Category: Travel Guide

Often times, people are so excited for their vacation and holidays plans that travel insurance is the last thing on their to-do list. It is too tempting to think, “Nah, I’ll be fine, I won’t need it”. Right?

Wrong!

Why though? Because travel insurance ensures that when things go south, you have a safety net, a backup plan, and the much-needed reassurance that you are protected at all times. In this article, we will cover how to choose a travel insurance that best meets your needs.

Are all my destinations covered?

If you are travelling to only one destination, for instance, Nepal, then this will be an easy one to check off the list, but if you are travelling to several countries, make sure that they are added to your cover. Any place that you choose to stop over, even though it is just for a night, must be added to your policy. Also, if you are travelling on a cruise, make sure to include the destinations you want to visit as a part of the tour.

Are all my belongings covered?

While a majority of travel insurance policies will provide some extent of cover for your personal belongings, the catch is to know exactly how much you are covered for. It is important to ask will it be enough to protect all of your baggage and belongings. If not, it may be wise to change your policy or consider upscaling to cover more valuable items.  So, if you are taking expensive gadgets with you, make sure you account for them in your policy and get supplemental cover.

What will happen if I lose my luggage?

Baggage cover differs the most, so if you are not carrying expensive and valuable items, save on buying premium policies by selecting an option that offers less. For instance, if a transport provider (e.g. an airline) loses your baggage and refuses to offer compensation, if you are insured, it can be obtained through the insurer. However, don’t forget that the minimum time limit varies per insurance as does the level of cover.

What happens if I cancel my trip?

Sometimes things don’t go as planned and you have to cancel your travel plans. If you do, check that cancellation is a part of your travel insurance policy. A good and credible policy will allow you to claim lost funds from cancelled flights, accommodation, vehicle lease, tour bookings and so much more. Don’t forget to check the maximum amount of money that you can claim back.

How much extra do I have to pay?

Prior to you receiving any aid, majority insurance policies will require you to pay extra. It means that if the extra on your lost baggage is $200, you will have to pay the first $200 of your losses before your insurance company will start paying you. To keep you excesses at minimum, consider purchasing a higher level of cover to choose to waive your extras altogether by paying a higher premium.

What is not included in my policy?

No brainer. Knowing what’s not included in your travel insurance is just as important as knowing what is. Make sure to thoroughly read the insurer’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), which will give you a comprehension of what’s not included in your cover. For instance, some common exclusions are terrorism, pandemic or epidemic, military occupations, travel provider insolvency, and so on. We suggest you  make a quick note of any specific events of items that are not included in your policy.

Travelling in groups can be tricky. It can either make your friendship or break it. Group holidays are a great way to test your patience and friendship. Fortunately for you, there are so many amazing group activities to embark on while in Nepal that it will take away all the baggage of group travelling. Here we have listed four group travel activities to try during your stay in Nepal for a bucketful of amazing memories.

Rafting

Rafting is one of the best group travel activities to conduct in Nepal. Well, firstly because you’ll need a group if you want to raft. But secondly, the free-flowing rivers of Nepal come straight down from the pristine peaks of Himalayans. Rafting through the choppy rivers and mysterious gorges of Nepal is a one-of-a-kind adventure sport that will have your whole group gasping for breath. With over 6000 river and rivulets flowing across Nepal, it is no surprise that the country houses several raft-worthy rivers. There are quite a few of them that are very close to Kathmandu as well. Rivers like Trishuli, Bhotekoshi, and Sunkoshi are just some examples of famous rafting rivers in Nepal, all of which are mere hours drive away from the valley.

Guided world heritage site tour

You don’t have to be a major history buff to enjoy fascinating tales and fables of ancient cities. You don’t have to be a medieval fanatic to enjoy walking through the cobbled streets and narrow alleyways of old town. Kathmandu valley was once a very prosperous kingdom during the middle age. The culture and art throbbed in the city with royal patronage. Today, although the city is the administrative hub of the country and a melting pot, it is also a real-life museum. With highest concentration of world heritage sites, Kathmandu Valley is a great place for guided city tours. There are several guided city tour services available in city with good amenities of food and transportation.

Jungle Safaris

The jungles of Nepal are highly underrated. It is understandable that it is often easy to overlook them when you are confronted by majestic mountains. However, the dense and luscious jungles of southern Nepal house some of the best hidden gems of Nepal. You can unwind in the laps of nature while being in close vicinity of incredible wildlife. It is a very adventurous yet fascinating experience to observe these wonders of biodiversity in their natural habitat. There are over dozens of national parks, wild life reserves, and conservation areas in Nepal that offer amazing jungle safari experiences. Whether on an elephant’s back or in a jeep, national parks like Chitwan NP and Bardiya NP guarantee best jungle safari experiences.

Skydiving

Well, I know this is a bit farfetched, but it truly is the best you could ask for. Skydiving above the Everest is a perfect manifestation of adventure and thrill. Moreover, embarking it with your friends will further accentuate the experience by several folds. The amazing bird’s eye view of the Everest and several eight thousanders, ferocious glaciers, and serene lakes are some sights that you will have to see to believe. Also, landing in the foothills of Everest aka the base camp is another amazing feat in itself. This remarkable group activity is something you and your friends will be talking about for years to come.

Be it your honeymoon trip or a visit to renew your vows, there is no other country in the world that will offer you an ambience or a suitable setting like Nepal does. Nestled in the mountains, the country will leave you baffled by the beauty it contains despite its size. Be it watching the sunset paint the peaks tangerine, embark on an elephant safari to the enchanting jungles, or just simply spend the time of your lives with your beloved, Nepal has a host of destinations awaiting you to create wonderful, romantic memories. Here we have listed five romantic travel destinations in Nepal to make the most out of your romantic getaway.

Pokhara

Pokhara, the numerouno Nepalese tourist hotspot is also the country’s most popular romantic destination. Here, you will come across several doting couples of all age groups – from newlyweds on their honeymoons to couples seeking a much-needed break from living on fast lane. Pokhara offers you with an array of romantic tourist activities to indulge in like boating in serene lakes in the evening time, watching panoramic sunset and sunrise views on glistening mountains, or simply exploring the city’s iconic landmarks. On top of that, the city’s friendly and hospitable people; and luxury hotels and eateries make your stay even more outstanding.

Nagarkot

A mere two-hour drive from Kathmandu, Nagarkot is only second to Pokhara. In addition to its close proximity to the capital, Nagarkot’s unmatchable surrounding and setting sees it welcome thousands of couples every year. It is especially famous for its incredible sunset/sunrise views and the views of Himalayan range stretching from east to west. Nagarkot strikes a perfect balance between calmness, peace, and greenery to transport you into nature’s lap from the hectic city life. It is especially suitable for couples that cannot afford long length of time but want to rejoice some quality time with the loved one.

Bardiya

Shadowed by the hills and mountains are Nepal’s majestic jungles in the Terai region. Bardiya, the largest national park in the country is also Nepal’s highly gratifying yet underrated honeymoon destination. Exploring the wildlife on an elephant’s back, witnessing rich Nepalese wildlife in all its glory, and indulging in experiences like birdwatching, butterfly watching, and water canoeing are some of the most unique things to experience with your lover.

Bandipur

Bandipur is a small yet a culturally endowed hilltop destination that will make you want to sit back and relax. Positioned in between the tall hills between the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway, Bandipur is a living museum which has impressively preserved ancient Newari architecture and lifestyle. It is especially visible in the intricately built buildings which now operate as lodges and inns. This way, visitors can experience an authentic Newari style hospitality. Also, the morning views of the river beneath and the hills and mountains aiming for the sky will make, visit to Siddha cave and hike to Ramkot village are some wonderful activities to indulge in.

Daman

Very less frequented, Daman is one of the most highly underrated places to visit for romantic getaways in Nepal. Set in a remote location, it doesn’t look any less than a film set for a fairytale movie. Far from the hustles and bustles of the city life, it is also seeing less number of tourists visiting which makes it perfect to spend some alone time with your lover. One of the main attractions of Daman visit is the scenic view of Himalayan range ranging from Mt. Everest to Mt. Dhaulagiri.

Kathmandu – the fabled Shangri-La below the silver peaks of the Himalayans, the verdant valley of the kind, smiling people where gods blend with the mortals. Anyone with even a little interest in eastern civilization would know that the phrase “City of Temples” is synonymous with the Nepalese capital. Katmandu, indeed, is a city of gods, a city of devotees. The origin of Kathmandu valley is as sacred as the lake of its origin, obscured into a mythical legend. Today, the valley has evolved into a veritable crucible in which over the course of thousand years, many races, religions, languages, and customs have molded into an iconic civilization.

Like world’s any capital, Kathmandu has witnessed some rapid expansions and developments, especially in the last decade. Also, Nepal’s largest city, it has become quite up to date in contexts of convenience and comfort, boasting of all kinds of luxury within the palm’s range. However, it is a city where ancient traditions fraternize with the latest technology. Despite all the hustles of being a metropolitan city, the city has retained its refreshingly unique traditions dating back to ancient and medieval history. Stepping into Kathmandu is like stepping into a different dimension, where the times bygone and the present blend effortlessly, a city everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime.

You can think of Kathmandu as a marvel of a microcosm, like a flawless emerald in a filigree setting. It is an incredibly historic and diverse city with breathtakingly beautiful Newari architecture, centuries-old Hindu shrines and Buddhist stupas.  As you walk through the stone-paved alleyways and narrow streets, where instead of glances, your shoulders meet with the commuters, you will marvel at the ornate woodcarvings on palaces and temples, wander in the thronged bazaars of the inner towns, and pause at the temple of the Living Goddess: Kumari of Kathmandu.

Nowhere in the world will you the same concentration of tradition, art, and culture that exists in Kathmandu Valley. To most Nepalese, the valley is Nepal – a notion which stems from the land’s early history, which was heightened during the cultural heydays of the Mallas when the valley flourished as the center of art and excellence. Thus, the history has endowed Nepal with majestic landmarks that will transfer you into a medieval haven, far from the chaos of 21st century. The city is dotted with multistoried pagoda temples with intricate woodworks and phallic artworks, colossal Buddhist statues with Buddha’s piercing eyes looking over the valley, illustrious palaces and courtyards that make the valley a living cultural museum. It is evident from the fact that the valley houses seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Pashupati Nath Temple, Changu Narayan Temple, Swayambhu Nath Stupa, Boudha Nath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Square, and Patan Durbar Square.

From world-renowned heritage sites to small shrines with vermillion-laden stone statues found in every nook and corner, Kathmandu is truly the city of temples. It is a city of contrasts where you will see temples dating back to millennia adjacent to a cybershop, to witness ancient religious ceremonies updated for modern times. It is a city of friendly and inspired Nepalese people whose talent have created the living heritage that will enthrall and delight you at every turn.  A city you need to visit to believe.

 

Kathmandu is nothing like your capital city. No looming skyscrapers and infinite stretches of roads. No illuminating city lights at midnight hour to camouflage the night. And most importantly, the city hasn’t turned into a concrete jungle with all modern luxuries in palms of hands but sans a soul. For many, stepping off the plane for the first time into Kathmandu is an overwhelming overload of sensory experiences. Whether you are barreling your way through the traffics of stone-paved old towns, gaping at historical marvels, or dodging trekking touts in the rambler district of Thamel, Kathmandu will be an intoxicating, enthralling and unforgettable experience. Here we have listed 5 things to know before you schedule Kathmandu tour to ensure it is a beautiful one.

Getting around in two-wheelers

Four-wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul. It is especially true in case of Kathmandu’s narrow, crowded, but vibrant streets. On top of that, the traffic is unreliable. If you like to reach your destinations at a time, make the most out of it, and not waste hours wallowing in Kathmandu’s traffic, rent a cycle or motorbike. You can get them conveniently on an hourly and daily basis at cheap prices around the city. Also, it is much more fun to carve your way through the bustling old streets dotted with old vendors, colorful rickshaws, and young school children.

Capturing your moments

With a hundred-year-old temple in every nook and a festival procession going on in every corner, Kathmandu is an open, living museum it itself. The city is also a good place to hone your photography skills with so many subjects to photograph. It’s wise to bring a good camera that will do justice to the city’s beautiful landscapes and landmarks. However, note that it is prohibited to fly a drone in Kathmandu sky and might result in getting your gadget confiscated.

Knowing your festive timing

The native land to Nepal’s cultural maestros Newars, Kathmandu valley boasts of such elaborate history and culture that will blow your mind. The city celebrates unique festivals with medieval roots throughout the year. If you plan your visit during one the city’s major festivals, it’ll be the most amazing way to get under the city’s skin. For instance, the glorious Indra Jatra falls in September, the biggest festival of Dashain falls in October, and the colorful festival of Holi falls in March.

Planning your accommodation

Kathmandu is not only Nepal’s administrative capital, but also a tourist hotcake. Resultantly, it is home to an array of accommodation houses ranging from international hotel chains to homestays operating in hundreds of years old historic homes. Similarly, there is also a whole part of town dotted with cheap hotels and inns dedicated to 70’s hippy lifestyle, as well as cozy homes for paying guests.

Weather in Katmandu

One of the best things about Kathmandu is its weather. It is never too hot, never too cold, or in short, never too extreme. As opposed to the freezing climate of north and sweltering heat of the south, its safe to say that Kathmandu is blessed with natural air conditioner. Spring is a wonderful time to visit, but then almost every season is. Goes without saying, but do your research and bring appropriate clothing to enrich your experience further!