Kathmandu Favorites

Favorite thing: The weather in Kathmandu or Pokhara in November and December is usually plenty of sunny days where you will be in t-shirts but as soon as the sun goes down or you are in the shade then the temperature starts to drop and by the evening you will defiantly need a fleece or jacket to keep warm.

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Favorite thing: I am a retired American that came here in December and fell in love with it. I just started writing a blog and a book on ways to enjoy Nepal for less money. It is really complicated here in a few ways and a few tips can go a long way in saving you money, helping you to be safe in your travels and helping you to have more fun.

The Lonely Planet and everybody says the same things, go here, go there. So I went to a temple that I won't even attempt to spell here and it was great, it was crowded and full of energy; fun. Then I went to another one that looked a lot like it and it was devoid of any tourists other than me. It was truly a sacred space, so peaceful and beautiful. I loved it. I loved both places but this was free, as opposed to 1,100 rupees and it gave me a new thing to see. I'm actually not trying to plug my book, just letting you know that I can help you and when I think about my book I get a bit carried away. What I'd really like is feedback on what others have found at this point.

Please let me know any questions you have, like what to bring, how much thing should cost, etc.

I just noticed that I can post this as a travel tip, so I would like to mention that if people want to bring something for the poor people here please bring children's books and any other book that can be traded or donated to a library (not a lot of libraries here-please bring books).

Here's my blog link: http://frugaltravelsnepal.blogspot.com/

Amanda
FrugalTravelsNepal@gmail.com

Favorite thing: I did the EBC trek same time 2 years ago. I recommend:
1. That you wear your hiking shoes on the plane (everything else you can replace but you won't have enough time if you lose your hiking boots on the place to be able to wear in new hiking boots whilst you are over there)
2. Most of our group used bottled water and that was fine, just make sure you check the seal to make sure it hasn't just been refilled with local water. Tablets are good to have as well.
3. Make sure you don't exchange too much money as you only get 50% when you exchange back at the airport. Exchanging money in Namache Bazaar is fine to do so you can always wait to you get to Namache before making your decision about how much you want to exchange.
4. When we did EBC there was a ban on slaughtering of animals above a certain altitude which meant all meat had to be carried and some for long distances. If this is still the case you might want to think about whether you want to eat the meat above a certain altitude.
5. Outdoor gear is very cheap and in great supply when you get to Kathmandu and Namache bazaar however mainly fakes so you will have no problem getting the equipment that you want when you get over to Nepal, just be prepared to haggle.
6. Make sure you take plenty of hand sanitiser and toilet paper and also supplies of chocolate. The higher you get the more expensive things get. It wasn't uncommon to get a chocolate bar for £2.50 in Gorak Shep.
7. Blister plasters are a good investment and also some good painkillers & imodium etc. There were very few people that were not affected in some way or another.
8. There are 2 very long hiking days, make sure you have enough sleep in the lead up to them.
9. I took a 4 season sleeping bag at the end of March and was pretty glad as it got pretty cold some nights.
10. Try not to over pack your bag as it makes it a lot more stressful packing it each day.
11. Get a good head torch as towards the top some of teahouses (I am presuming your staying in teahouses) have little light at night if none at all.
Lastly have a great time. I had a great time at Nepal and hope you do as well :)
Clare

Favorite thing: As a citizen of a SAARC country (Pakistan), gratis visa can be obtained upon arrival. However, I called the Nepalese Embassy in Islamabad. They advised me it would be better to get the visa in Islamabad from the Embassy, as it takes time and money at the airport upon arrival.

Favorite thing: The company runs by Mr. Dil Gurung who speaks fluent Japanese, with lots and lots of his Japanese clients. I heard Dil has also lived in Germany too, so I expect he could speak fluent German as well. World Heritage Treks organizes every kind of tours, treks and expedition, both domestically and internationally (e.g. transportation to Tibet) BTW for women solo travelers, please read my Dangers & Annoyance Tips.

P.O. Box 4738 Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone: +977 1 4701700, 4257660
Cell: (Dil Gurung) 9803628227 , 9851072869
Email: whtreks@wlink.com.np , whtreks@gmail.com
www.worldheritagetreks.com
www.treksexpedition.com

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Favorite thing: Though a small airport, I will rate this airport a hassle free airport. Their customer handling is better, the airport staffs treat the passenger with respect, Luggage handling is efficient, customs clearance is fast. The airport has duty free shop, it can not be compared with Changi, Schipol but has good stock of Spirits and Cigarette, though a bit pricy but the staffs help you to chose the items of your choice.

They dont allow photography inside the airport ( I dont' know why? In the days of Google Earth? Foolish decision ) but as soon as we landed people took out their cameras, mobile phones and started taking photographs. So we too took out our cell phone and took some photographs at the turmac of Trivobhan International Airport. I really liked this airport, I feel it is better than many Indian airports in terms of courtesey shown to the people.
Immigration and Police checking? Well it is same everyehere!

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Favorite thing: CIWEC clinic is used by most foreign residents in Kathmandu and by foreign tourists. The clinic is staffed by foreigners and a doctor is on call on the clock. A consultation 45 USD, CCs accepted.

I went there to get malaria pills (since i was going to the Chitwan for the weekend). however, the doctor said since its' winter time, there is no risk at all. However, i brought some pills "just in case".

Some other piece of advice i gor from them on Malaria
no tablet is 100% effective against malaria, thus avoid mosquitos, take malaria tablets reqularily and treat fevers immediately not after one or 2 days.
Most common medicines
-chloroquine and paludrine – 2 weeks before exposure and 4 weeks afterwards
-mefloquine – take weekly, 2 weeks before and 4 weeks after, 10 USD/tablet, difficult to find but most effective
-doxycycline – take daily, 2 days before and 4 weeks after
-malarone – daily, 1 day before and 1 week later, 7 USD per tablet

Fondest memory: www.ciwec-clinic.com
phone - 4424111
opening hours - 9 am – 4 pm 1 hour (lunch break from 12 to 1), Monday – Friday
location - just across the UK embassy northeast of Thamel

Refrain from buying malaria pills form the local pharmacy around the corner in Nepali cities…..reports say as per the tests performed, over half of them are fakes….Chinese gangs copy virtually all brands….. not even the shopkeeper knows whether he’s selling an original or a fake one…..with the risks of getting adverse side effects or even worse, malaria resistant viruses higher than ever.

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Favorite thing: Out of the numerous ethnic groups in Nepal (Pahari, Sherpa, Tamang, Kiranti, Limbu, Gurung, etc), the Newari represent less than 5 %.
The term Newar applies roughly to the people who inhabited Kathmandu valley and its peripheries before the unification of Nepal and speaking Nepal Bhasa ("Newari" according to Statistics Nepal) or the languages progenitor of Nepal Bhasa.

The Newars form an urban society with highly developed craftsmanship and social structures, which reflected in the complexes around the Kathmandu valley and in other cities around Nepal (Tansen, Bandipur). It is the Newari temples and architecture which are the most impressive throughout all Nepal.
Newar practice both Buddhism (85%) and Hinduism.(15%) It is believed that the Newar were originally Buddhists but the long historical process of Sanskritization (adoption of Hindu rituals), led to the development of the Newar’s unique syncretic tradition.