KTM Airport
It takes about ½ hr. to collect
baggage, get visa, etc. ($40USD/1 mo.; $100USD 3/mo. + photo; most
foreign currency accepted for visa)
Taxi to Retreat Center should cost
Rs.500 (they will ask for Rs.1000); takes about ½ hr.
If possible stop at Shambala Market in
Kopan on the way to the Retreat Center (for toilet paper, bottled
water, etc.)
A Tibetan woman next door to the
Retreat Center has a café, rooms (2 w/attached bath; 2 w/shared
bath; hot water; breakfast included Rs.200-300/night) and internet
(Rs.25/hr.)
restaurant: internet; pharmacy, laundry, fruit/veg stalls)
Walk to Boudha 1¼ hrs.; steep, mostly
paved roads (stupa; big super market,
shops, restaurants, etc.)
shops, restaurants, etc.)
Taxi to Boudha Taxi Rs.250-350
Tamal the area of Kathmandu where many
foreigners go/live;
restaurants; night life, etc.
restaurants; night life, etc.
Patan the area of Kathmandu where
craftsmen/artist work
Local SIM Rs.300 with balance (need to
have a Nepali buy for a foreigner)
Internet/wi-fi Rs.25/hr.; not at
Retreat Center yet
Electricity 24 hrs. at the Retreat
Center (only 4 hrs./day most places); plug
adapter is same as for India
adapter is same as for India
Water Water pressure is good. No hot
water at the Retreat Center yet.
You can purchase a ‘coil’ (an electric appliance) that plugs in,
submerges in a bucket of water to make hot water (in the US
there is small size used to heat a cup of water to make coffee,
tea, etc.)
You can purchase a ‘coil’ (an electric appliance) that plugs in,
submerges in a bucket of water to make hot water (in the US
there is small size used to heat a cup of water to make coffee,
tea, etc.)
There are lots of stairs at the Retreat
Center. The paths to/from the retreat cottages are steep and rocky.
The weather is mild. It is coolest in
the morning/evening; warmest 10am to 4pm. The air is very clean
compared to Boudha and Kathmandu.
