5 Day in Nepal

Old Jun 9th, 2008, 07:52 AM
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5 Day in Nepal

Hi...my husband and i are taking a trip in November..We are going to Jordan for 10 days at the end of the trip...But at the beginning, we have about 14 nights available from Mumbai...

We are planning on visiting our friends in Goa for about a week, and with connections, will allow for about 5 days in Nepal.

What should a person do with 5 days in Nepal?? I know it is not enough time to do Chitwan and Pokhara..but what would be an alternative so we can get out of Kathmandu, even day trips so we can see the countryside, mountains of Nepal?

I appreciate any recommendations!!
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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 08:28 AM
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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!!
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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 08:30 AM
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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.
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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 08:35 AM
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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.
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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 08:37 AM
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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??


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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 08:38 AM
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Yes Kathie, we are posting at the same time..I have not been to Nepal before!!
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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 08:42 AM
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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.

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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 08:50 AM
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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]

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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 08:54 AM
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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!!



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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 09:07 AM
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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.
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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 09:16 AM
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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.
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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 09:35 AM
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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..
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Old Jun 10th, 2008, 05:31 AM
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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.
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Old Jun 10th, 2008, 05:52 AM
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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..]
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Old Jun 10th, 2008, 06:06 AM
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On reflection: it was crap. Location is the only thing going for it.

Go here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...Kathmandu.html
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Old Jun 10th, 2008, 06:32 AM
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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.
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Old Jun 10th, 2008, 09:47 AM
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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??
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Old Jun 10th, 2008, 10:31 AM
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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
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Old Jun 10th, 2008, 11:32 AM
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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.
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Old Jun 10th, 2008, 11:59 AM
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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...
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