Nepal Recommendations
Replies: 18 - Last Post: Jun 9, 2012 1:43 AM Last Post By: rdccomments
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Nepal Recommendations
HiI've been researching Nepal for the past 6 hours or so and have been getting very excited about my trip. Apologies, if I've asked repeat questions that are in other recent posts on this part of the forum, but I thought I'd finally post my first post and try and get some more specific answers!
I'm team leading a charity fundraising expedition to base camp (through Childreach International). We depart from Heathrow on the 19th June and return down from Lukla on the 3rd July. I've experienced high altitude trekking before and everything up to this point has been organised by the charity and the tour operator. There are 3 insurance days (due to Lukla flight conditions etc.), which takes us up to the 6th July. However, after this point 5 of us will be travelling up to the 12th July. We're all students (19-22) and from talking to them, I'm probably the more experienced traveller out of the 5 staying behind and as the team leader there's a certain amount of responsibility in making sure we stick together on these days and just make plans go smooth-ish. I suggested waiting till we get down from Base Camp to start organising/booking transport/accommodation etc.. just to see how we all feel and if anything has changed; but I thought maybe gathering a few names/tour companies/hostels etc. would certainly help things!
From reading around and speaking to previous travellers, Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan appeal to us and would be a good way to spend 8 (or if delayed on all insurance days) 5 days of travelling. Obviously, if it comes to 5 days; then Chitwan would take priority.
Day 0: Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu
Day 1: Kathmandu
Day 2: Kathmandu
Day 3: Kathmandu --> Chitwan
Day 4: Chitwan
Day 5: Chitwan --> Pokhara
Day 6: Pokhara
Day 7: Pokhara/Kathmandu
Day 8: Transport back to Kathmandu to catch evening flight the next day,
That's just a possible schedule - if original plans go ahead. Just a few questions!
Kathmandu: Are there any budget hostels/hotels that anyone has had a particularly pleasant stay in? Speaking to two friends who went last year, they mentioned the "Kathmandu Guest House" which seems nice from the pictures and from what they told me. From reading the guide book too, it also seems to be the "known" hostel in Kathmandu.
Chitwan: The tour company linked to the charity expedition tried to sell us a trip to Chitwan. It was a fantastic Itinerary, with transport to and from Kathmandu and everyone really wanted to do it. The price was £300, which is too expensive for all of us. My friend's said that the Guest House Hostel organised them a trip for $50 (part of a big group) with transport included. I've tried looking on websites/tour operators, but I'm not really sure which one's to trust. Can anyone recommend how to book a Chitwan Tour - preferably 3 days? And I know a lot of tours provide transport from Kathmandu to Pokhara, but does anyone know about ones that would take from Kathmandu to Chitwan and then to Pokhara? or would it just be easier to get a tourist bus from Chitwan to Pokhara?
Dangers in Chitwan - I know the risks of these types of activities. I was in the Everglades 18 months ago, and did a Full Moon kayak and Swamp Walk and know all the risks associated with wild animals etc and I've read quite a few scary reviews/experiences online tonight. I was just looking for a bit of reassurance and experiences from other travellers - especially regarding snakes and crocs - the elephant bathing in the river - aren't there crocs in there??
Rafting/Bungee Jumping - I've looked at Last Resort, but does anyone have any tips when it comes to Rafting particularly in Nepal?
And lastly - just any tips or hidden gems would be great! I know sometimes posting stuff like this takes out some of the randomness and adventure out of travelling, but I just want to get a bit clued up, so i'll be able to help my group out as much as possible.
Thanks for any Help
Craig :)
2
Forget about Kathmandu Guest House. Noisy. Overpriced. Arrogant staff.Chitwan has underwhelmed me on my three or four visits. There is (or was) a baby rhino that wandered about the town of Sauraha but none to be spotted in the jungle tours. The river will be very high at this time of year and frequently floods.
Take care crossing that river. A lifejacket at the very least.
3
HelloThe Kathmandu Guest House is trading on a past reputation and is expensive for the standard of accommodation. Hotels can be cheap in KTM, a few dollars gets a decent room but for more specific recommendations it might be worth stating yourbudget or the facilities required. Having said that a few suggestions; Nepalaya, International Guest House and Florid (all have websites).
A suggestion for the schedule: move the KTM days until the end of the trip because of potential delays getting back to KTM - even though it's early monsoon delays are still possible.
Chitwan tours are cheaper when booked in Nepal and you can arrange for the bus/car to Pokhara. The Trisuli river, between KTM and Pokhara, is a possibility for a short rafting trip.
Enjoy Nepal.
scoodly
4
It is not only the flights from Lukla which get delayed, be prepared to wait for the inbound flight also. A few days of waiting at the both ends will throw your plans out of whack. Who got the idea of going there in the middle of monsoon season?In Chitwan the danger is not crocodiles (they eat only fish anyway), but rhinos which will attack everything moving on foot. You will not be seeing much of them even if you ride the elephants, as the elephant grass is about 5 meters high during the monsoon season. Did I ask about...
For rafting there is a lot of water, at least...
Chitwan trips can be arranged any way you like for the next day, cheaply. Maybe not $50 cheap, but $70.
There are about a hundred cheap and empty hotels in Thame alone in July, no need to go the Kathmandu Guest House, not even make any reservations. Just look around and haggle.
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It is good to do your research on a place before you go, so that you know what is going on and the best places to go.There are a range of hotels on this website - lonely planets where you can book online. you will see that the prices vary tremendously. the Katmundu Guest is the most well known and is a landmark in Thamel. (I have never been inside).
However there are numerous hotels and guest houses and it depends on budget and what you are looking for.
I have always stayed at Hotel Hana which has its own website(and is also listed on this site)
It is very reasonable cost(and has a restaurant on top floor)
It is just outside of main Thamel and quieter.
Trips to Chitwan can be arranged easily when you arrive. $50 sounds about right for a couple of nights and inclusive.It is quite safe.I enjoyed my trip there when I first wentt to Nepal.I stayed two nights. I really enjoy Pokhara too and you can do paragliding andd some short day treks around the lake.I think 3 or 4 days here is a good idea.
AS it is now out of season you can probably negociate prices quite a lot. Hotels are very easy to find and inexpensive in pokhara.
It is now the monsoon season though of which I am sure you are aware. So heavy rain is expected. Good idea to have some buffer days re flight from Lukla but also for any coach journneys.
Safe travels
6
Agree that the monsoon is not necessarily the best time to be visiting that part of the world.Flights to and from Lukla - you will have to just "play it by ear" - it will very much depend on weather conditions on the days that you are hoping to fly. Roads also will have some degree of weather related disruption - again this wil vary.
Hotels in Ktm: they should be relatively quiet - few westerner tourists go to Nepal in the monsoon and I think that the main pilgrimage tourists (mainly from places like India) go there more in July and especially August (to the many holy sites in Nepal), so you should have a lot of choice and be able to get some good discounts. My friend who works in one of the main hotels emailed me a couple of weeks ago saying that it was quiet. It will be quite hot and sticky, especially in Ktm.
I would have thought that you would have no trouble organising/arranging a visit to say Chitwan once you aare in Nepal, and even after your EBC trek. It will be very low season, and Nepalis are flexible when it comes to making arrangements, in my experience.
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Lots of good info already provided and I agree with most of itFirst of all your Lukla flights / buffer days – It is just about impossible to predict how many of your buffer days you will use up and even if you have set aside enough – As already mentioned, you can be delayed by several days getting to Lukla, then several mire on your return – It really does come down to Luck / Karma – But at least if you are delayed at the start of your trek, you can adjust your schedule to try and gain extra buffer days at the end of it.
Kathmandu Hotels - You might like to try - The Hotel Nepalaya in Kathmandu, this is on the edge of Thamel and is set well back from the main street so well away from both traffic and bar/restaurant noise. It's a bit more upmarket than the average backpacker haunt, Nice Large well furnished rooms with private bathrooms, 24 hour Hot water (Reliable) Comfortable beds, satellite TV, Osculating fans or AC for an extra charge. Nice roof terrace too. You can also check out their reviews on Trip Advisor; I stayed here again on my 2012 trip and was completely satisfied, - My preferred agent can get a good discount on web-prices, so if you are interested send me a PM and I will forward you his contact details.
Chitwan – As already mentioned, you aren’t planning to visit at a great time of year, it will be Very Hot, Very Sticky and Very Wet, Also the Rapti river tends to flood Sauraha, the main accommodation village. If it were me I wouldn’t book up anything until you return from your trek, then if you still have time you can book the day you return and depart the next morning - Usually a package that includes transportation from either Kathmandu or Pokhara by Tourist Bus and Includes accommodation with Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner as well as All your activities (National Park Entrance fee, Elephant Ride, Dug Out Canoe Trip, Jungle Walk, .Cultural Show, Bird watching / Village Walk etc) start at $30 per person per day. My Own favourite for Sauraha is Tiger Residency This is a little more expensive but the accommodation and the food is well above average and the guide, Laxman is simply superb, he can recognise all the birds by sight, silhouette and bird call and knows their names in English, Latin and Nepali
I have steered quite a few people to Tiger Residency over the years and have had a lot of Good feedback !!
Pokhara – Again Very Wet, but if you end up going for a recommendation of a Great little hotel, The Hotel Lake Diamond, Small family run hotels just a few hundred meters away fro the centre of Lakeside – But down a side street so in a beautiful and Quiet location - I have used this hotel for several years and always get a great welcome
Good Luck and Happy Trekking
Rob
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regarding your dangers in Chitwanvery responsible to consider such things
where ever you go you will be accompanied by a guide
I have seen crocodiles sunbaking on river edge while canooing
crocodiles wont be where the elephant bath is taking place
get at least one of your party to do the elephant bath so everyone gets funny photos
9
"The tour company linked to the charity expedition tried to sell us a trip to Chitwan. It was a fantastic Itinerary, with transport to and from Kathmandu and everyone really wanted to do it. The price was £300,"Sounds like you guys are getting completely scammed. My advise it to DUMP this organization completely. How does someone raise money by going to Nepal?
Read over the Top 10 Scams of Nepal.
10
Hi Craig,Monsoon is going to begin very soon in Nepal. Although it is not the peak touristic season to visit to Nepal but there are some activities which the monsoon can not affect.
For the accommodation in Kathmandu, Kathmandu Guest House is not a bad idea but it depends on your budget. You can get more info through tripadvisor too.
Normally, Chitwan package are of 2 nights / 3 days. And you can do 1 fullday jungle safari and wildlife activities. You can visit to travel agencies in Thamel once you are here in Nepal or can search in internet so that you can save your valuable time.
You can do rafting on the way, from Kathmandu to Chitwan at Trisuli river. But in rainy days the strength of river increases suddenly might be risky.
If you want everything in itinerary or package tour can consult with the agent.
Enjoy your journey to Nepal.
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"The tour company linked to the charity expedition tried to sell us a trip to Chitwan. It was a fantastic Itinerary, with transport to and from Kathmandu and everyone really wanted to do it. The price was £300,"Sounds like you guys are getting completely scammed. My advise it to DUMP this organization completely. How does someone raise money by going to Nepal?
Read over the Top 10 Scams of Nepal.
Thanks for all the replies so far, they've certainly helped me out.
I know we're going in Monsoon Season and was unsure about how everything was going to be affected. I'll just keep reading up and it's good to know that I shouldn't have any trouble booking stuff when I'm there.
The Charity I'm going with organise Challenge Events across the Globe. Participants fundraise a certain amount and a minimum of 50% goes towards projects within the countries they work. I participated in a Kilimanjaro Climb with them two years ago and had a fantastic experience; not just on the climb and travelling in Tanzania but visiting some of the projects were the money had gone. Childreach International are a new, but fantastic charity (and I suggest that you check out their work) and I've loved every minute of being a university team leader. The Nepal % of the overall fundraising amount goes towards rural healthcare for children in the country. The Tour Company that they work through provided fantastic service on the Kili Trek, but I agree with the extras they're definitely overcharging us compared to what we can get in the country!!
Quick Question about the Monsoon Rains - is this more a continuous thing or does it rain for a certain amount of time each day etc.?
Currency Wise - I plan on getting mostly $US before I go. Would it be wise to get any Nepalese Rupees / Change some of my cash into those when I'm there?
Thanks for all the help!
12
HiA common pattern for the day is clear mornings with cloud building around noon with rain spells in the afternoon. It can be near constant rain though.
There is no need to change GBP into USD and then into NPR andpay two ;ots of conversion charges. GBP are easily exchanged. USDs are often used for ease of price comparison but you don't need them. One possibble exception is for the visa on arrival which might be marginally cheaper in USD even after conversion charges.
scoodly
14
Though visas are priced in US$, you can pay for them in GB£ or other acceptable currencies, or even a mixture of currencies (I paid for my 90 day visa in GB£ and US$ on my last visit to Nepal).
