Our friend Barbara shares her tips for traveling in Nepal.
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It's almost shameful that Nepal is so synonymous with
Our friend Barbara Weibel, world traveler at Hole In The Donut, recently went to Nepal for three weeks and found so much to love about the country that she stayed for three months and will soon return for another two. She shares her tips for navigating this exquisitely beautiful, friendly, and inexpensive country.
- There's More to Nepal than Trekking
- Volunteering in Nepal
- Power Outages in Nepal
- Homestays in Nepal
- Tourist Buses vs. Local Buses
- Shopping in Nepal
- Religious Festivals
- Political Situation in Nepal
- Romance
1. There's More to Nepal than Trekking
Visit lovely Pokhara for a week and climb Sarangkot (an easy walk) at dawn to watch the sun rise over the snow-capped Annapurna Mountains. Visit one of the country's National Parks, like Chitwan, where you can see wildlife from a traditional dugout canoe and walk the jungle in search of rare black rhinos. Visit the birthplace of Buddha in Lumbini. Attend a lama puja in a Tibetan monastery, and experience a special kind of chanting that Tibetans call throat singing. And if you feel you simply can't leave Nepal without seeing Mount Everest, there's still no need to trek; for $150 you can overfly it in a small plane!
2. Volunteering
Nepal is rife with volunteer opportunities, but travelers need to be aware that in many cases – if not most – none of the fees charged by these operators makes it back to the people who need it. Instead of wondering where your money has gone and who will benefit from the funds, read our detailed guide on how to choose an ethical volunteer program.
3. Power Outages
While Nepal has fairly decent infrastructure, much of their power comes from hydroelectric generating plants. Electricity is abundant in the spring and summer when the rivers are high and flowing rapidly. However, in the fall levels drop as water begins to freeze on the mountaintops and daily power outages are scheduled. Starting with two hours each day, they can sometimes stretch to 16 hours per day in the heart of the winter. Few hotels have heat, so come prepared with warm clothes and a flashlight if you plan to visit between late October and mid-February.
4. Homestays
While I always encourage immersion into a culture, homestays in Nepal can be particularly disconcerting. Anxious to please, family members will barge into your room at all hours of the day night, usually with offers of food. So if privacy is paramount, this may not be the best choice in Nepal.
5. Tourist Buses vs. Local Buses
Nepal offers both tourist and local buses and the name can create considerable confusion, since residents are not restricted from traveling on the tourist buses. When you buy a bus ticket through any of the travel or tour operators, it will be for a tourist bus but don't expect it to be luxurious in any way; they are just as old and decrepit as the buses ridden by locals. The main difference is that every passenger in a tourist bus is assigned a seat, while on a local bus every square inch of available space will be crammed with passengers - including sitting on the roof and hanging off the sides. And just when you think another person couldn't possibly fit, another ten will scramble aboard. It's fun to ride the local buses for short trips, but if you're on the road for a few hours you'll be glad you chose the more comfortable tourist bus, especially when you consider that a Kathmandu to Pokhara ticket is only about $6 USD.
6. Shopping
Pokhara, while a must-see on any Nepal itinerary, is the most expensive city in the country for shopping. Do your shopping in Kathmandu instead and save Pokhara for sightseeing.
7. Religious Festivals
To really get to know Nepal, visit during one of its many religious festivals. Dashain, Tihar, Holi, and a host of other celebrations provide a feast for the eyes and a way to really connect on a cultural level.
8. Political Stability
The political situation in Nepal is mostly peaceful, since Maoist forces became a legitimate part of the government, however there is currently no constitution in place and the competing political parties have not reached agreement on how the country should be run. There is always the possibility that instability could arise, so stay up to date on the political situation, and never participate in local demonstrations.
9. Romance
Ladies, take heed! Men in Nepal will woo you and take drastic measures to make you believe they have fallen in love. While this might be rare, these proclamations of undying love are based on a desire to marry a rich foreigner and emigrate to the US, Europe, or Australia. Enjoy the attention and let it boost your ego, but don't be fooled.
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