Month: August 2019

Kathmandu to Darjeeling

Many of the Nepalese visits Darjeeling every year. The reason is, Darjeeling and Nepal are naturally similar and Culturally connected. In past, part of Darjeeling used to be in Nepal and still, the Nepalese language is widely spoken language in Darjeeling. Darjeeling is situated at the height of 2,046 meters, 700 meters higher than Kathmandu valley. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal and Darjeeling holds a strong relationship and many of the people from Darjeeling visit Kathmandu every year. Here in this article, you can find the list of several alternatives to reach Darjeeling from Kathmandu.

Darjeeling

Darjeeling is the mesmerizing hill station that falls in the West Bengal, India. In the 19^th century, Darjeeling used to be a group of villages intermittently administered by Nepal and Sikkim. Later, in the middle of the 19^th century, the British regiment captured Darjeeling and then the drastic development of the region was witnessed. Now the region is governed by the state of West Bengal, India.

At present, the Darjeeling is the famous hill station and one of the best tourist destination in India. Darjeeling is popular for it’s globally consumed tea and the cultural and natural beauty that it holds. lured by the dazzling snow peaks of Kanchenjunga overlooking the hill town of Darjeeling and the beautiful tea gardens on the slopes of rolling hills along with the orchids, pines & rhododendrons makes Darjeeling a dream destination. Likewise, the cute Himalayan toy train whistling its way through the mountains is another major attraction of the hill. Culturally, Darjeeling composes of traditions from Tibet, Nepal and India. Looking in multiple aspects, Darjeeling is not just about nature and culture, however, you’ll only know the depth of its importance after you physically visit this place.

1. Kathmandu to Darjeeling by Flight

The nearest airport from Darjeeling is Bagdogra in Siliguri. However, there’s no direct flight from Kathmandu to Siliguri. You might have to change the plane on your transit in Delhi, Banglore, Calcutta or Mumbai. Sometimes, the transit might be in Bangkok as well. After, you land on Bagdogra in Siliguri you need to take a taxi or some local bus and drive 96 kilometres to reach Darjeeling. The minimum cost of the plane is 8,000 Nepali rupees hence, the total cost to reach Darjeeling from Kathmandu by flight might cost you 10,000 Nepali rupees in general. Likewise, there’s no guarantee of time since it depends on the airport transit.

However, the best way to reach Darjeeling by plane is first to fly to Chandragadhi Airport, Bhadrapur in Jhapa and then take a drive to Darjeeling. It would cost a minimum of 8,000 Nepali rupees per person to fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur.

2. Kathmandu to Darjeeling by Bus Overland

There’s no direct bus overland from Kathmandu to Darjeeling. However, there’s a direct bus from Kathmandu to Siliguri. Hence, Kathmandu to Darjeeling by bus is a very economical way. For this one should travel from Kathmandu to Siliguri by bus and take a taxi or bus from Siliguri to Darjeeling. You’ll get buses, shared jeeps and Taxis at Siliguri to reach Darjeeling. It takes approximately 20 hours in total to reach Darjeeling from Kathmandu by Bus. Hike on treks and travels is operating the Kathmandu to Delhi and Kathmandu to Siliguri bus services at the best cost prices. The Kathmandu to Siliguri bus fare is 2400 Nepali rupees and 3840 Indian Rupees. Hence, it might cost you approximately 5,000 Nepali rupees to reach Darjeeling. The total Kathmandu to Siliguri road distance is about 485 Kilometers. Likewise, Darjeeling is 80 kilometres farther from Siliguri.

3. Kathmandu to Darjeeling by Train

There’s no direct railway connection between Kathmandu and Darjeeling. One can travel to Calcutta in India and get the train to Siliguri. From Siliguri, one can get the toy train to reach Darjeeling.

Darjeeling Sikkim Tour Package from Kathmandu, Nepal

Hike on Travels and Treks is operating Darjeeling Sikkim Tour Package from Nepal, for more than 4 years. Hence, you can book this tour package on a group basis or individual basis with us. Do check out the details.

Hike on trek and travels is one of the leading tour agency in Kathmandu. You can contact us anytime if you wish us to arrange the tour during winter to relish the snowfall In the places mentioned in the article.

Daman

Daman lies 75 kilometres southwest of Kathmandu valley, in Makwanpur district. It lies at the elevation of 2322 meters above sea level and observes heavy snowfall during winter every year. This is the major reason, that every more than 5,000 people visits this place to enjoy the snowfall during winter. Likewise, this place offers the elegantly amazing view of Himalayas and hills, fresh waterfalls and dense forests. There are two ways to reach Daman. Either you can take a bus from Kalanki to Daman or you can hike via Chitlang.

Kalinchowk / Kuri

If you wish to get little beyond Kathmandu and want to observe the best snowfall experience then Kalinchowk Kuri village in Dolakha district is the best destination for you. It lies 150 km East of Kathmandu. At the altitude of 3842 meters above sea level lies the Kalinchowk Bhagwati Shrine which is one of the sacred places of the goddess that offers the stunning Himalayan view in that region. Likewise, it is believed that if someone makes a wish to the goddess at the shrine then she fulfil that wish. Hike on trek and travel has designed the best one night two days Kuri village Kalinchowk Bhagwati tour package which might be of great help if you wish to visit Kalinchowk during winter for snowfall.

Phulchowki

Phulchowki hosts the goddess shrine at the top ridge of the hill offering the stunning view of Kathmandu valley. Likewise, it is one of the best one-day hiking destinations near Kathmandu. However, the place is most popular as snow point during winter. Located just 20km away, it is the nearest destination to relish in the snowfall. Every year, more than 10,000 residents of Kathmandu valley goes to Phulchowki to cavort in the snowfall. Hence, This place is in the bucket list of every hiker to relish in the snow near Kathmandu. Likewise, every hiker eagerly waits to gear up and hike through the dense sub-tropical forest via Godawari whenever they heard the news about snowfall. Similarly, most of the people from Kathmandu take a bike ride to enjoy the snow in Phulchowki.

Shivapuri

Lying at the elevation of 2732 meters above sea level, Shivapuri is just other Hill station near the Kathmandu valley. Shivapuri is covered with elegantly blooming Rhododendron during the month of March and April. During winter, the snowfall and the amazing view of Mountain peaks add the beauty to the place. The trail to the top of Shivapuri passes via Budhanilkantha Temple. Likewise, Shivapuri is one of the popular one day hiking destination closest Kathmandu valley. However, to relish in the snow one must wait for extreme winter and snowfall occurs randomly during winter in Shivapuri. So, make sure it’s cold enough for snowfall in Shivapuri before visiting to cavort in Snowfall.

Chandra Giri Hills

Chandragiri hill is other Hill station that lies southwest to Kathmandu valley. Lying at the altitude of 2551 meters from sea level, Chandra Giri Hills observes snowfall during the winter season every year. The easiest way to relish in snowfall in Chandragiri hills is to get to the top of hill station on a Chandragiri Cable car. Hike on trek and travel have designed Chandragiri hill tours at the best price. So you can book this trip to relish the snowfall in Chandragiri during winter.

Lifetime Experience

Nepal had already celebrated two tourism promotion campaign. Nepal had successfully celebrated “Visit Nepal Year 1998”. Likewise, after twelve years Nepal successfully celebrated “Nepal Tourism Year 2011”. Both were a great success. Nepal Tourism Board announced the campaign in 2015, and it was supposed to be held on 2018 however, it got postponed for 2020.

With the series of earthquakes in Nepal, the tourism industry of the nation was heavily affected. The mainstream media promulgated Nepal as totally desolated by the earthquake in 2015. The earthquake considerably affected the influx of tourists in 2015 and 2016 as the numbers of tourists halved in comparison to the previous years.

The campaign was scheduled in 2018 to push that Nepal was a secure place to travel and solely twelve of seventy-five (Now 77) districts were laid low with the earthquake. However, with the leisurely upgrading activity of Tribhuvan International Airport. Likewise, Bhairahawa Airport which was planned to be upgraded to international standards as Gautam Buddha International Airport got delayed. Hence, due to improper infrastructure distribution, Nepal Tourism Board postponed the campaign to 2020.

in 2017, after two years of the deadly earthquake, Nepal finally got back on its feet. The year 2018 reigned in positives for Nepali tourism, Nepal witnessed substantial growth in the number of tourists to the nation.

According to the National Tourism Board (NTB), the number of foreign tourists visiting Nepal in 2017 was 940,218 and 1,173,072 in 2018. Similarly, the total tourist arrivals in January 2018 was 73,178.

Tourist in Nepal in 2017 & 2018

Follow the link for the detailed information regarding the tourist arrival statistics in Nepal in 2017 and 2018.

http://tourism.gov.np/files/statistics/2.pdf

http://tourism.gov.np/files/statistics/19.pdf

Nepal Government had allocated five hundred millions rupees for 100 different tourist destination to make visit Nepal 2020 campaign a great success. Although, the recent development in the tourism of nation seems to be encouraging, yet a lot of kinds of stuff are to be done by the authorities concerned to tap into the full potential of the Tourism sector and meet the objectives of the much-hyped Visit Nepal 2020 campaign.

Kalinchowk is one of the best destinations to enjoy the snowfall that lies just about 150 km away from Kathmandu. The place holds the importance since it is one of the holy and sacred shrines of Goddess Bhagwati. Similarly, most of the people visit Kalinchowk to Relish in the Snowfall during the end of spring and beginning of the winter. As a matter of fact, Spring is the peak travel season in Nepal however, people prefer visiting Kalinchowk at the end of the Spring and at the beginning of winter. And the only reason for this is the snow-covered view of Shrine.

However, many pilgrims from Nepal visit Kalinchowk during every season of the year. it’s just that the number is high during the end of the Spring and beginning of the winter. This holy place offers the beautiful and clear crystal eye view of Mount Gaurishankhar (7,181m) during Autumn. During monsoon, the greenery is absolutely eye-catching. There’s no specific best time to visit Kalinchowk. We can visit Kalinchowk all around the year. However, precisely to enjoy snowfall and snow-covered view the beginning of winter will be the best option.

Since the end of the Spring and beginning of winter is the best time to visit Kalinchowk, the hotels in Kalinchowk are really crowded. Hence, you’ll need the best and trustworthy travel companion for this trip. We assure that “Hike On Trek and Travel” provides all necessary arrangements regarding the transportation and the accommodation at the best price. You can leave your worries regarding the trip with us and we can arrange everything. And hence, you can relish in the snow and enjoy the trip in Kalinchowk.

Our Recommendation

We recommend the end of Spring and the beginning of winter in the month of November as the best time to visit Kalinchowk. Every year during this season we have groups of tourists and travellers joining Hike on treks and travels. Hence, feel free to contact us if you wish to join the trip to Kalinchowk.

Being one of the most popular and most preferred travel destination Nepal offers the best diversity in Culture and territory. Likewise, the warm hospitality of the Nepalese locals entices tourists to their overall visit. Despite the beauty of this small beautiful Nation and it’s people there are the cases of scams that are encountered by tourists in Nepal.

Here’s the list of some common scams encountered in Nepal

When someone tries to help you or when someone is over-friendly

It’s really hard to judge people if they are really helpful and friendly or they are just showing with the expectation of tips. In Nepal, Most of the people in remote areas are really helpful and might help you simply out of kindness. However, it’s not the case every time. And hence, you must be careful.

Scams related to Taxis

When you ask someone about the hotel you want to stay, either it is a taxi driver or some third person, They might say they don’t know where it is or they can say that the hotel doesn’t exist. This is because all they want to do is get you to some other hotel and get the commission out of it. To avoid such scam be sure you have the number of your hotel handy. Likewise, a taxi might charge you expensive fare so be sure to check the fare on the board or try asking it to some random Nepali. Similarly, pay your charge according to the meter reading. Don’t just get on a taxi if the guy is not ready to drive with the meter on and ask for the random fare.

Helicopter Rescue Insurance Scam

If you are in the Himalayas and you feign acute mountain sickness or altitude sickness then, the travel company with whom you are trekking might offer you the rescue helicopter back to Kathmandu. They’ll expect that your travel insurance will pay the helicopter bill. This is an Insurance fraud and it’s totally illegal. This might get you to go to jail so be careful while choosing the Trekking Agency.

Hashish sellers

In Nepal, you might encounter some random guy selling Hashish. We suggest not to get involved. It’s totally illegal and this might get you caught and you might have to go to jail for this.

Unreliable Bars

Be aware while visiting Dance bars and Night clubs in Kathmandu. There are some strip clubs that charge insane fees and will never let you leave until you paid. So, keep avoiding strip clubs. However, it’s totally fine to go to normal night clubs and bars in Kathmandu and Pokhara.