"Nepal- An enchanting place" Nepal by mad4travel

Nepal Travel Guide: 3,920 reviews and 10,577 photos

The place gets under your skin

Entering Nepal after a week in Northern India, you are struck by a number of contrasts. Firstly, Northern India is pretty flat hot and dusty whereas Nepal is green fresh and fertile. You find yourself winding up roads past gorges and over mountains and into the jungle.

The people are different too, they look different, have a gentler demenour than the indians and generaly speak better english.

Nepal is a much poorer country than India and have had some recent troubled times but the people have a quite dignity and friendliness that I really liked.

I was so taken by Nepal I returned within 6 months of my first visit and I'm sure I'll go there again.

Lovely People

Village Girl in Chitwan

My travels took me tiger hunting in the jungles of Chitwan national park (I didn't get to see any of course but I did ride on the back of an elephant which was good fun!)

On to Pokhara to see magnificent views of the Annapurna range (which I didn't see as it was foggy!)

Then an amazing drive up and up and up through steep valleys with terraced farming and raging rivers to the mad city of Kathmandu

The second time I came to Nepal I entered the country from Tibet. The scenery was amazing, deep rainforested valleys, lush foliage and a rather hairy road (don't look down and pray you don't meet a truck coming the other way!)

Ker-azy Kathmandu

Durbar Square Kathmandu

On the surface Kathmandu is a sprawling ,dirty, traffic ridden typical kind of city. However, visit the old parts -Durbar Square and you are transported back 500 years to a labyrinth of narrow balconied streets, temples and shrines. Get yourself lost and explore the area. All human life is there. Its a great place for people watching and you don't nearly as much hassle as you do in india.

Then visit the religious sites of Boudhanath and Pashupatinath, centres for Buddhism and Hinduism respectively.

Kathmandu was once locked into a bitter rivalry with nearby Royal cities of Patan and Bhaktapur and both places make interesting places to visit.

Stroll down the old hippie hangouts of Thamel and Freak Street and endulge in a bit of shopping (its oh so cheap!)

Pros and Cons

Pros:Fantastic scenery and culture
Cons:Shame about the recent troubles, hope its now in the past.
In a nutshell:I can see why the Hippies liked it!

Last visit to Nepal: Nov 2006
Intro Updated Sep 9, 2007
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Reviews (20)

Pokhara Things to Do (15)

Pokhara is a lovely laid back place used as a stopping off point for treks to Annapurna Pokhara spans 8 km from north... more travel advice

Meet the locals- 4 Local Customs (4)

Its nice to know the old folk take it easy in Nepal just like every other part of the world! more travel advice

Meet the locals- 3 Holy Sadhus Local Customs (4)

You will see these men in many places around Nepal. The are Hindu devotees that have given up all their worldly goods to... more travel advice

Meet the Locals-2 Local Customs (4)

This girl was in the small village we visited near the Royal Chitwan National park. She did not speak any English but... more travel advice

Transportation (1)
Taxi's

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Comments (3)

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Jenniflower Oct 2, 2008 at 12:46 AM

Fascinating page Mel... I love your pics!!!
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GillianMcLaughlin Jan 13, 2008 at 8:13 AM

Great photos and fantastic tips. I LOVED Nepal - you've given me the urge to go back again. Great page.
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themajor Sep 14, 2007 at 11:08 AM

The Bodhnath Stupa looks extraordinary. I love the mad staring eyes...reminds me of my dear wife!