Katmandu    It was only in the early 1950s that Nepal came out of its centuries-old isolation and embarked on the path of modern development. One of the most immediate effects of this was the advent of tourism. The few foreign visitors who wandered in during the early days were overwhelmed by the wealth of culture and natural wonders they saw here. They went back to tell glowing tales of a hidden Shangri-La in the Himalaya. The first ascent of Mount Everest in 1953 further enhanced the image of the Kingdom and helped to make it known around the world as an adventure destination.   Call it magic, call it enchantment, call it a trick of the light, sleight of hand, a celestial conjuror's trick, call it what you will but there is a real Kathmandu and a real Nepal hidden behind the well-trodden snapshot country that is gift wrapped by an anonymous machine and handed out a half-day sightseeing at a time.The hidden Nepal and the secret Kathmandu still await discovery.And they are ours. Here is a country agog with palace squares, towering temples, and with memories of wild dreams. There are cobbled stone streets that wind through ancient bazaars and lead to a sanctified place where a hundred priests on flying white horses once alighted. There are Buddhistst Stupas around which psychics and fourtune tellers abound. There are dawn and dusk places where witch doctors exorcize spirits and remedy all ills. There are living Goddesses whose smiles are a benediction. There are reincarnate Lamas who forsee the future with a roll of dice and scriptural reference. There are walks that lead the adventurous to legendary places where ogres once lived, where Goddesses danced, and where Gods were held ransom by tantric yogis.   There are hidden gardens behind palaces yet unseen and courtyards where miracles happen, and a city the Buddha visited. There are hillocks where a patron saint of Sikhism lived, and where a pagoda roof was invented. There are courtyards with intricate carvings of stone and there are midnight masked dancers who are possessed by the Gods.

Often a visitor's overriding goal is to see the mountains, especially Everest and Annapurna. However, to exclude the people, flowers, birds and wildlife from the experience is to miss the essence of the country regions, or natural zones: the plains in the south, four mountain ranges, and the valley lying between them. The lowlands with their fertile soils, and the southern slopes of the mountains with sunny exposures, allow for cultivation and are the main inhabited regions.

The Elephant grass at this time of the year grows upto 20 feet, which is too short to provide cover to rhinos, which prefer this riverine environment. The nearest airport is Meghauly and Royal Nepal, Everest Air and Necon Air has regular flights from Kathmandu.  This is the natural habitat of endangered animals like Bengal Tigers, one-horned rhinoceros and gharial crocodile. The park also secures populations of other endangered species such as wild elephant, four horned antelope, striped hyena, pangolin, Gangetic dolphin, monitor lizard, and python.

I will just tell more about clay craftsmanship. Indeed, Bhaktapur has a Potter's Square. Under the old Hindu caste system, someone born in a potter's family is destined to be a potter. And so will his children. Here, pottery is made using the same centuries-old methods : under shady verandahs or tin-roofed sheds, potters spin wheels made of wood or automobile tires, and clay is kneaded by hand or foot. In the square, literally thousands of finished pots sit drying in the sun.

Dhulikhel is a much larger town than Nagarkot and is situated at an altitude of 5,500 Ft above Sea level, 30 Kms east of Kathmandu on the Kodari Highway. It is 90 minutes drive from Kathmandu. The city offers a complete panoramic view of the snow-capped ranges from Karyolung in the east to Himalchuli in the west. The view however is not as good as that from Nagarkot, one can see for 130 miles. It is a magnificent place to spend the night and awaken to the sun rising across the wide Himalayan range. Once an important link in the ancient trade route to Tibet, Dhulikhel has a glorious past that can be witnessed in the lovely building and intricate woodcarving found among the shop loned streets and in the temples.  Like Nagarkot, the city offers numerous interesting day hikes. These provide the tourists an opportunity to see the Nepali countryside away from the roads and also giving a taste of trekking. The easiest is the hike to Namobuddha and back.

It also offers a number of short treks for those who cannot opt for long and challenging ones. The most popular among them is Sarangkot (1592 m), a former Kaski fort lying atop a hill five km west of the old bazaar.  The scenic valley of Pokhara is an enormous sunlit playground covered by green forested hills, waterfalls, and terraced fields. It s three lakes Phew,Begnas and Rupa further enhance the beauty of the valley at 900 m. Pokhara also offers excellent views of Dhaulagiri, Himalchuli, the five peaks of Annapurna and Machapuchare.