Author: Madam Tours

INTRODUCTION:

A successfully designed educational trip not only broadens the perimeter of the knowledge of the scholar and understanding of a subject but also adds realism to the topic of the study. The proposed educational tour is specifically designed for undergraduate Tourism students for an opportunity to explore, understand and evaluate the real scenario of tourism operation. The scholar will be enjoying in the same way as regular leisure tourists by consuming varieties of tourism products and services being offered whereas on top of that the scholars will be encouraged to observe and evaluate tourism practices on the basis of the notion of “Responsible Tourism”. 

The purpose seventeen-day pre-determined tailor package is based on an “All Nepal Theme” where we will be visiting each and everyone must-see attraction of the country Nepal. The trip is designed in such a way that scholars will have numerous chances to witness the operation and practices of many different types of tourism such as urban tourism, adventure tourism, rural tourism, wildlife tourism, religious tourism, ecotourism, and cultural and heritage tourism. The itinerary also includes the visit to an emerging tourist destinations, saturated destinations, home tourist/ international tourist-dominated destinations, and short breaks attractions as well as long break destinations. As a whole the motive of the trip is to make scholars understand the difference between the theoretical knowledge which has been fed through the medium of books in the closed classroom and their realistic achievement in the real world.         

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM:

The term responsible tourism in the context of this trip is the collective practices of tourism operation from tourism product and services suppliers which focus on delivering a consistent level of quality of products and services without compromising the ability of future generations to use them. We are aiming for scholars to focus on these specific practices of businesses and evaluate how they may affect the present and the future of the tourism opportunities of the destination:

• Minimize negative economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts, 
• Generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities.
• Positive contribution to the conservation of local attractions, environment, culture, and heritage.
• Provide more enjoyable experiences for tourists through meaningful connections with local people. 

DESTINATION:  NEPAL and WHY?

• The country where tourism accounts for nearly 8% of the total GDP
• The country of Mt Everest and the birthplace of lord Buddha and home to 10 UNESCO heritage sites
• One of the last places on earth to spot Asiatic Rhinoceros and the royal Bengal tiger.
• Among the very few destinations in the world that consist of a diverse mixture of touristic activities within one country. 
• Lonely Planet listed Nepal as the top travel destination to visit for 2017 
• A land of discovery and unique experiences with rich ancient cultures set against the most dramatic scenery in the world. 

Visiting Nepal in 2020 is also one of the rare learning opportunities for scholars as the government is promoting tourism with the slogan of “ visit Nepal 2020 “ nationally and internationally.  A considerable amount of money and workforce is being invested for marketing and promotional purposes which includes the advertisement on London buses as well. Scholars will have a good chance to evaluate how much marketing techniques and events can add value to promote the destination and tourism to another level or if not managed properly how abortive such effort could be.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES:

The sole aim of the trip is to offer scholar traveling opportunities with plenty of learning opportunities throughout the trip in order to educate our scholars in a practical and interesting manner. The trip also aims to illustrate insight into tourism operations and practices in the real world and offer an opportunity for scholars to evaluate them on the basis of the notion of responsible tourism. The evaluation can be performed by being self-observant and in numerous cases information and data will be provided by tourism businesses and local tourism authorities.

As a whole, the trip aims scholars who are future tourism professionals/entrepreneurs of the industry to understand the importance of responsible practices to achieve sustainable growth. They must have a clear understanding of how such practices can create negative economic, socio-cultural, and environmental issues and how they can affect the overall tourism opportunities of the region for the present and future generations. It is also an opportunity for scholars to identify factors preventing different tourism suppliers to achieve desired outcomes in the real operational world such as resource limitation, poor knowledge/ management, carelessness, cost saving, etc. 

OBJECTIVES

• To observe, understand and evaluate responsible practices of tourism suppliers for the given destination in all aspects, mainly Environmental, Socio-cultural, and Environmental.
  
• Understand and analyze the advantage of tourism for the given region such as economic opportunities, infrastructural and lifestyle development, environmental conservation, and cross-cultural and destination promotion.
• Understand and identify the disadvantage of tourism in the given destination such as imbalance funding, seasonal fluctuation, tourism dependence, cultural clashes, and environmental degradation.
• To identify the leakage and linkages phenomenon driven by the tourism practices in the local economy based on the information provided by businesses 
• To make scholars understand the advantages and disadvantages brought by current practices in the context of sustainability of tourism in the given region and make a suggestion for a responsible model.

Nepali is the official language, spoken and understood by a majority of the population. However, multiple ethnic groups have their own mother tongues. English is spoken by many in tourist areas, government, and business offices, and by the younger generation. Nepali is derived from “Khas bhasha” and is considered to be a member of the Indo-European language. It is written in Devanagari script. Nepali was the language of the house of Gorkhas in the late 18th century and became the official, national language. Here are some words and phrases in the Nepali language that can be useful on your journey.

Hello – Namaste (said with palms pressed together and it means; “I salute the God in you”)

Nepal is a country that offers you multitudes of possibilities in many different areas of travel. One such is Hiking. Walking for hours and hours to reach a particular destination is just…hmmm…how do I explain it…it’s more than just worth it.

Nepal is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. With its diverse landscapes and breathtaking views, it’s no wonder that hiking is one of the most popular activities for travellers in Nepal. It is also one of the most rewarding activities you can do in Nepal whether you are someone from another country or Nepal. Just find yourself in some beautiful scenery enjoying the natural pleasure of hiking through the mountains which you have well-deserved with hours and hours of rigorous walking. The feeling while you navigate through the misty woods of lush green forests of the hills of Nepal, is just incomprehensible on any scale of things.

Hiking is one of the best ways to escape the hustle and bustle of the city streets. To be able to take a break from the busyness and immerse yourself in the natural pleasure is one of the best activities to do at the weekends too.

There are many options for where you can go hiking in Nepal be it for short distances or long ones. Popular short hiking routes are especially located in Kathmandu and the long ones are mainly towards the west. Most of the hiking routes are located in the hilly region of Nepal thus, in the central belt that extends from the western border to the eastern one.

We, as a travel agency aim for you to get an unforgettable experience and a lifelong memory that you can cherish forever and share with your loved ones. 

The flora in the hilly region of Nepal is covered with subtropical forests in the lower altitudes and coniferous trees intermixed with temperate grasslands in the relatively higher altitudes. The valleys are very fertile however, they are low in production quantity due to high population density. The hilly region of Nepal covers about 68% of the total area and the Himalayan region which is in the northern part extending from the western border to the eastern one covers about 15% of the area. All of the hiking routes which we will be presenting to you are from these regions. The Himalayan region has coniferous vegetation and is a very infertile area. The fauna found in the hilly and Himalayan region is comprised of animals like tigers, bears, snow leopards, red pandas, Himalayan tahr, musk deer, wild boars etc. Lophophorous(Danphe), also the national bird of Nepal, is found in the hilly region. 

Most common hiking spots in Nepal: 

Shivapuri: Located in the northern hills of Kathmandu lies a beautiful national park with a great variety of animals and birds and a fantastic location with the best views of Kathmandu. The place also has good accommodation facilities. Shivapuri is incredibly loved by people from Nepal or outside Nepal. The waterfalls and the lush forest amidst the soulful bird chirpings would just set your mood up for a long walk. The place might require fees for access to some places so better not to go without anything. The routes are also around army conservation areas so you might spot some army personnel.
Highest elevation: 2732 metres (~8963.25)
Accommodation: A variety of hotels and restaurants 

Champadevi: Not so far in the southeast direction from Kathmandu city lies a hiking trail with a perfect blend of a peaceful retreat as well as a nature lover’s walk. The trails are well managed and have the perfect atmosphere that can make you enchanted within itself. The maximum elevation is 2278 metres(~7473.7 feet) thus you elevate about 880 metres(2887.1) more than Kathmandu’s average elevation. You will encounter some caves, colourful trees, a beautiful view of Kathmandu Valley and many more. Even though the place has lush green trees, it has no water resources since it is believed that the god of heaven, Indra who is also associated with water in Hindu mythology cursed the place with no water resources because he lost his dog due to the sound of streams and other water bodies.
Highest elevation: 2278 metres (~7473.7 feet)
Accommodation: Not readily available 

Phulchowki: The highest of the hills of Kathmandu Valley that has mysterious jungle routes and a place “full of flowers” which is even projected in its name, Phulchowki (meaning: full of flowers) consists of a hiking trail loved by many. It has been described as feeling like it’s out of a fantasy tale—full of flowers and dense forests, it’s difficult to find a path that goes all the way to the top. If you’re looking for an escape from the city, this is the place to go! The route up the hill is long and tiring, but it’s well worth it when you see what lies at its peak: a panoramic view of Kathmandu and the beautiful mountains. Your day will be extremely worth it and you will be missing out if you don’t visit this place.
Highest elevation: 2,762 metres(~9061.68 feet)
Accommodation: Available nearby

Suryachaur: Located in the historically rich district of Nuwakot with an elevation of 2100 metres(~6990 feet) lies a motorable location with an enjoyable hike route leading us to a place that has the best views of the Langtang mountain range and even Mount Everest!!! The route is extremely enjoyable with waterfalls and nature’s perfect touch. The top of the hill is also a route to another enjoyable destination known as Kakani. You get to surround yourself with an oasis of dense forests, and unexplored locations nearby. You also get to see a flawless and highly lovable view of the Trishuli River and Likhu Valley. This place is ideal for mountain biking, motorcycle ride, weekend retreat, family visit, nature retreats, night sky stargazing, camping, and almost anything you can think of. You can also pay a visit to the famous Jhor waterfall en route to Suryachaur. This hill station is one of the best places to visit in Kathmandu and you shouldn’t miss it.
Highest elevation: 1970 metres (~6460 feet)
Accommodation: Not readily available 

Chandragiri: With technological advancements, convenience increases however, you can’t take away the enjoyment of difficulty and the thrill of certain things. For example, auto gears might be convenient but you can’t disagree that manual gear shifts are fun to ride. Likewise, Chandragiri as of now is accessible by cable car but the hiking routes are still just as enjoyable as it was before. King Prithvi Narayan Shah (the first and the unifying king of Nepal)  scouted Kathmandu Valley from Chandragiri Hill before attacking Kathmandu Valley. With one of the highest altitudes among the hills in Kathmandu Valley, it’s no surprise that the scenery is going to be perfect. On a clear day, you can see mountain ranges like the Langtang range, Gaurishankar, Ganesh, Manaslu and many more. The walk is long and might even cover your leg day on your vacation but it is very worth it and you should try it.
Highest elevation: 2551 metres (8369.4 feet)
Accommodation: Available 

Nagarjun: A relatively underrated hiking route, this place offers you multiple unexplored places. From many sanctuaries in a single place to an almost empty view tower, this place is unknown to many people as a hiking route however, is probably one of the best you can get. This place is a collection of hills located 7 km west of the city of Kathmandu. The highest point contains a monastery named Jamacho Gumba which is a beautiful location overlooking Kathmandu Valley. The Jamacho Gumba hike starts from Shivapuri national park’s gates and goes all the way to the Nagarjuna hilltop. The forest is extremely dense and you might encounter some exotic birds and animals. Another nearby location in the Nagarjun area is accessible through a different location. One such is the white gumba which starts from Shwayambhu and is in a completely different location from the starting point of the Jamacho Gumba hike. There are many small locations around the Nagarjun Hills area which are also perfect for simple morning and evening walks.
Highest elevation: 2095 metres (~6870 feet)
Accommodation: Not available 

Ghyampe Danda and Pilot Baba ashram: Located on the southwestern side of the Bhaktapur district lies a motorable location among the green trees which is also a great location to be on foot. It is perfect for light-hike since the elevation is less however the view from there, especially of the mountains is indeed immaculate. Moreover, the grasslands and small water bodies are just perfect for a peaceful visit. Beautiful farms of Bhaktapur, the deep calm of the rushing chaotic city, and greenery all around will be under your site from this place. This place is ideal for those who are searching for a short chilled-out weekend. Even with a relatively less elevation, you will be able to surround yourself with an unexplainable view of Kathmandu Valley. 
Highest elevation: 2000 metres (~6560 feet)
Accommodation: Available

Nepal is a beautiful country located in South Asia with diverse landscapes, rich culture and friendly people. From the world’s highest mountain peak Mt. Everest to the deepest gorge Kali Gandaki Gorge, Nepal has it all! It offers plenty of opportunities for travelers to explore its majestic mountains, lush jungles, and vibrant cities. From trekking in the Himalayas to exploring ancient temples and monuments, Nepal has something for everyone.

Whether you are looking for adventure or relaxation, Nepal has something for everyone. You can go on a jungle safari in Chitwan National Park or take a spiritual journey to Lumbini – the birthplace of Lord Buddha. There are also many cultural sites like Kathmandu Durbar Square that will give you an insight into Nepalese history and culture. It is the kingdom for the people who are passionate about mountaineering. 

According to recent data, the past three months have seen a drastic rise in foreign tourists entering the country. On average, around 49,000 foreign tourists per month entered Nepal in the 11 months of 2022. According to Maniraj Lamichhane, Director of Nepal Tourism Board, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) estimated that 2023 would see a revival in tourist arrivals somewhere between 60 to 63 percent of the world compared to 2019. Many famous travel websites have made an argument that Nepal is one of the best destinations to gain self-healing. When the world was fighting against COVID, the prince of Bahrain, Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, came to climb Mount Everest in March 2021. 

It’s only after COVID, Nepal welcomed many well-known Personalities from across the globe. From the man behind the famous Discovery TV show “Man Vs Wild”, Bear Grylls to the famous film actor Jet Li has visited Nepal. Bear Grylls skydive from the Everest Region, which creates an international buzz in Adventure Tourism Market. One of the top directors of Bollywood, Sooraj Barjatya came along with his team for the film Unchai, which includes Boman Irani, Anupam Kher, and Parineeti Chopra. These actors were actively involved in social media to promote the beauty of Nepal. Finalists of BBC Master Chef also came to Nepal and promoted Nepali food. In the recent few months, more than 20 famous Youtubers also came to Nepal, they posted and promote the beauty of different places across Nepal. 

WHY TO TRAVEL NEPAL?

Nepal is home to some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the world, including the Himalayas, which contain 8 of the world’s 10 highest peaks. A paradise for adventure seekers, with a wide range of outdoor activities available including trekking, climbing, rafting, and paragliding, it is a land with ancient culture and history, with a rich and diverse heritage that is reflected in its art, architecture, and religious traditions. Nepal is home to many unique architectural styles, including traditional Newari architecture in the Kathmandu Valley and Tibetan-influenced architecture in the Himalayan regions. 

Nepal, the name itself is known for “Never Ending Peace and Love” and it is believed that Nepal is one of the best destinations to find inner peace. Nepal is home to many important religious sites for Hindus and Buddhists, making it a popular destination for spiritual pilgrimages. It is a great destination for travelers interested in wellness, with a range of options available including yoga retreats, meditation centers, and natural hot springs. 

Nepalese people are known for their warm and welcoming nature, and travelers to Nepal are often struck by the friendliness and hospitality of the local people. Staying with a local Nepali family in a homestay is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture and learn more about daily life in Nepal. Nepali cuisine is a unique blend of Indian and Tibetan flavors and is known for its delicious and hearty dishes such as Dal Bhat and MOMO. It is a relatively affordable destination, especially compared to other countries in the region, making it a great value for travelers on a budget. 

Nepal is a great destination for travelers who are interested in volunteering and giving back to the local community. There are many organizations that offer opportunities to work on projects ranging from education and healthcare to environmental conservation. Nepal is still relatively undiscovered by tourists compared to other countries in the region, making it a great destination for travelers looking to get off the beaten path and experience something truly unique. 

The world was shut down for almost 2 years due to the pandemic. Everyone was forced to get locked inside the four walls, being bored and depressed. Nepal has a lot to offer for everyone, one should definitely visit Nepal for “Once in a Lifetime Experience”.