We thought we’d take this opportunity at the start of the year to tell you about a few things that in Nepal, you might be surprised by. Once you’re get ready for this year’s trip to Nepal, it will be easier for you to prepare for The reality of travelling through the Himalayas.
Who really loves surprises?, including the less pleasant ones – you might not want to read on, but we’d suggest that, in our opinion, it’s still worth it. We assume that we are better prepared for the journey, we will carry it out in greater comfort and enjoyment, and despite being familiar with the list potential surprises in Nepal, positive surprises are bound to happen anyway, or you’ll make sure they do.
1. Cancelled domestic flight – the most common reason for changes to plans
As you probably know, We highly recommend flights on the Kathmandu–Pokhara route or Pokhara–Kathmandu. Flights from Kathmandu to Lukla Is the Lukla–Kathmandu route already It’s not so much a matter of choice as a necessity (unless, of course, you’re lucky enough to have a really long holiday).
However, it may happen that, due to bad weather conditions,, or, less commonly, internal problems (e.g. a strike – yes, that happens too), the flight will be cancelled. Provided you’ve got a day or two to spare, this does not usually pose much of a challenge, It’s worse if you’ve got a very tight schedule, where there is no room for change.
For the Pokhara–Kathmandu route an alternative is hiring a private vehicle or a bus journey. In the case of the Lukla–Kathmandu route, it might save you helicopter, but that’s a considerable additional cost (around 500 USD per person).
How often are flights cancelled in Nepal? Situations involving cancelled flights They don’t happen often, but it would be difficult to say that they are sporadic. Problems most often occur during the monsoon months (June–August) and winter (December–February). It’s worth bearing in mind and allowing for 1–2 days’ leeway.
2. Altitude sickness can catch anyone off guard
Sometimes altitude sickness can take you by surprise. Usually in good physical condition, often with experience in higher mountains, we’re off to Himalayan trails being certain that, whilst it might happen to anyone else, it certainly wouldn’t happen to us.
As we have mentioned to our guests on numerous occasions – you don’t know the day or the hour. Of course, there are many ways, so that the risk of developing AMS (acute mountain sickness) to limit, but one must be prepared for it to occur even at relatively low altitudes, before we cross the threshold 4,000–4,500 metres.
In such a situation, it’s worth having also, mainly within myself, scope for modifying the plan, extra time and permission, if the originally planned objective will not be achieved. The guide has the right to say „stop”, and you should accept that.
3. The weather can ruin even the best-laid plans
There’s a reason why we consistently suggest the best dates on trekking, expedition or a tour of Nepal. There are months when it simply won’t be much fun. Of course, there may be exceptions, but Statistically speaking, some months are unsuitable, in particular on trekking in Nepal.
When is the best time to visit Nepal? The best months that is March–May i September–November. Monsoon (June–August) means rain, misty views i difficult conditions on the trails. It is not just a matter of enjoyment, but also of safety.
Winter in the Himalayas (December–February) is very cold nights, particularly at altitude, and possible snowfall blocking the mountain passes.
4. Roadblock – natural or man-made
What we mean here is two types of locks – the so-called. natural and this one carried out deliberately by a person. Natural barrier may most often be due to landslides, which happens quite often in Nepal, especially during the rainy months, but that’s not all.
The roadblock may affect a national road, on which there is a lot of traffic, mountain road one that’s not very well attended, but which you happen to need, and also trekking route, after which we continue on foot. Most often, a large amount of mud or stones slides onto the road and it blocks it for a few hours, sometimes a few days.
Sometimes there are ways round it, but sometimes You just have to wait. A similar situation may apply to the road blocked by the river, which had burst its banks. During periods of very heavy rainfall rivers burst their banks and block bridges/sections of road.
The second type of lock follows from strike/roadblock by local residents who, for example, want to secure something from the government and are protesting in this way. Bandh (general strike) may bring the whole country to a standstill for one day.
5. Toilets – be prepared for a culture shock
Those of you who travel a lot, they know that Toilet rules do not apply everywhere are the same as the European ones. Toilets in Nepal they’re usually made of these the so-called ‘squatters’ or, if you prefer – „à la Małysz”.
It’s usually just a hole in the ground with a ceramic bowl, next to it is a bucket containing a sort of jug for rinsing; there is, of course, water tap or the water already in this bucket. If you’re using paper, you must throw it in the bin located next to it. Yes, seriously.
For our part, we recommend always carrying some toilet paper with you, because he You won’t find any in Nepalese toilets. Also useful: antibacterial gel, wet wipes i your own toilet paper – that’s the basics of hygiene during travelling around Nepal.
6. Journey time by road – patience is a virtue
Road journeys in Nepal take a long time, may you the distance won’t throw him off and your estimates for covering a similar stretch of road, e.g. in Poland. We often moan about things here, but believe me – Compared to Nepal, we’re really spoilt when it comes to roads.
If you see a journey time of 8–9 hours on Google Maps to cover the distance 250 km of the main national road – please be aware that You could be in Nepal. Roads in Nepal are narrow, winding, often unpaved in the higher sections. Average speed that’s about 30–40 km/h on the main routes.
Why do journeys take so long? Serpentine roads in the mountains, lorry traffic, frequent traffic jams in towns and overall condition of the roads make it so that when planning a transfer, always add 50% more time than the GPS indicates.
7. The standard of hotels and restaurants – a pleasant surprise
If you’ve been to Nepal, as you already know, but if you’ve only heard, you’ve read it and still think that it’s primarily a so-called Third World country, on the subject of the standard of a hotel or restaurant you can to give someone a pleasant surprise.
Of course, there are plenty of very modest places, and sometimes of a very poor technical and sanitary standard, but there are also some very decent places, or rather „almost luxurious”. In Kathmandu, for example, there are four-star hotels, just the same high-end restaurants, which may well pleasantly surprise you with their quality.
The best hotels in Kathmandu (The Yak & Yeti Hotel, Dwarika’s Hotel) are on a par with European standards. In Pokhara On the shores of Lake Phewa, you’ll find resort hotels z with beautiful views of Annapurna. Restaurants in Thamel serve international cuisine of a very high standard.
8. International airport – smaller than you might think
Although this isn’t your destination, it will almost certainly form part of it. We think it’s a surprise for the majority travellers visiting Nepal for the first time the fact is that The airport building is quite small.
On arrival with a connecting flight most often in Dubai or Doha, it is rather a pleasant surprise. An additional element, which might surprise you, is that at the immigration counter (passport control) you will be asked to provide your fingerprints i a photo for the camera.
Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu is main airport the country, but its dimensions may come as a surprise after giant hubs in the Gulf states. A simple procedure, fast-track check-in i You are in Nepal within 30 minutes of landing.
9. There’s no McDonald’s in Nepal – and that’s a good thing!
Seriously. Probably no one travelling to Nepal will not remove him from the list by this chain isn't available, but we have some sad news for fans – You won’t be able to eat a proper Big Mac in Nepal.
But is that a bad thing? Local Nepalese cuisine is much more interesting – dal bhat (lentils and rice), momos (steamed dumplings), thukpa (Himalayan soup) or sel roti (traditional bread) is culinary experiences, which you won’t find anywhere else.
Instead of global networks you’ll find authentic venues run by Nepalese families, where a meal costs between 2 and 5 USD and it is fresh, local and delicious.
What else might surprise you in Nepal?
We leave this for those who were there, or who know – Perhaps you’d like to share what surprised you during your trip to Nepal? Every journey that is new experiences i unexpected situations, which make Nepal It stays in your memory for a long time.
Preparation is key, but an openness to surprises i flexibility Having plans is the key to a successful expedition to the Himalayas. Nepal will surprise you – let him do it!
