getting to pokhara

[dyl]

hi all

firstly this is a great website, whoever runs it!

hey im doing the annapurna circuit in mid-may, say there is a blockade what will a flight to pokhara set me back? anyone know? sounds like all is good, but pays to have a backup plan if the buses aren't running.

and also im going by myself, so anyone planning to do the annapurna circuit in may, i'd love to have someone to enjoy it with.

cheers
dyl :)

[Unregistered]

if you want know more information pokhara blocked please contact skyline@enet.com.np
madhav

[yakshaver]

About 65 USD one way for foreign tourists. Half of that for Nepali citizens.

There are about 4-5 airilines servicing the route.

[dyl]

thanks yakshaver

ok just a few more questions...

i was thinking of buying a 4 season sleeping bag in kathmandu as i heard they were good quality and cheap...is this true? and its not impolite to 'haggle' is it?!

and also hiring a down jacket....this is pretty straight forward aye?

any info is much appreciated.

cheers dyl

ps (only 5 weeks to go and im there...yay!)

[yakshaver]

Sleeping bags in Thamel are indeed much cheaper than in your country. But you have to have a good look at them, the seams etc, as the quality can be patchy. I would say you would pay about one third, or one quarter of the price, comparing with prices in "the west", so even if it's not the best make, it will last you for a few treks. I got a very good down bag in Thamel which I have used for the last 6 years. It was about 90 USD.
Hiring downe or gore-tex jackets is also very easy. Usually the shop you buy the bag at, will also hire jackets. It is still about 1 to 2 USD per day, depending on how new it is.

[lenny]

I was in Pokahara last week and some of the people i met along the way had purchased sleeping bags and down jackets for their trek here, and the shop they bought from offered to buy them back if they were in good nick on return, one bag had a slight tear which got repaired by one of thee many seamstresses in the area and looked 'better' then new, from what i can work out the general quality is good enough for a couple of trips, so this is a good option, and means you have less to carry for the rest of the trip!

The other option i saw being used was to take your worn out old kit and swap it for a chinese new knock off, waterproof jackets seem to be a favourite.

Basically you dont get goose down, you get an aray of pidgeon looking feathers but it does the job, chinese practicality v's western desire.