AboutNilesh Korgaokar Expertise budget travel in India, off-beat locations, beaches on the west coast, backpacking, travelled extensively all over India, Nepal, Tibet and China during my Army career. Willing to assist travellers, especially yougsters, in their travel plans. Recommendations, locations, etc.
Experience See my articles
Kailash
http://www.rediff.com/travel/may/14mans.htm
Lhasa
http://www.rediff.com/travel/nov/03tibe1.htm
Coastal Maharashtra
http://www.shubhyatra.com/htm/unseen_horizons.htm
China
http://www.voyage-india.com/jun_jul99/ft_htm3.htm
Nepal Article
http://www.rediff.com/travel/1998/apr/23nep.htm
Across the Roof of the World Nepal to Lhasa
http://www.voyage-india.com/tibet/index.htm
Expert: Nilesh Korgaokar Date: 6/6/2008 Subject: Nepal in 2-3 Weeks
Question Hi!
I would be visiting Nepal for the first time in August. I'm planning to stay there for 2-3 weeks and I'm just wondering if you could help me plan my trip. I'm very interested in Photography, trekking, mountain climbing, meeting the local tribes, and water scenery. I'm getting out of my wits trying to figure out how I can make the most out of Nepal in three weeks. Also, is it safe for a 25 year old woman to go alone?
Answer Hello,
Nepal is a wonderful country for all the interests that you have mentioned. However, it has gone thru a very traumatic period in its history these last 10 years and is only now getting back to some semblance of normalcy having got rid of its monarchy and getting back to parliamentary rule. All the same, it's tourism industry has remained open for those who were willing to risk a few delays and stoppages of services and I'm sure if you plan your trip well, you should be able to enjoy yourself.
Please get hold of LONELY PLANET - NEPAL (or any other publication like ROUGH GUIDE, LETS GO or FODDORS). These travel books will give you all the information that you need and it's not possible for me to pack in that kind of information in this space. I hope you will understand. The books will also advise you on how to stay safe as a single woman traveler - basically take the common sense precautions and avoid doing anything silly or downright stupid. I would advise you to team up with another woman or two in order to doubly ensure that you are safe.
Once in Nepal you will find enough trekking and adventure services in the markets of Kathmandu and Pokhara and you are welcoem to check out their offers and negotiate a good deal for yourself. Going in a group might be sensible not only from a safety stand point but also from a cost perspective.
The Annapurna Circuit (12 days) is a popular trek that starts and ends in Pokhara. You could also take a flight to Jomsom from Pokhara and then trek north to Muktinath and the mystical Mustang region. The Everest Base Camp trek is also popular. Down in the plains towards India the Shivaliks offer some great wild life reserves as well as white water rafting in the Kali Gandhaki rivers.
Hope this helps as a teaser and you can get more information from the books I mentioned and then make an informed decision yourself on how you want to enjoy Nepal. I hope it has not changed much since I last visited many years ago.
