Nepal Shopping Tips by into-thin-air Top 5 Page for this destination

“Sportswear International”: Trekking Gear shop in Kathmandu – Buy or Hire

For hiring or buying any trekking gear that you may need in Nepal I used to recommend a shop called “Yak Mountain” – Sadly I discovered on 2012 trip that this shop has really gone downhill and they no longer hire things out and the quality of the sleeping bags that they now stock is Abysmal !!

However – I have now discovered a new trekking g gear shop that I can recommend both for hiring and buying trekking gear – This is “Sportswear International” – Located on the same road as Nirmal’s office but a couple of hundred meters to the north.

Bam, the owner has his own factory and own label “Hi-Himal” – His sleeping bags are excellent and represent great value for money both for hire or to buy
Prices to hire start from as little as 60NPR per day and to buy from 9.000NPR (Just over $100)
Down jackets are also available to hire with prices to hire start from as little as 50NPR per day and to buy from 4.000NPR (Less than $50)
On top of these already good daily hire prices, Bam will also give a small discount for longer treks (Usually a month or more)

Normally there is no need for either a deposit or is there a cleaning charge (Unless excessive soiling has occurred)

If you have any problem finding this shop than pop into HMA and one of the office staff there will happily take you to the shop.
I am Sure you will be more than happy with anything you decide to buy or hire from “Sportswear International”

Other Contact: email- bambahadurrai@hotmail.com

Phone: 4444085

Theme: Sporting Goods

Best email /Internet outlet in Thamel

There are literally 1.000’s of internet outlets in Thamel, some of them have good connections and some of them have Slow connections, some of them have good computers and keyboards and some of them not so good !!
Prices also vary Greatly !!
So the trick is finding a good one with good computers and keyboards, a good connection and air Price.
I have used the same place for the last 8 years and haven’t found better, Prices are 20NPR per hour, Good computers and keyboards and a good connection.
Located on the cross street that heads away from Hot Breads / Le Bistro (Same street as The Kathmandu Guesthouse) in the direction of Thamel Chowk and The Royal Palace. On the right hand side towards the end of the street.

They also offer a great laundry service which I use when in Kathmandu, a lot cheaper than hotels, reliable too !!

Theme: Other

Thamel Photo Shop: Great shop for Cameras and accessories

If you are looking for a Good camera shop then look no further than the Thamel Photo Shop. Knowledgeable Friendly Staff, Very Fair prices, a good range of cameras and equipment, camera batteries and film, memory cards and they also provide a quick and efficient passport photo service, All at a very reasonable price.

2010 Update
The Thamel Photo Shop has now changed location as is now on Thamel Chowk, on the left hand side of the road where it is still narrow before Jyatha and The Kanipath.
The location might have changed but the shop is as good as ever and you still get a good deal when buying your photography equipment,
I bought a new 2G compact-flash card as well as a 1G memory stick from them and am very happy with both purchases :-)

Address: Kwabahal, Thamel, Kathmandu

Phone: 4265811

Theme: Hobbies

Internet Access in Pokhara

In Pokhara – if you have a lot of interneting to do then the prices in Pokhara Bazaar are less that ½ of what they are in Lakeside.
So as long as you have time, catch the little bus that regularly runs between Lakeside and the centre of Pokhara Bazaar and pop into one of the many outlets there.

Theme: Other

Internet access during load shedding

Currently there is around 16 hours a day of load shedding and this makes internet access a Right Pain – there are a few internet outlets in Kathmandu that have their own generators, I know there is one on the cross street opposite Hot Breads / Le Bistro, they tend to be a bit more expensive than the normal internet outlets but at least you can communicate with everyone and it still works out at well less that a $ per hour !!

Theme: Other

Do you buy your trekking gear at home or in Nepal

Down jackets and Down Sleeping-Bags represent excellent value, OK the quality is not quite as good as you might find in the “West” But they still keep you Very Warm – the only down-side is that you may well look like a chicken yourself as they do tend to shed a few feathers ;-)
If you are only going to use your Down jacket and Down Sleeping-Bag for one trek thay you also have the option of hiring them, Most trekking shops in both Kathmandu and Pokhara hire out trekking gear.
You can find an adequate pair of trekking poles for less than $20, My friend bought a pair earlier this year then we trekked Upper Mustang and they survived – she also bought a Chinese “Therma-Rest” copy for about $50 and the quality of that was surprisingly good, it even had a brass valve !! and that also survived the trek.
Lots of rip-off “Gortex” equipment – it will keep you dry enough but don’t expect it to breath, but again you can get an adequate waterproof outer shell for less than $25.
As for “Technical” equipment, wick-away underwear, boots and water filters, I would say that you would probably be better off brining your own or buying what you need before it before you leave your home country.

Theme: Sporting Goods

P G Garments: Looking for that something a bit different to wear

P G Garments is on the same street as the Kathmandu Guest-House, same side of the road down towards chhetrapati and has a brilliant selection of both Men's and Women's clothing at very reasonable prices, P G Garments also does whole-sale (These are the Guys that manufactured my " Pro-Tector Range" and I am very Please with the outcome of that !!) and also offer an airfreight service too !!
Go in and have a browse around -- Looking is Free !!!!
Mankaji will be sure to look after your every need

2006 -- I was back in this, My Favourite Clothes shop in Thamel on Many occasions this trip -- I bought myself 3 pairs of trousers and 3 shirts -- What better recommendation could I give you ?? -- Happy Travels in Nepal -- Rob

And again in 2007, Still the Best Clothes Shop in Thamel !!

I was back at P G Garments again this year (2008) and pleased to report that they are still providing great goods at a fair price

Theme: Men's Clothes

Chhetrapati Pharmacy: Good Pharmacy in Kathmandu

A Good pharmacy is Chhetrapati Pharmacy on Chhetrapati five ways on the edge of Thamel – a five minute walk from The Kathmandu Guest House – I have used this pharmacy many times over the last 12 years and the pharmacist is both knowledgeable and helpful

Fortunately for me I didn’t have the occasion to have to go to Chhetrapati Pharmacy on this my 2008 trip but I did walk past it and am pleased to report that it is still open for business

What to buy: Whatever Drugs you want you can simply buy over the counter in Nepal.
However it’s best to be aware that a lot of the drugs on sale are replicas from India, Most of these are fine, But I always take along a broad spectrum antibiotic as well as Flagyl for treatment of Gardia – But this is just my personal choice !!
Another thing to do is Always check the dates on whatever you buy, Often cheap out-of-date medication is off-loaded in Nepal but this has never happened to me at this Pharmacy !!

Address: Chhetrapati five ways, Kathmandu, Nepal

Theme: Other

" Fuji Money Changer ": Changing money in Kathmandu ??

Not exactly a shopping tip but I couldn't find a suitable page to put this one on !!??
Changing money in Kathmandu -- There are literally 1000's of money changers but my tip would be to try " Fuji Money Changer " on Thamel Chouk, I found P K Bhattachan the manager a good guy to deal with and if you are changing a largish amount of money then they are willing to give you a better rate than advertised -- give them a try !!

2006 -- I was back in this, My Favourite Money Changer in Kathmandu and Yes -- He Again gave me a better rate that All of his competitors -- See if he will do the same for you !! -- Happy Travels in Nepal -- Rob

I was back at Fuji Money Changer again this year (2008) and pleased to report that their exchange rateare still the best that I was able to find in Kathmandu

Address: Tridevi marg 29, Thamel

Directions: On Thamel Chouk, Left hand side or road when leaving Thamel, In front of Himalayan Bank

Other Contact: email mgram@mail.com.np

Phone: 4423427 / 4423555

Theme: Other

Panorama Trekking Trade: Are you looking for Trekking Gear in Kathmandu ??

If you are looking to buy trekking gear, Jackets, Boots, Trousers, Sleeping Bags or whatever then a good place to go is The Panorama Trekking Trade Shop.
Situated almost opposite the Thamel House Restaurant, The same side of the road as Pilgrim’s Guesthouse and just down the road in the direction of Durbar Square from it.
Friendly Staff, Good Quality Gear, Fair Prices – Give them a go !!

I was back at Panorama Trekking Trade again this year (2008) and pleased to report that they are still providing great goods at a fair price

Phone: 21901

Theme: Sporting Goods