cureblindness.org: Special Event: Opening of the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology

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April 6, 2009

Special Event: Opening of the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology

Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Kathmandu, Nepal

RSVP to: events.tilganga@[remove this text]cureblindness.org

View the invitation
(PDF, 600K)

Learn more about the recent Tilganga expansion

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Travel Assistance

Sally Berg
Sally Berg Adventures
Golden, Colorado 80401

Email: sallylberg@[remove this text]gmail.com
Phone: 303-880-8072

Travel to Kathmandu

Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) is the largest, and only international airport in Nepal. Most flights arrive via Bangkok, Delhi, or Dhaka although there is routing available via Hong Kong and Singapore.

Here are a few of the recommended airlines servicing KTM:

Thai Airways — via Bangkok
Cathay Pacific / Dragon Air — via Hong Kong
Singapore Air / Silk Air — via Singapore
Gulf Air — via Bahrain
Jet Airways — via Delhi
Qatar Airways — via Doha

Flight time from a USA gateway to KTM is approximately 20 hours and coach class airfares typically range between $1500 - $2200 round trip depending on when you purchase your ticket and the routing you choose to fly. Thai Air has the best upgrade value and is often the preferred carrier by frequent travelers to Nepal. Thai Air flights originate from the Los Angeles International airport. Or if you prefer, American carriers such as United or Northwest can be flown to Bangkok to connect with a daily Thai Air flight from Bangkok to Kathmandu. Please call Sally Berg at 303-880-8072 for further flight information and to purchase your tickets.

Visa requirements

You can obtain a visa ahead of time by contacting a service such as www.traveldocs.com. Or visas are available on arrival for citizens of most countries, and one passport-sized photograph is required. To complete the process, you must pay a fee: Transit ($5), 15 day ($25), 30 day ($40) or 90 day ($100.) Make sure that you fill in all of the forms upon arrival and keep your departure card for when you want to leave Nepal.

Transportation from the airport and hotel suggestions

Many hotel and guest houses offer complimentary pickup and delivery from the
airport. Taxis are also available. As always, negotiate the price beforehand with
the driver. A taxi ride to Thamel or Boudha should be approximately 300 NPR. Two recommended hotels are the http://yakandyeti.com and http://hotel-tibet.com/.

Sightseeing

There are many sights to see while in Kathmandu. A few highlights include:

Swayambhu - A large stupa, highly revered in Nepal, and one of the most
sacred Buddhist sites in the country. It offers great views over the city, and no
lack of monkeys. It's a 20-30 minute walk from Thamel.

Baudha Stupa in Baudha - One of the most sacred sites for Tibetan Buddhism.
It is a must see in Kathmandu.

Pashupatinath - An important temple to Shiva in the form of Lord of Animals. See monkeys, cremation, sadhus and a holy cave. Morning is a great time to go.

King's Palace - Giant fruit bats hanging from the tall trees and 20 foot-tall bamboo around the otherwise modern (and well secured) palace are a sight-- especially around sunset when they depart en masse.

Kathmandu Durbar Square - The heart of Kathmandu this ancient square is crowded with palaces and temples, including the current incarnation of the Kasthamandap or "Wooden house" that gives the city its name. The square has been in active use since the construction of a palace around 1000 AD. This site is the most popular UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nepal.