Earth Sciences

3rd International Intensive Course on Geoparks 2009 Earth Heritage and Nature Conservation: "Geopark's Management and Action Plans" will take place on Lesvos Island - Greece, 29 September – 3 October 2009 in collaboration with the Global Geoparks Network – UNESCO; the European Geoparks Network, the IAG (International Association of Geomorphologists) Working group “Geomorphosites”. Organizer is the University of the Aegean, Department of Geography and the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest (European and Global Geopark member). Application deadline: 30 June 2009.Held every 2 years, this conference is open to scientists and non-scientists, tourism and land manages, as well as politicians who wish to exchange their experience and to learn more about geoparks & tourism, geotourism & local development, geoparks & science, best practices, marketing strategies, new geopark projects etc.

Basic issues in evolution

This year sees the celebration of the bicentenary of Charles Darwin’s birth as well as the 150th anniversary of the publication of his most famous book “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection”.
Darwin revolutionised our understanding of nature and evolution and has become a household name: his life fascinates thousands of people who study his works or visit places associated with his life.
A large number of celebrations are taking place this year to celebrate Darwin’s life and work.
UNESCO and The International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS) are pleased to announce the "Darwin 200" programme to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin birthday in 2009.
The aim of Darwin 200 will be to celebrate the impact of Darwin's ideas on current scientific knowledge. The programme comprises a series of scientific symposia and satellite meetings that will take place on five continents.

Lumbini Birth place of Buddha

Lumbini is the place where the Buddha, known as the Tathagata* was born. It is the place which should be visited and seen by a person of devotion and which should cause awareness and apprehension of the nature of impermanence.' * Tathagata - One who has found the Truth.
The birthplace of the Gautama Buddha, Lumbini, is the Mecca of every Buddhist, being one of the four holy places of Buddhism. It is said in the Parinibbana Sutta that Buddha himself identified four places of future pilgrimage: the sites of his birth, enlightenment, first discourse, and death. All of these events happened outside in nature under trees. While there is not any particular significance in this, other than it perhaps explains why Buddhists have always respected the environment and natural law.
Nativity scene

Lumbini is situated at the foothills of the Himalayas in modern Nepal. In the Buddha's time, Lumbini was a beautiful garden full of green and shady Sal trees (Shorea). The garden and its tranquil environs were owned by both the Shakyas and Kolias clans. King Suddhodana, father of Gautama Buddha was of the Shakya dynasty belonging to the Kshatriya or the warrior caste. Maya Devi, his mother, gave birth to the child on her way to her parent's home in Devadaha while taking rest in Lumbini under a sal tree in the month of May in the year 642 B.C. The beauty of Lumbini is described in Pali and Sanskrit literature. Maya Devi it is said was spellbound to see the natural grandeur of Lumbini. While she was standing, she felt labor pains and catching hold of a drooping branch of a Sal tree, the baby, the future Buddha, was born.
The bas relief above depicts Maya Devi with her right hand holding on to a branch of a sal tree with a newborn child standing upright on a lotus petal, shedding an oval halo, around his head, while two celestial figures pour water and lotuses from vessels of heaven as indicated by the delineation of clouds. This nativity scene was installed by Malla Kings of the Naga dynasty from about the 11th to 15th Century in the Karnali zone of Nepal.
In 249 BC, when the Emperor Ashoka visited Lumbini it was a flourishing village. Ashoka constructed four stupas and a stone pillar with a figure of a horse on top. The stone pillar bears an inscription which, in English translation, runs as follows: "King Piyadasi (Ashoka), beloved of devas, in the 20 year of the coronation, himself made a royal visit, Buddha Sakyamuni having been born here, a stone railing was built and a stone pillar erected to the Bhagavan having been born here, Lumbini village was taxed reduced and entitled to the eight part (only)".
Maya Devi Temple
Lumbini remained neglected for centuries. In 1895, Feuhrer, a famous German archaeologist, discovered the great pillar while wandering about the foothills of the Churia range. Further exploration and excavation of the surrounding area revealed the existence of a brick temple and a sandstone sculpture within the temple itself which depicts the scenes of the Buddha's birth.
It is pointed out by scholars that the temple of Maya Devi was constructed over the foundations of more than one earlier temple or stupa, and that this temple was probably built on an Ashokan stupa itself. On the south of the Maya Devi temple there is the famous sacred bathing pool known as Puskarni. It is believed that Maha Devi took a bath in this pool before the delivery. By the side of the Ashoka pillar there is a river which flows southeast and is locally called the 'Ol' river. In 1996, an archaeological dig unearthed a "flawless stone" placed there by the Indian Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC to mark the precise location of the Buddha's birth more than 2,600 years ago, if authenticated, the find will put Lumbini even more prominently on the map for millions of religious pilgrims.
Recently, several beautiful shrines have been built by devotees from Buddhist countries. A visit to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, is not only for spiritual enlightenment but also for solace and satisfaction that one gets in such a calm and peaceful place

Trek in Mt. Kailash via Simikot

Trek in Mt. Kailash via Simikot
Duration: 22- Days

This is one of the most interesting and beautiful terrain to visit Mount Kailas. Delightful Humla valley, stunning views of snowy mountains, rocky meadows, infinite diversity of culture, life styles of Thakuri and Tibetan communities, ancient Bazaar make a day experience remarkable.

Trek in Everest

Trek in Everest / Gokyo LakeDuration: 12-28 days
This is one of the most popular trekking regions in Nepal. The region has not only the highest mountain in the world, but has rich culture heritage & picturesque natural scenery. Three of the worlds highest peaks dominate the skyline and the trek enhance rich feast of culture and people amid the world's most stunning views of the Himalayas.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival at airport and transfer to hotel.Day 02: Preparation day at kathmandu.Day 03: Early morning fly to Lukla. Trek to Phakding.Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar.Day 05: Acclimatizing day.Day 06: Trek to Tenboche.Day 07: Trek to Dinboche/ Pheruche.Day 08: Trek to Lobuche.Day 09: Trek to Gorekshep.Day 10: Visit Everest Base camp and return to Lobuche.Day 11: Trek to Pheruche.Day 12: Trek to Pangboche.Day 13: Trek to Khumjung.Day 14: Trek to Monjo.Day 15: Trek to Lukla.Day 16: Fly to Kathmandu. Check into hotel.Day 17: Free at Kathmandu.Day 18: Depature to airport.

Ghorepani Trek

Ghorepani Trek (2,850m.)Duration: 11 days
This is one of the most popular short trek of Annapurna region. Diverse culture, hospitality of local community, flora and fauna and amazing views of Annapurna South (7219M.), Annapurna I and Annapurna II, Machhapuchare ( Fish-tail mountain), Himchuli, Ganga Punra, Dhaulagri mountain, Tukuche Peak, Nilgri Himal, all these are main attraction of this journey.
Itineary
Day 01: Arrival at airport and transfer to hotel.Day 02: Early morning drive or fly to Pokahra. Check into hotel.Day 03: After breakfast drive to Phedi and trek to Potana.Day 04: Trek to Landruk.Day 05: Trek to Ghandruk.Day 06: Trek to Tadhapani.Day 07: Trek to Ghorepani.Day 08: Early morning visit Poon-Hill 3210 meter. Trek to Hile.Day 09: Trek to Naya Pull and drive to Pokhara. Check into hotel.Day 10: Early morning drive or fly to Kathmandu. Check into hotel.Day 11: Depature to airport.
Cost Includes:04 night twin-sharing accommodation on B/B basis at Kathmandu with including Pokhara. During the trek, all meals, camping/ accommodation at the finest lodges, well trained and experienced trekking guide and porter.

Trek in Annapurna Duration: 04- 22 days
The Annapurna, the most popular trekking region offers the greatest variety of scenery, people and culture whether that is Annapurna Base Camp or Annapurna circuit trek. The Annapurna range stretching 70 miles along the northern border of Nepal with their grounder splendor make trekking in this region highly rewarding for spectacular views of mountains. Daily flights from Kathmandu to Pokhara and regular buses make easy access to the region
Itinerary
Day 01 : Arrival at airport and transfer to hotel Day 02 : Final preparation day at Kathmandu. Day 03 : Early morning scenic drive to Besi Shagar. Day 04 : Trek to Nagdi. Day 05 : Trek to Jagat Day 06 : Trek to Dharapani Day 07 : Trek to Chame Day 08 : Trek to Pisang Day 09 : Trek to Manang Day 10 : Acclimatizing day at Manang. Day 11 : Trek to Thorang Phedi Day 12 : Trek to Muktinath, the famous temples for Hindus and Bhudhist devotees. Day 13 : Trek to Jomsom. Day 14 : Trek to Tukuche Day 15 : Trek to Gasa Day 16 : Trek to Tatopani Day 17 : Trek to Ghorepani Day 18 : Early morning visit Poon Hill to explore snowy mountains. Day 19 : Trek to Hille, the quaint village. Day 20 : Walking through typical valley and it ends at Naya-Pool. Drive to Pokhara. Day 21 : Early morning drive or fly to Kathmandu. Day 22 : Depature to Airport.

Mustang Trek

Trek in Upper MustangDuration: 14- 18 days
Mustang is one of the recently opened areas for limited trekking group each year. It was a former Buddhist Kingdom and is extended to the upper Kali Gandaki river. The fabled medieval walled city of Lo Mangthang iItinerary
Day 01: Arrival and transfer to hotel. Day 02: Final preparation day at Kathmandu.Day 03: Early morning drive to Pokhara. Check into hotel.Day 04: Early morning fly to Jomsom 2680m. Trek to Kagbeni.Day 05: Trek to Chhusang.Day 06: Trek to Gilling.Day 07: Trek to Gemi.Day 08: Trek to Tasarang.Day 09: Trek to Lo-Mangthang 3730m. It is a fabled medieval walled city, full of culture and religious heritage. Day 10: Rest at Lo-Mangthang to explore Medieval Town.Day 11: Trek to Tasarang 3600m.Day 12: Trek to ChhusangDay 13: Trek to JomsomDay 14: Fly to Pokhara and check into hotel.Day 15: Early morning fly or drive to Kathmandu. Check into hotel.Day 16: Free at Kathmandu.Day 17: Depature to Airport.
Cost Includes:During the trek all meals, camping gears such as two men tents, mattress, kitchen utensils, National Park conservation fees,Royalty of Upper Mustang, Trained and well experience trekking guide, cook, helpers, Sherpa, porters and insurance of trekking staffs. Twin - sharing accommodation B/ B basis at Kathmandu and Pokhara as per itinerary. Air fare from Pokhara/ Jomsom/ Pokharas full of culture & religious heritage.