Quote:
Originally Posted by Sudipto-S-Team Hi Amrisharm
I am planning to visit Kathmandu by car (a Duster) from Calcutta via Kakarbhitta. I was wondering if you have any advice for someone who wants to break up the journey within Nepal into two days as I prefer not to drive after sun down.
What is a good place to break for the night? Hetauda (what is the correct Nepali pronunciation)? I would need a decent and safe hotel for my family and car. Any advice?
I could not understand this bit about the tax that one has to pay and the office being not very visible etc at Birtamod. You have mentioned that they don't give you a tax receipt and then you are fined later by all the check posts. So how did you solve this problem?
I have two more questions. What are the official timings for this tax collection points? Are they open 24x7? I want to cross the border early in the morning. Is it possible?
The other question is about currency conversion. From where do you suggest I convert my Indian rupees? At Kakarbhitta? I remember Kakarbhitta being a dusty little place with just a few shacks and lots of buses back in the 80s when I took a bus from there to Kathmandu. I am sure things have changed now. Does it have any official currency conversion point? In those days Indian currency used to fly in the border areas and we converted only in Kathmandu. I am sure things have changed now. How did you handle the currency issue? |
Hi there, sounds like a great road trip coming all the way from Kolkata. To answer your questions, Hetauda is about 6-7 hrs drive from Kakkarbhitta (India Nepal Border). I was there about two months ago on my way to lumbini in central Nepal and we too did a night halt there. We started from the border at 7 am and were easily in hetauda by 2-2:30 despite a few stops along the way. We decided to halt there as I was travelling with my retired parents and I did not want to over do the drive for their sake. I cant remember the exact name of the hotel we stayed in but it is opposite Standard Chartered bank on the one and only main road in Hetauda. When you enter Hetauda the Hotel will be on your Left and Standard Chartered Bank will be on your Right. it was a nice little hotel with safe parking. Rooms were in the IC Rs 1,000-1,400 range. When you go there do ask for Deluxe rooms. If you are looking at something a bit fancy then the following might interest you:
http://www.orchidresort.com/index.htm
A few of my relatives have stayed here in the past and they said it was quite nice, but a little expensive. Probably around the IC Rs 2,000-3,000 range. I gave it a miss as we just needed a place to crash. But just like us, am sure you will get to hetauda in the late afternoon if you start driving early from the border so you can easily get there and then search for accommodation that suits you perfectly. Thats what we did.
About the Birtamod tax office, I have attached a map, Hope it helps, the best and most simple direction I can give is, Once you reach Birtamod Junction, which is a big 4 way intersection, travel a further 100 mts and on your right you will see a simple building with a sign board saying "Birtamod Eye Hospital" Opposite that is a kaccha road about 20-25ft wide. you enter that road and two houses down this kaccha road on your right you will see the Birtamod Tax office. I have had friends who were fined at kathmandu Check Post as they did not have this tax receipt from Birtamod. At the same time when I drove to kathmandy in march, I was not asked for this receipt. But I guess its best to have all the papers in order just in case.
About Border timings: Kakkarbhitta Border timing: 6 am- 8:30 pm.
As mentioned in my earlier posts, you have to prepay the road tax for all the days you will be in Nepal. At the moment the rate is INR 320/Day. Last time we were there they were telling us that we can only get a permit for a maximum of 7 days. We somehow managed to convince them to give us a 10 day permit. if you are not so lucky and want more than 7 days then you can get it extended in kathmandu as well. But its a lot cheaper and less of a hastle to get it done in kakkarbhitta so try to do it there itself.
For how long are you going to be in Nepal?
Also just 100mts down from the Border dont forget to register and get your Temporary Nepali Number Plate.
About currency, according to the Nepalese law all INR 1,000 and 500 Rupee notes are illegal to carry in Nepal. But having said that, the cops have never searched my wallet or pockets or anything ever, so a few Indian Notes wont matter I guess. But Just to be on the safe side you can easily exchange your Indian currency at Kakkarbhitta. There are a fair few private money exchange counters. There are also Banks but since you plan to leave early they may not be open when you are at kakkarbhitta. And when you change Indian currency for Nepali Rupees you actually get a little extra because of the fact that INR currency is in short supply inside Nepal. Last time when I exchanged INR 50,000 I should have got nepali Rs 80,000, but I got 81,500
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. But the reverse applies when you change Back your Nepali Currency to Indian Rupees. You will have to pay a small premium. So exchange only what you need.
Indian currency is very widely used inside Nepal. But I did have a few shop owners/ hotel managers who did not accept INR 1,000 and 500 notes. INR 100 notes are as good as Nepalese money.
If you have any more questions feel free to ask. When exactly are you going? and are you visiting only Kathmandu or other places as well?