Introduction
Nepal is a destination that is burned on your memory, unable to be forgotten but always longed for. The Nepalese formula combines cultural interest through hundreds of century-old temples and religious traditions with the natural beauty that Nepal is so blessed to boast. With eight of the ten tallest mountains in the world within its borders, you know to expect something extraordinary - but no number of photos can prepare you for the real thing. Its jungles, often forgotten amidst the grandeur of Mount Everest and its fellow Himalayan brothers, are equally impressive, though in a vastly different way.
Orientation
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Trekking in Nepal is mainly done in the Central, Eastern or Western Parts. Central treks consists of touring within Kathmandu Valley (containing the cities of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur) as well as the Langtang Valley region (just north of Kathmandu). The popular Annurpurna and Ghorepani treks are located in the west, near to Pokhara while the Everest and Arun valley treks are to the east near Lukla.
When To Go (Weather)
Nepal generally has a rather warm and humid climate from March to October. Temperatures at lower altitudes (below 1500m) usually range from 25 to 29 degrees Celsius in the day. By nightfall, temperatures will drop to between 10 to 15 degree Celsius.
Avoid going between June to September, the rainy season as you get a lot of fog and mist and visibility can be rather bad.
Winter between November to March is still relatively warm and dry in most parts. Day temperatures range from 15 to 25 degree Celsius while at night, they fall to a very cold minus 5 to 0 degrees.
The best time to visit is just after the monsoon, between October to December where its dry and the skies are clear, so the chances of seeing the highest peaks are at its best.
Immigration
A visa is required for entry into Nepal by all nationalities and range from USD$25 for a 15 day visa, USD$40 for a 30 day visa to USD$100 for a 90 day visa.
Places where you can obtain a visa include:
i. Nepalese Embassy (if available in your home country)
ii. Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu (upon arrival)
iii. Birganj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
iv. Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border)
v. Belahia, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal)
vi. Jamunaha, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal)
vii. Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal)
viii. Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal)
Getting There
Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and is served by Tribhuvan International Airport (http://www.tiairport.com.np).
From Singapore, Thai airways as well as Silkair provide regular flights to Kathmandu. Click here for a list of travel operators with cheap airfares to Nepal.
Getting Around
By Plane
Royal Nepal Airlines as well as a host of other smaller airlines such as Yeti Airlines, Buddha Air, Cosmic Air and Gorkha Airlines serve a network of domestic destinations such as Lukla, Pokhara, Simikot, Jomsom, Janakpur and Bharatpur. Always confirm your airfares early or if possible, book through a trusted local tour operator who can confirm your flights for you. Cancellations due to weather or mechanical problems are common and most flights are almost always prone to delays.
By Bus/Taxi
Public buses in the city are usually very crowded on most routes and are slow and dangerous. Most tourists would prefer getting around by taxis. It is always a must to negotiate your fare before hopping onto the taxi as all taxis do not run by meter. Taxis within Kathmandu usually cost between 200 – 300 rupees (approx. SGD$4.00)
Long distance tourist buses, such as those operated by Greenline or Golden Travel provide comfortable, if not slightly cramped buses on longer routes to other towns such as Pokhara. A one-way ticket usually cost approx. USD$30 and will include a lunch enroute.
Attractions
Kathmandu Valley - Kathmandu
Durbar Square is the traditional heart of the old town in Kathmandu. Durbar means “palace” and it is the place where kings were crowned and legitimized. The entire square was designated a Unesco World Heritage Monument in 1979 and was largely re-built after the great earthquake of 1934. Here you find a myriad of palaces (Hanumandhoka), courtyards and temples (such as the Kumari Ghar, Abode of the Living Goddess).
Durbar Square is actually made up of three loosely linked squares. The main Durbar Square area, which is a great place to see traditional 18-19th century architecture and popular watch the world go by temples, lie to the west. To the south lies the open Basantapur Square area where you have a good mix of shops and eateries. The final part of Durbar Square which contains the entrance to the Hanuman Dhoka and an assortment of temples run in the northeast direction.
Hanuman Dhoka is an old palace complex that was constructed by King Pratap Malla in the 17th century. This royal palace was renovated many times in the later years and the oldest parts are in the smaller Sundai Chowk and Mohan Chowk at the northern part of the palace.
The monkey god Hanuman’s very brave assistance to the noble God Rama during the events of the Ramayanahas led to the his appearance guarding many important entrances. Here, cloaked in red and sheltered by an umbrella, the Hanuman statue marks the dhoka (entrance) to the Hanuman Dhoka and has even given the palace its name. This statue dates from 1672 and the god’s face has long disappeared under a coating of orange paste applied by generations of faithful visitors.
Swayambhunath Temple is also known as Samhengu, Swayambhunath temple is one of the oldest and most glorious Buddhist shrines in the world. Almost two thousand years old, this temple is listed as a World Heritage Site and its establishment is linked to the creation of the Kathmandu Valley out of a primordial lake.
The four sides of the stupa is painted with the eyes of Lord Buddha and the temple is also known as the watchful eyes of Buddha. Entrance fee is Rs50.
Bouddhanath Stupa lies about 6 km east of downtown Kathmandu and is the largest stupa in the Valley and one of the largest in the world. It looms 36 meters high and presents one of the most fascinating specimens of stupa design with hundreds of prayer wheels and 108 small images of Buddha all around. Just like the Swayambhunath, the stupa here is too has four sides with the watchful eyes of Lord Buddha. All the Buddhist throng to this stupa to take part in the sacred rituals during the Buddhist festivals.
Bouddhanath, a World Heritage Site is also known as Khasti. There are more than 45 Buddhist monasteries in the area. Many have schools that teach young monks. An information counter, run by the Bouddha Area Preservation and Development Committee offers assistance to visitors.
Dakshinkali is a temple that is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Kali and is one of the most popular places of worship in Kathmandu. Located 22 km from the city center on the southern rim of the Valley past Pharping village, the shrine is especially crowded on Tuesdays and Saturdays when animal sacrifices are offered to the deity. On the way back, stop at Chobhar, the famous gorge, just 8 km south west of Kathmandu. The narrow gash in the hills was made by Lord Manjushree to drain out the lake, which once covered the Valley. A majestic view of snow-clad mountain can be viewed from the hilltop close by.
Kathmandu Valley - Patan
Patan is a city that lies about 5km away from Kathmandu city. It is a city of Buddhist monuments, Hindu temples and fine wood carvings. Also known as Lalitpur, which means “City of Beauty”, Patan is a paradise of the fine arts.
Durbar square in Patan is an enchanting mélange of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples. Listed as a World Heritage Site, the former royal palace complex is the center of Patan’s religious and social life, and houses a museum containing an array of bronze statues and religious objects. There is an entrance fee of Rs. 200 per foreign visitor. One remarkable monument here is a 17th century temple dedicated to the Hindu God Krishna – Krishna Mandir built entirely of stone with rare stone carvings on its walls depicting the epic wars from Ramayana and Mahabarata.
Oku Bahal is one of the best known Buddhist places of worship in Patan. Situated a few steps past Mahabouddha temple, this stone-paved courtyard is enclosed by a two-story building with gilded roofs. The wood-carvings on the roof struts are especially attractive. The place is peppered with sacred images and other small shrines.
The Tibetian Refugee Camp was set up in 1960 under the initiative of International Red Cross and the Swiss Development Corporation (SDC), Formerly known as the Swiss Association for Technical Assistance (SATA), in cooperation with His Majesty’s Government of Nepal; Its main objective is to enable the Tibetan refugees to do something productive and support themselves. The carpet industry of Nepal is almost run by the Tibetan refugee families and the carpet factories have been a great source of employment for them to become self reliant economically. Apart from the carpet industry, Tibetan refugees are also engaged into handicrafts and there are many handicraft centers providing work opportunities to the families of the refugees with its profits going for the education, sanitation, healthcare of the Tibetans in the Refugee Camps including the physically handicapped and senior Tibetans. Kathmandu Valley - Bhaktapur Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur Bhaktapur is the third largest city in Kathmandu Valley and was once the capital of Nepal during the great Malla kingdom from the 12th to 15th century.
Located 14km east of Kathmandu city, Bhaktapur is home to traditional art and architecture, pottery and weaving industries, rich local customs and culture.
Bhaktapur’s Durbar Square
Is a place of inner harmony, housing temples, houses and palaces of fine architecture and art. The Palace of 55 Windows built during the period of King Bhupatindra Malla in 1754 situated to the left as you enter through the city gate, inspires admiration. The National Art Gallery is also housed inside. The palace entrance, the Golden Gate known as Sunko Dhoka in Nepali is a masterpiece in repousse art. In front of the palace building is a medley of temples of various designs. Amongst the three Durbar Squares in the Valley, the Durbar Square in Bhaktapur is the best preserved one.
Bhaktapur Nyatapol Temple is 30 meters tall, and is the tallest temple in the Kathmandu valley. It was built by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1708 AD. Each of its five terrace holds a pair of figures, starting from bottom wrestlers, elephant, lion, griffins and goddesses.
Pokahara
Pokhara is a beautiful lake city located about 8 hours (by tourist bus) to the west of Kathmandu.
In stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu, Pokhara offers visitors a calm and serene lakeside feel with a myriad of good eateries and shops. Pokhara is also the launching point for treks to the Ghorepani and Annurpurna region. Other activities such as white water rafting and paragliding are also available from here. Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park offers one to five day Jungle Safaris which will enable you to journey deep into the forests riding on elephant back, where you will witness the preserved natural assets of Nepal. It is an opportunity of a lifetime to see Royal Bengal Tigers, One-Horned Rhinoceroses, various species of birds and butterflies, amid sprawling landscapes of wildflowers, sparse villages and various flora and fauna.
Festivals
Dashain is the longest and most important festival in Nepal. Similar to the Deepavali celebrated in Singapore, Dashain generally falls in late September to mid October, right after the Monsoon season in Nepal. Dashain means a day of victory over demons.
According to legend, the bloodthirsty Goddess, Durga conquered evils on the Dashain day. Huge amount of animal sacrifices take place during the festival in temples and in home to please the Goddess Durga. The final day of the festival is known as `Tika', a day on which the elder ones give `Tika' to the younger ones and to other relatives who come for their blessings.
Maghe Sankranti is a festival celebrated in January to worship the god Vishnu who is thanked for his efforts in making the days longer and warmer from the Magh month of the Nepali Calendar. Devotees take bath in holy rivers, eat pulaow (rice cooked with lentils, dried fruits and peas). This festival is observed on the first day of Magh Month
Fagu Purnima or Holi. Celebrated in March, the Holi is a festival of colors where everyone will start splashing each other with water and colors. Color powder is often mixed with water in balloons which are then thrown to anyone who is nearby. Prepare a change of clothes if you are going out during this period.
Activities
White Water Rafting in Nepal are popular for its wild run flows, narrow to wide widths and excellent scenic views. The Trisuli River offers a Grade 3 rafting experience that is ideal for beginners. Located at the Trisuli river between Kathmandu and Pokhara, this rafting experience can be done from either Kathmandu or Pokhara. The Bhotekoshi River is a grade 4-5 and is not meant for the faint hearted. Located about 3 hrs north of Kathmandu and about 10km away from the Tibetian border, the Bhotekoshi will definitely get your adrenalin pumping. This full day rafting trip is usually done from Kathmandu.
Paragliding can be done in Pokhara. Taking off from Sarangkot on top of a hill, you will fly by Fewa lake with the Himalayas in front of you. Trips range from a 30minute to 1 hr glide and costs from USD$90 onwards.
Trekking is the main draw for tourists all around the world. Blessed with unforgettable scenery and a good selection of teahouses along the trek, Nepal really is the trekking capital of the world. Popular trekking regions include the Annurpurna region and the Everest region.
Accommodation
Nepal has a wide selection of accommodation, from reasonably priced budget hotels, to the lavish and luxurious star hotels. Accommodation is fairly inexpensive and you will be surprised as to how far your money can go in this country. A basic budget hostel with room, fan and shared toilet costs about USD$10 per person per night, while a 3-4 star hotel with a double bed and ensuite toilet will cost in the region of USD$30-40 a night. 5 star luxurious International hotels will set you back about USD$150-300 a night.
You can try booking through hotel or travel websites to get better discounted rates. Be sure to check if room rates include 10% Value Added Tax (VAT), and 2% Tourism Tax.
On treks, if you are staying at a teahouse, a room will cost between RS200-250 (USD$2-3) per night but usually does not include a hot shower. Rooms at teahouses are fairly basic and most of them are solar powered, so you do not get any electricity running in your rooms during the night, especially at higher altitudes.
Food & Drink
Attracting tourists from all over the world, it is no wonder that one can find almost every type of cuisine, from French to Italian, Japanese, Thai, Indian and Chinese in cities all over Nepal.
Even on treks, the menu selection usually consists of pizzas, pies, fried rice and noodles, and Dal Bhaat, which is a vegetarian mixture of lentil soup, rice and vegetables and is mainly eaten by the locals.
Prices are usually more expensive at teahouses on higher altitudes and range from Rs200 (USD$3) for a plate of fried rice to Rs350 (USD$5) for a pizza. Drinks such as a can of coke can set you back by Rs150 (USD$2).
In the city, restaurants are relatively cheap and a good hearty 5 course Chinese dinner for two will cost around RS800 (USD$10).
