An easy, practical and in-sequence itinerary planner I have travelled the length and breadth of India, and am truly proud of its rich and varied heritage. I am amazed by the tradition and values, the people, festivals, celebrations and the changing landscape. Have you wondered if it's possible to travel across India completely? Most foreigners arriving in India, land in Delhi and then travel the Golden Triangle route first- which is a good decision incase you have limited time at hand and want to make the most of it. The Golden Triangle- Delhi, Agra and Jaipur includes the much hyped Taj Mahal which invariably is part of a tourist's bucket list. This blog on the other hand- is a sequential strategy and detailed 'been there done that' itinerary plan starting from Mumbai. I am sure as we go through this Journey you will understand India better. My experiences are based from the perspective of a - digital nomad, budget backpacker and from a local standpoint. Each Itinerar...
Lumbini, Pokhara, Kathmandu, 7 Days NEPAL tour: Ex-Gorakhpur–Sonauli border and exit at Raxaul, Bihar
on
Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps
I wasn't really in a mood to do anything today, just lounging around with a bag of chips in one hand and my phone in the other. It was too late to change my train booking from Lucknow to Ayodhya (instead of Gorakhpur) at this hour. Oh damn! What a miscalculation on my part to miss the recently built Ram mandir in Ayodhya? Lucknow to Ayodhya is at a distance of 135kms/ 3 hrs.
.... "And guess what? I've already covered the first leg of my journey", I thought to myself. The train drew into Gorakhpur station in the wee hours of the morning, as I gathered my stuff together, feeling somewhat anxious how the day would turn out for me. After freshening up and breakfast at the railway canteen, I boarded the first bus heading to the border town of Sonauli (roughly 2 hrs from Gorakhpur station).
We drove out into the rustic countryside, when a cold drift blew through the open window. A heavy March fog hung over the empty fields making it hard to get lost in a daydream.
India to Nepal: Sonauli–Bhairahawa border crossing
At Sonauli, a cycle rickshaw dropped me at the border crossing gate.
On a positive note—
A Nepalese border official gave me the 👍 he just gestured saying "Indian? than Go!! –" not a single document or verification was required here. It was indeed heartening to see a porous India-Nepal border. It was almost 9.30 am, and school kids could be seen walking across to school on either side of the border gate; likewise people grocery shopping to and fro.
On the negative side —
The border town of Bhairahawa on the Nepal side is truly an eye sore; dusty bad roads and poor infrastructure. It feels as if the local administration is totally missing here. I exchanged some money and got a Sim card using my Aadhar ID. Later I got myself a decent breakfast of sandwich and black coffee before boarding a rusty shaky bus for my destination ~ LUMBINI.
DAY 03- LUMBINI: the birthplace of the Buddha
My hostel at Lumbini cost 200 INR and they accepted my payment in INR [I decided to hold on to my NPR wherever people don't accept Indian currency].
Lumbini is believed to be the place where Queen Mahamaya gave birth Siddharth Gautama who later became the Buddha in 623 BC. Lumbini falls on the Buddhist pilgrimage route alongwith Bodh Gaya in Bihar and Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh amongst others.
The sprawling Lumbini complex has some interesting monuments worth admiring, such as; The great stone Ashoka pillar dated at around the 13- 14th century. Then there is the Mayawati temple, the ancient Lumbini ruins and a Bodhi tree. I walked around some more and found some more Buddhist temples. I wound up my tour by afternoon, followed by a sumptuous Nepali thali meal.
"Ma'am, there's a night bus going to Pokhara, are you interested?" said the hostel receptionist. "Now, that sounds like a swell idea!" I thought, given the depressing sights of poor roads and infrastructure around this area.
Night bus to POKHARA
Unfortunately there are no sleeper berths in any long distance buses in Nepal. It would take us 10-12 hours of sitting upright throughout a bumpy overnight journey. Oh, how tiresome I felt simply thinking about it.
DAY 04- POKHARA
7 AM- amidst unimaginable exhaustion and a dire need to use the restrooms, the bus waited somewhere we could freshen-up before heading onward to Pokhara town. My next hostel called Tranquil guest hostel was way beyond the Phewa lake. Hmmm! That's going to be quiet a walk with my heavy luggage. So I walked slowly and steadily with frequent breaks.
Phewa lake, Pokhara NEPAL
Freshly baked apple struddle and cinnamon rolls
Finally a soothing sight for sore eyes while walking towards Sedi village down the Pokhara road~ the glistening Himalayan mountain range ahead, and ladies with baskets of fresh bakes; hot apple struddle and cinnamon rolls. [They are delicious and much cheaper than the cafés]. I took a much needed break here to sample some of these goodies, washed it down with hot chai and carried the rest to my hostel.
Most travellers base themselves at Phewa lake, and this is what I recommend. My dormitory style hostel was cozy and affordable, the owners of Tranquil guest hostel (Sedi village) are kind and helpful. I took time to do my laundry, a hot shower and got some much needed rest.
Strolling down the pathway alongside the tranquil Phewa lake is a relaxing experience. The adjacent Pokhara road also has an incredible vibe during late evening hours. There are innumerable restaurants and cafés (a bit expensive though) overlooking the lake. Some homely Nepali joints on the Pokhara road are less expensive.
A quaint sitout (of a private cafe) overlooking the Phewa lake
DAY 05 - POKHARA
After a wholesome English breakfast & piping hot tea, I began a leisurely hike up to the Japanese pagoda. From here we can get a great view of the Annapurna range.
TIP– Pokhara is an ideal place to spend an extra day relaxing or even a Remote work location especially for Indians.
Most backpacker hostels and guest houses accept INR. The food scene is encouraging too.
To KATHMANDU
Another overnight bus ride; this time to Kathmandu.
DAY 06, 07- KATHMANDU
Kathmandu is a dusty and polluted city especially in certain areas, but the folks at Voyage homes, Thamel are welcoming and friendly. The dorms were also comfy. After a quick check-in [ approx ₹350/ night], I started the day with a full English breakfast.
Later, I visited Pashupatinath temple, Bodha stupa and spent the evening at Durbar square. I spend some more time around Thamel, catching the vibe and exploring the food options.
Concluding my 7 days solo Nepal tour
I spent the night alone in the dormitory, thinking it out and reminiscing my Nepal trip, and came to the conclusion;
1) There a two types of Nepalis– those who are pro-India and (I feel sad saying this) but there are those who feel extremely bitter and are openly hostile towards India and Indians in general. I guess the latter is the handiwork of an anti-India / pro-China political party that has contributed in poisoning their minds.
2) Many establishments like; hotels, hostels, guest houses, restaurants and cafés accept INR. And– Yes, State Bank of India (SBI) operates in Nepal through its subsidiary, Nepal SBI Bank Ltd (NSBL), which is a leading bank in Nepal. If you hold an, SBI GLOBAL VISA card (IE. an international card variant of SBI), you can withdraw cash from any where outside India using this card. ATM will dispense Nepali rupees and amount will be debited based on the prevailing FEX conversion rate. Indians who have swiped SBI Global card in Nepal swear the charges are very nominal. I wasn't aware about this prior to making my trip, otherwise I would have spent a longer time in Pokhara.
Comments
Post a Comment