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| Stego's FAQ on Nepal travel v.3 - Miscelaneous 3/3 |
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Keywords: Miscelaneous
From: Per Löwdin <[email protected]>
| Date: 96.11.01 | (Id.: 207) |
> I'm considering trekking in Nepal late April-May 1997. I will be
> travelling alone, and I've never trekked outside the USA before. I've
> found some guided treks from trekking companies on the internet, but I'd
> like to know how "off the beaten path" these really are, how often are
> you really "alone" in nature, and not surrounded by other western
> tourist?.
I suggest You get a guide book for trekking in Nepal, such as the Lonely Planet�s. After reading it You are in a better position to evaluate what the trekking companies have to offer. Due to the trekking permit system which makes most trekkers do the same routes there is excellent infrastructure along the major trekking routes so there is no need to bring porters or guides. In late May You can go around the Annapurna or up to Everest Base camp carrying little more than a tooth brush. However, there are other trekks where it may be a great deal of help to go through a trekking company. Especially as it is You first trekk in Nepal.
Keywords: Miscelaneous, Guides & porters
From: Primoz Marolt <[email protected]>
| Date: 96.11.08 | (Id.: 188) |
> Michael G. Petkos wrote:
> >
> > I'm considering trekking in Nepal late April-May 1997. I will be
> > travelling alone, and I've never trekked outside the USA before. I've
> > found some guided treks from trekking companies on the internet, but I'd
> > like to know how "off the beaten path" these really are, how often are
> > you really "alone" in nature, and not surrounded by other western
> > tourist?. Anyone used any trekking company and like to share their
> > experience?
> > I'd really appreciate the input so i don't blow a few bucks on a bad
> > trip.
> >
> As for being alone in nature, on the loop treks, like the Ann. Circuit,
> almost everyone is going in the same direction, so you don't keep
> meeting people all day, except locals, who far outnumber tourists. No
> matter what the conventional wisdom says, none of the trails are ever
> crowded at all. We hiked many days in peak season and saw perhaps three
> Westerners.
Yeah, I agree with that.
Nepal is beautiful, even in the high trekking season...
Anyone who likes mountains will enjoy it.
The only problem might be finding a place to sleep in November or December if you stop hiking late in the afternoon. Of course, this is only a problem of you go to most popoular places (Annapurna & Everest..) It happened to me one time on the Jomsom trek. Well, I just kept walking untill 9:30pm when a group of locals found me and offered me to stay with them.
They were porters and they knew a family in a village near by. The family made delicious dinner (soup, dhal bat...) and we talked a lot! What a great way to travel. If only there were no bedbugs!!! :)
About guided tours: I met a Duch guy who hired a porter/guide. This guide, a Nepalese guy...he was really a cool person. He knew everyone in every single village. We slept with the local families, hiked around the rice paddies and generally spent a very good time together.
Might be worth trying...
Keywords: Money & costs, Accomodation
From: Mário Pires <[email protected]>
| Date: 96.07.26 | (Id.: 161) |
Let me try to give you an idea of the prices in Kathmandu in Nov 94 (USD) (high season):
- Basic double room with attached bath with hot shower in Thamel (main touristic block in central Kathmandu): $8-$10. I got the impression that accomodation in Pokhara is cheaper - we payed $6 for an excelent room with thub and everything. In Nagarkot, a beautiful mountain spot near Kathmandu, we payed less than $4 for the room.
- Lunch or dinner $3-$5 (a 0.6 lit. bottle of beer costing up to $0.8 [more than many dishes] and tea [coffee is non existent or very bad for my taste] included).
- Dinner at the restaurant of "Hotel des Annapurnas" (5*): less than $15.
- Price of a double room in that same hotel: less $100 (maybe without taxes, I don't remember).
- 3 days excursions to Chitwan National Park - $60-$90. It includes everything: buses, meals, park fees, elephant riding and several other activities occupying almost the whole time.
- Transportation:
- I don't remember the exact price of the "touristic deluxe" bus Kathmandu - Pokhara (200 Km), but it was about $4 or $10.
- Airplane Pokhara - Jomsom (airport in the middle of the Annapurnas, 3000 met.s high) and back: $100.
- Taxi ride Kathmandu - Baktapur (15-20 Km, more or less), wait, and back, total time about 3 or 4 hours: less than $10.
About credit cards, there were several several shops that accepted our VISA, but I think that only two or three banks gave cash with them. Both the banks we used were located in Kathmandu, at Darbar Marg, the street where are located the major part of the air companies, the Hotel des Annapurna, near the new Royal Palace. It's about 20 min walking from Thamel. Although I don't remember their names, I'm sure nobody will have trouble finding them.
However, be prepared to wait for one hour or more - the telephone lines are a hell in Nepal and they have to check your card.
Perhaps it's wise to take some travelers checks, as there are many exchange offices where you can obtain cash with them.
Keywords: Money & costs
From: Matthew Sulby <[email protected]>
| Date: 96.10.24 | (Id.: 181) |
> i should risk flying there and try booking a everest trek or if its wise
> to book locally here in toronto...any feedback would be appreciated
> norm
Linda, My Wife and I are also planning a trip to the Everest region in the fall or 97 or spring of 98. From what I've read on the web you can easily get tours in Katmandu upon arrival, which are 75% cheaper than western based tours. Check out [email protected] in Toronto. They seemed to have good prices. Again i've read it can be done for as little as $5-40 USD. a day. mail me about ideas
Keywords: Money & costs, Miscelaneous
From: Per Löwdin <[email protected]>
| Date: 96.10.25 | (Id.: 200) |
> Linda Cleminshaw wrote:
> >
> > i am planning a trip to nepal in the fall of 97...i am not sure whether
> > i should risk flying there and try booking a everest trek
What do You mean: book an everest trek?
>or if its wise
> > to book locally here in toronto...any feedback would be appreciated
> > norm
> Linda, My Wife and I are also planning a trip to the Everest region in
> the fall or 97 or spring of 98. From what I've read on the web you can
> easily get tours in Katmandu upon arrival, which are 75% cheaper than
> western based tours.
75% cheaper.
Trekking to Everest it very difficult to spend 10 dollars a day, even if You stay in the best hotels, eat like a pig and devour all the choclates You can find and hire a porter when You feel exhausted. The hardest part of the Everest trek is the bus journey from Kathmandu to Jiri if You take a local bus. The rest is nice walking, up and down, with plenty of hotels that have grown up there just to cater to foreigners. All You need is a trekking permit that takes half a day to get in Thamel, Kathmandu, and a tooth brush. If You need warm gear, You can rent it in Namche Bazaar, along with tents, ropes, carabiners, and what not. I would recommend that You bring Your own sleeping bags.
Before You spend any money on middle-men I strongly suggest that You get a book on trekking in Nepal. There are several: Lonely Planet�s will tell You most. A classic that is said to be the best i written by someone with a name I can�t get straigh at this moment, Bezeerowka I think it is.
Keywords: Photo
From: Robert Ferguson <[email protected]>
| Date: 96.09.08 | (Id.: 113) |
I don't have a name or a map available, but I'll attempt directions:
As you walk from Thamel on the main street towards the immigration office, about two-three blocks before the immigration office is a "mini-mall" on the right side of the street. Facing the street is a lab with a "Kodak" sign. Over the course of a year, I got 40-50 rolls developed there. I paid about 25 cents for a 5X7 print which is very cheap. I don't recall the price of smaller prints.
Keywords: Photo
From: Per Löwdin <[email protected]>
| Date: 96.09.12 | (Id.: 115) |
If she is doing seriuos photography I would not recommend her to process slides in Kathmandu. For black and white there are several photoshops that are good. I lived and worked in Kathmandu in the eighties and had Raj Photo in Makhan Tole do most of my black and white. They were cheap and reliable.
Keywords: Robbery & security, Miscelaneous
From: John D. Child <[email protected]>
| Date: 96.11.05 | (Id.: 122) |
Best,
John Child
*******************************************
Friends in High Places *
Adventure Travel Arrangements for Nepal *
678 Mass Ave #501 *
High Standards and Low Prices *
Cambridge MA 02139 USA *
Honest, Responsible Service since 1986 *
*******************************************
Telephone: 1-800-OK-Nepal (US Office)
523-258 (Kathmandu Office)
Fax: 1-617-396-0828 (US Office)
977-1-414-184 (Kathmandu Office)
E-Mail: [email protected] (US Office)
[email protected] (Kathmandu Office)
HTTP://www.webmart.com/icc/nepal.html
Keywords: Robbery & security, Miscelaneous
From: Per Löwdin <[email protected]>
| Date: 96.11.07 | (Id.: 208) |
>You should be aware that postal theft is quite common when it comes to
>packages leaving the country. On our last visit, we sent home a package
>containing some embroidered t-shirts for nephews, some woolen goods, and
>a letter. We wrapped it well, had the stamps franked...took all the
>precautions we could. When it arrived, only the letter remained, AND all
>the franked stamps had been carefully removed, except for those required
>to post the letter.
Did You go the foreing post office? We have sent things from it several times and it always arrived though it is extremely ardous just to get things posted and than it takes a very long time before the parcel arrives.
>If you want to send something home, either carry it
>yourself, or wait until you're in Thailand or even India.
I agree. Mailing things in Bangkok is pure joy compared to the hassles in Kathmandu.
Keywords: Women
From: John Neville <[email protected]>
| Date: 96.06.13 | (Id.: 41) |
Iu> I am travelling to Nepal in Novemeber and would like to know
Iu> if it safe for a woman to travel there alone. Anyone else travelling
Iu> there at the same time?
Sorry I won't be there at that time as I hope to go in September before the influx of trekkers. What is important is that you do not trek alone and if trekking with another female try and meet up with another couple or some males for company. It's a good idear to keep essentials such as passport and money cheques in a secure place ON yourself at all times.
Otherwise exercise the normal precautions that you would when travelling in any other country.
Enjoy your stay in Nepal.
Internet: [email protected]
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© J. Mário Pires, 4 Mar 97
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