Off to Kathmandu

Q: I am going on a trip to Kathmandu in Nepal. My itinerary there will be taken care of by potential business partners. I declined their offer of an arranged guesthouse, so I am responsible for making my own transport and accommodation arrangements. Can you help me with details of flights from South Africa, visa regulations and recommended hotels? - Lesley Trafalgar

A: The easiest airline routes to Nepal are via the Middle East or South-East Asia. Airlines that fly from South Africa which have connections to Kathmandu include Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Singapore Airlines. Among the destinations served by Royal Nepal Airlines are Bangkok, Dubai, Hong Kong, Mumbai and Singapore. You can apply for a visa at the airport on arrival for 15 US dollars. You will need one passport-sized photograph and it does not take long. Don't consider negotiating a taxi fare at the airport, as your after-flight patience may be severely tested. It is best to arrange for your hotel to collect you. Alternatively, opt for a fixed-rate taxi run by the Airport Queue Taxi Service, which is located outside the arrivals hall. Although the international trend is moving away from having to reconfirm flights, this is not the case for all airlines here. Make sure you reconfirm both legs of your journey or you could be dropped from the flight. The easiest way to do this in Kathmandu is through the travel desk at your hotel.

If you don't can do without the trappings of a traditional Western hotel and prefer one with more local character, you could try the Hotel Tibet. When you first walk in, you will think you have landed up in Tibet. You'll find hand-woven Tibetan carpets on the floor, Tibetan wall hangings and Tibetan furniture everywhere, but the bedrooms offer satellite television and air conditioning. There is a restaurant, bar and rooftop garden, a good spot to relax after the hustle and bustle of the city streets below. Rooms are simply decorated with air-conditioning and satellite television. There’s a 24-hour Internet lounge for guests in need of a computer. Hotel Tibet is in a quiet street yet minutes away from Thamel (www.hotel-tibet.com). If that sounds a tad too exotic for you, opt for the comfortable Radisson Hotel not too far away. Popular with business travellers, it is close to the tourist spots of Dubar Marg and Thamel. For relaxation, it offers a swimming pool and bar on the fifth floor, as well as a casino (www.radisson.com). Probably the best hotel in town is the Hyatt Regency Kathmandu, which has very comfortable rooms with wooden floors, WiFI and luxurious bathrooms. Set on 37 acres with two swimming pools, a spa and tennis courts, this is the closest you will get to a traditional five-star hotel. A nice touch, though, is the sunken 'temple court' off the lobby, which is filled with replicas of Buddhist temples (www.kathmandu.regency.hyatt.com).