragliding
Paraglidin, a kind of free-flight is a relatively new sport in Nepal which started in Pokhara about four years ago. It too have nowdays established Pokhara a first choice among visitors of Nepal. In this activity one can experience unparallel scenic grandeur as he/she can share airspace with Himalayan griffins, vultures, and kites while floating over villages, monasteries, temples lakes and jungles with fantastic and panoramic view of the wide ranges of Aanapurna Himalaya.
The take-off point for these flights is Sarangkot (1592m), which also offers prime views of Phewa lake and the mountains as a huge hip of gold during sunrise & sunset time and the landing is by the lake.
Season:
The perfect months for flying are marked from November to February, the best month being November and December.
Nepal : A Land of Living Goddess, Kumari
Nepal is not only known through out the world for its scenic beauties, wide and grand range of himalayays, tallest figure Mt. Everest and birth place of Buddha and a countries of temple and richness of handicraft but also for its living Goddess , Kumari. Really, it is difficult for a foreigner to believe but it it true that in Nepal Kumari is worshipped as a goddess. Kumari is a young girl accepted as a goddess who lives in Kumari Ghar , besides Darbar Square. This trend of worshiping the pre-pubescent girl as a form of goddess, supreme source had started from time immemorial and it is still working in every household especially throughout Kathmandu Valley. And it is an integral part of Hinduism and Buddhism that she is worshiped on all religious occasions.
This tradition was especially established by the Vajravana sect of Mahayana Buddhism that declared that Kumari Goddess must be from Sakya community of Newar tribe. Thus this cult and custom is more practiced in Newari Community inside the Kathmandu Valley as She has become the inevitable part of their (Newars’) worship almost in every Vihar and Bahal.
The process of selection of Kumari Goddess is quite a traditional one i.e. tantric ritual. The girls who are chosen from 4 to 7 years from Sakya Community must pass all the tests to be declared as a living goddess. Those chosen girls must be a living idioms of all 32 perfections including colour of eyes, shape and colour of teeth, type of hair and the sound of her voice. Then those chosen girls have to face a quite difficult and terrifying test that they must be calm and collected in facing the terrible and scaring scenes in the darkened rooms amid demon like masked-dancers and scattered buffalo heads. The one who appear calm and tolerate all those horrible scenes will be declared as living goddess because it is believed that the real goddess is unlikely to be terrified with all those horrible activities. Then the girl entitled as Kumari Goddess will be decorated with the cloths of her predecessor.
Then the goddess Kumari starts her life as a living goddess in the Kumari Ghar which is a store house of magnificent intricate carvings perfoming her daily rituals. Her all expenses during her stay in the Kumari Ghar is beared by Guthis Sansthan, the Government trust fund body. Under normal circumstances the period of the girl of staying in that Kumari Ghar comes to an end with her first menstruation and the search for new Kumari again begins. But the days of a kumara may come to an end if a minor scratch caused bleeding. In such cases she is regarded as invalid and unlucky and again the search begins for new one. But the sorry thing is that it is said to be unlucky to marry an ex-Kumari though she was once worshiped and accepted as a living goddess.
On the auspicious days of Indra Jatra, which falls in September, the day is not fixed as it is set according to lunar calander, the living Goddess travels through the older part of Kathmandu along with Ganesh and Bhairab in decorated chariot on each day for three days of Indra Jatra. In these days thousands of people from and around the capital city come to pay their homage to the living goddess and receive blessing. During monarchy system, the entire Royal family used to come to the Darbar Square to receive blessing from the Kumari. And the tradition is still there even during republican government system that in place of Royal family, seniors from the Government come to receive blessing.
Discover Pokhara
Pokhara is one of the most liked city by tourist of Nepal for its panaromic views of himalayas especially of Machhapuchhre Himalayas Range. Geographically it is located at 198 km west from Kathmandju, capital city at an altitude of 827m. from the sea level. It falls in middle part of Nepal at 28.24 N and 83.99 E. It is the central city of Kaski District and one of the city of Western Development Region. The most desired areas of this city are Phewa Lake, Begnas Lake, Mahendra Cave, Davis Falls, World Peace Stupa (Pagoda), Sarangkot, International Mounteneering Museum and Sirubari, Nepal's first tourist area and paragliding, ultra light flight and adverturous treaking and hiking. Culturally it is a land of Gurungs and Magars and Thakalis, ethnic group of Nepal who are known mostly for their hard labour and heartly benevolent and generous behaviour and for their toil as Gorkha Soilder.It is a
The climate of Pokhara is quite good that its temperature remains within 15 to 35 degree celsius throughout the year. Mainly it is the most rainy part of Nepal. The best time to visit the city is between October to December, a period just after of winter in which one can see the wild beauty of rododendrum, the nation flower of Nepal which makes the whole hilly side red with chanting smell. It might be ones starting point for his/her trip to Jomsom and Annanapurna sanctuay.
Phewa Lake falls at the heart of Pokhara covering roughly its 4.43 sq. km of its total area. It is about 47 m. deep at its heart. This lake is mostly loved by visiters to swim and boat that one can easily access the boating at reasonable price. It is place from where one can easily capture the terrible beauty of Himalayas Range esp. of Machhapuchhre Himal reflected on the clean and blue water suface of the Lake. Barahi Bhagwati Temple which is located at the center of the lake is another part of the lake to be visited. Lakeside, the eastern bank of the lake is renowned among visiter as tourist area for the homely environment created by the locals to serve visiters. It is the most liked area by tourist and a starting point of adventuous expedition to Pundi.
Begnas Lake is situated at the 15 km from the eastern part of Pokhara. It is a perfect site for natural retreat and mostly renowned for boating and fishing.
World Peace Stupa is a holy Buddist shrine from where one can enjoy the splendid beauty of southern part of Pokhara. It is a massive construction where one can rich by crossing the lake and just a short hike.
Learn and Discover Nepal
Nepal is a landlock country situated in the northern belt in between India on south and China on North and world's new and young republic. It occupies almost 1,40,800 sq km of the world's territory and contributes nearly 30 million of world total population. It is the country where world's main eight tallest picks including Mt. Everest falls and is the region where Lord Gautam Buddha had borned and preached Buddhism, a religion that focues the notion of non-violence and world-brotherhood. It is also known as a land of living goddess, Kumari Devi. The only metropolitan city of this country is Kathmandu which is its capital city too and renowned all over the world for its enormous craftmanship and good weather.
Though it is a multi-ethnic area where people of different religion and customs and have lived from time immemorable creating a sound and healthy environment, Hinduism and Buddhism are its prominent religious practices. And its it is rich in its bio-diversity and handicraft. Mainly Kathmandu and Bhaktapur are taken as a living paradise and in like manner its northern sides are really an uncomparable beautiful areas.
Similarly Nepal is renowned through out the world as a good destination for adventure. Its cliffy mountains and hilly regions, rivers. So one can claim Nepal as a good destination to easape the hustle and bustle of the world so if you are planning to spend your this year vacation then Nepal can be your good destination to make your this year free days really immemorable.
Nepal Tourism Year 2011
Nepal is a most facinating territory renown in the world not only for its natural beauties and scenaries but also for its cultural diversities, fine arts, cultural heritage and the diciplined, generous and benevolent manner/behaviour of Nepali for other people. And thus it is a known fact that the tourism is one of the most trusted and accepted occupation of Nepal that the economy and its development relies mainly on tourism. Thus time and again Nepali government has promoted many promotional programmes for the development of tourism of Nepal. And Nepal Tourism Year 2011 is the currently running programme by Nepal government in which Nepal Government has kept many ambitious targets to make Nepal a really genuine and superb and mostly desiring destination among foreigners to spend their few free days of vaccation.
Nepal government has already promoted and successfully completed one programme Visit Nepal 1998 which was quite succeful in deriving its target. So Nepali Government's this annoucement clearly reflects its anticipation to forward Nepal as a good destination point among Non-Nepalese. This part of programme has attempted to meet certain achievents:
1. Nepali Government has through this programme aimed to derive mainy thousands of tourist.
2. Nepali Government has through this programme aimed to promote tourism as a strong and main business of Nepali people for its sustainable development.
And to meet these targets Nepali Government has started determining new areas as a fine destination points and even started providing different training programmes to provide quality and satisfying service to the visitors and have even started expanding the scope and capacities of different service providers companies.
So with this programme Nepal will be established as a fine and renowned place for tourism and fine point to spend one's holiday. So we appeal all Nepali and the best wishers of Nepal and different tourism service provider companies and institutions to support Nepali Government and Nepali people in its target which will in turn this world another fine and good tourism point or destination.
Mount Everest: A Brief Introduction
Mt. Everest is the highest pick of the world which has stayed as a head of Nepal and Nepalese people.It is a part of the Himalaya range in Asia, is located on the border between Sagarmatha Zone, Nepal, and Tibet, China. It is 8,848 M high and lies on the boarder of Nepal and Tibet on the northern region of Nepal. The peak was first named as Peak XV. It is called Sagarmatha " Goddess of the Sky" in Nepal and Chomolungma "Goddess of the Mother of the World" by Chinese. . The name Chomolungma had been in common use of Tibetans for centuries which Chinese claim is in use in their society from three centuries more and which had appeared too on a 1733 map published in Paris by the French geographer D'Anville, but there were no such definite and single name to the peak in use among Nepalese society so Andrew Waugh, the British Surveyor General of India who was assaigned the job to choose and propose the suitable and common name to the peak found it difficult to propose an established and single local name because Nepal and Tibet were closed to foreigners. And he argued that with the plethora of local names, it would be difficult to favour one specific name over all others. So, he decided that Peak XV should be named after George Everest, his predecessor as Surveyor General of India. He wrote:
I was taught by my respected chief and predecessor, Colonel Sir George Everest to assign to every geographical object its true local or native appellation. But here is a mountain, most probably the highest in the world, without any local name that we can discover, whose native appellation, if it has any, will not very likely be ascertained before we are allowed to penetrate into Nepal. In the meantime the privilege as well as the duty devolves on me to assign…a name whereby it may be known among citizens and geographers and become a household word among civilized nations.
George Everest registered his oppossion in naming the elevation after his surname but in 1865, the Royal Geographical Society officially adopted Mount Everest as the name for the highest mountain in the world.
In 1852 the Great Trigonometrically Survey of India declared the hight of Peak XV as 29,002 feet which accepted officially for more than later hundred years but in 1955 the hight of the Mt. Everest was adjusted to 29,028 feet. In 1865 it received its English official name as Mt. Everest in honour of Sir George Everest, a former British Surveyor General and was the superintendent of the survey in 1823 which declared Peak XV as the world's tallest elevation.
It was first climbed by Tenzing Norgey from Nepal and Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand on 29 of May, 1953 from Nepalese side.
Though Mt. Everest is not the world's difficult mountain to climb, its danger includes crevasses, avalanches, ferocious winds upto 125 mph, sudden storms, temperature upto 40 F below zero and oxygen deprivation which makes the climbing really difficult and dangerous. The climbing really becomes difficult above death zone which starts from 25,000 feet from which there will be high possibility of loss of balance over the body of the climbers. One may feel extreme body fatigue, nausea, headache, and double vision and hallucination.
Identifying and naming the highest mountain
In 1808, the British began the Great Trigonometric Survey of India to determine the location and names of the world's highest mountains which started from the southern India gradually moved northward. They reached the Himalayan foothills by the 1830s, but because of fear of different possible political aggression and annexation Nepal rejected the request of the team and didnot allow the team to enter Nepal. But the Surveyor team continued the mission and measured the Nepali peaks staying from the observation station up to 240 km far from the real spot from 1847 and measured Kanchanjanga as highest elevation of the world though they (the surveyor team) had, at the same time found another peak named peak ‘b’ as another possible highest summit of the world. And the same possible highest summit named peak ‘b’ later on became Peak XV and Mt. Everest and officially recorded as highest elevation (29,002 ft) of the world in 1853. In fact, Peak XV (measured in feet) was calculated to be exactly 29,000 ft (8,839.2 m) high, but was publicly declared to be 29,002 ft (8,839.8 m) . The arbitrary addition of 2 ft (61 cm) was to avoid the impression that an exact height of 29,000 feet (8,839.2 m) was nothing more than a rounded estimate. And at that time Kanchanjangha, the previously supposed highest elevation was declared to be of 28,156 ft high, one among the ten summits having the height more than 8,000 m.
But on 9 October 2005, PRC's State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping officially challenged the previous official claim and announced the height of Everest as 8,844.43 m. claimed their measurement as the most accurate and precise measurement to date. But the fact is the snow and ice’s thickness varies over time, making a definitive height of the snow cap impossible to determine. Even the experts thought that the plate tectonics of the area are adding the height and moving the summit northeastwards. One among two recent scientific investigations suggested that the rates of change of the height of the Everest are 4 mm (0.16 in) per year (upwards) and 3 to 6 mm (0.12 to 0.24 in) per year (northeastwards) and another account mentions more lateral movement (27 mm/1.1 in), and even shrinkage has been suggested.
Routes in Riding the Mt. Everest
Mt. Everest has two main climbing routes, the southeast ridge from Nepal and the northeast ridge from Tibet,along with many other less frequently used routes. And of the two main routes, the southeast ridge is technically easier and is the more frequently-used route. It was the same route that Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953used and the first recognized of fifteen routes to the elevation by 1996.And another route which begins from the Chinese border was closed to the western world in the 1950s after the People's Republic of China took over Tibet.
Till this date most attempts are made during May before the summer monsoon season. As the monsoon season approaches, a change in the jet stream pushes it northward, thereby reducing the average wind speeds high on the mountain. While attempts are sometimes made after the monsoons during September and October, when the jet stream is again temporarily pushed northward, in which the additional snow deposited by the monsoons and the less stable weather patterns (till the end of the monsoon) makes climbing extremely difficult and dangerous.
Southeast ridge
Generally the ascent through the southeast ridge begins with a six to eight days trek to Base Camp at 5,380 m (17,700 ft) on the south side of Everest in Nepal. Expeditions usually fly into Lukla (2,860 m) from Kathmandu and pass through Namche Bazaar. Climbers then hike to Base Camp, which usually takes six to eight days, allowing for proper altitude acclimatization in order to prevent possible altitude sickness. Climbing equipment and supplies of the expedition groups are carried by yaks, dzopkyos (yak hybrids) and human porters to Base Camp on the Khumbu Glacier.
The ropes and ladders in the treacherous Khumbu Icefall will be generally set by experts and sherpas . Seracs, crevasses and shifting blocks of ice make the icefall which is one of the most dangerous sections of this route. Many climbers and Sherpas have been killed in this section. To reduce the hazard, climbers will usually begin their ascent well before dawn when the freezing temperatures glue ice-blocks in place. Above the icefall is ‘Camp I’( 6,065 metres or 19,900 ft).
From Camp I, climbers make their way up to the base of the Lhotse face, where Camp II or Advanced Base Camp (ABC) is set at 6,500 m (21,300 ft). Climbers have to cross on the far right near the base of Nuptse to a small passageway known as the "Nuptse corner". In between the region falls the Western Cwm which is also called the "Valley of Silence" as the topography of the area generally cuts off wind from the climbing route. The high altitude and a clear, windless day can make the Western Cwm unbearably hot for climbers.
From ABC, climbers ascend the Lhotse face on fixed ropes up to Camp III, located on a small ledge at 7,470 m (24,500 ft). From there, it is another 500 metres to Camp IV on the South Col at 7,920 m (26,000 ft). Within these two camps, Camp III and Camp IV, climbers face two additional challenges along with the problems of high altitude: The Geneva Spur and The Yellow Band. The Geneva Spur is an anvil shaped rib of black rock named by a 1952 Swiss expedition group. Set Fixed ropes assist climbers in crossing over this snow covered rock band. And The Yellow Band is a section of interlayered marble, phyllite, and semischist which also requires about 100 metres of rope for traversing it. Then climbers enter the death zone. It is significantly more difficult for a climber to survive at the death zone. Temperatures can dip to very low levels, resulting in frostbite of any body part exposed to the air. Since temperatures are so low, snow is well-frozen in certain areas and remains the high danger of death by slipping and falling. High winds at these altitudes are also a potential threat to climbers. The atmospheric pressure at the top of Everest is about a third of sea level pressure, meaning there is about a third as much oxygen available to breathe as at sea level. Climbers typically only have a maximum of two or three days wait that they can make at this altitude for making summit bids whether to make a summit attempt. If weather does not cooperate within these short few day that clear weather and low winds are critical factors in making decision to make the final attempt, climbers are forced to descend, may all the way back down to Base Camp.
From Camp IV, climbers begin their summit push around midnight with hopes of reaching the summit (still another 1,000 metres above) within 10 to 12 hours. Climbers will first reach "The Balcony" at 8,400 m (27,600 ft), a small platform where they can rest and gaze at peaks to the south and east in the early dawn of light. Continuing up the ridge, climbers are then faced with a series of imposing rock steps which generally forces them to the east into waist deep snow, a serious avalanche hazard. At 8,750 m (28,700 ft),is the South Summit, a small table-sized dome of ice and snow.From the South Summit, climbers follow the "Cornice traverse", the knife-edge southeast ridge where snow clings to intermittent rock. This is the most exposed section of the climb as a minor misstep to the left would send one 2,400 m (8,000 ft) down the southwest face while to the immediate right is the 3,050 m (10,000 ft) Kangshung face. At the end of this traverse is an imposing 12 m (40 ft) high rock wall called the "Hillary Step" at 8,760 m (28,740 ft).
Nowadays, climbers ascend this step using previously fixed ropes but the first climbers, Hillary and Tenzing had used primitive ice-climbing equipment and ropes to cross this dangerous rock wall. Once above the step, it is a comparatively easy climb to the top on moderately angled snow slopes - though the exposure on the ridge is extreme especially while traversing very large cornices of snow. Climbers will typically spend less than a half-hour on the "top of the world" as they realize the need to descend to Camp IV before darkness sets in.
Northeast ridge
It is a route that begins from the Chinese territory which includes six Camps. Expeditions trek to the Rongbuk Glacier, setting up Base Camp at 5,180 m (16,990 ft) on a gravel plain just below the glacier. To reach Camp II, climbers ascend the medial moraine of the east Rongbuk Glacier up to the base of Changtse at around 6,100 m (20,000 ft). Camp III (ABC - Advanced Base Camp) is situated below the North Col at 6,500 m (21,300 ft). To reach Camp IV on the north col, climbers ascend the glacier to the foot of the col where fixed ropes are used to reach the North Col at 7,010 m (23,000 ft). From the North Col, climbers ascend the rocky north ridge to set up Camp V, 7,775 m (25,500 ft). The route crosses the North Face in a diagonal climb to the base of the Yellow Band reaching the site of Camp VI at 8,230 m (27,000 ft). From Camp VI, climbers will make their final summit push. Climbers face a treacherous traverse from the base of the First Step (27,890 feet - 28,000 feet), to the crux of the climb, the Second Step (28,140 feet - 28,300 feet). The Second Step includes a climbing aid called the "Chinese ladder", a metal ladder placed semi-permanently in 1975 by a party of Chinese climbers. It has been almost continuously in the same place since, and is used by virtually all climbers on this route. Above the Second Step is Third Step (28,510 feet - 28,870 feet).After crossing these steps, the summit pyramid will be climbed by means of a snow slope of 50 degrees, to the final summit ridge along which the top is reached. The Chinese border was closed to the western world in the 1950s after the People's Republic of China took over Tibet.
I was taught by my respected chief and predecessor, Colonel Sir George Everest to assign to every geographical object its true local or native appellation. But here is a mountain, most probably the highest in the world, without any local name that we can discover, whose native appellation, if it has any, will not very likely be ascertained before we are allowed to penetrate into Nepal. In the meantime the privilege as well as the duty devolves on me to assign…a name whereby it may be known among citizens and geographers and become a household word among civilized nations.
George Everest registered his oppossion in naming the elevation after his surname but in 1865, the Royal Geographical Society officially adopted Mount Everest as the name for the highest mountain in the world.
In 1852 the Great Trigonometrically Survey of India declared the hight of Peak XV as 29,002 feet which accepted officially for more than later hundred years but in 1955 the hight of the Mt. Everest was adjusted to 29,028 feet. In 1865 it received its English official name as Mt. Everest in honour of Sir George Everest, a former British Surveyor General and was the superintendent of the survey in 1823 which declared Peak XV as the world's tallest elevation.
It was first climbed by Tenzing Norgey from Nepal and Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand on 29 of May, 1953 from Nepalese side.
Though Mt. Everest is not the world's difficult mountain to climb, its danger includes crevasses, avalanches, ferocious winds upto 125 mph, sudden storms, temperature upto 40 F below zero and oxygen deprivation which makes the climbing really difficult and dangerous. The climbing really becomes difficult above death zone which starts from 25,000 feet from which there will be high possibility of loss of balance over the body of the climbers. One may feel extreme body fatigue, nausea, headache, and double vision and hallucination.
Identifying and naming the highest mountain
In 1808, the British began the Great Trigonometric Survey of India to determine the location and names of the world's highest mountains which started from the southern India gradually moved northward. They reached the Himalayan foothills by the 1830s, but because of fear of different possible political aggression and annexation Nepal rejected the request of the team and didnot allow the team to enter Nepal. But the Surveyor team continued the mission and measured the Nepali peaks staying from the observation station up to 240 km far from the real spot from 1847 and measured Kanchanjanga as highest elevation of the world though they (the surveyor team) had, at the same time found another peak named peak ‘b’ as another possible highest summit of the world. And the same possible highest summit named peak ‘b’ later on became Peak XV and Mt. Everest and officially recorded as highest elevation (29,002 ft) of the world in 1853. In fact, Peak XV (measured in feet) was calculated to be exactly 29,000 ft (8,839.2 m) high, but was publicly declared to be 29,002 ft (8,839.8 m) . The arbitrary addition of 2 ft (61 cm) was to avoid the impression that an exact height of 29,000 feet (8,839.2 m) was nothing more than a rounded estimate. And at that time Kanchanjangha, the previously supposed highest elevation was declared to be of 28,156 ft high, one among the ten summits having the height more than 8,000 m.
But on 9 October 2005, PRC's State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping officially challenged the previous official claim and announced the height of Everest as 8,844.43 m. claimed their measurement as the most accurate and precise measurement to date. But the fact is the snow and ice’s thickness varies over time, making a definitive height of the snow cap impossible to determine. Even the experts thought that the plate tectonics of the area are adding the height and moving the summit northeastwards. One among two recent scientific investigations suggested that the rates of change of the height of the Everest are 4 mm (0.16 in) per year (upwards) and 3 to 6 mm (0.12 to 0.24 in) per year (northeastwards) and another account mentions more lateral movement (27 mm/1.1 in), and even shrinkage has been suggested.
Routes in Riding the Mt. Everest
Mt. Everest has two main climbing routes, the southeast ridge from Nepal and the northeast ridge from Tibet,along with many other less frequently used routes. And of the two main routes, the southeast ridge is technically easier and is the more frequently-used route. It was the same route that Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953used and the first recognized of fifteen routes to the elevation by 1996.And another route which begins from the Chinese border was closed to the western world in the 1950s after the People's Republic of China took over Tibet.
Till this date most attempts are made during May before the summer monsoon season. As the monsoon season approaches, a change in the jet stream pushes it northward, thereby reducing the average wind speeds high on the mountain. While attempts are sometimes made after the monsoons during September and October, when the jet stream is again temporarily pushed northward, in which the additional snow deposited by the monsoons and the less stable weather patterns (till the end of the monsoon) makes climbing extremely difficult and dangerous.
Southeast ridge
Generally the ascent through the southeast ridge begins with a six to eight days trek to Base Camp at 5,380 m (17,700 ft) on the south side of Everest in Nepal. Expeditions usually fly into Lukla (2,860 m) from Kathmandu and pass through Namche Bazaar. Climbers then hike to Base Camp, which usually takes six to eight days, allowing for proper altitude acclimatization in order to prevent possible altitude sickness. Climbing equipment and supplies of the expedition groups are carried by yaks, dzopkyos (yak hybrids) and human porters to Base Camp on the Khumbu Glacier.
The ropes and ladders in the treacherous Khumbu Icefall will be generally set by experts and sherpas . Seracs, crevasses and shifting blocks of ice make the icefall which is one of the most dangerous sections of this route. Many climbers and Sherpas have been killed in this section. To reduce the hazard, climbers will usually begin their ascent well before dawn when the freezing temperatures glue ice-blocks in place. Above the icefall is ‘Camp I’( 6,065 metres or 19,900 ft).
From Camp I, climbers make their way up to the base of the Lhotse face, where Camp II or Advanced Base Camp (ABC) is set at 6,500 m (21,300 ft). Climbers have to cross on the far right near the base of Nuptse to a small passageway known as the "Nuptse corner". In between the region falls the Western Cwm which is also called the "Valley of Silence" as the topography of the area generally cuts off wind from the climbing route. The high altitude and a clear, windless day can make the Western Cwm unbearably hot for climbers.
From ABC, climbers ascend the Lhotse face on fixed ropes up to Camp III, located on a small ledge at 7,470 m (24,500 ft). From there, it is another 500 metres to Camp IV on the South Col at 7,920 m (26,000 ft). Within these two camps, Camp III and Camp IV, climbers face two additional challenges along with the problems of high altitude: The Geneva Spur and The Yellow Band. The Geneva Spur is an anvil shaped rib of black rock named by a 1952 Swiss expedition group. Set Fixed ropes assist climbers in crossing over this snow covered rock band. And The Yellow Band is a section of interlayered marble, phyllite, and semischist which also requires about 100 metres of rope for traversing it. Then climbers enter the death zone. It is significantly more difficult for a climber to survive at the death zone. Temperatures can dip to very low levels, resulting in frostbite of any body part exposed to the air. Since temperatures are so low, snow is well-frozen in certain areas and remains the high danger of death by slipping and falling. High winds at these altitudes are also a potential threat to climbers. The atmospheric pressure at the top of Everest is about a third of sea level pressure, meaning there is about a third as much oxygen available to breathe as at sea level. Climbers typically only have a maximum of two or three days wait that they can make at this altitude for making summit bids whether to make a summit attempt. If weather does not cooperate within these short few day that clear weather and low winds are critical factors in making decision to make the final attempt, climbers are forced to descend, may all the way back down to Base Camp.
From Camp IV, climbers begin their summit push around midnight with hopes of reaching the summit (still another 1,000 metres above) within 10 to 12 hours. Climbers will first reach "The Balcony" at 8,400 m (27,600 ft), a small platform where they can rest and gaze at peaks to the south and east in the early dawn of light. Continuing up the ridge, climbers are then faced with a series of imposing rock steps which generally forces them to the east into waist deep snow, a serious avalanche hazard. At 8,750 m (28,700 ft),is the South Summit, a small table-sized dome of ice and snow.From the South Summit, climbers follow the "Cornice traverse", the knife-edge southeast ridge where snow clings to intermittent rock. This is the most exposed section of the climb as a minor misstep to the left would send one 2,400 m (8,000 ft) down the southwest face while to the immediate right is the 3,050 m (10,000 ft) Kangshung face. At the end of this traverse is an imposing 12 m (40 ft) high rock wall called the "Hillary Step" at 8,760 m (28,740 ft).
Nowadays, climbers ascend this step using previously fixed ropes but the first climbers, Hillary and Tenzing had used primitive ice-climbing equipment and ropes to cross this dangerous rock wall. Once above the step, it is a comparatively easy climb to the top on moderately angled snow slopes - though the exposure on the ridge is extreme especially while traversing very large cornices of snow. Climbers will typically spend less than a half-hour on the "top of the world" as they realize the need to descend to Camp IV before darkness sets in.
Northeast ridge
It is a route that begins from the Chinese territory which includes six Camps. Expeditions trek to the Rongbuk Glacier, setting up Base Camp at 5,180 m (16,990 ft) on a gravel plain just below the glacier. To reach Camp II, climbers ascend the medial moraine of the east Rongbuk Glacier up to the base of Changtse at around 6,100 m (20,000 ft). Camp III (ABC - Advanced Base Camp) is situated below the North Col at 6,500 m (21,300 ft). To reach Camp IV on the north col, climbers ascend the glacier to the foot of the col where fixed ropes are used to reach the North Col at 7,010 m (23,000 ft). From the North Col, climbers ascend the rocky north ridge to set up Camp V, 7,775 m (25,500 ft). The route crosses the North Face in a diagonal climb to the base of the Yellow Band reaching the site of Camp VI at 8,230 m (27,000 ft). From Camp VI, climbers will make their final summit push. Climbers face a treacherous traverse from the base of the First Step (27,890 feet - 28,000 feet), to the crux of the climb, the Second Step (28,140 feet - 28,300 feet). The Second Step includes a climbing aid called the "Chinese ladder", a metal ladder placed semi-permanently in 1975 by a party of Chinese climbers. It has been almost continuously in the same place since, and is used by virtually all climbers on this route. Above the Second Step is Third Step (28,510 feet - 28,870 feet).After crossing these steps, the summit pyramid will be climbed by means of a snow slope of 50 degrees, to the final summit ridge along which the top is reached. The Chinese border was closed to the western world in the 1950s after the People's Republic of China took over Tibet.
