Description:
Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge sets the standards for comfortable and luxurious hotel accommodation in Pokhara. This exclusive boutique hotel lodge is just half an hour's drive from Pokhara in western Nepal. Situated on a spectacular hilltop ridge a thousand feet (305m) above the Pokhara Valley, it has panoramic mountain views of Machhapuchhare, and three of the world's 8,000m (> 26,000ft) Himalayan peaks, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu. The Lodge sets new standards of elegance for Nepal's second tourism destination with its relaxed atmosphere, tranquil setting, eco-tourism and conservation ethos. It has won several prestigious awards including the PATA Heritage and Culture Gold Award and the Conde Nast Traveler magazine Ecotourism Award. With just nineteen rooms, this luxury boutique hotel provides extreme comfort and total attention to personal service. The Lodge provides a base for diverse activities including walks and day hikes, micro-light flight, golf, tennis, spa therapy, bird more... watching, fishing, sightseeing in Pokhara, fine food and dining in the hotel?s award-winning restaurant.
The comfortable rooms are arranged around the hilltop in hand-cut stone bungalows, blending into their surroundings for total privacy. Sited to maximise the breathtaking views and set in natural gardens, all the rooms have a spacious verandas, adjoining bathroom and are furnished with a twin or king sized beds. The lodge is the ideal retreat for honeymoon couples and those wanting smart discreet service in comfortable surroundings. Features include the highest quality Tibetan hand-knotted wool carpets in traditional designs, and original watercolours of the region by the British artist Luke Piper. For pure relaxation, Tiger Mountain Spa services include a range of massage treatments in the privacy of your own room, personal yoga sessions and meditation training. What could be better than an ayurvedic massage to ease tired limbs as part of a post-trek relaxation programme?
The Main Lodge is the focal point for relaxing, with its cosy central fireplace, comfortable seating areas and bar, arranged around an exclusive Nepali-style courtyard. Decorated with local designs, there is an airy dining room and plenty of outdoor terraces for meals al fresco. A special feature is Colonel Jimmy's Library, containing a unique collection of Himalayan mountaineering literature and photographs belonging to the late Col. J.O.M. Roberts, the father of trekking and founder of Mountain Travel Nepal. As well as providing stylish accommodation, conservation and eco-tourism are actively promoted and the Lodge pioneers environmentally responsible and sustainable tourism practices in the Nepal Himalaya.
Terraced and planted with indigenous shrubs, bamboo and fruit trees, the natural gardens emulate the local landscape and are a haven for wildlife. There are plenty of strategic viewpoints to enjoy a drink, or simply to meditate on the majestic white peaks. There is a secluded swimming pool that reflects the famous Machhapuchhare mountain in its limpid waters. Activities at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge include walks and village visits lead by expert local guides that can explain the flora, fauna and rich culture of the area. All the guides are keen bird watchers and welcome guests on birding walks. The lodge?s tranquil setting is a haven for artists and writers as well as for those who wish to experience the village lifestyle of rural Nepal
Award-winning meals feature locally supplied organically grown products of the highest standards. Fresh herbs and salads come from the Lodge?s own organic gardens. Fruits and vegetables are grown in the village. Breakfast is in the English tradition and lunch is a Nepali buffet of a range of authentic dishes using local spices. An alternate light lunch of fresh salads and soups is available on request. Dinner is a daily changing table d?h?te menu including traditional European and British cuisine. Special healthy-eating menu options are available on request. The kitchen welcomes special requests and personal favourites as well as offering a range of menus for children, vegetarians and those with special dietary needs.
Community Support, Conservation & Research:
Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge is part of the local community and provides a range of support through its Community Support Partnership. Our focus is on education, environment and health issues.
Since the Lodge?s inception the company, staff and guests have supported various projects including financing for local schools, health posts, community forestry projects, a forest nursery, school teachers and forest rangers.
Current Projects :
Amar Jyoti Secondary School ? our key project for 2006-2007 to raise US$15,000
Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge and our guests? donations have supported the re-building of the lower secondary (up to Class 8) school block providing facilities beyond that available from the local government education budget. Improved desks, well rendered classrooms and electricity have all been provided as part of this project.
The school committee has worked closely with the wider community and is now raising funds to enable to school to operate up to Class 10 ? School Leaving Certificate, the equivalent of UK GCSE. They have already raised some Rs.700,000 to cover costs of deposits with the Local Education Office and starting a fund to pay for additional teachers.
Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge wants to support this excellent community-lead project and has pledged to raise Rs.1,000,000 (US$15,000) towards the costs of more classrooms and infrastructure. This is an exciting challenge and we look to all our friends and supporters to help us achieve this goal. If we can do this, then the children can complete their main schooling in the community and not have to travel to Pokhara and other towns for their last two years of school. This will also encourage higher enrolment of girl pupils up to Class 10.
Future plans include the development of a science laboratory and a school library and probable reconstruction of the primary school.
Shillinge Project this project in conjunction with the International Trust for Nature Conservation aims to combine non-timber forest product development in conjunction with longer term community forest management practices. Currently the project is providing support to the Community Forest User Group to fence and manage several open areas with a view to regeneration of mixed mid-hills forest and non-timber forest product production.
[link to www.itnc.org]
Rakhi Shillinge Forest Ranger Tiger Mountain Pokhara lodge and ITNC provide wages for a community forest ranger to monitor and protect the community forest.
Shiva Shakti Gaun Pharka School
Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge guests donations support the wages for an additional teacher beyond the level provided by government budget thus improving teacher / pupil ratios at this local primary school.
Just US$ 65 (? 35) a month pays for a primary school teacher. There is a vital need to ensure class sizes are sensible at primary school if children are to be well grounded in the ?Three Rs? ? reading, writing and arithmetic.
This is an ongoing commitment Tiger Mountain has made to invest in the best possible local primary education for the community. We look to you all to support us in this worthy cause.
Conservation and Research
In common with other elements of the Tiger Mountain Group, the guides at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge undertake a range of basic research and monitoring works to provide important baseline data for conservation.
The International Trust for Nature Conservation (UK Registered Charity No.281101)
Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge provides logistic and management support for the International Trust for Nature Conservation?s Shillinge Project that operates in the vicinity of the Lodge. This project aims at a novel integration of non-timber forest product development with longer term community forestry management practices.
For more details visit ITNC web page [ www.itnc.org]
Weather Monitoring
Staff have recorded the basic weather data since 2004. Daily readings at 0845 and 1745 Nepal standard time log the maximum, minimum and actual temperature, barometric pressure and relative humidity. This is recorded in the format required by the Department of Meteorology of the government.
Waterfowl Monitoring
Birdlife International (formerly the Asian Wetlands Bureau) have been monitoring waterfowl throughout Asia for many years. Building on the monitoring systems started at Tiger Tops, guides at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge have been conducting a census of the various lakes in the Pokhara Valley since 2005. This data is sent to Bird Conservation Nepal and thence to Birdlife International.
Raptor Monitoring
There has been a dramatic and serious decline in various vulture species throughout the sub-continent. This has now been attributed to the common non-steroidal analgesic human and veterinary drug, diclofenac. Staffs at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge have been logging all sightings of vultures and other key raptors (birds of prey) since October 2002. This data is provided to Bird Conservation Nepal and thence is available to international bird conservation organisations such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in the United Kingdom
Butterfly Monitoring:
Butterflies are a convenient indicator of bio-diversity. The guides monitor all new species identified within the Lodge compound and take monthly counts of species sighted. These are logged in a database and available for researchers, conservationists and others. Colin Smith, perhaps the leading expert on Nepal?s butterflies, lives part of the year in the village and has helped with training, advice and identification of species.
Guest Book:
Season 2005-2006 January to June 2006:
"Here is a selection of comments and compliments from our diverse international guests over the spring season."
"Apres 18,000km en v?lo de Sydney a Katmandou un coin super pour r?cup?rer et se refaire une sante. Accueil comme chez des amis, personnel tr?s attentionner et discret. Paysage de r?ves. Un vrai coin de Paradis. Merci Markus et toute son ?quipe! Neuch?tel ? Switzerland"
"This was a beautiful highlight to my first trip to Nepal. Your Lodge is absolute serenity ? Milan, Italy"
"Thank you very much for wonderful hospitality. It has always been a matter of pride being here ? Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu"
"Post Everest R&R ? wonderful! ? Jagged Globe Everest Expedition, England"
"Merci beaucoup pour un s?jour merveilleux et tr?s int?ressant. Dans un endroit idyllique avec un service irr?prochable ? Brussels, Belgium"
"Thank you for twenty four hours in heaven ? Copenhagen, Denmark"
"A very beautiful place with helpful and kind staff ? Australia"
"Well fed, well looked after, the best of mountains and wonderful birding ? Wales, UK"
"Arrived and Pokhara airport, walked here ? arriving was worth every step. A magical place ? London, England"
"Great food, location and staff service ? thank you ? Hong Kong"
"Safe and sound here on top of the world ? a place for fun as well as contemplation. Just perfect ? Copenhagen, Denmark"
"One of the best holidays I?ve ever had ? Reykjavik, Iceland"
"A fabulous place to relax and recover. The best pool I?ve ever seen, everyone so friendly and helpful ? London, England"
"Wonderful place to spend a few nights; the staff is very pleasant and accommodating ? Washington, USA"
"This is, without doubt, the Shangri-La of all Shangri-Las; such bliss and serenity. Pity we cannot take a bit home with us ? Middlesex, UK"
"Endroit a recommander pour un s?jour de plusieurs nuits. Le calme y est exceptionnel. D?accueil discret et malheureux et la nourriture excellente. En plus cela la vue sur les Annapurnas fait r?ver ? repos assure. Un immense merci a Marcus pour tout cela ? Paris, France"
"We eagerly await an ?excuse? to return, it is an extraordinary spot. Thank you, Marcus and team for your wonderful hospitality. Maryland ? USA"
"Perfect hospitality in one of the world?s most spectacular settings. Thank you ? UK"
"Quite the most stunning setting. The most wonderful five days ? UK"
"Visiting the hotel was a true delight. Having a swim before the so-good lunch was exactly what we needed. Impressive views from everywhere, very nice design and staff; charming manager. Hope to see you again ? Paris, France"
"Very privileged to be here with wonderful people and views (Singapore)"
"Excellent Dinner Night and lovely place, ?unforgettable experience? (British Gurkhas Nepal)"
"Perfect as usual (British Gurkhas Nepal)"
"A haven of peace and tranquillity; excellent staff and a view to die for (UK)"
"Charming ? quiet, understated, extremely comfortable ? just what the Bishop ordered (London, UK)"
"Beaucoup de chose tr?s int?ressent a voir et le personnelles tr?s gentils (Mortefontaine, France)"
"Beautifully elegant with a serene sense of space and attention to detail. Great fresh food too and fantastic staff (London, UK)"
"You are all wonderful (Devon, UK)"
"Wonderful hospitality, sumptuous fare, incredible comforts ? can?t wait till next time. Goa, India"
"As last time, fantastic in all respects.
London & Kathmandu"
"Breathtakingly beautiful Australia"
"Best salads I?ve ever had
Chicago USA"
"Magnificent ? a life?s expectation realised, and even better
Sydney, Australia"
"Beautiful property & fantastic service
Bangkok, Thailand"
"Baywatch at Beira will not be the same. Thanks for many wonderful visits, delicious biscuits and friendly staff; so many laughs, etc.! Back soon.
Leaving Kathmandu for Beira, Mozambique"
"A fantastic hotel and great service. Thank you.
British Gurkhas, Kathmandu"
Website:
www.tigermountain.com/pokhara
Telephone:
+977 (01) 436 1500
