Nepal 2003

A few hints to Nepal

Arrival

Visa can be purchased upon arrival in Kathmandu. Make sure you have a photograph and cash in USD handy.

Accomodation in Kathmandu

There's a lot of hotels and guesthouses around Thamel. Go to Kathmandu GH by taxi. Do not stay there, it is too expensive. But it's in the center of Thamel. Start searching there. Ask for the price, check the room and go to the next one. In Tibet GH you get a nice room for 10 USD. Tibet Peace GH is a good place to meet people, is quiet and has a garden which is rare in Kathmandu.

Food

Pumpernickel bakery is the place for breakfast in Kathmandu. Their croissants are superb. If you want to eat meat in Nepal, order a yak sizzler. Don't eat steaks. I got badly sick because of eating a garlic steak in Alice's.
Chicken is ok. Do not miss having a traditional Newari meal.

Trekking

Plan at least 10 days for trekking. If you think you need guide and/or porter, go for it. They need the money and you can afford it. If you do not want to trek on your own, try to find a companion in the internet (Lonely Planets Thorntree) beforehand or do some activities (Chitwan, Rafting) before heading on the trek. You will always meet people en route or in the guesthouses. Try to avoid altitude sickness. Stick to the rules. Nobody is immune. Bring your own four seasons sleeping bag. The ones for rent are not warm enough and it gets extremely cold at night.

Following are the main trekking routes:

• Khumbu is for people who want to see Mt Everest (3rd day in Namche Bazar) and do not care about money. The average age is between 40 and 50 years.
• Annapurna is for people who are short in money but have a lot of time.
• Langtang is for people who try to avoid mass.

Costs

A meal is 2 to 3 USD. Beer is 2 USD. Accomodation is 5 to 10 USD. On the trek beer and soft drinks are most expensive, followed by food and shower. Cheapest is the accomodation.

Rafting

If you are not afraid of water and feel fit enough, do it. Listen to the safety instructions, you might need to remember them when falling out of the raft. Kali Gandaki is a 3 days raft, not too difficult and not too easy.

Nightlife

Don't go to Nepal for nightlife. Busy Bee Café in Pokhara and Sam's pub in Kathmandu are my favourites.

Pashmina

Don't buy these shawls, if you don't have to. Vendors might sell you anything for the price of a pashmina.

North Face

If you want to buy quality trekking gear, do it at home. If you have to buy in Nepal, try a few shops. Check the quality. Make sure the zip is YKK. Don't buy North Face.

Kathmandu

Don't stay there too long. You're getting mad with the traffic in the alleys.

Pokhara

Nice and warm. Reserve a day for the lake. Friendly atmosphere.

Bhaktapur

Brings you centuries back. Stay at least two nights.