Nepal: Mt. Everest, ancient temples and friendly people

Our third stop will be Kathmandu, Nepal, where we'll stay for a week. We're set to arrive on Jan. 16.

I'm looking forward to flying over the tallest mountains of the world, including Mt. Everest. But I'm not only expecting great scenery, but also friendly people. Friends who've gone there for vacation were struck by how friendly the people are.

We're booked at a hotel in the Thamel district called the Hotel Buddha, which claims to have wireless internet. Yeah, I hope it's true! And more importantly: Does it have laundry?  This hotel also boasts 24-hour electricity with backup generators guaranteed...Hmmm, I'd better have my laptop, camera, and cell phone charged up before leaving Dubai!

I don't have all the details yet, but here are a few highlights of what we'll do there..

We'll have a group excursion to Changunarayan to tour the oldest temple in Kathmandu. After lunch, we plan to take a 3-hour guided hike to Nagarkot.  Nagarkot is 2,175 m above the sea-level where we hope to have a panoramic view of the major peaks of eastern Nepal Himalayas including Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest).

Readers: Other places that have been suggested to visit include those listed below.  Any other suggestions to add to this list???

In/Near Thamel

Keshar Mahal Palace and Gardens
Kathmandu Durbar Square / King’s Palace
Kumari Ghar

Around the Kathmandu Valley
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square
Pashupatinath
Boudhanath Stupa
Swoyambhunath Stupa

Please see earlier posts for information about Accra,Ghana and Dubai, UAE.