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GETTING THERE |
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To begin, select a topic in the navigation bar to the left
Getting there by air
If Nepal is your only destination, flying direct to Kathmandu is the
logical option. However, not many airlines serve this route, so you may
well find yourself making several hops with two or even three different
carriers. Flights in the autumn and spring high seasons (early October
to mid-November, and late February to late March) fill up months ahead,
so make sure you book well in advance if you plan to travel at these
times.
Since it's a long way to Nepal, consider stopping over on the way there
or back. If you're coming from North America or Australia and New
Zealand, it should cost little or no extra to stop in Hong Kong,
Bangkok, Singapore or a number of other Asian cities. From Europe, a
stop in Karachi, Delhi or Dhaka may be free. Another option is an "open
jaw" ticket , which entails flying into one city (in this case
Kathmandu) and returning from another (say, Delhi), allowing you to
travel overland in between. The price is usually calculated by halving
the return fares to each destination and adding the two figures
together.
If Nepal is only one stop on a longer journey, you might save money with
a round-the-world ticket . Many discount travel agents can sell you an
"off-the-shelf" RTW ticket that will have you touching down in about
half a dozen cities including Kathmandu or at least Delhi (customized
RTW tickets are apt to be more expensive). For greater flexibility, if
not economy, buy a one-way ticket to Hong Kong, Bangkok or Singapore,
where onward tickets are very cheap.
Overland routes to Nepal
The classic Asia overland trip is still alive and kicking, despite
periodic political reroutings. Leaving Europe behind at Istanbul, the
usual approach from the west traverses Turkey, angles down through Iran,
crosses Pakistan and enters India at Amritsar.
Several overland expedition operators run 6- to 18-week trips in
specially designed vehicles all the way through to Kathmandu. Expect to
pay between £800 and £2400 for the one-way trip from London, depending
on duration and level of luxury.
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