- Kathmandu
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Nepal
Kiran Chitrakar is a cameraman for Nepal State Television and his father and grandfather were court photographers. Kiran has inherited their vast photographic archive, all on large glass negative slides, which he keeps at home. A visit to Kiran is not only a fascinating experience, but it is also the chance to peruse the photographs as high-quality black and white prints, and to purchase some as a really original, reasonably-priced holiday souvenir. There are photographs of 1950s (and earlier) Nepali life as well as well-known monuments such as Bouddhanath before tourism changed Nepal.
Kiran's mobile number is 00977 9851 061961. Arrange to meet him so that he can take you to his house. He lives in Bhimsensthan, near Kathmandu's Durbar Square.
Google map: bit.ly/gb8uPX
Trekking to Everest Base Camp is one of the outstanding "must do" adventure trips for all keen walkers and hikers. It's a tough trip, taking about 18 days all in but it's totally rewarding and the views are simply majestic. It takes a few days to adjust to the altitude when you arrive - you can't go straight from Kathmandu - but that gives you plenty of time to soak up the beauty of this amazing country.
www.nepal-uncovered.com/tours/nepal/evbc.php
Google map: bit.ly/gxeZqg
I normally do not write reviews of trips I have taken, but my recent trip to Nepal with my daughter for her college graduation was so superior to any other that I had to put it into words. I do my diligence when booking trips and I was struck by the variety and diversity of trips offered by Above the Himalaya Trekking (P) Ltd. and by its managing director, Puru Timalsena. I started corresponding with him almost a year in advance of my May-June 2010 trip. He was always very responsive to my many emails and always offered good, sound suggestions for a successful trip. We had limited time – 9 days – which is very short for a country like Nepal. I had traveled to Nepal three times before in the 90s for business so I basically knew what I did and didn’t want to see. It was my daughter’s first trip there, so I really wanted it to be special. We were professionally met on time at the airport by Puru along with traditional Marigold traveler garlands. We stayed in a five star hotel while in Kathmandu. We were able to tour the whole Kathmandu valley with all of its temple sites with a wonderful tour guide, Koumara, who was well spoken in English and a wealth of knowledge about the Buddhist and Hindu cultures and religion. We also toured the walled city of Bhatkapur. We then flew on the Mountain flight past Everest and the rest of the Himalayan range. Then, a quick flight off to Pokhara, again all connections were met on time by representatives of the company. Due to the heat of the season and my health, we opted last minute, to change our trekking plans and remain in Pokhara. Puru completely altered our itinerary and within 1 hour our plans were changed to accommodate our new schedule. New tours were added and all worked seamlessly. All for only a nominal charge since we were adding nights in a good hotel and not staying in tea houses as originally planned. My daughter then flew on a Micro light aircraft into the Annapurna range, truly a once in a lifetime experience! We toured the Pokhara valley and explored around Fewa Lake, truly a beautiful calming place after the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. We then again were met by our driver for our drive to Chitwan Park. While en route we had a wonderful white water rafting experience on the Trisulli River (Class 3). We saw the diversity of the countryside and the way of life of the people of the region, everything was so GREEN! After the raft ride we drove on to Chitwan Park. We stayed in a brand new hotel with beautiful grounds, rode camels and then elephants! We then saw an excellent cultural show of the Taru people, half dance and half martial arts! The next day our elephant safari was terrific, although no tigers were spotted, we saw Asian Rhino’s and spotted deer and a multitude of birds. My daughter then went for an Elephant Bath, where you ride an elephant bareback into the river and you get the full elephant trunk shower experience! She then rode her elephant back into town. After a wonderful meal prepared by our hotel staff, we packed for our flight back to Kathmandu for our last evening in Nepal, again staying in a five star hotel. We woke already packed and did a final walking tour of the city to Durbar square and some last minute shopping. Again we were met on time and whisked off to the airport for our trip home to NYC. As a parting gift we were each given a silk scarf as a token of friendship and safe travel. I would recommend Above the Himalaya Trekking to anyone wishing to go to Nepal. The itineraries can be combined or custom designed by Puru and fit into any travel schedule. They also have well designed preplanned treks throughout the region. They are a responsible, professional, honest, safety conscious organisation, which you can rely on when booking from continents away. His prices are extremely competitive and a great value. I have visited over 52 countries and have never had better service!
This is an entirely Nepali run and based volunteer placement agency that ensures your pennies and helping hands go to those that most need them. Volunteer Society Nepal offers a huge range of volunteering placements from teaching monks English in the remote corners of the Himalayas to setting up teacher training programs in bustling Kathmandu. The placements all involve living with the local people, language lessons and cultural inductions whilst visiting some of the many world heritage sites in Kathmandu. If you fancy experiencing the wonders of Nepal, living with the locals and lending a hand to one of the poorest countries in the world then get involved.
Fancy a change? Try the excellent Japanese food at Sakura. We couldn't believe this place wasn't fully booked. The food is authentic and great value. Highly recommended.
It's on the first floor in the ring of shops and restaurants that surround the Swayambhunath Stupa (Boudha). Tel: 4479208
The old square in Patan is beautiful. The museum is tranquil and a nice place for food. There are many cafes on the rooftops around the square for drinks/meals in the evening.
www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/nepal/kathmandu/patan/map.html
Nice hotel in Patan with views of Kathmandu valley and mountains behind. Swimming pool, massage parlour, and on Sundays an organic market. Some rooms from as little as 15 dollars - it's a good place to get away from the heat and dust of the city.
Hotel comprising separate chalets huddled on a hill with spectacular mountain views. Run by Sita and her husband with real affection and friendliness. They can organise treks (the hotel has been used by Everest teams) and will ply you with good local food and ensure you get up in time to catch the mind-blowing sunrises.
The Fort Resort - Nagarkot (City Office)
P O Box 3004, Lazimpat, KTM
Tel: 977 1 4432 960 / 4432 964 fax: 977 1 4432 958
e-mail: fort@mos.com.np
You either get a visa from your local embassy or make sure you have a passport photo, $30 dollars, a pen, and the form in arrivals. You can get a form from the Nepal embassy website in advance. There are computers in the terminal but it's all done by hand so be patient.
When travelling or trekking in sensitive places use a solar powered battery charger for cameras/ipods/gps to avoid battery waste – some treks in Nepal are littered with old AAs, and there’s no need nowadays. Solio sell a really neat foldaway one for about £50.
Not just for vegetarians but anyone who likes genuine curry. It's a downbeat small place but great food. They spice the food up to your liking.
In the centre of Thamel district amongst all the tourist shops. Next to ABC Trekking/Baniya travel.
This is a first class tour in Nepal covering the prime tourist destinations. It helps people to explore the beautiful old palaces, spectacular mountain views as well as give the chances to do wildlife activites. This tour visits Nepal's five world heritage sites. Moreover, you would be staying at the award winning heritage hotel - Dwarika's in Kathmandu. In Pokhara, you would be staying at the luxury Fulbari Resort and Spa. Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge, the first wildlife resort in Nepal, is your home, you would be staying at in Royal Chitwan National Park.
I recommend this trip simply because of their excellent service arrangements right from our arrivals, hotel check in/check out, offering us a very good quality luxury vehicle, knowledgeable guiding in the cities. We enjoyed the trip so much that we did not wish to fly back home after the trip. We were always treated like the Rajas & Maharajas of olden days.
Mountain Holiday Excursion Pvt. Ltd.
P.O. Box # 15142, KPC # 117
Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
Telephone: (+977 1) 4266897, 4260094
Fax: (+977 1) 4260094
Email: mhexcursion@wlink.com.np, travel@nepaltourinfo.com
Internet: www.nepaltourinfo.com
A beautiful temple like many in Kathmandu but this one is inhabited by hundreds of monkeys that will jump at you and bite you if you catch their eye or annoy them as you try to climb the many steps on the way to the top. It is great fun and the views from the top of the city are breathtaking. Ask a rickshaw driver to take you there.
Swayambhunath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tour company based in Kathmandu running escorted tours in Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. Run by the indefatigable Shiva Dhakal for whom nothing is too much trouble. Very reliable and utterly professional - they're used by some of the international adventure tour companies to run services for them. Go direct, save yourself some money and put more of your stirling/dollars/euros etc into the local economy. We found them on www.responsibletravel.com
Royal Mountain Travel
P.O.Box: 8720
Durbar marg (Yak & Yeti Hotel entry road)
Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone: +977-1-4215364-5 / +977-1-4215371
Fax: +977-1-4215372
Mobile: 00977 - 9851021560
e-mail: royalmt@mos.com.np
e-mail: rmtrek@wlink.com.np
www.royalmt.com.np
www.royal-mt-trek.com
The Kathmandu Guesthouse is a Thamel institution. Rooms are clean and comfy and though they are not the chepest rooms in Kathmandu it's a lovely place with really friendly, helpful staff and a very chilled atmosphere. You can organise tours and change money - there is an ATM there too.
Thamel
www.ktmgh.com
Tel: 977 1 4700 800
Restaurant, cafe, bar with great Mexican food, good beer and pleasant atmosphere. Courtyard seating. Fantastic breakfasts accompanied by classical music. Good strong coffee.
Thamel - If you were coming out of the Kathmandu Guesthouse you'd turn left and the Northfield is just a couple of doors along on the left.
Far Out Nepal is a small local trekking company that can organise treks, cultural trips or any kind of trip you would like to take in Nepal. They are really fantastic to deal with and on-the-ground arrangements are first class. My friend and I trekked to Everest base camp with them - two middle aged ladies - and they looked after us so well, to the point of providing hot water bottles when it got cold! They have now organised us a trip to Tibet, with a few days in the south of Nepal, a jungle adventure. Their prices are amazing, and even though your flights might cost a bit more to book independently, your trip will still be cheaper than going with another trekking company. I can highly recommend you contact Sunir in Kathmandu.
Probably the best pizzeria in Asia, and almost the world! I don't just say this because I was starved in Tibet and would have eaten anything. Instead, I lived in Kathmandu for 3 years and Fire and Ice never once failed me. We (and most other expats including Italians) used to go at least 3 times a week. Not only are the pizzas out of this world, but the atmosphere is great and the service is brisk and friendly. The place is always full of diplomats, NGO workers, Nepali and Indian families, Tibetan monks, mountaineers on their way to or back from the mountain, anthropologists etc. Run by an Italian lady, who has the Parmesan made in Lhasa. Unforgettable!
Sanchaya Kosh Bldg. 219, Tridevi Marg, Kathmandu (just at the entrance to Thamel, behind the carpark. Everyone knows it); tel: 01/250210
The most luscious and incredible curry in the world. Only two exist in the world, one in Delhi and the other in Kathmandu. The food is traditionally from north Punjab and blends foods from the border of India and Nepal, wholesome, meaty and very, very delicious. The naans are big enough to cover a table; the meat is so, so tender and delicious with tempting spices. Whenever l am in Delhi or Kathmandu l always go ... a full refund from me if you dislike it.
Soaltee Crowne Plaza; tel: 771 427 3999; www.soaltee.crowneplaza.com/dining/di03a.html
Swayambhunath is a Buddhist stupa atop a hill in the Kathmandu valley. It's best to get there before sunrise - you'll be unlikely to meet any other tourists, just crowds of Nepali and Tibetan people. Swayambhu is a hive of activity at this time, with chanting, meditation and worship playing alongside the pre-school karate class, police training up those steep steps, earnest young men doing their exercises, the games of the monkeys and dogs.
It's a wonderful place at any time, but I think you see it at its best and most natural at sunrise. Beautiful light for photography too, if that's your thing. And there's a lovely view across the Kathmandu valley. If you fancy a walk, there's a lovely peaceful monastery at the top of the next hill along.
It's an easy walk from the centre, but you could also take a bus from Sohrakhutte, or find a taxi. Ask to be dropped at the bottom of the steps, rather than at the top. Then walk up to the stupa
Is this your business?Search Been there
