Our trip through Nepal, Rajasthan, South India, and the Andaman Islands. Dates: October 26 to January 14, 2025 Departure from Geneva to Kathmandu.

NEPAL, one month. 2 days of exploring between Kathmandu and Patan. 14 days of trekking from Kathmandu to Langtang, passing by sacred lakes. Trek with a French-speaking guide and 2 porters from the local French-speaking tour operator "NEPAL VOYAGE." Ended with a helicopter ride due to a wrist fracture on black ice at 3,900m. 3 days in the hospital in Kathmandu. Continued the trip in Nepal with a self-guided stay in Bhaktapur and Pokhara. Returned to Kathmandu by plane, then flew to Delhi.

RAJASTHAN. 18 days touring Rajasthan with a French-speaking driver "RAVINDRA MENA." Highlights: Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur*, Ranakpur*, Udaipur*, Bundi, Pushkar*, Jaipur, Agra, Jaipur (Top spots marked with *). Flight from Jaipur to Kochi.

KERALA. Kochi, 3 nights—disappointing, but the Backwaters to the north by scooter were stunning and not touristy. Kochi to Varkala by Uber with a Canadian couple. Varkala, 4 nights—great for relaxing, but scooter rentals weren’t available, which was a shame. Varkala to Munroe Island by train. 2 nights in Monroe. Munroe Island to Kumilly. 2 nights on Christmas Day—meh, not much to do since all the park excursions were booked by Indian tourists. Kumilly to Munnar by local taxi, negotiated the day before. Munnar—processions, tea fields, and *so* many Indian tourists during this period that it was impossible to find scooters to rent.

TAMIL NADU Crossed Tamil Nadu from Munnar to Auroville in 3 days, stopping at the extraordinary Tamil temples of Madurai, Trichy, Thanjavur, Darasuram, Chidambaram, and others. With the lunar conjunction, pilgrimages, and year-end holidays, there were *tons* of pilgrims! Auroville to Pondicherry by scooter, then a tuk-tuk for New Year’s Eve—still *so* crowded! Pondicherry to Mahabalipuram by local bus. Mahabalipuram, 2 nights—nice and chill. Mahabalipuram to Chennai by Uber.

ANDAMAN ISLANDS Chennai to Port Blair by flight, Andaman Islands. Port Blair, 2 nights—almost too much! Speedboat to Havelock, 4 nights—still lots of Indian tourism. Couldn’t go snorkeling with a dive operator or rent gear. Luckily, we managed to buy some and do it ourselves. Speedboat to Neil Island, 3 days, 2 nights—too short, but excellent snorkeling from "Elephant, Four Wise Men." Phew, no biting flies, and we weren’t eaten by crocodiles. Back to Port Blair, then Delhi, one night, and return to Geneva.

Our impressions of India. Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu—we eventually got tired of palaces and temples. It’s always complicated and exhausting to get around on foot in the cities. During the year-end period from mid-December to mid-January, *so* many tourists! The Andaman Islands were a bit disappointing—too short, and for snorkeling, Indonesia is easier and less expensive.

Our photos========================= Trip summary NEPAL AND INDIA (140 photos) https://photos.app.goo.gl/NVY4qaLcArvXzUx58

All photos from the Nepal trek (81 photos) https://photos.app.goo.gl/pXkG3JaFyJg93k1s8

All photos NEPAL After the trek and Christine’s accident (87 photos) https://photos.app.goo.gl/UgbNWb6oAibif3837

All photos RAJASTHAN (tough to narrow down! 230 photos) https://photos.app.goo.gl/GghreEkzhZoq6Rcw7

All photos SOUTH INDIA KERALA, Tamil Nadu, Andaman (200 photos) https://photos.app.goo.gl/DYnp2JLyLR2UCM3R6

Namaste everyone,

We went to Nepal last October and literally fell in love with this country (like so many others, it seems). During our trek, we had the chance to meet and travel with an incredible independent local guide, Apsara Luitel. She told us about a unique project she’s organizing starting mid-May, and we wanted to share it in case it interests anyone. We mentioned it on another travel forum, but just in case, we’re posting it here too to reach as many people as possible.

Apsara, who knows the Api mountain valley (a name as joyful as it is intriguing!) in Nepal’s Far West (on the border between India and Tibet, at the edge of the world) perfectly, is offering an off-the-beaten-path trek for a group of 3 to 8 people max. The program? An authentic and preserved itinerary combining homestays and small mountain lodges, all the way to the Api base camp. Once at base camp, locals will guide us to secret spots only they know, where we’ll harvest yarsagumba (those famous caterpillar-fungi, rare and prized for their medicinal properties in traditional Chinese medicine—they were going for $20,000 per kilo last year!).

Mid-May is the ideal time to discover this almost unexplored region and take part in harvesting these natural treasures. This kind of adventure, led by an inspiring young woman like Apsara, is rare, and we think it could appeal to Nepal lovers and those who enjoy authentic treks far from the usual tourist routes.

No matter how many participants there are (between 3 and 8), there will always be two guides: Apsara, who speaks English (and is learning French!), and a French-speaking guide. The dates are flexible around May 15th, depending on the availability of those who’d like to take on the adventure.

Bonjour,

J'aimerais bien aller au Népal en automne et je vois qu'il y a une multitude des agences! On me reccommande l'Agence Altaï Népal! Quelqu'un connaît cette agence s'il vous plaît? Merci par avance pour votre avis!

Bonjour tout le monde,

après quelques recherches, je me tourne vers la communauté VF pour plusieurs questions concernant mon prochain trip au nepal avec un ami.

1/ Pas envie de respirer l'air de Katmandu cette fois-ci, donc on compte aller directement à Bhaktapur dès notre arrivée le 16/10 prochain à 6h30 du mat. Connaissez-vous une GH sympa, pas chère (500/1000rps la nuit) pour se poser 2/3 jours ? On a l'habitude de voyager en "routard". Confirmez-vous qu'il faut réserver pour cette période ? Combien coute le taxi de l'aéroport à Bhaktapur ?

2/ Connaissant Chitwan, on a envie d'aller à Bardia. Etant donné qu'on a prévu d'aller buller à Pokhara, vaut mieux partir de là plutôt de que de ktm ? Connaissez vous le prix indicatif d'une voiture Pokhara/Bardia? Et enfin, la route Pokhara/Bardia passe obligatoirement par Lumbini?

Merci de vos infos

Bonjour, Je pars pour le Kathmandu jeudi 25 juillet prochain, Je souhaite rencontrer les Rautés un peuple nomade vivant au Népal. Pouvez-vous svp m’indiquer comment entrer en contact avec eux? Par avance, merci

Bonjour. Quelqu'un peut-il me dire combien coûte un transport en bus local de Kathmandu à Tumlingtar ? J'envisage un trek dans le Kanchenjunga et désire une mise en place en bus local plutôt que par avion. Ce trajet se fait en 2 jours, Kathmandu/Darhan et Dharan/Tumlingtar. Merci

Bonjour ami internaute et bourlingueur ! Je sais que cette question à été souvent posé mais j'aimerais la réitérer car je n'arrive pas trop à trouver mon parcours ...J 'arrive mi fevrier à Katmandou via Bangkok , j'ai 10 j pour crapahuter dans les environs , je pense acheter tous le matériel las bas … Mon niveau physique est bon , est que quelqu'un aurai un parcours sympa à faire sans guide par exemple , Cordialement , Pierre 🙂

bonjour les voyageurs! ça y est les billets d 'avion pour le Népal sont pris ! seulement il faut maintenant faire un itinéraire! que pensez vous de : (les villes ce n est pas notre tasse de thé , mais les villages , les ethnies , les marchés , les randonnées .... ça c 'est nous ! être près des gens ! j envisage également la visite d ' un hôpital de campagne et apporter un peu de petit matériel .) donc nous sommes ouverts à toutes propositions. donc : J1 arrivée KTM 11H thamel visite monkey temple nuit monastère J2 pashupatinah le matin et Bodhnath l ' AM nuit monastère J3 PATAN et le village KOHANAN nuit ? J4 bhaktapur le matin et nargakot l ' AM nuit nargakot J5 nargakot randonnée nuit nargakot J6 retour KTM départ Bandipur 4H bus et 2 de marche Nuit bandipur J7 matin randonnée bandipur et départ pour Tansen 6h de route nuit tansen J8 J9 randonnée tansen (hôpital école .....) J10 depart lumbini aeroport retour KTM en fait j ai 2 jours pleins à caser , que me conseillez vous ? J13 KTM Paris est ce que je peux attendre notre arrivée pour prendre nos billets Lumbini KTM, le jour de notre arrivée à l aéroport pour ne pas perdre de temps ?quelle compagnie ? pour le visa : e visa ? nous souhaiterions être chez l ' habitant surtout vers tansen . faut il un guide ? merci d ' avance pour vos renseignements précieux et bonne journée à tous.

Bonjour, je pars pour Beni demain pour tenter de passer de beni a dunai via dorpatan, j ai deja pris.un.but au larkya pass a cause de la.neige mais.par contre peu de.neige au thorong pass, a voir si la neige posera pb. si necessaire, je vais chercher a redescendre de dorpatan pour prendre un.bus pour aller vers dunai ou juphal, qqn aurait il.des infos? Je continue après vers jumla et rara lake, je ne.devrais plus avoir de pb...merci d avance, aichatou

Bonjour à tous,

Je m’apprête à partir en tour du monde pendant 1 ans. Mon premier pays sera le Népal à partir du 12 janvier pour une durée d'environ 3 semaines. Quelqu'un connait le Népal au mois de Janvier? Que me conseillez vous de faire, les lieux à visiter? Connaissez vous des trecks courts et pas trop haut (je ne serai pas équipée pour le grand froid)?

Merci de vos retour,

Bonjour, je recherche une agence de voyage pour un séjour en Inde et Népal, voyage organisé. Quel agence de voyage est recommandée pour ce voyage. Je désire partir en 2021.

Bonjour, nous pensons passer par la frontière nepal- Inde par banbassa pour arriver directement dans uttarakhand début mai, savez vous si cela est possible? Nous ferons notre visa indien a kathmadou. Merci pour vos réponses Jessica et sylvain

NAMASTE NEPAL! PRACTICAL INFO AND EXPERIENCE FEEDBACK

Stay from March 25 to April 16, 2025

· Flight tickets Air India (via Delhi) (via Skyscanner) = 1130 € per person · Planned budget (and respected without too many restrictions and while buying a few small gifts) = 2000 € for the stay for two. Buses, taxis, and entrance fees to various sites represent a budget to consider. Meals are cheap. Drinks like beer/Coke, however, are not cheap and cost the equivalent of a meal. · Exchange rate of the rupee during our stay = 0.0064 € (the exchange rate is almost identical everywhere, including at the airport). · At the airport, purchase of two SIM cards (phone) = 1000 NPR x 2 for 28 days. · Kathmandu: we had booked the hotel upon arrival: Kathmandu Boutique Hotel (+977 015 357 446 – email: booking@kathmanduboutiquehotel.com), very well located in a quiet alley off the street, south of Thamel, a 10-minute walk from Durbar Square. A hotel like Nepal knows how to do, where tall people will have to duck. Night + breakfast = 18 € for two. Very warm welcome, great location, excellent value for money. · Bhaktapur: we had also booked a hotel for the end of our stay because the chance of the year 2025 made the Nepali New Year and Bisket Jatra particularly festive in Bhaktapur: Manju Baha Hotel School (+977 976 7234014 – email: manjubahahotel@gmail.com) located in an old monastery. "A social enterprise transforming an old monastery into a charming hotel, offering professional hospitality training to underprivileged Nepali youth." Night + breakfast = 32 € for two. Beautifully decorated room. Very warm welcome. Don’t miss the Changunarayan site (near Bhaktapur), it’s amazing. And if you’re lucky enough to be in Bhaktapur in mid-April for 3 days, there’s the Bisket Jatra festivities (Newari festival), joyful, noisy, fun, and wild… · Pokhara (hotel recommended by the Kathmandu hotel): Hotel Green Tara, Lakeside, 10th street, set back, quiet (Tel. +977 61 462698 – email: greentara_67@hotmail.com) · Trek permit (Lower Mustang, no need for an agency or guide, permits checked at Ghasa and Jomsom) = 2000 NPR per person (2 ID photos) · Bus Kathmandu/Pokhara and return = 2000 NPR per person · Bus Pokhara/Jomsom, 2 one-way tickets = 2800 NPR. · Taxi: negotiation with a driver we recommend, Vicky (+977 984 075 599). You explain what you want, negotiate the price, and he waits for you during the visit. Very charming, we used him several times. For example: departure from our hotel at 10 AM -> Boudhanath/Pashupatinath/Patan return at 5 PM to the hotel = 6500 NPR – Swayambhunath (round trip) = 1200 NPR · Site prices: https://ntb.gov.np/plan-your-trip/before-you-come/heritage-site-entry-fees o Visitor Pass for Kathmandu Durbar Square (for the duration of the stay, show your visa) = 1000 NPR per person (1 ID photo) o Bhaktapur Durbar Square (old town) = 1800 NPR per person o Patan = 1000 NPR per person o Swayambhu Stupa = 200 NPR per person o Boudha Stupa = 200 NPR per person o Pashupatinath Temple = 1000 NPR per person (interesting to take a guide) o Changunarayan Temple (6 km north of Bhaktapur) = 400 NPR per person o Mountain Museum in Pokhara = 750 NPR per person · E-cigarettes: e-cigarettes are banned in India and confiscated whether they’re in carry-on or checked luggage. On the way there, we had kept them in our carry-on, they were confiscated in Delhi. On the way back, learning from our previous experience, we put them in our checked luggage. Someone came to get us to take them out of our bags and confiscate them… You can find e-cigarettes and products in Kathmandu.

* * *

I’m 74 years old. I went to Nepal in 1982, 1983, and the last time in 1986. I wanted to introduce this beautiful and endearing country to my husband, and it was… now or never. So we decided it was now.

I knew the trek starting from Pokhara: Naudanda/Birethanti/Ghorepani/Tatopani/Kalopani. There was no way I was going to do that trek, especially the 1000-meter staircase to reach Ghorepani… You have to stay humble with age.

Back then, the road didn’t exist. I didn’t consider, with the construction of this road (NH48) along the western bank of the Kali Gandaki, doing a trek along a windy and dusty road. Was there an alternative hiking trail on the eastern bank? No one answered my question on VoyageForum, so I did my research online. And I found this site: "Andrées de Ruiter and Prem Rai - Trekking the Annapurna Circuit, including the new NATT trails that avoid the road - A guide to one of the most beautiful trekking regions in Nepal and the world (2011) - NATT = New Annapurna Trekking Trail".

Phew! A solution was emerging. This circuit from 2011 wasn’t fully marked. The idea was to go from Jomsom to Tatopani, so we needed to make sure the path was well-marked all the way, which we did, and the path exists, marked in red and white!

So, with the walking times information, we built our 8-day circuit:

· Jomsom/Thinigaon · Thinigaon/Chimang · Chimang/Saura · Saura/Kokhetanti · Rest day or, if in good shape: loop to Sekong Lake · Kokhetanti/Jhipra Deurali · Jhipra Deurali/Kopchepani · Kopchepani/Tatopani

It’s a senior trek, after all. So the walking times noted on the sites indicated 3 hours or even 4 hours for the two longest stages. That pace suited us fine.

On March 29, we left Kathmandu (1400m), after visiting the must-see sites, by bus to Pokhara: 200 km and 8.5 hours on a chaotic road under construction. I had a memory of Pokhara where it was the first city where you could see the Himalayan range, especially Machhapuchhare. But the pollution is such, the dust raised by traffic and construction, that no horizon is visible except the first hills around Pokhara.

We stayed 24 hours in Pokhara (820m), and on March 31, we left our luggage at the hotel and set off with our lightest backpacks: change of clothes, toiletries, first aid kit, anti-chafing cream, water bottle, sleeping bag liner, and light shoes for the stages.

We took the bus to Jomsom: 160 km/7.5 hours including stops for bathroom breaks, tea, and lunch. The road is nothing but a chaos of potholes, landslides, construction, dust, rebuilding, and mudslides. In Ghasa, the bus stops, and we’re told we’re at a checkpoint and that the two foreigners in the bus, my husband and I, need to have our permits checked, which takes a few minutes. The driving is rock-and-roll, surprising, and courteous. The drivers have their codes, and on these improbable roads, they’re virtuosos.

We could have chosen the plane, but several reasons dissuaded us: if there’s too much wind, the planes don’t take off; personally, I wasn’t reassured about landing in Jomsom, and this transport has a cost.

We arrived around 2 PM in Jomsom (2720m), and despite the early wake-up, the nearly 8 hours on the bus, and the altitude, we decided to head straight to Thinigaon (2840m). At the Jomsom checkpoint, they told us it was a 30-minute walk. Great! Except we took an hour and a half on an uphill road, bent over to fight a strong wind. But the Himalayan range is there! The Dhaulagiri, the Nilgiri, the Annapurnas as a reward.

In Thinigaon, we found a room at the "Nilgiri View Hotel" run by a didi (big sister in Nepali). From the lodge’s roof, she proudly showed us the different peaks surrounding the village and told us, worried, that it hadn’t snowed here for 3 years. She said there are very few tourists, that the season is rather in September/October/November. It seems there’s not a soul in this village, yet mules pass through the narrow street paved with large flat stones, their bells ringing. We dine at 6 PM and go to bed… Room = 1200 NPR and dinner, breakfast, and drinks = 2560 NPR.

On April 1, we set off at 9 AM, not for Chimang as planned but for Marpha! The didi from the Thinigaon lodge had said it was a 3-hour walk. The first part of this stage is attractive, the mountains are magnificent and imposing, the landscape is superb, there’s no one around, a feeling of being "alone in the world." We follow Dhumbra Tal, this small green lake. The path is a rocky track that climbs steeply. Then, around a hill, we start the big descent that joins the Kali Gandaki. We face the wind head-on, and the violent gusts take our breath away, throw us off balance, and envelop us in dust. We see the road on the other side of the Kali Gandaki. We arrive in the village of Chhairo at 2 PM, completely exhausted and with blistered feet, after 5 hours of walking instead of the planned 3.5 hours.

We’re welcomed by the village nurse, who tells us there’s a lodge in the village. Chhairo is a Tibetan village, a 20-minute walk from Marpha (according to the locals, multiply by 2 or even 3 for us…). We’re going to revise our trek plan and, first of all, spend the night in Chhairo.

The lodge is quite pleasant, and Karma, the hostess, is very friendly. She asks about our plans and suggests we stay in Chhairo the next day, from where we can visit Marpha and also Chimang, a 1-hour walk away, in light mode, meaning without backpacks. She invites us to participate in a village ceremony the next evening.

We immediately accept the proposal, as our feet need rest and the welcome is so warm… Dinner and bed!

We reworked our trek plan, which was too ambitious for our untrained bodies and, let’s face it… no longer in our first youth. In the initial plan, we thought there wouldn’t be too much elevation gain following the Kali Gandaki, but checking the map, we realize there might be significant elevation changes between Sauru and Sirkung. So we plan:

· Tomorrow: visit Marpha (2670m) and Chimang (2744m) · April 3: bus from Chhairo (2700m) to Kalopani (2530m) and continue on foot to Ghasa (2010m) · April 4: Ghasa/Pairataplo (1940m) · April 5: Pairatapla/Gadpar (1580m) · April 6: Gadpar/Narchyang (1510m) · April 7: Narchyang/Tatopani (1190m) · April 8: return to Pokhara.

Normally, it’s all downhill…

April 2, a rest day then… We set off in the morning to explore Marpha. We have to take a temporary bridge because the suspension bridge is closed due to road construction. We join the road and arrive in Marpha, a village famous for its apple orchards, brandy, cider, and apple juice production. This village is magnificent with its stone houses and monastery clinging to the hillside. The road construction spared it. There are people, but very few Western tourists.

We have lunch in Marpha and go back through Chhairo to take the path to Chimang. We cross a fragrant pine forest and find the rocky path; the landscape is splendid. We walk quietly, passing peaceful buffaloes and cows, and arrive at the foot of a stone staircase… 275 steps (which we counted on the way back) leading us to the village of Chimang. Chimang is an isolated Newari village that seems a bit desolate. Despite the slopes, there are crops on every little bit of land. Thankfully, we changed our initial program because there’s no lodge in this village, contrary to what we saw on a map… We wander through the village, which seems very deserted, have coffee in a house from another world, and then head back to Chhairo.

A rest day? = 5 hours of walking!!

Dinner and village ceremony. From what we understand, this ceremony is in honor of the Dalai Lama. Men, women, and children in traditional costumes gather twice a month; they dance, make, and offer small sweet cakes with Tibetan tea (made from tea, yak butter—often rancid—water, and salt). Surprising for first-timers…

Around 10 PM, we leave the ceremony; tomorrow morning, we need to be on the roadside by 7 AM to catch the bus to Kalopani…

This village of Chhairo is very pleasant and welcoming, no tourists, just two motorcyclists who arrived in the evening, one of whom participated in the ceremony and discreetly poured his Tibetan tea outside.

Lodge: "Norsang Tibetan Guesthouse and Restaurant". Total bill for 2 nights, 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, and drinks = 8000 NPR.

April 3: bus from Chhairo to Kalopani, about 1.5 hours for the 20 km (200 NPR per person). We descend on the right bank of the Kali Gandaki. We find the red and white markings to resume the trek toward Ghasa. We’re in a fragrant pine forest, the Dhaulagiri on one side and the Annapurnas on the other, magnificent, and the path is pleasant and easy. We get a bit lost in this forest, always looking for the markings. Near Lete, two trekkers pass us, and we meet them again a little further on with two very young children, to whom we give the 2 hard-boiled eggs I didn’t eat this morning. They accepted them without hesitation.

We arrive in a village and ask for directions to Ghasa. The young girls point the way. But we come across a forest being logged, trees cut in all directions. We turn back and ask for confirmation. They confirm… But the two young girls catch up with us and clear the way. We have to step over, go around, and cross the felled trees, with no indication at all. Through this pick-up sticks of felled trees, the girls lead us to the top of a stone staircase, indicating that was the path. It’s the only place where we saw rhododendrons in bloom.

We descend the staircase. At the bottom, to the left, there’s a bridge to go toward Choyo, and to the right, a path to Ghasa. We take the right path and join the road. We should normally find the red and white markings, but we don’t… So we continue on the western bank road of the Kali Gandaki.

A little before the village of Misi, we see fumaroles on the opposite bank that seem to come from the ground. We don’t understand. We stopped to eat in the village of Misi (noodle soup = 600 NPR), but it’s hard to communicate with the elderly people running the guesthouse.

We continued on the road, not finding the marked path parallel to the road. Landslides, both on the left and right banks, seem to have taken over the marked routes. It’s a place where the Kali Gandaki gorge narrows, and on the opposite bank, the mountain smokes more and more, and we now hear the crackling of fire. Across from us, the mountain is burning… Our initial plan had us passing on that burning bank right now…

We arrive in Ghasa at 3:30 PM, a 6.5-hour stage but with a 1-hour stop at noon. We’re at the "Florida Guesthouse and Restaurant." From our room, we see the mountain smoking on the other side of the river, and at night, we see the flames. In this village, posters show Himalayan eagles and vultures that seem to be protected species. Indeed, we saw (and heard) 3 eagles circling today.

April 4 – Today, heading to Pairothapla or Kopchepani depending on our feet, accommodation options, and simply our desires.

No more smoke on the mountain this morning. It’s chilly, 7:45 AM, the sky is clear, just a smell of smoke outside.

Price of the lodge = 1000 NPR for the night + 3580 NPR for meals.

We cross Ghasa, which stretches over more than a kilometer. We have a drink at the last guesthouse in the village, and the didi, when she learns our destination, tells us to be careful because the villages we’re going to aren’t safe. Should we distribute our rupees in different pockets? Nah, we kept going.

At the exit of Ghasa, we find the red and white markings and take the suspension bridge to cross the boiling waters of the Kali Gandaki. The passage is impressive because the river is tumultuous. Lots of climbs and even more descents. We’re back on the eastern bank. It’s hot! On the narrow path, we meet a group of buffaloes. Who has the right of way? We decide to stick as close as possible to the rock wall and move forward calmly. The buffaloes look at us, chewing placidly, with no intention of jumping on us. Phew!

After a 5-hour stage (including stops), we arrive in Pairothapla, with hot feet and firm thighs, and decide we won’t go any further. It’s a good thing because there’s a lodge, the most basic so far, but with a great welcome. We have a meal and a short nap. The buffaloes we met on the way belong to this house. They come to drink at the fountain by the path.

Our host, very pleasant, doesn’t know what to do to please us and is very attentive. He wants to chat. He has two children, a 4-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy. Where do they go to school? Do they go? He tells us that the fires in the mountain are caused by people, but for what reason? We won’t find out, but it’s illegal. From here, we can still see smoke rising in the distance. The wife is a bit less friendly. Corn kernels dry on a woven straw mat on the ground, and the mom sorts them.

From where we are, we overlook the valley and see the road under construction winding along the mountainside on the other bank.

Dinner on the terrace of the house overlooking the path, windbreaker and fleece on: dal bhat chicken for me and chicken curry for my husband: "organic" products, at least local production. There are small vegetable gardens everywhere with all sorts of vegetables.

April 5 – While we’re having breakfast on the terrace of our lodge, 5 porters, straps on their foreheads, heavily loaded, pass by on the path. A few minutes later, a group of 9 people appears. It must be said that since the beginning of our journey, we’ve met very few hikers. Two backpackers in Chhairo, the two hikers near Lete, two female hikers passed us before Pairothapla, a solo female hiker passed us…

The lodge in Pairothapla is called "Bimala Lodge & Thakali Kitchen" – Price for night + 4 meals + 2 breakfasts = 3000 NPR.

The descent toward the Kali Gandaki involves climbs whose steps we didn’t count. Clearly, the landslides on the mountain cause changes to the official ACAP trek marked in red and white, and the marking updates can’t keep up with the pace of these landslides. It’s almost always by chance that we find the markings. Fortunately, we can follow the power line that guides us somewhat.

Drink stop in Kopchepani, the legs are fine, but the feet don’t like being tightly enclosed. A group of trekkers with porters passes on the path. We met buffaloes that we kindly let pass; the path was wide enough, but it was a staircase going up, and we didn’t want to take any risks.

Across, a view of the magnificent Rupse Waterfall on the other bank of the Kali Gandaki, at the bottom, lots of vehicles and people.

Arrival in Gadpar after crossing a rather unwelcoming small village and cultivated gardens between dry stone walls, each better built than the last.

First lodge spotted, first lodge adopted to answer the call of our feet, and a very warm welcome from the owner. Since we hadn’t eaten at noon, we had Tibetan bread/jam. 6-hour stage including 1 hour of stops. Night + dinner + breakfast + drinks = 5060 NPR

April 6 – Today, heading to Narchyang.

For several days, we’ve seen banana trees with their bunches of fruit and even a prickly pear with large fruits ripening.

This stage is quite peaceful and pleasant. We take a suspension bridge to cross a tributary of the Kali Gandaki. While we’re resting for a moment before crossing the bridge, a couple of porters, a man and a woman, arrive and start across the bridge with their wood load in a basket held by a strap on their forehead, making them bend. We set off too… lighter than them.

On the other side of the bridge… a stone staircase, and it climbs steeply. The porter couple didn’t take this staircase; they went right on the path.

At the top of the staircase, we arrive in Narchyang after a 4-hour stage. A magnificent waterfall overlooks the village. We get lost in this fairly large village looking for a lodge. After wandering around for a while, we ask for directions, and an 84-year-old man takes us through the whole village and accompanies us to a very nice lodge run by a woman.

We chat with our hostess, who asks where we’re from and where we’re going. We explain that we want to reach Tatopani the next day and then return to Pokhara. She tells us there are 4x4s going directly to Pokhara and that it would probably be easier than taking a bus that might be full in Tatopani. After a quick consultation, we decide to return to Pokhara the next day by 4x4. She finds us a 4x4 with 2 seats left, departure at 8 AM – 5 hours on the road and 1500 NPR per person. A charming didi who does everything to be pleasant and helpful.

Narchyang community lodge = night + snacks + dinner + breakfast = 3000 NPR.

There you go, our trek ends tomorrow. Many necessary changes and adaptations to our initial trek, but no regrets, it was superb and a great experience that, for my part, I won’t be able to repeat. Always this encounter with the endearing, welcoming, curious, and very kind Nepali people. It was now or never, and we did it!

* * *

In conclusion, 3 full weeks in Nepal is a duration that allows visiting Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur, enjoying the various sites, and soaking in the atmosphere and urban Nepali life.

The trek, even revised and corrected, allowed us to get close to the impressive Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks. One or two acclimatization days might be necessary to get the body in tune with this magical and extraordinary land.

bonjour je pars au mustang pour le mois de mai 2017 je ne vais pas treker mais mediter qui peut me conseiller equipement medicament et pour l'eau trouve ton de l'eau mineral merci

Namasté, connaissez-vous un guide francophone pour visiter la vallée de Katmandou en 3 jours. Nous souhaitons une incursion dans le monde boudhiste et voir panorama et villages. Merci!

Hi everyone,

We’re a group of 5 heading to the Everest Base Camp trek in early April. We won’t have a porter or guide—we’re used to hiking independently and have already done the Langtang trek and the Annapurna Circuit (back in 2003!).

I’d love to know if it’s necessary to book lodges in advance or if we’ll easily find availability during this busy season. Also, will we find lodges all along the route between the main stopover villages, or only in those villages? I remember there were plenty everywhere on the Annapurna Circuit. We want to stay as flexible as possible.

Thanks for your feedback!

bonjour, on cherche à passer 3 à 5 jours dans la vallée le lonely planet donne des adresses à Nagarkot Panaupati Dhulikhel etc mais ce sont souvent des hôtels chers ( plus de 30 € la double) savez vous si il y a un choix plus large que ce qui est indiqué dans le guide et/ou y a t'il d'autres endroits tranquilles ou séjourner dans des guest house ? que conseillez vous ? merci steph

Hi there,

My partner and I are heading to Nepal for 15 days in March—she’s a schoolteacher. We’ll be trekking to Everest Base Camp and then doing the loop via the Gokyo Lakes.

We’d love to set up a fundraiser to donate to a school in Namche, along with visiting the school. It’s something that really matters to us. But it’s been tough to get in touch with a school—any ideas on how to go about this? Thanks!

Hi everyone,

We’re heading out in March for this trek. We’re used to hiking and long-distance treks, but this’ll be our first time in Nepal.

QUESTION: People from Nepal are telling us it’s MANDATORY to have guides! Is this true, or is it just agencies trying to get work for their staff?

The Lonely Planet says: "In April 2023, the government announced that every trekker would need to hire the services of a porter or a licensed guide to obtain the TIMS permit. The law isn’t enforced, and by 2025, there were no longer any obligations for teahouse treks."

What do you think? What’s your experience? Thanks for your feedback.

Bonjour , Je sais que l'on doit payer le droit d'entrée dans une "restricted area" , avant d'y entrer . On doit donc savoir combien de jours on compte y rester. Mais que se passe t'il si on doit y rester plus longtemps que prévu ? peut on payer en sortant ? si oui a qui et où ? De même si on y reste moins longtemps que prévu, est il possible de se faire rembourser ?

merci de votre aide

Namasté,

Bien sûr il a des milliers de morts dans le monde liés au COVD 19, bien sûr il y a bien plus de désastres dans les familles touchées par l’infection, mais je voulais juste avoir une pensée pour les Népalais qui subissent la double peine de cette pandémie.

J’ai des relations avec un responsable d’agence de treks à KTM, avec deux accompagnateurs de moyenne ( ?!) montagne et un guide de haute montagne. Pour eux l’avenir est très sombre et leur situation à court terme par le manque de touristes étrangers est quasi dramatique, mais je pense aussi à toutes ces personnes qui en vivent : porteurs, guesthouses, commerces etc etc..

Fait chier !

A++ Le Belu

bonjour, avec ma copine nous avons prévu d'aller au népal puis rejoindre la birmanie par la partie nord est de l'inde. Nous avons 2 mois et demi pour faire ça, janvier, février et mars. Il est très difficile de trouver des infos sur cette partie car apparement pas très touristique ce que j'adore. Mes questions seraient surtout sur l'inde du nord est. Il y a t il besoin de permis que ce soit pour le nagaland, mizoram, nagaland, Tripura ou manipur?? N'est il pas trop compliquer de faire de la route là-bas sans guide, trouver des bus ou autre transport, faire du stop éventuellement?? Est il possible d'aller se ballader librement dans les villages environnant sans embéter les gens?? Ou sont les endroits que vous nous conseilleriez d'aller sur cette itineraire?? Ma copine et moi tenont un restaurant végétarien et nous aimerions aller à la rencontre des gens pour cuisiner les spécialités locales avec les gens. Après si vous avez des endroit à nous conseillé que se soit au Népal ou dans la partie de l'Inde qu'on doit visité ou la Birmanie nous sommes prenneurs.

Robin et Sabrina

Bonjour. Nous, (couple 55/58 ans) arriverons fin octobre au Népal pour 19 jours sur place. Comme d'habitude nous ne cherchons pas à en "voir" ou "faire" le plus possible mais cheminerons à notre rythme. Petit préambule si nous sommes ses marcheurs en montagne, assez réguliers, nous n'avons jusqu'à présent jamais pratiqué de trek itinérants, mais plutôt des randonnées en étoile. u niveau de la trame de notre voyage, nous avons l'intention de redécoller des notre arrivée à Katmandou pour Pokhara et ensuite de rester 2 semaines dans cette région avant le retour pour les 2/3 derniers jours à Katmandou ou alentours. Pour les autres régions on reviendra...

1ère question on arrive normalement lundi 28/10 à 11h10 par Turkish, est il raisonnable de réserver un vol pour Pokhara en suivant et quel délais doit on prévoir? Sachant que nous ferons le visa à l'arrivée.

Ensuite la trame est de: rester 2 jours sur pokhara , faire une mise en jambe sur 2/3 jours dhampus , australian camp, sarangkot... par exemple, revenir à Pokhara 2 jours Repartir sur 4/5 jours rien de bien original région de poon hill ou muldai ou mohare danda. nous aimerions partir sans guide car nous aimerions marcher à notre rythme entre 4 et 6 h max par jour et s'arreter dans un village en fonction de nos envies, ce qui fait qu'il est possible de ne pas faire le trek forcemment planifié au départ.

D'ou quelques questions

2) Peut on trouver en cette période facilement un lodge ? Et peut on y rester une ou 2 nuits de plus si on a un coup de coeur sur la zone?

3) Y a t il des points accessibles par la route (bus , taxi...) si on veut démarrer ou stopper son trek voire le modifier?

4) Nos vieux genoux ne les aimant pas trop quelles sont les zones ou l'on risque de trouver le plus de marches (Ulleri?) ? revenir à pokhara 2 jours

et un dernier tour en montagne de3/ 4 jours à définir.

Puis retour à Ktm pour finir le séjour.

Voila cela vous parait il réalisable sans trop de problèmes logistiques? Y a t il des zones plus compliquées que d'autres pour s'orienter. J'ai une carte NA 524 ou sont indiqués en rouge, bleu et jaune differents treks sont il balisés? NATT? Nous avons du mal à définir les temps de marche entre les villages.

Enfin au dernier moment on désire prendre un porteur ou un guide / porteur à Pokhara, où doit on se renseigner? Agence, guesthouse ou un éventuel bureau de guides et porteurs indépendants. Et si cela est possible, quels sont les couts à cette période.

A bientôt de lire vos réponses.

Bonjour,

j'ai 3 semaines de vacances pendant la période de Noel et je souhaiterais me rendre au Nepal (avec mon compagnon). J'aimerai y faire un trek, mais j'ai du mal à me décider...

A Part le Trek de Langtang, en auriez-vous d'autres à me conseiller à faire si possible en autonomie sur la période de fin décembre-début janvier?

Merci🙂

Je désire passer quelques jours cette semaine dans la région du Parc National de Chitwan. Nous sommes en saison sèche, début décembre. J’aimerais me faire conseiller un lodge. J’aime observer les oiseaux, marcher, observer la faune et la flore. C’est l’ensemble de l’écosystème qui m’intéresse pas seulement les grosses bêtes du type rhinocéros. J’ai lu qu’il était difficile d’observer les animaux à cause des hautes herbes. Alors, l ‘ornithologie pourquoi pas. Je me posais également des questions concernant une promenade en éléphant. Sont ils bien traités ? Je ne suis as très fan du Jeep mais peut-être est-ce nécessaire ? Je pars dans deux jours alors merci de vos commentaires rapides Au plaisir !

bonjour je souhaite ouvrir une boutique en Bretagne de vetements et objets Népalais et j'aimerai connaitre des entreprises locales pour acheter mes produits . au Népal ou en Inde il y a plein de sites mais de grossistes et pour trouver des fabricants fournisseurs ce n'est pas évident est ce que quelqu'un aurai des adresses et des noms à me fournir ? D'avance merci

bonjour,

on cherche des bons plan pour allé au parc bardia et ensuite près de meghauli plutôt coté de la rivière de danda.

on aimerai trouvé un endroit sympa petit bungalow près de la rivière ou on vois des animaux.

merci

Bonjour à tous ! Etant une personne qui marche un peu à l'instinctif, je pars presque toujours en choisissant mes destinations au dernier moment, et voyage en solo en mode routard (même si à 34 ans je m'embourgeoise un peu 😄 ). J'ai un nouveau coup de tête et 3 semaines à tuer, j'ai donc décidé de partir dès la semaine prochaine au Népal. J'ai lu que les formalités type visa pouvaient se faire sur place donc c'est bon de ce côté-là. Mais une fois à Katmandou est-il simple de trouver un moyen de partir en trek genre le lendemain ou surlendemain ? J'imagine que si matériel spécifique il y a besoin, il est facile d'acheter ou le louer sur place ? Pour les logements je ne m'inquiète pas trop, j'ai l'habitude de trouver des Auberges en Asie du sud-est ... Voyageant seul, le but est aussi de faire des rencontres !

Merci pour votre aide, Et bon voyage à tous !

Charles

Hi there, I’d like to head to Upper Dolpo in September/October 2026. Does anyone know the current state of the roads in the area? Specifically for getting from Saldang to Dho Tarap. Also, what do you think about the weather between September 20th and October 20th? Any tips would be much appreciated. I’ve already checked out the info on Martinpierre’s site—it’s super detailed about the region, but the details are a bit outdated. Thanks in advance for your advice. Thierry