Katmandu Itinerary
Sep 3, 2004 | 1:07 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2
Katmandu Itinerary
Hi - I'm thinking of either JFK or ATL->KTM in November.
Can anyone suggest an itinerary that I can try for on award ticket or pay for and upgrade with miles?
Any thoughts on whether Nepal is safe for tourists now?
Regards,
-N-
Can anyone suggest an itinerary that I can try for on award ticket or pay for and upgrade with miles?
Any thoughts on whether Nepal is safe for tourists now?
Regards,
-N-
Sep 3, 2004 | 1:48 pm
#2
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Originally Posted by ndav8855
Any thoughts on whether Nepal is safe for tourists now?
Can't help you on the routing to Nepal but here is what the US Government has to say about Nepal:
Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
------------------------------------------------------------------------
This information is current as of today, Fri Sep 3 12:45:46 2004.
Nepal
This Travel Warning is being issued to update U.S. citizens on Maoist threats to use increasingly violent methods, including possible attacks or other actions against American citizens, especially in areas controlled by the Maoists. This supersedes the Travel Warning dated June 8, 2004.
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to Nepal. Maoist supreme commander Prachanda issued a press statement on July 1, 2004, threatening to use "more violent means" if peace talks with the Government of Nepal are not forthcoming or are unsuccessful. The Embassy has received information that the Maoists may attempt to attack or take actions specifically against U.S. citizens as part of that contingency, particularly in regions of the country under Maoist control.
The Department of State has designated the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) as a Terrorist Organization under the "Terrorist Exclusion List" of the Immigration and Nationality Act and under Executive Order 13224. These two designations make Maoists excludable from entry into the United States and bars U.S. citizens from transactions such as contribution of funds, goods, or services to, or for the benefit of the Maoists.
On a number of occasions, Maoists have burned or bombed tourist resorts after the foreigners staying there were given short notice to evacuate. Maoists also detonate bombs periodically within Kathmandu itself. Several bombs have exploded in Thamel, a tourist hub.
U.S. citizens are advised to avoid road travel outside the Kathmandu Valley unless they have reliable information that they can proceed safely in specific areas at specific times. In March 2004, Maoist leaders announced road closures (blockades) in certain western and southern districts of Nepal. However, The Embassy received widespread reports of Maoists forcibly blocking major roads throughout the country, including roads to Tibet, India, Chitwan, Pokhara, and Jiri. Recently, Maoists forcibly blocked all traffic in areas surrounding Pokhara, preventing the departure of tourists for an extended period and causing some to miss their international flights from Kathmandu. Other district centers have been blockaded without warning. U.S. citizens are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu for the latest security information, and to travel by air whenever possible.
Because of heightened security risks, U.S. official personnel do not generally travel by road outside the Kathmandu Valley. All official travel outside Kathmandu Valley, including by air, requires specific clearance by the Regional Security Officer. As a result, emergency assistance to U.S. citizens may be limited. Active duty military and DoD contractors must obtain a country clearance for official and unofficial travel to Nepal.
U.S. citizens who travel or reside in Nepal despite this Travel Warning should factor the potential for violence into their plans, avoid public demonstrations and maintain low profiles while in Nepal. U.S. citizens are urged to register with the Consular Section of the Embassy by accessing the Embassy's home page at http://www.south-asia.com/USA, by e-mail to [email protected], or by personal appearance at the Embassy. The U.S. Embassy is located at Pani Pokhari in Kathmandu, telephone (977) (1) 441-1179; fax (977) (1) 444-4981. The Consular Section can provide updated information on travel and security.
U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Nepal and Worldwide Caution Public Announcement via the Internet on the Department of State's home page at http://travel.state.gov or by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States , or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
------------------------------------------------------------------------
This information is current as of today, Fri Sep 3 12:45:46 2004.
Nepal
This Travel Warning is being issued to update U.S. citizens on Maoist threats to use increasingly violent methods, including possible attacks or other actions against American citizens, especially in areas controlled by the Maoists. This supersedes the Travel Warning dated June 8, 2004.
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to Nepal. Maoist supreme commander Prachanda issued a press statement on July 1, 2004, threatening to use "more violent means" if peace talks with the Government of Nepal are not forthcoming or are unsuccessful. The Embassy has received information that the Maoists may attempt to attack or take actions specifically against U.S. citizens as part of that contingency, particularly in regions of the country under Maoist control.
The Department of State has designated the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) as a Terrorist Organization under the "Terrorist Exclusion List" of the Immigration and Nationality Act and under Executive Order 13224. These two designations make Maoists excludable from entry into the United States and bars U.S. citizens from transactions such as contribution of funds, goods, or services to, or for the benefit of the Maoists.
On a number of occasions, Maoists have burned or bombed tourist resorts after the foreigners staying there were given short notice to evacuate. Maoists also detonate bombs periodically within Kathmandu itself. Several bombs have exploded in Thamel, a tourist hub.
U.S. citizens are advised to avoid road travel outside the Kathmandu Valley unless they have reliable information that they can proceed safely in specific areas at specific times. In March 2004, Maoist leaders announced road closures (blockades) in certain western and southern districts of Nepal. However, The Embassy received widespread reports of Maoists forcibly blocking major roads throughout the country, including roads to Tibet, India, Chitwan, Pokhara, and Jiri. Recently, Maoists forcibly blocked all traffic in areas surrounding Pokhara, preventing the departure of tourists for an extended period and causing some to miss their international flights from Kathmandu. Other district centers have been blockaded without warning. U.S. citizens are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu for the latest security information, and to travel by air whenever possible.
Because of heightened security risks, U.S. official personnel do not generally travel by road outside the Kathmandu Valley. All official travel outside Kathmandu Valley, including by air, requires specific clearance by the Regional Security Officer. As a result, emergency assistance to U.S. citizens may be limited. Active duty military and DoD contractors must obtain a country clearance for official and unofficial travel to Nepal.
U.S. citizens who travel or reside in Nepal despite this Travel Warning should factor the potential for violence into their plans, avoid public demonstrations and maintain low profiles while in Nepal. U.S. citizens are urged to register with the Consular Section of the Embassy by accessing the Embassy's home page at http://www.south-asia.com/USA, by e-mail to [email protected], or by personal appearance at the Embassy. The U.S. Embassy is located at Pani Pokhari in Kathmandu, telephone (977) (1) 441-1179; fax (977) (1) 444-4981. The Consular Section can provide updated information on travel and security.
U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Nepal and Worldwide Caution Public Announcement via the Internet on the Department of State's home page at http://travel.state.gov or by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States , or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
Sep 3, 2004 | 9:39 pm
#3
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 27,015
Originally Posted by ndav8855
Hi - I'm thinking of either JFK or ATL->KTM in November.
Can anyone suggest an itinerary that I can try for on award ticket or pay for and upgrade with miles?
Any thoughts on whether Nepal is safe for tourists now?
Regards,
-N-
Can anyone suggest an itinerary that I can try for on award ticket or pay for and upgrade with miles?
Any thoughts on whether Nepal is safe for tourists now?
Regards,
-N-
Obscure2k
Moderator
Sep 4, 2004 | 5:52 am
#4
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Nepal! Awesome. I'd suggest a SkyTeam itinerary to Delhi on AF or Mumbai on DL if you're looking to do an award, and then just buying an Indian Airlines/Air India flight to KTM. That is, unless AF or KE serve KTM directly or via codeshare, though I don't think they do.
When you find your itinerary, please post it here... as soon as it quiets down a bit that's a trip I'd like to do.
When you find your itinerary, please post it here... as soon as it quiets down a bit that's a trip I'd like to do.
Sep 5, 2004 | 8:48 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Augusta, GA, USA
Programs: DL FC, NW
Posts: 3,522
Originally Posted by ndav8855
Hi - I'm thinking of either JFK or ATL->KTM in November.
Can anyone suggest an itinerary that I can try for on award ticket or pay for and upgrade with miles?
Any thoughts on whether Nepal is safe for tourists now?
Regards,
-N-
Can anyone suggest an itinerary that I can try for on award ticket or pay for and upgrade with miles?
Any thoughts on whether Nepal is safe for tourists now?
Regards,
-N-
Sep 5, 2004 | 9:49 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Cambridge, MA 02138
Posts: 2,104
I went to Kathmandu back in 1991 - a terrific place. It really is a shame regarding all the violance there now.
I would head the state dept's warning and postpone any non-essential trips to Nepal for the meantime.
I would head the state dept's warning and postpone any non-essential trips to Nepal for the meantime.
Sep 6, 2004 | 2:58 am
#7
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Location: SE1, London & White River, South Africa
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I was there at the end of '01 when the Maoist action really started to gather momentum. The biggest risk to your trip is travel disruption. I got caught in a general strike on the day I needed to head to the Indian border to catch a train in Gorakhpur. If you are happy to fly in to KTM, fly on to Pokhara and trek from there you would have a reasonable chance of a disruption free holiday. Anything else might get complex.
I am looking forward to going back one day - I have fond memories of Patan in particular.
I am looking forward to going back one day - I have fond memories of Patan in particular.
Sep 6, 2004 | 6:06 am
#8
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I was in Delhi last February and the Delhi Times was full of ads for weekend tours to Kathmandu. If you wanted something longer, I'm sure that would be available, too. On a quick Web search I found one that takes 2 weeks to get from Delhi to Kathmandu- includes a boat, trains and a bicycle rickshaw!
I do recommend a guided tour unless you're an extremely experienced traveler. In my one flight out of DEL (on my way back home), I found the place to be maddening- you wait in line to get into the airport (no admission without ticket for that day), then to check in, then to go through Passport Control and again for security procedures, which include pat-downs for everyone so it's very long. At any one of those places you could get delayed and miss your flight- I'd think an organized tour might have more clout to get everyone through, or at least they'd be responsible to find a solution if you were delayed. This is not just the point of view of a foreigner- one of the locals observed on this Board that airports in India are like bus stations but plains fly in and out of them! But, departure from Delhi gives you an opportunity to see Delhi, which I loved.
This is a trip I'd like to make, too, if I get sent to Delhi again, but I plan to wait till things calm down.
I do recommend a guided tour unless you're an extremely experienced traveler. In my one flight out of DEL (on my way back home), I found the place to be maddening- you wait in line to get into the airport (no admission without ticket for that day), then to check in, then to go through Passport Control and again for security procedures, which include pat-downs for everyone so it's very long. At any one of those places you could get delayed and miss your flight- I'd think an organized tour might have more clout to get everyone through, or at least they'd be responsible to find a solution if you were delayed. This is not just the point of view of a foreigner- one of the locals observed on this Board that airports in India are like bus stations but plains fly in and out of them! But, departure from Delhi gives you an opportunity to see Delhi, which I loved.
This is a trip I'd like to make, too, if I get sent to Delhi again, but I plan to wait till things calm down.
Last edited by Athena53; Sep 6, 2004 at 6:12 am
Sep 6, 2004 | 6:47 am
#9
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Athena53 I share your pain about DEL. However I do believe it is do-able for most people if you leave an appropriate amount of time. I have flown out of there in all classes on a variety of airlines and never yet come close to missing my flight. And we have never been delayed due to a pax missing the flight yet.
Sep 6, 2004 | 8:11 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,782
the fastest option is the early morning flight on AA from jfk to lhr connecting with QR to KTM (via doh) - on the way back you can follow a similar routing. QR participates in Star Alliance so you may have to combine two awards. Another good option is the austrian air seasonal flight (only on fridays) with a stop in vienna. EK to DXB - connecting to GF in Auh is another good one as DXB and AUH are only about 1.5 hours from each other by taxi and you could make a stopover in DXB - but GF has few options for awards - as does the EK flight. The Direct flight to Sin - connecting to royal Nepal may be another option - RN it is not a bad airline safetywise, but with a lot of delays. I would avoid Delhi - it's better to fly in via Bkk or Kul if you want to avoid a long layover in Del. If you make a stopover in Delhi it is a good option as it is a pretty interesting place.
Rather a long email but one last thoguht - Nepal is and has been prefectly safe for tourists - the only problems are general strikes which close down the capital for days at a time - and you may be in the wrong place at the wrong time - e.g. during a violent demonstration. All in all, it depends on your travel experience and your comfort level. I go regularly and still enjoy the place and feel very safe - despite the problems.
Rather a long email but one last thoguht - Nepal is and has been prefectly safe for tourists - the only problems are general strikes which close down the capital for days at a time - and you may be in the wrong place at the wrong time - e.g. during a violent demonstration. All in all, it depends on your travel experience and your comfort level. I go regularly and still enjoy the place and feel very safe - despite the problems.