Nepal is a country rich in diverse ecosystems and cultures. The population, which mainly resides in rural and mountain villages, comprises of over 100 different ethnic groups. The country itself is criss-crossed with trekking trails ranging from enchanting village walks and easy one and two day hikes to extended treks and the more challenging mountain expeditions.

Trails take you through National Parks, conservation areas, terraced farmlands and remote villages nestled in time zones of their own, opening up to the trekker a vast wonderland of culture, scenery and new experiences.

NETIF showcases some of the more easily accessible trekking trails which can be walked independently or guided; in groups, alone, with children or the elderly. These trails combine rural charm, untouched nature and stunning Himalayan views, yet are easily accessible and found on the door steps of Kathmandu valley; untiring yet completely invigorating.

Best Time to Trek:
September to November (high visibility)
February to April (low visibility)

Altitude shift:
Sundarijal 1,460m, highest point Borlang Bhangjang 2,420m, in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park.

Flora and Fauna:
Shivapuri National Park, with 177 species of birds, 102 species of butterflies, 127 species of mushroom, orchids, leopards, and bears.

Relegion and Culture:

Ancient temple of Changu Narayan, believed to have been built in 4th century AD. Accessible from Nagarkot. A UNESCO world heritage site.
On Nepali New Year’s day in April many pilgrims from Kathmandu valley and neighbouring villages flock to Baghdwar and Bishnudwar in Shivpuri National Park area, from where the sacred rivers Badgmati and Bishnumati originate.

Namobuddha is a holy Buddhist place where many people visit on pilgrimage.

Panauti has one of the oldest temples in Nepal, Indreshwar Mahadev, from the end of the 13th Century. Rebuilt twice, once in the 15th Century and again in the 1990s after a devastating earthquake in 1989.

 

Activities:
A traveller can enjoy many activities on the trek, great Himalayan mountain views from Chisapani and Nagarkot; nature walks; bird and wildlife watching, bicycling through the forest trails, photography/video filming.

Cultural tours of ancient temples and holy places for Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimages.

Evening cultural programmes with dance and singing performances.

Village home stay; an ethnic insight into local culture and lifestyle.

Also one of the best white water rafting rivers in Asia; the Bhote Kosi, is only an hours drive from Dhulikhel.

Green footprints:
All hiking tours and tourist activities are planned to match the carrying capacity of the areas. United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines carrying capacity as “the maximum number of people that may visit a tourist destination at the same time without causing destruction of the physical, economic and socio-cultural environment and an unacceptable decrease in the quality of visitors’ satisfaction”. NETIF aims to avoid the use of motor vehicles beyond the starting points of the various hiking trails. One could in fact start right from the doorstep from Kathmandu, which adds just a couple of hours to any of the designated trails. Another green step is to minimize the use of scarce and non-renewable resources in the areas of operation and to minimize the pollution of air, water and land by the generation of tourism enterprise and visitors. A key policy is to support the local rural communities and the visitors in understanding and gaining environmental knowledge of our unique plants, wild life, & ecology among local communities.