Nepal

melekalikimaka

I'm looking into going to Nepal, more than likely alone, I'd like to do treking, not too much, visit the temples and monestries, everset base camp would be a defo plus, looking around I've found alot of tours but anyone reccommend any providers to me?

The Gnome

Been here myself and it is well worth the trip. The only advice I can offer is not to use a tour provider as they charge way too much and it cuts out alot of the experience. I made my way there myself and once there it was very easy to hook up with other travellers and go on in a group. Basically you save alot of money and meet people you'll never forget. Another advantage of this is the ability to join and leave smaller tours when you like. These are generally and cheaper and sometimes visit more remote and interesting places.

Another thing which I personally found strange is the attitude of some of the natives toward outsiders. Some can be very hostile while others are the nicest people you'll ever meet.

melekalikimaka

thank you, just the sort of info i wanted. Did you travel alone, whats the crime like?I take it the main cities are well serviced and the like, how long you travel for, where'd you go, what time of year etc etc INFO INFO INFO!!!

The Gnome

I did go alone but as I said I met up with several groups and traveled with them so it's not as daunting as it sounds. Crime isn't too bad but you get the typical stuff in the larger cities like Kathmandu, Patan etc. Pickpocketing and the like but commonsense will get you by, ie don't be flashing large amounts of Rupees about. Other than that the most dangerous aspect are bandits on the road and the Maoist rebels which are all over Nepal. The easiest way to stay safe is again to travel in a large group when your unsure.

There are a load of ways to travel. I went to India first and bussed my way up to Sirsiya where you can pay to get a cargo train into Nepal by it's not really legit. Other than that you can get busses into Nepal or even rent a car (this isn't really an option if you plan to spend a long time there). Travel between cities is fairly easy with a lot of buses, mini buses etc. Within the cities you have the same, you'll also get Tempos which are small van sorta things.

I spend a few days in each of the main cities, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Patan and Pokhara. They're all well worth visiting, especially Pokhara which is on a large lake. Some of the religious sites are also worth seeing mainly Lumbini, the Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu, Parping and Maratika. If you have the time you can go to the Chitwan National Park to see the tigers and a few other rare animals. The most enjoyable parts though are the treks. # Mt. Everest Base Camp, Annapurna, Jonsom-Muktinath Trek and Helambu Langtang. There are a few special treks that I'll leave you to find as this is one of the best things you can do and you'll really get a sense of exploration and adventure. You'll have to be fit if you want to do these as you don't want to realise halfway that you can't go on.

Finally I was there for about 5 months or so from February to June. After June the monsoons start and it can get very wet. Before February the snows usually make alot of the treks much more dangerous.

That's all I can think of for now but if you have more questions ask away. Hope it helps.

melekalikimaka

hummm
i was thinking of going in septemeber...bad call?
how cheap is it over there, hostels and the like? I only wanted to go for a month or so max, so I'd fly right in and think a plan would be needed beforehand due to time constraints, theres so much to see and do there I'd regret wasting days over there, I'm fairly fit, was a big hiker a few years ago, the hiking element appeals to me alot. whats the language barrier like over there?

The Gnome

As far as I know September is the end of the monsoon season and the start of the cool season so it's a great time for the hikes are it's mostly clear and crisp without being overly cold unless you take some of the higher routes.

Getting a place to stay is very cheap and everything else is more than affordable as long as you don't go for the state run luxury hotels. I'd advise you bring a sleeping bag for the hostels as most of the time all you get in a bed with a matress.

A month would be enough for few cities and a trek or two as long as you plan what you want, though I would suggest a longer stay as it is really worth it.

The language barrier isn't too much of a problem, you can get away with bringing a phasebook without a bother. In the larger cities english is spoken here and there so it's not too bad.

melekalikimaka

aye i would try go longer if i could but i'm working to pay for this up til i leave and then college so its unlikely(unless daddy feels generous:) ). so its realitivly safe if i stick in a group, cheap to live(nothing fancy) tours are easily aquired.... whats the prices for the tours? I'm an avid photographer, would a chunky camera with a big lanky lense be a stupid idea?

The Gnome

The tours range in prices from fully organised packages reaching into the thousands of euros to ones arranged locally which will be under 500 if you look around. You can even get a local to take you on a trail for a good few rupees.

TAKE THE CAMERA! You'll regret it if you don't. I took mine and although it was a bit of a hinderance at time it was definatly worth it. Again with the safety though as quite a few eyes wander to the shiny camera in a few places.

Roen

Hi,
It's a really easy place to travel through on your own. You'll always end up meeting people in similar circumstances to yourself. So don't even think about arranging a trip through an agency or travel provider. Like Gnome said you'll miss out on such a lot.
September/October is the peak season as regards trekking so if you are thinking of doing one of the more popular walks be prepared for company. The weather is by far the best at this time of year, although you can get great weather pre monsoon ( Feb/Mar) which is when I went.
Keep an eye on the political situation which is on the volatile side atm. The Nepali people are kind and gentle natured by and large, but you still have to keep your wits about you nevertheless.
So get fit, pick a hike and enjoy yourself.

melekalikimaka

that much??? now say a tour is 500euro, what would that consist of? like a few days, a few meals and somewhere to kip and some sites?

The Gnome

500 would be the steepest price anyway. You'd usually get 2/3 weeks and a meal at each stop. The stops are usually what are referred to as tea houses where you sleep and eat, some have showers, some don't. If you plan on a more extreme hike with a local your basically paying him to keep you alive but you might have to sleep rough or in a basic shelter some nights althoug you can ask to be taken on a common route which will allow you to stop at the tea houses.

Forgot to mention the Last Resort. It's on the border with Tibet, they have a 3 day party which you can't miss, basically a Nepalese take on a rave. Very interesting to say the least.

melekalikimaka

oh cool 2 or three weeks would be ideal. right i'm off to sleep, i'm sure i'll have more for you. you've no idea how much help you've been, thank you

The Gnome

No problem, glad to help.

One last thing, one of the trekking companies I used is run by a brilliant Shepa. (hopefully it's still there) Here's their email address yontensherpa@yahoo.com, give the a shout when you start planning and they'll give you a load of help.

akavana3

melekalikimaka wrote:

I'm looking into going to Nepal, more than likely alone, I'd like to do treking, not too much, visit the temples and monestries, everset base camp would be a defo plus, looking around I've found alot of tours but anyone reccommend any providers to me?

why aren`t you going with friends?have you got none?

melekalikimaka

i'm presuming your one of thoses 'follow the crowd' / 'sheep' characters who can grasp the idea of travelling alone due to lack of self confidence. I guess this is a bit off topic, personal issues (http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=127)will help you with your low self confidence? silly ilrelevent comments are what boards are about NOOB

aidan01

it takes balls to do a trip like that
lots of people backpack alone
... your never alone anyway, there is always a few heading in the same direction.
im going to india next month
stayin 3 months
also i hope to take in nepal
its been said, when we are about to die, that you wont regret what you did , only what you didnt do, so get out there, live your life

melekalikimaka

aidan01 wrote:

its been said, when we are about to die, that you wont regret what you did , only what you didnt do, so get out there, live your life

great lil phrase, if i die on the trip, thats going on my headstone.