Spent 13 days in late Oct, early Nov in Nepal, stayed in Thamel, Bhaktapur, Nagarkot and Patan.
113 rps= $1
Never paid more than $20 for a nice room. I like my own bathroom, hot water, windows, clean...you can easily stay for under $10 a night if your willing to give up some of these things. Even less if ur ok with a dorm room.

Example, had a great room in Bhaktapur $15, hot water, wifi, in the old town with windows overlooking a small lane and a great breakfast, with shared bathroom it would have been only $11.
In Patan, 2 blocks to durbar square, I had a studio apt with huge bedroom, windows, wifi & kitchen all for $19/night, his monthly rate was $300 and sure you could get him down to $250

Food; Nepali/Newari set meal 300-500 rps, other meals never more than 400, large beer 350-500, many average restaurants in Thamel and tourist areas tag on another 24% tax!!!!! Without the additional tax outside tourist areas; Momo's under 200 rps, Fried rice or noddle under 200 rps, Pizza 350-500 rps, American Chowmein 200-300 rps, spaghetti carbonara 350 rps, Chicken burger with fires & coke 270 rps, soft drinks 50-80 rps, Lassi 80-120rps....all no tax

My Ncell sim cost me $5.50 for the sim and 6 gigs of data as well:-)....Often faster then the hotels wifi...

I paid over 55,000 rps total for admission tickets; ( Katmandu Durbar square, Patan Durbar square, Bhaktapur durbar square, Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa ++)

Taxi's average $1/km, BUT Bus's VERY cheap;;;; (example Ktm- Bhaktapur) 15 kms 25 rps..

Huge numbers of trekking shops in Thamel, you could show up in shorts and a tee shirt and fully equip yourself for an expedition to a mtn peak. Thamel is a shoppers paradise nowadays.

Its my first trip back since 1999 and was not exactly pleased. terrible traffic ( huge influx of motorcycles and taxi's), bad roads, western tourism down from what it was in the 90's, (lots of Indians and Chinese now). The city has really expanded.
Lots of earthquake damage still not repaired. Speaking with Tibetan an Nepali friends and ex business partners and they all agree it was better 20 years ago.

Its a lovely country, friendly people and lots to see and do BUT do suggest you get out on a trek and really experience the country. For better or worse; you can now drive all the way to Lo Manang in Mustang near the Chinese border.
You can do the full Annapurna circuit by motorcycle!! There are over 17 flights/day KTM-Lukla (the starting point for the Everest base camp trek), so your sharing the route with hundreds of trekkers.

Namaste'





































To view more and also some old Kodachrome shots
https://phuket.zenfolio.com/p275499884

a few more

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SternAAlbifrons wrote: ↑Mon Nov 25, 2019 2:55 pm Fab shots Rich, (and you can focus better than most of us)
sounds like a good trip all round.
See any wildlife? Catch the hand rubbing season?

Thanks
wildlife? ?only some rats ,birds
No idea," Catch the hand rubbing season?"

Nepal is also taking action;
They have reported one case so far (A Nepali student who had returned from China tested positive for the virus,)

Updated Notice on 9th March, 2020 (21:30 hrs) regarding the Suspension of Visa-On-Arrival and Entry-Exit Control Measures
same as thailand, ( but thailand only 6 countries listed) health certificate needed to enter
Appears that they are closing the land borders t o India and China

The Nepal government, late Thursday night, decided to temporarily stop issuing on-arrival tourist visas to all countries and has put an end to all spring mountaineering expeditions, including Everest ascents.
The visa suspension, which excludes diplomatic and official visas, will come into effect on March 14 and last until April 30,” a government official told the Post on condition of anonymity.

https://kathmandupost.com/2/2020/03/12/ ... WGduI9XWXU