hi,

First this: check out if flying is not a problem, some friends told me 10 days ago that they had some problems of leaving kathmandu, even on plain! At that time there was no bustrafic. Yesterday a nepalese friend wrote me that there was again bustraffic in the east, but that they had banda's (strikes) for sometimes 10 upto 20 days!.
Always ask if there is a banda, and dont drive when there is one. Unless your driving in a military escort,(and even then). The situation is serious..people get killed everyday, and the maoist dont care if your a tourist. Being an american is not a good thing in nepal..
Petrol: take your precautions, petrol can be not available or very expensive (get in line).3 weeks ago their were riots in the streets of kathmandu because of this problem..


The best and safest route to Kathmandu is from Sonauli to Butwal, Pokhara and then direction Kathmandu valley.Dont take the road over Hetauda, unless you wanna meet mauro's friends :-)
Roadconditions can be good to very bad depending of landslides (this period can be dangerous)take some food with you and enough water, you can get stuck for more then 24 hours...
In Butwal there is some basic accomodation for sleeping.The town is not interesting.On the way to pokhara, a little bit of the road lies Lumbini, birthplace of the buddha, somebody told me there are some sleepingplaces to and probably a better option.
But you can make sonauli-pokhara in one day...
Pokhara is a nice place, check out Vienna Lake lodge, the best place to stay. a little bit out of the crowded erea, but with a very nice vieuw over the pewa lake. The old Blues bar is a place where bikers meet..

good luck
greetz
niels

Thanks Niels. If anyone else has input or information, please email me direct at link above in profile
Thanks
Glen

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[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 09 March 2005).]

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EARTH RIDE!
Understanding the world through adventure travel.
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We are in Varanasi at the moment....ended up freighting via Bangladesh and will put details on the shipping pages as soon as I can.Everything went okay...quite easy in fact. They are running buses full of western backpackers from here to Pokara in Nepal but that is all I can tell you. The few passengers we spoke to seem to think going to Nepal is not a problem..........and in fact looked at us like we were stupid when we suggested that they take care.

After evalating a ton of information and sdvice, I left Bodhga in Bihar last week for a crossing into Nepal via Raxault. Exit and entry was smooth and painless. After the chaos of India, the ride north was heavenly. Turning west at Hautada led to Chitwan for a visit with rhinos on the back of an elephant.

Much of the fear here is unwarranted. After speaking with many locals, everyone was aware of the bike burning attempt but also stated a public apologly was broadcast over the radio and printed in the newspaper. As was stated, these were kids who did it and were not under orders. The policy of hands-off the tourists remains but when roads are closed due to strikes, it's anyone's guess what will happen. With no strike in effect, I would not hesitate to ride anywhere other than Western Nepal.

I am certainly glad to have come here and am now trying to get permission to enter Tibet from Katmandu. If anyone has any information regarding this, please post.
Thanks
Glen

__________________
EARTH RIDE!
Understanding the world through adventure travel.
www.strikingviking.net

hi,
nice your doing good over there..keep any news posted here. i am also interested in your drive from/to tibet..
enjoy it overthere..
greetz
niels

It was a glorious ride to the Tibetan border with no hassles from anyone. Just enough standing on the pegs riding to keep me smiling. Soldiers wave Westerns through checkpoints and the people are as incredible as ever. Most hotels and resorts are empty and you can name your price. I stayed in a deluxe tent at the Last Resort and went rafting down the Bhote Kosi for pennies. Tried for permission from CTS in Lhasa for an overland exit through Tibet into China but was denied.

Did I mention how awesome Nepal is? It's going to be hard leaving. details at www.strikingviking.net

__________________
EARTH RIDE!
Understanding the world through adventure travel.
www.strikingviking.net