Nepal
About Nepal
Nepal is being a developing country with nature resources, physical diversity, natural beauty, with diverse culture and people it has been an important and interesting subject matter for other country of the world .Nepal is uncommonly diverse and roughly trapezoidal shape country. It is a land –locked country bordering with the Tibet, an autonomous region of the people republic of China, in the north and surrounded by India in the east south and west. The Himalayan mountain range runs across Nepal northern and western parts, and eight of the world's ten highest mountains including the highest Mount Everest, are within its territory.
The Federal Democratic Republic Nepal is well known as one of the best destinations in the world for enjoying the real beauty of nature through trekking. The trail into the interior parts of the country follows ancient foot-trails which meander through scenic river-banks, intricately terraced fields and the forested ridges connecting picturesque hamlets and mountain villages. Trekkers can walk along the rough but beautiful trails or virgin tracks in the lap of green and friendly looking hills. The rhododendron-filled, green, dark and deep forests with different seasonal flowers blossoming can catch anyone's eye as can the scattered residential cottages, domestic and forest animals, variety of birds, both Hindus and Buddhist temples, mountains, breath-taking landscape, and above all warm greeting from smiling local people. The highly developed and well-defined trails have been used for centuries. Trekking in Nepal is an all season activity. It is possible at any time of the year depending on where one wishes to go. However, the most popular season are spring (February - May ) and autumn (September-November). Even during the monsoon season (June- August), you can trek in the rain- shadow areas north of the Himalaya like Mustang, Upper Manang and Dolpa.
Capital: Kathmandu.
Population: 28 million.
Language: Nepali
Currency: Nepali rupees
Political system: Federal Democratic Republic
National flower: Rhododendron (laligurans)
National bird: Impean Pheasant (Daphane)
ENTRY PROYCEDURES
Multiple entry 15days us$ 30 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry 30days us$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry 90days us$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency
Visa enter to Nepal:
All foreign nationals, except Indians, need visas to enter Nepal. Multiple entry visas for 15 days (US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency), 30 days (US$ 40) or 90 days (US$ 100) can be obtained from any Nepalese embassy or consulate. You can also get a visa on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu or at the Immigration Office at the entry points of Nepal.
Tourist visas can be extended for a period of 120 days at the Immigration Department in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
However, these nationals of the following countries will not get visa on arrival at the immigration entry points of Nepal: Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Palestine, Somalia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. They need to obtain visas from Nepalese embassies or diplomatic missions in their respective countries prior to their arrival in Nepal.
Gratis (Free) Visa for 30 days is available only for China and South Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka for the first visit in one visa year (January to December). However, a visa fee is required for its extension beyond the 30 days.
Indian nationals do not require a visa to enter Nepal.
Documents must Indian nationals present at the entry point
As per the Nepalese Immigration, Indian Nationals Travelling to Nepal must possess any One of the following documents-
Passport
Driving License with photo
Photo Identity card issued by a Government Agency
Ration Card with Photo
Election Commission Card with Photo
Identity Card issued by Embassy of India in Kathmandu
Identity Card with Photo issued by Sub- Divisional Magistrate or any other officials above his rank
However, please check with your nearest travel agents for documents required by the Indian Immigration for Indians travelling to Nepal.
Needed to get a visa:
A valid passport and one passport size photo with a light back ground . Immigration Department has not specified the size of the passport-size photo. Visa can be obtained only through payment of cash in the following currency: Euro, Swiss Franc, Pound Sterling, US dollar, Australian dollar, Canadian dollar, Hong-kong dollar, Singapore dollar and Japanese Yen.
Credit Card, Indian currency or Nepalese currency are not accepted for payment of Visa fee.
How to get Nepal: BY Air/BY Land:
Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu is the only international airport in Nepal. The national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines, and other international airlines directly connect Kathmandu with major cities around the world. Alternatively, you can travel to Nepal via India and china (Tibet).
Coming by land, the entry points of Nepal:
All visitors coming to Nepal by land can enter through any of these entry points on the India- Nepal Border/Tibet China-Nepal Border:
Pani Tanki-Kakarbhitta
Raxual-Birgunj
Sunauli-Belahiya
Rupaidiya-Nepalgunj
Mohana-Dhangadi
Banbasa-Mahendranagar, Gaddachauki
Khasa-Liping-Tatopani kathmandu
Kerung-Rasuwaghadi on the Tibet,China-Nepal border respectively.
Overland tourists entering the country with their vehicles must possess an international carnet or complete customs formalities.
Air Accesses to Nepal:
Nepal Airlines is the national flag carrier of Nepal with flights to/from Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Bangkok, Doha and Hong Kong. Other international airlines operating from/ to Kathmandu are Air Arabia (Sharjah), Air China (Lhasa, Chengdu), ArkeFly (Amsterdam), Bahrain Air (Bahrain), Biman Bangladesh (Dhaka), Buddha Air (Paro, Lucknow), China Eastern Airlines (Kunming), China Southern Airlines (Guanzhou), Dragon Air (Hong Kong), Druk Air (Delhi, Paro), Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi), Flydubai (Dubai), GMG Airlines (Dhaka), Gulf Air (Bahrain), Indian Airlines (Delhi, Kolkotta, Varanasi), Indigo Airlines (Delhi), Jet Airways (Delhi, Mumbai), Jet Lite (Delhi), Kingfisher Airlines ( Delhi), Korean Air (Seoul), Oman Air (Muscat), Pakistan International Airlines (Karachi, Islamabad) , Qatar Airways (Doha), Silk Air (Singapore), Spicejet (Delhi), Thai Airways (Bangkok) and United Airways (Dhaka) .
Far from Kathmandu and other cities/towns from the border towns:
Route Approx. Distance:
(border towns to major cities) Nearest RailwayStation in India
Siliguri/Kakarbhitta-KTM 620 kms New Jalpaiguri (NJP)
Jogbani/Biratnagar-KTM 550 kms Jogbani
Raxaul/Birgunj-KTM 280 kms Raxaul (RXL)
Sunauli/Bhairahawa-KTM 280 kms Gorakhpur (GKP)
Rupaidiya/Jamuna (Nepalgunj)-KTM 520 kms Rupaidiya/ Nanpara
Gauriphanta/Mohana (Dhangadi)-KTM 630 kms Gauriphanta/ Paliya
Banbasa/Gaddachauki (Mahendranagar)-KTM 715 kms Banbasa/ Tanakpur
Sunauli/Bhairahawa-Palpa-Pokhara 185 kms Gorakhpur (GKP)
Sunauli/Bhairahawa- Chitwan 145 kms Gorakhpur (GKP) Sunauli/Bhairahawa-LumbiniGorakhpur (GKP)
Tatopani/kodari-Dhulikhel -KTM 26 kms125 km Khasa-Tibet china.
Kerung/Rasuwagadi-kathmandu 165km
Currency of Nepal:
The Nepalese currency is the rupee and is divided into 100 paisa. Bank notes come in denominations of Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000. Coins are of 1, 2 and 5 rupee denomination.
Money exchange:
It is illegal to exchange foreign currency with persons and organizations other than those authorized such as banks, hotels and licensed money changers. Nepalese banks do not accept Indian currency of denomination of Rs. 500 and 2000. You will find the exchange rates for different currencies in the Nepalese papers.
In order to exchange surplus rupees at the time of your departure, please retain your encashment receipts.
MASTERCARD, ATMS cards accepted in Nepal:
Yes here are ATMS in Kathmandu, Pokhara and other big cities in Nepal and accept AMERICAN EXPRESS, VISA and MASTERCARD.
Major hotels, restaurants and curio shops accept AMERICAN EXPRESS, VISA and MASTERCARD. You can contact the banks for credit card services.
The best time to travel in Nepal:
Because of its elevation, Nepal can be divided into three zones – the high mountains, the mid-hills and the flat plains called the Terai. The Everest, Langtang and Annpurna trekking destinations in the mountains are cool throughout the year. The mid-hills, including Kathmandu and Pokhara, are cool except in the summer months from May to July. Temperatures in these cities during the summer remain much cooler than in many cities of the region. Lumbini, Chitwan and Janakpur in the Terai plains are hot in summer (March –July) but cold in winter (December-February).
So if you are going trekking, the best months for walking are between September and November and between February and May when the weather is fair during the day and the temperatures do not drop rapidly during the night.
The country code of Nepal:
The country code for Nepal is +977 and the area code for Kathmandu is 01, for Pokhara 061, Chitwan 056 and Lumbini 071.
The time difference in Nepal:
Nepali time is GMT plus 5 hours 45 minutes.
Electricity Voltage:
Electricity in Nepal is 230 volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. A voltage converter is needed for a device that does not accept 230 volts at 50 MHz. Sockets in Nepal accept only round three or two pins. So if your electrical device uses flat pins, please bring a universal electric plug adaptor.
Some basic Nepali customs:
When visiting a temple, always circumambulate it is a clockwise direction.
Take off your shoes before entering a temple or a Nepalese home.
Entrance to some temples is forbidden, so look out for such notices.
Seek permission to take photographs inside temples or of religious ceremonies.
You can accept a handshake offered by either a male or a female but never offer your hand first.
NEPAL UNIQUE TREASURES:
Mt Everest – Highest Peak on the Earth
Kumari – The Living Goddess
Lumbini – Birth place of Lord Buddha
FACILITIES:
Nepal has every category of accommodation facility, ranging from international standard star hotels and resorts to budget lodges. To ensure safety and quality service, it is advisable to use the service of government registered hotels; lodges, travel agencies, licensed tour guides and hire only authorized trekking Guides or porters.
Post office in Nepal:
The post office is reliable. Express Mail Service (EMS) is available at the General Post Office located at Sundhara near the Dharahara tower in Kathmandu and at Thamel, Basantapur and airport postal counters in the capital. Kathmandu has the only Post Restante of the country.
Communication facilities in Nepal:
Mobile coverage is wide in Nepal, even in the rural areas. Internet facilities are available in hotels and cyber cafes in all major cities. Apart from the urban centers, popular trekking destinations – the Annapurna and Everest region – also have modern communications facilities.
Accommodation in Nepal:
There is accommodation ranging from 5-star chain hotels and resorts to comfortable lodges in Kathmandu and major tourist destinations. The hotels offer specialty restaurants, conference facilities, exclusive health clubs and business centers. You also have the option of home-stay where you can stay in local houses with the local people and enjoy their traditional food.
Food is available in Nepalese restaurants:
Kathmandu is a melting pot of international cuisine. Dining out is, therefore, a pleasure. The Nepali staple is rice, dal (lentils) and curry. Apart from Nepalese cuisine, there are restaurants serving Continental, Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Japanese, Italian and Korean food. Fast foods like burgers, pizzas are found everywhere. There are two KFC outlets in Kathmandu.
Popular Souvenirs in Nepal:
Popular among visitors are handmade apparels like woolen sweaters, jackets, trousers and caps. And the Pashmina shawl is a highly coveted item. Then there are ethnic and contemporary carpets, gems and jewelry, metal and wooden products, Khukuri (the curved metal knife, music CDs, Nepali paper products, pottery, spices, tea and Thangka paintings to take home.
There are exclusive showrooms at Durbar Marg, Asan, Thamel, Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square area which specialize in these items.
