Hotels In Nepal

 Hotels in Nepal range from the most incredible 5* hotels through to standard 3* (or lower) shoe boxes. Despite this, hotels are much cheaper here than other parts of the world, so if you’ve got a decent travel budget, you can find some incredible accommodation at decent rates.

 GUESTHOUSES

Almost all accommodation is referred to as ‘guesthouse’, and there are varying levels of guesthouse in Nepal, from extreme budget to well appointed.

Accommodation In Nepal | WHERE TO STAY IN NEPAL

 
We won’t go into too much detail here as we’ve written a comprehensive guide to accommodation in Nepal, which you can find here.

On the whole, accommodation in Nepal is pretty standard. Most places have a range of rooms, from budget to doubles with en suite. Beware, that cheaper accommodation is of a poor standard; if you’re backpacking, this might be okay, but otherwise, invest a few extra dollars for something nicer.

TRANSPORT IN NEPAL 4 PLANE/ HELICOPTER

 
We’ve flown twice in Nepal, and both were exhilarating and scary. Be prepared!

 As a tourist in Nepal, it’s likely you’ll need to fly at one point; either from Kathmandu to Lukla (Everest Base Camp trek), Jomson to Pokhara (Annapurna Circuit trek), or Kathmandu to Pokhara. Flights are generally organised as part of a tour/hike, however it is possible to book the Kathmandu to Pokhara route (at 25mins, it sure beats the 8 hour bus ride!) on Skyscanner (search prices and book here).

 Be prepared for delays, often as a result of bad weather.

TRANSPORT IN NEPAL 4WD

It’s unlikely you’ll need to travel by 4WD unless you’re up in the mountains. It’s a rough and tumble ride, often on extremely dangerous roads. But then again, it’s kinda fun! 4WD rides will often be organised in villages, or with your tour guides/porters.

 
PLANE/HELICOPTER

Despite the relatively small size of Nepal, air travel is an essential part of the transport network. Unfortunately, the air safety record is worse than the road safety record, so you’re essentially placing your life in the hands of the weather gods and pilot skill.

(to be continued)

Gurudwara , Photo: Janin Maj

 

Gurudwara , Photo: Janin Maj

 

Gurudwara , Photo: Janin Maj

 

Gurudwara , Photo: Janin Maj

 

TRANSPORT IN NEPAL 4

 The tourist buses are generally in good condition (depending which you book - Greenline are best), and often stop twice on the way to their destination, so you’ll never be short of food or water. However, we recommend stocking up on the delicious baked goods from Kathmandu or Pokhara before you depart.

Tourist buses can be booked through agents or accommodation providers, or at bus stations. We do recommend purchasing at least two days in advance, especially in peak periods.

TRANSPORT IN NEPAL 3

To put bus travel into perspective, we never spent less than 7hrs on a bus; to travel around 200kms (Kathmandu - Pokhara). Be prepared for a slow, long journey!

Tourist buses connect Kathmandu with Pokhara, Sauraha (Chitwan National Park) and Sonauli, as well as Pokhara with Sauraha and Sonauli. Expect a day (6-9hrs) to travel to any of these destinations.

(to be continued)

TRANSPORT IN NEPAL 2

 Nepal has a shocking road and air safety record, and accidents are very common, so always travel with up to date travel insurance (book here!).

TOURIST BUS

Tourist buses are the cheapest, and dare we say, best way to get around Nepal. The roads though, are shocking and windy, and the traffic appalling.

(to be continued)

TRANSPORT IN NEPAL | How To Get To The Best Places In Nepal

 If there’s one part of Nepal that leaves a lot to be desired, it’s getting around. It’s tough, really tough!

While not a big country, it can take hours to travel even small distances. It is possible to hire a motorcycle, charter a taxi, car or 4WD, (or catch a flight) but the roads are some of the worst we’ve encountered, and public buses are often crowded, uncomfortable and prone to break down.

(to be continued)

OVERLAND TO NEPAL

 The three most common border crossings for tourists include: 

--Sonauli/Belahiya, reachable from Delhi, Varanasi and most of North India (via Gorakhpur); 

--Raxaul/Birgunj, accessible from Bodhgaya and Kolkata via Patna; and 

--Kakarbhitta, serving Darjeeling and Kolkata via Siliguri.

As always, be aware of any scams while crossing the border, including petty theft and money exchange scams.

* Dorothea Mackellar (to be continued)

TRAVELLING OVERLAND TO NEPAL

 A lot of travellers to Nepal combine their visit with a trip to India, via overland

Although we haven’t done this route, we’ve heard from many travellers that it’s relatively pain free. You can book tours/buses through travel agents in Nepal, or jump on a tour such as this one with G Adventures.

There are numerous border crossings between India in the south of Nepal, and can be navigated fairly easily, especially when organised through tour agencies.

* Dorothea Mackellar (to be continued)

FLYING TO KATHMANDU

 Almost all international arrivals into Nepal are through Kathmandu’s international airport.

If travelling over peak periods, book flights months in advance as routes fill up. Only a small number of international airlines fly to Nepal, including Qatar, KLM and Malaysian.

Depending on the time of year, the cost of airfares vary. The timing of the high, low and shoulder seasons differ from airline to airline, and don’t always coincide with tourist seasons.

Note: Nepal’s airport is extremely old and inefficient, so be prepared to wait for immigration/visas, baggage, and baggage checks.

* Dorothea Mackellar (to be continued)

#21 VISIT THE BIRTHPLACE OF BUDDHA, LUMBINI

 A UNESCO World Heritage site of huge global significance, Lumbini is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, otherwise known as Buddha.

The modest Maya Devi Temple is the epicentre for pilgrims keen to pay their respects to Buddha’s birthplace - the temple housing the exact site Buddha was born, with an inscribed pillar found in 1896 amongst ancient monastery ruins. Beyond Buddha’s birthplace, there is the Secret Garden adjoining the temple, replete with ubiquitous prayer flags.

* Dorothea Mackellar (to be continued)

The historic village of Bandipur

 Beautifully preserved traditional houses line the main street and restaurants spill out onto the motor vehicle free streets giving it a distinctly European feel. You can also walk up to the peak which has epic views onto the surrounding valleys below.

We recommend staying in one of the beautiful, quaint main street guesthouses

* Dorothea Mackellar (to be continued)

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