Nepal represents a blend of ancient history, vibrant cultures and scenic grandeur. Located between China and India, Nepal's main geographical features include snow-capped peaks, lower mountains, mid hills and fertile plains of tropical jungles. Nearly one-third of the total length of the Himalayas and 8 of the worlds' 14 peaks above 8000 meters lie in Nepal. The land locked country covers an area 147,181 sq. kilometers ranging from 70 meters to the highest point at 8848 meters above sea level. Nepal's popularity as a tourist destination has increased vastly over the years. While Trekking  and Mountaineering in Nepal have long been popular, an entire range of other activities are also being carried out.

Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of  bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and attitudinal variation. As well as ethnically with more than 61 ethnic groups and 70 spoken languages. You will find rich cultures and vibrant traditions, exquisite temples and monuments as well as fast flowing rivers and tropical jungles teeming with wildlife, making your trip an unforgettable experience. However, all the people from different races and religions live in harmony and there is an ideal blending of Hinduism and Buddhism.

To cross a street in Kathmandu is to travel across centuries. Shrines, temples, palace squares, ageless sculptures and legends that are parts of every brick and stone and gilded masterpiece, has made Kathmandu Valley a verifiable living museum.

Entry Procedures & Visa Rules:
Tourist Visa
Visa Facility      Duration     Fee
Multiple entry    15 days     US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry    30 days     US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry     90 days    US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency

Gratis (Free) Visa   
•    Gratis visa for 30 days is available only for nationals of SAARC countries. However, for extension of visa for SAARC nationals, the rule is same as that of other nationals.
•    Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal.

For Visa Extension:
Tourists can stay for a maximum of 150 days in a visa year (Jan 1 to Dec 31) extending the visa at the rate of 2 US $ per day. However, a minimum amount of 30 US$ has to be paid for a period of 15 days or less.

Obtaining a Transit Visa for Nepal
A transit visa can be obtained from Airport Immigration for a period of 48 hrs. on the presentation of airline ticket.
Fee for Transit Visa: US$ 5.00

Getting Nepal Non-Tourist Visas
Marriage Visas
For those married to a Nepali citizen and wanting to stay in Nepal for as long as you like and without getting a Nepali passport and giving up your country of birth passport (which is not always a good idea!), a non-tourist marriage visa is the best way to go.
Changing from a tourist visa to a non-tourist visa can sometimes be a lengthy process and a lot of waiting around before they get to your file! You need to visit the Department of Immigration office at Maitee Ghar, phone no. 4223681 / 4222453 and collect a form for Non-Tourist visas. It opens the same hours as the tourist visa office. The processing time will take about 7 days as they asses your information. You can get issued a visa for as long as you like 2, 4, 6 months as long as you pay the US$10/month (about Rs750) for single entry. For a single re-entry you pay an extra US$25.

You require the following documents
The application form photocopied 6 times (so you have 7 forms). Sign the forms after you have photocopied them!
7 passport photos one for each form.
Photocopies of your own and your partners passports, including a copy of your current tourist visa.
Photocopy of your partners Nepali citizenship card.
Photocopy of your marriage certificate.
If you need to renew your non-tourist visa you only require 2 forms, 2 passport photos and a photocopy of your passport with last issued visa.
Remember to take all originals with you at time of application and when you go in to collect your visa form ask what documents you need, the Nepal government changes the rules regularly.

Residential Visa
This visa is for those people who want to permanently live in Nepal.
For the first year a fee of US$200 needs to be paid, then each year it's renewed a fee of US$100. It's a multiply entry visa so you can come in and out of Nepal as you like.

Important Note to all Visitors and Trekkers
Here's a little legalese from the Nepalese ~ requesting your co-operation to observe the following guidelines during your stay in Nepal.
All foreign visitors are requested to be mindful of the date of expiry of the Nepalese visa and their passports to avoid future problems. As such, you are requested to apply for a visa extension, if you wish so, within the valid period of the Nepalese visa.
You are requested to get the arrival/departure stamp on your passport at the entry/exit points to avoid further complications.
Living in Nepal without passport or a valid visa is a punishable offense.
Deviation from the prescribed routes in the trekking permit will be treated as the violation of the law.
You are advised to be aware of brokers/cheaters or any counterfeit documents of visa/trekking permits to avoid legal complications. If you are not visiting/trekking through any authorized agency, do not use mediators for visa/trekking permits. You are requested to contact the Immigration Office directly.
Change of purpose of stay without permission is not allowed and employment or voluntary service while on a tourist visa is strictly prohibited. It will be a punishable offense.
Be sure to register at the police and Immigration check point along the trail. It is wise to register your trekking destination and schedule at your Embassy or Consulate.
If you encounter problems along the trails, report them to the nearest police or Immigration post.
You are requested to change money with authorized dealers and do not forget to take formal receipts.
You are requested to inform the Immigration Office or Police Station for any changes in your address previously given in the visa application form.
You are advised to be mindful to contact the Immigration Department for visa transfer in case of getting new passport or travel document from you Embassy/Consulate.
Passport and trekking permit should be kept by the trekker while trekking.
Filming in restricted areas or notified areas without permission is strictly prohibited.
Respect local traditions, customs, values and sentiments to help them protect local cultures and maintain local pride.
- Respect privacy when taking photographs
- Respect holy places
- Refrain from giving money to children since it will encourage begging
- Respect for local etiquette earns you respect
- Let the Himalayas change you - Do not change them
- Protect the natural environment
- Leave the campsite cleaner than you have found it
- Limit deforestation - make no open fires
- Burn dry papers and packets in a safe place
- Keep local water clean and avoid using pollutants
- Plants should be left to flourish in their natural environment
- Help your guides and porters to follow conservation measures

Custom Formalities
Customs:
All baggage must be declared and cleared through the customs on arrival at the entry point. Personal effects are permitted free entry. Passengers arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) without any dutiable goods can proceed through the Green Channel for quick clearance without a baggage check. If you are carrying dutiable articles, you have to pass through the Red Channel for detailed customs clearance.

Import:
Apart from used personal belongings, visitors are allowed to bring to Nepal free of duty: cigarettes (200 sticks) or cigars (50 sticks), distilled liquor (one 1.15 liter bottle), and film (15 rolls). You can also bring in the following articles free of duty on condition that you take them out with you when you leave: binoculars, movie or video camera, still camera, laptop computer, and portable music system.

Export:
The export of antiques requires special certification from the Department of Archeology, National Archive Building, Ram Shah Path, Kathmandu. It is illegal to export objects over 100 years old, such as sacred images, paintings, manuscripts that are valued for culture and religious reasons. Visitors are advised not to purchase such items as they are Nepal's cultural heritage and belong here.

Foreign Currency and Credit Cards
Payment in hotels, travel agencies, and airlines are made in foreign exchange. Credit cards like American Express, Master and Visa are widely accepted at major hotels, shops, and restaurants. Remember to keep your Foreign Exchange Encashment Receipt while making foreign exchange payments or transferring foreign currency into Nepalese rupees. The receipts may be needed to change left-over Nepalese Rupees into hard currency before leaving the country. However, only 10 percent of the total amount may be converted by the bank. ATM is widely in use in Kathmandu.

Major banks, hotels and exchange counters at Tribhuvan International Airport provide services for exchanging foreign currency.

Exchange rates are published in English dailies such as The Rising Nepal, The Kathmandu Post and The Himalayan Times. Nepalese Rupees are found in denominations of Rupees 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are found in denominations of Rupees 5, 2 and 1. One rupee equals 100 paisa.

Time and Business Hours
Nepal is five hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT.

Business hours within the Valley: Government offices are open from 10 am to 5 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday and close at 3pm on Friday in the Kathmandu Valley. During the winter, they close at 4 pm. Most Business offices are open from 10 am to 5 p.m. Sunday through Friday. Embassies and international organizations are open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. Most shops open after 10 am and close at about 8 pm and are usually closed on Saturdays.

Business hours outside the Valley: Government offices outside Kathmandu valley open from 10 am to 5 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday. On Fridays they remain open until 3 pm. Banks are open from Sunday through Thursday from 10 am to 3 pm. On Fridays, banks remain open until 12 pm only. Business offices are open from 10 am to 5 pm Sunday through Friday. Recently many private banks have re-organized to have different branches open at various different times making banking hours longer. If one branch is closed another will be open.

Holidays: Nepal observes numerous holidays, at the least a couple in a month. So please check the holiday calendar. The longest holiday in Nepal is during the Dashain festival in late September or October. Government offices observe all the national holidays and banks observe most of them. Businesses observe major holidays only.

Communication Facilities
Postal Services: The Central Post Office located near Dharahara Tower, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Friday. The counters are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and provide stamps, postcards and aerograms. Post Restante is available Sunday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Express Mail Service (EMS) is available at GPO and at Thamel, Basantapur and airport postal counters.

Telephone Services: Telephone and fax services are available at the Nepal Telecommunications Corporation at Tripureshwar. Hotels and private communications centers provide long distance telephone and fax facilities. For calling from outside, country code for Nepal is 977 and the area code for Kathmandu is 1.

Internet Services: There are countless Internet cafes and communication centers have opened up in the Valley and around the country. Visitors only have to find a place they are most comfortable in to use the facilities to keep in touch with home. Internet services are also offered by hotels.

Media: Nepali media has made a gigantic leap ahead in just a few years time and what used to be a controlled and tight knit community, is no more. The government audio and television news networks are Radio Nepal and Nepal Television respectively. However, numerous FM radio stations and regional television stations are dominating the market. Major Nepali daily newspapers are Gorkhapatra and Kantipur, while the English dailies are The Rising Nepal, The Kathmandu Post and The Himalayan Times. A number of other newspapers and magazines are also available.

Electricity: Major towns have electricity and the voltage available is 220-volts and 50 cycles. Load shedding is a seasonal phenomenon during the dry season and eases off once it begins to rain. However, most major hotels have uninterrupted power supply through their own generators.

The population of Nepal was recorded to be about 25 million as of July 2002. Eighty-six percent of Nepalis follow Hinduism; while eight percent follow Buddhism and three percent follow Islam. The population comprises various groups of different races which are further divided into different castes. The distinction in caste and ethnicity is understood more easily with a view of customary layout of the population.

Some of the main groups are such: Gurungs and Magars who live mainly in the western region; Rais, Limbus and Sunwars who live in the eastern mid hills; Sherpas, Manangpas and Lopas who live near the mountains of Everest, Annapurna and Mustang respectively; Newars who live in and around the capital valley of Kathmandu; Tharus, Yadavas, Satar, Rajvanshis and Dhimals who live in the Terai region; and Brahmins, Chhetris and Thakuris generally spread over all parts of the country.

Nepali is the official language of the state, spoken and understood by 100 percent of the population. Multiple ethnic groups speak more than a dozen other languages in about 93 different dialects. English is spoken by many in government and business offices. It is the mode of education in most private schools of Kathmandu and some other cities.

ETHNIC DISTRIBUTION
The Northern Himalayan People
In the northern region of the Himalayas are the Tibetan-speaking groups namely Sherpas, Dolpas, Lopas, Baragaonlis, Manangis. The Sherpas are mainly found in the east in the Solu and Khumbu region; the Baragaonlis and Lopas live in the semi-deserted areas of Upper and Lower Mustang in the Tibetan rain-shadow area; the Managis live in Manang district area; while the Dolpas live in Dolpa district of West Nepal, one of the highest settlements on earth at 4,000 meters.

The Middle Hills and Valley People
Several ethnic groups live together in harmony in the middle hills and valleys. Among them are the Magars, Gurungs, Tamangs, Sunuwars, Newars, Thakalis, Chepangs and majority of Brahmans and Chhetris. The Brahmans and Chhetris have long dominance in all pervading social, religious and political realms. There are also some occupational castes namely: Damai (tailor), Sarki (cobbler), Kami (blacksmith) and Sunar (goldsmiths). Though, there exist numerous dialects, the language of unification is the national language, Nepali.

The Middle Hills and Valley People
Several ethnic groups live together in harmony in the middle hills and valleys. Among them are the Magars, Gurungs, Tamangs, Sunuwars, Newars, Thakalis, Chepangs and majority of Brahmans and Chhetris. The Brahmans and Chhetris have long dominance in all pervading social, religious and political realms. There are also some occupational castes namely: Damai (tailor), Sarki (cobbler), Kami (blacksmith) and Sunar (goldsmiths). Though, there exist numerous dialects, the language of unification is the national language, Nepali.

Ethnic Diversity in the Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu Valley represents a cultural cauldron of the country, where, people from varied backgrounds have come together to present a melting pot. The natives of the Kathmandu Valley are the Newars. Newari culture is an integration of both Hinduism and Buddhism. The Newars of Kathmandu Valley were traders or farmers by occupation in the old days.

The Terai People
The main ethnic groups in Terai are Tharus, Darai, Kumhal, Majhi and other groups that have roots in India. They speak north Indian dialects like Maithili, Bhojpuri. Owing to the fertile plains of Terai, most inhabitants live on agriculture. There are, however, some occupational castes like Majhi (fisherman), Kumhal (potter) and Danuwar (cart driver).

Nepali rulers early patronage of Buddhism largely gave way to Hinduism, reflecting the increased influence of India, around the 12th century. Though the successive dynasties of the Gopalas, the Kiratis, and the Licchavis expanded their rule, it was not until the reign of the Malla kings from 1200?1769 that Nepal assumed the approximate dimensions of the modern state.

The kingdom of Nepal was unified in 1768 by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who had fled India following the Moghul conquests of the subcontinent. Under Shah and his successors Nepal's borders expanded as far west as Kashmir and as far east as Sikkim (now part of India). A commercial treaty was signed with Britain in 1792 and again in 1816 after more than a year of hostilities with the British East India Company.

In 1923, Britain recognized the absolute independence of Nepal. Between 1846 and 1951, the country was ruled by the Rana family, which always held the office of prime minister. In 1951, however, the king took over all power and proclaimed a constitutional monarchy. Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah became king in 1955. After Mahendra died of a heart attack in 1972, Prince Birendra, at 26, succeeded to the throne.

In 1990, a pro-democracy movement forced King Birendra to lift the ban on political parties. The first free election in three decades provided a victory for the liberal Nepali Congress Party in 1991, although the Communists made a strong showing. A small but growing Maoist guerrilla movement, seeking to overthrow the constitutional monarchy and install a Communist government, began operating in the countryside in 1996.

On June 1, 2001, King Birendra was shot and killed by his son, Crown Prince Dipendra. Angered by his family's disapproval of his choice of a bride, he also killed his mother and several other members of the royal family before shooting himself. Prince Gyanendra, the younger brother of King Birendra, was then crowned king.

King Gyanendra dismissed the government in October 2002, calling it corrupt and ineffective. He declared a state of emergency in November and ordered the army to crack down on the Maoist guerrillas. The rebels intensified their campaign, and the government responded with equal intensity, killing hundreds of Maoists, the largest toll since the insurgency began in 1996. In Aug. 2003, the Maoist rebels withdrew from peace talks with the government and ended a cease-fire that had been signed in Jan. 2003. The following August, the rebels blockaded Kathmandu for a week, cutting off shipments of food and fuel to the capital.

King Gyanendra fired the entire government in Feb. 2005 and assumed direct power. Many of the country's politicians were placed under house arrest, and severe restriction on civil liberties were instituted. In Sept. 2005, the Maoist rebels declared a unilateral cease-fire, which ended in Jan. 2006. In April, massive pro-democracy protests organized by seven opposition parties and supported by the Maoists took place. They rejected King Gyanendra's offer to hand over executive power to a prime minister, saying he failed to address their main demands: the restoration of parliament and a referendum to redraft the constitution. Days later, as pressure mounted and the protests intensified, King Gyanendra agreed to reinstate parliament. The new parliament quickly moved to diminish the king's powers. In May, it voted unanimously to declare Nepal a secular nation and strip the king of his authority over the military.

On May 28, 2008 the newly elected Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a Federal Democratic Republic, abolishing the 240-year-old monarchy. The motion for abolition of monarchy was carried by a huge majority; out of 564 members present in the assembly, 560 voted for the motion while 4 members voted against it. Finally, on June 11, 2008 ex-king Gyanendra left the palace. Ram Baran Yadav of the Nepali Congress became the first president of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal on July 23, 2008. Similarly, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, popularly known as Prachanda, of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) was elected as the first Prime Minister on August 15, 2008, defeating Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress Party.

Nepal occupying just 0.1 % of the world's total land mass is surprisingly rich in bio-diversity. Nepal has 10,167 plant species and out of them 5,891 flowering. The country's flora comprises 2.5% of the total global flora. Nepal is also extremely rich in indigenous medicinal plants. The medicinal and aromatic plants database of Nepal includes 1,624 species of wild, domesticated, and naturalized plant species. Of these, 1,533 are flowering and 91 are non flowering plants.

Due to its geographic and climatic diversity, Nepal's richness is not limited to traditions and cultures. Because of the topographical as well as climatic variations the country is equally rich in flora and fauna that is believed to be most diverse in the entire Asian continent. This richness has to do with the unbelievable variety of terrain that Nepal possesses. From the dense sub-tropical forests to steppe, and from birch, larch and hemlock to oak, pine and the beautiful rhododendron, Nepal has it all.
Likewise, Nepal's position in global fauna is astounding as 635 species ( 4.2% ) of total global butterflies, 185 species ( 2.2 % ) of fresh water fishes, 43 species ( 1.1%) of amphibians, 100 species ( 1.5 % ) of reptiles, 860 species ( 8.5 % ) of birds, and 181 species ( 4.2% ) of mammals are found in the country.

Rhododendrons blossom into their true colour during the month of March and April in Makalu and Kanchenjunga areas. Raptors or birds of prey are found in all sizes in the Himalaya, and they are found there with the onset of winter. There are six species of pheasant in Nepal including the impeyan pheasant, Nepal's national bird. Nepal has 17 species of cuckoo, which are characterized by their distinctive calls. Migratory birds are found in abundance in Terai, which fly all the way from their Tibetan nestling grounds during the winter to escape extreme cold weather of Tibetan plateau. Some of them fly from as far as Mongolia and Siberia. Thus Nepal is also known as the Paradise for birds and animals because of conservation effort made by the people and the government.

Ranging from the subtropical forests of the Terai to the great peaks of the Himalayas in the north, Nepal abounds with some of the most spectacular sceneries in the whole of Asia, with a variety of fauna and flora also unparalleled elsewhere in the region. Between Nepal's geographical extremes, one may find every vegetation type, from the treeless steppes of the Trans-Himalayan region in the extreme north and the birch, silver fir, larch and hemlock of the higher valleys to the oak, pine and rhododendron of the intermediate altitudes and the great Sal and sissau forests of the south.

The rolling densely forested hills and broad Dun valleys of the Terai along with other parts of the country were formerly, renowned for their abundance and variety of wildlife. Though somewhat depleted as a result of agricultural settlements, deforestation, poaching and other causes, Nepal can still boast richer and more varied flora and fauna than any other area in Asia. For practical purposes, Nepal's flora and fauna can be divided into four regions:-

1. Tropical Deciduous Monsoon Forest:
This includes the Terai plains and the broad flat valleys or Duns found between successive hill ranges. The dominant tree species of this area are Sal (Shorea Robusta), sometimes associated with Semal (Bombax malabricum), Asna (Terminalia termentosa), Dalbergia spp and other species, and Pinus rosburghi occurring on the higher ridges of the Churia hills, which in places reach an altitude of 1800m. Tall coarse two-meter high elephant grass originally covered much of the Dun valleys but has now been largely replaced by agricultural settlements. The pipal (ficus religiosa) and the Ôbanyan' (ficus bengalensis) are to be noticed with their specific natural characteristics. This tropical zone is Nepal's richest area for wildlife, with gaurs, buffaloes, four species of deer, tigers, leopards and other animals found in the forest areas rhinoceros, swamp deer and hot deer found in the valley grasslands and two species of crocodile and the Gangetic dolphin inhabiting the rivers. The principal birds are the peacock, jungle fowl and black partridge, while migratory duck and geese swarm on the ponds and lakes and big rivers of Terai. Terai forests are full of jasmin, minosa, accecia reeds and bamboo.

2. Subtropical Mixed Evergreen Forest:
This includes the Mahabharat Lekh, which rises to a height of about 2400m and comprises the outer wall of the Himalayan range. Great rivers such as the Karnali, Narayani, and Sapta Koshi flow through this area into the broad plains of the Terai. This zone also includes the so-called middle hills which extend northwards in a somewhat confused maze of ridges and valleys to the foot of the great Himalayas. Among the tree species characteristic of this region are Castenopsis indica in association with Schima wallichii, and other species such as Alnus nepalensis, Acer oblongum and various species of oak and rhododendron which cover the higher slopes where deforestation has not yet taken place. Orchids clothe the stems of trees and gigantic climbers smother their heads. The variety and abundance of the flora and fauna increase progressively with decreasing altitude and increasing luxurance of the vegetation. This zone is generally poor in wildlife. The only mammals, which are at all widely distributed, are wild boar, barking deer, serow, ghoral and bears. Different varieties of birds are also found in this zone. Different varieties of birds are also found in this zone.

3. Temperate Evergreen Forest:
Northward, on the lower slopes and spurs of the great Himalayas, oaks and pines are the dominant species up to an altitude of about 2400m above which are found dense conifer forests including Picea, Tusga, Larix and Abies spp. The latter is usually confined to higher elevations with Betula typically marking the upper limit of the tree line. At about 3600 to 3900m, rhododendron, bamboo and maples are commonly associated with the coniferous zone. Composition of the forest varies considerably with coniferous predominating in the west and eracaceous in the east. The wildlife of this region includes the Himalayan bear, serow, ghoral, barking deer and wildboar, with Himalayan tahr sometimes being seen on steep rocky faces above 2400m. The red panda is among the more interesting of the mammals found in this zone; it appears to be fairly distributed in suitable areas of the forest above 1800m. The rich and varied avifauna of this region includes several spectacular and beautiful pheasants, including the Danfe pheasant, Nepal's national bird.

4. Subalpine and Alpine Zone:
Above the tree line, rhododendron, juniper scrub and other procumbent woody vegetation may extend to about 4200m where it is then succeeded by t a tundra-like association of short grasses, sedge mosses and alpine plants wherever there is sufficient soil. This continues up to the lower limit of perpetual snow and ice at about 5100m. The mammalian faun is sparse and unlikely to include any species other than Himalayan marmots, mouse hare, Thar, musk deer, snow leopard and occasionally blue sheep. In former times, the wild Yak and great Tibetan sheep could also be sighted in this region and it is possible that a few may still be surviving in areas such as Dolpa and Humla. The bird life at such as lammergeyer, snow cock, snowpatridge, choughs and bunting, with redstarts and dippers often seen along the streams and rivulets. Yaks are the only livestock, which thrive at high altitude. They serve both back and draught animals. The cheeses prepared out of the milk are edible for months. The female Yak provides milk to the Sherpas.

Of the wonderful flora and fauna must suffice to indicate what a paradise Nepal is to the lovers of wild animal and bird life, to the naturalists and to the foresters.

Teahouse Trek:
The most popular way to trek in Nepal is to travel from teahouse to teahouse. Hotel accommodation is most readily available in the Khumbu (Everest) region, the Langtang area and the entire Annapurna region. The tea houses on the trail have developed that has a electricity and they are modest, but clean accommodation offering foam mattresses in single & twin sharing rooms. Only our highest stop and in peak season sometime we use dormitory style of accommodation. These areas are most populated where we have interaction with local community, Flora and fauna. During the winter season most of the tourists prefer to rest at the tea house (lodge/hotel) due to cold, snow fall and windy air. The adventure tourists, however, are willing to camping trek.

Our treks include Trekking Guide/Sherpa Sirdar and porter. Porters and Yaks who carry client’s personal gears. We arrange all your transfer by private or tourist vehicle, cost includes & organize your trekking permit & Park entrance fees. At last, we provide special services for our patrons and make your trek is so simple and easiest one. Utmost Adventure will take care of you.

Camping Trek:
Fully organized treks provide the best way to explore around the remote and high Himalaya. This is because we trek as a self contained unit. Carrying our food, & camping equipment. We used quiet village trails that lead us through terraced rice fields paradise, magnificent forests and ideal valleys rarely found by other Trekkers.

We provide trained staffs who escort your trek are friendly and humors. English speaking Trekking Guide/Sherpa Sirdar are local persons who will provide you well information and introduce you to local culture, flora and fauna. Our trekking guide/ Sherpa Sirdar, Sherpa pitch camp, serve meals and conventional assist you on the trail. Porters, Yaks, donkeys (mules) carry all the food, camping equipment and trekkers personal belongings. You carry only day pack with you drinking water bottle, camera, pullover and anything you think you may need during the day.

Nepal has been the focus of outstanding achievements in the world of peak climbing expeditions, with its eight peaks above 8000 meters. It has challenged the minds and bodies of those who have dared for decades. Among the identified 1310 peaks above 6000 meter, one quarter are officially opened for mountaineering activities, including the 'trekking peaks'. Climbing these peaks is the next step beyond 'simply' trekking, before scaling the 8000-meter peaks.

Utmost Adventure Trekking Pvt. Ltd. is a pioneer adventure company in running Climbing Clinics Course before the peak ascent. Your participation on the climbing course to ensure that you are well prepared to successfully scale the summit and make it a memorable experience of a life time. In our entire peak climbing expeditions we have knowledgeable local group leaders and climbing Sherpas who have considerable mountaineering expertise and experience.

Our Guides are experienced high elevation mountaineers. They are trained to take you safely into the thin air region of the majestic Himalayas. They are particularly concerned about the acclimatization process. Unlike certain other organizers, we only dispatch guides who are have summit experience on your target mountain.

We shall gladly send you the rules and regulations of the Nepal Mountaineering Association upon request. If you are interested venture into the snow and ice regions of the high Himalayas, please contact us for detailed information. We can arrange equipment, guides, high altitude porters, and all food and accessories. Any NMA-approved mountain can be targeted.

Nepal Himalaya is known as the rooftop of the world. There are 1,310 peaks above 6000 meters of which 238 are already opened for climbing. Likewise, out of fourteen 8000 meters above peaks eight of them, including the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest lie in Nepal. Other seven are namely Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Annapurna. For many decades the dauntless icy peaks have posed as challenge to those who dare.

Climbing permit to scale the Nepal Himalayas is issued in all seasons by the Mountaineering Section of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. Certain official documents are required to seek permission for climbing peaks. Climbing gears and equipments can be bought or rented in Kathmandu. Many mountaineering and Utmost Adventure also offer packages that take care of needs like gear, food, transportation, guide and porter services. They also arrange insurance. Visitors should choose an agency that has good track record.

It is a very interesting thing to know that there was a sea (the Tethys sea) between Indian Gondwana continent (Indian sub continent and Eurasian continent). Around 70 and 80 million years ago, the Himalaya began to come into existence. It is a peak of each evolution only about 10 to 20 million years back. Therefore, the Himalaya is extremely young and geologically active. According to geologists, mountains are growing at a rate of 15 cm (6 inch) a year as the Indian plate moving northward and forcing under the Eurasian plate. This process (plate tectonics) causes the earthquakes in this region. Geologists say that the collision of continents is squeezing up sedimentary rocks that were once below the sea. The mountains of Himalaya are the result of the collision of continents.

Yoga can be defined in many ways  as an attitude, a philosophy, a set of practices and a way of being in the world “ but its definition is always located within a particular historical context. Although yoga has been studied extensively as a philosophical and religious system, it has less often been researched ethnographically, as a system of bodily practices within a socio cultural context. Yoga offers an excellent Yoga and Himalaya Trekking example of the inseparability of mind and body. The eight stages of Patanjali as classical yoga begin with the practice of morality in social life (yama, niyama, universal and personal rules for living. Proceeding to physical practice (asana, pranayama; physical poses and breathing techniques), and then to different states of mental attention or consciousness (pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, Samadhi; gradual removal of external sensory input, focusing attention on a single point, uninterrupted meditative state, and , depending on the school of thought, perfect isolation or union with the absolute. Yoga takes as one of its primary goals the maintenance of physical fitness of the body, which is a preliminary requirement for eventual spiritual enlightenment. In contrast with one well-studied south Asian health system, ayurvedic medicine (which also has a long-standing textual and popular tradition). Yoga has received fare less academic attention. Yet like Ayurveda, yoga has attracted attention in the west as an eastern path to health and well-being.

Yoga and Himalaya Trekking
The Yoga and Trekking program combines two of Nepal as most distinct traditions. Introducing yoga, meditation, painting, singing and dancing courses in to trekking experience allows for a richer appreciation of the physical and mental landscape as the body. The combination of these elements creates a more fulfilling physical exercise while strengthening and opening the mind for greater relaxation and awareness all within the beautiful natural environment provided by the Himalayas. The program is open for all experience levels and ages and is a unique opportunity for those interested in the strengthening of both the body and mind.
The benefit of having Yoga Sadhana (spiritual practice) on trek is that it supports and encourages the deep transformation processes that occur as a result of being extremely challenged on trek.

In order to help open up the body and still the mind, as well as the energetic flow that supports the trekking experience, we begin each morning at 6:30 by focusing for 90 minutes, on the eight limbs of yoga as set forth by Patanjali. This gives each person the opportunity to observe their physical and mental holding patterns and be still before the trekking day begins, and supports them in being able to better move into and through the inevitable challenges with awareness, compassion and grace.

We have thought that organizing such types Yoga, meditation, painting, singing and trekking courses will helps to discover real Nepal equally its peoples, cultures, inhabitants and diversity. Similarly we serve nutritious yogic food, preserve the yogic environment and provide a unique opportunity to practice yoga and meditation. A Nepali will be in charge of the activity and may be your guide. Yoga in the morning and evening, mediation during the day. The places for the courses will be chosen with you according to what you will ask for.

White water rafting is a popular water adventure sport in Nepal, all major rivers created from the Himalayas and running down to the Mountains offers tremendous exciting experience of white water rafting. A river journey is one of the most enjoyable and scenery of nature\'s beauty.

A river-trip is one of the best ways to explore the typical cross-section of the country\'s natural as well as the ethno-cultural heritage with massive does of adrenaline buzz on our world caliber white-water thrills.

Cannoning gives you the freedom to explore some of the most ruggedly beautiful, yet forbidden place in the world. Option ranges from paddle rafting a team to Kayaking alone in the water. Yet another extremely popular water-sport option is cannoning to explore hidden landscapes. The best time for these activities is October through mid-December and March through early May. The government has opened 16 rivers graded on a scale of 1 to 5 for commercial rafting. Since safety is of utmost importance choosing veteran rafting company is a wise move. It is also important to observe all the safety rules and precautions provided by the River Guide.

The pleasure of white-water rafting on the torrentially gushing waters of the Trishuli, Sunkoshi, Kaliigandaki and Arun rvers offers an unforgettable experience. As rapids of varying intensity, a rafter of any degree of daring and rafting knack finds the Nepalese rivers ideal for both pleasure and adventure rafting. In addition, the two main trekking seasons are also the best times to experience a rafting trip due to the river water flows being at a safe level.

Rivers are graded on a scale of one to six, with one being a swimming pool and six a one-way ticket to your maker. Four is considered to be quite challenging without being exceedingly dangerous to the novice rafter. Five requires some previous river experience. Here are some of the popular rafting trips:

Trekking Seasons:
Trekking is possible at any time of the year depending on where you are going. Generally speaking, the best months to trek are October-November (post-monsoon) and April-May (pre-monsoon). It is possible to trek throughout the year but trekkers must be aware that bad/ freak weather can strike in any season. Below are details of trekking conditions throughout the year:

Autumn (Sept-Nov)
Autumn is normally dry, stable and offers excellent climate, amazing mountain views and the weather is perfect. Temperatures are usually moderate during this period making it a good time for any trek. It can be cold at night higher up, but not as cold as the winter months (December-January). At low elevations it may still be hot during the day. Autumn is the most popular time for trekking so doesn’t expect solitude on the more popular routes. The Nepalese most important festivals (Dashain and Tihar) are marked during this season.

Winter (Dec-Feb)
This season is noted for occasional snowfall only at higher elevations. So, it’s ideal for trekking at lower altitude, generally below 3200m. Winter is very cold above 4,000 m and high mountain passes may be snowbound. The high-altitude treks require good gear and experience in cold-weather conditions as temperatures at 5000m can drop below -20°C and heavy snow can fall.

Spring (Mar-May)
The temperature is quite moderate in this season. Varieties of wild flowers, especially the rhododendrons are in complete blossom. It is mildly warm at lower elevations and at higher elevation, over 4000m, the Mountain View are excellent while the temperature is quite moderate.

Summer (June-Aug)
This is the favorite season to trek in the rain shadow areas like Upper Mustang, Dolpo and Kailash. This season is also recommended for forest researchers and botanist. . It is recommended to carry Raincoats and insect repellents when trekking during these summer months. During the monsoon season (June-August), you can trek in the rain-shadow areas north of the Himalayan like Mustang and Dolpo. These places are out of reach of the rain clouds because of the high mountains and are unaffected by the monsoon.