Overview
Fossil Collection in Nepal, for most people, might sound weird and get surprised but it is true. Around some parts of Nepal, where interested people can enjoy on this exciting fossil collect trek.
For some people can be a profession or an extra outdoor activity, but most travelers take it as a hobby and interest, collecting natural items from the country of visit. As while gives you peace of mind and mental relaxation getting engaged on this exciting activities.
Fossil Collection in Nepal, an interesting activity as well as an exploration of the high windswept Kali Gandaki River of Far Western Nepal. The area around Lower Mustang that extends from upper Kagbeni to Larjung and ends at Ghasa village.
However, our exploration and search concentrated on the higher side of Kali Gandaki River wide valley beyond Jomsom and close to Kagbeni village. Fossil Location Kali Gandaki, on the famous Trans Himalaya Salt Trade and Caravan Route of Nepal to Tibet via Upper Mustang and Karo-La pass where the border situated.
Fossil collection trek, for everyone as well all age group can participate in this interesting outdoor activities, can be fun also an educational value for interested people as well to students.
Fossil Collection in Nepal, an activity of great interest in the shade of world 7th high Mt. Dhaulagiri range. Includes Mt. Nilgiri and an array of snow-capped peaks that feeds the Kali-Gandaki River from its glacial source.
Kali Gandaki, a perfect site for exciting Fossil collection trek since ancient times till present. Where Hindu pilgrim from Nepal and from India on their way to the holy Muktinath Temple collected the fossils.
In Nepal and India, the fossil or ammonites are known as “shaligram” and have a religious value, after making their pilgrimage to holy Muktinath temple collects shaligram fossil, for various reasons.
Such as souvenir, a gift to friends and family, or treasures as a sacred and memorable sacred item.
For Hindu, the fossil or shaligram is considered as a part of Lord Vishnu, where some fossil if broken appears a shape of a godly figure, which is quite rare. But most fossil an ammonite with the impression of a slug, fern with silver or gold coated.
In the early days, people have found a diamond, gold or with other rare images, you can be the lucky one on this interesting Fossil Collection trek in Nepal, where the journey takes you to the scenic region of Lower Mustang around Kali Gandaki River Valley.
Lower downstream the river narrows in between towering peaks, hence forming the world deepest gorge. A slump of more than 6, 000 meters down from the summit of Mt. Annapurna-I and Dhaulagiri mountains range.
Besides, beautiful scenery around Kali Gandaki River valley, the local culture are equally fascinating to experience adorned with age-old traditions and custom of Buddhism heritage.
Likewise, there are more to enjoy on this lovely magnificent Fossil collection trek visiting nice charming Marpha and Kagbeni, and holy Muktinath temple premises. Located on the foot of high Thorang-La Pass, that forms a barrier of Mustang and Manang districts.
Muktinath, a place with a holy temple dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu in one of his manifestations as Lord Muktinath, the symbol of synergy between Hindu and Buddhism religions.
The word Muktinath, “Mukti” means “Salvation or Nirvana” and “Nath” as “God or Master, besides the main holy temple there are other important monasteries and shrines of great interest.
After, a glorious time and experience around Muktinath and scenic Kali Gandaki River Valley, our mission ends at Jomsom the headquarter town of the Mustang area where exciting flight takes you to beautiful Pokhara.
A great lovely city Pokhara, blessed with the natural beauty of Snow Mountains and serene lakes, where our marvelous adventure Fossil Collection in Nepal concludes before heading back to Kathmandu.
- An interesting region for pre-historic fossil collection at Kali Gandaki River Valley
- Walk into beautiful areas of Lower Mustang with charming views of snow peaks
- Scenic Kali Gandaki Valley on the ancient Trans Himalaya Caravan Route to Tibet
- An exciting adventure and activities in the harmony of impressive local culture
- Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel
- Day 02: Full day in Kathmandu for individual activities or options for tour
- Day 03: Drive to Pokhara 820 m - 06 hours journey and transfer to the hotel
- Day 04: Fly to Jomsom 2, 720 m, and trek to Marpha 2, 660 m-02 hours
- Day 05: Exploration day/fossil collection around Kali Gandaki River bank
- Day 06: Exploration day in search to collect fossil around Kali Gandaki River
- Day 07: Trek to Ekle Bhatti 2,760 m for Fossil collection at Kali Gandaki River
- Day 08: Fossil collection around Kali Gandaki River
- Day 09: Fossil collection at Kali Gandaki River, an hour walk to Kagbeni 2,800 m
- Day 10: Trek to Muktinath 3, 800 m- 03 hrs
- Day 11: Exploration day in and around Muktinath Temple premises
- Day 12: Trek to Jomsom-04 hours and transfer to hotel, guest-house, lodge
- Day 13: Fly to Pokhara afternoon explore Pokhara city
- Day 14: Drive to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel
- Day 15: Final International departure homeward bound
- All airport Pick up drop by private vehicle (Both for Domestic and International flight)
- Welcome dinner in Authentic Restaurant
- Twin/double shearing deluxe accommodation on BB in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Guided sightseeing tours in Kathmandu with private vehicle
- Kathmandu to Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist bus
- Pokhara to Jomsom to Pokhara by flight
- ACAP Permit and TIMS card
- Accommodation in the mountain during the trekking
- Three meals a day; breakfast, Lunch and Dinner during the trekking
- A highly experience, helpful, knowledgeable, friendly , English speaking well trained, Government license holder guide with all his salary, food, drinks, accommodation, Transport and insurance.
- 02 guest=01 porter with their Insurance, Salary, Food, accommodation and equipment Luggage per porter carries about 20kg).
- We provide assistant guide his salary, food, drinks, accommodation, Transport and insurance walking with group to support where necessary as per the group size
- Arrangement of emergency evacuation service (should have insurance for emergency evacuation and will be paid by your travel insurance company)
- First add kid box
- Trekking Planner’s sleeping bag, down jackets, Ti-shirt, Cap, duffle bags, city and trekking route maps – if necessary.
- Oxymeter to check your pulse and oxygen saturation and heart rate twice daily during the trekking (Very useful to check Altitude Mountain Sickness(AMS) symptoms) Which will ensure you trek is in the safest hands possible
- All applicable government and local taxes as per the itinerary
- Your Nepal Visa fees (should bring small accurate fees in USD and 02 passport size photos)
- All the International air fare from and to Kathmandu (no need to pay departure tax for international flight)
- Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu and in Pokhara
- All necessary entrance fees for the guided sightseeing tours in city
- Personal travel and health Insurance, Insurance for helicopter evacuation
- In case of extra more nights’ accommodation, lunch and dinner in city due to early arrival and late departure as well as early back/return from mountain/trekking (due to any reason) than the given time period of itinerary
- Your Personal expenses such as ( laundry, baggage charge, phone calls, battery recharge, bar and beverage bill, boiled or bottle water, hot and cold shower, extra porter.. etc)
- The Tips to the trekking crews and drive
- Extra expenses due to flight delays, strikes, weather condition or any event out of our control
- Anything not included in service includes column
- Duffel/Rucksack bag/Suitcase (We will provide one complimentary Trekking Planner duffel bag but is to be returned after the trip)
- Day bag.( Small handbag)
- Trekking shoes
- Sports shoes or sandal.
- Sun Hat/cap
- Warm woolen cap
- Trekking jacket Gore tax/ flees jacket
- Pullover or warm sweeter
- Raincoat
- 4/5 pairs of good qualities shock
- Hand gloves
- 2/3 pairs of Trekking trousers
- 3/4 pairs of trekking shirts
- 3/4 pairs of Underwear
- Tawel
- Eye glass
- Water bottle
- 4 seasons Sleeping bag (Optional/we can provide one if you need it but is to be returned after the trip)
- Flash or Torch light
- Camera and batteries.
Short information on Himalayan Fossils / Ammonites / Shaligram:
An Acknowledgments:
The details and texts on fossils extracted from a reliable source for interested people to understand better, on this wonderful Fossil Collection in Nepal:
Fossils found around Himalaya, especially around Mustang and Kali-Gandaki valley, range from microscopic stromatolites, known as cyanobacteria that evolved during prehistoric fossilized of elephant teeth.
Most fossils found in Nepal Himalaya, are ammonites or bivalves, where imprints of plant leaves like fern image, fruit, and ancient primates have been found on the riverbed of Kali Gandaki many ammonites from the upper during Jurassic times.
The Himalaya range, the world youngest mountain range, formed from the Indian plate that collided with the Asian continent.
Fossil collection in Nepal Himalaya, different from other parts of the world,
Mustang considered one of the best and well-known regions for fossil collection.
So, what is a fossil? It is a preserved remains, impression, or trace of any once-living thing from the early geological age. Such as that includes in bones, shells, exoskeletons, and stone imprints of animals or microbes, objects preserved in amber, hair, and petrified wood, oil, coal, and DNA remnants.
There are two main types of Fossils: Body fossils represent all or part of the organism’s body, and trace fossils show evidence of the organism’s behavior.
The study of fossils is called paleontology, from the Greek meaning ‘ancient (paleo-) being (onto-) study (-logy)’.
People who study fossils are called paleontologists. Fossils are of particular interest to geologists as they can help determine the age of a particular rock compared to other rocks, or identify the environment in which the rock was formed.
How are fossils formed?
Four main steps makes a Fossil:
01: First, an organism dies. Anaerobic conditions exclude bacteria and other predators that consume bodies before burial, so organisms that die in the deepest ocean or a deep lake are more likely to become fossils.
02: Remains that are buried in soft sediment. Rapid burial increases the chances of fossilization because a body is less likely to be consumed or destroyed by the environment such as wind, waves, and scavengers.
03: Likewise, followed by a period of burial, which can range from a few thousand years up to millions of years. During this time, the rocks around the body change the shape, and the chemical and mineral composition, of the buried body parts.
This alteration can be relatively subtle, such as mummification or some types of re-crystallization, or can be very obvious in the case of impression (casts) or compression fossils. Fossils are preserved best when the environment they are buried in is not affected by water erosion, volcanism, heating, compression or stretching, or strong chemical alteration.
04: Finally, the rocks around the fossil need to be eroded, and that allows to become exposed to the earth surface in time for a paleontologist to come past and find it.
Itinerary Disclaimer:
Fossil Collection in Nepal trek, provided with standard Itinerary days where some walks can be shorter or longer as per your physical fitness, some designated overnight stops can change, due to available rooms and other facilities, etc…….
We will follow the itinerary if it needs to be changed in case of weather, landslides, and difficulties on walks requiring more days where our leader and lead head guides decide holding full authority for Trekking Planner.
Climate & Weather:
Himalayan climate can be unpredictable sometimes even in good best seasons, where April and May to the first week of June will be the best time during spring times, when days are longer with enough sunlight hours.
Morning and night time as well in shade can be cold and much freezing temperatures around higher areas above 2,000 m.
Other months from September and October great times for treks around Lower Mustang and Kali-Gandaki Valley includes other areas of the Himalaya, when days are clear for views and to summit the top of the peak, although much colder months of autumn season with extreme cold during morning and night time, where sunlight is much shorter.
Visa:
Visiting Nepal one can obtain entry visas from your home country at Nepalese Embassies and Consulates, if not one can easily get a visa on arrival at Nepal international airport in Kathmandu, or any port of entry.
Emergency Contact:
For travel within Nepal Himalaya where all travelers and adventurers requires to fill our company form with emergency contact to relatives and families or close friends, as well keeping in close touch with the Trekking Planner for immediate helps either medical or unforeseen reasons.
Arrival:
On arrival picked and received by our attentive airport representative or guides and staff for short transfer to your respective hotels in Kathmandu.
Accommodations & Food:
On this Fossil Collection in Nepal trek, staying on the best available local lodge from the start to and end of fossil activities and walks, offers good meals as per your choice from a wide listed menu of the lodge serving from famous Nepalese Dal-Bhat to Continental with some Chinese, Tibetans and Indian foods.
All meals are well cooked, hygienic, and fresh served in a large dining hall with a warm environment.
Drinking-Water:
On local lodge, safe drinking water boiled and filtered for drinking.
Health:
Where all travelers require sound good health to join on all treks and climb around Nepal Himalaya with healthy medical background and history.
Vaccinations:
Check with your home doctors and season of visit to Asian countries where immunization and vaccines requires against certain diseases.
Altitude Sickness:
Altitude Sickness of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) might occur to some people at higher altitude from 3,000 m, taking slow and drinking much fluid and water can overcome from high altitude sickness or AMS.
Where some can take protective measures using Diamox or Acetazolamide tablets this prevent and reduce symptoms of AMS can lower headache in high altitude walks and climb.
For emergency evacuation where trekkers should be well insured with a good Insurance policy that covers all medical side and the use of Helicopter or other means of transportation.
But on this Fossil Collection in Nepal, small chances of getting altitude sickness with many easy days in one place to get acclimatize.
Travel Insurance:
Where all travelers to Nepal Himalaya require Travel and Medical Insurance to cover against unfortunate accidents and sickness covering Helicopter Service Rescue to safe places and nearest hospitals.
Age Requirements:
For Fossil Collection in Nepal Trek, where all age groups from 10 to 60 years old can join in, this involves if one can get medical insurance from your home countries.
TIMS Card
Trekking Permits required or TIMS (Trekking Information Management Systems) or similar entrance for this treks includes ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) entrance fee as well.
Getting Into Nepal:
To reach Nepal one can reach by overland from India or Tibet, the main arrival from international flight to reach Kathmandu and Nepal international airport.
Communication:
At present nearly all villages and towns do have facilities of ISTD and STD or cell phones or Sat phones, where one can easily communicate to your family or Trekking Planner in emergencies.
SIMS cards available on showing your passport copies with a small charge as per your time in Nepal.
Money:
On paying the full package of the trip, where you need some extra money for your expenses to buy souvenirs or for extra entertainment on route treks like having extra snacks and drinks.
Culture:
Culture the main thing to observe by travelers to Nepal, where the country with two main religions Hindu and Buddhism with their own special interesting culture and custom.
Photography:
Photography can be taken all around Nepal, where some public and private areas of Government, religious monuments, and some old people might not allow photographs, where your guide will advise you on restricted places.
Gratuities:
Tipping after getting satisfied with the service rendered by the helpful staff of the hotels, drivers including guides and porters where you feel like it deserves gratitude like tipping.
Tipping is highly expected by crew members of trekking and on expeditions as traditions since tourism came in Himalayan countries.
This program and text written by veteran adventurer Suresh Yonzon aka Damche.
