Nepal - Kathmandu

[iceblendedchoc]

Planning a trip next March . Is 7 days enough for the city itself?any recommendation for day trip?

 

[zhaohan]

i think its more than enough
this is quite a good guide: https://www.thelongestwayhome.com/travel-guides/nepal/kathmandu-city-travel-guide.html

 

[artemov]

Pashupatinath is a must go ... very atmospheric place with real cremation ... the smaller alleys are like a step back in time.

I find Boudhanath less interesting ... Kathmandu Durbar Square is quite nice too ... did not go to Patan and Bhaktapur though.

7 days is quite long for KTM alone. Maybe can go to one of the hill stations to look at the mountains, though in Mar the dust and clouds might have already arrived.

 

[zenotic]

You can go to Pokhara if you got 2-3 days to spare, about 4-6 hours drive from KTM. If you haven't got so much time can consider Dhulikhel or Nagarkot, they got nice mountain resorts there.

I frequent Nepal for expeditions, let me know if you need someone locally for assistance.

 

[zhenyuan_2000]

Hi.

Not sure if it is good to go to Nepal from late Nov to late dec?

After the earthquake how is the situation there?

Need to apply visa?

Thanks!

You can go to Pokhara if you got 2-3 days to spare, about 4-6 hours drive from KTM. If you haven't got so much time can consider Dhulikhel or Nagarkot, they got nice mountain resorts there.

I frequent Nepal for expeditions, let me know if you need someone locally for assistance.

 

[freewilly5000]

Better check on the Nepalese embassy website for this info - I went to the area in November .... cold but no snow - nice for hiking

 

[maumu]

i'm going this Nov to hike the AC again... depends on elevation, temperature can be warm in the day (tee shirt, berms) to freezing at night.

Lowlands are OK (Pokhara, KTM) at night to go out in casuals but not if you're up in the mountains.

They are still restoring Durbar Square last December. Don't think they will be done anytime soon.

Visa can be done on arrival at the terminal.

 

[zhenyuan_2000]

So to do AC, it will be not advisable from dec 1-18 ? Read somewhere till early dec.

What is your take?

i'm going this Nov to hike the AC again... depends on elevation, temperature can be warm in the day (tee shirt, berms) to freezing at night.

Lowlands are OK (Pokhara, KTM) at night to go out in casuals but not if you're up in the mountains.

They are still restoring Durbar Square last December. Don't think they will be done anytime soon.

Visa can be done on arrival at the terminal.

 

[maumu]

So to do AC, it will be not advisable from dec 1-18 ? Read somewhere till early dec.

What is your take?

can. in fact, I was there until 14 dec last year. went as high as tilicho lake which was just below 5000m, but had to abandon the rest of the hike due to stomach illness.

there are lesser people hiking in dec so you'll get quieter lodges, less crowded trails. in fact, mostly you'll be alone (or with your walking partners).

only troublesome thing is that the sun sets early (like 5.20pm) so you have to plan your walks in good time.

i'm going two weeks earlier this year... probably more crowded but hopefully less cold at the top too.

 

[kitkat2]

So to do AC, it will be not advisable from dec 1-18 ? Read somewhere till early dec.

What is your take?

imho, december is the best time for nepal. cold nights but clear crisp sky. avoid the xmas to new year week though. tons of tourists from the west and japan trying to clear their annual leaves.

 

[maumu]

yup if u can take cold, go early December. But weather no guarantee clear sky every day. When I was there last year, it got cloudy and eventually snow storm for 2 days over Manang region. No electricity and very depressing ;(

 

[kitkat2]

yup if u can take cold, go early December. But weather no guarantee clear sky every day. When I was there last year, it got cloudy and eventually snow storm for 2 days over Manang region. No electricity and very depressing ;(

yeah, you were very unlucky.. but only 2 days out of 2 weeks trek

 

[zhenyuan_2000]

How is AC like? I have only done trekking in Peru (max 8 days longest, while others are 4 days usually) (with a guide usually) and Patagonia (10 days).

For AC is it tougher? Need a guide? Need tent? Food? ( because Patagonia my fren and I brought a tent and food)

Thanks for the reassurance. I shall bring more layers of clothes. And later of sleeping material

yup if u can take cold, go early December. But weather no guarantee clear sky every day. When I was there last year, it got cloudy and eventually snow storm for 2 days over Manang region. No electricity and very depressing ;(

 

[maumu]

How is AC like? I have only done trekking in Peru (max 8 days longest, while others are 4 days usually) (with a guide usually) and Patagonia (10 days).

For AC is it tougher? Need a guide? Need tent? Food? ( because Patagonia my fren and I brought a tent and food)

Thanks for the reassurance. I shall bring more layers of clothes. And later of sleeping material

it's not tough if you're fit (no need to be super fit, but at least decent). guide is not necessary, but if you're with a bunch of friends it's probably better to share a porter to ease your load. I was alone so I had to carry all my stuff myself.

no need tent... it's village hopping so you get to sleep in simple lodges, and u get your meals from them too (all meals).

 

[kitkat2]

How is AC like? I have only done trekking in Peru (max 8 days longest, while others are 4 days usually) (with a guide usually) and Patagonia (10 days).

For AC is it tougher? Need a guide? Need tent? Food? ( because Patagonia my fren and I brought a tent and food)

Thanks for the reassurance. I shall bring more layers of clothes. And later of sleeping material

AC isn't as tough as it used to be. a road is being built, i heard motorbikes can now reach manang. AC can now be done in less number of days.

it's a tea house trek. no need guide, no need to camp. just bring enough rupees.

 

[zhenyuan_2000]

Thanks kitkat2 and maumu,

That mean I don’t have to lug food around.
But what abt water? Thermos for hot water.

No chance of shower? (Dreaming I am)

The signage are adequate? Any map to recommend? Mapsme good?

AC isn't as tough as it used to be. a road is being built, i heard motorbikes can now reach manang. AC can now be done in less number of days.

it's a tea house trek. no need guide, no need to camp. just bring enough rupees.

 

[maumu]

Thanks kitkat2 and maumu,

That mean I don’t have to lug food around.
But what abt water? Thermos for hot water.

No chance of shower? (Dreaming I am)

The signage are adequate? Any map to recommend? Mapsme good?

yup I used mapsme. actually google maps also can... you can download their offline maps.

it's also good to buy a physical copy of the map when you're in KTM. quite cheap.

there's only one main route to take, with some trails which you can try that deviates slightly from the main road. up till Manang region it's not difficult to follow. but no experience yet after Manang for me.

I got shower up till Manang. hot shower. but u need to get there early like 3+pm latest to wash up in case the lodging uses solar heaters. when the sun is down, it can also get so cold you may be put off showering... you can still buy a pail of hot water from the lodge but it's quite difficult to shower in the cold (for me).

some lodges' showers are really, really basic. and it can be quite creepy when you see spiders and whatnot above you, or hiding in the corners ~.~

at tilicho I didn't shower. simply too cold and tired. no electricity also so no heater at night. just use wet wipes to clean up a bit and go to bed.

I got sick after tilicho and suspect it was due to water. you see, water in Nepal is not portable. so you have to either keep buying bottled water (the best option but least environmentally friendly), or you have to sterilize the water with purifying tablets.

I chose the latter and regretted. the water is just not clean enough. started losing my appetite after a few days and my stomach went into a rage (spasm), always having the urge to vomit but actually is just stomach acid/saliva that kind.

I see the angmos always buy the bottled water... will do so this coming trip for health sake. but to reduce plastic pollution, will ask for or buy boiled water before leaving lodge each day and store in own bottle.

 

[zhenyuan_2000]

So boiling water is safer but also to maybe good to drink less. Since temperature is not hot to kill germs?

As for maps.me, will the signage be posted on maps me? Like in hk the trails are all on maps.me....

yup I used mapsme. actually google maps also can... you can download their offline maps.

it's also good to buy a physical copy of the map when you're in KTM. quite cheap.

there's only one main route to take, with some trails which you can try that deviates slightly from the main road. up till Manang region it's not difficult to follow. but no experience yet after Manang for me.

I got shower up till Manang. hot shower. but u need to get there early like 3+pm latest to wash up in case the lodging uses solar heaters. when the sun is down, it can also get so cold you may be put off showering... you can still buy a pail of hot water from the lodge but it's quite difficult to shower in the cold (for me).

some lodges' showers are really, really basic. and it can be quite creepy when you see spiders and whatnot above you, or hiding in the corners ~.~

at tilicho I didn't shower. simply too cold and tired. no electricity also so no heater at night. just use wet wipes to clean up a bit and go to bed.

I got sick after tilicho and suspect it was due to water. you see, water in Nepal is not portable. so you have to either keep buying bottled water (the best option but least environmentally friendly), or you have to sterilize the water with purifying tablets.

I chose the latter and regretted. the water is just not clean enough. started losing my appetite after a few days and my stomach went into a rage (spasm), always having the urge to vomit but actually is just stomach acid/saliva that kind.

I see the angmos always buy the bottled water... will do so this coming trip for health sake. but to reduce plastic pollution, will ask for or buy boiled water before leaving lodge each day and store in own bottle.

 

[maumu]

So boiling water is safer but also to maybe good to drink less. Since temperature is not hot to kill germs?

As for maps.me, will the signage be posted on maps me? Like in hk the trails are all on maps.me....

Don't recall seeing signage on the mapsme app.. not really sure what you mean actually. I used it just like a normal map.

the physical map has trails that are well marked out (different color). I personally still prefer the physical map.

 

[zhenyuan_2000]

Just got my air ticket. 26 nov- 24 dec. flight by Malaysia airlines. 492.3 sgd. good price!