Singapore, India, and Nepal Tour (9 days)

The plan is to go to Nepal!

See Mt. Everest and do Paragliding!

But the cost of the one-way flight from Manila to Nepal ranges from P25,000 to 35,000. Expensive! =)

And so I tried to find the cheapest possible way to go to Nepal from Manila. I was able to find a Scoot flight (layover in Singapore for 15 hours) in the amount of P15,000 going to Amritsar, India and from Amritsar to Kathmandu (P7,400). The direct flight going to Kathmandu still has a connecting flight and why not connect or go first to another country before going to Nepal. And so I decided to go first to India. 

Visa requirements

Singapore for Filipinos - none

India - online application only (P2,500 for 5 years multiple entry)

Nepal - Visa on arrival for 30 USD

Day 1 - Bugis, Singapore

And so last January 9, 2020, I boarded my Scoot flight to Singapore connecting to Amritsar, India. The flight was 3 and a half hours. Upon landing, I went to my hotel and made the check-in. The name of the hostel is Atlantis Pods @ Bugis (Tel- 6805 8984 / email - pods@circularhouse.co) and I paid 38.76 Singapore Dollar or P1,455 for a night stay.

I was given a 15-hour layover and my flight was scheduled 3 pm and so I decided to roam the outskirts of Singapore in the morning.

By 3 pm, I boarded the Scoot flight to Amritsar and after a 6-hour flight I arrived in Amritsar, India. The hotel provided the airport pick-up for 800 INR or P600.00.

That night I paid the hotel and booked my tours in the said hotel. The name of the hotel is Hotel Urban Galaxy and I paid roughly P6,000 for a 3-night stay.

Day 2 - Amritsar, India

 Honestly, I do not have any idea about Amritsar. But the weather was 6 degrees in the morning and I began to like it already!

My tour was slated 10 am and I decided to have a morning walk outside the hotel.

And I started liking India.

Past 10 am, we started the tour around the city.

There were three (3) destinations for the day.

First stop was the Durgiana temple.

And then, the Gobindgarh Fort. 

I pretty much enjoyed this one since I rode a camel. 

First time to ride a camel was in Dubai and this is the second time.

Last part of the tour was the Attari-Wagha Border.

Here I was able to watch the fabulous retreat ceremony at the border of India and Pakistan.

By the way, the tour is 1,700 INR or P1,200.

You already have a private car for a 5-6 hour tour.

Past 6 pm, we arrived back at the city, I decided to go to the best tourist spot in Amritsar (which is just meters away from my hotel or 5-minute walk), the GOLDEN TEMPLE!

One of the sights to BEHOLD in India!

The Golden Temple is a Hindu Temple.

Day 3 - Amritsar 

The following day I learned that there is a City Bus Tour which covers the same route for only 400 INR or P300.00. I boarded the bus and tried it. Halfway of the tour I alighted, it was just for fun anyway. Hop on Hop Off (+ 91 70296 90001 / +91 75270 70180.

Your stay in India will not be complete without riding the tuk tuk and the rickshaw. 

 did both of the rides! Then, spent the remaining of the day shopping for souvenirs.

Day 4 - Amritsar - Delhi - Kathmandu

It was an early 7 am Indigo flight (10,459 INR or P7,453 / 1 hour and 25 minutes only) and I had to be at the airport very early. I forgot that it was a domestic flight going to Delhi and so the check-in time was 2 hours before the flight.

Past 11 am, I boarded the Indigo connecting flight to Kathmandu (1 hour and 30 minutes only). The hotel provided for the free airport pick-up (500 Nepal Rupees or P250.00). It was already past 5 pm when I arrived and I talked to the manager of the hotel and we arranged my tours in Kathmandu.

Day 6 - Thamel, Kathmandu

I started the day with the Buddha Air flight which covers the Mt. Everest Tour. I paid 161 USD (real price - 195 USD) 2 months before my flight to Nepal. And I got the discount.

 I got the first seat just in front of the cabin and got the best seat! You know what I mean. Anyway, the tour should have started 6:30 am but it actually started past 7 am. We waited for sunrise. It was only a 1-hour tour!

 The Himalayas!

Jaw-dropping experience! I saw the top of MT- EVEREST! =)

Past 9 am, I went back to the hotel. I have a 10 am tour (Kathmandu Sightseeing) which costs 103 USD. Private tour includes the car, guide and all tickets.
I have four destinations that day.

The first is the Monkey Temple. here you will see both the Buddhist and the Hindu Temples.

Second one was the Former Royal Palace and Museum and I even saw the Kumari (their royal Goddess)

Third spot was another Boudhan Stupa.
And the last one was the site for the cremation.

Good thing my guide was Mukesh! I really enjoyed the tour! 
He is the best tour guide in Kathmandu! =)
He even taught me basic Nepalese language.

Mukesh Sha
+977984 902 7442

Day 7 - Pokhara

Anyway, I forgot to mention the hotel where I stayed in Kathmandu. The name of the hotel is Oasis Kathmandu Hotel (+9779851190204). I paid 142 USD for a 4-night stay. 

with my paragliding Pilot

Some things are meant not to be planned and so out of nowhere I went to Pokhara. Pokhara can be reached by bus (900 Nepal Rupees, cheapest), car (100 USD one-way or 150 USD round trip) or by plane (125 USD one-way). I hired Chin!

Taxi driver in Kathmandu

Chin - He is very cordial, respectful and fun to be with!

+977980 360 2601

Chin is a native of Pokhara but he lives in Kathmandu

It was an early 4 am ride to Pokhara!

And there I experienced paragliding!

DRAGONFLY PARAGLIDING NEPAL

Contact Nos - 97761465388 / 465454 / 9856024940 / 9846038230

Look for Rajesh Baniya (my pilot)

One of the best adventures of my life! Only in Pokhara!

The cost of the paragliding is 60-65 USD.

But since I booked in an agency, I paid 9,500 Nepal Rupees or 84 USD.

WE went to Devi's falls, the Lake and another Buddha Stupa!

ADVENTURES IN POKHARA

Paragliding - 65 USD (30 mins)

Ultra Light Plane - 198 USD (30 mins)

Annapurna by Helicopter - 245 USD / 300 USD (peak season)

Rafting - 50 USD 1 day

Bungee jumping - 7,500 Nepal Rupees

Zip Flyer - 8,500 Rupees

Canoying - 85 USD

Trekking - 70 USD 1 DAY

Jungle safari - 200 USD 2 nights. 3 days

Hot Air Balloon - 150 USD 1 hour

Agency - Pushpa 9846845823

. This is what you will see at the top of the Stupa.

Past 4 pm, we went back to Kathmandu.

Day 8 - Kathmandu

On my third day in Nepal, I wanted to do Hiking and I did it again with my Tour guide named Mukesh. There were 3 spots for the hiking tour! First spot was Nagarkot. The tour costs 109 USD.

Second spot was Chagunarayan.

That night I tried the Himalayan Spa - 980 303 7591

Day 9 - Kathmandu

Last day in Kathmandu and it was raining. I cancelled my tour (Chandagan by Cable Car - 107 USD) and just went shopping. Another tour worth mentioning is Bhakalpur and Patan (106 USD).

Past 8:30 pm, I boarded my flight to Kuala Lumpur and then another flight connecting to Manila for only P16,000.

Thank you Lord for this tour!

Basic Nepalese

Hello - Namaste

Thank you - Dhanyabad

Beautiful girl - Ramri

Beautiful scenery - Ramro

How much? Kati Parchha?

Expensive - Mahanggo

Wow?Great - Dherai Ramro

Good Morning - Subh Prabhat

Good Night - Subj Rattri

Delcious - Mittho Chha

17 Hours in Singapore

minutes after my arrival at Singapore, at Marina Bay Sands

What would you do if an airline company gives you 17 hours of stay in Singapore?  

This is my simple, entertaining, and fast-paced adventure in Singapore for 17 hours. 

I arrived in Singapore past 10 pm and after clearing in immigration, I met my friend Marian at the Changi Airport. We missed the MRT ride and we had to use the airport taxi to my hostel. 

After 15 minutes, we arrived at Clarke Quay and fetched her sister, Maricel. Then, we walked towards Five Stones Hostel. After my late check-in, we proceeded to The Sands SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands. Unfortunately, it was already closed when we arrived, and we decided to part ways for the meantime. I slept past 2 am. 

The following morning I had to wake up early and go back to Marina Bay Sands. I used the MRT to the SkyPark.  I waited 9:30 am before it was opened to the public (9:30 am - 10:00 pm, except Friday to Sunday 9:30 am - 11:00 pm).

The best time to go and take pictures at the SkyPark is at night but my flight to Bali was slated 3 pm and I was not given any choice. After paying the ticket, I boarded the elevator and I was there!

SkyPark Observation Deck Tickets

Adult - SG$ 23.00

Child (2-12) - SG$17.00

Senior (65 years and above) - SG$20.00

Payment made by cash, credit or debit card.

The view from the SkyPark Observation Deck was simply AMAZING! I waited one year for this! I stayed for one hour and took pictures of the view from all angles.

And I was given the chance to look at the world's tallest swimming pool.

The tour will not be complete without passing at the Gardens By The Bay!

It was a good thing that there was an MRT ride at the Marina Bay Sands and it took me only 15 minutes before I reached my lunch appointment at Song Fa Bak Kut Teh at Clarke Quay with Marian and Maricel.

After our sumptuous lunch, Marian was kind enough to tour me once more at Clarke Quay. 

And the last stop for the day was Bugis, where I took my MRT ride back to Changi Airport. I arrived at the airport just in time before my boarding time to Bali, Indonesia. Thank you again Marian for my short stay but FUN stay in Singapore. Your hospitality is beyond compare.  

Five Stones Hostel, Singapore

Normally, as a travel blogger, 

I do not usually write about the hotels, hostels or lodging establishments that I have been to. 

I normally write about the tourist spots, the food, the culture, and my adventures. 

This one is the exception. And it deserves a space in my blog. 

It has been one year (November, 2013) since I toured in Singapore. There were three (3) places that left a mark in my memory, namely: Sentosa, Marina Bay Sands, and Five Stones Hostel. And this year (October, 2014), thanks to Tiger Air for my connecting flight to Bali which was originally only for three (3) hours but was changed into one (1) day, I was given the opportunity to relive my fond memories of this hostel.

Last year, I stayed for almost five (5) days in Singapore and I stayed in this hostel. Honestly, that trip would not be complete without my stay in this place.

The hostel is situated near Clarke Quay MRT station and I think it is one of the best reasons why I enjoyed my stay. I did not have difficulty using the MRT station and from hopping from one tourist spot to another (such as Chinatown, Harbourfront, Clarke Quay and Marina Bay). And a stone's throw away, is Song Fa Bak Kut Teh which happens to be my favorite restaurant in Singapore.

Aside from its proximity from the tourist spots in Singapore and the night life in Clarke Quay, Five Stones offers the best accommodation, best hospitality and best staff in Singapore. It is clean and very comfortable. You will simply love your stay and there were even times last year that I did not want to leave the hostel and simply enjoy my day. 

from the Five Stones Hostel facebook

Have you ever seen or experienced a more relaxing, comfortable and enjoyable place to stay in Singapore? I suggest you look at the rooms and the facilities of Five Stones.

And the members of the front desk are really cordial, accommodating, and courteous. And to sum up my reason why I went back for a day's stay, I simply want more of it. 

   

Five Stones Hostel, my place of stay in Singapore!

285 Beach Road

Singapore

+65 6535 5607, +65 9116 3771 www.fivestoneshostel.com