The Swotah Journal
Route guides, permits, packing lists and dispatches from the trail.
264 articles
Nepal ExperienceCOMMON MISTAKES WHILE TRAVELLING IN NEPAL AND WAYS TO AVOID THEM
The most common Nepal travel mistakes, from overpacked itineraries and bargaining errors to picking the wrong trek, and the simple ways to avoid every one.
Why NepalWhy Small Group Tours Are the Best Way to Explore Nepal
Why 6-12 person groups beat big buses and going alone in Nepal: authentic encounters, lower impact, built-in safety, and what to look for in a small-group operator.
PhotographyBhutan As One Of The Safest Travel Destinations
Why Bhutan ranks among the world's safest destinations: near-zero crime, guided travel by design, and the 2026 costs (USD 100/night SDF) that keep crowds away.
Nepal9 Must-Read Books About Nepal That Will Give You Serious Wanderlust
Nine books that capture Nepal: The Snow Leopard, Into Thin Air, Annapurna: A Woman's Place, The Climb, and more, from mountaineering epics to village memoirs.
Why NepalDental Tourism in Nepal: A Patient's First-Hand Guide
Dental tourism in Nepal first-hand: real Kathmandu prices vs the West, how to verify clinics, what treatments make sense mid-trip, and the risks worth knowing.
Why NepalTop 10 Activities to Discover Himalaya Other Than Trekking
See the Himalaya without trekking: mountain flights, paragliding, hot-air ballooning, monastery stays, jeep tours, cable cars, and the Everest skydive.
What is Swotah?When Is the Right Time to Book Your Nepal Holiday?
When to book a Nepal trip: season-by-season advice, how far ahead to reserve treks, flights, and restricted-area permits, and what actually moves the prices.
Why NepalIs Nepal Safe to Travel? A Complete Guide for 2026
Is Nepal safe in 2026? Political stability, trekking risks, health precautions, natural hazards, and insurance, plus the rules that actually apply at entry today.
Nepal ExperienceA Complete Guide to Trekking in Nepal
The complete Nepal trekking guide: seasons, guide rules for 2026, permits, costs, food and water, difficulty grades, packing, and the routes worth your days.
Nepal ExperienceJungle Safari Destinations in Nepal
Nepal's best jungle safaris: Chitwan (752 rhinos), Bardia for tigers, Shuklaphanta's grasslands, and Koshi Tappu's birdlife, with the best season for each park.
Nepal ExperienceThe Unethical Side of Elephant Rides in Nepal
Why elephant-back safaris in Chitwan are fading: the training and welfare problems behind them, how Nepal's operators are changing, and the ethical alternatives.
NepalReasons to Choose Mardi Himal Trek
Why trek Mardi Himal: a quiet ridge walk to 4,500 m with Machhapuchhre filling the sky, 5-7 days from Pokhara, modest permits, and a fraction of ABC's crowds.