Any tips on traveling to Nepal?

I'm looking into going to Nepal, mainly Kathmandu, towards the end of next month. If you've being maybe you can advise me. Is there anything I should look out for, places to avoid etc.

grs

You need to be more specific, though in general Kathmandu is pretty safe, albeit with plenty of pushy trekking touts. Normally i talk and joke with them, and this seems to work for me - they treat me more like a friend than a potential "prey". My favourite response so far is that "im enjoying trekking in Thamel" - the main street where all the backpackers are, and where these touts are out in full force. Thamel is pretty much a self sustaining community, so you can pretty much dig in in Thamel the first few days and get used to Nepal, taking the occassional walk to nearby sights like the Durbar square or the nearby Swayambunath (aka Monkey) temple - this one is a bit further afield though.

One thing you do need to look out for is potential strikes - bandhs (bandas) as they are known in Nepal. These are a relatively common occurence in Nepali life (the current topic of rage being petrol prices, now that the dust seems to have settled over the president issue), where cars stay off the roads - do avoid taking transport on these days, and the streets are noticeably quieter. Check national newspapers - widely, and freely available at the many bakeries and cafes. On more serious "bigger" bandhs, as the people will tell you, shops close, though some will still remain open.

Also avoid gathering mobs - you can smell a burning tyre miles away and definitely avoid these gatherings as they might turn violent. Often it just involves shouting slogans and blocking of roads, but be careful, nonetheless.

I don't know if this sounds intimidating, but Nepal is definitely one of the safer places i have visited, especially outside Kathmandu. Its one of my all time favourites - you'll have a good time, take the usual precautions but don't worry too much

[ Edit: Edited on Oct 16, 2008, at 11:15 PM by itenerant ]

Dear Grs

Welcome to nepal in Nov.
Well There many place to see u around Kathmandu .
How long are you staying in Nepal ?
Well Thamel Is the tourist area .
If you like historical here are many place to see.
If you need any more advice or help feel free .
Aryalha

while there is a topic regarding Nepal which is fresh ...i have a question,i will be in Nepal for only1week maybe 8 days at the end of Nov and apart from Kathmandu i was hoping to get somewhere as close as possible to Mount Everest ... not looking to try and climb i tor anything, would just really like to get a few pics, of Everest and me with a mount Everest backdrop ...which town is best for me to head to, to get these shots? ... also will i have time realistically to do this?

thanks

Thanks for the advice. I too was thinking of going for only 2 weeks. It's a semi work related trip so I don't know if I'll get out of Kathmandu much.

Quoting makka

while there is a topic regarding Nepal which is fresh ...i have a question,i will be in Nepal for only1week maybe 8 days at the end of Nov and apart from Kathmandu i was hoping to get somewhere as close as possible to Mount Everest ... not looking to try and climb i tor anything, would just really like to get a few pics, of Everest and me with a mount Everest backdrop ...which town is best for me to head to, to get these shots? ... also will i have time realistically to do this?

thanks

hey,

You cant possibly get any closer than on a mountain flight right around Everest from Kathmandu, which can easily be arranged in town. Its around 160 USD, i think... Time wise this is perhaps the best way to see the most of Everest. Theres more info here.

By the way, Pokhara is far better than Kathmandu for some rest and relaxation - and you can see the the impressive Annapurna range from town itself on a cool, clear day, and reflected in the lake - its not Everest, but its lovely too, in its own right. You can get there really easily on one of the many express buses that run between Pokhara and Kathmandu - takes around 7 to 8 hours.

[ Edit: Edited on Oct 19, 2008, at 3:19 AM by itenerant ]

Hi you are welcome to kathmandu!
there are so many heritage sites, temples which you will love to see.
Do not miss to go Patan,Bhaktapur and Nagarkot and out of valley pokhara is the best

thanks
Rabin

Quoting itenerant

hey,

You cant possibly get any closer than on a mountain flight right around Everest from Kathmandu, which can easily be arranged in town. Its around 160 USD, i think... Time wise this is perhaps the best way to see the most of Everest. Theres more info here.

By the way, Pokhara is far better than Kathmandu for some rest and relaxation - and you can see the the impressive Annapurna range from town itself on a cool, clear day, and reflected in the lake - its not Everest, but its lovely too, in its own right. You can get there really easily on one of the many express buses that run between Pokhara and Kathmandu - takes around 7 to 8 hours.

thanks for the heads up their ... that scenic flight looks to be exactly what im after! ... reasnoble price to ... im guessing its a good couple of hours worth .... the site suggests it takes 1 hour to actually get to Everest .. maybe 10 mins circling it etc .. either way providing i get a good weather day, it should be immense!

will def look into Pokhara ... me thinks 7-8 days spent all in Kathmandu would be somewhat of a waste

thanks again!

Quoting makka

thanks for the heads up their ... that scenic flight looks to be exactly what im after! ... reasnoble price to ... im guessing its a good couple of hours worth .... the site suggests it takes 1 hour to actually get to Everest .. maybe 10 mins circling it etc .. either way providing i get a good weather day, it should be immense!

will def look into Pokhara ... me thinks 7-8 days spent all in Kathmandu would be somewhat of a waste

thanks again!

If there's multiple flights on the one day make sure you try get the earliest one in the morning as there's more chance it will be clear!

Quoting Erik85

Quoting makka

thanks for the heads up their ... that scenic flight looks to be exactly what im after! ... reasnoble price to ... im guessing its a good couple of hours worth .... the site suggests it takes 1 hour to actually get to Everest .. maybe 10 mins circling it etc .. either way providing i get a good weather day, it should be immense!

will def look into Pokhara ... me thinks 7-8 days spent all in Kathmandu would be somewhat of a waste

thanks again!

If there's multiple flights on the one day make sure you try get the earliest one in the morning as there's more chance it will be clear!

Hi Makka

Ive just been up in Nepal, i was up there for 22days in Pokhara, we didnt go to Kathmandu, guess the feel of Pokhara was too much to pull us away. The sights are true breath taking even in Pokhara, if you get up early enough go down to the camping chowk and you'll see all 8(i think) of the annapurna range! I heard in Kathmandu you wont get mountains. If you get a chance go to Chitwan National Park, its expensive to stay inside the park($180 each for 2nights/3days) but it was well worth it,i got to see a wild tiger on a elephant safari!!! - we went to 15different travel agents and haggled hard for our deal!

Hope it helps