Nepal currency is NPR - Nepal Rupee
US$1 = NPR86
On the 4th Sept, we took the maiden Airasia flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kathmandu. The flight was full with Nepalese who took the same opportunity like we did. We paid only RM399 for one way to Kathmandu. We arrived at Kathmandu International airport on time. The local time here is 2hrs and 15 minutes earlier than Malaysian time. We headed straight to the immigration tourist queue, happy to be the first few in line, we have our photo and US$ ready waiting for the officer to open his counter. Just as we thought we can be out here early, the officer shouted “where is your visa form?” “Damn, we need to fill up a visa form?” So we left the long queue and went looking for the form to fill up. Now we are the end of the line. Well done! There are only 2 queues, first you have to queue to pay then we have to queue to get our entry stamp. It took us almost an hour.
US$1 = NPR86
On the 4th Sept, we took the maiden Airasia flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kathmandu. The flight was full with Nepalese who took the same opportunity like we did. We paid only RM399 for one way to Kathmandu. We arrived at Kathmandu International airport on time. The local time here is 2hrs and 15 minutes earlier than Malaysian time. We headed straight to the immigration tourist queue, happy to be the first few in line, we have our photo and US$ ready waiting for the officer to open his counter. Just as we thought we can be out here early, the officer shouted “where is your visa form?” “Damn, we need to fill up a visa form?” So we left the long queue and went looking for the form to fill up. Now we are the end of the line. Well done! There are only 2 queues, first you have to queue to pay then we have to queue to get our entry stamp. It took us almost an hour.
The visa
fees are US$25 for 15 days multiple entry visa, US$40 for 30 days multiple
entry visa and US$100 for 90 days multiple entry visa. One passport size photo
required. After we got our bags, our hotel pick up was already waiting outside.
We jump on the car and realized that the guy who was holding the name card was
not our driver, he asked us for tips. WTF! The driver was probably too lazy to
hold the card or the other one thinking he will get some money out of us. Well,
they are not so lucky this time.
 |
| Rickshaw @ Thamel |
First sight
of Nepal- rubbish everywhere, messy traffic, bad road condition, electric lines
all over the building, nonstop horning and pollution… Seems rather familiar,
just like the neighboring country except that there are no cows, elephants,
camels, pigs, goats, pony on the street. Just occasionally some buffaloes.
We got to
our hotel in Thamel. It was located right in the heart of Thamel. Thamel is the
touristic area of Kathmandu, there are tons of hotels, restaurants, trekking
agencies, souvenir shops and outdoor shops every step away. We could find anything
from shoes, socks, pants, shirts, jackets, hats, gloves, sticks and etc in any
brand we like and at super cheap price. Even though they are copies, they are
worth the price you paid for.
 |
| Dal Bhat |
We have 2
days in Kathmandu to sort out our hiking trip. The weather was not so good when
we arrived, it was drizzling. We first went to change some Nepalese Rupee in
order to have our lunch. Just around the corner of the hotel, we found a nice
restaurant. We had our first Nepal Thali set. We had a mountain of rice, some
vege, a bowl of dal, a piece of papadum, a bowl of potato curry and a bowl of
Lassi. It was delicious! After recharged, we went shopping. Wee!
We were
looking for hiking socks, a wind jacket/rain jacket/pull over, hiking stick,
hat, hiking pants, bandana and gloves. We just did a price check in several
shops. There are just too many shops to go around. In the evening we met with
the agency from the hotel and got a quote. We planned to hike to Annarpurna
Base Camp(ABC) in 11 days trek. We can do it shorter but since we have time we
thought we might as well enjoy the mountain. After some bargaining, we finally
agreed to a price of US$620 per person for the following package. We leave the
day after, so we still have a day to purchase what we need for the trek.
The package
of 14D13N-11 days trekking includes :
- Transport from Kathmandu to/return Pokhara
- Transport from Pokhara to start point of trek and from end point back to Pokhara
- 2 nights in Pokhara Hotel with BF
- 11 nights accommodations in Teahouse/Lodge including B/L/D
- Trekking Permit
- TIMS Permit
- Hot shower in trekking
- A guide and a porter
- Necessary trekking equipments
- Airport drop
- All taxes and admin fees
- Lunch dinner in Pokhara
- Travel insurance
- Any alcoholics drinks,Tea/coffee and hot water
- Bottle water
Accommodations
Hotel Silver Home (www.hotelsilverhome.com) - US$11 per night per room incl BF and airport pickup.
Transportations
NA
Recreations
ABC trekking package - US$620 from Amazing Nepal Adventure (www.amazingnepaltreks.com)
