Friday, August 16, 2013

TRAVEL SPECIAL............. BHUTAN NEPAL VISA NOT REQUIRED



 BHUTAN NEPAL VISA NOT REQUIRED

Forget visa hassles, just carry your passport along from India to Bhutan and Nepal


    Here’s some good news with a twist — the August 15 weekend is a long one, how about going abroad in a jiffy and not struggle with visa issues. ET-Travel recommends a straight trip to the gorgeous destinations of Bhutan and Nepal. Situated close to India’s North-Eastern states, Bhutan and Nepal are a treat during this season. With some amazing holiday discounts offered, why think twice? If adventure is your secret recipe to happiness, then Nepal can extend mountaineering, rafting, bungee jumping and also an extreme sport of zip-lining, the first of its kind in the whole of Asia. ZipFlyer Nepal is the world’s longest, steepest and fastest zip-line to give you the ultimate adventure experience. Just imagine the adrenaline rush as you zip down at speeds of up to 140 km per hour on a cable 1.8 km long! The launch pad is situated at the peak of Sarangkot, Pokhara, offering most views of the Annapurna mountain range and the Pokhara Valley below. If Bhutan catches your fancy, then take a cultural dip replete with amazing cuisine and a sip of ara, a type of rice beer. A country that believes in happiness quotient of its people as its ultimate wealth, is spiritually way ahead of others. Time to visit, isn’t it?
WHERE: Trongsa, Paro, Thimphu, Phuentsholing, Mongar & Lhuntse and Haa Valley REGION: BHUTAN Bhutan is an all-season destination, one that combines the roots of tradition with the wings of modernity. This quaint little kingdom is a treasure trove of unique experiences waiting to unfold and truly makes for an excellent holiday destination. Divided into
central, western and eastern regions, Bhutan springs up varied opportunities to try adventure trekking, camping, bird watching, and of course, a wellness vacation that is spiritual in its theme. CULTURAL BLISS: Bhutanese society is free of class or caste system. The entire nation is an open and a good-spirited society. It believes largely in the ‘happiness quotient’ of the people as its true wealth. When you visit Bhutan, you are sure to witness locals abiding by the Driglam Namzha, the traditional code of etiquette. We suggest you follow a good gesture to bow the head a bit and say “kuzuzangpo la” (a respectful greeting) to passers by. NATURE’S GIFT: Bhutan is one of the last remaining biodiversity hotspots in the world. Forest cover has now increased to over 72 per cent of the country, with 60 per cent of the country under protection. The array of flora and fauna available in Bhutan is unparalleled due to conservation and its wide altitudinal and climatic range. SIP THAT: Popular beverages include butter tea, yak tea and locally brewed ara (rice wine) and beer. You will love to try it. GETTING HERE: Visitors can visit Bhutan either by air or by land. Paro is the only international airport in Bhutan. You can take a flight from Kolkata, New Delhi, Bodhgaya, Bagdogra, Mumbai and Guwahati. www.itourism.gov.bt
TASTE OF BHUTAN: Indulge in traditional Bhutanese dishes of ara (spirit distilled from rice), buckwheat noodles, mushroom-cheese Datsi, Red rice, dried beef with string beans
    ROUTE PERMIT TO BHUTAN
Visitors from India have the flexibility to make their own travel arrangements by corresponding directly with hotels and tour operators in Bhutan. We do not have to route the payments through the Tourism Council of Bhutan. All you need is to simply carry your passport or Voter’s Identity Card. However, if you intend to travel beyond Thimphu, you will need to process the requisite Route Permit.
    This Route Permit is issued by the Department of Immigration, Chubachu, Thimphu. More details on www.mohca.gov.bt
ROUTE PERMIT TO NEPAL
Indian nationals do not require visa to enter Nepal. As per the Nepalese Immigration, Indian nationals travelling to Nepal must possess any one of the following documents. 1. Passport 2. Driving License with photograph 3. Photo Identity card issued by a Government Agency 4. Ration Card with photo 5. Election Commission Card with photo 6. Identity Card issued by Embassy of India in Kathmandu 7. Identity card with photo issued by sub-divisional magistrate or any other officials above his rank.
More details on: www.immi.gov.np
NOTE: A visit to Kathmandu is recommended by ETTravel. During your stay here, you will find that customs and traditions differ from one part of Nepal to another. A conglomeration lies in capital city Kathmandu where cultures blend to form a national identity.
    WHERE: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini, Janakpur, Everest, Annapurna and Langtang region
    REGION: NEPAL It was mountaineering that first opened up Nepal to the outside world. Of the world’s 14 highest peaks above 8,000 m, eight of them crown Nepal’s north, including the highest Mount Everest. Not surprisingly, the fascination of scaling these physically demanding peaks apart from Hindu pilgrimage, draws many visitors to Nepal. PILGRIMAGE IN NEPAL: Just like the four dhams of pilgrimage for Hindus, holy places termed as kshetras can be visited at four locations in Nepal. These are the Pashupat Kshetra, Mukti Kshetra, Ruru Kshetra and Baraha Kshetra. Pashupat Kshetra is the place of the famous temple of Lord Pashupatinath in Kathmandu, you must pay a visit and make a wish. TREK UP TO POON HILL: There are many options to extend a trip here, and the only limits to the length of the trek are time and imagination. There are lodges all along the route so there’s little need to carry a huge pack. The trek is very popular and can be crowded, so in other words, expect a great trip with lots of mountain views, but don’t expect solitude. The trail passes through several interesting villages and different cultures, and the scenery is also very spectacular. Since the trail never
ascends to really high altitudes, it is suitable for most people, including children. CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK: The tropical jungles of Nepal’s Terai preserve some of the best wildlife habitats of South Asia. Some of the wildlife attractions are the rare one-horned rhinoceros, the Royal Bengal tiger, snow leopard, red panda and musk deer. Jungle safaris can be enjoyed on elephant back or in jeeps at Chitwan National Park, Bardia National Park, Parsa Wildlife Reserve and Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, all located in the Terai. In December, Elephant Polo matches are held annually at the Meghauli airfield near Chitwan. NIGHTLIFE IN KATHMANDU: Kathmandu, which is generally a quiet city after twilight, bustles with life till the wee hours of the morning in the narrow alleys of Thamel and other select places. Bars and pubs, many of which feature live music, stay open till late night while discotheques function to keep boredom at bay for the young Nepali crowd and tourists out for the night. Private parties are also organised at various places especially during weekends and public holidays.
    www.welcomenepal.com 

Nimisha Tiwari  ETTR130801

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