BAGDORGA TO NEPAL(MUKTHI NATH)
Members: Selvam Sridharan, Naveen
Bike: Royal enfield 500cc
Bagdogra to Ithari via Khakkarbhitta - 160 kms
To reach Khakkarbhitta,a small town on the border of Nepal and India, we had to useit as many foreigners do to cross the border. It is located about an hour from Siliguri and four hours from Darjeeling in India, we left from Bagdogra early in the morning and on the way, stopped and had breakfast. We passed through Naxalbari (famous for communist uprising of 1960's ) on the way to the
border town of Khakkarbhitta. The permits for the bikers and bikes can be done over there and then we head to Ithari.
September 13th: Ithari to Janakpur - 180 kms
After breakfast we left from Ithari through the southern plains of Nepal and the Terai region (alluvial, forested and marshy terrain at the base of the Himalaya mountain range) to the temple town of Janakpur. I n the evening we visited the impressive Janaki Mandir and is considered as the most important model of the Rajput architecture in Nepal.
September 14th: Janakpur to Kathmandu - 300 kms
The trip to Kathmandu started after breakfast through the cool crisp morning!The ride through the Terai for about 160 kms till Hetauda was cool and bright! .....And then started the ascend through the magnificent Himalayan ranges. It was almost evening when we arrived in Kathmandu.
September 15th: Kathmandu
Breakfast was an important booster in this climate! So, after breakfast we rode off explore the city’s attractions like local markets, spice tasting, Patan, Durbar Square, Bodhnath Stupa, Swayambhunath Temple and Pashupatinath Temple and in the evening, we exploredThamel, the shopping and tourist hub of Kathmandu. The neighbouring Nepalese villages were picturesque to retain as a secret picture in one’s mind!!
September 16th: Kathmandu to Last Resort ( Dhulikhel ) via Bhaktapur - 60 kms
Early mornings are the best time for starting on a ride if we are to enjoy both the climate and the bountiful nature! So after breakfast we rode off to Last Resort for some adventure activities like Bungee Jumping and Rafting. On the way, we stopped at Bhaktapur to see its Buddhist and Hindu architecture. On our way back to Dhulikhel, the beautiful Newari (original inhabitants of Kathmandu valley) town with the best views of the Himalayan Ranges remains captured in our eyes!!
September 17th: Dhulikhel to Nagarkhot - 40 kms
The dawn of a new day equipped us with josh and after breakfast, we left for Nagarkhot. From Nagarkhot one also gets to see the beautiful view of the tall rising snow caped Himalayan Ranges. We had to do some off-roading to stretch our legs and walk around Nagarkhot and see the famed sunset of Nagarkhot.
September 18th: Nagarkhot to Pokhara - 240 kms
It was an early start to catch the morning sunrise over the Himalayas from Nagarkhot. After breakfast, we took the beautiful drive from Kathmandu Valley to Pokhara valley across the hills,and green valleys, the ridges, the river banks and the Little rural Nepalese villages. We settled down for the evening at Pokhara.
September 19th: Pokhara to Tatopani - 120 kms
The ride to Tatopani was about 120 km. Today we started our three day off-roading adventure to the base of the Annapurna Ranges. Today we only did about 25 kms of off-roading and stopped at TatopaniHotSprings. The warm water from the springs soothed our feet as we sat along the hot springs and eased off our fatigue. The hotsprings are enjoyed by the locals as much as it is enjoyed by the tourists as it's a great way to end the day; soaking in a steaming hot bath, while looking at the Himalayas around you. After this we definitely had to rest at Tatopani.
September 20th: Tatopani to Muktinath via Jomsom - 70 kms
The next two days had to be the most adventurous rides of the trip with offroading tracks (mud road ) for the whole route. The mud road follows the deep gorge of the Kali Gandaki River, and lots of spectacular waterfalls come down over the steep slopes. There are little settlements along the river, which are accessible only over spectacular suspension bridges. We arrived inJomsom and crossed the dry river bed for the 22 km ascend to Muktinath located at 3700 meters above sea level. The landscape there is very beautiful with white peaks, brownish slopes, deep gorges, and lots of little villages.
September 21st: Muktinath to Pokhara - 175 kms
The early start in the morning headed for the long return journey to Pokhara with slightly more than half of the journey through the muddy roads. We passed through the beautiful quaint villages of the Mustang region and the mesmerizing landscape. Back were back to Pokhara by late evening.
September 22nd: Pokhara
This day was dedicated to to explore Pokhara’s bewitching beauty, with its pristine air, spectacular backdrop of snowy peaks, serene lakes and surrounding greenery that makes it ‘the jewel in the Himalaya’!
A place of remarkable natural beauty. Some of the places to visit in Pokhara are Devi's falls, Phewa Lake, Seti River, World Peace Pagoda and Old Bazaar apart from the stunning views of the Annapurna Ranges.
The trip ended returning to Bagdograand Taking flight back to Chennai on 24/09/2015.
For lehladak please check this Site http://www.thrillophilia.com/manali-to-leh.
Budget for two
Flight ticket for two Rs 20000/-
Bike rental per day Rs 1500 x 12 = 18000/-
Accommodation for two 1000 x 12 = 12000/-
Food for two person 1200x 12 = 14400/-
Petrol for one bike Rs 6000/-
Miscellaneous and permits 5000/-
Nepal Visa Info
Nepali tourist visas can be obtained at various border crossings and at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu airport. Visas can also be obtained at the nearest Nepali Embassy. A valid passport and one passport sized photograph is required. Please note credit card, Indian Rupees and/or Nepali Rupees are not accepted as forms of payment of visa fee. Please check to see which currency is accepted.
Multi entry visas are granted for (i) 15 days (ii) 30 days and (iii) 90 days
For more detailed info please login to http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/
They have recently introduced online visa application too.
For Indian National
While Indian nationals do not require a visa to enter Nepal they must carry one of the following documents:
1. Indian Passport
2. Driving License with photo
3. Photo Identity card issued by a Government Agency
4. Ration Card with Photo
5. Election Commission Card with Photo
6. Identity Card issued by Embassy of India in Kathmandu
7. Identity Card with Photo issued by Sub- Divisional Magistrate or any other officials above his rank
Also, please check with your nearest travel agents for documents required by the Indian Immigration for Indians travelling to Nepa