Very excitamundo! I am heading to Pokhara on 27th to go Parahawking and then do a trek to Naya Pul, Tikedhunga, Ghorepani, Poon Hill, Tadapani, and Ghandruk. Am doing some frantic reading up on all these locations so I know what I'm heading for, but from what I've seen it's going to be epic. I'm into my photography so will be looking to snap some awesome scenics, which I think will be everywhere. I have a half day and overnight stay in Kathmandu before my flight home - is there a marketplace in Kathmandu and if so where is it in relation to Thamel where I'll be staying, as I love the bustle of these kinds of places and also they are great photo ops.
There is a bustling market square in Thamel which has plenty of good photo opportunities. I've googled it but I can't find out the name - your hotel/guesthouse should be able to tell you though. Do you know whereabouts in Thamel you're staying? I stayed at Fuji Hotel which was very good, and not far from the market square.
Pokhara is stunning. I'd recommend a walk up to the world peace pagoda for lovely views of the lake and mountains, and to get to the beginning of the walk you can take a boat across the lake which is pleasant.
I didn't bother with malaria pills in Nepal as I was advised that the only area of any risk was Chitwan national park where I only spent a short time. I didn't get bitten once in 11 days in Nepal but that was early January so it was possibly too cold for mozzies.
Kathmandu has some wonderful restaurants - I'd particularly recommend an Israeli place called OR2K.
[ 19-Mar-2012, at 06:17 by bex76 ]
I'm at the Sacred Valley Inn which looks nice in photos. I'm hoping someone may be able to take me to the market as I have NO sense of direction, so wandering around KMD on my own is a portent to disaster. Maybe some other travellers at the inn will let me tag along :D
Is it advisable to take things along to give to kiddies etc that I may run into? When I was in China I took some toothbrushes and glitter stickers, which went down well in the remote farm regions we went to.....although one scary woman didn't want me to give her child anything, which is fair enough I guess....
My hotel was right opposite the Sacred Valley! I'd say it's around 10 minutes walk to the market square, but as I have no sense of direction either (and just followed everyone else) I can't direct you to it unfortunately!
At the end of the street where you're staying there's a great cafe/restaurant called Gaia's which is really good.
I think it's nice to take something for the children but there didn't seem to be as many opportunities to interact with them as I found there to be in India.
Are there many English speaking people/shops around? Forgive the potentially derpy question....... :D
Most of the traders in the shops in Thamel spoke pretty good English, and there are loads of other travellers.
There is a market at the monkey temple, (swayambhu Temple) worth a visit for the temple, and the shops do have some amazing things. Say hello to my friend Bishwo at the cotton mask center, he my well show you around his amazing house and give you a cup of tea! It's walkable from Thamel. There is also a really interesting walking tour around Thamel that takes you past all sorts of little temples that go unnoticed in the bustling town. Durbar Sq is probably the most important area in Kathmandu, with some amazing temples. It's south of Thamel and an easy tuk tuk ride.
I did the Anapurna hike anti clockwise, so finished with tatopani, Poon hill and exiting out from Naya Pul, and Im glad I did, you have about 2 days of constant huge uneven stairs the way you are heading, so take it slow and try to enjoy. I saw a girl actually broken down crying because she was so worn out.
You can see some pictures of the areas you are going in my photo album under Nepal
Wow the pictures look stunning , hope the weather is clear while I'm there. I'll hopefully be OK with the hiking, I did Tiger Leaping Gorge last year without any muscle ache at all, only a few blisters. I wore hiking sandals and Sealskinz socks so was going to do the same again. Hiking boots are just too heavy and nearly always chafe when my feet get hot. I'm going to try to pack very lightly as I don't want to be lugging a ten-ton backpack.
I'll ask at the lodgings about the walking tour but I'll not get there till about 3-4pm so it may be too late. My flight is at 10am the next morning so I didn't just want to sit in a hotel room for the afternoon and evening. The monkey temple sounds good, do they try to grab at your bags/food etc?
The monkey temple sounds good, do they try to grab at your bags/food etc?
Of course, they are monkeys! But from what I remember they are well feed at the temple, so not overly pushy. You can easily spend your afternoon just wandering the fascinating streets of Thamel.
Hello Gixer,
Kathmandu Durbar square is about 30 min walk away from thamel and there is a local market called ason in the way. The place is busy and crowded and it will be better for photography. No need of bringing malaria pills, its cold here and you will not be irritated by mosquito's.
So if you are only doing trek and parahawking then there are other several places to visit in kathmandu valley. bhaktapur durbar square, patan durbar square,bodhnath pashupatinath,swoyambhunath and Nagarkot. And also you will find a lot of kid here and there parents will not be angry..
and dodger you have a good album.
Fell free to write for me if you have any query..
Cheers...
0 Response to "Trip to Pokhara - parahawking and a 6 day trek"
Post a Comment