Accommodation
Kathmandu
There are very many hotels, and it is usually easy to find rooms at short notice, at every level of cost. Beware traffic holdups in rush hours in central Kathmandu and tourist areas like Thamel, these can cause significant delays getting to the airport.
Websites like www.booking.com show a huge range of options from 5 star to ‘home stay’.
Pokhara
There are many tourist hotels, at varying prices at Lakeside, the main tourist area of Pokhara. There are also many restaurants to choose from in this area, with a variety of different styles. If you are planning a visit to the hospital we would be happy to help with arrangements for your accommodation.
In the villages
Guesthouse accommodation is available in most villages. In trekking areas this can be simple but very good, with a variety of food available. Out of these areas it is likely to be very simple.
Accommodation will be arranged for you if you attend and an ear outreach visit. This accommodation will generally be basic, wooden beds with thin mattresses of cotton or foam. You may choose to travel with your own sheet or silk sleeping bag, or in higher areas, a sleeping bag. Mosquitoes rarely trouble us during the dry seasons, so a net is not normally needed. Most places will have toilet and washing facilities although in the more remote areas these may be fairly primitive.
Food in villages and on the roads is usually typical local Nepali style (the famous Dal Bhat). This is rice or chapatti and a vegetable curry.
Food in towns, tourist and trekking areas has more variety and can be quite international, but don’t expect haute cuisine! Drinks are mainly sterilized water and soft drinks like Coke or Fanta orange. Bottled mineral water is available, although you may choose to carry a filter or sterilising tablets to help with the issue of plastic pollution. On community or outreach camps we will arrange for filtered water to be available. Nepali tea (Chhya, sweet and spicy) is available, as well as black and lemon tea.
N.B.
We have a policy not to drink alcohol in the workplace or in the community on outreach as it may be misunderstood in the local culture.
