Walking across borders. End of India and the beginning of Nepal!

On the train ride reading up on Nepal

Varanasi was a scorching 42 degrees and it showed no signs of relief until the odd hours in the morning. We decided it was enough and took the 8am train (when the heat was still somewhat bearable) to go to Nepal. This isn't as un-common as we originally thought. A lot of people do this trip. From Varanasi, we took a 4 hour train to Gorakphur. We were lucky to find an express train that stopped only twice, otherwise it would've been a 6 hour trip.

From Gorakphur, we found a bus that went to Sunauli. It wasn't hard. When we got off the train from Gorakphur, touters were coming up to us "You going to Nepal? Take our bus!" The bus stand, though, was right infront of the train station and it wasn't necessary to listen to touters. We asked a few people which bus went to Sunauli and they directed us in the right direction.  There were touters though, trying to get us to their private company buses that cost 1,000 Rupees. About 12 dollars. But instead, we found a bus for 80 Rupees. Just over 1 dollar. This bus though, really isn't that nice. We put our luggage on the roof and were literally crammed in the back corner of the bus. Leg space is non-existent. You literally sit up 90 degrees to give some room for your knees. And the Indians will just keep piling on the people and shove you futher into the corner of the bus. We were on that bus for 3 hours in the baking heat of 40 degrees of the day. Longest 3 hour bus journey of our lives. Fun!

The streets in Sanuali Crossing

Once we arrived in Sunauli, at 3pm we decided it was time to have the first meal of the day since 6am wakeup. We went to a nice little hotel restaurant called Indo-Nepal. We realized afterwards it was recommended by Lonely Planet guide book. 

Winning!

Soon after we found ourselves in the India Immigration Office getting a stamp out of India. They told us that Indian Rupees are illegal in Nepal and we have to change everything before we cross the border. We found a money exchange on the India side. Changed money, haphazardly because Ian was all tired and cracked out at that point. Christa is more on the ball.

The end of India and beginning of Nepal

The time came to walk across. Christa was expecting x-ray machines and border patrol. But really, the border simply said "India Border Ends" There's a bit of a no-man's land and then another sign "Welcome to Nepal" Tons of other people are also walking, driving, and taking rickshaws across the border seemingly unchecked and unbothered by the border patrol. However, tourists stand out and we were told to go to the Immigration Office on the Nepal side. A quick form fill out, stamp and we were sent on our way. It took us a 8 hours of travelling to cross the border and into our lodging in Lumbini in Nepal.

Nepal, here we come!

For more pictures of our trip in Nepal, check out

India Nepal border, Lumbini, and Kathmand Rd. 1