Nepal

          Nepal is a landlocked country with a total land area of 147,181 sq. km. It lies between 26º 22' N - 30º 27' N latitude and 80º 4'E - 88º 12'E longitude. Roughly rectangular in shape, the land extends approximately 885-kms-east west and 145 km. The country is bordered by China in the north and India in the south, west and east.
          The land mass is divided into three geographical zones. The snow capped high Himalayas, the mountainous region with long terraced slopes leading to fertile valleys and the flat sub-tropical Terai region. The high Himalayan region extends in the north from west to east at an altitude of 4,000 m. to 8,848 m. The world famous peak of Mt. Everest (8848 m.), Kanchanjunga (8586m), Makalu (8463m.), Dhaulagiri (8167m.) Annapurna (8091m.) and many others dominate the formidable range of everlasting snows. The alpine region consists of mountain ranges of Mahabharata varying in height from 1525 m. to 4877m. Below these ranges lies the Churia range at 610 m. to 1524-m. Fertile valleys of various width and altitude lie between these mountain and hill ranges. The southern belt stretches east to west by a width of 26 to 32 km. and a maximum elevation of about 305 metres.
          Several major rivers, tributaries and streams flow southwards originating from the glaciers, snow fed lakes and high Himalayan Mountains of the north. The major rivers are the Mahakali, Seti, Karnali, Gandaki, Koshi and Mechi.
          Nepal experience 4 seasons - spring (Mar-May), summer (Jun.-Aug.), autumn (Sept.-Nov.) and winter (Dec.-Feb.).
          The climate is varied ranging from the sub-tropical Terai to the cool dry temperate and alpine climates in the northern Himalayan ranges. The Terai is the hottest part of the country, summer temperature may rise as high as 40ºc and is hot and humid. In the mid mountain regions, the summer is mild with temperature around 25º-27ºc. The winter temperature range from 7ºc to 23ºc in the Terai and sub-zero to 12ºc in the mountain regions and valleys. The northern Himalayan region has a frigid climate.
          Rainfall is extensive during the south-west monsoon period from June to August with the eastern part receiving the maximum rainfall. In the winter season, the western part receives a larger portion of rainfall. The period from October to May is generally dry in most parts of the country. Annual rainfall varies from around 300 mm. in the northern and western areas to over 2500 mm. in the eastern region.

NATIONAL PARKS :
The immense contrasts in altitude and climates found here support a spectacular mix of lifestyles, vegetation and wildlife. Therefore, Nepal is home to a rich variety of mammals, birds and reptiles and going on a game viewing excursion deep into the forest to observe them in their natural surroundings is a thrill to remember. The best way to see the wildlife is by visiting the National parks of Nepal.
          Though there are many national parks in Nepal, we organize tours for the tourist on the following National parks:

• Royal Chitwan National Park

• Bardia National Park

Royal Chitwan National Park :
          It is the oldest national park in Nepal, is situated in the subtropical inner Terai lowlands of South-Central Nepal. The park was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1984.
          The park covers a pristine area with a unique ecosystem of significant value to the world. It contains the Churiya hills, ox-bow lakes and flood plains of Rapti, Reu, and Narayani Rivers. Approximately 70% of the park vegetation is saal forest. The remaining vegetation types include grassland (20%), riverine forest (7%), and sal with chirpine (3%), the latter occurring at the top of the Churiya range. The riverine forests consist mainly of khair, sissou and simal. The grasslands form a diverse and complex community with over 50 species. The Saccharum species, often called elephant grass, can reach 8 m. in height. The shorter grasses such as Imperata are useful for thatch roofs.
          There are more than 43 species of mammals, over 450 species of birds, and more than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles in the park.
          Formerly, the Chitwan Valley was well known for big game hunting and until 1950 was exclusively managed as a hunting reserve for the Rana Prime Ministers and their guests. In 1963, the area south of the Rapti River was demarcated as a rhinoceros sanctuary. In 1970, His late Majesty King Mahendra approved, in principle, the creation of Royal Chitwan National Park.

Royal Bardia National Park
Area : 968 sq. km.
Established : First gazetted in 1976 and further extended in 1984.
Royal Bardiya National Park is situated in the mid-Far Western Terai, east of the Karnali River.
Feature :
          The park is the largest and most undisturbed wilderness area in the Terai. About 70% of the park is covered with dominantly sal forest with the balance a mixture of grassland, savanna and riverine forest. The approximately 1500 people who lived in this valley have been resettled elsewhere. Since farming has ceased in the Babai Valley, natural vegetation is regenerating, making it an area of prime habitat for wildlife.
          The park provides excellent habitat for endangered animals like the rhinoceros, wild elephant, tiger, swamp deer, black buck, gharial crocodile, marsh mugger crocodile and Gangetic dolphin. Endangered birds include the Bengal florican, lesser florican, silver-eared mesia and Sarus crane. More than 30 different mammals, over 200 species of birds, and many snakes, lizards and fish have been recorded in the park's forest, grassland and river habitats. A good number of resident and migratory birds are found in the park.

Tilicho

     Tilicho Lake is one of those places that has had next to mythic connotations. Many regard it as the highest lake in the world. It was for long almost totally closed save for a few climbers and expeditions, and since 1974, when Nixon changed the China policy, part of the area above Thini on the Jomsom side became a totally off-limits military area. From the Manang side it was rarely if ever visited. A much sold guide book informed potential trekkers that the path to Tilicho was “a figment of some ones fantasy” and the locals in Manang had little knowledge of the route too, and were often thought to be slightly unfriendly as they were known for not being particularly keen on working as human beasts of burden for various expeditions that had passed. When asked to porter they had simply refused! Manang is no ordinary village. Its people are heavily involved in international trade, due to passport privileges granted in the past.