is border India-Nepal (by land) open?

[Leonie]

Hi,

Planned to go to Nepal end of october. Booked a flight to Delhi, as (cheap) flights to Kathmandu were sold out. I heard some rumours that it was not possible to go via bus from Delhi to Nepal as the border was closed. Is that true? Or has ot something to do with visa? Is it advised to arrange Nepali visa in Holland (yes for India)? My friend who will join me has only one month, and will fly back to Holland from Delhi. But our goal is Nepal and we want to do some trekking (Lantang)....
Çan anybody confirm or has tips?

[Nick]

Hi

I have not heard of problems re border..you might want to consider a short stay at Varanasi for sunrise over the Ganges(well worth it) before going up to Nepal train from delhi is best to Varanasi.You can take a bus from Varanasi to Kathmandu via Suonali the border post.Never believe the hours quoted for the bus but you do eventually arrive.
I think Langtang is the best of the three main trekking areas 14 days is good from Dunche(take a bus from kathmandu probably anywhere between 6-8 hours now there is a new road to Trisuli) up to Kjangin and back to saybru over to sing ghompa take in the Sacred Lakes of Gossainkund and weave your way back through Helambu to sundriajial one hour from kathmandu.Less spoilt than either the Annapurna or Solu Khumbu regions.Max alt around 4,500.if you do not take the ganga la pass which would probably be difficult anyway.My local spellings are likely to be a mess but you can make them out easily from your map.
Visa is best from Holland.
If you choose to go Annapurna way look us up on (www.himalayastudy.co.uk}and come and say hello.
If you are clever and quick you can do both either Dunche Kyangin and back for high mountains... or Dunche Sundrajial for a more laid back route although the high pass is on this stretch(name escapes me one hours trek from the lakes).both an easy seven days if you are reasonably fit.
Get back Kathmandu on to Pokhara with other days trekking in the beautiful annapurnas.

Good luck and i hope this helps.

Nick.