Donate directly to a temple in Nepal to help restore it

Stone mason working on restoring the Vatsala Durga temple in Bhaktapur Nepal

Bhaktapur is a prime case study in putting heritage right When I asked officials in Bhaktapur whether they were going to put up the entrance fee of Bhaktapur, like Kathmandu or Patan have, they shook their heads and said “No we are not putting up the price”. This alone, in Nepal, is a stunning revelation. …

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Local Nepal Government imposes extra $20 fee on Everest Trekkers

Everest Base Camp Sign

Foreign trekkers on the Everest Base Camp trek will have to pay an additional 2,000 rupees from October 1st 2017 A few days ago news broke that the recently elected local government in the Solukhumbu region of Nepal will impose a 2,000 rupee fee to all trekkers entering that area. In other words – if …

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Which of Nepal’s Durbar Squares is better to visit in 2018?

Bhaktapur Durbar Square in 2017 Nepal

How is Nepal’s reconstruction of its Durbar Squares doing after the earthquake? Nepal has many Durbar Squares (royal squares), however the three most famous ones are Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Patan Durbar Square. These ancient royal squares are stalwart popular tourist attractions due to their beautiful temples, artwork and historical importance. They …

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Is China still allowing foreign tourists to visit Tibet? update 2018

Potala Palace Lhasa, Tibet

Yes, the Nepal China overland border opens again on September 16th October 29th 2017 / April 2018 One of the most popular questions I get is how to travel from Nepal to Tibet overland. It’s a very easy thing to do as that previous link to my travel guide will show. Likewise from mainland China …

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The Snowman Cafe: Nepal’s best cake shop

Inside Snowman Cafe

One of Freak Street’s oldest cafes is still the best Established in 1965, during Kathmandu’s early hippie era, The Snowman Cafe still stands today near Freak Street / Jhochhen Tole. What’s more the cakes in this cafe are by far, in my opinion, the best in Nepal. Entering into the Snowman Cafe is like walking back …

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A visit to modern day Freak Street in Kathmandu

Old carpet store along Freak Street, Kathmandu

Whatever happened to Freak Street? What a name to call a place! “Freak Street”. It’s actual name is Jhhonchen Tole and it sits to the south of and adjacent to Kathmandu Durbar Square. I once disregarded it, now it’s one of my favorite spots in Kathmandu. The name “Freak Street” was given to it by …

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Gai Jatra in Bhaktapur, Nepal

Cow statue being taken through the streets of Bhaktapur during Gai Jatra

The Gai Jatra festival is the Kathmandu Valley’s second largest festival of the year with Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan usually attracting the most festivities. This year I attended the Gai Jatra Festival in Bhaktapur which many people consider to be the best place to experience it. Last year I went to the Kathmandu Gai Jatra festival …

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