Lake Pichola | Udaipur - the city of lakes

Have you ever visited a beautiful lake surrounded by stunning scenery? If not, you may want to travel to the foothills of the Aravalli Hills in southern Rajasthan of India, where the beautiful Lake Pichola lies.

What is Lake Pichola most famous for? Those beautiful royal palaces and temples that lie on its islands and around its shoreline. One that impressed me the most (guess many tourists too!), and also the most famous sights on the lake is a beautiful shining white building that appears to float on the lake's clear blue waters, i.e. Jag Niwas, but now the Lake Palace Hotel, which was built in the 1740s and is made entirely of marble.

The Lake Palace Hotel - in the centre of Lake Pichola

You may want to know that the chief town in the area is Udaipur (also known as the city of lakes), was founded on the advice of a hermit in 1559 for the residence to Maharana Udai Singh. Among the highlights in Udaipur included the City Palace and Museum, the many smaller palaces and temples, as well as those tourist attractions picturesque streets, gardens and fountains.

What follows are some of the places to see and places to visit on Lake Pichola’s islands that I think you might be interested:

• Sajjangarh Palace - this palace overlooks the lake from the top of a hill and was the summer palace where the members of the royal family spent the monsoon season.
   
• Shah Jahan’s refuge - i.e. the Jag Mandir, is a red sandstone complex with cool courtyards, a small museum, and the massive Jagdish Temple that lies within its walls. Some said this has provided inspiration for Taj Mahal.
   
• Shilpgram - a craft village that is in the north-west of Udaipur. In fact, Shilpgram is a centre dedicated to preserving and enhancing the craft and folk heritage of western India.

Makalu – Natural Beauty in the Ice-Capped Top

Do you want to challenge yourself to climb one of the highest mountains in the world and witnessing the spectacle natural beauty from the ice-capped top? But be informed that Makalu trek is one of the most difficult in the Himalayas due to its narrow, exposed ridges and steep sides, nevertheless, it is not the hardest summits to reach.

Don’t let this discourage you as climbers from a Japanese expedition have completed this difficult route on 23 May 1970.

Base camp below Makalu peak.

Makalu, being the fifth highest mountain in the world and lies 22 km east of Mt Everest, and with an isolated peak soaring 8,463 m (27,766 ft) into the sky is resembled a four-sided pyramid. Its stunning peaks provide the backdrop for the Makalu region, which is an amazingly pristine area in the north-western corner of the Sankhuwasabha district. To the west, it is bordered by the Everest region, to the north by China, to the east by the Arun River and to the south by the Sabha River.

You may want to know that Makalu is designated as a national park and conservation area in Nepal to preserve the natural beauty of the area.

I believe if you were there, you will have the chance to meet with the ethnic groups of Rai, Limbu and Sherpa, and have your photo taken with them. In fact, most of the people live in the lower hills with the highest concentrations in the southern most third of the district, close to the Arun River.

Anyway, be careful of what you eat and drink while visiting those places to see and places to visit in Nepal, for example, leafy vegetables are known to carry parasites, so avoid those of dubious origin. Also, try not to drink tap water or beverages with ice, which often is made of local water.

Well, only you can imagine the views from the ice-capped top and the spectacle from the Arun Valley if you are there in spring or autumn! Do enjoy but not over challenge yourself to this interesting place, although some said tourist attractions is secondary!