Luggage Minding

[VickyMcCleary]

Hi there, heading over to Nepal this Nov & wondered how hard it is to have extra luggage minded while trekking?

We are planning to do an Annapurna trek (so assume will leave extra stuff in Pokhara) & also an Everest Region trek (would probably like to leave extras in Lukla).

Does anyone know whether such a service is offered in either of these places? Is it something often supplied by accommodation & if so, has anyone had any problems with security?

Answers much appreciated! Thanks, Vicky

[James]

Vicky,

Extra luggage will be no problem. So long as you are staying in the same hotel before and after your treks, your hotel in Kathmandu will place any extra luggage in storage for you. Each time you head off for a trek, your hotel will store your bags and give you a baggage claim ticket. Leaving your extra travel gear in Kathmandu will save you from lugging around so much.

[yakshaver]

Hi there, heading over to Nepal this Nov & wondered how hard it is to have extra luggage minded while trekking?

We are planning to do an Annapurna trek (so assume will leave extra stuff in Pokhara) & also an Everest Region trek (would probably like to leave extras in Lukla).

Does anyone know whether such a service is offered in either of these places? Is it something often supplied by accommodation & if so, has anyone had any problems with security?

Answers much appreciated! Thanks, Vicky

I woudl leave all extra luggage in KTM at the hotel where you stay. Just have it in a suitcase or duffel which you can lock, and the hotel will keep if for free in their luggage area.

You cannot take all your stuff to Lukla anyway, as the limit for luggage on the small planes is 15 Kg...

You could leave luggage in Pokhara, but I don't see the point of carrying it there, unless you decide to spend a lot of time in Pokhara.
I normally do trekking in the Annapurna, and then the Chitwan stay, with my trekking luggage. Then go back to Ktm to collect the rest of the stuff on the way out of Nepal.

[thesilvertops]

Yakshaver, following on from your comment, where do you usually stay in Chitwan? We would like to go there again sometime as we had a great time last time but it was 1995 and I can't remember where we stayed. (It was part of a package tour). A idea of cost would be useful.

[yakshaver]

Yakshaver, following on from your comment, where do you usually stay in Chitwan? We would like to go there again sometime as we had a great time last time but it was 1995 and I can't remember where we stayed. (It was part of a package tour). A idea of cost would be useful.
In the middle of the park,
Jungle Island Resort is pretty good. Amazing location on an island in the middle of the Narayani river. Service is decent as well, though the food tends to be same ol' same ol'.
Last I staid at Machan, which is an excellent resort with very interesing accomodation save for three things: too close to the road (about one km, and you can hear the trucks zooming on in the distance) and not enough rhions in the area. Ah, and also the food can be bland. But that's a common theme.

I would go Jungle Island.

In Sauraha I had two extremes: Eden Logdge, basic but with very friendly staff. Rhino Lodge, just oposite the entrance into the national park, with excelent accomodation, and a bit more impersonal. These days I would go with Rhino, as I like my comfort more and more.

For Jungle Island or Machan you'd pay something like 150 USD for three day package, but I usually go for 4 days (3 nights) so it's about 50 dollars per day extra. This includes all activities, and at least 2 elephant excursions inside the jungle. Food included.

Similar for Machan.

For the lodges outside the park, I think I paid about 50-80 USD for a 3 day package, and about 25 USD per night accomodation only at Rhino. These did not include activities, elephant rides, boat trips, entrance into the Nat Park, Elephant Breeding Centre visit, guided jungle walks, etc. All these are covered if you stay inside the park. If you stay in Sauraha, just food and accomodation is included.

[VickyMcCleary]

Hi Guys,

Thanks so much for your replies - it sounds like we should leave our extra stuff in Kathmandu. Cheers for the heads up on baggage limits on Lukla flights, I hadn't thought of that. It's interesting that Chitwan has come up, I'm just having a look at accommodation there at the moment!

Cheers,

Vicky

[Ultralight Hiker]

Hey Vicky,
Just wanted to put another option out there for Chitwan (I just got back last week)...Local bus costs about 200 Nrs to Sauraha (ride on the roof for a nice tan), and I stayed at the Sauraha Resort for 150 Nrs/night. Very nice place with private bathroom and shower. Then I booked all the stuff myself with some of the places I ate/stayed at and other people I met.
I payed about 250 Nrs for the boat ride and jungle walk, 500 Nrs to get in the park, and about 600 Nrs for the elepants safari. If you want to play with the elephants, just go to the river and hop in, there were always at least a few there during the day, and then give the elephant owner 50 Nrs or so.
A little more work, but if you are on a tight budget....might be an option. Hope that helps,
Steve