The Amazing Views from Chandragiri Hills in Kathmandu, Nepal

On February 1, 2024February 1, 2024 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn NepalLeave a comment

During our trip to Kathmandu, we had the opportunity to visit the Chandragiri Hills, which is right on the outskirts of the city. The final tour of our trip started with taking the cable car up the side of the mountain, which are really foothills, to see the temple of Bhaleshwor Mahadev. Unfortunately, it was a little cloudy on the day that we visited, but that didn’t diminish from the experience, although we’re sure that the views of the Kathmandu Valley would have been even better and we weren’t able to see the Himalayan Mountain Range. Since we had already taken a high-altitude helicopter up to base camp on Mount Everest, it wasn’t much of a disappointment to see the peaks off in the distance.

It can be very busy visiting Chandragiri Hills, partially because of its close proximity to the heart of Kathmandu and the views that can be seen. Perhaps because we visited on a weekday or because it was an overcast day, it wasn’t particularly busy during our visit. The views from the cable car were quite spectacular, especially during our trip back down from top as the clouds had begun to clear somewhat. In addition to the temple, there is also a zipline at the top of the hills as well as some activities for kids. We received a blessing from a Hindu Priest during the time that we spent at Bhaleshwor Mahadev, which was very memorable for us.

After visiting Chandragiri Hills, we continued on to Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as “Monkey Temple”, which was much busier than the cable car. We had many wonderful experiences during our time in Nepal and Chandragiri Hills was certainly one of them. It took about two hours between the time that it takes to go up and down on the cable car as well as walking around the temple. There is also a trail that you can take from a resort at the base of the hills if you would prefer a strenuous hike instead of taking the cable car.

Resort at the Bottom of Chandragiri Hills

Unique Ways to Get Around

On April 3, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Photo Challenge6 Comments

We are all used to traveling by airplane, car, boat, and trains, but sometimes you find yourself having a unique way to get from one place to another. Some might require a sense of adventure and some are just for fun, others are literally the only way to get from point A to point B. Throughout time, people have found ways to improve how they travel or overcome obstacles that keep them from getting to their destination. Even in this age of technology and modern innovation, simple travel solutions can still be found, especially in remote areas. Here are a few of the unique ways that we’ve gotten around, but certainly not all of them. We aren’t sure which of these might considered the most unique because we enjoyed them all for the experience that they provided. What is the most unique way that you have travelled?

How About a Horse-Drawn Sleigh or a Snowcat

Getting Into Carrasco National Park in Bolivia

Not Necessarily Unique, but Bicycles Outnumber People in Amsterdam

Huong Tich Cave at Perfume Pagoda in Vietnam

On January 30, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Vietnam3 Comments

Perfume Pagoda is a complex of Buddhist temples located about a couple of hours outside of Hanoi in Vietnam. At the heart of the complex is Huong Tich Cave and within the cave is Chua Trong or the Inner Temple. During the festival time, from late January through early March, thousands of people visit the temple and the 2.5 km (1.5 mile) path that takes you up to the cave is lined with vendor stalls selling food, gifts, and objects to use as an offering. In order to reach the Perfume Pagoda complex, you need to take an almost hour long boat ride (less if you take a motorized boat) through the beautiful countryside.

There is a cable car that will also take you to the summit where Huong Tich Cave is located and for the nominal price it is worth it. During the festival, however, the lines for the cable car are so long that it is faster to walk and even that is very slow going as you weave along the foot path. The views from the cable car are also worth it as it allows you to get above the path and see how it winds through the forest. After taking the cable car to the summit and visiting the cave and Chua Trong, we did walk down the path in order to get an appreciation of it. There were only a few stalls open during our visit and needless to say, with less visitors, they worked hard to try to get us to buy something.

Temple Building on the Side of the Mountain

From the cable car, you walk down a steep set of stairs that take you to the entrance of the cave. The opening of Huong Tich Cave is said to resemble the mouth of a dragon and there is a rock formation inside of the cave that also looks like a dragon. There is a ceremonial altar at the entrance and at the deepest part of the cave is the inner temple, Chua Trong. As we understand it, it is the only pagoda located inside of a cave and there are many different statues of Buddha in the temple. Even without the temple, the inside of the cave is interesting to see with all of the typical stalagmites and stalactites.

When visiting Hanoi, we’d definitely recommend going on the Perfume Pagoda tour, but only after doing Halong Bay and a Ninh Binh tour. The scenery is beautiful and the history, which goes back hundreds of years, and culture is fascinating. It is probably interesting to see during the festival season, but since we don’t like crowds, we were fine with visiting a couple of months before it started. The tour will take a full day from Hanoi, lasting about 10 hours from hotel pick-up to drop-off.