Guide to Nepal Trek and Tour Adventures in the Himalayas

Until recently there was only one reason to go to Swyambu, now there are two. The next time you go visit the famed Monkey Temple make sure you include eating at Momo To Go: Monkey Town in your plans. There are three most excellent reasons to stop by this little one roomed nook—the momos, the dapao, and the taipao. All in the ‘dumpling’ family, it’s like being introduced to momos, the father of momos, and the grandfather of momos. Yes, they’re all lovely delicacies stuffed with delicious meats (or vegetables) and then steamed, but each has its own distinct characteristics. The momo comes in the tried and tested Tibetian style which we all know and love. The dapao is an item that I have only seen in a select few restaurants in Kathmandu, it is considerably larger than momos with a thicker layer of dough. And finally, the taipao is an item that is new to me—even larger than dapao it has half a boiled egg inside and comes with a side of buttery garlic soup. Yum. Each dish...

The World Peace Pagoda is situated at pokhara balanced on narrow ridge high above Phewa lake , the brilliant-white World peace pagoda in pokhara is a massive Buddhist stupa which was constructed by Buddhist monks from the Japanese Nipponzan Myohoji organization. Besides being an impressive sight in itself, the shrine is a vantage point which offers spectacular views of the Annapurna range and pokhara city.

It is located on an island in Phewa Lake, stands the Barahi Temple . A visit to the island near the center of Lake phewa is often included on tour packages in the area, and is certainly a must for anyone visiting Pokhara. Set in stunning surroundings, many find Barahi Temple a peaceful place to relax, especially after canoeing across the glistening waters of Phewa Lake.

Farmers in Ilam have been increasing investments in cash crops in a bid to increase their incomes. They have been putting money individually and in groups in tea processing, kiwi cultivation and vegetable farming, among others. Farmers started putting more money in cash crops after the Commercial Agriculture Alliance (CAA) under the Commercial Agricultural Development Project started providing subsidies to farmers in 11 districts of the Eastern Region. In order to increase the value addition of agro products, 18 different projects are being operated with an investment of around Rs 38.17 million. Locals have invested Rs 23.34 million while the CAA put up the rest, according to Durga Mani Neupane of the CAA. There are seven cooperatives, six processing centres, one farmers’ group, two tea gardens and two business firms under the project. Among the projects in operation are 13 related to tea, two related to commercial vegetable farming, modern bee keeping, kiwi nursery, comm...

The US space agency has just landed a huge new robot rover on Mars. The one-tonne vehicle, known as Curiosity, touched down at 06:32 BST (05:32 GMT) in a deep crater near the planet's equator after a plunging through the atmosphere. It is going to look for evidence that Mars could once have supported life. A signal confirming the rover was on the ground safely was relayed to Earth via Nasa's Odyssey satellite, which is in orbit around the Red Planet. The success was greeted with a roar of approval here at mission control at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. The mission has even already sent its first low-resolution images - showing the rover's wheel and its shadow, through a dust-covered lens cap that has yet to be removed. A first colour image of Curiosity's surroundings should be returned in the next couple of days. Engineers and scientists who have worked on this project for the best part of 10 years punched the air and hugged each other...

Tourists treveling to any trekking destination will have to take at least a support staff with them from September. Government officials say the decision has been taken for the safety to tourist. According to a recent policy decision of the Ministry of Home Affairs, tourists, who want to trek solo in Nepal , must hire at least a porter or a guide, Trekkers traveling in groups are already required to take the service of government registered trekking agencies. Trekking Agencies Associationof Nepal has welcomed the decision and urged the government to include the decision in the Tourism Act for effective implementation. “The decision will helps promote Nepal as a safe destination for tourists at a time when international media are questioning the safety of foreigners in Nepal,” Mohan Lamsal, general secretary of Langtang National park along with some other cases of disappearance of trekkers have created negative image of Nepal in international market. according to Lamsal. Rana...

An increasing number of traders have been going to Jiri to procure potatoes prompted by rising demand in Kathmandu. Most of the farmers here have kept stocks of fresh potatoes in anticipation of buyers with businesses in Kathmandu . Sita Jirel, a farmer, said that they had been approached by traders who buy potatoes and dispatch them to the Kalimati vegetable market in Kathmandu. Farmers start collecting and storing potatoes at Varanda from mid-June. Almost every household in Besiswara village have been storing potatoes at their homes. Saila Tamang, a trader who arrived in Jiri to purchase potatoes, said that demand for potatoes from Jiri is so great that they are sold out in no time. According to Sita, the potatoes produced in Jiri are very tasty probably because of the high altitude. “They cook in a short time and become soft,” she added. Sita has sold 2,000 kg of potatoes so far. Likewise, another farmer Shova Jirel said that they could have sold all their output but producti...