Despite short notice, my loyal gang of annual Thanksgiving travel cohorts quickly assembled from all corners of the world for Thanksgiving 2012 Nepal! The primary focus of our trip was Nepal, but a few days in Delhi were a happy and necessary add-on given flight arrangements.

EXPERIENCE

This trip was truly incredible. The markets in India, trekking the Himalayas in Pokhara, a whitewater rafting expedition, and of course many temples and sacred sights. I had never been immersed in mountains of this scale, this trip was reminiscent of my first adventure with this crew to the Andes and Machu Picchu. Before going on this trip, I had heard from a very well traveled friend, that Pokhara is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, it was.

As all my favorite trips seem to be, this trip was full of activity, adventure, scenic landscapes, and a little soul searching– all of which are pretty inevitable while here.  Highlights of Kathmandu include Bodnath Stupa, which is also known as the monkey temple, due to its large population of wild monkeys. The Swayambhunath Temple,  Garden of Dreams and Durbar Square were other favorites. We did many of these sites with a guide so we could get more information on the history of the architecture and political climate of Nepal. Thamel is the primary nightlife district, great for finding meals and shopping. If you have the stomach for third world open markets (meat sights and scents galore) check out Asan Tole, a remarkable sensory experience.

While in Pokhara we enjoyed the sunrise from Poon Hill. Another highlight, was the World Peace Pagoda, which is best accessed by a long boat ride and beautiful hike. Many boats on Fewa Lake will take you to the base of this hike. It’s a stunning ride, and makes for a really nice day of landscapes and physical activity. 

On our way to Pokhara we stopped midway on the (very scary) bus route for whitewater rafting on the Trisuli River. The water was beyond freezing, but this really broke up the drive to the Himalayas and made for an exciting day.

STAY

While in the cities of Delhi, Pokhara and Kathmandu we stayed in hostels and a hotel that focused on transfers and authentic experiences. Our primary objective for lodging while in Delhi was reliable transfers. Hotel Classic Diplomat served this purpose well, with great service from the airport as well as to the airport for our transfer to Kathmandu. In Kathmandu we had a positive experience, though the electricity was sparse at Ambassador Garden Home. While in Pokhara the Green Tara Hotel was lakeside and very quaint. They boast an amazing overlook of the Himalayas from their very quiet and private roof deck. Their warm showers were very welcome on our return stay after our Annapurna trek.

EAT

The food in Nepal was really amazing. The masalas, including masala teas, were incredible and worth bringing home. We tended to eat a lot of curry, which is more Indian inspired, even while in Nepal since my travel group enjoys spicy cuisine. The momos were a staple. While in Kathmandu we did a great traditional meal, which felt slightly hokey, but was delicious and served without silverware. In addition to curries we ate a lot of lentils and the traditional dal baht for many meals.