Nepal is a Himalayan
country, wedged between the giants
of India and Tibet, an autonomous
region of China. Its geography dominated
by the Himalayas - eight of the fourteen
highest mountains in the world, including
Everest, can be found within its borders.
On every side, a skyline of fluted
snow and ice peaks soar beyond the
imagination rise above the trails,
the campsites and valleys. It is a
land of great diversity- a home of
incredible variety of ecosystems,
the greatest mountain ranges, dense
tropical jungles teeming with a wealth
of wildlife, thundering rivers, forested
hills and frozen valleys. The country
is a potpourri of ethnic groups, customs
and traditions. From the humid and
tropical southern Terai lowlands to
the frozen alpine regions of the Himalayas
in the north, we find different colorful
cultures & people co-existing
in harmony for centuries.
The country also
offers an astonishing diversity of
sightseeing attractions and adventure
opportunities found nowhere else on
earth! A visitor can join in the numerous
annual festivals that are celebrated
throughout the year in traditional
style highlighting enduring customs
and beliefs.
Nepal is a land
where the arts, culture are as well-preserved
as the valleys and forests, temples
enriched with wood carving and bronzes,
millennium- old statues standing a
long the way side, songs and dances
unchanged for centuries and entire
cities preserved in their medieval
splendor.
In addition to enjoying
numerous activities of choice in Nepal,
it is also a significant transit point
for traveling to Tibet (China) Bhutan,
Darjeeling and Sikkim (India).
Nepal at a Glance
Area: 147,181
sq.km
Geography:
Situated between China in the
North and India in East, West
and South
Capital: Kathmandu
Currency: Nepalese
Rupee (NRS)
People: Nepal
has more than 100 ethnic groups
and 70 spoken languages
Languages:
Nepali & English
Seasons: Spring
(March-May), Summer (June-Aug),
Autumn (Sep-Nov), Winter (Dec-Feb)
Religion: Hinduism,
Buddhism and others
Topography:
From the world's deepest gorge
'Kali-Gandaki' to highest point
on earth 'The Everest'
Vegetation:
Nepal possesses wide range of
vegetation due to its unique.
Nepal has a composite
population stemming from various racial
and ethnic communities. It has been
a melting pot of diverse linguistic
and ethnic groups with population
of 25 million living in different
regions, wearing different costumes
and speaking different languages and
dialects. The people belong to multi-ethnic
groups, ranging from the Indo-Aryan
to Mongoloid. The Himalayan and central
hilly regions are mostly inhabited
by the people of the Tibeto-Burman
strand while the people inhabiting
the Terai lowlands may be grouped
under the Indo-Aryan category. Its
cultural traditions, art and literary
heritage go back to thousands of years.
The varied mosaic of various races
and ethnic groups have given to Nepal
a distinct character and culture.
Festivals
Festival in Nepal
has always been a meaningful event
where people enjoy themselves more
through their direct involvement than
just watching them. In Nepal every
festival has some purpose to serve,
such as to bring rain or to have good
harvest, to avert calamities and so
on. In fact, festivals are the best
way to understand and appreciate the
Nepalese way of life. The Nepalese
year is full of festivals which are
celebrated according to the lunar
calendar.
Climate
Nepal possesses
diverse climate and weather due to
its unique topographical variation.
The country though smaller in size
has its altitudes ranging from 70m
in the southern Terai area to 8848m
of Mt. Everest. The country experiences
tropical, subtropical, alpine and
Trans-Himalayan types of climate.
Such climatic and topographical variations
have made the country centre of attractions
for the people around the world.
Art & Culture
There is perhaps
no country in the world except Nepal
where traditional architecture, painting
and sculpture have been well preserved
for 1500 years. The exquisite medieval
art and architecture of the Kathmandu
valley vividly reflects the artistic
ingenuity and the religious tradition
of the people. To better understand
the deep and complex roots of Nepalese
culture, it is necessary to visit
the monuments and religious shrines.
History
Nepal has a long
glorious history. Its civilization
can be traced back to thousand of
years before the birth of Christ.
For centuries, the kingdom of Nepal
was divided into many principalities
(Chaubise States). Kirantas ruled
in the east, the Newars in the Kathmandu
Valley, while Gurungs and Magars had
their domain the mid-west. The Kirantas
were said to have ruled their territories
from 300 B.C. The country took its
present shape only after 1768 A.D.
when Prithvi Narayan Shah, king of
Gorkha, conquered and united all the
tiny statues into one kingdom.
Religion
Religion is the
lifeblood of the Nepalese who believe
in mysticism and spiritualism with
a multitude of gods and goddess reflecting
the diverse facets of their life.
Hinduism and Buddhism constitute two
major religions in Nepal. A remarkable
feature of Nepal is the religious
homogeneity what exists, particularly
between the Hindu and Buddhist communities.
Apart from the Hindus and Buddhists,
Muslim forms the third largest religious
group.
Muslims comprise a small section of
the population, mainly found along
the Indian border and in a few isolated
villages. There are a few Christians
as well. Some ethnic groups including
the Tharus and Rais follow their own
shamanist and animist traditions,
although their practices incorporate
many Buddhist and Hindu influences.
Money & Banking
Money Matters
Nepal has modern
banking facilities and some international
banks even have offices in Kathmandu.
Almost all foreign currencies along
with credit cards such as American
Express, Visa, and Master card are
accepted in Nepal.
All visitors are required to exchange
their money through the bank or authorized
agents. In Kathmandu banks with money
exchange counters are found everywhere
and most hotels also have exchange
counters. These facilities to change
money are quick and convenient. It
is necessary to ask for receipts when
money is changed. On the return journey,
if one is left with Nepalese rupees
they can be exchanged for 15% of the
amount on these receipts into any
foreign currency at the Kathmandu
International Airport. Remember to
retain Rs. 700 for airport tax when
departing on flights to SAARC Countries
(India, Bhutan, Pakistan, Bangladesh,
Sri Lanka and Maldives) or Rs.1650
or all other international destinations.
It is generally not possible to change
foreign currency/travelers checks
(except in Namche Bazaar, Jomsom,
Salleri, Okhaldunga, Pokhara etc.)
in the mountains. One must therefore
change required money in Kathmandu
before the trek starts. When cashing
money for the trek, always ask for
small denominations.
Local Currency & Money Exchange
The unit of the
Nepalese Currency is Rupee. One Nepali
Rupee is made up of 100 paisa. Nepali
Rupee notes come in Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10,
20, 25, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000. Coins
come in paisa 5,10,25,50 Rs. 1 , 2,
5 denominations. Paisa coins are not
currently used for common transactions.
Foreign currency and travellers cheques
can easily be exchanged at banks or
authorized agents. In Kathmandu banks
have money exchange counters, which
are quick and convenient.
Mastercard, Visa and American Express
are accepted at all major Hotels,
Travel Agencies, Restaurants and Stores.
Only the first two though, are currently
accepted at banks for money advances.
ATM services are also available in
Kathmandu but not in rural areas.
In the cities, and specially while
trekking, change for Rs500 and Rs1000
bills is not easily available. So
better ask for small denominations
(ones, twos, fives, twenties and some
in fifties and hundreds - never in
five hundreds and thousands), and
be careful about torn or damaged bank
notes. The people in the village may
not accept them.
Money Transfer/receipt
Normally there is
no problem to transfer and receive
money from Nepal; however, here are
few restrictions to send money out
of Nepal. If someone wants to transfer
money from Nepal to any other foreign
countries more than US$500 need authorization
from Nepal Rastra Bank (Central Bank
of Nepal). You need to furnish proper
documents and good cause for the same.
Basically there is no any restriction
to transfer money to Nepal. There
are many banks and money transfer
agents who offer services to transfer
money in Nepal.
Exchange Rates
Nepal's currency
is set at a fixed exchange rate with
the Indian Rupee. 100 Indian Rupees
= 160 Nepali Rupees. The US dollar
is about US$ 1 = NRS 64 (January 2008).
Banking
Banks are open between
10:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M., Sunday to
Thursday and between 1 0:00 A.M. to
12:30 P.M. on Friday. Closed on Saturday
and national holidays. Some Banks
in Thamel, Kathmandu are open till
late hour.
Travel Information
Getting to Nepal
By
Air: Kathmandu is served by
direct flight to/from Amsterdam, London,
Paris, Frankkurt, Moscow, Vienna,
Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, Karachi, Kolkota,
Banglore, Delhi, Mumbai, Patna, Varanasi,
Dhaka, Paro (Bhutan), Lhasa (Tibet)
Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai
(China) and Osaka (Japan).
By
Land: All visitors entering
Nepal by land can enter through the
following routes Kakarbhitta, Birjung,
Sanauli, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi, Mahendranagar
on the Nepal-India border and Kodari
on the Nepal-China border.
Visa Regulation
The single entry
tourist visa can be obtained from
the entry points of Nepal or from
the Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad
by paying US$ 30 for 60 days.
Multiple entry facility can be obtained
paying additional US$ 50 and valid
for a visa year (Jan-Dec)
Season
The most popular
seasons for traveling to Nepal, Tibet,
Bhutan and India are spring (Feb-May)
and autumn (Aug-Nov). During the monsoon
season (June-Aug) tours and treks
are also possible depending on where
you are going.
What to Wear
During most of the
year light woolens and cottons are
sufficient for day wear, with warmer
attire necessary in the evenings.
Heavy woolen clothing is required
during winter months.
Communication
Private communication
centers and hotels provide ISD, STD,
Fax and E-mail services. The STD code
for Nepal is 977. Inquiries can be
made at 197.
Electricity
Major towns in Nepal
have electricity and the voltage available
is 240 volts and 50 Hz (cycles). Load
shedding is sometimes experienced
in Nepal. However, most of the hotels
have installed their own generators.
Plugs & Sockets
Nepal uses the round
two-pin or flat-three-pin type of
plugs & sockets. Adaptors are
easily available in electrical shops
in Nepal.
Time
Nepal is 5 hours
45 minutes ahead of GMT (Greenwich
Mean Time) and approximately 12 hours
and 50 minutes ahead of Pacific Time.
Money and Credit
Cards
Payment can be made
in foreign exchange in hotels, travel
agencies and airlines. Credit cards
such as American Express, Master and
Visa are widely accepted at major
hotels, travel agencies, shops and
restaurants.
Travel Documents
It is the traveler's
own responsibility to obtain passport
and travel visa. The passport should
be valid for at least 6 months beyond
the intended return date. The traveler
is responsible for providing us the
correct complete and accurate information
about personal details including physical
disabilities.
Public Safety and
Personal Security Concerns
Make a photocopy of your passport
and leave the original, your airline
ticket and the bulk of your money
in your hotel safe.
Change money in your hotel and
ask for part of it in small bills
for trekking trip.
Carry your cash, credit card
and passport copy in your front
pocket. Ladies are advised to
grip their purse tightly against
their side. Never let a purse
dangle from their shoulder.
Avoid seedy areas of town-ask
your hotel. If you find yourself
in one-leave!
Never wear precious ornaments
Don't leave money or valuables
lying around your hotel room.
Use the safe or check them in
at the reception desk
International Call
The best place to
make an international call is from
your hotel/telephone booths in the
major cities. The numbers are listed
in the telephone directory or ask
at your hotel.
