Shopping Values in Thamel - No, I'm not Kidding.

I stated in my book, Nepal: A Tourist's Manual, that the Thamel district in Kathmandu can be very ruthless to unsuspecting tourists. The merchants seem to be waiting for you to walk by with too much money and not enough brain cells. I have to admit that I wasn't prepared to purchase my first pashmina scarf and that scarf's price seemed to be determined by the country I came from. 

I learned a lot about pashmina since that day and I've found a few places to buy silk and wool scarves/shawls at excellent prices. One of those places is just outside of Thamel in the Arson Chowk area and one is in Bhaktapur. However, there are some bargains to be found in Thamel and if you have the energy for it, it can be a lot of fun to shop and haggle with the merchants. 

The best way I've found to shop in Kathmandu is to just walk down the street and see what you pass along the way. Have a mental list and see what you can check off. I have a habit to peak into any box or sales rack I see along the way. It isn't unusual to find out of season hats and gloves, scarves or paper products at the front of many stores in boxes from about 20-100 NRs. However, sales and clearances can be a bit of a let-down. "30-70% off entire stock," for example, will not necessarily yield the savings you'd expect. Also, there is no shame in the merchant's mind (at least as far as I can tell) about lying. They do not even apologize to you when you catch them in a bold faced lie. So, don't be shy to call them on what they say, put a match to a thread to check the fiber or just just challenge them with a bluff.

Tip: If the item is a natural fiber like wool you can take one strand and put a match to it. If it acts like your own burning hair would it's a natural fiber. But if it gets a black ball at the end it is not natural. When you take a lighter out the merchant will either come clean to the 'miscommunication' or he will help you with the lighter.  

I came upon a Gorkha Knife shop on my last shopping trip and really enjoyed the day. The shop keeper was so enthusiastic, proud to be Gorkha. The Gorkha people have been known for their fighting abilities for centuries and the Gorkha knives are high quality and beautiful. I noticed a very impressive knife with an inscription and realized what a lovely gift one of these knives would be for a veteran or police officer. The knife shop is called Ex-Gurkha Khurkuri House, located in Thamel and Lazimpat. Tele: 977-01-4005079, www.nepalkhukurihouse.com Email: info@nepalkhukrihouse.com

This sign says, "If a man says he is not afraid of dying he is either lying or he is a Gurkha."

As I walked down the street I noticed a little shop that had some lovely rose quartz and other simi-precious stones in crystal-ball shapes. They were about 30% or so of the price I remember from the US. They also have some nice necklaces of varying quality. That is what interested me about this shop. Not only was the proprietor kind and not pushy, but he has enough of a selection to help you chose the price and quality you are looking for. He can help you to understand the differences in quality in stone, seed, bone and resin. The proprietor, Mr. Baniya, is from Lumbini and is quite eager to encourage tourists to see that part of Nepal. 

Lumbini Export House is a manufacturer and wholesaler of Bodi Mala, Rosary Beads in crystal coral, Lotus seed, Sandal, Rosewood, Guru beads, Bangles and bone, Horn, Wood beads, Neclesh and Handicraft items. 563/8 Thamel Marg, Kathmandu, Tel: 01-443 0395, 984 127 7516 or Email: lumbinirosary@hotmail.com

If I were a young person coming to Nepal I'd get lots of stuff to take home; a down jacket and sleeping bag, trekking poles, wool hat and gloves, etc. There is actually the official North Face store, but it has what looks like western prices. I'd almost be tempted to get a knock-off and then have someone take a picture of me coming out of the North Face store. That store is at the entrance to Thamel near the Garden of Dreams.

There is a plethora of shopping and money saving tips for just about anything you will need while you  are in Nepal in my book, Nepal : A Tourist's Manual. You can even learn where the king had his suits made and have something tailor made for you and high quality for so cheap! You can get a peak of the book to help you get your vacation off to a great start at: http://bit.ly/2bO9zkC

Where Can You Find My other Blog Posts? You can find a lot of money saving things to do in  the Kathmandu Valley and get insights into the culture of Nepal and learn about projects I'm associated with and get some great shopping values at https://WhatAboutNepal.com If you are on Youtube just #WhatAboutNepal to get tips for Nepal that you won't find anywhere else.

Money saving tip from my book, Nepal: A Tourist's Manual This shopping areas is near a temple or chowk. These places are where the local people shop. Although the merchants seldom speak English, they are a bit easier to work with since they are unable to negotiate well enough to play games. The problem can be that they may have never done business with a tourist before and don't speak English well, so they will say a price they don't mean or maybe they believe the myths about us that we have so much money we just throw it around. Either way, it can be difficult, but enjoyable if you know what to expect. You can find great prices on peacock feathers 20-50 NRs. each, incense 1-2 NRs. each stick and some nice local sweet shops in these areas.

Satisfaction Guaranteed: NO FINE PRINT. If you don't truly love Nepal: A Tourist’s Manual, please send for 100% money back. If you are not completely satisfied just send your purchase information along with a note to: FrugalTravelsNepal@gmail.com

Nepal: A Tourist’s Manual-For more information check out our website. If you enjoy this blog you will enjoy the over 200 pages in the eBook. It is a well illustrated, easy read with over 1,000 tips to help you get the most out of Nepal.

Read a sample and purchase here