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• VALLEY TOURISM OFFICE VISIT

VALLEY TOURISM OFFICE VISIT October 13, 2020

On 28 th September 2020, Dignitaries of tourism associations were called on by Valley Tourism Office at its office at Hattiban, Lalitpur to discuss and take the opinions on the ongoing COVID -19 difficulties and the effort to make solutions to them that benefit the tourism industry.

Together with nine different tourism associations, on coordination of NATTA, Secretary General Mr. Sudhir Kumar Upadhyay submitted 15 pointed suggestions and demands to the Valley Tourism Office on 13 th October. Addressing the letter, Valley Tourism Office has referred the submitted Letter to the concerned offices for the consideration and further implementation.

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• 09 August, 2017

A Guide to Camping at Hattiban, Kathmandu Valley

One of my favorite weekend activities is to spend a Friday or Saturday night camping at Hattiban with a group of friends. Hattiban is a forested area located in the hills to the southwest of the valley, above Pharping . The Himalayan Height Resort is located up there and provides nice accommodation and a restaurant. But for those who want more of a nature experience, there are some nice spots to go camping outside of the resort grounds. The camping area is unaffiliated with the resort and there are no fees, making this a perfect weekend option for those on a budget.

Hattiban is one of the great outdoor activity destinations in the Kathmandu Valley, and has wonderful views of the Himalaya on a clear day. You can spend a day hiking to Champa Devi at 2278 meters (roughly 3 hours to reach the top from the camping area), rock climbing on the natural cliffs to the south side of the Hattiban Forest hillside, mountain biking on the trails running through the forest (Hattiban is home to many of the downhill and XC mountain bike races), or visiting some of the nearby monasteries and temples in Pharping and Dakshinkali.

One night of camping will give you enough time to enjoy some of these activities, but if you are interested in a longer stay, there is plenty to keep you occupied for two nights as well.

Here’s a guide to help make camping at Hattiban as fun (and environmentally friendly) as possible.

How to get to Hattiban

Follow directions for Himalayan Height Resort (also sometimes called Hattiban Forest Resort). It’s possible to take public transport from Kathmandu to Pharping and then walk about 30 minutes uphill from there, but it is more convenient to hire a taxi or some other private vehicle, especially when you have camping equipment.

Go past the entrance to the resort and continue for about 300 meters on the jeep track to get to the main camping area, to the left. This spot has some fire pits already constructed, making it easier to prepare meals.

Hattiban forest. Photo: Jocelyn Powelson

What to bring

You’ll need to take all your own camping equipment. Check the weather forecast before leaving the city so that you are prepared for any cold temperatures or rain, and remember that it’s colder at night at Hattiban than in Kathmandu, as it’s higher.

Here’s a list of everything you’ll need for camping at Hattiban:

• Tent – make sure you know how to set it up properly before the trip!
• Sleeping mat
• Sleeping bag
• Personal items – clothing, toiletries, etc.
• Flashlight or headlamp
• First aid kit
• Lighter or matches for starting a fire
• Water – you should plan to bring all of the drinking water you need since there is no water source outside of the resort
• Small trowel or digging tool (for digging toilet holes)

Food and cooking

One of the best parts about camping is sitting around a fire with your friends and cooking a campfire dinner. First you’ll need to collect wood (only take dead wood that you pick up from the ground, do not cut any wood from trees) to start a fire. Make sure that your fire stays inside the fire pit, and to clear away any brush or flammable ground cover, making a one-meter circle around your fire. During the dry season, it is highly recommended that you do not light any fires at all. Always have water with you to put out the fire, in case it gets out of control. Before going to sleep, ensure the fire is completely out.

One of my favorite campfire meals is a simple dinner of roasted vegetables and stick bread. Cut vegetables like onions, carrots, capsicum, squash, eggplant, and potatoes into pieces about 1cm cubed. Season them with some olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and rosemary. Wrap each serving of vegetables in aluminum foil (you may want to double-layer it in case it tears) and place them in the coals around the fire. Rotate them periodically so that all sides get cooked. It will probably take about half an hour to cook, but you can check the vegetables now and then.

While your veggies cook, you can also prepare some stick bread. This is a very simple type of bread that doesn’t require any yeast and is very fast to make. For about 6 servings, you’ll need roughly 500g self-rising flour (or use regular flour and add 2tsp of baking powder), 1/4 tsp of salt, 1 tsp rosemary or basil (optional), 3 tbs olive oil, and 300-500 mL water. Mix the dry ingredients together and then the oil and water slowly, until the dough binds together smoothly but still keeps a stiff form. Find some long, sturdy sticks, and shave the bark from the end where you will cook the bread. Form a small ball from the dough and roll it into a long coil. Wrap the coil around the end of your stick, and hold and rotate it over the hot embers from the fire until it’s cooked.

Leave no trace

One of the most important principles that you should always follow when camping or doing any other activities outdoors is ‘Leave no trace’. This means that you should leave your campsite in the same condition as you found it, if not cleaner. Bring a bag to pack all of your trash, and make sure your campfire is fully extinguished before you go to sleep or leave your campsite. Don’t cut branches from live trees. When going to the toilet, dig a hole at least 15cm deep and completely bury your poo (you should also pack out any used toilet paper in your trash bag). Have some respect for the environment so that future campers can also enjoy a weekend trip to Hattiban too!

Tags: camping camping in Kathmandu Valley Hattiban Pharping

• naresh kumar shrestha
• 7 July 2020 | 09:35

should we have to take permission from any local government and police department?

• 2 November 2019 | 12:31

Did you pay to camp?

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Champadevi-Chandragiri Hill Hike: The best views of majestic Himalayas

Kathmandu, the city that reflects Nepal’s culture, tradition, and civilization, is a tiny world in itself. Kathmandu is well known for its centuries-old temples, shrine, and bustling markets. Apart from affluent culture, ornate temples, and shrines, Kathmandu city lies under the shadow of majestic hills and mountains.  If you’re considering experiencing the natural wonders that exist around Kathmandu then hiking is the best way to indulge yourself into the serene nature.

The valley surrounded by fascinating hills and mountains holds historical and religious significance. Likewise, the mountains and hills that ring Kathmandu Valley present some exciting walks with spectacular backdrops. The hike range from relaxing weekend strolls and day hikes to moderate ridge treks that can last numerous days.

Among myriad hiking trails in the valley, Champadevi and Chandragiri hill are one of the charming and spectacular sites amidst the verdant forest, snowcapped mountains swarming with birdlife which is a nature retreat that allows hikers to rejuvenate.

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About Champadevi and Chandragiri Hill

Champadevi and Chandragiri Hills are adjacent hills situated at an altitude of 2,561 meters and 2,278 meters respectively. These hills are a perfect and exciting hiking destination of Kathmandu valley.

Champadevi Hill

Champadevi is the third tallest hill around the Kathmandu Valley, with an altitude of 2,278 meters. Champa-wati is the real name for Champadevi, a place with a temple on the high verdant hill dedicated to Goddess Champa Devi one of the several manifestations of Goddess Parvati or Durga. It is believed that Champa Devi, the patron deity of the hill protects the forest and nearby areas from evils.

 Situated towards the south of the capital, one can enjoy wonderful vistas of Kathmandu valley from the summit. In autumn and winter, the summit offers commanding views of the Himalayan range such as Gauri Shankar, Dorje Lakpa, Langtang Lirung.

Each year, a religious and cultural fair takes place at Champadevi on 1st Baisakh (April), the Nepali New Year’s Day. It is believed that worshipping the goddess shrine on this particular day fulfills the wishes of devotees.

Chandragiri Hill

Chandragiri hill nestled at the elevation of 2,551 meters above sea level on the South-West of Kathmandu valley, and seven kilometers by road from Thankot. This hill has been a religious and historical destination as well as the best vantage point for Himalayan views and entire Kathmandu covered with verdant blanketed forest.

According to legend, Chandragiri Temple is home to one among millions of Lord Shiva’s incarnations, Bhaleshwar Mahadev which is believed to possess wish-granting power.  The temple of Bhaleshwara Mahadev is perched on the top of the Chandragiri hills overlooking the Kathmandu valley.

From the historical perspective, it was from the peak of Chandragiri hill that Prithvi Narayan Shah, King of Gorkha first set eyes on the charming and prosperous Kathmandu valley in 1760 and was so mesmerized by it that he desired to conquer the three kingdoms.  

 According to myth, Prithivi Narayan Shah is believed to have combined spiritual powers for the unification process after undertaking arduous ‘sadhana’ or meditation at these very hills. The Gorkhali King veiled himself while climbing the hills so as to evade being recognized by the Malla Kings of Kathmandu Valley.

Indeed, snow-blanketed peaks of the Himalayas will take your breath away while down below is the charming valley of lush rice fields and the ever-expanding city.  From here, you can see the commanding views of the mountain range, which comprises, Mt. Kanchanjunga, Mt. Makalu, to Mt. Everest and Mt. Api, from the east to the west. It was once the doorway to the capital city and rises above Thankot at the edge of the valley.

The combination of Champadevi to Chandragiri hike is an ideal hike for the novice, family with children, solo and school groups. The hill is easy to summit on a day trip making it perfect for those hikers who have limited time but need to experience the best of what Nepal has to offer –adventure, hiking, and almighty Himalayas.

You can try this hike by contacting Nepal Sanctuary treks. We arrange a guide, transportation, and packed lunch for the hikes and will also customize the hikes to suit your interests, needs, and preferences.

Champadevi-Chandragiri Hike Route

Champadevi to Chandragiri Hiking trail takes you not only through the rich serene environment but also through the picturesque hamlet with diverse culture and religion. To commence hike, we take an hour’s drive to Hattiban Resort where you will take a short rest before you start your hike to Champadevi Hill. Hattiban resort is a nice spot to take a tea break and savor the surrounding nature.

Hike from Hatiban to  Champadevi and Chandragiri hill trail starts at Hattiban Resort and the route is easy to follow and well-trodden. We hike through the beautiful pine forests draped with vibrant prayer flags that give a good vibe while walking around.

The trail is well developed with the stone-paved path and stone steps all the way to the top with some part of the trail comprise of unpaved pathways. While hiking along the stone stairs, the knees might be painful so the walking pole can be your best friend or pain in the butt.

As we walk higher the landscapes open up to provide us the mystifying backdrops of Mountain range and massive hilly dunes. The summit presents breathtaking views of the mountain such as Shankar, Dorje Lakpa, Langtang Lirung.  If the climate is favorable, you catch a glimpse of the complete range from Dhaulagiri, the seventh highest mountain in the world, all the way to Everest.

As the trail is precisely at the edge of a hill we will have 360 degrees sight of dense Kathmandu Valley and its adjacent hills, green fields, and scattered village. This is an exceptional opportunity for the hikers to experience totally different picturesque delight from a single place. Once you reach the summit, you can see the open shrine of Champadevi.

If you are planning to stay for a while at the summit then make sure you take enough water and snacks with you. As there is no shops and restaurant at the top. After relaxing and soaking view of nature, we continue to the next destination, Chandragiri hill.

From Champadevi we take a walk through flat terrain for about 15 minutes. Then continue walking up to Bhasmasur ridge for 2 ½ hours. Bhasmasur ridge (2,460m) is the highest altitude viewpoint that provides an attractive view of both valleys (Kathmandu and Kulekhani with Himalayan range). After savoring the marvelous vistas, take a descent trail for approximately 11/2 hours through dense forests trails to a teashop. From teashop, there is an easy flat trail followed by several ups and downs and meandering trails all the way to Chandragiri hills.

Throughout the hiking journey, you are essentially in a different world, the sound of bird melody and swishing leaves lead to take a deep breath of fresh air. The chirping birds and leaf of pine trees make us forget the difficult route and appreciate the gift of nature. The cool and fresh air with a serene atmosphere makes us feel as if we are far away from the fast pace and bustling life

Along the trail, you can find 135 diverse species of medicinal plants and do a spot of bird watching too. There are several different bird species like Red-vented Bulbul, Great Egret, Grey Wagtail, Oriental Turtle Dove, Spotted Dove, and Steppe Eagle that you might be able to catch a sight of.

Once you reached the top of Chandragiri Hills you will be encircled with magnificent mountain views. When the weather is clear, a superb vista from the eastern part of the Annapurna range to Gaurishanker in the east welcomes you when you reach the summit. The viewing tower at 2,547 m above sea level provides a 360-degree panoramic view of the mountain ranges, adjacent views of nearby villages and the rich vegetation around them.

Next to the Bhaleshwor temple, you can observe many sculptures to commemorate historical figures, such as King Prithivi Narayan Shah who was the pioneer to unite Nepal into one kingdom. 

Also, you can see a children’s playground and several restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops around. After enjoying the views and spending quality time at Chandragiri, you can take a 2.5 km long ride from a height of 2,520 m to 1,564 meters in about 14 minutes.

On a foggy day, you may get goosebumps as the cable car passes in the mist and a little later you are out of it. This ride is like no other adventure as it transports you into an enigmatic world inside a sea of white. Once you reach Godam cable car base station you can take a vehicle back down to the valley.

What do you see from the cable car ride?

During the ride, you will gaze over the verdant forest, vegetation, and panoramic vistas of soaring mountains like Ganesh, Manaslu, Lantang, Dorje Lakpa and sweeping views of entire Kathmandu Valley.

The ride mostly follows and overlooks the primeval trade route connecting Kathmandu to the plains. The trail is still observable in places, however, most of it has been tumbledown by a recent motorable road with numerous hairpin turns that ascend the impossibly steep sides to Chitlang Pass. 

Before 1957, the construction of the Tribhuvan Highway, the first motorable road to the capital, the ancient route used to be a gateway to Kathmandu for a king, students, citizen, and soldiers. The Bhimphedi-Kulekhani-Chitlang-Thankot trail along which the Ranas had their first automobiles porter-carried up and down the steep trails is at this time is only a distant memory. 

There’s still a relic of Nepal’s first cargo ropeway constructed by British engineers brought in by Chandra Shumsher Rana in 1922. Later in 1964, the American aided to build the 42km Hetauda-Thankot ropeway to transport necessary stuff to Kathmandu from the plains.  The riders can observe the rusted ruins of both ropeway towers stand while going up and down from Chandragiri.

Want to know more about Champadevi-Chandragiri Day Hike?

Packing list.

• Comfortable clothes and shoes
• Refillable water bottle/ carry at least 2 liters of water
• Sunglasses and cap/hat
• Mosquito repellant
• Hiking pole
• Rain poncho (monsoon season)

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Chandragiri - Hattiban Hiking

Day Program

- After breakfast at your hotel drive in private vehicle to Chandragiri Cable Car station. - Cable car ride to top of Chandragiri hill  2729m and few minutes rest to view valley and himalayas. - The trail continues two and half hour descend to the Hattiban Resort. (Optional: overnight at Hattiban resort) - Drive to Kathmandu by private vehicle.

Cost Include

• Airport pick up drop service
• Welcome dinner with trip briefing 
• All land transportation as per itinerary
• Kathmandu Hotel accommodation in double room basis with breakfast
• Food and accommodation and 3 meals (Breakfast, lunch, Dinner) during the trek
• Local Transportation 
• An experienced English-speaking trek leader (trekking guide) and porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter) including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food and lodging.
• Trip permit and all necessary paper work 

Cost Exclude

• Nepal entree visa:
• International airfare
• Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu (and also in the case of early return from the mountain than the scheduled itinerary)
• Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain(due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
• Travel and rescue insurance
• Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, water bottle, hot shower during the trekking etc.)
• Personal trekking equipment and clothing
• Any donation and monuments entrance fee
• Tips for guides and porters

Note: Cost includes and exclude section may give you better idea on how the trip is organized. Once you let us know the number of interested traveler and departure date we would get back to you with actual cost for the trip.

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Moscow metro to be more tourist-friendly

A new floor sign system at the Moscow metro's Pushkinskaya station. Source: Vladimir Pesnya / RIA Novosti

For many years now, Moscow has lagged behind St. Petersburg when it comes to making life easy for tourists, especially where getting around the city is concerned. Whereas the northern capital installed English-language maps, signs and information points throughout its subway system in the late 2000s, the Russian capital’s metro remained a serious challenge for foreign visitors to navigate.

Recent visitors to Moscow may have noticed some signs that change is afoot, however. In many stations of the Moscow subway, signs have appeared on the floor – with large lettering in Russian and English – indicating the direction to follow in order to change lines. Previously, foreign visitors using the Moscow metro had to rely solely upon deciphering the Russian-language signs hanging from the ceilings.

Student volunteers help tourists find their way in Moscow

However, this new solution has a significant drawback. “The floor navigation is visible only to a small stream of people – fewer than three people per meter. During peak hours, this navigation will simply not be noticed,” said Konstantin Trofimenko, Director of the Center for Urban Transportation Studies.

One of the biggest problems for tourists in the Russian capital remains the absence of English translations of the names of subway stations in the station vestibules and on platforms. The Department of Transportation in Moscow has not commented yet as to when this problem will be solved. However, Latin transliterations of station names can already be found in the subway cars themselves.

Finding the right exit

At four of the central stations – Okhotny Ryad, Teatralnaya, Ploshchad Revolyutsii, Lubyanka and Kuznetsky Most – the city authorities have now installed colorful stands at the exits with schematic diagrams of the station’s concourse and surrounding area, which provide information about the main attractions and infrastructural facilities.

The schematic diagrams are the work of British specialists from the City ID and Billings Jackson Design firms, who have already implemented successful projects in New York and London.

According to Alexei Novichkov, expert at the Design Laboratory at the Higher School of Economics, the design of these information booths raises no objections: The color solutions, font, layout and icons are consistent with international standards.

However, the stands do have some shortcomings. “Many questions are raised about the fact that the developers of these maps did not apply orientation to the north, and have provided layouts of the surrounding areas with respect to the exits,” says Novichkov. “A system like that is used for road navigators, but most of the ‘paper’ guides and maps are oriented strictly to north. The subway map is also oriented to north, so people may become confused.”

Muscovites and foreign visitors are generally positive about these navigation elements, with most of them citing the numbered exits from the subway as the most useful feature.

The fact is that many Moscow subway stations have several exits. One of the busiest central stations of the Moscow subway in particular, Kitay-Gorod, has more than a dozen exits. Previously, these exits were differentiated from each other only with signs in Russian referring to the names of streets and places of interest to which they led – making it easy for tourists and those with poor navigation skills to get confused.

Now, when making an appointment to meet a friend, instead of struggling to find the right spot when they tell you: “I'll meet you at the exit to Solyanka Street,” you can just propose to meet under a specific exit number.

“I’ve lived in Moscow for seven years,” says Angelika, a designer from Voronezh, “but I still don’t always know where to go to find the place I need, so the new schematic diagrams will be very useful. Previously, some subway stations had maps, but not with so much detail.”

Teething problems

Foreigners, meanwhile, focus their attention on other elements. “It is good that the new information boards have QR-codes, which can be ‘read’ by smartphones,” says Florentina, a writer from Vienna. But there are also shortcomings. “The English font of the information on posters and in the captions to theaters and museums is too small – you have to come very close to see it well,” she says.

Pleasant encounters on the streets of Moscow

Florentina was also dissatisfied with the fact that such posters are not provided at all subway stations: “When I was trying to find Tsaritsyno Park (a museum and reserve in the south of Moscow) at a subway station with the same name, it turned out to be quite difficult,” she says.

“There are no maps with landmarks for other areas, such as those already in the city center. There were no clear pointers in the English language, and the passers-by I met did not speak in English, so they could not help me,” she adds.

Officials say that the navigation system is gradually being redeveloped and improved. According to Darya Chuvasheva, a press representative for the Department of Transport of Moscow, the introduction of a unified navigation system will take place in stages.

“By the end of 2014, the system will first appear on the first subway stations on the Circle Line. By the end of 2015, we plan to install the system at all major stopping points, subway stations and transport interchange hubs,” says Chuvasheva.

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