Nepal Travel Guide

I just got back from an amazing trip to Nepal. I honestly can’t find the words to describe this trip, all I can say is that it was life-changing and one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I went as part of a program to do community service, but while we were there, we were discover so much of the culture and history of Nepal. Today I wanted to share some of my travel tips and essentials with you guys (and basically just persuade you guys to take a trip to Nepal). 

We flew out from JFK to Hong Kong, about a 16 hour plane ride. We then flew from Hong Kong to Kathmandu Nepal, stopping in transit in Bangladesh. Our travel time including layovers ended up being about 24 hours. Nepal is 9 hours and 45 minutes minutes ahead of New York. A quick itinerary of our trip: we stayed Kathmandu for 2 days, then traveled to Kapan where we had 4 days of community service. Then we traveled to Pokhara for 4 days, which was about a 6 hour drive from the Kathmandu Valley. Then we came back for community service. We ended the trip with a 3 day trek through the mountains and then 2 more days in Kathmandu. Like I said, this was an amazing trip and I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

What to Bring:

• Long Socks - If you go trekking or hiking, long socks are a must. They will help prevent blisters and help prevent leeches (ewwww, I know).
• Long Pants - It’s culturally appropriate for women to wear long pants or skirts in Nepal. So even though it was hot and in the US we love our cutoffs, leave them at home from your trip.
• Sunscreen - It was super hot and the sun was blazing when I was there. Sunscreen was a must.
  
  

Where to Stay:

• Shechen Guest House - Shechen Guest House is part of Shechen Monastary in Boudha, Kathmandu. This was a beautiful guesthouse with super helpful staff. They have an onsite vegetarian cafe, with amazing breakfasts. This guesthouse has wifi but it only works in some rooms and in all the common spaces. It has western style toilets and showers. This guest house is also only a 2 minute walk from the Boudhanath Stupa.
• Hotel Trekkers Inn - Hotel Trekkers Inn is in Pokhara and only 2 minutes away from the lake. This was a cute little guest house with very helpful staff. This guesthouse also had wifi and western style toilets and showers. This guesthouse also had a breakfast cafe that I totally recommend.
  
  

Where to Eat:

• Fire and Ice - Fire and Ice is a pizzeria (I know not quite Nepali) in Patan was amazing after a long day of working in the sun. They have delicious pizza and their ice cream is to die for.
• Roadside Cafe - Another not totally Nepali restaurant, this cafe has the best Rosemary chicken pasta I have ever had. It’s located in the Boudhanath Stupa, so it’s very accessible.
• Am/Pm Cafe - This cafe has a mix of Nepali and American foods. They are in Pokhara right next to Hotel Trekkers Inn. If you go here, I completely recommend the vanilla milkshake and the baguettes.
• Moondance Restaurant - This restaurant is in Pokhara, right on the water. They have a mix of international food, with probably the best naan I’ve ever had. They’re spinach paneer is also great.
  ***When looking for traditional Nepali food, I recommend any small family owned restuaurant. Anything right in the Stupa will have amazing food but it's definately all geared towards tourists.
  
  

What to Do:

• Trek - Nepal is home to some of the most amazing mountains. When you’re there, I definitely recommend getting outside and checking them out.
• Shop - Shopping in Nepal’s markets was so much fun. I recommend bargaining because sometimes things are a bit over priced.
• Visit the Monkey Temple - The monkey temple “Swayambhunath” was a beautiful temple at the top of a hill in Kathmandu. The climb up the stairs was worth it after seeing the view. Make sure not to open any food while walking up the stairs, the monkeys might come over and steal it from you.
• Visit the Peace Pagoda - Across the lake in Pokhara is a hill with the Peace Pagoda on the top. It’s about a 30 minute hike to get to the top but the view and Pagoda is beyond gorgeous. I recommend rowing a boat across the lake to get there and then jumping in the lake on the way back!

My trip to Nepal was probably the best trip I have ever taken. This by no means is everything we did, there is so much more to this amazing country. These were some of my highlights from the trip. Comment below any questions you have for me about the trip and I’d be happy to answer them. Also share any tips you have about Nepal in the comments below to help others planning their trip.

XOXO,

Gloss