Kathmandu: Beyond the Ordinary

Trip Overview:

Kathmandu: Beyond the Ordinary tour takes you to imbue yourself with the abundant culture, nature, and meaningful connections with communities that are scattered close to Kathmandu. 

Visit these destinations that are not frequented by other visitors and experience the warmth of the Nepalese community by staying together with the locals and experiencing Nepal from a local perspective.

Starting with Nagarkot Community Homestay, travel to a homestay that is close to green forests, clusters of waterfalls, and panoramic scenes. Practice Hatha yoga with an experienced local practitioner in the morning to relax your mind and body, and then go for a hike around the village. Walk through the forest with a magnificent view, visit the small clusters of waterfalls, and visit Jalpa Devi Temple, which is an important religious site for the locals.

A brief hike from Nagarkot to Nala and then travel onwards to Namobuddha, a sacred site for the Buddhist community is an ideal blend of spiritual and natural beauty for cultural enthusiasts. Enjoy a bike ride from Namobuddha to Panauti the next day with picturesque hills in the background accompanied by a local guide who will explain to you the history of the sacred pilgrimage site.

Panauti Community Homestay is a successful model of women empowerment and women-led community homestay. Experience dressing up in the local attire and cooking traditional Newari food for the Newari community at Panauti with the host family. 

On the way back to Kathmandu, stop briefly at Kirtipur. Experience writing the ancient script Ranjana Lipi using a bamboo pen and ink on canvas paper. Traditional Newari drinks from an earthen cup and authentic Newari dishes, such as Sagun and Samay Baji, will be served to elevate your cultural experience. As the writing and feasting come to an end, the guests depart with their own Ranjana script framed as a special memento. Thereafter,  explore the town of Newari, which has remained very close to the heart of Kathmandu yet is not frequently visited by tourists. Explore the alleyways, with nearly every opening leading you to an important site or monument. 

This trip will resonate with individuals who want a deeper understanding of Nepalese life, immersing oneself culturally and forging connections with the locals of the community that leaves one with a lifetime memory.

Highlights:

• Finding meaningful connections with communities situated away from the touristic hubs
• Revitalization of the mind and body with Hatha Yoga session
• Hikes with a scenic view of hills and nearby villages in the backdrop
• Sightseeing and exciting bike rides passing through the farm fields and age old-temples Panauti
• Dressing in traditional attire and learning the art of Newari cuisine with the hosts
• Experience Ranjana Lipi and Aila with Samay Baji

Impact Footprint: 

• Supports local economies by engaging with community homestays, directly benefiting families and community projects.
• Preserves cultural heritage through participation in local traditions such as Newari cooking, cultural exchange, and learning from Ranjana Lipi.
• Enhances cultural understanding and mutual respect through immersive experiences that educate travelers on local customs and lifestyles.
• Promotes sustainable tourism practices by favoring activities that maintain local environmental and cultural integrity.
• Empowers local communities by involving them in tourism planning and execution, ensuring they have a part in the tourism value chain
• Reduces environmental impact by focusing on nature walks, hikes, and local transport options, minimizing carbon footprint.
• Supports women's empowerment through engagement with women-led initiatives like Panauti Community Homestay.
• Provides educational opportunities for visitors and locals, fostering knowledge exchange and skill development.

Additional Information:

Accommodation

While staying in a community homestay, the rooms and facilities can differ from one house to another. The women-led Panauti Community Homestay consists of old houses in the main town and modern houses a bit further away. You can expect a mix of western and squat washrooms in both homestays, with some rooms having attached bathrooms or shared washrooms. Whereas the homestay of Nagarkot, despite being a popular getaway, is situated close to nature and away from the tourist areas. 

Though simple, you will be provided with your own room with a clean bed and basic amenities, and expect a basic level of comfort in both homestays. The bathroom may be attached or common, and you may have to share it with the family or other guests. We make sure that the community homestays run by the locals are clean and prepare hygienic food. We highly encourage you to mention any allergies or food restrictions beforehand so that the hosts can take them into consideration early on. While most homestays in the city areas have hot showers available, in cases where they are not available, the hosts will provide warm water in buckets for your use. 

While at the homestay, the hosts family would be making home-made meals during your entire stay. Depending upon the lunch place of the day especially while you are on an excursion, the guide may suggest you some delicacies. The quality of meals prepared may not be of the quality like you may find in big cities of Nepal but they will be delicious and hygienically prepared.

Transportation

In order to meet the safety standards, we make sure that the vehicles used during the tours are of high quality and in good condition. All safety requirements, such as first aid boxes, fire extinguishers, and seat belts, are available in every vehicle. The road captains annually receive First Aid Training provided by the Red Cross Society of Bhaktapur, which is a branch of the Nepal Red Cross Society. The drivers are well-trained to make sure that your journey is safe and smooth.

Guide and Support Staff

The accompanying tour guides and trekking guides are all well-trained and well-educated. They all have gained their professional license from the Government of Nepal to do tours and trekking guides in Nepal. In addition to their professional license, they are trained to provide magical, unique, and unforgettable experiences during their sightseeing tours in historical sites or while trekking. While on the trek, our guides go the extra mile to make sure that your foods are being prepared hygienically. Like our road captains, First Aid Training is provided to all our guides. Our guides will not be handing you medicines in case of need, but they are trained to provide you with all the assistance you may require in case of emergency until you receive professional medical help.

Health

There are no specific health requirements for entry into Nepal. However, you should consult your doctor for up-to-date information regarding vaccinations, high altitude medication and medications for any reasonably foreseeable illnesses whilst traveling in Nepal. We strongly recommend you to carry a small medication pack that you may need throughout the trip. Please discuss this carefully with your doctor.

Money Exchange

As currency exchange rates in Asia fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com. There are many ATM machines that accept both Visa and MasterCard, but these are limited to major cities. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops, but they may charge a 2-4% transaction fee.

Visas

Please note it is your responsibility to arrange visas before you travel. Below are the visa requirements for printing. NEPAL: All foreign nationals (except Indians) require a visa to enter Nepal. Visas are obtainable from embassies abroad or on arrival at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan airport. If getting the visa at the airport, be prepared for long queues. You will also need to provide one passport photo and the following fees in US dollars cash only: single entry visa valid for 15 days - US $30; Single Entry Visa for 30 days - US $50 and multiple entry visa valid for 90 days - US $125.

Please kindly find the link to the on-arrival visa application here.

Visa Extension

3 USD per Day(minimum 15 days)

5 USD per day as a late fine in the case of a delay

Additional  25 USD for a Multiple re-entry facility

Nationals of the following countries are requested to acquire a Visa before they arrive from their nearby Diplomatic missions (Embassies/consulates) of the Nepal Government.

• Nigeria
• Ghana
• Zimbabwe
• Swaziland
• Cameroon
• Somalia
• Liberia
• Ethiopia
• Iraq
• Palestine
• Afghanistan
• Syria
• Refugees with a travel document

Communication:

Right after your arrival, a sim card will be provided for easier communication especially while travelling to remote areas where the internet facilities are not available. 

Packing List:

Please kindly find the link below to find the packing list:

https://travelnepal.com/travel-advice/nepal-packing-list/ 

Weather:

Nepal has a generally temperate climate, but varying altitudes lead to distinct variations. The monsoon sweeps up from India each summer, making mid-June to mid-September humid and wet.

Winter (December-February) winter is cold, and you will need to be prepared, but the air is very clear, providing the

best mountain views.

Spring (March-May) Days are increasingly warm; mist and clouds are not uncommon.

Summer (June-August): The monsoon season. It will rain every day, although not all day.

Autumn (September - November) is the most pleasant season, in which days are warm but not hot and skies are clear.

Please note that the weather information is for reference only. Weather cannot be forecasted.