Moon Handbooks: Nepal (3rd Ed.) [Paperback]

Kerry Moran (Author)

Book Description

Series: Moon Handbooks Nepal | Publication Date: November 27, 1999

Nepal Handbook guides travellers to the tip of the Himalayas and the bustling streets of Kathmandu. Award-winning author Kerry Moran provides personalized insider''s advice and an introduction to Nepal''s fascinating culture, history, geography, etc.'

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It's easy to see why this book has won the Lowell Thomas Gold Award for Travel Journalism.... For all travelers to Nepal, this is a treasure trove". -- Tibet Forum

From the Back Cover

Closed to outsiders until 1951, Nepal's exotic reputation comes from its incomparable blend of high mountains and rich culture. Lush jungles, broad valleys, and rolling hills are crowned by the frozen peaks of the central Himalaya, including eight of the ten highest mountains on earth. Whether you're planning a week in Kathmandu or months out on the trail, Nepal Handbook will take you into the heart of this Himalayan jewel. Plan a day-trip or mountain trek north and meet the people of the Hills-artisans, sadhus, Gurkhas, Sherpas, and dozens of other ethnic groups, each with its own language, customs, and beliefs. Nepal Handbook unveils the rich and ancient civilization of the Kathmandu Valley, and lovingly explores lesser-known destinations like Swayambunath, Patan, and Bhaktapur.

Longtime Nepal resident Kerry Moran offers an appreciative and literate portrait of Nepal's kaleidoscopic personality, including:
*A detailed trekking guide for both novices and seasoned trekkers, plus useful information on mountain biking, river-rafting, elephant safaris, and pony treks.
*One-page mini-guides to Nepal's art treasures and crafts, with tips on selection and bargaining.
*Money-saving recommendations for accommodations and dining: the best trailside lodges, a survey of Kathmandu's surprisingly reasonable luxury hotels, plus practical help with visas, transportation, packing, and getting around.
*A savvy and thought-provoking introduction to Nepal's fascinating culture, geography, history, and social structure, with a wealth of entertaining details that make for great armchair reading as well. *Over 40 detailed maps of Nepal's diverse regions, including hiking trails, air routes, and out-of-the-way villages.
*A carefully selected Nepali glossary, with useful phrases and tips for picking up the language. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 500 pages
• Publisher: Avalon Travel Publishing; 3 edition (November 27, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566911648
• ISBN-13: 978-1566911641
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,880,847 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are going to Nepal you need this guidebook, November 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Nepal Handbook (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

This may be the best guide book I have ever used. I think I should write Kerry Moran a fan letter for helping me to have an amazing and wonderful time on my six-week trip to Nepal without always feeling like a clueless tourist. This guide is so well written and interesting that I read it cover to cover during the trip-- even the sections about places we weren't planning to go. The cultural descriptions are informative and sensitively written, but not unrealistically rose-colored. The guides to towns and trekking routes give you an accurate and practical idea of what to expect when you get there without being overdetailed or bossy about telling you what do. The Nepali vocabulary and grammar in the appendix really came in handy and Nepalis, even when they could speak English, seemed genuinely pleased that I was trying to speak Nepali. The maps are not especially good, but then even with maps you would still have to ask directions. This is a great guide for anyone whose itenerary is not set in stone and who wants to get some genuine insight into Nepali culture.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take this book with you!, October 20, 2001

By 

"travlindave" (Honolulu) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moon Handbooks: Nepal (3rd Ed.) (Paperback)

Being a traveller who usually swears by Lonely Planet guides, I have to admit that when it came down to taking one or the other, the Lonely Planet book stayed at home and this one made it into my backpack. It's just plain good. I will be sure to check out other Moon Guides in the future. Their series might soon be alongside my LP and Footprint Guide collections.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are going to Nepal, you need this book., November 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Nepal Handbook (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

This may be the best guidebook I've ever used-- I read it cover to cover during my trip, and feel like I ought to write Kerry Moran a fan letter. The advice and information in this book helped me to have an amazing and wonderful experience Nepal without always feeling like a clueless tourist. The descriptions of Nepali culture and customs are sensitively written and indespensible for a mystified first time visitor. The guides for trekking routes and towns are right on the mark but not overdetailed, so you get an accurate idea what to expect without being told exactly what to do. The Nepali vocabulary and grammar in the appendix were very handy and I really had fun trying to speak the language. This book does not have good maps, but I was able to get pretty good maps in Nepal.