Experts to guide you in the Himalaya
When it comes to trekking, no other country in the world offers tourists as impressive a choice of trails as Nepal. From the moderate to the rigorous, and from tea house to expedition style adventures , Nepal is indeed synonymous
with the word “trek”. And there are very experienced people to take you on the enthralling journey in the Himalaya.Destination Nepal Trek & Expedition is a distinctive addition to the Nepalese world of treks and expeditions. Introducing Nepal as a mountaineering destination, exploring old time-tested trails in more ways than one and introducing new routes are what the company claims to be adept at. Its clientele varies from the individual traveller to groups, including associations, researchers and educational trips. The agency has by far managed to generate a steadily increasing clientele from all over the world, especially from France, Italy, Scandinavia and the USA.
One of the most daunting tasks the company faces is the challenge of bringing to the eyes of visitors the authentic tapestry of Nepalese culture in sharp contrast to and away from the rapidly budding urban life in Kathmandu.
“It isn’t just mountains and rugged terrain we offer,” says Mr. Ngima T. Pakhrin, Executive Director of the company. “We give equal precedence to the conservation of the environment and preservation of the cultural heritage. Recognizing specific needs and providing a high standard of service are a priority for our team,” says Mr. Pakhrin. Accordingly, Destination Nepal has a wide assortment of itineraries that take visitors to areas like Pike, Mustang, Manaslu, Dolpo, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, Rolwaling and Manang which are still pristine and untouched.
Besides organizing customized treks in the seldom used trails like the Nar-phu valley in Manang, Pike to Dudhkunda area in Solukhumbu and Katari to Halesi in Udaypur district, it also offers expeditions to all the trekking peaks of Nepal. Destination Nepal’s programs give trekkers a wide range of options as well as flexibility to suit different needs.
Apart from trekking, Destination Nepal organizes jungle safaris, cultural tours, visits to villages and Nepalese households and tours to Tibet. Mountain flights, white water rafting on the tumultuous waters of Nepal’s rivers and other adventure sports also feature in its programs.
A team of professionals spearhead the company. They, in turn, are backed by experienced support staff, trekking experts, a retinue of multi-lingual guides who are well trained in ecologically and culturally sensitive travel practices and mountain safety, and excellent expedition gear. The company prides itself in offering tourists the best at very affordable prices.
– Geetanjali A. Lama
VITAL STATISTICS
Address: Thamel, Kathmandu; Tel: 977-1-259538; Fax: 977-1-258419; E-mail: info@ destination.com.np; Website: www.destination.com.np
Services:Trekking,mountaineering, white water rafting, jungle safari, cultural excursions and sight-seeing tours, village visits, home stay with Nepalese family, camping, mountain flight
Ngima T. Pakhrin is the Executive Director of Destination Nepal Trek & Expedition. He is highly experienced in the trekking business, in the field as well as the management aspect. Mr. Pakhrin has received various trainings related to tourism and has travelled extensively in Nepal and abroad.
Himalayan sight-seeing in comfort and style
The ruggedness of its terrain makes Nepal the ideal country for helicopter operations. Indeed, helicopters are very likely the perfect transport vehicle for Nepal’s particular requirements. Able to carry both passengers and cargo to
remote areas unserviced by roads or airstrips, the whirlybird is doing wonders for this nation’s rural economies.
Not least among the beneficiaries is the tourism industry. Regular charter flights to mountain destinations are bringing day trippers and trekkers into the heart of the Himalaya. Likewise, specialty and sight-seeing flights are gaining momentum among the half dozen companies currently operating in Nepal. Trekkers, mountaineers, sight-seers, even pilgrims are finding that the unique capabilities of the helicopter meet their needs exactly and, thus, add tremendously to the quality of their stay in Nepal.
There are three types of helicopters currently operating in the private sector. The most frequently seen is the powerful Russian made MI-17. This is a big bird, capable of transporting 22 passengers or four tons of cargo. MI-17s can reach altitudes well in excess of 5,000 m and have been known to land at Everest base camp. They offer excellent utility and reliability under extreme conditions.
The second craft is the smaller and more maneuverable French made Ecureuil AS 350B series. This sports car of the rotor world is smooth and quiet and offers excellent visibility. Wide bodied and comfortable, it can carry five passengers. A third type is the Japanese made Kawasaki BK-117 which is a twin-engined, 9-seater craft. Both the Ecureuil and the Kawasaki are ideal for Himalayan sight-seeing and intimate charters.
Time constrained clients and those who are either unable or uninterested in going trekking, but would nevertheless like to see Nepal’s spectacular Himalayan landscapes and villages, can be well serviced by the flexibility of the helicopter. One or two hour round-trip flights can transport groups to Langtang’s Kyanchin Gompa or the beautiful monastery at Tengboche in the shadow of Mt. Everest, or even to Lo Manthang, the ancient and magical capital of Mustang, for picnics among the giants.
Large climbing expeditions as well have found that they can actually save money by transporting their gear direct to and from base camps by air, rather than employing a battalion of porters and waiting the weeks it takes to haul everything up to 5,000 m. Along the same lines, heli-trekking utilizes helicopter flights to reach popular trekking trail heads. Similar arrangements can be made for weekend rafting trips on any of the country’s raftable rivers.
Several of Nepal’s sacred pilgrimage sites are located high in the mountains and require up to a week’s walk to reach. Charter flights from Pokhara to the helipad at Muktinath are offered regularly.
Additionally, helicopters fly even when weather conditions such as rain and wind keep fixed wing, mountain-bound flights grounded. This means that even during the rainy season, trekkers can be lifted above the clouds and mud and into the balmy blue skies of high altitude treks in the Annapurna or Khumbu (Everest) regions.
Though making Nepal’s remote regions more accessible is probably the helicopter’s most glamorous accomplishment, making them safer is its most heroic. Mountain rescue operations are regular duties of helicopters, and as the number of trekkers hitting the trails continues to mount, the craft’s invaluable function in this direction is on the rise.
REACH FOR THE SKY
For information and bookings, contact your Nepal travel agent or the airlines direct. Asian Airlines; Tel: 423273, 423274, 416116; Fax: 977-1-423315. Cosmic Air; Tel: 246882, 241051, 427150, 416881; E-mail: soi@wlink.com.np; Fax: 977-1-427084. Dynasty Aviation; Tel: 422502, 414626; Fax: 977-1-422498. Fishtail Air; Tel: 485186; E-mail: fish@rotor. mos.com.np; Fax: 977-1-485187. Gorkha Airlines; Tel: 436576, 436579, 435121; E-mail: gorkha@mos.com.np; Fax: 977-1-435430. Karnali Air Service; Tel: 473141, 491415; E-mail: karnaair@ mos.com.np; Fax: 977-1-488288.