Our trip to Nepal was something we had eagerly anticipated for months! Just thinking about visiting Nepal brought to mind adventurous challenges since it’s the gateway to Mount Everest and home to some of the world’s tallest mountains. The moment you land, though, you quickly realize Nepal is so much more than what you imagined!
When we arrived in Kathmandu, we were greeted by surprisingly warm weather. Even though I had packed a winter jacket, it turned out not to be such a bad choice since we planned to travel across the country for nearly two weeks, so weather could vary. We also encountered a cloud of dust upon arrival. Without rain, Kathmandu can get quite dusty, but you soon forget about that once you dive into the bustling city life! I wish I had captured it all on camera.
Our hotel was about a 30-minute drive from the airport (traffic could make it longer), and we spent our first night at The Traditional Comfort. It’s easy to feel at home there, especially with the welcoming blast of air conditioning as you step inside. Plus, the hotel features a rooftop garden and bar.
We planned to explore Nepal with a larger group and met some of them for the first time at dinner. After a quick shower, we headed to Utsav Authentic Nepali Restaurant, just a few streets away. The restaurant has a touristy vibe, complete with traditional music and dance performances. Nepali locals usually dine at home, so most restaurants cater to visitors. The focus is on the quality of the food, and Utsav’s is pretty good, even if it wasn’t the best meal we had in Nepal.
We enjoyed dishes like momos (tasty dumplings with meat and vegetables) and dal bhat (a mix of rice, lentil soup, meat, spinach, and more veggies), all washed down with Nepali beers and something called ‘rice wine,’ which is quite strong.
The next morning, we got up bright and early, around 5 a.m., for our drive to Chitwan with our private bus for the two-week trip. The drive isn’t very long, but morning traffic can be a hassle. If we missed a particular road due to construction, we could have been delayed for hours, so we left at 5.30 a.m.
It’s important to remember that Nepal experienced a devastating earthquake in April 2015, which slowed the country’s progress. Some roadworks and air dust issues are due to ongoing reconstruction. Nepal wasn’t wealthy initially and relied heavily on tourism, which dwindled post-earthquake and is just starting to recover.
Our journey followed the Trishuli River, stopping occasionally for drinks, to stretch, or explore sites in detail. One stop was at the longest suspension bridge across the river. Though not a usual tourist spot, its towering height and connection from mountain to mountain were too intriguing to pass up, as our guide Suman suggested.
Walking on the bridge is scary if you’re afraid of heights; it sways slightly but feels stable, being new and well-constructed. There’s not much on the other side, so we returned, got back on the bus, and dozed off until we reached Chitwan. This spot is one of the hottest—and most fascinating—in Nepal. More on that in the next post!