NEPAL: General Information

Nepal has established seven national Parks and three wildlife reserves for the protection of the endangered species. There is only one hunting reserve in Nepal. These parks and reserves comes under the administration of the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Department of the government of Nepal. The total area covered by these parks and reserves is 11,001 square kilometer (4,247 square mile). This represents 8% of the total area of Nepal. The followings are the national parks and reserves.

National Parks
Sagarmatha National Park: This is the highest national park in the world with all its terrain above 3,000 m ( 9,700 ft). This park includes three peaks higher than 8,000 m, including Mount Everest. Therefore, most of the park area is very rugged and steep, with its terrain cut by deep rivers and glaciers. Unlike other parks in the plain areas, this park can be divided into four climate zones because of the rising altitude. These are a forested lower zone, a zone of alpine scrub, upper alpine zone which includes upper limit of vegetation growth, and the Arctic zone where no plants can grow. The types of plants and animals that are found in the park depend on the altitude.

Langtang National Park: This is the closest park to Kathmadu, the capital city of Nepal, about 32 kilometers (20 mile) north. This park comprises a beautiful Langtang valley, and several high altitude glacial lakes. One of the famous lakes is Gosainkunda, which is a sacred lake for Hindu pilgrims. People from the low lands come every year to take baths in this icy cold lake in August.

Rara National Park: This park is named after a lake called Rara. This is one the biggest lakes in Nepal covering an area of about 15 square Kilometers at an elevation of 2,990 m ( 9,717 ft). The lake is encircled with pine, spruce, juniper forests and snow- capped mountains. This park was established to protect the unique beauty of the lake and to preserve its surrounding ecosystem

Shey Phoksundo National Park: This is the largest national park in Nepal and stretches over the trans-Himalayan region. Therefore this park represents a whole range of climates that are found in Nepal. It is only in this Nepal park that the Tibetan desert type of fauna and flora are found. The main attractions of this park is Phoksundo lake and Shey monastery. Because of its remoteness very few tourists visit this national park. Suligad (543 ft, 167m), the water fall at the highest elevation in the world comes from Phoksundo Lake at 11,855 ft. (3,647 m). This region is affected very little by modernization.

Khaptad National Park: This park is situated in far western mountains of Nepal. This national park is different from other national parks in its origin. This was set aside as a national park mainly for religious purposes. A Hindu guru called Khaptad Swami, has been living in this secluded area for many years. Besides, he is a naturalist also and loves nature very much. Because of his effort about 225 sq. km (89 sq. mile) was set aside as national park.

SUGGESTED ITINERARIES :

1. TOUR CODE: ESL/NE/101 - NEPAL TOUR
Day 01: Welcome in Kathmandu pickup in Airport/Bus station and transfer to Hotel
Day 02: After breakfast full day Kathmandu sightseeing (start from Pashupati temple)
Day 03: Early morning 4.30 am drive to Nagarkot to see sunrise with Mountain View, 8 am drive Back Bhaktapur to see Old City, rest of the time free for you
Day 04: Take land transports to Chitwan National Park (jungle safari camp), arrival after noon in Chitwan hotels, same day go for two hours jungle walk.
Day 05: Early morning jungle guide takes you to inside jungle on Elephant ride for two hours to Watch jungle nature, After lunch in Hotel, guide will take you for Canoeing and bird watching.
Day 06: After break fast takes land transport to Pokhara, Same day in Pokhara guide will take to Fewa Lake for one hour boating.
Day 07: Full day Pokhara sightseeing.
Day 08: Transfer to Airport/Bus stations for hit back Kathmandu, as you wish you can back your home destination.
Day 09: Free for souvenir shopping.
Day 10: Transfer to Airport/Bus station.