Nepal

Nepal, a landlocked country between India and China, is known for its mountain peaks. The small country contains eight of the 10 highest peaks in the world, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga, the world's tallest and third tallest respectively.

My Trip

• 2017 April 12 to 18 (1 Week): I travelled to Nepal from Doha with family and friends. We did guided tours and covered most of the attractions in Kathmandu and Pokhara, the two major cities.

Visited Places/Attractions

• Sagarmatha : Mount Everest (From air, mountain flight from Kathmandu)
• Kathmandu : Pashupatinath Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Kathmandu : Hanuman Dhoka Kathmandu Durbar Square (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Kathmandu : Boudha Stupa (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Kathmandu : Swoyambhu Bhagwan Pau/ Swayambhunath Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Chitwan : Manakamana Temple (Cable car to the mountain top)
• Pokhara : Phewa Tal (Fewa Lake)
• Pokhara : World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa)
• Pokhara : Sarangkot (Sunrise over Machapuchare/Fishtail mountain in the Annapurna Himalayas)
• Pokhara : Davis Falls
• Pokhara : Mahendra Cave
• Pokhara : Chamare Gufa - Bat cave.

Day Plans / Travelogue

(1) 2017-Apr-12, Wednesday

• Flight from Doha via Dubai in Fly Dubai to Kathmandu at night.

Flight departed on time after 8.30 PM and landed in Dubai within 45 minutes. But our connecting flight to Kathmandu was delayed by around 4 hours. Killed time in the airport window shopping duty free items and eating food.

(2) 2017-Apr-13, Thursday

• Reached Kathumandu by 9 AM
• Refreshed and had breakfast from friend's home
• Road trip to Pokhara in a van
• Lunch stop at Riverside Resort
• Reached Pokhara by 10 PM and checked into the Temple Tree Resort

Flight from Dubai to Kathmandu departed after 4.30 AM. Slept for some time. Reached Kathmandu at 9 AM. There was no formalities at the airport and no filling forms. Just got entry stamped on the passports at the immigration and baggage tag checking at customs. We spent some time to exchange currency and get mobile phone sim cards. Exchange rate was the best at the airport here than in Qatar. 1 QAR = 27.5 NPR. NCELL was the popular mobile service provider and a sim cost 100 NPR. They needed a photo and form to be filled. We got out of airport at 12 noon and met the driver Ashok with a Nissan Urvan van. First we went to my friend's flat which was near by. After getting fresh and a quick tea bread omelette breakfast prepared by his maid we started our long drive to the town of Pokhara by 1 PM.

The drive was very slow and pathetic due to continuous traffic jams and bad roads and the whole road was through hilly terrain climbing up the bends and coming down. We took our first break at 3.45 pm and had tea. Nothing much spectacular on the way as the rivers were shallow and greenery was missing in most places. We then had our dinner stop at River side spring resort and the food was very good. We left after 7 pm and reached Pokhara by 10 PM. Checked in at The Temple Tree Resort and it was beautiful. Later at night, went out and watched the Nepalese new year celebrations happening on the streets. At midnight they had fireworks as well and streets were full with youths.

(3) 2017-Apr-14, Friday

• World Peace Pagoda
• Davis fall
• Mahendra cave
• Bat cave.

Woke up lazily after 8 AM and ordered tea to room. Had it at the balcony and later enjoyed the buffet breakfast which was good.

Today our trip was to see the major attractions in Pokhara and first we headed to World Peace Pagoda which was on a mountain top. The drive itself was slow due to steep climbs and heavy traffic. And then at the end we had to climb up hundreds of steps. It had some Buddha statues and nice views of the valleys and lake.

Next was the Davis fall. It was a very small water fall into some deep caves. After we had lunch from a restaurant and then visited two famous caves. Again nothing really extra ordinary.

It rained heavily when we returned to room. We had dinner from the restaurant at resort and went out for walking through the streets in the light rain. Got back to room by midnight.

(4) 2017-Apr-15, Saturday

• Sarangkot sunrise
• Shopping on lakeside

Woke up at 4 AM for our sunrise trip to Sarangkot. After some drive uphill we had to walk up to the top through hundreds of steps. That was really tiring. Finally we all reached at the peak view point just before sunrise. Sun slowly raised from behind Himalayas shedding an orange tint to the snow capped Himalayas and the fish tail peak. So this was our first wow moment in Nepal. But couldn't get any amazing pictures as I had not taken the zoom lense. After enjoying the views we walked down and returned to room.

I then slept for sometime.

After lunch we all spent some time walking through the lakeside street and shopping some items. There were many shops selling the outdoor and adventure clothing and accessories. Most of them were exact copies of famous brands like The North Face and Mammot. They were hence cheaper but were of good quality. Also bought some souvenir fridge magnets and Nepali Masala Tea packs as gifts for folks back in Qatar and home.

At night, had the full body massage from the spa. It was a very professional service and relaxing. Later we all went out and had dinner from a restaurant outside and ended the night.

(5) 2017-Apr-16, Sunday

• Road trip to Kathmandu
• Cable car to Manakamana
• Checkin at Hotel in Kathmandu

Started our return trip to Kathmandu after the buffet breakfast in the van. This time the trip was not that tiring.

After around 3 hours, we stopped at Manakamana. There was a very long cable car service to a steep mountain top. All enjoyed the ride.

There was a famous temple at the top and it was crowded with devotees coming to get their wishes fulfilled. There were even goats and cocks in the cars brought for sacrifices at the temple. The narrow streets leading to the temple were crowded with small shops selling mostly temple offerings like flowers and religious symbols like beaded chains and bracelets.

After spending some time there we returned by cable car and then continued our drive. Stopped at the Riverside resort for lunch. This time the food was very bad.

We reached Kathmandu by late evening and checked into our hotel. Hotel Arts Kathmandu was located in the famous Thamel streets which was full of small shops and bars and cafes targeted at the tourists.

(6) 2017-Apr-17, Monday

• Mountain flight.
• Swayambhoo
• Bouddhanath
• Pashupati
• Kathmandu Durbar square

Today we had the mountain flight scheduled. Driver picked us at 5 AM and dropped at domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport. The small ATR aircraft of Buddha air took off on time before 7 AM. It was almost full as they seated passengers only on the window seats. Air hostesses distributed candies and a sketch of Himalayas depicting all the famous peaks including Everest. After few minutes into the flight we could see the snowcapped Himalayas on our left. They also helped us in identifying the peaks by their shapes. Later they allowed all passengers one by one into the cockpit to get a better view of Everest. It was nice experience to see the tallest mountain on earth. But it was very far so the amazement factor was missing. After everyone watched the Everest, plane returned back to airport allowing those on the right side to get views of Himalayas. The whole flying time was almost an hour.

We all then had the buffet breakfast from the hotel.

Driver came back again at 10 AM for our day trips in Kathmandu. Our plan today was to visit all the 7 famous temples and areas that were listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites within Kathmandu Valley. First we visited the Swayambhoo temple. There were many steps to climb and kids got tired quickly. The next attraction was Bouddhanath temple. After we completed the visit, we had lunch in that area. Next we headed to Pashupati temple and kids remained in the van while we completed a quick sight seeing.

The next attraction in our list was bit far but since all were tired and wanted to get back to the room. So we paid another quick visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square (collection of temples and buildings from the past kingdoms in Nepal) before returning to the room.

Did some shopping in the Thamel area. Bought a wooden turtle curio and a light sleeping bag which can be used in places like airports.

(7) 2017-Apr-18, Tuesday

• Return flight back to Doha through Dubai

Today was our last day in Nepal. After packing my stuff I got out and bought a trekking clothing set of pants, T Shirt and cap.
Driver came at 1 PM. We then settled his bill. We reached airport on time and said bye to the driver after giving him some tips and chocolates.

The exit procedures were simple and there was no filling forms. The security screening were very strict though.

The Fly Dubai flight took off after few minutes delay and we were home in Qatar by night.

Expenses

Tickets

• Booked online on 2017-Apr-03
• Landing: at Kathmandu from Doha via Fly Dubai through Dubai. Flight No: FZ -8573 Arrival Date: 2017-Apr-13, Thursday at 07:15 AM | Cost: 780 QAR per person
• Departure: from Kathmandu to Doha via Fly Dubai through Dubai. Flight No: FZ -5578 Departure Date: 2017-Apr-18, Tuesday at 03:40 PM | Cost: 475 QAR per person
• Total Cost: 3,878 QAR = 1,10,125 NPR = 1,065 USD = 68,837 INR

Hotels

• Temple Tree Resorts, Pokhara (Booked through my friend in Nepal): 23,865 NPR for 3 nights
• Hotel Arts, Kathmandu (Booked online through booking.com): 10,306 NPR for 2 nights
• Total Cost: 1,203 QAR = 34,171NPR = 330 USD = 21,360 INR

Other Costs

• Montain flight (1 x 1,10,607 + 2 cancellations x 2,615) = 1,15,837 NPR
• Van for 5 days(27500 + 500) = 28,000 NPR
• Massages (2 x 6,836 + 200) = 13,872 NPR
• Food = 22,703 NPR
• Other transportation = 245 NPR
• Tickets = 2280 NPR
• Medicines = 280 NPR
• Dress, Curios, etc. = 12,145 NPR
• Total Other Cost: 1,95,362 NPR
• Grand Total Cost: 3,39,658 NPR = 11,960 QAR = 2,12,312 INR = 3,284 USD

Local Cost Details (NPR)

Water 40
Tea 100
Dinner 1875
Ice cream and tea 120
Water 30
Lunch 2500
Water 50
Dinner 2460
Lunch 2775
Tea 1880
Coffee 250
Lunch 1750
Dinner 740
Water 30
Lunch 2150
Dinner 1675
Drinks 760
Lunch 1080
Chips 250
Resort food 2188

Magnets 400
Colors 65
Snake 50
Sound pot 500
Socks 200
Dress 5500
Animal toys 300
Magnets 2 300
Coins 10
Sleeping bag 700
Tortoise 600
Pants 950
Hat 600
T shirt 1150
Bull 160
Magnets 510
Mobile 150

Medicine 35
Mask 30
Medicine 160
Medicine 55

Davis falls 60
Cave 120
Cave 100
Sunrise Ticket 50
Cable car 1600
Swayambhoo 100
Bouddhanath 50
Pashupati swami 50
Durbar square 150

Links

• https://mosaicadventure.com/what-to-do-in-nepal-if-not-trekking/
• https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g293889-c180903/Nepal:Not.Just.For.Trekking.html
• http://www.worldtravelguide.net/kathmandu
• https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Kathmandu&customerSearch=1