The third consecutive incident of a Russian national Dmitril Stepanishin, who died making a solo flight in Pokhara on March 05, 2019, made the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to stop solo paragliding in Pokhara.

Surprisingly, all the three incidents took place in the last one-week period. #NepalParagliding

Earlier on March 03, 2019, a Romanian national Ebe Chisjer (40) lost his life in paragliding after his flight crash-landed into the Phewa Lake.

Later on March 04, 2019, two pilots have suffered injuries in a similar accident at Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality and Modi Rural Municipality in the Pokhara district.

And, the third incident on March 05, 2019 occurred after Dmitril lost his control soon after a solo flight from the Sarangkot Hill in Pokhara and crashed into a hill, says Inspector Ganesh Subedi of the Kaski District.

Considering the series of incidents, CAAN called on for halt of solo paragliding flights in the region with immediate effect until further notice.  #NepalAdventureTourism

Flight beyond the specified limits by some foreign pilots is also behind CAAN’s decision.

Sindhupalchok As Paragliding Destination

Meanwhile, authorities of Sindhupalchok district are striving hard to develop the region as Nepal’s paragliding destination.

Towards this end, a group of paragliding enthusiasts have conducted three successful flight tests at Kadambas in Chautara Sangachokgadhi Municipality, which turned out to be a grand success.

According to Milan Pakhrin of Lamachaur Paragliding Organisation, test flights were conducted from a hill point called Lamachaurdanda situated at the height of 1,300 feet.

Member of the Paragliding and Hang-Gliding Association Umesh KC led the testing team.

“The test flights were successful in view of geographical structure, height and air pressure,” said Pakhrin. 

Continuing the pace, the Lamachaur Paragliding Organization is organizing more test flights on March 9, 2019 with the budget of NPR 400,000.

KC is hopeful about Lamachaurdanda’s potential to become Nepal’s popular commercial paragliding hub. “The beach of Sunkoshi or Indrawati could become ideal landing spot,” he adds.

Municipality Mayor Aman Singh Tamang has also extended his office’s support to the Lamachaur Paragliding Organization in developing ‘Lamachaurdanda’ as a paragliding destination.

“We will help them build necessary infrastructures and offer technical support,” Tamang said in a statement.

The post Solo Paragliding in Pokhara Takes Halt, Sindhupalchok Emerging…! appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

Nepal is all set to organize its first ice climbing festival in Manang district from February 02, 2019.

As per Nepal Climbing Team’s announcement, the event titled ‘Ice Climbing Festival Manang 2019′ is a nine-day event and will be held in Humde at Manang.

The theme of the festival is ‘Warmer the Climate, Lesser the Ice; Save Nature for Future Generation’.

The event aims to establish the Himalayan nation as one of the hotspots for ice climbing in the world. Organizers say that the event could be setup as a winter season attraction for tourist visiting Nepal.

“Keeping in mind the motto of Visit Nepal Year 2020, we have come forth with this ice climbing project. Nepal is famous for mountaineering, trekking, world heritage sites, and biodiversity. The country’s natural resources allows for other adventure sports as well,” said Vinayak Malla, Nepal Climbing Team CEO.

Nepal Ice Climbing Festival Press Meet 2019

Malla added that the festival’s main objective is to establish Nepal as an adventure sports destination that could attract more tourists soon after the tourist season ends.

Besides, it also aims to promote awareness regarding the importance of ice climbing in Nepal’s tourism development.

About the Ice Climbing Festival in Nepal

Best Time to Visit

December to February is the ideal time for ice climbing in Nepal. However, alterations in climate can effect this sport’s season.

Cost Estimate

• Nepali visitors: NPR 20,000
• Foreign nationals: NPR 45,000

Activities Included:

• Ice Climbing Courses
• Skiing
• Slack Lining
• Movie Night
• Traditional Archery and more..

Tourist note: The entire nine-day festival will be documented

“Till date ice climbing has remained as hidden sports in Nepal. With this event, we want to dig it up and present it to the people,” said Malla.

The post Nepal Ice Climbing Festival Kicks Off From February 02, 2019! appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

The Valley-based Kathmandu Paragliding Company had shut its operations three years ago, citing a decline in tourist arrivals for adventure sports activities, after the 2015 earthquake.

The company finally resumed its operations three weeks back!

Built with an investment of NPR 30 million, Kathmandu Paragliding was established in 2007 and is currently in a joint venture with a South Korea based Paralove Paragliding company, where Korean firm owns 49 percent of the shares.

The company currently has six pilots including four foreigners and is also planning to introduce paragliding pilot training. The company’s paragliding flight takes off at Chanpkharka (2,100 meters) on the outer rim of the Kathmandu Valley.

Rise in Foreign Tourists

Speaking on the come-back, Narayan Wagle, Owner of Kathmandu Paragliding, informed that they are operating 10-15 flights a day since resuming operations three weeks back.

“Paragliding flights depend on weather conditions. We have operated as much as 20 flights a day,” said Wagle.

He went to say that the paragliding service offers tourists an unforgettable experience of the Kathmandu Valley.

Wagle is hopeful that the paragliding service will boost tourism activity in the Kathmandu Valley.

“The valley may not be as popular as Pokhara for adventurous activities. But we are offering a thrilling experience of paragliding to adventure enthusiasts,” adds Wagle.

According to Wagle, the company started witnessing a rise in a number of foreign tourists since its come-back, with most of them being Chinese.

A paragliding flight gives a panoramic view of mountain ranges and an amazing feel of the Kathmandu Valley while in the sky. The service’s landing point is at the Godavari.

Adventure enthusiasts can choose between solo and tandem flights, say, officials.

Paragliding all the Way in Kathmandu??

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While it’s equally exciting for every tourist, Europeans hold high relevance for adventure sports like trekking, mountaineering and cycling, among others, which Nepal is famous for.

In such a move attracting European adventure enthusiasts, the Nepal Tourism Board and Trekking Agents Association of Nepal jointly hosted organized Alpinmesse in Innsbruck, Austria during Oct 20-21, 2018.

This edition marks Nepal’s first-ever participation in the fair that is intended to promote the country’s potential in adventure activities such as adventure water sports.

The fair is of high significance for Austrians owing to their inclination to outdoor activities and Europeans’ basic inclination to adventures.

As part of the fair, Nepal presented its unique wildlife experiences, exciting adventure activities, eye-catchy landscapes and untapped natural scenic beauty.

Besides fair, a press conference was also held where the Nepali officials made a special presentation titled ‘Destination Nepal’.

As part of the press conference, the organizers also gave a special briefing about the Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign, Nepal’s potential as one of the world’s most-sought tourism destination and other Nepali products.

Non-Resident Nepalis (RN) Austria supported the show that also witnessed the participation of Counsellor/Deputy-Permanent Representative Permanent Mission of Nepal to UN in Austria Amber Bahadur Karki and the first Everest climber from Austria Prof. Wolfgang Nairz.

Media was briefed about Nepal’s potential in tourism infrastructure and promotion of related products.

The fair offered traditional Nepali cuisine to visitors besides also showcasing Nepalese cultural dances.

The post Nepal Draws Austria’s Attention for Adventure Tourism appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

As the five dead climbers including South Koreans headed home last week, various mountaineers and Nepali officials met at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu to offer tributes to the deceased.

During the meet, officials urged the Government of Nepal to set up early weather warning systems to avoid loss of lives during such natural disasters.

Every time there is a disaster on the mountain, we all seek ways to prevent these deaths, but soon we forget about it. We are going to ask the government to install equipment to warn about weather conditions on the mountain – Santa Bir Lama, president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association

Lama went on to say there are some warning systems already but focused only on Mount Everest.

Nepal Parliament member Rajendra Prasad Gautam stepped ahead to take this forward.

“I am going take the initiative and demand with the government to install these weather warning systems on smaller mountains,” said Gajendra.

This disaster is being considered as the worst such incident on Nepali mountains since 2015, the year that saw deaths of around 19 climbers at the Everest Base Camp.

Hope the government would consider officials’ recommendations and takes necessary measures to address concerns of the mountaineering community.

The post Amid Climbers’ Deaths in Nepal, Experts Pitch for Weather Warning Systems appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

Nagarkot, which earlier served as the summer retreat for Bhaktapur Kingdom’s royal family, presents a relaxing weekend getaway for people from the frenetic-paced Kathmandu.

With a refreshing landscape and invigorating atmosphere, Nagarkot provides tourists with an amazing travel experience throughout the year, with the months from March to May being ideal for hiking and other activities.

Best Views of the Himalayas

Tourists to Nagarkot are assured of the best panoramic views of eight of the thirteen Himalayan peaks, which include the Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Jugal, Rolwaling, Everest and Numbur ranges.

The classical beauty of the green valleys ensconced among the snow-clad mountains is a marvelous sight to behold.

The long winding roads and beautiful little cottages in the midst of lush green fields provide a quaint rustic feel to the picturesque place.

Trekking Trails from Nagarkot

Nagarkot provides several options such as hiking, rock climbing, birdwatching, pony riding, mountain biking and paragliding for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts to unwind.

Some of the popular biking and hiking trails from Nagarkot include the Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail to Dhulikhel, the Changu Narayan trail, Sankhu trail and Sundarijal trail.

Mountain bikes costing around Rs 600 per hour can be hired from the Nagarkot Naldum Tourism Development Committee.

A number of boarding and dining options are available for all types of travelers, including budget, midrange and top end ranging from less than USD 50 per day to more than USD 150 per day. The top choices of foreign tourists to Nagarkot are Hotel Country Villa, Mystic Mountain, Club Himalaya Resort, Fort Resort and Cafe du Mont.

Popular Tourist Attractions

Changu Narayan, Nepal’s oldest temple and a UNESCO heritage site is situated at a short distance from Nagarkot and has one of the richest artistic structures with several 5th century Nepalese art masterpieces adorning the pagoda style edifice.

The Nagarkot View Tower provides a 360-degree view of the Himalayas, with tourists making an hour long early morning hike to the location to see the changing colors of the snow as the first rays of the rising sun fall on the mountains.

The Jahlapa Devi Temple and Muhan Waterfalls are other places of interest in the vicinity of Nagarkot.

A Picture-Postcard Location

The scenic natural landscapes, blissful climate, and warmth and hospitality of the locals make Nagarkot an ideal tourist paradise and honeymoon destination.

Do not miss including Nagarkot while planning your travel itinerary to Nepal!

Also Read:

• Nepal, The Perfect Tourism Destination for an Unforgettable Holiday Experience

The post Nagarkot, A Vista of Beautiful Villages and Mountains appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

Often described as a PhD in mountaineering, the course run by the Swiss-based International Federation of Mountain Guides (IFMG) has so far been awarded to 6000 people across the globe and to just 50 Nepali men.

Dawa completed the course in January 2018.

Belonging to the Sherpa ethnic group famed for mountain guiding, Dawa had no doubts about her choice of profession right from the beginning. “I knew what I wanted to do. My passion was to be outdoors, to climb. And my family did not discourage me,” says Sherpa.

Expeditions to Everest and Other Peaks

Dawa scaled her first mountain, Nepal’s 5,500-meter Yala Peak, at the age of 17.

After that, she has never looked back. Subsequently, she became part of various successful expeditions to the summits of other mountains before climbing the world’s highest peak Mount Everest in 2012.

Upon her return from the Everest expedition, Dawa registered to become a certified mountain guide. She then scaled one of the world’s toughest climbs, the K2 peak in Pakistan, as part of the first Nepali women’s team in 2014.

Dawa’s attempt to climb the Kangchenjunga, the world’s third highest peak, was curtailed by inclement weather in 2017.

Future Plans

The 27-year-old Dawa is looking forward to guiding an expedition to Denali, North America’s highest peak, in June 2018. She will also continue her work as an instructor at a couple of climbing schools in Nepal.

“She was already moving forward to become one of the top women mountaineers not just in Nepal but in the world, but this certificate will open many new opportunities for her,” says Sunar Bahadur Gurung, President of the Nepal National Mountain Guides Association.

Dawa Yangzum Sherpa’s success is undoubtedly an inspiration to all other girls and the entire women community of Nepal and the world in making their dreams come true and progress in life.

The post Dawa Sherpa, First Nepali Woman to Earn Prestigious IFMG Certification appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

This rule applies even to the world-famous Mount Everest, the ambitious trekking journey for any mountaineer across the world.

The ban also covers strict measures to the double amputees and blind climbers planning their trip to Mount Everest.

The new rule demands a written doctor certificate from the trekkers with disabilities to trek the world’s highest Everest peak.

Besides safety, the new rule is also expected to create employment opportunities to the Nepali communities like Sherpas as travel guides, among others.

Sar far, more than 200 mountaineers have died on Everest in the past century. 

Other Key Announcements

In another announcement, the Government of Nepal said the mountaineering expedition teams will have to pay more amount as life insurance coverage of its liaison officers to attempt to climb Nepal’s mountains including Mt Everest, starting this year.

The newly-revised regulation mandates rise in insurance cover for the liaison officers from Rs 600,000 (USD 6,000) to Rs 1.5 million (USD 15,000).

“The mountaineering expedition team shall make medical insurance, in amount of not less than Rs 400,000 (USD 4,000) for the peaks above 6,500 m and Rs 300,000 (USD 3,000) for other peaks below 6,500 m, of the liaison officer, headman, mountain guide, high altitude worker, base camp worker and local worker for their minor injuries in an accident,” read an official release.

The new provision also says ‘no’ to use of helicopter, aircraft and balloon for summitting a peak. This move is coming after a move by a Chinese climber Wang Jing who used helicopter to bypass the Khumbu Icefall to reach Camp II of Mount Everest in 2014.

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