A TREASURE TROVE OF NATURAL BEAUTY - NEPAL

We arrived in Kathmandu and checked into our pre-booked hotel. In the evening, we took a leisurely stroll through the city. The following day, we had a prearranged car for our travel to Nagarkot.

NAGARKOT -Nagarkot is renowned for its mesmerizing sunrise and sunset views, situated at an altitude of 2,175 meters above sea level. The journey from Kathmandu to Nagarkot, spanning a distance of 28 kilometers, took us approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. During our visit in mid-August, the surroundings were adorned with lush green paddy fields. We were accommodated at The Fort Resort, a place that featured a quaint little door which led us to the hotel terrace. From there, we were treated to an unobstructed panoramic view of the Himalayas, stretching from Annapurna in the west to the majestic Everest in the east. Among the mountains that stood out prominently were Kanchenjunga (8,586 meters) and Dhaulagiri (8,167 meters). However, the most enchanting sight we encountered was the formation of clouds beneath the Nagarkot Peak. Gradually, these clouds started engulfing the smaller peaks, until we found ourselves standing above the clouds, gazing downward to witness their ethereal beauty.

POKHARA – A picturesque city nestled by a lake in the heart of the Himalayas, it serves as both the starting point and endpoint for trekkers embarking on the Annapurna Circuit. As Nepal's second-largest city, it is often referred to as The Tourist Paradise, offering a luxurious experience with high-class hotels, renowned restaurants, and bustling commercial malls. In addition to its natural allure, the city provides an array of adventurous activities such as boating, hiking, pony rides, paragliding, bungee jumping, zip-lining, and even ultra-light flights. The locals are known for their warmth and hospitality, often greeting you with a smile whenever your eyes meet theirs. Their kind-heartedness and genuine nature shine through their interactions and conversations. After spending two nights in this charming city, we proceeded towards Dhampus.

Dhampus offers the finest view of the Annapurna range, providing an alternative to visiting the Annapurna region itself.

After storing our baggage at the Hotel Cloak Room, we checked out after breakfast and headed to Phedi, which is located 19km from Pokhara. We only brought our night suits, important documents, and gadgets that we didn't want to leave at the hotel. From Phedi, we followed stone staircases through the beautiful lush green fields and subsistence farms of rural Nepal, passing multiple water streams, until we reached the alpine landscapes of the high Himalayas. This hike is not very strenuous and can be done by an average fit person. The trail promised picturesque views of Annapurna and its sister peaks, although unfortunately, on this particular day, the view of Machhapuchhre Mountain (also known as the Fish Tail Mountain, where no human has ever set foot) was fully covered. It is recommended to stay in a homestay to experience the local way of life. The food was simple but tasty, and the weather here increases your appetite. The Mint Leaves' Chutney they serve adds a delicious touch to the food. The owner of the homestay was selling necklaces and bangles made of natural colored stones, and we ended up purchasing some.

The following afternoon, we made our way down and arrived in Pokhara by evening. The next day, after participating in some adventure activities, we proceeded to Chitwan. This journey covered a distance of 150km and took us 4 hours to complete.

CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK –Nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas, Chitwan boasts an abundance of flora and fauna. It is renowned for being home to one of the last populations of single-horned Asiatic rhinoceros and serving as a refuge for the Bengal Tiger. Established in 1973, it was Nepal's first National Park. In 1996, a buffer zone spanning 75,000 hectares of forests and private lands surrounding the park was declared, and in 2003, all lakes within this zone were designated as a wetland of international importance.

The park's captivating landscape, adorned with lush vegetation and the majestic backdrop of the Himalayas, adds to its exceptional natural beauty. Its forested hills and ever-changing river landscapes contribute to making Chitwan one of the most stunning and attractive regions in Nepal's lowlands. Situated in a river valley basin, the park features steep cliffs along south-facing slopes and a blend of riverine forest and grasslands along the river banks. These natural elements make Chitwan a highly sought-after tourist destination in the region.

The idea of going on a safari on the back of an elephant was beyond imagination. All of us were thrilled as we headed into the jungle, hoping to see rhinos in the ponds and lakes. Suddenly, it started raining, drenching us completely. The mahout quickly opened a big umbrella, and we saw umbrellas being opened on the other three elephants as well. Perhaps they knew it would rain, or maybe we were just so optimistic about enjoying nature that we forgot to check the weather. Being in the dense forest, on an elephant, in heavy rainfall... it was a completely different experience. We only caught glimpses of deer huddled under bushes a few times due to the rain. The sound of raindrops falling on leaves and the thumping of the elephant's feet on the wet jungle soil was amazing. In the evening, there were traditional dances to enjoy. The next morning, we went to a river to witness elephants bathing. Watching baby elephants playing in the water was a delightful sight. Here, you are allowed to sit on the back of an elephant and let it splash water on you from its trunk.

We had a city sightseeing before boarding our flight to Dubai.

KATHMANDU - We returned to our point of entry to make our exit. We then made the decision to take a closer look at Mount Everest and purchased flight tickets for this purpose. However, we had to wait for several hours only to be informed that all Mount Everest flights were cancelled due to inclement weather. Fortunately, we received a full refund for our tickets.