Well actually, since i first posted this i have found some ideas what we could do with 5 days.

Nov 15th..Arrive Kathmandu

Nov 16 Tour around Kathmandu

Nov 17 Fly to Pokhara

Nov 18 Sunrise tour to Sarangkot

Nov 19 Fly to Kathmandu, remainder of day free

Nov 20th..Fly to Bombay

Now my question is...how would i go about booking an independent tour with this itinerary?? Any recommendations of a local tour agent??

Thanks!!

Tracy, as you know, we're headed to Nepal in October. I've been there before, but we will still spend all 8 of our days in Nepal in the Kathmandu Valley.

Really, the only way you are likely to see the mountains is to take the flight on Buddha Air to see Everest. It's a dramatic flight, and it's the only way in your short time that you'll get any sense of the Himalayas.

There are lots of day trips outside of Kathmandu - you'll want to visit Patan and Baktapur - but there is plenty in Kathmandu as well. Do know that Nepal is almost entirely deforested, so your drives in the countryside may not be what you are anticipating. There are a couple of places outside of Kathmandu where people go to "see" the mountains. I don't recommend either of them. There is a old Hindu temple (whose name escapes me at present) that is well worth going to, and the drive there will give you a sense of the countryside.

Tracy, we were posting at the same time.

Have you been to Nepal before? Travel in Nepal is not exceptionally reliable. You will likely spend a lot of your time waiting in airports. (There is a lot of fog, and planes can't take off or land in the very thick fog). When I was in Kathmandu in 1994, we spent half a day in the airport to take our 45 minute flight. We had the first flight in the morning, and we didn't take off until afternoon.

I don't know about whther you are likely to see the mountain sunrise from Sarangkot or not. But I would check on that before committing time to it.

Kathie, do u think that the tour i have come up with above is too much for 5 days??

We are really get up and go people and like to see as much as we can...but would like at least 1 full day in Kathmandu to unwind!!

We will have 8 days to relax in Goa after Nepal!!

How are u getting around Nepal and where are u staying in Kathmandu??

Yes Kathie, we are posting at the same time..I have not been to Nepal before!!

Hi Tracy: I'm just back from 20 days in KTM.
You might like to refer to these recent posts as well as Kathie's good advice

'Which town for Himalayian views?'
and
'India in June...need planning help'

I've been on the bloody sunrise tour to Saranagot. And Pokhara.

Frankly, I'd just stay in KTM for the 5 days. And do the flight - just recco'd by Mr. Fun yesterday BTW.

The obvious hotel choices are Dwarika's and Hyatt [Club floor]

Okay...i am getting the impression after reading some of your posts dogster and Kathie, that staying in Kathmandu for the 5 days and doing day trips would be the right thing to do..

I have also looked at those same hotels and will more than likely book 1 of them, unless i find something else while researching.

Do u guys have a recommended tour company to use in Kathmandu?? I am sure u have already posted it, but if u wouldn't mind posting it again...i have been up til all hours trying to plan this holiday and booking flights etc so i am getting delirious!!

Do it thru the hotels. Easy as pie.

Gotta go to bed now [I'm in Australia] I'll pick up your progress in the morning.

There is so much to do and see in the Kathmandu Valley, believe me you won't be bored with 5 days there - you'll wish you had more time. I have to say, I chuckled at your idea of having one day to unwind in Kathmandu!

You don't need a tour company to do any of this. Your hotel can arrange the Everset flight if you want to do that. And otherwise, you just need a car and driver. When I was last in Kathmandu, we found ourselves a car and driver through the hotel. It's pretty easy to do. Plot out the things you want to see most - there is a lot, so you'll have to be selective. Also, make sure you spend some time wandering... the Durbar squares of all three cities are walking spaces. And I'm looking forward to staying at the Hyatt where I can walk to Bodanath at various times of the day.

Oh i know Kathie, there won't be much unwinding in Kathmandu..but after flying for almost 3 days, it will be unwinding to me!!!

Thanks so much for all your valuable info..i really feel a weight lifted off my shoulder.

I wish we had more time, but we are packing in quite abit in a month, and will be happy to go to Nepal no matter how much time we have!!

Durbar Square is on the top of my list in Kathmandu!!

I am sure i will have more q's later, but now i must book my flights.

Thanks again..

Let us know how your trip goes! We have a month in Nepal and India in January 2009 and this time we have not used a tour agent and found it easy to do ourselves. We will save hiring drivers etc until we get there.
We are staying at Yak and Yeti...anyone experienced this hotel..since we still have time to change.

heya Mince: yup, I've stayed there, about 12 months ago Deluxe room Durbar wing.

It's very very.. average. Perfectly O.K. if average is what you want. Tour group kinda place. But, it's way closer to Thamel than the others mentioned here and within walking distance of a lotta backpackery kinda stuff, shops and restaurants. Which is perfectly fine.

I wouldn't eat there tho' - breakfast was average too.

[Gawd - just checked the Jan. rates - for $2 more you can stay at the Hyatt.. I know which one I'D choose..]

On reflection: it was crap. Location is the only thing going for it.

Go here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293890-d305977-Reviews-Hotel_Yak_Yeti-Kathmandu.html

The Yak and Yeti used to be THE place to stay in Kathmandu. Alas! No more. As dogster says, the location is great - unfortunately, nothing else is.

Hey what about Hotel Courtyard??...it is number 1 on trip advisor (not that that means anything)..but my husband figures that because we are in Kathmandu for such a short time we should be right in the action.

And it does look nice.

I was gonna book the Hyatt but am now thinking of the Hotel Courtyard.

Any opinions??

Just to put my 2 cents in I totally agree with the others in you would not regret spending the 5 days in Kathmandu. Glad you are on that track now. There is so much to see there you will easily fill up your time. Sorry I can't help with hotels it has been too long since I was there.
J

Tracy, I know nothing about the Hotel Courtyard so I can't help with that.

When your husband says he wants to be "right in the middle of the action" I'd point out that there are a number of different places in Kathmandu that I would consider to be right in the middle of the action. Some people consider Thamel to be right in the middle of the action (though, personally, I wouldn't want to stay there - a nice place to visit, but...) It's the backpacker area, the area with the trekking agencies, the stalls of booksellers recycling the paperbacks people have been bringing with them to Nepal since the 1960s.

I stayed at the Yak and Yeti previously, and loved the location - it was walkable to Durbar square, I actually got to see the king going from the Palace to the Parliment when I was there. The Yak and Yeti has gone downhill a lot, and I wouldn't stay there now.

The Hyatt is close to Bodunath, walkable, in fact, and there is certainly quinessential Nepali action at Boudnath. And Darkwila's is close to Pashupatinath (again, walkable), another place full of action.

Tracy: I ain't bin to the Hotel Courtyard but I've spent many dissolute hours in Thamel and these things I can say..

You'll certainly have easy access to every drug you've ever heard of - and quite a few you haven't - right outside your door. The going tourist rate for 10 grams of hash is 2,500 rupees.

You'll be able to run a gauntlet of thanka sellers, rickshaw drivers and junkies every morning when you head out to breakfast.

You'll be able to relive those backpacker/hippie days of yore while dodging the motorbikes and traffic.

You'll have easy access to drunks and incredibly young, vacant faced gap-year students 'living out the dream' in an area custom made for the breed. You certainly won't have to dress for dinner.

I was first in KTM in 1971 when I too was a youthful traveller living out that same dream when Thamel was just a field with cows roaming - 'the action' is a construct, literally, not authentic KTM. [not that anything is, these days] But, hey, it's just what you think KTM SHOULD be and that's enough for most. Kathmanduland.

Notice how the reviews say how peaceful it is in the midst of Thamel.. that's because Thamel is LOUD and dirty.

But you can sit and drink coffee and think you look cooool in a million little cafes and buy every piece of knock-off Nepali tat in the world at stupid tourist prices and even believe, for a couple of days, that everybody you meet DOESN'T want your money. And while it lasts it might be fun - till the scales fall from your eyes..

Mmmm - those soft beds and five star service at the Hyatt, that huge swimming pool and the spa, those massages and Club Floor canapes, the restaurants and the landscaped gardens just seem like a cop-out, don't they?

All of 15 minutes and a $2.50 cab ride away...

hmmm..interesting comment dogster!!! I would like to think of myself as a well travelled women in my 40's that has grown up somewhat.....but some of those things u are saying sound like i might just wanna experience that side of Kathmandu and make my opinion about it myself...so now u have got me intrigued..

However the comfy beds and massages also sound very good indeed.but i have that nice comfy bed and live luxurious at home in a small quiet town and sometimes when i travel like to experience something a little different and get into that tacky tourist scene lol..will have to give this some thought!!

But i see what u are saying also..as i feel like that about Goa and when i visit... like to stay away from the crowds and commercialized crap and stay in a nice quiet area with a little luxury!! But my first trip there was more than happy to be in the thick of things.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!!

I note also that those 10 glowing reviews about Hotel Couryard all [bar 1] occur between March 5 and May 31 this year. Which usually means theres a bit of pro-activity going on...

Flooding Tripadvisor with positive posts is a sure way to get to the top of the list very fast.

Lol - it was the cheap hashish that tipped the balance....

Kathie i did not see your post..just noticed it..but i do see your point as well..As i am torn between my tacky tourist side and my cultural side!!

I think i would be happy staying anywhere as i am very tolerable and love to experience almost anything...

The rest of my 3 weeks after Kathmandu are going to be quite primitive as i have booked a quiet hotel in Goa away from all the hustle and bustle and staying in some very isolated places in Jordan..

I am torn though at the moment of where to stay, it will be the Hyatt or the Courtyard...

I would probably be happier staying near Durbar Square though..but i guess it will just be a cab ride away from anywhere we stay..

Thanks for your input...

Hmmm, now i am wondering where i really do wanna stay!!

I just looked up Yak and Yeti...but apparently that is not a good hotel either..and it is quite expensive!!!

Decisions!!

I have just emailed the Courtyard Hotel for availablity, but am now having thoughts of the Hyatt again...as it does look lovely and peaceful..

One benefit i can see is the the Courtyard Hotel is quite abit cheaper than the Hyatt, therefore leaving me more money to shop in Dubai when we get there at the end of the holiday!!

Intuition tells me that you should stay in Thamel and jump right into the middle of it.

That same intuition also tells me that Hotel Courtyard [which nobody had ever heard of till this year] is No. I because they have cyber-bombed Tripadvisor - but there are another 7000 places to choose from within about three feet.

To quote the immortal words of Zorba the Greek 'Life IS trouble - only death is not. To be alive is to undo your belt and LOOK for trouble.'

You'll be in the right place.

Hi TracyB,

I am suggesting you to follow the program as listed below:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 02: Drive to Chitwan by a private car (one day chitwan activities)
Day 03: Drive to Pokhara by a private car ( Pokhara City Tour)
Day 04: Drive to Sarankot for sunrise view and return to Pokhara. Afternoon flight to Kathmandu.
Day 05: Deparutre.

dogster....i am having second thoughts on the Courtyard and warming up to the Hyatt!!! Staying near Bodnath sounds a little more spiritual and relaxing....i had not researched Kathmandu enough before i started asking questions on the forum.

But having said that...When i was just in Buenos Aires...everyone told me not to stay on Florida Street...and we did and loved it...Also when we visited New York..everyone advised me not to stay near Time Square...and we did and loved it too!! When in Amsterdam, we prefer the central location...but would not stay in the seedy Damrak!!!

I guess it just depends on what frame of mind u are in at the time..

I am beginning to smell the fumes and the noise and chaos in Thamel and wonder if we will wanna spend our 5 nights there...but on the other hand, we just may like it!!

U would have to know us, as we really fit in almost anywhere...and really enjoy almost everywhere we go..And will find something good in everything we see and do!!

So i will give it some more thought and hope i make the right decision!!!

But regardless...cant wait to get to Kathmandu...

I will let u know what hotel i choose!!! Maybe i will pick a different one all together!!

Lol Tracy - you must drive your husband crazy - but you make me smile. You sound like a lovely person. I hope we all find ourselves together in the same backpacker hovel one day - I'm sure I'd laugh a lot.

BTW - as if you didn't know, ignore Suryashrestha who is a Nepali travel agent and quite the most stupid man on the planet.

[Happy 28th birthday for the 17th June, Surya. Now, please - go away.]

How did u know i drive my husband crazy!! lol And thanks (for saying i sound like a lovely person), i love to travel and will put up with almost anything i have to in order to enjoy myself...

And u know..sometimes backpacker hotels are fun..We stay in one in Bombay...whenever we pass through, and have gained some insight on budget travel...and met some really down to earth people...But at the end of the day.. there is nothing better than staying in a hotel with a big fluffy pillows and a thick matress!!

Anyways

Now...how will i ever plan everything there is to do in Kathmandu in just 5 days!!!

Hello TracyB,
Namaste(A local form of greeting) from Nepal,

It's really pleasure to hear that you are extremely more interest on travelling to Nepal on november.08

Infact,I read all the post here and I couldn't see any one of the posters been mentioned here the weather update on Nov. Because once if you are travelling somewhere,weather report should be informed in advance right? So, I here by would like to write you the weather update in nov.like as normally it gets cold during morning and evening(+ 9 degree celsious)similarly at afternoon you will get +17 to 20 degree celcious.

Secondly, if you are here in Nepal just for 5 days whydon't you try to spend your overnight at the mountain instead of Kathmandu city because as you know that kathamndu is pretty much polluted and dust that's why take a transport at the airport and head straight way to the mountain side which is call Nagarkot and it lies on east kathmandu and 1 hour drive from City.

Similarly,Let me tell you the benefit of this hillstation,weather in november is absoultely amazing and wonderful to see the himalayan rages of eastern nepal like as Mt.Kanchangunga,Makalu,Everest(Top of the world),Nilgiri,Lakpla dorje,Langtang,malaslu and much more.

So, wake up early in the morning and try to view from your windows to the east and you will know what is Nepal and ofcourse you will ignore to leave this village and I am sure the local village and the atmosphere by the nepalese people won't let you go from there.

Similarly,then later you may drive back to kathmandu and on the way back visit Bhaktapur city which has known by the ancient city of Nepal and very popular for clay pottery made by the local people for more details please kindly look www.corsanepal.com,similarly you will find more information of major temples,stupas,durbar squars and ofcourse about pokhara.

I know if the posters look my views I will definitely get some negative response but still i can say as member of fodor's I can write the experiences that I have got in my working period and hope all will understand of my post. Thanking you and wish your kind comments..
N.D

Even tho' Nakul is, of course, trying to flog his company, his advice is perfectly reasonable. He's not a total idiot, like most of his colleagues who come in here.

You could head off up to Nagarkot just for a night. Posters in here, me included, don't find it riveting tourism, but it's a perfectly valid suggestion, particularly as Bhaktapur is on the way [which you should see] and November, as he says, is a great time for views.

An afternoon in Bhaktapur, [30 mins outta KTM] a nice late arvo drive up to Nagarkot [max 1 hour], a glimpse of the countryside, fresh air, dinner and overnight, wake up crack 'o dawn for the view and back to KTM after breakfast would be a perfectly good thing to do and wouldn't interrupt the flow of your incredible adventure one bit.

Nor, actually, would it eat into your KTM sightseeing time. You could leave your bags at the hotel and just take overnite stuff.

So let's not crucify him [too much] for advertising.

Hmmmm!! More things to think about, although i wouldn't mind leaving Kathmandu for an afternoon, i now have lots of things to think about.

I did get an email response back from the Courtyard Hotel and for a Junior Suite, 75.00 per night plus taxes..I think taxes are like 25%.

And the Hyatt Regency is 180.00 for a King Club Room...

I guess in reality..how much will we really be in our room as apparently there is so much to do in Kathmandu, we will probably only be in our room for breakfast!! And then to sleep!!

But i still don't know which hotel i will book.

Well good thing we are not going til November, as i have alot of time to think this out.

I wonder what would be the most important things to see in Kathmandu??

Tracy, you have the whole Kathmandu valley to think about. There are three cities, Kathmandu, Patan and Baktapur. All three have Durbar squares, all three are very differnt, all three are woth visiting. Then there are some of the major Stupas, such as Boudnath and Swayambhunath, and the Hindu cremation site of Pashupatinath. Then there is the oldest temple in Nepal, Changu Narayan Temple, which is out in the countryside - nice drive. Also, there is the Tibetan refugee camp in Patan... go buy a Tibetan carpet there.

And, of course, there are all the fascinating experiences you stumble across... the house of the living goddess, the throwback to the late 1960s on Freak Street or in Thamel, the booksellers who have carefuly alphabetised the books by the first name of the author (or the first word or the title or - take a look and guess at the organizing principle). There are the flute sellers, the craftspeople working on objects ("Do you know what he is making? He is making it old!), the meditation of thangka painting.

Thanks Kathie, i have been reading up on all the things to see in Kathmandu and trying to figure out in my mind which ones appeal to me most.

I have always had this vision of exploring Durbar Square (i was not aware there was more than 1)...So that is on the top of my list...Freak Street is also of course something appealing to me.

Boudnath and Swayambhunath, and the Hindu cremation site of Pashupatinath are of great interest to me as well..

And then of course like u said, just things that come up!! And i am looking forward to the hustle and bustle of Thamel as well (to a certain degree).

I now wish we had more time..But this holiday started out as a trip to Jordan...with a stop in Dubai on the way home, and then we decided that we would be so close to Goa, that we should stop in and visit our friends...and then decided to add on Kathmandu...

Originally this trip was gonna be taking the train from Beijing to Lhasa...then flying to Kathmandu and exploring all of Nepal...however it all got changed with the happenings in Tibet, we decided to go next year instead and then do Tibet and some of China!!

Oh!! How complicated my travel life has become lol..But i just wanna make the best of our time in Kathmandu, but don't wanna pack in sooo much that we won't enjoy the journey!!

But i really appreciate your advice, cause i do need it on this trip!!

There's not much to see in Freak Street these days - I made that nostalgic journey last time I was there. I was looking for the remnants of the Inn Eden Coffee house - which had, on a menu I still have, hashish grilled cheese slices.

Alas, gone - like my youth.

Lonely Planet gives details of a nifty walk from Thamel to Durbar Square - which is a great way to approach that Square of your dreams.. you'll have the opportunity to follow dogster's footsteps and see if you, too, get lost as many times as I did. Many a little temple on the way.. just like you want it to be. And this part, unlike Thamel, is the real deal.

I might even pop back to KTM in August after my Hoogli cruise out of Kolkata. My desk is strewn with KTM objects d'art - always room for more. So, if you need despatches from the front line I might be able to help.

But will the living goddess be there?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7440410.stm

Ya i didn't think there would be much at Freak Street..but that walk from Thamel to Durbar Square, sounds awesome..and i bet we will get lost more times than u, as that is what we are famous for!!!

I have a copy of the Lonely Planet, but i need to get new glasses (yes bifocals!!) in order to read it because the print is soo small!!

You sure do get around dogster!! So if u do go back to KTM, u can check out the Courtyard Hotel!!

Cause i think i will reserve both hotels, and cancel one after i decide, as the Courtyard has not even asked for a visa number to hold the res, and at the Hyatt u can cancel up to 24 hours prior!!

Dogster, I was aware of the issues around the living goddess... who knows if there will be one by this fall? At one point the Maoists announced that there would be no living goddess, that this was a remnant of the old decadent monarchy. But I will probably go by the house of the living goddess nonetheless.

Is there anything left of Freak Street these days? besides some very old freaks, I mean!

Namaste Tracy

I see you have had a lot of replies so I shall try to reply to your original post.
You mentioned an idea of
Nov 15 Arrive Kathmandu
Nov 16 Tour around Kathmandu
Nov 17 Fly to Pokhara
Nov 18 Sunrise tour to Sarangkot
Nov 19 Fly to Kathmandu, remainder of day free
Nov 20th..Fly to Bombay

Nov 15th - If your flight is in the morning you can do part of Kathmandu valley that afternoon, to include Durbar Square, Swayambanuth and Bhoudenath. If you have time, the public cremations on the Bagmati are interested.
Nov 16 - you can do the every flights (about 4120) and then drive out to Patan which is really pretty and have an evening at a good local haunt like Fire and Ice or Rumdoodles.
Nov 17 - Pokhara is fine but you may also want to consider Nagarkot up on the hill with good views of the valley. Overnight Nagarkot
You could spend 2 days there or do your original idea of Pokhara and stay at Fish Tail Lodge. 1 or 2 nights max is plenty. It really all depends on what interests you both ie., culture, scenery, etc.

I would not recommend a day trip to Chitwan. It is a long way and you will be disappointed that you did not stay longer.

Thanks for your suggestions!!

I'm sure Kathie, that once they know you're coming, they'll appoint a living goddess quick smart - and if they don't, well, there's a position vacant that you could fill very well.

After all, I consider you Fodor's living goddess.

It'd just mean a change of house, a costume or two and an appearance before crowds of adoring tourists a coupla times a day.

Not a lot of difference, really.

As for Freak Street - I was the only old freak there - there were a few young wanna-be's stumbling around [who looked, to my grizzled eyes, like 12 year olds] but the 'vibe' has loooong gone. Like mine.

Alas, I look more like a businessman than a freak these days. But deep in my heart, Santana is still playing....

Dogster, I must be working too hard - I missed your post until now. LOL - Fodors living goddess...

well, Tracy, first of all congratulations for choosing such a nice destination even for a short period of time. After your trip to Jordan and India, Nepal is totally new world for you. The scenic grandeur of Nepal is gonna mesmerize you for sure! Let me first have a detail of what exactly you wanna see. If you are interested in natural beauty then I suggest Pokhara, and for the cultural diversity Kathmandu valley and Chitwan have it all. There are numerous trekking agencies in Kathmandu who can make your day with all the travel arrangements. If you have further quiries please let me know. Have a nice holiday.
cheers!!

Tracy, For what it's worth, I stayed at the Hyatt in Kathmandu in Feb. and found it a true 4-5 star hotel. It is near enough tourist atractions to be convenient to them without being in the midst of them, which I considered an advantage. There is certainly enough to do in the Khatmandu Valley towns to fill 5 days if you do day trips to the other major valley towns. Each has its own Durbar Square and many interesting temples.

Thanks Shelley...i have booked the Courtyard Hotel already..but i am also booking the Hyatt and gonna decide which one to keep and then cancel the other one..

I am stil also deciding what we will do when we get there..but i have a pretty good idea just have to plan it all out..so that we can make the best of our 5 days!!

I am sure we will go back to Nepal another time..so if we don't see everything this time..we can do it another time.

Hey Kathie..if u read this..when u go to Kathmandu in Oct..if u happen to see the Courtyard Hotel..it would be great if u could check it out and see what it is like and then let me know!!

Thanks for your advice Nakul.

Hey does anyone know if it is possible to just do Nagarkot as a day trip and then head back to Kathmandu in the late afternoon, or would it be a waste of time??

It's both very possible, and a waste of time, IMO.

So Kathy..are u saying it is a waste of time to go to Nagarkot..or is it a waste of time to do a day trip there? Cause i think if we go we would stay the night at Club Himilaya??

You can certainly do so if you'd like. People go to Nagarkot to see the sunrise over the Himalayas. The chances of actually seeing the Himalayas are rather slim. Nagarkot itself it not especially beautiful or interesting.

It really depends on how you want to spend your time. Personally, I wouldn't do a day trip to Nagarkot nor would I stay overnight there.

PS And I wouldn't stay at the Courtyard if you paid me. But you might love it - only you can judge.

OK, thanks for ur opinion Kathie!!

Hi We went to nepal in February (with our 3 year old). We spent 3 nights in Kathmandu. 3 nights in Chitwan and 3 nights in Pokhara.
The highlight was definitely the jungle Chitwan. It was SOO different. (We live in Singapore and do lots of local travelling so are quite accustomed to big asian cities, and Kathmandu was not all that special - apart from the old city and the temples.) But the roads out are painful and extremely slow, so if you want to go to Chitwan or Pokhara you must fly (we used Yeti). Pokhara was nice (we stayed at Fishtail Lodge). Visit the tibetan refugee 'capms'.
We used a terrific local agent, Nakul. corsanepal@wlink.com.np. He was reliable, responsible and reasonably priced. I highly recommend him.

Thanks for that info hup!!! We are still not sure what we are doing..I have booked the Courtyard Hotel for 5 nights in Kathmandu...but still may change..

There is a possibility we may extend our stay, therefore we would be able to see more...but we aren't going til November, so still have lots of time to figure it out!!

Hi Tracy!
On Dogster's advice, I stayed at the Hyatt in Kathmandu in early June for 3 nights.

Book the club floor and book direct with the hotel (not central reservations) and get breakfast and airport transfers included.

The grounds are BEAUTIFUL!
The Food is Excellent (i'm fussy!).

They have complimentary hors d'ouevres from 530pm to 730pm, AND complimentary drinks (beers, wine, mixed drinks, soft drinks). You could almost fill up here...Ask Dogster!!! Oh, he's quite familiar with the 530pm arrangement!

The rooms are very nice. We (my adult son) and I had a 2 queen room on the 6th floor (club floor). If I went back with my wife we'd book a similar King room...the bathrooms have the potential to be VERY romantic (large tub, spacious shower). This is the type of hotel a husband books to ensure his wife is only pleasantly surprised! You can't go wrong...kudos to Dogster!!

You want to unwind? Have your free 530pm drink and browse through the many picture books the Club Floor has available for your perusal.

If you get a pool view you'll be able to see the Stuppa. It's a 10 minute walk through the adjacent neighbourhood.

There is a travel rep in the Hyatt lobby, and one at the end of the (gated) entrance to the Hyatt at the main road (a 2 minute walk from reception).

I saw a bunch of the hotels others have mentioned on here...I challenge you to beat the Hyatt's reputation in KTM.

Finally, we did the "mountain flight" with Yeti Airlines. It was $175 Cdn/Us per person. You should be able to work in free transfers and avoid the $12 per person charge i think some agencies charge. The flights leave from 630am to about 9am before the clouds roll in. If you don't go due to weather they'll book you on the next day's flight. If you still don't go, they'll refund you, or rebook you....your choice.

Understand that I don't owe Dogster any money, but I will publicly acknowledge his advice about KTM (and Kolkata, for that matter) was bang on. You can trust it!

Good luck.

Woo hoo!
Now that's what I like to hear - praise.

oooooohhhh..... u guys are really trying to convince me to stay at the Hyatt...oh what oh what shall i do???!!!!

Dogster, any chance of a brief report on Nepal before you head off to India again?

Yes that would be nice!!

Put it this way, Tracy, I'd book the Hyatt next time JUST for the bathroom!

(and the 530pm gastronomy festivities!)

Nahh Kathie, I'm on my countdown now... which means I make a list then worry about how I haven't worked my way thru it. Just six more sleeps. So later. I'll only be gone a month. I still haven't finally decided where I'll go. This is a crap time to visit India. Monsoon. But it's just a quickie.

Have a great time, dogster!