Need travel agent and airline recommendations for Nepal trip from U.S.
 

Any airlines to stay away from? thanks!

We need lots more info to be helpful to you. WHere are you flying from? What do you want a travel agent to do for you?

Generally, the cheapest routing to Kathmandu is through Bangkok, but you may find good deals through Hong Kong, SIngapore, or Delhi.

I've never used a travel agent for my trips to Nepal. It is very easy to book your own hotels.

We are going to a wedding in early December. Never been to Nepal or to any of the layover cities. Live in Connecticut, and would either drive to New York or are willing to fly to California if the flight/airline offerings were better. My biggest hurdle right now is choosing airline/flights (any to stay away from? .. re reliability, comfort? any that are really great?). but also interested in some touring/hiking in Nepal and perhaps some sightseeing for a day at one of our layover stops (though this is not of the highest priority).

we flew via delhi...

we flew from nyc on finn air to bkk and from there to india.. we flew home from delhi on finn air.. an excellent and cheap airline..

korean is a good choice from jfk too..

check out continental too.. also brit air and air france and luftansa..

no direct flights to nepal from usa

best hotel in kathmandu is the hyatt... we loved it there.

make sure to visit all the world heritage sites around kathmandu..

click on my name and read my nov, 2011 trip report--"why india, part II"

Are you flying coach or business?

In general, stay away from Air India.

Continental merged into United, and United has a non-stop from Newark to Delhi. From there you can connect on Jet Airways to Kathmandu.

If you can afford it, the best is a non-stop on Singapore Air from Newark to Singapore, an all-Business Class flight. From SIngapore, you can fly on Singapore Air (or maybe it's Silk Air, their subsidary)to Kathmandu.

I took the Dragonair flight out of Hong Kong, which was fine. Also consider the Courtyard Hotel for a less westernized (but still comfortable) experience in Kathmandu - http://hotelcourtyard.com/. You shouldn't miss the Everest flight.

Thanks to all who have replied so far. i am feeling overwhelmed with all the things to consider: flight layover times (how much is enough), itinerary/timing once we arrive, who to hire to take us around, whether we need to prepare for more than just bringing a passport. This is why i would love to find a reputable and knowledgeable travel agent to handle all this stuff!

You don't need a guide, and you don't need to arrange transport ahead of time. You can book flights and buses after you arrive, through your hotel if necessary. There are loads of taxis, and again, your hotel can arrange a car and driver if that's what you want.

Don't stress over the layovers - I always leave at least two hours if I'm not changing terminals and more if I am. These days, with more time than money I'm likely to leave three to four hours regardless.

You need credit and debit cards that don't charge high foreign transaction fees (hint: Capital One and credit unions) and you need to tell their issuers that you're traveling abroad. You also need a guidebook or two. You don't need a TA.

Start by buying a guidebook.

You can get a visa on arrival at the Kathmandu airport. You need to make hotel reservations, but other than that you don't need to engage a guide or driver ahead of time. You really don't need a guide... official guides are available at each of the Durbar Squares.

If you are really nervous about layovers, purchase your flights all on one ticket. That assures you have legal layover times.

My trip report is a few years old, but it does cover all the nitty-gritty details:

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...mandu-2008.cfm