Through Kulturstudier, I had the privilege to visit this colourful country and I am delighted to share some travel experiences and tips for students attending this course in the future.
Nepal is a country that richly rewards its guests and definitely lives true to its tag of being one of the most beautiful places on earth. Studying amidst a pristine environment with breath-taking views and natural surroundings is what one must look forward to during the course of this programme. Known for having the Mount Everest and eight of the world’s tallest mountains, you are bound to be accompanied by the mighty Himalayas on nearly every moment in this country. Moreover, the Nepalese people are of incredibly welcoming and fun nature. For them, understanding English or Hindi is no problem but learning a bit of Nepalese will only add to the love and warmth.
KATHMANDU
Thamel- Backpacker’s Spot:
I’m not the kind who prefers very crowded and touristy places but Thamel is an exception. I fell in love with this tiny touristy place in the heart of Kathmandu. Lit up streets, lined with tiny shops selling colourful clothes, bags, jewellery, tea and other cool things is amazing to explore. The nightlife too is quite happening with pubs playing Nepalese live music and selling cheap drinks. What I found magical about this place is the tiny entrances taking you to some absolutely unexpected and beautiful rooftop hangouts.
Food and Hangouts:
Vegetarians are likely to fall in love with the national dish of Nepal- ‘Daal bhaat’ (Lentils served with rice and vegetables). Another famous dish would be the Nepali momos (dumplings) in which you will find a variety of options for both vegetarians and meat lovers. There are tons of options for every budget in Thamel but the following should be on your must-go list-
Himalayan Java Coffee-
For all the coffee connoisseurs out there, this place is a must visit. What’s better than a cup of freshly brewed coffee and some delicious bagels to lighten up your day?
Highly recommended: Affogato Al caffe.
Picnic-
This has to be your go-to place if you like Korean food. Authentic seating arrangement, pocket-friendly and heaping portions are the highlights.
Highly recommended: Beef barbecue and noodle soup.
Purple Haze-
It’s always a treat to watch the talented local rock bands of Nepal play here. Check out the place over weekends, buy a drink and have a good time grooving with the crowd.
Other recommendations-
Food: Fire and Ice, OR2K, Café with no name, Momo Hut, Electric Pagoda, Snowman, H2o club, Jazz Upstairs, Places, Bluebell.
Recreation: Astrek Climbing wall, KTM Skate park.
Culture and Language:
Kathmandu has a rich cultural and religious influence and one must look forward to see some of the oldest monasteries and temples in the world here. Intricately interwoven is the mixture of Hindu and Buddhist elements that can be seen on every corner of the country. Some of the shrines were destroyed in the wake of the earthquake in 2015 but many temples and religious sites are still rampant in the city- most of them being on walking distances from each other. It is also interesting to observe the lifestyle differences. Finding a way and getting to know some locals is highly advisable to make the most out of your learning experience.
Durbar Square/ Hanuman Dhoka: After the earthquake, the square was severely damaged but there is still a lot left to see. Preserved as a national heritage site, Durbar square remains one of the most spectacular traditional architectures of Kathmandu. The most fascinating attraction for me was the Kumari Ghar (home of the living goddess.)
Boudhanath: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is considered as one of the largest stupas in the world. The Shiva linga in this site is said to be there for a period of over thousand years.
Swayambhunath: Known for being one of the very few living cultural heritage sites in the world, this is also the largest temple complex in Nepal. Visit to experience a mixture of religion, spirit and culture.
Other recommendations:
Pashupatnath Temple, Kathesimpu Stupa.
POKHARA
Pokhara is on an eight hours bus ride from Kathmandu. Certainly very different from Kathmandu, this place is comparatively much more relaxed and serene with wide roads, fewer shops and fewer people. It is also the starting point for the treks around the Annapurna circuit.
Eateries-
Umbrella café:
Fresh, tasty and pocket-friendly food choices, with chilled ambience and music. What else does one need? Sit on the rooftop and do not forget to try the pizzas.
The Boatyard café: Great place to sip on your evening coffee or post-dinner desserts. The highlight would be the cute, little and only outdoor seating under an umbrella. Do not miss!
Other recommendations:
Parbati Restaurant, Gurkha Restaurant.
Treks and Other Adventure Activities:
Nepal is a mecca for the adventure lovers because of the mountains that offer some of the best trekking opportunities in the world. So if you are the outdoorsy kind, you are going to love this place and the view of the mountains alone will make your stay in Nepal worth it. Some ideas for day trips, activities and treks-
Bicycling-
Bicycling is a great way to explore the beautiful roads of Pokhara. You can rent a bicycle for Rupees 500 a day (fixed price) and venture out. My favourite route is the one via Mahendra cave going on to the Balyung Rajmarg road. Leave early on a weekend and keep riding on this route until you hit the lake. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
Paragliding-
No better way of viewing the glory of the Annapurna range and the breath-taking landscape around Pokhara valley while literally flying with eagles.
Recommended company- Team 5.
Rafting/ Kayaking-
The lakes and rivers surrounding the valley of Pokhara are the special attractions. If you are an adventure lover and want to try the rapids, go for rafting or kayaking. For those who want it to be comparatively relaxed, try boating!
Poon Hill trek:
At 3,210 meters, this is a 4-5 days trek. It’s a fun trek with great views of the Himalayas. You can book it through any tour operators you find nearby.
Ghandruk trek-
Very easy and great trekking option to do over the long weekend. It offers a glimpse of the fishtail peak and the Annapurna South while also introducing one to the unique culture of Ghandruk village.
Shanti Stupa a.k.a. World Peace Pagoda:
This is one of the most beautiful peace pagodas that I have seen. The best way to get here is by hiring a rowing boat from the lakeside and hiking up through the beautiful forests for around 45 minutes.
Other recommendations:
Sarangkot sunrise tour, Bat cave, Mahendra cave.
Some places that you need to make time for:
Chitwan National Park-
Home to the Royal Bengal tigers, Greater one-horned rhinos, Asiatic elephants, leopards, sloth bears and many endemic species of birds, Chitwan is the place to be in. I recommend you to stay here for at least 2 days to have a good chance of spotting some wildlife.
Langtang National Park-
Established as the first Himalayan National park, Langtang is known as the park of unique flora and fauna. You are likely to spot red pandas, gorals, Himalayan pika, Khalij pheasants and many other species here. You will also get the chance to explore some beautiful villages and monasteries along the way.
Patan Heritage Walk-
The walk from Durbar Square, Thamel to Patan should take around three hours. If you find history interesting, Patan’s history is worth delving into while understanding the Newar lifestyle and architecture.
Few other recommendations:
Gurkha village, Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Bhaktapur, Everest Mountain Flight with Buddha Air.
Quick tips:
Sim cards: There is free wifi available at almost all the cafes and restaurants in Nepal but the speed is often very slow. To get a local Ncell sim card will be a smart idea. The Ncell sim card is easy to find and has surprisingly fast Internet.
Top ups can be a little confusing so here’s a tip- Once you have bought the sim card (Rupees 200-300), just purchase a top up card of a certain credit amount as per your requirement, read the instructions on the card and get the balance in your phone. After this, type *123# to check the data packs available for your phone and activate accordingly.
Festivals to look forward:
Tihar (Diwali) in October, Dashain in September/ October.
Transport:
Taxis are costly. Though crowded and dirty, buses would be a budget option. If you are up for walking then nothing like it.
Health and safety:
You are likely to observe poor sanitation in Nepal. Stomach issues are common. Hence, prefer bottled drinking water and always carry a packet of rehydration salts like ORS.
Budget:
Nepal is quite budget-friendly. Treks and some adventure activities can add on to the expenses but that will not be everyday. Daily budget should be fluctuating around Rupees 300 to 1000, depending on your needs and restaurant choices.
And finally, a post-course tip!
For the people planning to travel/ trek after the course, you might want to consider the Annapurna or the Everest Base camp. Hands down expensive, but definitely worth it.
In the end, remember to be socially responsible.
Cheers!
-Gitanjoli, Scholarship student-