Should I go to Nepal or save it for India?

haematite · Sep 3rd, 2007, 20:15

I travelled round India a few times 25-30 years ago but somehow kept missing Nepal inspite of liking Buddhist-Hindu vibes. I've started travelling round India again the last three years and I'm due to spend 4-5 months in S. India and Sri Lanka before going onto SE Asia. I have 5-6 weeks to spare from mid-October onwards at the start of the trip. Should I begin with Nepal or have I missed the moment? The books make it sound so crowded. Am I just being completist or risking missing out? Would I be better spending the time in Ladak, Sikkim and maybe Bhutan (none of which I've seen) or somewhere?

Tapestry · Sep 3rd, 2007, 20:40

I really like Nepal and I think it feels quite different from India. You could see Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, and Pokhara and I suspect you'd really enjoy it. It's a risk, though, because there were bombings there recently which are a safety hazard and it's also a real inconvenience if there are any political or transportation strikes while you're there. It's just a risk you have to decide whether you're willing to take, otherwise there are plenty of things to see.

ananda2193 · Sep 3rd, 2007, 21:47

Though I haven't been there in 16 years, I love Nepal. Kathmandu and the surrounding towns are awesome. Not like anything in India. October is supposed to be the most crowded time in Nepal, but not sure with the maoist problems that many people are still going

. It's much more touristic than most of India, but I still like it. The temples and old wooden carved buildings of Kathmandu and the surrounding towns are really nice. It's one my favorite cities i've visited in the world.

So I would say, go for sure! I plan to go back next time I'm in the area.

incitatus · Sep 3rd, 2007, 22:44

Nepal is unmissable for those into Buddhist-Hindu vibes, easy access to spectacular Himalayan views, the friendliest people on the subcontinent, amazing Buddhist temples, Tibetans (but without the Dharamsala circus) and any amount of banana pancakes.
Fortunately ,the latter are not compulsory.

PeakXV · Sep 3rd, 2007, 23:12

It has an ambience unto it's own. A must since you will be "in the neighborhood".

pantelis · Sep 4th, 2007, 19:39

There are so many beautiful places to visit and it is quite different from India, the architecture at least.And as you said about the buddhist vibes , you have to visit Bodhnath Stupa, so many monasteries around, good restaurants,if you have a connection with Guru Rinpoche do not miss Pharping which is located some 13 kilometers around Kathmandu.You'll

love it

Sep 3rd, 2007, 20:15	#1
haematite Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: uk Posts: 3	Should I go to Nepal or save it for India? I travelled round India a few times 25-30 years ago but somehow kept missing Nepal inspite of liking Buddhist-Hindu vibes. I've started travelling round India again the last three years and I'm due to spend 4-5 months in S. India and Sri Lanka before going onto SE Asia. I have 5-6 weeks to spare from mid-October onwards at the start of the trip. Should I begin with Nepal or have I missed the moment? The books make it sound so crowded. Am I just being completist or risking missing out? Would I be better spending the time in Ladak, Sikkim and maybe Bhutan (none of which I've seen) or somewhere?

Sep 3rd, 2007, 23:12	#5
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 5,877	It has an ambience unto it's own. A must since you will be "in the neighborhood". __________________ What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Sep 4th, 2007, 19:39	#6
pantelis Hello Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Greece Posts: 371	Do Not Miss Nepal!! There are so many beautiful places to visit and it is quite different from India, the architecture at least.And as you said about the buddhist vibes , you have to visit Bodhnath Stupa, so many monasteries around, good restaurants,if you have a connection with Guru Rinpoche do not miss Pharping which is located some 13 kilometers around Kathmandu.You'll love it __________________

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Sep 3rd, 2007, 20:40	#2
Tapestry Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Delhi Posts: 326	I really like Nepal and I think it feels quite different from India. You could see Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, and Pokhara and I suspect you'd really enjoy it. It's a risk, though, because there were bombings there recently which are a safety hazard and it's also a real inconvenience if there are any political or transportation strikes while you're there. It's just a risk you have to decide whether you're willing to take, otherwise there are plenty of things to see.

Sep 3rd, 2007, 21:47	#3
ananda2193 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: you essay Posts: 1,900	Though I haven't been there in 16 years, I love Nepal. Kathmandu and the surrounding towns are awesome. Not like anything in India. October is supposed to be the most crowded time in Nepal, but not sure with the maoist problems that many people are still going . It's much more touristic than most of India, but I still like it. The temples and old wooden carved buildings of Kathmandu and the surrounding towns are really nice. It's one my favorite cities i've visited in the world. So I would say, go for sure! I plan to go back next time I'm in the area.

Sep 3rd, 2007, 22:44	#4
incitatus Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK Posts: 207	Nepal is unmissable for those into Buddhist-Hindu vibes, easy access to spectacular Himalayan views, the friendliest people on the subcontinent, amazing Buddhist temples, Tibetans (but without the Dharamsala circus) and any amount of banana pancakes. Fortunately ,the latter are not compulsory.