While travelling we have to check all the things are good, so that we could easily and happily enjoy our tour. One wrong step could be ruined our travel. Our vacation could be ruined by a seedy hotel room, an overpriced restaurant, a wasted afternoon at a tourist-trap attraction or an overnight flight crammed in the middle seat. Here's how to make all the right moves while travelling.
- Avoid water that is not bottled or boiled. Avoid raw vegetables and pre-cut fruit as much as possible.
- Always hire a guide or trek with other people. There have been numerous disappearances of solo trekkers in recent years. There are online forums where travelers can look for fellow-trekkers. Always communicate your travel plans to your next of kin.
- Even though Nepal is known for its pristine environment and beauty – not the highways and major city streets. They are crowded with traffic, full of smoke and bumpy and dusty. Hence travelling on a bicycle or a motorbike for the most part is not advisable. There are some off-road mountain bike trails that are ok to do.
- Do not give money to beggars on the streets. Even though they look pitiful, your giving away of money encourages them only to beg for more. If you really care support one of many charity organizations working in Nepal.
- Be sure to exchange back all the Nepalese currencies before you leave. They are not accepted (or even exchanged for that matter) outside of Nepal. Besides, taking currency out of the country is against the law.
- Do not fully rely on schedules and times that are committed to you whether in verbal or written while you are in Nepal. Have time buffer as much as you can between your major plans and activities, especially if you have a hard stop date that you need to fly out by.
- Always be alert/aware of “Bands” (Strikes – where no transportation is allowed) as they can alter all your travel plans substantially.
- Do not assume that “ganja” (marijuana) is legal in Nepal. It is not. Even though it is a common weed on hillsides you can get in trouble for picking it and carrying it for consumption purpose.
- Do not assume that when a Nepali says “yes” or shakes the head in affirmation that it is a done deal or they agree with you. Re-confirm using simplest of words but being as direct as possible to make sure.
- Stay away from dance bars in Kathmandu and Pokhara. These are tourist traps where they scam you on buying alcohol and food at much inflated prices.
- All nightlife pretty much ends by 10 pm with only a few places around the Thamel area that may stay open a little later.
- Bring a universal plug and voltage adapter kit for your Electronics. Nepal uses 220V.
- Always have some tissue paper and hand sanitizer with you at all times.
- Insist for a Running Meter in the Taxi. After 10 PM you do pay double of the meter fare however – that’s the commonly accepted norm.
- Avoid displaying food around monkeys around temples, as they are used to snatching it.