In Transit: Kathmandu to Pokhara and the Going Around the Nepal

There are different kinds of transportation from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back.  Depending on which mode of transportation you pick, it will definitely be an experience.

For the different transportations, feel free to book them on your own but for hassle-free, safe and convenient booking do it through a trusted and registered travel agency.  This will make sure you don’t waste precious time while in Nepal and have the agency take care of logistics for you.

Again, I would recommend Himalayan Encounters travel agency. I don’t gain any commission promoting them, I just had a great experience with them and I felt safe and at ease. Also, they have offices in different parts of Nepal. Plus, they are environment conscious and practice eco-socio-tourism   That just means they take care of the environment and at the same time, teach the locals in different areas how to be tour-guides and provide jobs as well as training young volunteers to get them ready while they’re in school.

A few things to have in mind:

• Traveling from Kathmandu to Pokhara (Pokhara and Kathmandu) takes about 200 km
• By land, it would take you 6-8 hrs depending on road conditions and your mode of transportation
• By air, it would take you 20 mins
• Nepal doesn’t have the best roadworks
• If you travel by car, or bus – enjoy the view!
• Drink anti-dizzy tabs if you are prone to motion sickness as some areas are zigzags
• The roads are dusty, bring masks
• If you have a bladder the size of a peanut like me, don’t drink too much water
• Most transportation stop at cheap restaurants by the side of the road, it will be your chance to “release” nature, but their toilets  aren’t the best

Different modes of transportation

1. By Air

If you want the best experience, I suggest you fly

• There are different airlines you can choose from
• Fares vary from USD $45 to $100
• Kathmandu to Pokhara by air takes about 20 minutes
• We flew via Buddha Air
• Be early for queuing in the domemestic airport, you need to get the right seats first
• get the right side seats when flying from Kathmandu to Pokhara
• get the left side seats when flying from Pokhara to Kathmandu

Buddha Air can also take you around the mountains for 1 hour

This is a bigger plane for a small plane The smaller one only has 2 seats in a row for mountain flight, guaranteed window view so you can see the mountains

Thank goodness I brought my 70-300mm zoom lens with me! I got a nearer shot of the Annapurna range and caught this Blizzard happenin’

If you can afford P4,000 (around USD 100), go ahead and do it! IT’S WORTH IT!

*fares might change

2. Car Rental

I inquired about car rentals and for 5 days, the rate would be at around USD 300.  This included land trip to Pokhara, use of car for 5 days.  It also includes gas and driver’s accommodations.  It is a great choice when there’s 2-4 of you in a trip.  It’s the most convenient way to go around Kathmandu and Pokhara, and other neighboring towns like Banipur, Lumbini (birthplace of Buddha) and Chitwan. 

With this option, you can drop by any nice place you want.  The driver also acts as your tour guide sometimes.

For car rentals, you can book via Travel agencies just to make sure you’re safe.  We had ours taken cared of by Himalayan Encounters.  We had a good driver who also took us on a side trip to Bandipur and Trusili River.  Say you know about them through Flaircandy.com and WhenInManila.com and maybe ask for discount

Nepal sample itinerary with car rental cost

Going around Nepal, here’s a sample itinerary and cost if you book a car rental.

Kathmandu – Pokhara – Palpa – Lumbini – Chitwan route for 4 nights, 5 days road trip will cost USD284 for a 5 seater Sedan (4 passengers + 1 driver) 4 passengers max

IF there’s more of you, you can pay in addition and they will book vans or microbuses for you.

3. By Bus

You have different options:

1. Local Bus – It’s what the locals ride.  It stops at almost everywhere and picks up everyone. 
2. Micro / Mini Bus – best option if you are traveling in a big group
3. Tourist buses – if you’re on a budget and can’t afford Airfare or Car rental, take this.  It is still best to book it via travel agency, again, I suggest Himalayan Encounters. 

This is a micro bus (kinda like the jeep in Manila)

For more information on the different transportation option you can take going around Nepal, you can read my following sources:

• Lonely Planet http://www.lonelyplanet.com/nepal/pokhara/transport/getting-there-away
• My Secret Planet http://www.mysecretplanet.com/Kathmandu-Pokhara-Bus

4. In the City

Whether you are in Pokhara or in Kathmandu or wherever else in Nepal, you can usually rent bikes, scooters or even horses to go around the city

Book at Nepal Hotels via Agoda.com

Hotel Booking through Agoda.com

You can book through Agoda.com via FlairCandy.com! Book just right below the title post 🙂

Registered tour guides for hassle-free trip

Tour Guides: Himalayan Encounters

PO Box 21218(Courtyard Kathmandu Guest House), Thamel, Kathmandu, NEPAL
Tel: +977-1-4700426, 4700335

Fax: +977-1-4700354

[email protected]

himalayanencounters.com

Til the next blog post…

Namaste.

Flair Candy

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