16 June 2012

Nepal 2011, Day 1 - Kuala Lumpur to Kathmandu








Nepal, the only thing I know about it is Mount Everest, the highest peak in the work. A security in my previous company is a Nepali, just like other Nepali who came to Malaysia and narmal work for 5 years, then they return to Nepal. He briefly introduce his country to me, "Nepal has about 80% land covered by hills and mountains, have you been to Nepal? It is a very beautiful place.". And that was 2008. In 2011, I took the chance to visit Nepal with a group, and we included trekking in out itinerary, so I just follow. After visited Nepal then only I found out that how spectacular is the view of the mountains, and how amazing it is for the people in Nepal, especially those I met on the mountain, they probably the best part of the trip.

Recommended Nepal Himalaya Travel Agency:
Adventure Mountain Guide
http://www.adventuremountainguide.net
http://www.treknp.com
Adventure Mountain Guide Rabin Gurung
Adventure Mountain Guide Sushil Gurung

We have 9 in our group, the agest one is 57 and he told us that this is his 1st trek, which really make us worry about him. But he was fine, he is doing great during ascending, but no so good when we descend.

Our itinerary:

PlannedChange to
Day 01 
(22/10/2011)
KL > KathmanduKL > Kathmandu
Day 02 
(23/10/2011)
Kathmandu > Pokhara (By Local Bus)Kathmandu > Pokhara (By Local Bus)
Day 03 
(24/10/2011)
Pokhara > Nayapul > Tikhedhunga Pokhara > Nayapul > Tikhedhunga
Day 04
(25/10/2011)
Tihkedhunga > GhorepaniTihkedhunga > Ghorepani
Day 05
(26/10/2011)
Ghorepani > Poon Hill > TatopaniGhorepani > Poon Hill > Tatopani
Day 06
(27/10/2011)
Tatopani > GhasaTatopani > Ghasa
Day 07
(28/10/2011)
Ghasa > MarphaGhasa > Marpha
Day 08
(29/10/2011)
Marpha > KagbeniMarpha > Kagbeni
Day 09
(30/10/2011)
Kagbeni > MuktinathKagbeni > Muktinath
Day 10
(31/10/2011)
MuktinathMuktinath > Jomsom
Day 11
(01/11/2011)
Muktinath > JomsomJomsom
Day 12
(02/11/2011)
Jomsom > Pokhara (By Flight)Jomsom > Pokhara (By Local Buses & shared car)
Day 13
(03/11/2011)
Pokhara > Chitwan (By Local Bus)Pokhara
Day 14
(04/11/2011)
Chitwan  Pokhara > Chitwan (By Local Bus)
Day 15
(05/11/2011)
Chitwan > Kathmandu (By Local Bus)Chitwan
Day 16
(06/11/2011)
Kathmandu (Sightseeing in Kathmandu)Chitwan > Kathmandu (By Local Bus)
Day 17
(07/11/2011)
Kathmandu > KLKathmandu > KL (Sightseeing in Kathmandu)

We gathered in KLIA, I knew some of them as we have done some treks and camping occasionally, some I've never met before.
It's very surprise to hear that "This is my 1st time trekking", especially from the eldest one. Beside putting on a reluctant smile after hearing that, my mind only came up with "Wish you luck" and "God bless us".
This is year 2011, the only direct flight to Nepal is Nepal Airlines. Other than Nepal Airlines, we can either take Thai Airways flight to Bangkok and change flight to Kathmandu or we can fly to Dhaka, Bangladesh then transit Kathmandu. But both were expensive and time consuming, so we take Nepal Airline.
Most of the passangers in the flight are Nepali, traveling home probably after years of working in Malaysia. Beside our group, I also notice there is another group of Malaysian.
Most Malaysian prefered to take Thai Airways because there are many case of flight being canceled due to unknow reason, and lost of luggage. In 2012, AirAsia and Malaysian Airlines launched direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kathmandu, it is a very good news for Malaysian trekkers and for Nepali workers.


Nepal Airlines Food
Enjoy the meal of Nepal Airlines, it's Biryani Rice with curry chicken.



Once we arrive Kathmandu, people from the tour agency already waiting at the airport to pick us up, including the boss of the tour agency, Babu. Babu put Sayapatri Phool Mala that made of Mary Gold flower on everyone of us as a welcome in Hindu way, so beside Namaste, Sayapatri is what I'd learnt. We arrived Kathmandu around 12pm in the noon, the weather is good, sunny, but not burning.


Heritage Hotel
Check-in to Tradition Hotel/Heritage Hotel


Heritage Hotel
Welcome drink from the hotel


Heritage Hotel
No aircon in the room


Heritage Hotel
A restaurant on 6th floor with WiFi, guess you know what we are do after put down our luggage


Thamel Kathmandu
Out for lunch, though we are in Thamel area, but its quiet here.


Thamel
Trishaw in Thamel, the street is crowded, be careful with the trishaw while walking in Thamel.


Eagles in Kathmandu
A lot of eagles hovering around Kathmandu valley


Thamel
You can get anything you need for trekking in Thamel


Perodua Kelisa in Nepal Kathmandu
Something looks familiar to Malaysian, Perodua Kelisa as Taxi in Kathmandu


Dal Bhat, Nepali Food
Nepali food, Dal Bhat, many Nepali take this every day, every meal.

Recommended Nepal Himalaya Travel Agency:
Adventure Mountain Guide
http://www.adventuremountainguide.net
http://www.treknp.com
Adventure Mountain Guide Rabin Gurung
Adventure Mountain Guide Sushil Gurung

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