Author Archives: danforteza

7-Day Peru Itinerary With Guide + Budget (Pinoy Solo Traveler)

By Dan Forteza

This post may contain affiliate links which means if you purchase something through that link, I will make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Think of it as buying a cup of coffee for me. Thanks & enjoy!

If you ask me what’s my favorite country out of the growing list of countries I visited, it would be hard to answer honestly. But definitely Peru would always pop into my head alongside Japan as my reply.

Personally, visiting Peru’s Machu Picchu has always been a dream of mine ever since I was in high school and got fascinated with world geography.

Read also: My Sapporo, Japan winter itinerary with must-see attractions

That’s why in this blog, I decided to share a more detailed budget travel guide of Peru taken from my two-week South American travel blog article.

Thus, expect that I’ll be sharing my 7-day Peru itinerary when I visited this amazing South American country last December, complete with a trip to the glorious Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain.

If you’re a budget traveler like me, this blog is without a doubt for you.

NOTE: Before you set foot in Peru or other South American countries, be sure to get your yellow fever vaccination first. If you’re somewhere around Manila in the Philippines, you can get it at the Bureau of Quarantine.

Read also: How to get your Yellow Fever Vaccine in Manila

Day 5: Finally reached the summit of Waynu Picchu mountain | Dantravels.org

Hi there! First of all, I am Daniel – a solo backpacker from the Philippines. If you don’t know my story yet, feel free to read this article where I talked about how I quit my job in order to travel. This article was also featured on TripZilla Philippines .

DO YOU NEED A VISA?

If you’re also a Philippine passport holder, you can enter and travel around Peru up to 90 days without a visa. This is also true for other South American countries where Filipinos can enter visa-free! I was lucky enough to visit Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador in South America which are visa-free countries for Filipinos.

If you’re from another country, you might want to check first the visa policy of Peru to verify whether you need a visa or not.

PERU 🇵🇪

Language: Spanish
Capital City: Lima
Currency: Peruvian Soles (PEN)
Int’l Airports in this trip: LIM, CUZ
Preferred mode of transportation: Uber Taxi
Time Zone: GMT -5

HOW I GOT TO PERU?

Finding a cheap flight ticket to Peru from the Asia-Pacific region is a bit difficult. They’re way more expensive in comparison to flights within Southeast Asia!

In my case, I utilized different airlines to jump from one country to another within South America. This is also to maximize my travel itinerary while only in a two-week vacation and to take advantage of being halfway around the world.

Here were my flight itineraries with costs:

  • Manila (Philippines) – Sao Paolo (Brazil) [$927.80 Round Trip]
  • Sao Paolo (Brazil) – Rio De Janeiro (Brazil) [$92.18]
  • Rio De Janeiro (Brazil) – Lima (Peru) [$301.40]
  • Lima (Peru) – Cusco (Peru) [$58.84]
  • Cusco (Peru) – Lima (Peru) [$70.33]
  • Lima (Peru) – Bogota (Colombia) [$94.25]
  • Bogota (Colombia) – Quito (Ecuador) [$314.90]
  • Quito (Ecuador) – Sao Paolo (Brazil) [$313.50]
  • Sao Paolo (Brazil) – Manila (Philippines) [Included in RT]

NOTE: Manila to Sao Paolo route (and vice versa) was via Ethiopian Airlines and has two layovers at Hong Kong and Addis Ababa airports. No transit visa needed.

Read also: How to check if you need a visa for transiting

Timeline (of when I purchased them) and flight details are found here .

If you’re also coming from the Philippines (or wherever in the world actually), I suggest you check Kayak as they usually offer cheap fare rates compared to other booking sites. Per my experience, they’re the best!

HOW TO GET AROUND PERU?

  • Intercity Flight
    • Flying is the quickest way you can travel from one city to another (e.g., Lima to Cusco). As mentioned above, you can book using Kayak to get the best flight deals available.
  • Taxi – Cities of Lima and Cusco
    • Uber Taxi – Hailing an Uber taxi is the most convenient way of getting around big cities in Peru. Uber is also widely used in Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador.

TIP: You should integrate your credit/debit card as your primary payment method when using the Uber app so you won’t have to worry about paying in cash. Your Uber app will also adapt to the local currency of your location.

  • Train – Cusco to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes)
    • Incarail.com – Book your train ticket in advance online to avoid hassle. Incarail is the site I used to book my transport ticket from Cusco City to Machu Picchu.

The transport consists of two services (called Bimodal):

  • Minibus (Cusco → Ollantaytambo)
  • Train (Ollantaytambo → Machu Picchu Pueblo)

Here were my train itineraries with costs:

  • Cusco – Machu Picchu [$79]
  • Machu Picchu – Cusco [$76]

Subtotal: $155

Timeline and train details are found here .

NOTE: I have only listed the transport services I used during my 7-day Peru itinerary travel. If you have more time, you can also use public transport such as buses, mototaxis, and shared taxis called Collectivos.

WHERE DID I STAY IN PERU?

You can book a room at any hotel in Peru through Agoda or Booking.com. I usually book my accommodations through Booking.com. Room options range from cheap hostels to luxury hotels. Booking.com also offers free cancellation or pay-at-the-hotel options.

If hotels aren’t to your liking, try Airbnb. Airbnbs are immersed in neighborhoods, condos, and townhomes, giving you a more local experience. Since it is someone’s home, there is a certain pride you feel while staying there. I have used Airbnb on some of my other trips and loved it!

If you’re new to Airbnb, you can get up to $43 free travel credit by signing up through this link.

Book AGODA here
Book BOOKING.com here
Get AIRBNB $43 free credit

My Room Accommodations:

  • Lima City
    • Room type: Airbnb private room
    • Cost per night: $14.18 ($28.36 for 2 nights)
  • Cusco City
    • Name: La Casa De Ingrid in Cusco
    • Room type: Private room
    • Cost per night: $12 ($36 for 3 nights)
  • Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes)
    • Name: Pirwa & Waca Machu Picchu (now Illapa Inn Machupicchu)
    • Room type: Bed in 4-Bed Dormitory
    • Cost per night: $6.30 ($12.60 for 2 nights)

Subtotal: $76.96

Airbnb private room in Lima, Peru
Lima: Airbnb private room | Dantravels.org
Cusco private room at La Casa Ingrid Hostel
Cusco: Private room at La Casa Ingrid Hostel | Dantravels.org
Shared room at Pirwa and Waca Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu Pueblo: Shared room at Pirwa & Waca Machu Picchu | Dantravels.org

ANY OTHER TICKETS TO BUY IN ADVANCE?

I highly suggest booking your Machu Picchu ticket in advance to avoid running out of slots on the day you plan to visit.

If you also want to hike Waynu Picchu (the famous mountain behind Machu Picchu), you really need to book early because only about 200 hikers per day are allowed. I recommend booking at least 3–6 months in advance.

You will choose whether to add the Waynu Picchu hike when booking your ticket online and select your preferred schedule. I chose the 10:00–11:00 AM slot. Visit the official site here.

If you’re curious what the ticket looks like, here is mine.

TIP: My credit card was not accepted when booking the ticket online. I solved this by booking my hostel in Cusco early and asking the hostel owner to help me purchase the ticket locally.

You can also book Machu Picchu tickets easily through Viator:

Machu Picchu Only
Machu Picchu + Waynu Picchu Hike

Also consider booking the famous Rainbow Mountain tour when visiting Cusco.

Book the Rainbow Mountain one-day tour

  • Machu Picchu + Waynu Picchu ticket $60
  • Rainbow Mountain tour $31.50

Subtotal: $91.50

MY 7-DAY PERU ITINERARY

DAY 1: EXPLORING LIMA CITY

Plaza de Armas in Lima
Day 1: Plaza de Armas (Lima Square) | Dantravels.org
Plaza de Armas Lima
Day 1: Plaza de Armas (Lima Square) | Dantravels.org
Chaufa con Pollo
Day 1: My favorite Chaufa con Pollo & Potato | Dantravels.org
  • PEN 195 – SIM Card with Internet (Lima Airport)
  • PEN 37.5 – Uber Taxi: Lima Airport to Airbnb
  • PEN 2 – Bread
  • PEN 1.5 – Bottled Juice
  • PEN 12.5 – Uber Taxi to Lima Square
  • PEN 16 – Lunch: Chaufa con Pollo
  • PEN 16 – Dinner: Chaufa con Pollo
  • PEN 2 – Bottled Water
  • PEN 9.5 – Uber Taxi back to apartment

Subtotal: PEN 292

NOTE: You will notice many “Chaufa con Pollo” meals in my expenses list. It means fried rice with chicken. As an Asian, I love rice, so whenever I was unsure about local dishes, I usually chose anything with rice!

DAY 2: EXPLORING LIMA CITY (2)

Day 2: Somewhere in Lima with a good friend
Day 2: Somewhere in Lima with a good friend | Dantravels.org
Cirquito Magico Del Agua in Lima
Day 2: Cirquito Magico Del Agua in Lima | Dantravels.org
Cirquito Magico Del Agua in Lima
Day 2: Cirquito Magico Del Agua in Lima | Dantravels.org
  • PEN 3.5 – Some coffee near my apartment
  • PEN 3 – Laundry detergent and fabric conditioner
  • PEN 1.5 – Bottled water
  • PEN 9.2 – Uber Taxi: Apartment to Lima Square
  • PEN 16 – Lunch: Chaufa con Pollo (Fried rice, chicken, potatoes)
  • PEN 16 – Dinner: Chaufa con Pollo (Fried rice, chicken, potatoes)
  • PEN 11.5 – Uber Taxi: Somewhere to apartment
  • Subtotal: PEN 60.7

NOTE: Yep, I did the laundry that day. My Airbnb host was very kind to assist me with my laundry needs.

I also met my Peruvian friend Ciprian, who took me to the Magic Water Circuit Show.

DAY 3: EXPLORING CUSCO CITY

Coca Tea at La Casa De Ingrid in Cusco
Day 3: The famous Coca Tea of Peru at my hostel – La Casa De Ingrid | Dantravels.org
Cusco Cathedral at Plaza Mayor
Day 3: Cusco Cathedral at Plaza Mayor in Cusco | Dantravels.org
Cusco tour guide
Day 3: Our tour guide during the Cusco city tour | Dantravels.org
Cusco sightseeing bus
Day 3: Cusco sightseeing bus tour | Dantravels.org
Cusco sightseeing bus
Day 3: Cusco sightseeing bus tour
Cristo Blanco statue
Day 3: The statue of Cristo Blanco | Dantravels.org
  • PEN 33 – Uber Taxi: Apartment to Jorge Chavez (LIM) Airport
  • PEN 10.5 – McBreakfast at LIM Airport
  • PEN 25 – Taxi: Cusco (CUZ) Airport to La Casa De Ingrid Hostel
  • PEN 5.05 – Uber Taxi: Hostel to Plaza Mayor
  • PEN 20 – Cusco city sightseeing bus tour
  • PEN 0.2 – Toilet fee
  • PEN 1 – Bread
  • PEN 7 – Food (Chicken, rice, potato)
  • Subtotal: PEN 101.75

NOTE: I saw many tour agents around Plaza Mayor offering city tours. I decided to take the chance and experience the Cusco sightseeing bus tour.

DAY 4: EN ROUTE TO MACHU PICCHU PUEBLO

Minibus from Cusco to Ollantaybo
Day 4: Our minibus ride from Cusco City to Ollantaybo | Dantravels.org
Voyager train to Machu Picchu Pueblo
Day 4: Voyager train from Ollantaybo to Machu Picchu Pueblo | Dantravels.org
Inside Voyager train
Day 4: Inside the Voyager train | Dantravels.org
  • PEN 4.92 – Uber Taxi: Hostel to Plaza de Armas
  • PEN 25 – Food (Chaufa con Pollo) with bottled water at Machu Picchu Pueblo
  • Subtotal: PEN 29.92

NOTE: I was in transit to Machu Picchu Pueblo (also known as Aguas Calientes) this day. Fortunately, the train ticket included lunch and snacks.

Departure: 09:00 AM (estimated)
Arrival: 02:00 PM (estimated)

DAY 5: EXPLORING MACHU PICCHU RUINS

Tour guide explaining Machu Picchu history
Day 5: Our tour guide explaining the history of Machu Picchu | Dantravels.org
The glorious Machu Picchu
Day 5: The glorious Machu Picchu | Dantravels.org
Machu Picchu ruins
Day 5: Machu Picchu ruins | Dantravels.org
Machu Picchu ruins close up
Day 5: More of the ruins of Machu Picchu up close | Dantravels.org
Hiking Waynu Picchu
Day 5: Hiking up to Waynu Picchu | Dantravels.org
Summit of Waynu Picchu
Day 5: Reaching the summit of Waynu Picchu | Dantravels.org
View of Machu Picchu from Waynu Picchu
Day 5: View of Machu Picchu from the top of Waynu Picchu | Dantravels.org
  • PEN 3 – Bottled water
  • PEN 40 – Bus ticket: Pueblo to Machu Picchu ruins
  • PEN 50 – Tour guide fee
  • PEN 2 – Toilet fee
  • PEN 40 – Bus ticket: Machu Picchu ruins to Pueblo
  • PEN 6 – Bottled water
  • PEN 25 – Hamburger
  • PEN 48 – Food (Chaufa con Pollo)
  • Subtotal: PEN 214

NOTE: Machu Picchu can be reached either by hiking or by bus from Aguas Calientes. Hiking takes around 2–3 hours. My advice: just take the bus!

ANOTHER NOTE: I originally planned to explore Machu Picchu on my own. However, someone invited me to join their tour group for only 15 USD (50 PEN). It turned out to be one of the best tours I had.

TIP: Food is very expensive in Machu Picchu Pueblo. Bring or pack some food if you’re traveling on a tight budget.

DAY 6: BACK TO CUSCO CITY

Day 6: Exploring Machu Picchu
Day 6: Exploring Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) before heading back to Cusco
Day 6: Exploring Machu Picchu
Day 6: Exploring Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) before heading back to Cusco
Day 6: My room at La Casa De Ingrid in Cusco
Day 6: My room at La Casa De Ingrid in Cusco
  • PEN 22 – Food (Chaufa con pollo)
  • PEN 21 – Food (Chaufa con pollo)
  • PEN 4.14 – Uber Taxi: Cusco drop-off to La Casa De Ingrid Hostel
  • Subtotal: PEN 47.14

NOTE: Later that day, I was in transit from Machu Picchu Pueblo back to my hostel in Cusco City.

– Departure: 06:00 PM (estimated)
– Arrival: 10:00 PM (estimated)

DAY 7: HIKE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

Day 7: Hike
Day 7: This is probably one of the hardest hikes I ever experienced
Day 7: Horses
Day 7: Some prefer to ride with horses
Day 7: Summit
Day 7: Nevertheless, reaching the summit is all worth it
  • PEN 1 – Toilet fee at Rainbow mountain
  • PEN 3 – Coffee at Rainbow mountain
  • PEN 6 – Photo Op with natives at the Rainbow Mountain summit
  • PEN 1 – Toilet fee at Rainbow mountain
  • Subtotal: PEN 11

NOTE: Breakfast and Lunch were included in the Rainbow Mountain Tour.

Rainbow Mountain Tour details:

  • Pick up time: 3:30 – 4:00 AM
  • Pick up location: My hostel
  • Tour duration: One (1) whole day

DAY 8 (LAST DAY): TO BOGOTA, COLOMBIA

  • PEN 3.4 – Bottled Water and Doritos
  • PEN 16.59 – Uber Taxi to Cusco (CUZ) Airport
  • PEN 839.5 (USD 250) – Flight from Cusco to Lima (due to canceled flight)
  • PEN 16.5 – Coke and Doritos Snacks
  • Subtotal: PEN 876

NOTE: My flight Cusco-Lima via LC Peru Airlines was canceled. Basically, all LC Peru Airlines were canceled on that day. I just knew when I arrived at the airport. So then I booked a new flight Cusco-Lima via LATAM Airlines and in order to catch another flight Lima-Bogota via VivaAir. You have no idea how frustrated I was.

And there you have it!

Excluding the flight costs, here is the overall total of my expenses in Peru:

TOTAL: $155 (trains) + $76.96 (rooms) + $91.5 (tickets) + $480 (PEN 1632.51, 7-day cost)

TOTAL: $803.46

Because things happen, it is worth noting to set aside an emergency fund for unwanted expenses abroad. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed exploring Peru! I’m sure you would, too.

RECOMMENDED TOUR PACKAGES

If you have more days to spend in Peru, you might consider these cool package tours:

LIMA:

CUSCO:

More Tours Here

BOOKING ESSENTIALS

  • Hotel / Hostel
    • Booking.com – I usually book my hostel accommodation here. They offer options ranging from cheap hostels to luxury hotels, often with free cancellation.
    • Airbnb – Great for finding comfy and cozy rooms. I have used Airbnb on many trips and highly recommend it for a more local experience.

Have you tried Airbnb? Sign up with my link and you will get up to 43 USD off your first stay. Click here to get that discount.

  • Flights
    • KAYAK – All of my flight bookings are through KAYAK. It searches hundreds of travel sites to find the best rates.

I suggest you check Kayak (HERE) as they usually offer cheaper fare rates compared to other booking sites.

CHECK OUT ALSO MY YOUTUBE VIDEO ABOUT PERU!

2-Day Kandy Itinerary (Sri Lanka) And Travel Guide On A Budget

By Dan Forteza

This post may contain affiliate links which means if you purchase something through that link, I will make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Think of it as buying a cup of coffee for me on someone else. Thanks & enjoy!

It was September 2019 when I first visited the island country of Sri Lanka where I traveled to two of the most populous cities in the country–Colombo and Kandy.

I must say that Kandy is a more chill and relaxed city than that of Colombo; and also way cheaper! Although I only have two days to spend in Kandy as I need to get back to Colombo to catch my next flight going to Tehran, Iran, this never stopped me from exploring the best of Kandy and what it has to offer in only two days.

Read also: my Tehran, Iran itinerary and travel guide.

That’s why in this blog, I’ve put together the perfect 2-day Kandy itinerary, specifically for budget travelers, which includes the city’s top attractions.

Hi there! First of all, I am Daniel – a solo backpacker from the Philippines. If you don’t know my story yet, feel free to read this article where I talked about how I quit my job in order to travel. This article was also featured on TripZilla Philippines.

This is me at the entrance gate of Vahirawakanda Buddha Temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka | Dantravels.org
Me at the entrance gate of Vahirawakanda Buddha Temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka | Dantravels.org

DO YOU NEED A VISA?

Depending on your nationality, you might or might not need a visa. Check out my Sri Lankan visa guide to check if you’re eligible for an e-visa or visa on arrival or no visa at all.

WHERE IS KANDY?

Kandy is located in central Sri Lanka and is just about three hours northeast of Colombo. The historic city of Kandy was once the capital of the Central province of Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the Sinhala Kingdom, a monarchy that flourished for over 2,300 years until it was ended by the British colonial rule in 1815.

Language: Sinhala, Tamil
Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
Nearest Int’l Airport: Bandaranaike (CMB)
Preferred mode of transportation: Tuktuk or Uber Tuktuk, Bus
Time Zone: GMT +4 ½

HOW I GOT THERE FROM COLOMBO:

Before going to Kandy, I first visited and explored Colombo, the commercial capital and most populous city of Sri Lanka.

Read also: my Colombo, Sri Lanka itinerary and travel guide.

NOTE: Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport is the only international airport serving the whole island country of Sri Lanka.

Thus, you might want to find a flight ticket first going to Colombo, Sri Lanka. If you’re coming from Southeast or South Asia, it is relatively easy and cheap. I booked mine coming from Bangkok, Thailand.

I suggest you check Kayak (click HERE) as they usually offer cheap fare rates compared to other booking sites.

Colombo is where most people will be coming from when they visit Kandy. You will need to head to Colombo Fort train station and buy yourself a train ticket.

Colombo Fort train ticket line

It would be better if you go there before 8:00 AM, so you can catch the 8:30 AM or 9:00 AM train. Then, you can expect to arrive in Kandy at around 1:00 PM.

For this Colombo-Kandy train route, you will have three classes to choose from – 1st, 2nd, and observation.

How much is the train ticket: I bought my ticket from the observation class costing to 250 LKR (it is actually the cheapest.)

But you can also book your ticket in advance–head to this site where you can buy it online.

NOTE: Another way to get to Kandy from Colombo is by bus or by private transfer. The latter will be considerably more expensive, though.

What I love about this train route is you’ll see a lot of scenic views during the day. And yes, travelers were never wrong when they said the train ride in Sri Lanka is one of best in the world!

HOW TO GET AROUND KANDY?

  • Tuktuk – Also known as a tri-shaw, Tuktuk is a three-wheeled vehicle which I think is the best way to get around Kandy. But as I mentioned in my budget travel tips blog – “walk as much as you can!“.

Many three-wheelers have meters and some can be booked through Uber App. Some drivers, however, will try to not use the meter or won’t have one. Avoid meter-free three-wheelers or agree to a firm price before setting out.

  • Uber Tuktuk – Ensure you have an Uber mobile app to book your ride.
  • Private Tuktuk – There are so many Tuktuk drivers in the city who will ask you for a private tuk-tuk tour. I think it’s okay, I got mine for only 200 LKR (1.10 USD) and the driver took me to 3-4 different famous places in Kandy.

TIP: Haggle as much as you can when negotiating a Tuktuk ride! =)

  • City Buses – The best way to find out which bus to take is just to ask people at the nearest stop. Although it’s not advisable for short-term travelers you’ll be surprised how cheap they are (way cheaper than Tuktuk).
Bus in Kandy Sri Lanka
Bus in Kandy, Sri Lanka | Dantravels.org

WHERE DID I STAY IN KANDY?

The hostel I booked is located in the city center. From the Kandy train terminal, I just walk about 10-20 minutes to reach my hostel.

  • Elephant Shed Tourist Hostel: (click here to book)
    • Hostel room type: Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
Elephant Shed Tourist Hostel Kandy Sri Lanka blog review
Elephant Shed Tourist Hostel

Book AGODA here

Book BOOKING.com here

Get AIRBNB $43 free credit

You can book a room at any hotel in Kandy through Agoda or Booking.com. I usually book my room accommodations through booking.com. Room accommodation ranges from cheap hostels to luxury hotels. Book hostels through booking.com as they have free cancellation or pay-at-the-hotel option.

If Kandy hotel isn’t to your liking, try AirBnb. Airbnbs are immersed in neighborhoods, condos, and townhomes. There is a feeling you get when you stay in an Airbnb that makes you feel like you belong in that city or town. Since it is someone’s home, there is a certain amount of pride you feel while staying there. I have used Airbnb on some of my other trips and I loved it!

If you’re new to AirBnB, then you can get up to 42 USD free travel credit by signing up via this link

MY 2-DAY KANDY ITINERARY

DAY 1:

1st Stop: Kandy Lake

I visited this lovely artificial lake before I went to see the Temple of Buddha’s Tooth Relic (2nd stop). It was built in 1807 by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe and is located next to the Temple of the Tooth. It has a nice island in the middle that has a garden on it.

It is lovely to walk around the lake in the evening and there are lots of marble benches that you can use to appreciate the view.

Kandy Lake
Kandy Lake | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1-2 hours
  • How I got there: By foot (from hostel)
  • Entrance fee: FREE

2nd Stop: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Also known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple located in the royal palace complex which houses the Relic of the tooth of Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. The temple is one of the holiest shrines in the entire Buddhist world.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1-2 hours
  • How I got there: By foot (from my 1st stop)
  • Entrance fee: 1,500 LKR (8.3 USD) per person

3rd Stop: Kandy Clock Tower

Kandy Clock Tower is built in 1950 and is located at a major intersection, along with the city bus stand. The Clock Tower blends in with the surrounding and does not attract special attention, however, it does registers on the memory, subconsciously, while passing by. On closer scrutiny, I found it to be simple yet beautiful.

It was built there at the behest of Haji Mohamed Ismail as a memorial to his son who lost his life in a rockfall in 1947.

Kandy Clock Tower
Kandy Clock Tower | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1 hour
  • How I got there: By foot (from my 2nd stop)
  • Entrance fee: FREE

4th Stop: Royal Palace Park

Royal Palace Park is a small but very well maintained park sited up on the hillside above Kandy Lake. The mature trees do not allow for perfect lake views but it is good to see glimpses of the water from above. It is worth going for some moments of peace and tranquility above the bustling crowded city. There are plenty of seats and shade so it is a good place to bring a picnic.

Royal Palace Park
Royal Palace Park | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 2-3 hours
  • How I got there: By foot (from my 3rd stop)
  • Entrance fee: 100 LKR (0.55 USD) per person

5th Stop: Kandy Viewpoint

Kandy Viewpoint
Kandy Viewpoint | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1-2 hours
  • How I got there: By Tuktuk: 50 LKR* (from my 4th stop)
  • Entrance fee: FREE

Don’t forget to haggle when negotiating a Tuktuk =)

DAY 2:

6th Stop: Udawattekele Sanctuary

I went to Udawattekele for a walk to escape the busy city setting of Kandy. It’s only a 10 to 15-minute walk from the center of town, so I expected nothing more but a small forest. What I got though was a full jungle-experience with monkey, snake and barking-deer sightings. You can decide how much time you want to spend walking through as there are several loops, marked out on a big map by the entrance.

This place to near at Kandy lake and Sri Daladha Maligawa (Temple of Tooth).

Udawattekele Sanctuary
Udawattekele Sanctuary | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 2-3 hours
  • How I got there: By foot (from my hostel stop)
  • Entrance fee: 660 LKR (3.7 USD) per person

7th Stop: Kandy Garrison Cemetery

This small graveyard is found just behind the Temple of Buddha’s Tooth Relic. I had the absolute pleasure of meeting George, the caretaker, who has heaps of knowledge about every grave there. It’s free but make sure you leave a donation to help protect and fund further restorations of the area.

Kandy Garrison Cemetery
Kandy Garrison Cemetery | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1-2 hours
  • How I got there: By foot (from my 3rd stop)
  • Entrance fee: FREE

8th Stop: Vahirawakanda Buddha Temple

You will certainly get your exercise if you decide to walk uphill to see the gigantic Buddha. I went for a quick hike later in the afternoon towards Vahirawakanda Buddha temple in Kandy. From my hostel, it takes about 20 minutes to hike up on foot with a nice view as a reward. Not bad.

Vahirawakanda Buddha Temple
Vahirawakanda Buddha Temple | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 2-3 hours
  • How I got there: By foot (from my 3rd stop)
  • Entrance fee: 250 LKR (1.4 USD) per person

What do you think of this 2-day Kandy itinerary?

I hope that you find this 2-DAY KANDY ITINERARY and GUIDE useful!

If you have more days to spend in Kandy or Sri Lanka in general, you might consider these cool package tours:

(you may choose one or more tours that may suit your travel needs.)

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comment section below.

More Tours Here

BOOKING ESSENTIALS

  • Hotel / Hostel
    • Booking.com. I usually book my hostel accommodation at booking.com. Thus, I recommend you guys trying it as well for your Kandy Itinerary. Room accommodation ranges from cheap hostels to luxury hotels. Book hostels through booking.com as they have free cancellation or pay-at-the-hotel option.
    • Airbnb. Try Airbnb in finding comfy and cozy rooms for your Kandy itinerary! I have used Airbnb on some of my other trips and I loved it!

Have you tried Airbnb? Sign up with my link and you will get up to 42 USD (2,200 Php) off your first stay. Click this link to get that discount.

  • Flights
    • KAYAK. All of my flight bookings are all from KAYAK. Kayak is one of the world’s leading travel search engines and searches hundreds of travel sites.

I suggest you check Kayak (click HERE) as they usually offer cheap fare rates compared to other booking sites.

  • Colombo to Kandy train ticket.

Click here to book the ticket.

  • Sri Lanka Package tours
    • Viator. Viator is the world’s leading resource for researching, finding and booking the best travel experiences worldwide. Perfect for your Sri Lanka itinerary!

Click here to find the best Viator deals in Sri Lanka

Remotasks Review and Detailed Guide: How I Started in Remotasks

By Dan Forteza

I was in a constant lookout for any home-based job I could find after quitting my 9-to-5 day job in the pursuit of long-term travel. In June 2019, I signed up for Remotasks after hearing great things about it.

The best part? Remotasks offers FREE training in the Philippines. They call this the Remotasks Boot Camp, and it happens biweekly in major cities across the country. I was lucky enough to join a 10-day training in Quezon City, which helped me dig deeper into how the platform works.

Read also: My blog on how I earn money from transcription at GoTranscript.

Hi there! I am Daniel – a solo backpacker from the Philippines. If you don’t know my story yet, feel free to read this article where I talk about how I quit my job to travel. This story was also featured on TripZilla Philippines.

IS REMOTASKS LEGIT?

Remotasks is a LEGIT opportunity to work as a freelancer and start making money quickly. It’s popular because you don’t need special degrees—just a good command of English and the patience to pass exams to unlock tasks.

Try this too: You can also check out SproutGigs (previously Picoworkers) for simpler tasks like surveys or website testing. I’ve earned $0.02 to $1.00 per task there.

HOW TO JOIN REMOTASKS

Simply visit the Sign Up page here and join using your Facebook account. Once in, you can start taking courses at Remotasks University to unlock earning opportunities immediately.

TYPES OF TASKS

  • Classic Tasks: Includes image annotation (drawing boxes), categorization, and image/audio transcription.
  • LiDAR Tasks: This involves Light Detection and Ranging technology used for self-driving cars. These are the highest-paying tasks on the platform.
Lidar Annotations in Remotasks

HOW MUCH CAN YOU EARN?

Task TypePay Rate (USD)Duration
Image Annotation$0.05 – $0.20< 4 minutes
Categorization$0.01 – $0.02< 3 minutes
LiDAR$5.00 – $80.003 – 6 hours

IN-PERSON TRAINING BOOT CAMP

For those in the Philippines, the 10-day Boot Camp is a game-changer. Not only is it free, but you get paid for tasks completed during training and a bonus upon graduation. Training is available in cities like Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Quezon City.

Remotask Boot Camp Training
My co-trainees at Remotasks Boot Camp in Quezon City

Note: LiDAR tasks require a decent computer. Make sure you have at least 4GB of RAM (8GB is better!) to work smoothly from home.

PROS AND CONS

✅ Pros

  • Quick sign-up and weekly PayPal payouts.
  • No minimum payout requirement.
  • Complete flexibility of time and location.

❌ Cons

  • Tasks can be repetitive and tedious.
  • Consistently low accuracy can lead to bans.
  • Requires a good PC for high-paying LiDAR tasks.

MY FINAL SAY

Is Remotasks worth it? If you live in a country where the USD is strong and you don’t mind repetitive work, then yes, go for it! It’s a reliable way to build a consistent income from home while you plan your next travel adventure.

What are your thoughts? Have you tried working on Remotasks before? Let me know in the comments!

How To Get a Yellow Fever Vaccine with Card in Manila, Philippines

By Dan Forteza

Getting a Yellow Fever Vaccine Card was one of the precautions I took before going to South America a year ago.

This year, I will be visiting Africa and will be armed with the same vaccine I had since its validity is LIFETIME. Yep, you read it right. So if you also intend to visit the continents of South America and Africa, most likely you’ll be needing a Yellow Fever Vaccine.

Hi there! First of all, I am Daniel – a solo backpacker from the Philippines. If you don’t know my story yet, feel free to read this article where I talked about how I quit my job in order to travel. This article was also featured on TripZilla Philippines.

Also known as the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, the Yellow Fever Vaccine card is secured to protect both individual travelers and from the risk of importing or spreading the yellow fever virus.

How To Get a Yellow Fever Vaccine Card in the Philippines
My Yellow Fever Vaccine card | Dantravels.org

WHAT IS A YELLOW FEVER?

Mosquitoes are the primary carrier of this tropical viral disease. The “yellow” in the name refers to the jaundice that affects some patients. Symptoms of yellow fever include fever, headache, jaundice, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.

The yellow fever virus is endemic in tropical areas of Africa and Central and South America. You can check the official WHO list of countries for current requirements.

WHO Colombia Recommendation
From the snapshot above, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends getting a Yellow Fever Vaccine certificate prior to visiting Colombia.

WHO NEEDS THE YELLOW FEVER VACCINE?

  1. Travelers going to countries with risk for Yellow Fever Transmission
  2. Seafarers required by their company to have the vaccination

NOTE: The yellow fever vaccine is said to be safe for people as young as 9 months of age.

WHERE CAN I GET THE YELLOW VACCINE?

One can get this vaccine including its yellow card (or Carte Jaune) in various Bureau of Quarantine Offices across the country. For Filipinos living within NCR, you can obtain this at the Bureau of Quarantine in Manila.

Schedule: Monday to Friday (except holidays), 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

HOW TO GET YOUR YELLOW FEVER VACCINE

  1. Log in and Fill out Forms: Upon arrival, approach the guard to log in. You will receive a Data Form, Yellow Fever Questionnaire, and Waiver form.
  2. Interview: Proceed to the clinic for a short health interview with a quarantine officer.
  3. Vaccination: Submit your forms and receive the shot. You’ll be asked to wait for 5 minutes to check for any immediate allergic reactions.
  4. Payment: Pay at the cashier. The cost is 1,500 PHP.
  5. Verification: Verify your personal details before the card is printed.
  6. Claim Card: Receive your card signed by the Medical Officer.

Note: The whole process usually takes 10 – 30 minutes. Sweet!

MY FINAL SAY

As Desiderius Erasmus said, “Prevention is better than cure.” Getting protected before you travel ensures you don’t run into issues at immigration or, more importantly, with your health. Let me know in the comments how your experience went!

Check If You Need A Visa For Transiting or Entering A Country

By Dan Forteza

Someone once told me that ‘traveling the world is a rite of passage every human being should take’. While I firmly agree with his statement, unfortunately, the access to this privilege is predetermined by which country we are born in and the passport we were given.

I was born in the Philippines, a third world country. With the power that my weak passport holds, I accepted the fact that I can’t just easily enter and hop-in country to country.

My Philippine passport is ranked 68th on the Passport Index with 36 countries visa-free, 39 visa-on-arrival and 123 countries visa required. In comparison to European passports which ranked 2-10 on the Passport Index. You can obviously see the difference.

For us Filipinos, one of the most important deciding factors when it comes to choosing an international travel destination is visa requirements. I’m sure you agree.

Ruins in Machu Picchu Peru
One of the visa-free countries for Filipinos is Peru | Dantravels.org

HOW AIRLINES CHECK VISA REQUIREMENTS

Have you ever wondered how the airline crews determine what documentation you need upon checking in for your international flight?

The moment you give them your passport and tell them your destination, a slew of questions are directed at you. They usually raised questions like:

  1. Do you have a visa copy, sir?
  2. Do you have an onward ticket, sir?
  3. Do you have a return ticket, sir?

Did you know that you may be refused upon entry if you don’t have an onward or return ticket? It’s true and that’s why they asked. You’ll understand why in the additional information below.

But how do they know what to ask? With this question in mind, I did some research.

And it turns out, they have a software called TIMATIC. This tells them in detail the passport and visa requirements for different nationalities for entering a foreign country.

Why do they have this? Well, because if you are deported from a foreign country due to documentation issues, the airline that got you there will have to pay hefty penalties. So airlines are extra cautious about ensuring that you have everything you need to enter the country you are flying to.

Unfortunately for us, travelers, TIMATIC is not available in the public domain. TIMATIC is proprietary software of the International Air Travel Association (IATA) and is a paid subscription service used by Airlines and Travel Agents.

WEBSITES TO CHECK IF YOU NEED A VISA

I have started my first foreign trip in 2015 in Southeast Asia. Fast forward to 2019, I was fortunate enough to visit 30 countries (and counting) including Australia, Russia, and as far as Peru in South America.

Read also my 14-day budget travel in South America.

A lot of people are asking ‘Daniel, how do you check if you need a visa to enter this specific country?‘ ‘Do you need a transit visa during your layover or connecting flight?‘

True enough–if you add stuff like layovers and transit visas to the equation, your mind will probably start exploding.

That’s why IATA Travel Center and Emirate’s Before You Fly are there as my reliable website source. The sites tell me in detail what are the visa regulations applicable to Filipinos and for any other citizens in the world, actually.

1. IATA TRAVEL CENTER

The IATA travel center is a tool by IATA (the same guys who own TIMATIC) that will tell you everything you need to know about your passport and visa requirements for your international trip.

To my knowledge, this is the most accurate public database there is with respect to Visa Regulations. Many Travel Agents too use this to help their clients.

The only thing I don’t like about this tool is that it asks too much information–from the exact arrival date to the name of your airline carrier. Thus, it takes a lot of time even in filling up information.

2. BEFORE YOU FLY (BY EMIRATES)

Before You Fly by Emirates is my favorite tool in checking my visa requirements. Emirates is one of the world-renowned airline carriers, so you can count on Emirate’s Before You Fly as your trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements.

Not only that it is simple and easy to use, but the result information it provides is also as detailed as that of IATA Travel Center.

LET’S GET THEM BOTH TO WORK!

Let’s say I am a Philippine passport holder traveling to New Zealand (in Auckland) with a connecting flight in Australia (in Sydney.) Refer to the ticket itinerary details below taken from Kayak.

Qantas manila to auckland flight
Ticket itinerary sample MNL – SYD – AKL | Dantravels.org

IATA Travel Center

  1. Go to their website and fill out your travel information accordingly.
IATA Travel Center Snapshot
  1. Once done, tick the ‘I agree’ box and click the next page.
  2. Add your personal information this time.
IATA Personal Information Snapshot
  1. Type in the Captcha code and click the next page.
  2. Then voila! You now have the result.

RESULTS:
1 – A visa is required in New Zealand
2 – A visa (transit) is also required even just connecting to Sydney, Australia

Result Page 1

See the full result here.

Before You Fly (Emirates)

  1. Go to their website and fill out your travel information accordingly. Then click ‘Find requirements’.

This is super easy to fill out because you only need 3 information–Your country, New Zealand, and Australia (as transit.)

Emirates Tool Snapshot
  1. Then there you have it. You now have the results which is the same results you had from IATA Travel Center.

RESULTS:
1 – A visa is required in New Zealand
2 – A visa (transit) is also required even just connecting to Sydney, Australia

Emirates Result 1

Here is the full result.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please make sure to NOT ignore additional notes on the results especially the “Warning” and “Visa Exemptions”. When I was planning my trip to Georgia, I found out from Before You Fly site that having a valid US Visa exempts me from getting a Georgian eVisa.

Read also my travel itinerary in Tbilisi, Georgia.

In addition, I have also learned that I could be denied upon entry if I don’t have an onward ticket prior to checking-in to my flight to Georgia.

Here are the exact words from the Georgian visa results page:

“Visa Exemptions: Passengers with a visa issued by an EEA Member State , Bahrain, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Isl., Falkland Isl. (Malvinas), Gibraltar, Israel, Japan, Korea (Rep.), Kuwait, New Zealand, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Turks and Caicos Isl., USA, United Arab Emirates or Virgin Isl. (British) for a maximum stay of 90 days.”

“Warning: Visitors not holding return/onward tickets could be refused entry.”

To me, this information is a total relief!

MY FINAL SAY

If it is your dream to travel the world but has a third world passport, don’t fret. I’m sure there are other visa-free countries out there that you haven’t visited yet. You should first prioritize them. It is also your chance to build up your travel history. This is what I did to get my US tourist visa which is known as a difficult one to get.

Read also how I survived my US visa interview questions.

And at the end of the day, we still should be grateful for what we have. Right?

I hope that I have made your travels easier by using these tips and tools on how to check if you need a visa, may they be transit or entry visa concerns. So next time you want to know visa requirements for your next trip, you can get it right from the horse’s mouth.

These tools should give you the comfort and confidence that you have taken care of all your documentation before you board the flight.

So quench your travel thirst and don’t forget to get that CHEAP plane tickets only at Kayak!

GoTranscript Review (2026): How I Started as a Transcriber + Real Earnings

🤔 What is GoTranscript?

GoTranscript is an online transcription platform where you get paid to convert audio into text.

It’s often recommended for beginners because:

  • No prior experience is required
  • You can work from home
  • You can choose your own schedule

But the real question is…

👉 Is it actually worth your time?

💡 Quick Answer (My Experience)

I personally tried GoTranscript as one of my first online income sources.

I mentioned this in my digital nomad story — how I transitioned from a traditional job to earning online while traveling.

👉 Read also: How I quit my job and started earning online

  • I was accepted after passing their test
  • I completed transcription tasks
  • I earned money — but not a lot

✅ Is GoTranscript Legit?

Yes — GoTranscript is a legitimate platform that pays its transcribers.

This is where I got some of my first online income:

However, “legit” does NOT mean high-paying.

  • Payments are real
  • Work is sometimes inconsistent
  • Income is relatively low

💰 How Much Can You Earn on GoTranscript?

GoTranscript pays around $0.60 per audio minute.

Available Jobs at GoTranscript
Available Jobs at GoTranscript

👉 1 audio minute = 5–10 minutes of work

So in reality:

  • A 10-minute audio file can take 50–100 minutes
  • Your effective hourly rate is quite low

In my first month of monetizing my blog from transcribing, I earned around $100 — enough to cover my food expenses.

Payment proof through PayPal

👉 Want to try it yourself?

Start earning with GoTranscript here

👉 More details on the application process is provided below.

🧠 Pros and Cons of GoTranscript

Compared to other beginner platforms, GoTranscript is easier to enter but offers lower earning potential.

👍 Pros

  • Beginner-friendly
  • No experience required
  • Flexible schedule
  • Work from home

👎 Cons

  • Low pay
  • Time-consuming work
  • Strict grading system
  • Audio quality can be difficult

📝 How to Apply to GoTranscript

  1. Go to the GoTranscript website
    • At the moment, English transcription may be limited — but many applicants don’t realize you can apply using other languages where competition is lower.
  2. Click “Apply as a Transcriber”
    👉 You may also click “Apply as a Translator” depending on availability
  3. Fill out the application form
  4. Take the transcription test
  5. Wait for results

The test is the most important part — follow the guidelines carefully.

🧭 My Experience as a Beginner Transcriber

  • I had no experience
  • I was just looking for ways to earn online

When I first applied:

The test was challenging, but manageable.

Once accepted:

  • I started taking small transcription jobs
  • It took me time to get used to the workflow
My GoTranscript worker certificate
My GoTranscript worker certificate

👉 At first, I was slow.

👉 Over time, I improved — but the pay didn’t increase much.

💻 Is GoTranscript Worth It?

👉 Yes — if you are a beginner

👉 No — if you’re looking for high income

Use it as a starting point and move to better opportunities later.

🧠 Final Verdict

GoTranscript is legit, beginner-friendly, but low-paying.

It’s a great starting point — but not a long-term income source.

How To Apply For An Egypt Tourist Visa in the Philippines (2026 Updates)

By Dan Forteza

This post may contain affiliate links which means if you purchase something through that link, I will make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Think of it as buying a cup of coffee for me on someone else. Thanks & enjoy!

Visiting the Great Pyramids in Egypt is definitely one of my travel goals this year. That’s why as early as January, I have already been researching on how to get the Egypt tourist visa for Filipinos. And I successfully managed to get one at the Egyptian Embassy in Manila, Philippines!

Read also: my budget itinerary (with cost breakdown) and travel guide in Cairo, Egypt.

Photo by Les Anderson on Unsplash
Photo by Les Anderson on Unsplash

In this blog post, I’ll be giving you the step-by-step guide, a list of the requirements, my experience throughout the whole application process, and other tips to help you get your Egypt tourist visa!

But again, just like in other visa application blogs I’ve written, no one can give you the guarantee of your Egyptian tourist visa’s approval – not me, not even a lawyer or a travel agent. If anyone does, is most likely a scammer!

As a travel blogger, what I can offer you here is just a guide with helpful tips to increase your chances of getting that Egypt tourist visa.

Anyway, enough of that and let’s get started!

REQUIREMENTS FOR EGYPT TOURIST VISA

  1. Duly filled-up Visa Application Form; You can download the application form here. (Note: This is the universal form accepted by the Manila Embassy).
  2. Two (2) pieces 2×2 size recent colored picture (with white background); I actually used only one (1) 2×2 photo which was pasted on my application form. But it wouldn’t hurt if you bring an extra photo.
  3. Valid Passport which must have remaining validity of more than six months; You might not be required to submit your passport on the day of your first visit to the Embassy. Most of the time, the Embassy will take and review your requirements without your passport. The review might take up to 15 days and the Embassy will let you know its decision via phone call.
  4. Bank Certificate, preferred to be one-week-old;
  5. Employment Certificate with compensation / Business Registration if applicable; I’ll be honest. I actually did not exactly provide this because I quit my job to travel long term. Thus, I provided an Employment certificate from the previous company I worked for.
  6. Travel Tour Itinerary; I can provide you a copy of mine if you like. It is a one-week long tour itinerary. Just leave a reply on the comment section below.
  7. Copy of Philippine residency/ visa / Immigration ID Card (for foreign national applicants only).
  8. Marriage Certificate / Birth Certificate, if traveling with family members.
  9. Add a cover letter stating the purpose of your trip even if it’s not a requirement I think this should be a must especially if you have a case like mine that one requirement is not fully met. Thus, I prepared myself a visa cover letter personally explaining my situation, my capacities, and my hunger to travel.
  1. Plane Tickets. This is NOT required but I submitted this anyway because I already have this. I had a plane ticket from Manila to Dubai and I intend to book my next flight from Dubai to Cairo (in Egypt) if my visa is approved. I suggest you check Kayak (use the widget below) as they usually offer cheap fare rates compared to other booking sites.

WHEN AND WHERE TO APPLY

WHEN: Application should be made at least one month prior to your intended departure. Please note that there is a waiting time (up to 15 days) in case the embassy needs to fully review the requirements you submitted.

💡 DAN’S PRO-TIP: CHECKING YOUR STATUS
If you haven’t heard back after 10 working days, don’t hesitate to send a polite follow-up email to embassy.manila@mfa.gov.eg. Include your Full Name and Submission Date in the subject line to help the secretary find your records quickly!

📅 HOLIDAY NOTICE: The Embassy observes both Philippine and Egyptian holidays. If you are applying around this time, expect potential closures and factor in extra processing days!

WHERE: Visa application must be submitted personally to the Embassy during consular working hours from Monday – Wednesday from 9:00 A.M. till 12:00 P.M. except holidays. Please take note of the Egyptian holidays, too.

Egyptian Embassy – Manila
7th-floor G.C. Corporate Plaza, 150 Legaspi St., Legaspi Village, Makati
Tel: (+63) 2 8843 9220 / 8843 9232
Email: embassy.manila@mfa.gov.eg / egyptmanila@gmail.com

For more information, please contact the above.

GET YOUR EGYPT TOURIST VISA IN 4 EASY STEPS

STEP 1: PREPARE & SUBMIT THE REQUIREMENTS

Prepare ALL the abovementioned requirements. Proceed to the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in the Philippines at 7th Floor, G.C Corporate Plaza Bldg., 150 Legaspi St., Legaspi Village, Makati City to submit these documents.

STEP 2: WAIT FOR THE EMBASSY’S CALL

Once submitted, wait for the call with the Embassy’s decision. If your visa is approved, then they will contact you to submit your passport (for the visa sticker) and payment.

You can also do a follow up by calling their contact number I indicated above. No worries, the Filipino Secretary (I think her name is Marian) is very accommodating and friendly.

💡 HOW TO GET “INSTANT” APPROVAL: While the standard wait is 15 days, I managed to get mine the same day! The secret? A rock-solid cover letter explaining my travel history and status as a digital nomad. It pays to be honest and detailed!

STEP 3. SUBMIT YOUR PASSPORT & PAY THE VISA FEE

What I like about this Embassy is they do not charge the visa processing fee unless and until your visa is approved. Yes, you heard it right! There is absolutely no risk in getting this visa! If your visa is approved, submit your passport and pay the visa fee.

The Egypt tourist visa fee costs 1,500 PHP. Then, the Secretary will give your receipt with date of when to claim your passport with visa.

⚠️ IMPORTANT UPDATE (2026): According to recent traveler reports, the Egypt tourist visa fee at the Manila Embassy has increased from 1,500 PHP to approximately 4,000 PHP. It is highly recommended to bring extra cash to your appointment as fees are subject to change without prior notice.

STEP 4. CLAIM YOUR PASSPORT WITH VISA STICKER

Finally, pick up your passport with visa sticker and congratulations on successfully getting your Egypt tourist visa!

My Egypt Tourist Visa
My Egypt Tourist Visa

VISA SUMMARY

  • Type: Tourist Visa
  • Visa Validity: 6 months from the day of approval
  • Maximum Stay: 30 days within validity
  • No. of Entry: Single Entry
  • Visa Fee: 1,500 PHP (30 USD)
  • Visa Fee: 1,500 PHP (30 USD)
    • UPDATE (2026): The fee is now around 4,000 PHP

MY EXPERIENCE

When I arrived at the Embassy at around 10:00 AM, there were already 6 to 8 people in the waiting room. Some of them are still filling up the visa application form.

From that, I can tell that the Egyptian Embassy is informal and chill. You just need to turn off your mobile phone before entering the office.

Remember: Prior to entering the building, your bags will be checked and will require you to leave one government valid ID at the lobby, so bring one!

The Secretary then collected our documents and left the room. She probably handed it over to the Egyptian Consul (in another room) to review the documents.

She went back to the waiting room and announced those people who can now pay the visa fee. Please note that if you pay the visa fee, it means your visa is approved.

I was lucky that steps 1-3 all happened in one day! So I submitted my passport and paid the visa fee, all in 30 minutes! I saved one Makati trip. I met other applicants in the room who has to go and wait up to 15 days for approval and went back to the Embassy 3 times.

They did not tell me the reason why my visa was approved instantly, but I have a strong feeling it has to do with my travel history, capacity to travel, and my very personalized cover letter. I even mentioned in my cover letter about quitting my day job just to travel long term. As they say, honesty is the best policy =)

NOTE that I applied Monday and claimed my passport (with visa) Friday of the same week. So it only took four (days)! I was just so happy to save the step where you have to wait up to 15 days for the Embassy’s decision.

Now that your visa is (hopefully) on its way, here are a few essentials I recommend packing for your Egyptian adventure:

🇪🇬 QUICK EGYPT PACKING LIST:
• Modest Clothing: Respectful attire (covering shoulders and knees) for visiting mosques and local areas.
• Sun Protection: A wide-brimmed hat, high-SPF sunscreen, and quality sunglasses—the desert sun is no joke!
• Universal Power Adapter: Egypt uses Type C and Type E wall plugs.
• Comfortable Walking Shoes: You’ll be doing a lot of walking around the Giza plateau and ancient temples!

RECOMMENDED PACKAGE TOURS

In case you’re also looking for package tours to justify your tourism activity in Egypt for visa purposes, I highly recommend booking tours through Viator which is perfect for your Egypt itinerary. See tours and packages I personally handpicked for you:

(you may choose one or more tours that suit your travel needs)

BOOKING ESSENTIALS

  • Hotel / Hostel: Booking.com. I usually book my hostel accommodation here as they have free cancellation or pay-at-the-hotel options.
  • Airbnb: Try Airbnb for comfy and cozy rooms! I have used it on many trips and loved it.
  • Flights: KAYAK. All of my flight bookings are from KAYAK. It’s a great travel search engine that compares hundreds of sites.

I suggest you check Kayak (click HERE) as they usually offer cheap fare rates compared to other booking sites.

2-Day Kathmandu, Nepal Itinerary and Travel Guide with Budget All-in

By Dan Forteza

This post may contain affiliate links which means if you purchase something through that link, I will make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Think of it as buying a cup of coffee for me on someone else. Thanks & enjoy!

I’m sure you’re super excited to visit the land of Himalayas and just can’t wait to get your Nepal itinerary ready. The country of Nepal might be solely known for its iconic Mount Everest, the tallest in the world, but there are also great places to see in Nepal without traveling far from its beating heart of Kathmandu.

Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is the land of friendly and welcoming people where magnificent temples, monasteries and historical monuments can be found at almost every turn.

That’s why in this blog, I’ll be sharing with you my do-it-yourself Kathmandu itinerary including the budget cost breakdown during my 2-day trip in Kathmandu. So get yourself ready!

Hi there! First of all, I am Daniel – a solo backpacker from the Philippines. If you don’t know my story yet, feel free to read this article where I talked about how I quit my job in order to travel. This article was also featured on TripZilla Philippines.

DO YOU NEED A VISA FOR NEPAL?

Depending on your nationality, you may or may not need a visa. Check out my Nepal visa guide in case you’re eligible of their visa-on-arrival.

For Filipinos, we are eligible of Nepal’s visa-on-arrival at any border points of the country including arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM)–the country’s sole international airport.

WHERE IS KATHMANDU?

Kathmandu is the capital and largest city of Nepal. It is a 2-hour flight away from Delhi, India or 3 ½ hours away from Bangkok, Thailand.

Language: Nepalese
Currency: Nepalese Rupee (NPR)
Airport: KTM (Tribhuvan)
Preferred mode of transportation: by Taxi or by Foot
Time Zone: GMT +5-¾

HOW I GOT THERE:

Finding a cheap flight ticket to Kathmandu, Nepal from India or Southeast Asia is relatively easy. Although I entered Nepal by crossing the India-Nepal border at Bhairahawa, I then booked my onward ticket from Kathmandu going to Bangkok, Thailand via Nepal Airlines using Kayak.

I suggest you check Kayak (click HERE) as they usually offer cheap fare rates compared to other booking sites.

HOW TO GET AROUND KATHMANDU?

Reminder: Kathmandu is incredibly hectic and it’s extremely easy to get lost. If you’re from the west, you need to prepare yourself mentally before traveling to Kathmandu in the same way you prepare yourself for India.

By Foot. Walking around may not be an option to most because of rampant pollution and noise of the streets but getting around by foot is actually how I reach places in Kathmandu (with Google Maps’ help) because I was on a tight budget.

If you also intend to go on an adventure on foot, then make sure to wear a face mask like I did.

By Taxi. Going around by taxi is I believe the best way to get around Kathmandu. Taxis are quite reasonably priced, though few taxi drivers use the meters in these days of rising fuel prices. Shorter rides around town (including to the bus station) cost around 200 NPR. Night-time rates (between 10 PM and 6 AM) cost 50% more.

If you wish to use the local public transport, you’d better have a local to help you with the stops as they are quite arbitrary.

WHERE DID I STAY?

I arrived at Kathmandu at around 7:00 AM from a 10-hour bus ride from Bhairahawa, a town in Nepal bordering India. Using my pre-downloaded Google Maps, I then walked almost 2 km to reach my hostel in the Thamel area.

  • Zen Bed and Breakfast: 3-night stay (click here to book)
  • Hostel room type: Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
Zen Bed and Breakfast
Zen Bed and Breakfast | Dantravels.org

Book AGODA here

Book BOOKING.com here

Get AIRBNB $43 free credit

You can book a room at any Kathmandu hotel through Agoda or Booking.com. I usually book my room accommodations through booking.com. Room accommodation ranges from cheap hostels to luxury hotels. Book hostels through booking.com as they have free cancellation or pay-at-the-hotel option.

If Kathmandu hotel isn’t to your liking, try AirBnb. Airbnbs are immersed in neighborhoods, condos, and townhomes. There is a feeling you get when you stay in an Airbnb that makes you feel like you belong in that city or town. Since it is someone’s home, there is a certain amount of pride you feel while staying there. I have used Airbnb on some of my other trips and I loved it!

If you’re new to AirBnB, then you can get up to 42 USD free travel credit by signing up via this link.

MY 2-DAY KATHMANDU, NEPAL ITINERARY

DAY 1:

1st Stop: Swayambhunath (OR Monkey) Temple

I was breathless and sweating as I stumbled up the last steep steps in this temple. On your way, you’ll see lots of monkeys ready to greet you! That’s why they call it the Monkey Temple obviously. Swayambhunath Temple is an ancient religious architecture located on the top of a hill within the Kathmandu Valley. No fees required to get here.

From my hostel in Thamel, I walked more than 2 km west to reach this temple. Then I went back to the Thamel area to get myself some lunch.

Swayambhunath (OR Monkey) Temple
Swayambhunath Temple | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 2-3 hours
  • How I got there: By foot from my hostel in Thamel

2nd Stop: Narayanhiti Palace Museum

This museum is just a 10-minute walk from the Thamel area. There is an entrance fee of 500 NPR (per person) for foreigners. Although I only took a photo from the outside gate, it is advisable to see this place especially if you’re into modern history.

This palace is indeed both beautiful and mysterious, one is reminded of King Bijendra and his wife queen Aishwarya with all their family members who were massacred in 2001.

Narayanhiti Palace Museum
Narayanhiti Palace Museum | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1-2 hours
  • How I got there: By foot from Thamel

3rd Stop: Durbar square

I then walked almost 2 km south from the museum to reach Kathmandu’s Durbar Square as my next stop. For tourists, there is an entrance fee of 1,000 NPR per person. But because I look like a Nepalese descent, I was not asked to pay for the entrance. I just went straight in.

This is a UNESCO site damaged by a 7.9 earthquake in 2015. The architecture is like a mixed with Old Chinese and Indian backgrounds. Overall, it was a nice experience walking throughout the whole square even though they are still fixing the damages from the earthquake.

Durbar square
Durbar square | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 2-4 hours
  • How I got there: By foot from Narayanhiti Palace Museum

4th Stop: Vaskarkirti Mahavihar

Just a short walk from the Durbar square, I found this Buddhist shrine which not many people visit. I just love being away from the crowd for a while!

People park their bikes near this open space. I asked the name of the shrine which people said White Chaitya. Later I found the name to be Vaskarkirti Mahavihar in Google Maps. This White Chaitya is smaller than other chaityas in Kathmandu but still beautiful and worth visiting.

Vaskarkirti Mahavihar
Vaskarkirti Mahavihar | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1 hour
  • How I got there: By foot from Durbar Square

5th Stop: Thamel

Thamel is Kathmandu’s main tourist hub. My hostel is situated at Thamel road, and I basically get and access everything easily here such as food, ATMs, groceries, and even a few temples that could easily be reached by foot. If you’re going on hiking or trekking, there’s a lot of shops here for mountaineering.

But still, don’t forget to enjoy while wandering through Thamel at any pace. Lose yourself peacefully through all of its narrow streets and colorful bazaars.

Thamel
Thamel road at night | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1-2 hours
  • How I got there: By foot (this is where my hostel is located)

DAY 2:

6th Stop: Garden of Dreams

If a break is needed from the intensity of chaotic Kathmandu, a stop in the Garden of Dreams may help. Behind its big outer walls is a very calm environment.

This garden is just a 5-minute walk from the Thamel area. The entrance fee costs 400 NPR for tourists.

Garden of Dreams
Garden of Dreams | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1-2 hours
  • How I got there: By foot from Thamel

7th Stop: Pashupatinath Temple

The oldest and holiest Hindu shrine in Nepal is the Pashupatinath Temple located on the bank of Bagmati river is a world heritage site enlisted by UNESCO.

As a foreigner, you have to pay 1,000 NPR to enter but there are portions that you are not allowed to enter. Overall, there is so much to be seen here. There are always cremations occurring here, which did bother some people, both because of the smoke and the visual. I find it fascinating.

Again, since I look like a Nepali descent, I wasn’t asked to pay for the entrance fee and just went straight ahead.

Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath Temple | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 3-4 hours
  • How I got there: By foot from the Garden of Dreams

8th Stop: Banks of the Bagmati River

The Bagmati River is considered holy by both Hindus and Buddhists. A couple of Hindu temples are located on its banks such as the Pashupatinath Temple. The holy river is dirty but that’s just the norm here I think.

The importance of Bagmati also lies in the fact that Hindus are cremated on the banks of this holy river, and Kirants (ethnic Himalayans) are buried in the hills by its side.

Banks of the Bagmati River
Banks of the Bagmati River | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1 hour
  • How I got there: By foot from the Pashupatinath Temple.

9th Stop: Boudhanath Stupa

Bouddhanath stupa is the most liked sightseeing place in Kathmandu. Visitors are required to pay 250 NPR (foreign nationals), 50 NPR (SAARC nationals) as entrance fees to the Bouddhanath. A lot of Tibetan people reside around the Stupa. And it is a very famous and holy place, especially of Buddhists people. It is one of the most popular world heritage sites of Nepal.

Just like in Pashupatinath Temple, I wasn’t asked to pay for the entrance fee and I just went straight ahead.

Boudhanath Stupa
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 2-3 hours
  • How I got there: By foot from the Pashupatinath Temple.

10th Stop: The Crematoria

Later that night, I went back to the Pashupatinath Temple with a local Nepali. We ride on his motorbike and he took me to the Crematoria along the banks of Bagmati.

We’ve both witnessed grief and happiness while in Crematoria. There is a couple of dead bodies we’ve spotted while also witnessing a fun and jolly Aarati performance. Aarati is a Hindu religious ritual of worship in which light (usually from a flame) is offered to one or more Hindu Gods.

  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 2-3 hours
  • How I got there: By motorbike

The local Nepali I was referring to was Prashant whom I met via Couchsurfing. It was indeed one of those Couchsurfing experiences I would never forget. We also had shared some local Nepali food for dinner.

Meet Prashant from Kathmandu, Nepal
Meet Prashant from Kathmandu, Nepal | Dantravels.org

MY 2-DAY EXPENSES IN KATHMANDU

  • Day 0 (Arrival)
    • 30 USD (3,410 NPR) – Visa-on-arrival fee
    • 100 NPR – Fare, Rickshaw bike to the bus terminal
    • 800 NPR – Fare, Bus A/C from Bhairahawa to Kathmandu
    • 50 NPR – Drink (Coke)
    • 80 NPR – Food (Nepali Noodles)
    • Subtotal: 4,440 NPR (39.07 USD)
  • Day 1
    • 1,125 NPR – 3-Night stay in hostel
    • 275 NPR – Food, Stir-Fried Noodles (Chonmien)
    • 50 NPR – Muffins
    • NOTE: Free breakfast is included in the hostel
    • Subtotal: 1,450 NPR (12.76 USD)
  • Day 2
    • 80 NPR – Food, Stir-Fried Noodles (Chonmien)
    • 10 NPR – Water
    • 400 NPR – Ticket fee, Garden of Dreams
    • 130 NPR – Food (Chatamari and Bara)
    • Subtotal: 620 NPR (5.46 USD)
  • Last Day (Departure)

JUST SHARING: I have been entering Durbar Square and temples for free because of my Asian look. If you think you look Nepali enough, just enter and go with the local crowd and act like you belong. Keep your cameras on your bag, too. It should do the trick.

Total Expenses: 218 USD (11,110 PHP)

RECOMMENDED PACKAGE TOURS

I hope that you find this 3-DAY KATHMANDU, NEPAL ITINERARY useful!

If you have more days to spend in Nepal, you can include these cool tours & activities and travel essentials with discounts on your itinerary:

More Tours Here

BOOKING ESSENTIALS

  • Hotel / Hostel
    • Booking.com. I usually book my hostel accommodation at booking.com. Thus, I recommend you guys trying it as well for your Kathmandu or Nepal itinerary. Room accommodation ranges from cheap hostels to luxury hotels. Book hostels through booking.com as they have free cancellation or pay-at-the-hotel option.
  • Airbnb. Try Airbnb in finding comfy and cozy rooms for your Nepal itinerary! I have used Airbnb on some of my other trips and I loved it!

Have you tried Airbnb? Sign up with my link and you will get up to 42 USD (2,200 Php) off your first stay. Click this link to get that discount.

  • Flights
    • KAYAK. All of my flight bookings are all from KAYAK. Kayak is one of the world’s leading travel search engines and searches hundreds of travel sites.
  • Nepal Package tours
    • Viator. Viator is the world’s leading resource for researching, finding and booking the best travel experiences worldwide.

Click here to find the best Viator deals in Nepal.

The Nepal Visa On Arrival Guide (Crossing from India to Nepal)

By Dan Forteza

This post may contain affiliate links which means if you purchase something through that link, I will make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Think of it as buying a cup of coffee for me on someone else. Thanks & enjoy!

I recently crossed the India-Nepal border and managed to get my Nepal visa on arrival with no issues at Nepal’s Bhairahawa Immigration office. Although there’s nothing nice to see while crossing the Sunauli-Bhairahawa border, I was more than happy to have Nepal as my 30th country (not that I’m counting.) Nepal was also the newest addition to the countries I have visited before the end of year 2019.

Read also my Kathmandu, Nepal itinerary with guide and budget.

So without further ado, here is my guide on how to get your Nepal visa on arrival specifically when crossing Nepal from India overland.

WHO ARE ELIGIBLE OF NEPAL VISA ON ARRIVAL?

First things first, do you need a visa on arrival to visit Nepal? Well, depending on your nationality, you may or may not need a visa on arrival. See the detailed information below which category you fall in.

Visa Free

India

NOTE: Only the citizens of  India do not need a visa to enter Nepal, and can reside permanently as Nepali citizens with no restrictions

Visa Required in advance

Citizens of the following states are required to apply for a visa prior to arrival in Nepal:

  • Afghanistan
  • Cameroon
  • Eswatini
  • Ethiopia
  • Ghana
  • Iraq
  • Liberia
  • Nigeria
  • Palestine
  • Somalia
  • Syria
  • Zimbabwe

Visa on arrival

With the exception of nationals of states mentioned above, ANY foreign nationals can obtain a tourist visa on arrival. Multiple entry visas can be issued for a duration of stay of 15, 30 or 90 days.

Visa fee waiver

Nationals of SAARC member countries can receive a tourist visa free of charge for 30 days at no cost. Those countries are:

  • Afghanistan
  • Bangladesh
  • Bhutan
  • Maldives
  • Pakistan
  • Sri Lanka

NOTE: In addition, residents of China, Hong Kong, and Macau can have their visa fees waived if they are traveling as tourists since 1 January 2016.

As a Philippine passport holder, I am eligible of getting a Nepal visa on arrival and that is what I’ll be discussing further down below.

Please note that the Nepal visa on arrival is available at:

  • Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Any other Entry and Exit points established at the border regions also provide ‘On Arrival Visa’ to foreign nationals hoping enter to Nepal via land.
    • The Sunauli border is the most popular entry point from India to Nepal, and vice-versa when traveling overland.

WHAT YOU NEED TO GET A NEPAL VISA ON ARRIVAL

There are three things you need to prepare in order to successfully apply for a visa on arrival at the Bhairahawa Immigration Office in Nepal’s border.

  • Cash.
    • Take note that they DON’T accept payment by debit or credit cards but only by cash in either USD or their local currency (though the US dollar is preferred.)
    • The cost depends on how long you intend to stay in Nepal. I paid 30 USD for a 15-day valid visa.
      • 30 USD – 15 days max.
      • 50 USD – 30 days max.
      • 125 USD – 90 days max.
  • Photo IDs. Two passport-sized photo IDs (2×2 size will do as well.)
  • Confirmed hotel booking. I have only booked my first two-night stay in a cheap hostel I found on Booking.com.
    • You will need this information (such as your hostel’s address and its contact number) to fill up the visa form. So make sure you have it prepared.

You can book a room at any hotel in Nepal through Agoda or Booking.com. I usually book my room accommodations through booking.com. Room accommodation ranges from cheap hostels to luxury hotels. Book hostels through booking.com as they have free cancellation or pay-at-the-hotel option.

TRAVELING FROM GORAKHPUR TO SUNAULI CROSSING

If you’re coming from another city in India to travel to Nepal overland, you’ll most probably be traveling by railway train to Gorakhpur which has the closest train station to the Sunauli border crossing.

Overnight train from Delhi to Gorakhpur
Overnight train from Delhi to Gorakhpur | Dantravels.org

Again, there’s nothing nice about Gorakhpur or even Sunauli. Nothing at all. Someone once told me that Gorakhpur is just a dusty and unappealing town you want to get out of immediately.

It’s kind of true. After exiting the Gorakhpur railway station at around 10:00 AM, I went straight to the bus station going to Sunauli. You can get to the bus station by foot in 15 minutes. On your way to the bus station, you’ll see this statue of a man riding in a horse.

Statue on the way to Gorakhpur bus station

The buses run all day, starting from about 6:00 AM. They leave approximately every hour, or as soon as they’re full. The bus would take 3-4 hours to get you to Sunauli.

NOTE: Bus fare (Gorakhpur to Sunauli) is 117 INR or 1.63 USD.

CROSSING THE BORDER FROM THE INDIAN SIDE

I arrived at the Sunauli border (on the Indian side) at around 2:00 PM by bus from Gorakhpur. The buses drop passengers in a parking lot a few hundred meters from the border. You can walk, but if you don’t want to, negotiate a cycle rickshaw to take you across.

The busy border gate taken from Sunauli (the Indian side)
The busy border gate taken from Sunauli (the Indian side) | Dantravels.org

Just like Gorakhpur, Sunauli is just a dusty town in a poor and inhospitable part of Uttar Pradesh. It’s also recommended that you make the border crossing as quickly as possible.

  1. For foreigners, the first stop is the Indian immigration office to get a departure stamp in your passport. You’ll find it on your right-hand side before the border.

I got my Indian exit stamp at the Indian Immigration and finally crossed the border at 2:45PM.

  1. The second stop is the Nepal Immigration Office at Belahia, Bhairahawa, on the other side of the border. It’s again on your right-hand side, a short distance after crossing. Nepal visa on arrival are issued there.

GET YOUR NEPAL VISA ON ARRIVAL (VOA) IN 4 EASY STEPS

Just like any other visa-on-arrival procedure I’ve been through, getting a Nepal visa on arrival (VOA) is very easy and straightforward:

STEP 1: FIND THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE BUILDING

After officially crossing the border, I went looking for the Immigration office on the Nepal side to process first my Nepal visa on arrival. You’ll find its building on the right side—just a short walk from the border gate.

Ask the officer that you want to process your Nepal visa-on-arrival.

STEP 2: FILL UP THE FORM

The officer will hand you two forms—the visa application form and the arrival form. Fill them up. Make sure you also have a passport-sized photo (in my case I used my extra 2×2 photo IDs) to be glued on the application form.

You need to have an address in Nepal ready as this information is required. I used the address on my hostel in Kathmandu.

Filling up the visa application form

STEP 3: PAY THE VISA FEE

Once you have the form filled up, just give it to the visa officer together with your passport. You will be asked how long do you intend to stay in Nepal as the amount of the visa fee will depend on them.

Then pay your visa fee accordingly. I paid 30 USD for a 15-day max of stay.

Visa fee reminders on the bulletin boards
Some visa fee reminders on the bulletin boards | Dantravels.org

STEP 4: GET YOUR PASSPORT WITH VISA STICKER!

Then you’ll have to wait for about 5-10 minutes. Once your name is called, you’re basically done.

The officer will hand your passport with a visa sticker including the “arrival stamp”!

NOTE: It only took me 15 minutes to finish the whole visa process. But of course it depends on how many people are on queue.

Nepal Visa On Arrival sticker
Nepal Visa On Arrival sticker | Dantravels.org

SUMMARY:

  • Visa Type: Tourist Visa
  • Visa Validity: 15 Days
  • Visa Fee: USD 30.00

SECURE YOUR ONWARD TRAVEL

Now you’re ready to go and explore Nepal. But before that, you would want to organize onward travel. You don’t want to spend your first night in the town of Bhairahawa, right?

Pokhara and Kathmandu are roughly the same distance away from Bhairahawa, about eight hours or more. There are a few options for getting there: shared jeep or minivan, or bus. There’s a bus terminal at Bhairahawa, about two kilometers from the border (take a cycle rickshaw). However, plenty of travel agents will approach you with offers of transport before that.

In my case, I took an overnight bus from Bhairahawa bus terminal to Kathmandu city. The bus normally leaves at 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM at the bus station. It costs me 800 NPR (or 7 USD) for an A/C bus.

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES

  1. Crossing the Indian-Nepali border at Sunauli is not that hard to do! It is not heavily guarded nor regulated as a normal entry or exit border point should be. And as a foreigner like me, there could be a tendency of missing the immigration exit and entry stamps. So in case you’re crossing an international land border too, please don’t forget these stamps!
  2. Make sure you have dollars with you (before crossing the border) to pay your visa fee. And some extra more just in case! I know I said this already but I really wanted to reiterate this.
  3. In case you intend to change your US dollar banknotes to Nepali Rupees, make sure the banknotes are looking new and don’t have any cut or slit. Even a small cut on the corner could get your banknotes rejected in EVERY money changer in the area.
  4. But don’t you worry, there is also an ATM—just about a 5-minute walk from the border area. Just keep asking where it is!
  5. If you’re crossing from Nepal to India, Indian e-visas aren’t accepted at the border. You’ll need to apply for a visa at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. Indian e-visas are only accepted if arriving at India’s international airports and seaports.

Read also my blog on how to get Indian e-visa online.

RECOMMENDED PACKAGE TOURS

I hope that you find this NEPAL VISA ON ARRIVAL (TOURIST VISA GUIDE) blog useful!

In case you’re also looking for package tours to simply jumpstart your actual itinerary, I highly recommend booking tours through Viator which is perfect for your Nepal itinerary. See tours and packages I personally handpicked for you:

BOOKING ESSENTIALS

  • Hotel / Hostel
    • Booking.com. I usually book my hostel accommodation at booking.com. Thus, I recommend you guys trying it. Room accommodation ranges from cheap hostels to luxury hotels. Book hostels through booking.com as they have free cancellation or pay-at-the-hotel option.
  • Airbnb. Try Airbnb in finding comfy and cozy rooms in Kathmandu or any city in Nepal! I have used Airbnb on some of my other trips and I loved it!

Have you tried Airbnb? Sign up with my link and you will get up to 42 USD (2,200 Php) off your first stay. Click this link to get that discount.

  • Flights
    • KAYAK. All of my flight bookings are all from KAYAK. Kayak is one of the world’s leading travel search engines and searches hundreds of travel sites.

I suggest you check Kayak (click HERE) as they usually offer cheap fare rates compared to other booking sites.

  • Nepal Package tours
    • Viator. Viator is the world’s leading resource for researching, finding and booking the best travel experiences worldwide.

Click here to find the best Viator deals in Nepal!

  • Travel Insurance
    • World Nomads. If you don’t have travel insurance when times get tough, basically you are screwed. Traveling always comes with inherent risks attached. Whether you are trekking in the Himalayan mountains or wandering the streets of Pokhara, unforeseen events can suddenly upend your world.

Generally speaking, travel insurance covers you for the following: Medical Costs – hospital visits, emergencies, evacuations; Property Loss – luggage and their contents; Travel Issues – accommodation and transportation expenses. Thus, I highly recommend you guys getting a travel insurance. I bought one from the World Nomads (available in 130+ countries) where most travelers get their travel insurances.

Go to this link to get to your World Nomads travel insurance.

2-Day Dushanbe Itinerary And Travel Guide With Budget All-In

By Dan Forteza

This post may contain affiliate links which means if you purchase something through that link, I will make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Think of it as buying a cup of coffee for me on someone else. Thanks & enjoy!

Dushanbe, the capital city of Tajikistan, might not resonate in every traveler’s mind as much as London, Paris or Tokyo, but there are charming characteristics to this Tajik city. The truth is to be told—its heart and soul is definitely the people and their warm hospitality like no others. Trust me on this! Its uniqueness has definitely lived up to my expectations when I visited this city last November 2019.

I flew in to Dushanbe from Tashkent and stayed there for a week. I roamed around Dushanbe in the first couple of days and then stayed with a local Tajik host via Couchsurfing. If you ask me what are the must-see places in the city, here I’ve put together the perfect 2-day Dushanbe itinerary including the city’s main attractions. I have also included my detailed day-to-day and overall expenses for a budget traveler’s reference. Let’s do this!

Read also my Tashkent budget itinerary and travel guide blog.

Hi there! First of all, I am Daniel – a solo backpacker from the Philippines. If you don’t know my story yet, feel free to read this article where I talked about how I quit my job in order to travel. This article was also featured on TripZilla Philippines.

Ismail Somoni Avenue in Dushanbe
The famous Ismail Somoni Avenue | Dantravels.org

DO YOU NEED A VISA FOR TAJIKISTAN?

Depending on your nationality, you might or might not need a visa. Check out my Tajikistan visa guide to check if you’re legible for an evisa or no visa at all.

Read also my blog on how I got my Tajikistan e-visa online.

WHERE IS DUSHANBE?

Dushanbe is the capital and largest city of Tajikistan–the fourth and last country in Central Asia I’ve visited in 2019. The city is located in Gisar valley at 2,700 ft above sea level. It is roughly a 4 ½-hour flight away from Dubai, and about 5 ½-hours of flight from Moscow.

Language: Tajik; some Persian & Russian, too
Currency: Tajikistani Somoni (TJS)
Airport: DYU (Dushanbe)
Preferred mode of transportation: Taxi; Marshrutka (Minibus)
Time Zone: GMT +5

FLIGHTS TO DUSHANBE:

Finding a cheap flight ticket to Dushanbe, Tajikistan from Central Asia is relatively easy. I booked mine coming from Tashkent, Uzbekistan via Uzbekistan Airways. Please note that since I entered Uzbekistan through a 5-day visa-free transit, I can only exit the Uzbekistan through its flag carrier (Uzbekistan Airways) bound to the next country. It’s one of their transit visa mandatory requirements.

I suggest you check Kayak (click HERE) as they usually offer cheap fare rates compared to other booking sites.

HOW I GOT TO THE CITY:

I arrived at Dushanbe International Airport (DYU)  at around midnight from a 3-hour flight from Tashkent’s airport (TAS).

Early in the morning, I took a taxi to reach my hostel in downtown Dushanbe. If you’re new in Dushanbe, I recommended to go by taxi but…haggle as much as you can!

  • 40 TJS (4.13 USD) – Taxi from airport to my hostel

NOTE: Street addresses are useless in Dushanbe; drivers go by landmarks. Have your accommodation’s phone number handy. They can guide your driver to the location.

WHERE DID I STAY?

  • Doshan Hostel (click here to book)
    • Hostel room type: Bunk Male in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • How to get there: By Taxi from Dushanbe Airport
    • Is breakfast included: No
Doshan Hostel in Dushanbe
Doshan Hostel in Dushanbe | Dantravels.org

Book AGODA here

Book BOOKING.com here

Get AIRBNB $43 free credit

You can book a room at any hotel in Dushanbe through Agoda or Booking.com. I usually book my room accommodations through booking.com. Room accommodation ranges from cheap hostels to luxury hotels. Book hostels through booking.com as they have free cancellation or pay-at-the-hotel option.

If Dushanbe hotel isn’t to your liking, try AirBnb. Airbnbs are immersed in neighborhoods, condos, and townhomes. There is a feeling you get when you stay in an Airbnb that makes you feel like you belong in that city or town. Since it is someone’s home, there is a certain amount of pride you feel while staying there. I have used Airbnb on some of my other trips and I loved it!

If you’re new to AirBnB, then you can get up to 42 USD free travel credit by signing up via this link.

HOW TO GET AROUND DUSHANBE?

Marshrutka (Minivan) in Dushanbe
Marshrutka (Minivan) in Dushanbe | Dantravels.org
  • By Taxi. These are the best options (metered and shared taxis) for foreigners compared to other public means of transportation. Most fares are between 10-20 TJS, 30 TJS for only the longest of trips. Agree on the fare in advance or choose a metered taxi.
  • By Minibus (Marshrutka). Marshrutkas cost 1-2 TJS per trip. However, they can be uncomfortably overfull and with claustrophobically low ceilings.
  • By Foot. Get your feet ready as you will walk to many places in Dushanbe, too. And as I mentioned in my budget travel tips blog – “walk as much as you can!“
  • By Bus (and Trolleybus). Buses are not really recommended for short-term travelers. Plus, I was told you can only get on the bus with a bus card.

MY 2-DAY DUSHANBE ITINERARY (TAJIKISTAN ITINERARY)

DAY 1

1st Stop: Dushanbe Flagpole Park

At 165 meters (541 feet), it was the tallest free-standing flagpole in the world from its completion in 2011 until the 2014 erection of the (171m) Jeddah Flagpole. I was able to visit this park on a windy day and thus I’ve seen the flag in its full glory. It is impressive and nicely integrated into the surroundings.

It is easily reachable by taking trolleybus 2,10 and 11 or Minibus 8,13 23 and 37 to the Putovskiy Bus stop. After getting off the bus, cross the Ismail Somoni Avenue and the white arched entrance with gold letters will be seen. The entrance is also a great area to take a photo of the tall flag pole.

Dushanbe Flagpole Park
Dushanbe Flagpole Park | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1-2 hours
  • How I got here: By Minibus from my hostel’s nearest bus stop.

2nd Stop: National Museum of Tajikistan

The museum is also located in the Flagpole park. I visited this site to see the external beautiful sculptures. Most tourists particularly wanted to see the reclining and sleeping Buddha. The entrance fee costs 250 TJS (25 USD) for foreigners.

This museum is strongly recommended to travelers to Tajikistan as it will give you an overview of the nation’s long and complex history.

National Museum of Tajikistan
National Museum of Tajikistan | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1 hour
  • How I got here: By foot (this is within the Flagpole Park)

3rd Stop: Palace of the Nation

The Palace of the Nation is located next to the Flagpole park. This presidential mansion is very impressive from a distance, as that’s the only way you’ll get to see it. Tourists wandering too close to the perimeter are quickly shooed away. Don’t try taking a photo or at least don’t get caught =)

  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1 hour
  • How I got here: By foot (this is also within the Flagpole Park)

4th Stop: Rudaki Park

This one is definitely a stunning park, huge and well kept. It was full of people when I visited but has a really nice atmosphere! There is a statue of Rudaki which is the centerpiece of the park. This is a must-see in Dushanbe!

Rudaki Park in Dushanbe
Rudaki Park | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1 hour
  • How I got here: By foot from the Flagpole Park

5th Stop: Statue of Ismoil Somoni

A great walk through Rudaki Avenue will take you up to the Ismael Somoni monument, national hero for defending the Tajik nation.

The Somoni monument is probably the most popular attraction in Dushanbe. It is located in Dusti (Friendship) Square which has an interesting history. The 13 meter tall monument to Somoni is dwarfed by a 43 meter arch directly behind, which is topped by a golden crown.

Statue of Ismoil Somoni in Dushanbe
Statue of Ismoil Somoni in Dushanbe | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1 hour
  • How I got here: By foot from Rudaki Park

6th Stop: The Independence Monument

The Independence monument is located at the western end of Tehron Street. This area is a short walk west from the Ismoil Somoni monument. Together with the Simoni statue and the Tall Flagpole with Flag, this monument resides in the Rudaki Park complex. All are impressive.

The Independence Monument Dushanbe
The Independence Monument | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1 hour
  • How I got here: By foot from Ismoil Somoni Monument

DAY 2

7th Stop: Komsomol Lake and Park

I started off the second day of my do-it-yourself walking tour here at Komsomol Lake and Park in Dushanbe. It took me 30 minutes to get here from my hostel.

From Komsomol lake, you can have a wonderful view of Dushanbe’s skyline with some of the capitals newest buildings including the Palace of the Nation, the large Tajik flagpole and the Nowruz palace.

Komsomol Lake and Park (Dushanbe)
Komsomol Lake | Dantravels.org
Komsomol Park or sometimes called Youth Park in Dushanbe
Komsomol Park or sometimes called Youth Park | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1-2 hours
  • How I got here: By foot from my hostel

8th Stop: Dushanbe Grand Mosque

The Dushanbe Grand Mosque is still under construction when I visited its site. But it is already considered the biggest Mosque ever built in Tajikistan. For me, it’s the most beautiful piece of architecture I’ve seen in Dushanbe!

Dushanbe Grand Mosque
Dushanbe Grand Mosque | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1-2 hours
  • How I got here: By foot from Komsomol Lake

9th Stop: Tajik National University

Before I head to another Mosque (on my 10th stop), I stopped over at Tajik National University which is a 10-15 minute walk from Dushanbe Grand Mosque. This huge Tajik university is the first and largest university in Tajikistan.

Tajik National University
Tajik National University | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1 hour
  • How I got here: By foot from Grand Mosque

10th Stop: Haji Yaqub Mosque

A true landmark in the heart of city named in honor of Mawlana Yaqub-i Charkhi, a 15-century Naqshbandiya Sufi order sheikh. The Haji Yaqub Mosque was the largest mosque in the city before the new mosque (the Grand Mosque) on Karamov Street was constructed. There were also vendors here that sell Tajik souvenirs in case you want to buy something to remember Dushanbe or Tajikistan.

Haji Yaqub Mosque
Haji Yaqub Mosque | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1-2 hours
  • How I got here: By foot from Tajik National University

11th Stop: Victory Square and Monument

The Victory Square is located on Ayni street and is easily reached by Trolleybus 4 or Minibus 2 and 7. The Victory Square has a 2-pillar structure and an IS-2 tank monument crammed between a busy road on each side. Be careful as crossing roads on foot can be a challenge.

Victory Square Dushanbe
Victory Square Dushanbe | Dantravels.org
  • Duration (getting there + visiting): 1 hour
  • How I got here: By minibus from Yaqub Mosque’s nearest crossing street.

COUCHSURFING IN DUSHANBE

In the next couple of days in Dushanbe, I have spent it staying with a Couchsurfing host! Thus, I won’t be including my expenses during those days.

But anyway, here is Dilshod (left) from Dushanbe–a very friendly host! Dilshod and his other two brothers have welcomed me in their home like I’m a part of their family.

Dilshod and I having lunch together | Dantravels.org
Dilshod and I having lunch together | Dantravels.org

If you need room to stay (temporarily) in Dushanbe for free, my friend Dilshod would be more than happy to warmly welcome you and provide you food in his home. In return, just be nice to him and be patient to him as he is still learning English. In that way, he’d be able to also practice his spoken English. Contact him on his Facebook Couchsurfing page.

This is Dilshod's older brother--Jamoladin | Dantravels.org
This is Dilshod’s older brother–Jamoladin | Dantravels.org

MY 2-DAY EXPENSES IN DUSHANBE

  • Day 0 (Arrival at Hostel, Rest)
    • 81.6 USD (791.12 TJS) – Flight from Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Dushanbe, Tajikistan. I pre-booked it online at Kayak.
    • 40 TJS – Fare (Taxi from Airport to Hostel)
    • 96 TJS – 3 Night stay in Hostel
    • 65 TJS – Groceries (Coffee, Cookies, Soft drink, Instant Noodles, Lays, Shampoo, Soap)
    • 56 TJS – 2 GB internet data top-up with the help of a new Tajik friend.
    • Subtotal: 1,048.12 TJS (108.11 USD)
  • Day 1
    • 12 TJS – Food (Plov meal)
    • 1.5 TJS – Fare, Minibus to Flagpole Park
    • 2 TJS – Snacks (Samsa)
    • 1.5 TJS – Fare, Minibus back to Hostel
    • Subtotal: 17 TJS (1.75 USD)
  • Day 2
    • 15 TJS – Food (Rice-Chicken-Veggie meal)
    • 1.6 TJS – Fare, Minibus to Victory Monument (0.1 is missing?)
    • 2 TJS – Snack (Hotdog in a bun)
    • 12 TJS – Food (Plov meal)
    • NOTE: I walked some 3 kilometers back to my hostel
    • Subtotal: 30.6 TJS (3.16 USD)
  • Last Day (Departure)
    • 1.5 TJS – Minibus #15 to a bus stop near Airport
    • 18 TJS – Snacks (2x Lays)
    • 6 TJS – Bread
    • 6 TJS – Soft drink (Fanta)
    • 230 USD (2,230 TJS) – Flight from Dushanbe, Tajikistan to Delhi, India. I pre-booked it online at Kayak.
    • Subtotal: 2,261 TJS (233.21 USD)

Total Expenses: 346.23 USD

What do you think of this 2-day Dushanbe itinerary?

I hope that you find this 2-DAY DUSHANBE BUDGET ITINERARY and TRAVEL GUIDE blog useful!

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comment section below.

RECOMMENDED PACKAGE TOURS

In case you’re also looking for package tours to simply jumpstart your actual itinerary, I highly recommend booking tours through Viator which is perfect for your Tajikistan itinerary. See tours and packages I personally handpicked for you:

More Tours Here

BOOKING ESSENTIALS

  • Hotel / Hostel
    • Booking.com. I usually book my hostel accommodation at booking.com. Thus, I recommend you guys trying it for your Dushanbe itinerary. Room accommodation ranges from cheap hostels to luxury hotels. Book hostels through booking.com as they have free cancellation or pay-at-the-hotel option.
  • Airbnb. Try Airbnb in finding comfy and cozy rooms for your Dushanbe itinerary! I have used Airbnb on some of my other trips and I loved it!

Have you tried Airbnb? Sign up with my link and you will get up to 42 USD (2,200 Php) off your first stay. Click this link to get that discount.

  • Flights
    • KAYAK. All of my flight bookings are all from KAYAK. Kayak is one of the world’s leading travel search engines and searches hundreds of travel sites.

I suggest you check Kayak (click HERE) as they usually offer cheap fare rates compared to other booking sites.

  • Dushanbe (Tajikistan) Package tours
    • Viator. Viator is the world’s leading resource for researching, finding and booking the best travel experiences worldwide.

Click here to find the best Viator deals in Dushanbe

  • Travel Insurance
    • World Nomads. If you don’t have travel insurance when times get tough, basically you are screwed. Traveling always comes with inherent risks attached. Whether you are trekking in the Pamir mountains or wandering the streets of Dushanbe, unforeseen events can suddenly upend your world.

Generally speaking, travel insurance covers you for the following: Medical Costs – hospital visits, emergencies, evacuations; Property Loss – luggage and their contents; Travel Issues – accommodation and transportation expenses. Thus, I highly recommend you guys getting a travel insurance for your Dushanbe itinerary. I bought one from the World Nomads (available in 130+ countries) where most travelers get their travel insurances.

Go to this link to get to your World Nomads travel insurance.