If you are looking for the honeymoon tour, Nepal is a perfect destination to have a remarkable couple holidays in the bosom of nature. There are various exclusive destinations that you can fully enjoy the amazing moments with your sweetheart. No matter about the season, honeymoon in Nepal is for all seasons. Book your Nepal Honeymoon Tour with Blue Himalaya Tour and Travels, which is a hugely experienced and a trusty holiday organizer in Nepal.
Honeymoon destinations and attractions in Nepal
Kathmandu
It's a capital city of Nepal, which is a culturally a melting pot. Hindu and Buddhist cultural heritage sites that are included in the world heritage sites in UNESCO are located there. Pashupatinath (the most significant temple for Hindu devotees), Boudhanath, Swayambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square are located there. Yu can feel blessed by the Gods and Goddess during your honeymoon tour in Kathmandu.
Nagarkot
Nagarkot is one of the best honeymoon destinations in Nepal, which is a brilliant viewpoint of the snowy peaks and the green hill territories. The sunrise view over the snow covered mountains is just magnificent. Honeymoon in Nagarkot offers you a remarkable experience.
Pokhara
Pokhara is the city of Lakes, which is naturally a rewarding town. In the horizon, it is surrounded by the dramatic mountains and green hills. Honeymoon in Pokhara is excellent with various activities that you can enjoy. Boating in the Lakes, cycling, city sightseeing, paragliding, ultra light flight, mountain flight and many more activities can be enjoyed in Pokhara.
Chitwan
Chitwan is a fabulous destination for the honeymoon tour in Nepal. You can enjoy jungle safari along with elephant ride, bird watching, canoe ride, jungle walk, visit elephant breeding center and enjoy the Tharu cultural performance. It is an opportunity to have a remarkable safari experience and exploring the tranquil nature.
Found it fruitful? Please, do not hesitate to inquire us for the cheap/budget honeymoon packages in Nepal and get our special offer. Please, contact
A seven days package comprising cultural sightseeing tour in Kathmandu Valley, jungle safari adventure in Royal Chitwan National Park and panorama view from Pokhara.
Total Cost : $500
ITINERARY IN DETAIL
Day 01
Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon visit of the Swayambhunath Stupa, Old Royal Palace and Durbar Square. Overnight hotel.
Day 02.
In the morning visit of Pashupatinath and Bodhnath Stupa. In the afternoon visit of Bhaktapur and Patan. In the late afternoon, you will drive back to Kathmandu. Overnight hotel.
Day 03
After breakfast a scenic drive along the Trisuli River to Royal Chitwan National Park. Lunch at the resort. Visit of the village of Tharu tribal people and Park Information Center. In the evening, a surprise maybe a dancing program performed by Tharu people. Dinner and overnight in bungalows.
Day 04
After breakfast, dug out canoe trip to watch the aquatic life, visit of the elephant breeding farm or a jungle trek program for 2-3 hours. After lunch at the resort, elephant back safari program. In winter and spring, you may take a jeep safari in option. Dinner and overnight bungalow
Day 05
A one-hour long bird watching tour early in the morning. After breakfast, drive (5 hours) to Pokhara. Check in hotel. In the afternoon stroll along the lakesides. Overnight hotel.
Day 06
Drive to Sarangkot for Himalayan panorama view. Drive or walk down to Pokhara. In the afternoon sightseeing of Pokhara Valley. Overnight hotel.
Day 07
Drive (6 hours) or flight (35 minutes) to Kathmandu. Afternoon at leisure for shopping. Overnight hotel.
The only question that everyone has in their mind right now is “Is Nepal Safe to travel?” Because of the concern on the devastation that earthquake brings, the focus it gets; the scenario has been made larger than what the actual situation is. Since, the Government of Nepal, Ministry of culture, Tourism and Civil aviation on its press release has assured that Nepal is safe and secured place to visit; there is no need to question the safety of travel in Nepal.
Nepal is rich in its beauty and the earthquake has caused very little damage. Among 75 districts only 8 districts are affected; having its effect on the central and western districts only. Among 10 national parks only 1 is affected. Out of 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites only 3 sites are damaged. No effect in the highways and subways connecting major cities and towns; No effect in the national and international airports in Nepal; therefore no risk to travel around. Only 2 out of 35 major trekking routes have been affected by the earthquake, making trekking in Nepal really safe and okay. There has been no burst of epidemics or viral diseases. Communication in Nepal is not a problem as well with access to telephonic lines and internet working fine and smoothly. There are plenty of hotels in Nepal and tourist destinations around which are completely safe.
Do not delay; Book your package with Hello Programmers Team. Your Safety is our responsibility.
Travel Insurance is mandatory for all customers looking to travel in Nepal with the Nepal Hiking Team. The Travel Insurance must cover both the medical and emergency evacuation cost. We recommend that your insurance is worth a minimum of USD 100,000.
The beauty of the Himalayas comes with great risks. It is always best to prepare for any unforeseen risks that may occur while traveling. There are many insurance companies that offer travel insurance services over the internet. You can choose from a wide variety of insurance companies as per your convenience. Especially when it comes to trekking in Nepal, there is always a narrow chance of minor health issues, injuries and most importantly – altitude sickness.
It is crucial that you choose an insurance policy that covers the cost of the helicopter rescue from the mountains in case of major accidents and acute mountain sickness (AMS). During such extreme cases of an emergency evacuation, a helicopter service is the only way out of the mountains. This includes a rescue team for both – ground evacuation and rescue. Which is why we require your travel insurances to cover the cost of helicopter services and evacuation from the Himalayas.
It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Before you plan your trip with us, do make sure that your travel insurance covers all the costs mentioned above from a reliable company.
Recommended Travel Insurance Companies
For Travelers from USA and CANADA
Online Global Health Insurance
Travelex
Insure My Trip.com (Online Insurance Aggregator)
Mondial Assistance
Access America
HCC Medical Insurance Services
Good Neighbor Insurance (International Health)
International Health
Insuremytrip dot com
MultiNational Underwriters
TIC Travel Insurance Coordinators Ltd
Travel Assist
TraveLite
For Travelers from England
Specialty Group (UK) Limited
FirstAssist Services Limited
Harrison Beaumont
Buy cheap travel insurance
For Travellers from EUROPE and SLOVENIA
Assistance CORIS
For Travellers from AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND
Cover More Travel Insurance
CGU Insurance Limited
For Travellers from SOUTH AFRICA
Travel insurance Consultants Pty. Ltd.
DECLARATION: These companies were recommended by our previous travellers and are for recommendation purposes only.
Nepal is well connected by commercial airline services to the rest of the world. How to reach Nepal does not pose a problem to travelers coming via India and South East Asia. How to reach Nepal is not a problem. How to leave is! – because the stunning natural scenery of Nepal acts as a magnet for nature lovers worldwide. The high mountains present a challenge for even the most experienced mountaineer.
All international flights land at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, the capital city which is well connected to the major cities of the world such as from Delhi( Daily) , Mumbai, Culcutta, and Hongkong, Guangzhou, Kunming, Chengdu, mostly Major International Airliners have wide and convenient flight networks to Nepal and back.
Fly through major transit points. Just find out how you can arrive in to Bangkok, Doha, Abu Dhabi or Muscat, Kuala Lumpur,? India, Hong Kong or other major transit points – then there are lots of connective options that will bring you to Kathmandu (NEPAL) and back.
You can check with your local travel agent who can get competitive airfares.
Thai Airways
Flies through: Bangkok to Kathmandu
Operates: Everyday
Convenient Network from Europe and America
Silk Air
Flies through: Singapore to Kathmandu
Operates: Everyday
Convenient Network from Europe, America and Australia
Fly Dubai
Flies through: Dubai to Kathmandu
Operates: Everyday
Convenient Network : There are daily flights from all around the world to Dubai by Emirates Airlines then the client connect to Kathmandu with fly dubai
Spice Jet
Flies thorough: Major Indian cities to Kathmandu
Operates: Everyday
Gulf Air
Flies through Muscat and Abu Dhabi
Operates: Everyday (two flights)
Convenient Network from Europe and America
Qatar Air
Flies through Doha
Operates: Everyday (two flights)
Convenient Network from Europe and America
Indian Airlines
They have wide connections available from all over America and Europe through to India and then to Nepal.
Jet Airways
They have wide connections available from all over America and Europe through to India and then to Nepal.
Turkish Airways
They have wide connections available from all over America and Europe through to Istanbul and then to Nepal.
Air India
They have wide connections available from all over America and Europe through to India and then to Nepal.
Between October and December is the best time to visit Nepal as the skies are generally clear and the views spectacular. The weather remains dry until about April. January and February can be very cold, especially at night, but will reward you with incredible panoramas and quieter trekking trails as there are fewer visitors. Late spring is a beautiful time to travel as the rhododendrons burst into bloom. From May, heat and humidity levels build until the monsoon rains arrive in June and the clouds obscure the glorious mountain views. Nepal celebrates festivals all year, so there is often a festival or pilgrimage taking place - ask your specialist for more details as the dates often change from year to year.
Visiting Nepal in December - February
From late December through to February, Nepal's weather is pleasant during the day but temperatures drop significantly at night time; especially in the mountains. January is the coldest month, but fewer visitors results in quieter sightseeing opportunities. Many hotels and lodges offer fireplaces, blankets and hot water bottles to keep you cosy.
Events & Festivals
Wildlife in Nepal (October to April): Nepal's wildlife is worth exploring during the drier months. Chitwan and Bardia are two of the better protected national parks, offering great sightings of rhinos, monkeys, birds and even elephants.
Visiting Nepal in March - May
March marks the beginning of spring, when temperatures increase and rhododendrons bloom. Days are longer during March and April, making them perfect for trekking, although temperatures are still cool at night. It's a popular time to travel, so plan well in advance. May is one of the warmest months of the year but will bring cloud and showers before the monsoon arrives.
Events & Festivals
Holi festival is becoming more well-known around the world, but it isn't just an Indian festival; it's celebrated across the cities and towns of Nepal every March too.
Rhododendron season (March and April): Nepal’s landscapes change colour in the spring as a range of rhododendron species spread across the hills and mountains, changing colour according to altitude from reds to pinks and whites.
Wildlife in Nepal (October to April): Nepal's wildlife is worth exploring during the drier months. Chitwan and Bardia are two of the better protected national parks, offering great sightings of rhinos, monkeys, birds and even elephants.
Visiting Nepal in June - August
The monsoon season occurs from June through to August. Days are warm (up to 30°C), wet and with high humidity. Due to Nepal’s topography, rains often occur at night, resulting in beautiful morning scenery. Although we’d advise against trekking at this time of year, city sightseeing is still possible and quieter than peak periods.
Visiting Nepal in September - November
As the monsoon dissipates in September, Nepal welcomes beautiful clear skies, fresh air and incredible views. October and November are two of the best months to visit as dry days make trekking easier and offer good visibility. The verdant landscapes following the rains are ideal for photographers.
Events & Festivals
Wildlife in Nepal (October to April): Nepal's wildlife is worth exploring during the drier months. Chitwan and Bardia are two of the better protected national parks, offering great sightings of rhinos, monkeys, birds and even elephants.
Nepal covers an area of 147,181 sq.km around the globe amongst which 143,151 sq.km is land and 4000 sq. km is water.
Capital city
The renowned – Kathmandu city.
Population of Nepal
As per census survey of UN conducted in 2010, the population of Nepal is 27.8 million.
Life Expectancy
68 years for men and 70 years for women
Geographical Location
Nepal is a landlocked country therefore there is no any direct access to Nepal through water route. It lies in between two powerful nations India and China. China lies to north while India lies to east, west and south of Nepal. Nepal shares an open border with India. Nepal’s geography varies as we move from flat plains in Terai to lush hills to towering mountains in the mountainous region. Amongst ten highest peaks in the world, Nepal owns eight!
Language
Nepal is a multicultural and multilingual nation. However, the national language of the country is Nepal. But as you travel to the different regions of Nepal, you will find variety in language, culture and lifestyle of people.
Climate
The climate of Nepal can be classified into four different types:
September – November is considered as autumn season.
December – February is considered as winter season.
March – May is considered as spring season.
June – August is considered as summer season.
People and religion
You will be a wide variation in Nepal when it comes to people and religion. However, people can be distinctly divided into two types Indo – Aryans and Mangoloids (Kirat). Going through the history of Nepal, Nepal was a sole Hindu kingdom in the world before 2007 A.D. However, it was turned to a secular state since then. But the population of Hindu people is exceptionally high than that of other religion. Besides, Hinduism, the influence of Buddhism is also major. Considered as the birthplace of Buddha, the influence of Buddhism is high in the mountainous regions of Nepal. The influence of Christianity and Muslims can also be seen. People of different religion and culture live in harmony.
Currency/ Foreign currency exchange
The currency of Nepal is Nepali Rupees. The Nepali rupee comes in the denominations of NRs.1, NRs. 2, NRs.5, NRs.10, NRs.20, NRs.50, NRs.100, NRs.500 and NRs.1000. For NRs.1 and NRs. 2, coins come in use frequently than notes.
You can exchange your currency in to Nepalese rupees at the counter in airport. You can also exchange it through banks or other authorized foreign exchange counters in Nepal. For the reference of exchange rate, you can visit the website of Nepal Rastra Bank, the central bank of Nepal.
Monetary unit
1NRs = 100 paisa
GNI per capita
USD 480 (As per the census survey of 2010 conducted by World Bank)
Main Exports
Nepal exports carpets, clothing garments, leather goods, jute goods and other handmade items.
If you are wondering about how to obtain Nepal visa, then the easiest way to obtain it is at the Tribhuwan International Airport upon your arrival in Nepal or else at the immigration entry point if you are entering through the border of India or Tibet.
Note: There are few countries namely Nigeria, Ghana, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Cameroon, Swaziland, Iraq, Ethiopia, Liberia, Palestine, etc. People from these countries do not get visa from the immigration entry points of Nepal.)
What do you need to obtain Nepal visa?
If you are thinking of taking visa at the airport or immigration entry point, following are your requirements:
A valid passport (The passport should have validity of at least six months)
You should fill the application form for visa available at airport or immigration entry points.
Two passport size photos
Visa fees which should be paid in cash.
Entry points to Nepal
Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu
Eastern Nepal – Kakarvitta, Jhapa
Central Nepal – Birjung, Parsa
Northern Border – Kodari, Sindhupalchowk
Western – Rupandehi (Belhiya, Bhairahawa)
Mid-western – Banke (Jamuna, Nepalgunj)
Far western – Kailali (Mohana, Dhangadhi) / Kanchanpur (Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar)
Visa Fees
USD 25 or equivalent convertible currency for 15 days.
USD 40 or equivalent convertible currency for 30 days.
USD 100 or equivalent convertible currency for 90 days.
For the tourist of SAARC nationals, free visa up to 30 days.
Visa is not required for Indian nationals. However, if they enter Nepal via air, they will have to show a valid identification certificate (passport/ citizenship certificate). The children under the age of 10 do not need to show identification certificate.
Visa Extension
If you want to extend visa for 15 days or less, visa extension charge is USD 30 or equivalent convertible currency
If you want to extend the visa for more than 15 days, USD 2 will be charged per day after 15 days. However, the visa can be extended maximum up to 150 days in a visa year (Visa year refers to year starting January to December.)
Transit Visa
When a foreigner has to get down at Nepalese airport as a result of his/her transit point or due to any force landing for whatever the reason, the foreigner can obtain transit visa for a day after paying USD 5 or any other currency equivalent.
Other General Information
Entering in to Nepal or staying in Nepal without a valid visa is illegal.
Tourist visa can be obtained either through the Nepalese embassy or consulate or other mission offices in your nation or at the immigration entry points in Nepal listed above.
Visa once issued cannot be amended and the visa fees are non-refundable.
You should pay the Nepal visa fees in cash. Credit card or cheque are not acceptable.
Visa charges are not applicable for children under 10 years of age, however, they must obtain a valid visa.
If you are obtaining a new passport or travel document, you are advised to contact the Immigration Department for the document transfer.
Always carry your passport and trekking permit while on trekking.
Some of the areas are restricted for filming. Therefore, be careful not to do the activities that are strictly prohibited.
The culture, tradition and sentiments of Nepalese people should be respected. Do not perform any activities that would hurt their sentiments.
Do not perform any activities that would lead to moral turpitude.
If I told you Nepal with kids was easy, I’d been lying. Nepal has been the most challenging place we’ve ever taken the children, and that includes India, but it’s been worth it 1 million times over. They got sick less in India and didn’t have to climb any mountains. So here for you, in case you’re as crazy as us, is our run down on why Nepal with kids is the best of ideas, and the worst of ideas.
You will never find another country so rich in culture, history, adventure and natural beauty, as Nepal. It’s simply stunning. Another bonus of travelling in Nepal, we met and had a chat with the very gorgeous Prince Harry. He was also in Nepal to help drive tourists back after the earthquake. This country deserves our support, I would encourage everyone to get out there and spend your tourist dollar just as soon as you can.
Nepal With Kids, 1 Month Trekking, Everest, Kathmandu and Pokhara 11 Months After the Earthquake
We are in Nepal again in 2018, again trekking with kids to Everest Base Camp. I need to say here that in 2018 conditions in Nepal are greatly improved. Nobody has been sick so far, power cuts are less frequent and internet is better. I’ll fully update this post at the end of our 3 months in Nepal with the children, but our findings from our last trekking trip are below
Kids Getting Sick in Nepal
Hanging out with a few new friends. Sadhus at Pashupatinath, Kathmandu, Nepal. Quite the cultural awakening. The face masks were for the air pollution in traffic.
In one month, we have had night-time vomiting 5 times. Once both children did it on the same night giving us a constant bathroom relay of Dettol and buckets, all night. This has never happened to us or them before in our 3 years of travel. At home in London, yes, but never on the road.
There has also been diarrhoea, regularly, with some extreme emergencies. This has never happened to us before either.
Chef hasn’t been too good, but thankfully, I’ve been fine, maybe because I’m the family clean freak and won’t put anything near my mouth unless it’s been incinerated, washed, wiped and hand gel-ed. I also stay vegetarian and stick to local Nepali dishes.
We never managed to pin-point what was making them sick, but the problem was at its worst in Kathmandu, a city globally notorious for tummy trouble. ( Don’t even think about visiting this part of the world without Travel Insurance, this is the one we use)
We would never leave home without travel insurance, in our first few months on the road my husband suddenly needed a surprise hernia repair on Ko Phangan. We wouldn’t be on the road now if we hadn’t had insurance to cover it. Every day you will see people helicoptered out of the mountains, altitude, accidents, GI problems, you don’t want to have to pay for it. This picture, from that crazy airport in the Himalayas, what an adventure!
When we arrived in Nepal we were pretty blazé about food, they ate the things they normally eat in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, anywhere in Asia.
Once the first round of vomiting started we cut right back to heavily cooked foods, pre-bottled, chemically treated or boiled water and big brand name soft drinks only.
We bought Dettol soap, hand gel and wipes and used them regularly ( something we hardly ever do), yet they still got sick. It seemed that no matter what they did, these kids of mine were intent on putting the wrong things in their mouths.
Lighting candles for Bhairab in Kathmandu. So much to learn and the Nepali people made the kids totally welcome.
Even after prolific warnings D still put away a bowl of complimentary peanuts towards the end of our month, he was up all night. They would still drink directly from cans without wiping them thoroughly. They would just have to order a hamburger rather than dal. It’s been incredibly difficult to keep them away from everything that might set them off again, but they want to take the risk to order foods they love.
They’re old enough to make their own choices and learn from them, sometimes.
But even with the intermittent vomiting and diarrhoea, they’ve been OK, still cheerful, not massively under the weather. They still see the beauty in their surroundings, marvel at what’s going on and play and chatter between themselves. It’s not been a “biggie” as I’m fond of saying.
Air Pollution in Kathmandu and Kids
Cycle rickshaws are the eco-friendly way to go, but every large bus and truck throws out black fumes in heavy traffic around Kathmandu.
The air pollution in Kathmandu is pretty bad.
Around Thamel, the backpacker area, it seems OK, it’s only in traffic that you really notice it. You can easily buy masks from local shops or the huge Thamel “Supermarket” and trekkers’ provisions shop.
I wouldn’t bring kids with respiratory problems to Kathmandu. We had a few bad air days in Pokhara too before the air cleared. The mountain air , by contrast, is incredible.
No Power, No Water, No Heat
You can experience high altitude snows, rhododendron clad slopes and tropical valleys, all in one day. Himalayan flat is a little bit up, a little bit down.
Power cuts happen every day in Nepal, to fairly predictable schedules. It’s more the case that sometimes the power is on, rather than sometimes it goes off.
Most bigger shops, guest houses and restaurants have variably-good back-up in the form of generators and solar power.
Our guest house in Kathmandu ( Stupa Guest House, click through to get rates ) did a brilliant job of keeping us lit and powered up. Sometimes we used battery packs and torches, but we managed.
The fuel embargo is officially over now, it didn’t impact us in any way other than sharing public buses with large fuel containers occasionally. There are still fuel queues for locals.
Hot showers are hard to find, the above guest house had a back-up gas shower that always worked even when the lights went out.
On the treks you can buy a hot shower from about $3 US each in most guest houses. The higher you go the more expensive that gets. None of us has had more than half a dozen showers in the last month, we’re not skanky, that’s normal for trekking.
Similarly, you can’t charge your electrical equipment in most trekking guest houses. Some charge $2 per charge, others $2-$5 per hour. It was free to charge in our Kathmandu guest house and in Pokhara we found a café that was happy for us to stay and charge devices so long as we ate there. ASolar Charger ( UK link) ( USA link here) would be a fabulous thing to have. We have a full post on travel gear for Nepal and for trekking.
In the mountains there is no heating in bedrooms and almost zero insulation. The restaurant/kitchen of your tea house will have a wood burner but at bed time you just dive under the blankets. The kids had sleeping bags, we didn’t, we all managed fine, we weren’t cold in bed.
Taking Kids to Altitude in the Himalayas
Flying into altitude, all smiles on arrival at Lukla airport, high in the Himalayas on the way to Everest.
We flew from Kathmandu to Lukla at 2,843m. Flying into altitude isn’t a great idea and I was worried that the children would be affected when we got off the plane. Even though Lukla isn’t massively high, I was still concerned.
When we got off in Lukla, D and I had slight headaches but as we descended during that afternoon of trekking they went away, never to return.
We had no further altitude issues at all. D eventually made it to 3,800m and stood at Tangboche Monastery triumphantly regarding Everest with me.
Kids seem just as likely as adults to develop altitude sickness, although research is hard to find. The first response to altitude sickness is to descend. Always have that option and know the symptoms to look for. There is no way I would take very young children, who couldn’t communicate their physical experiences, to altitude. But why listen to me right? Who am I, just a mum with a deep interest in mountains, a few high altitude treks under my belt and a background in hospital medical science. I’m not an authority.
Bad Dreams and Nightmares
Playing at the Hillary School playground at Khumjung, under Nima Sherpa’s watchful eye. 3,800m up.
One of my children suffers from night terrors intermittently, this was certainly amplified at altitude. The dreams have been improving with age and I couldn’t remember the last time he had a night terror, but he had 2 while we were high. The rest of the family had strange dreams too.
Trekking in The Himalayas with Kids, Why It’s Great
You meet the most interesting people in the mountains, the local Sherpa people of the Everest region and fellow trekkers and climbers.
The only way to see this part of the world, the high Himalayas, is to walk. It is without doubt, totally, indescribably, breath-taking. Both visually and spiritually.
Your children will witness unique cultures that few people experience or understand along with abundant local animals and plants.
So many animals for kids to meet on the Nepalese treks, from yaks, to donkeys, to goats.
They will come away with a new idea of what is humanly possible as they witness porters carrying loads of up to 100Kg at altitude for many days and see how locals scratch a living from the soil and livestock.
They will develop a new idea of what they are physically and mentally capable of.
Respecting the local religion and culture, learning how it works and what the local people believe and practice.
Walking can either be a silent meditation or an opportunity to talk, with family, with other trekkers from diverse backgrounds, or with locals. You meet the most interesting people up mountains.
You will never see anything as beautiful as sunrise in the snows of the Himalayas.
Heights, Scary Bridges, Precipitous Drops, Landslides, Yaks and Other Dangers of Trekking
Yaks are fantastic, but dangerous. Listen out for approaching yak bells.
There are dangers in the mountains, probably the biggest is yak and donkey caravans. If you’re standing on the cliff edge side of the path when they come through, you’ll more than likely be pushed off.
We crossed precarious bridges hundreds of metres above the valley floor, sometimes in high winds, rain and snow. There were landslides where the path had been taken out, some easy to cross, some very frightening.
There was wet, deep mud, full of donkey shit that went on for hours and hours. No turning back, no alternate route, you just keep going.
My kids never showed any fear. They crossed the bridges with way more ease than I. Our Sherpa guide, Nima, kept a very watchful eye on them, grabbing them, keeping up with them, protecting them. He was calm and confident and I don’t think I could have done it without him.
The bus rides go on and on, snaking around mountains on precarious paths. The bus journey back from Everest to Kathmandu was 13 hours and the most frightening of my life. The kids had no fear at all.
The buses, public and tourist, have plenty of leg-room, are pretty comfortable, but the risk of motion sickness is huge.
I dosed the boys with an antihistamine travel sickness medication before departure and had no trouble at all while those around us vomited into blue plastic bags.
After that first mega road trip the bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara is a breeze, nothing frightening and only 8 hours. The tourist buses on this route leave in convoys and stop regularly for food and toilet breaks, some of the best food we’ve eaten in Nepal was on these road-side breaks. Ear plugs are a good idea on bus trips, and a good book.
We’ll be posting about these buses soon.
What Can Kids Eat in Nepal
Flask after flask of hot black tea keeps trekkers going at altitude.
Menus in Kathmandu and Pokhara are extensive and diverse. If you have a mind to, you can order just about anything you like, but I’d urge caution. Sticking to well-cooked Nepalese foods is a good idea.
Nepalese food isn’t very hot, mo mos, thukpa and dal baht are normally fairly bland and contain plenty of vegetables. Vegetable curries are available and, low down, chicken curries should be OK to eat.
On treks your diet will become more limited, don’t touch meat up there as it all has to be carried up. Protein comes from eggs and dal soup as part of dal baht. Other than those staples, my boys ate a lot of fried potatoes with veg, you eat what they can grow locally and once you’re high, that’s mostly potatoes.
Trekkers drink flask after flask of hot tea, black, milk or variations on lemon, ginger and honey. Tea is safe, warms you up and keeps you hydrated at altitude. Soft drinks, chocolate and biscuits are available, but cost more and more the higher you go.
A fairly flat day, above Namche Bazar. Talking, walking, wildlife spotting. All in sight of Everest.
This last month has been one of the most wonderful of my life, being in those mountains with the kids has been magical but it has been hard. I think in many ways harder on me than on the kids.
I’m the stress head around here, I suffer from anxiety and obviously I worry about the boys more than I worry for myself, I’m a mum.
Their father has been cool the whole time so my view IS an exaggerated one. But as always, I tell it like it is, for me and for them. If I say that I’d do it all over again tomorrow with them, but the kids would hate me for it, does that give you a better idea? They found the walking less than fun, sometimes, but they did it and have incredible memories and self-esteem to hold onto for the rest of their lives. Other times they ran on ahead, chatting, skipping and hopping from rock to rock in a crazy Himalayan parkour. The biggest challenge for them was being away from their computers for 12 days straight, and I think that would be their biggest issue about doing it again.
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I will be back in Nepal and the Himalayas just as soon as I can. I’m not sure the kids would choose to come with me just yet, but they did it and they were awesome. Thanks for doing it with me kids, particularly D on our tough day trek to Tangboche Monastery and back, you were great company and huge encouragement when I found the going hard.
UPDATE: 2018 will see the kids and I trekking to Everest Base Camp. He will be 14. He’s agreed and is keen to go. So next post, EBC with kids!
