Changes

At present there === West towards Pokhara, southwest to Hetauda, Birgunj by Prithvi Highway === First you have to get to [https://goo.gl/maps/axbvgkiX53MEsd5z5 Kalanki]. You can find buses from Ratna Park in the city centre for 25-30 NPR (Mar 2023). There are only two major roads leading out also buses going in circles along the ring road and Kalanki is on the southwestern section of the Kathmandu Valleyit (25-30 NPR, Mar 2023). One goes northwest From Kalanki take a bus or microbus to Thankot for another 25 rupees and then walk for a few hundred metres to a [[Tibet]https://goo.gl/maps/tETYm5VqHTfhdo1SA police checkpoint]. There might be direct buses from Ratna Park to Thankot, ask around. You can hitch right after the police checkpoint. It's a good idea to at least greet the policemen and show them your sign, they might find you a lift. If you go to Birgunj and the Indian border make a sign Hetauda, while if your destination is Pokhara write this name instead. Writing Free Lift above the name of the city is very helpful as most people understand it and taxi or bus drivers won't bother you so much. Bear in mind that the other leads west shortest road to [[Hetauda, the Tribhuvan Highway - NH41 (Google Maps show the old number - H02), is in terrible condition and only paid for jeeps and a few private cars use it. All trucks and buses go around via Mugling]] and [[Bharatpur, so if somebody is going to Pokhara]]and you're heading south jump on and get off in Mugling. If Similarly if you wish go to travel Pokhara and the driver says he goes to anywhere Hetauda go for it, he'll drop you off in Mugling which is halfway through. This hitching spot might not be working in the near future as a new bypass of Thankot in Chandragiri municipality is being built. The beginning of the bypass will be [https://www.google.com/maps/place/27%C2%B041'18.7%22N+85%C2%B014'09.5%22E/@27.688532,85.235968,767m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d27.688532!4d85.235968 here] and that could be the new spot for finding lifts heading west and south. === Northeast towards Melamchi === Take a bus from Ratna Park which will get you as far as Sankhu. From Sankhu make a sign for Shankharapur (शङ्खरापुर), and from there the road splits towards Melamchi. Make sure you don't take the Terai or cross into IndiaNorthern "Piplie" road, as when you get there you must first go west'll have a hard time getting out as there's very little traffic. == Buying gear == Most of the stuff on not official stores are fake with lower quality. Dont risk with your life choosing a winter traking gear!!! You can trust more to second-hand stuff ==== Camping ==== Thamel is full of trekking shops, then turn but you'll find better prices and often nicer gear if you head south at Muglingtowards the local market place named Ason. Tarps can be found (as well as cheap roll mats) on the street named "Jagatsundar Marg", just north of Ason bazar. If you're willing to compromise and get a used sleeping bag, you can find one for as low as 1,500 NPR (12USD). ==== Boots ==== Check around Ason market for good boots. Look for full leather with a stitched sole. Don't buy any boots where you can't see the stitches as they're likely cheap fakes which are glued together. Buy leather over synthetic. A good pair of boots should be available for around 2,500 - 3,000 NPR. == Nomadwiki & Trashwiki == {{nomadwiki}}