Royal Mountain Travel Magazine Royal Mountain Travel Magazine Issue 2 | Page 4

Editorial
Being a tourism entrepreneur for more than a decade,
I have experienced the recent change in trends in
Nepalese tourism. There have been drastic changes
in the concepts, definitions, scopes and objectives
of tourism in Nepal during these years. Thanks to
globalization and modern technologies, these have
played a vital role to drag the primitive and narrow
concept of tourism into much wider realms.
The scope of tourism, at present, has successfully
extended its reach.
In my opinion, today’s
entrepreneurs, especially those who involved in
tourism, must promote the products that largely
involve the participation of local communities. In
other words, I believe, “Responsible Tourism” must
be kept as an uppermost core value. Now is the
right time for the practical implementation of this
concept.
As the Chinese Philosopher Lao-Tzu said “A journey
of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. We
at Royal Mountain Travel have already started to
introduce these local products and initiatives to our
valued customers.
Tourism must not ignore the need to be responsible.
Whether this is by helping to preserve local traditions
and the culture of indigenous people, conservation
and reducing negative impacts on the environment,
or helping to share the economic benefits that
tourism can bring by getting involved in eco-tourism
and homestay projects, our travel specialists at Royal
Mountain Travel are keen on promoting responsible
tourism.
Homestays in Panauti are a good example of how
we are working with the women in the community
to provide good quality accommodation in family
homes. Staying with the family, guests can get an
insight into the typical life of people in Nepal as well
as seeing the sights of this impressive little historic
town.
We seek to offer visitors something a little different.
Whether this is staying in historic areas of the city or
in a monastery, guests are encouraged to experience
a little of the ‘real’ Nepal.
In addition to promoting responsible tourism, we
are also very actively involved in charities that help
in a number of projects such as managing Kiran
Namaste, a Dutch charity that is helping women and
children in Kathmandu.
We are also supporting Rural Assistance Nepal
(RAN), a UK registered charity that works with a
number of schools and a hospital in rural Nepal. Last
but not the least we are supporting teachers, have

13 Homestays
Homestay accommodation in the Himalayas has been growing in the past few
years, providing a wonderful opportunity to experience first hand, life in the
village and in remote areas, far from the maddening crowds.
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built classrooms and have provided computers for
schools, we try to encourage their associates to help
where they can.
Royal Mountain Travel hopes that you will enjoy this
second issue with highlights of responsible tourism
in Nepal.
Shiva Dhakal
Managing Director

ROYAL

Royal Mountain Travel - Nepal
Lal Durbar Marg, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: [phone]
www.royalmt.com.np
Editor
Shiva Dhakal
Marianne Heredge
Cover Photo
Sudeep Singh

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Alternative Bhutan:
Land of the Thunder Dragon

www.royalmt.com.np

May 2014

28 Living heritage:
A different approach

18 Glimpse into Nepali life:
Panauti Homestay Project
20 Bandipur:
Ancient Newari Town outside the Valley

36 Responsible tourism in Pokhara
42 Shamans of Nepal

22 Historical ponds of Kathmandu

44 Yarsagumba: the “Miracle” Mushroom

24 Traditional Shops of Asan Tole

46 Some of Nepal’s Unique Flora and Fauna

Contributors
Guido Weers, Nick Monro, Amar B.
Shrestha, Bipin Thapa, Sudeep Singh
Design & Layout
Symbol Media & Marketing Pvt. Ltd.
Printer
Trigun Printing Press Pvt. Ltd.
ISSN 20457502
10 Mount Kailash

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27 Going for a shave in Kathmandu

40 A Day in Pokhara

54 Heaven is myth, Rara is real

ROYAL

www.royalmt.com.np

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