Hi- I'm planning to go to India and Nepal in late December/early January for 2-3 weeks. There are a few things I really want to do/see/experience-
1) The Golden Temple in Amritsar
2) The Himalayas
3) Swayambhunath
For people who have been to these places- what were your thoughts?
I haven't decided how to do all this yet and wondered if anyone had suggestions.
I've never traveled with a tour before and would prefer not to for this trip but because this is my first trip to the region, and because I'll be traveling alone, I thought perhaps this would be the easiest way to see the things I want to.
Intrepid Travel has a few tours-- "Holy India" would take me to The Golden Temple... "Everest In Full Picture" would take me a little beyond Namche Bazaar (has anyone done this? Thoughts?)...
I'm very physically fit/active and really want to do some trekking in the Himalayas. Any recommendations for shorter routes that are really striking and can be reached relatively easily (because of my time limitations). I considered the EBC trek but if I did that I think I'd want to start in Jiri, not Lukla, and I haven't found a tour agency that does that (were I to do this the longest I'd be able to stay would be 20-25 days). I also thought about the Annapurna Circuit but figured with the new road, perhaps there are better places to go.
Am I really missing out if I don't go to Chitwan NP and the Taj? There are so many things in Rajasthan that I want to see-- Jodhpur, Jaipur, Agra, etc. I'd also love to go to Varanasi.
Since my time is limited, though, and I want to see the Golden Temple it doesn't seem like I can do all of this...
Maybe I could do one of those 3-4 day excursions from Delhi that would take me to Varanasi or Agra, or perhaps it's best just to save these places for another trip.
Anyway- sorry this is so long. I'd really appreciate information/advice on traveling in this region and how to see the Himalayas with so little time. Thank you!!
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
I dont know much more about India but I know lots of things about Nepal. Because I am Nepali citizen.
I recommend you to visit following places in Nepali (kathmandu Valley)
1. Kathmandu Durbar Square
2. Bhaktapur Durbar Square
3. Patan Durbar Square
4. Nagarkot
5. Swoyambhunath
6. PasupatiNath
7. Laakuri Bhanjyang
8. Godavari
9. Changunarayan
Above places I listed are all located inside Kathmandu Valley so I think you will need around 2 to 3 days to visit all these places and you will cost around Nepali Rs. 15000 ($200). Beside these places in Nepal, you must have to visit Pokhara and Chitwan. If you don't you will miss many things. I had visited pokhara many times. I like most about pokhara is View of Fishtail Mountain. You will that mountain very clearly and you will feel that very near to your eyes. But government has banned to climb up Fishtail mountain since many years because of its beauty.
In Pokhara, there are also many treking and hiking route that you will enjoy. Phewa lake, Rupa lake, Begnas Lake, Rara lake (most beautiful in Nepal), Se-Phoksundo Lake, Tilicho Lake (Lake which is located in highest point from sea level in earth), there are many more places to visit. Moreover you will enjoy diverse Nepali culture. More than 80 languages are spoken in Nepal and all have their own different cultures and occasions. You will find Nepalese shy people. any kind of Nudity in public is restricted. People are helpful, whoever you will meet during your visit you will find smile on every faces. All people will willing to help you at any condition without any expectation.
I heard Taj and Golden Temple are most favorite places to visit all the time for visitors in India.
It really depends how much time you have. You can easily spend 2 days in each city.
For Golden Temple and other local information about Amritsar including hotels, travel agents etc
http://www.jantareview.com/amritsar
http://www.jantareview.com/Delhi
http://www.jantareview.com/agra
For local information about Kathmandu
http://nepal.jantareview.com/Kathmandu
PS. Agra in UP not rajasthan
They're all amazing places to visit to and much more places in Nepal and India to be curious about. This site has always helped me in my travels there, it is a real all around adventure travel company - http://www.nepaltourinformation.com/