Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and altitudinal variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60m above sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8848m, all within a distance of 150 km resulting into climatic conditions from sub-tropical to Arctic.
Area: 147,181 Sq. Km
Location: Situated between China in the north and India in the South, East and West.
Capital: Kathmandu
Population: 23 Million
Language:
Nepali is the national language of Nepal. Educated people understand and speak English as well. There are hundreds: of local dialects spoken by people from various ethnic groups.
Climate:
Nepal has typical monsoonal two season year. There's the dry season from October to May and there's the wet season, the monsoon, from June to September. September-November, the start of the dry season, is many ways the best time of the Year in Nepal. With the monsoon only recently finished, the countryside is green and lush. Nepal is at its most beautiful and there are some colorful festivals to enjoy.
Temperature in Kathmandu: In Autumn (September-November):Max.20-28 degree Celsius Min.5-10 degree Celsius. In Winter (December-February):Max.15-20 degree Celsius Min.1-5 degree Celsius. In Spring (March-May):Max.25-30 degree Celsius Min.8-15 degree Celsius. In Summer (June-August): Max.29-32 degree Celsius min.18-22 degree Celsiu
People and Religion:
Nepal is secular state with a pre-dominance of Hindus and Buddhist population. Hindu temples and Buddhist shrines are scattered all over the kingdom. Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the light of Asia. Hindus and Buddhists live together in harmony. Muslims, Christians and other nature worshipers too exist.
Currency and Foreign exchange:
Nepali Rupee notes in Rs.1, 2, 5,10,25,50,100,500 and 1000 denominations. Foreign currencies must have been exchanged only through banks or authorized money exchangers. The receipts of such transaction are to be obtained and retained. Visitors can exchange foreign currency at the foreign exchange counter at the airport upon arrival. Visitor other than the Indian nationals have to make the payment in foreign currency in hotel, trekking agencies or travel agencies. Indian Currency Rs 500 and Rs 1000 note is not allowed to be brought into Nepal and will not be exchanged and will not be accepted for transaction of any kind.
Banks are open between 10 am to 3 pm from Sunday to Friday in the Kathmandu Valley. Some banks also open whole days in a week. ATM Machines are available in many places in the Valley.
Political System:
Federal Democratic Republic
What to wear:
Light weight clothing is recommended from May through October. Warm garments are required in October to March. An umbrella or raincoat is a must for the rainy season. For Trekking, Climbing and Expedition equipments list please check individual sections.
Time:
Nepal Standard Time is 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT and 15 minutes ahead of Indian Standard Time.
Official working hours and holiday:
Except public holidays Saturday is the weekend holiday throughout the country when most government and private business companies are closed on Saturday. Government offices open at 10 am to 5 pm (summer) and from 10 am to 4 pm (winter). Most of the private company or business stores open from 9 am to 7 pm.
Banks and Credit Card:
Banks are open between 9.30 to 3 pm from Monday to Friday in Nepal. In main cities, most of the banks are providing extra banking service till late evening nowadays and few hours open at Saturday also. Visa /Mater card is easily acceptable in every bank. ATM Machines are available most of the places in main cities of Nepal. Most of banks have money transfer services also.
Facilities:
Nepal has every category of accommodation facilities. These range from the international standard star hotels to budget hotels and lodges. In order to have an assured quality service, it is advisable to use the facilities and services of government registered hotels, lodges, travel and trekking agencies and govt. licensed tour and trekking guides.
Post Office :
The Central Post office (Tel: 4240018) located near Bhimsen Tower, is open from 10 am to 5 from Sunday through Friday. The Counters are open from 7 am to 5 pm and provide stamps, postcards and aero grams. Post Rest ante is available Sunday to Friday 10 am to 5 pm. Express Mail Service (EMS) is available at the GPO and at Thamel,Basantapur and airport postal counters.
Custom formalities:
All baggage must be declared and cleared through the customs on arrival at the entry. Personal effects are permitted free entry. A tourist may bring in dutiable goods, such as tobacco and liquors, within the prescribed quantity free of duty. Carrying narcotics, arms and ammunition are strictly prohibited. Visitors can export souvenirs to their respective countries. The export of antiques requires special certificate from the Department of Archaeology, National Archive Building, Ram Shah Path (Tel: 4250686)
Airport Tax:
Nrs 700.00 per person for departure to SAARC (South Asian) countries and Rs. 1,000.00 for departure to other international destinations.
By Air:
Nepal airlines is National Flag Carrier of Nepal with flights to/from Delhi,Banglore,Mumbai,Kuala lampur,Dubai,Bankok,HOngkong,Osaka,Shanghai and Singapore. Other International airlines operating from/to Kathmandu are Austrian airlines(Vienna), Air China(Lhasa),Thai airways (Bangkok),Qatar airways (Doha), Gulf air (Abudhabi,Muscat),Fly yeti.com ( Sarjah,abudhabi), Indian airlines (Delhi, Calcutta, Varanasi),Jet airways (Delhi), PIA(Karachi) Royal Druk (Delhi,Paro)Biman Bangladesh(Dhaka), Cosmic Air(Delhi, Dhaka, Calcutta) and China southern (Goanzhau, chhengdu) etc.
By Land:
All visitiors coming to Nepal by land must enter only through one of these entry points (1) Kakarbhitta (2) Birgunj (3)Belhiya, Bhairahawa (4) Nepalgunj (5) Dhangadi and (6) Mahendranagar in the Nepal – India border and (7) Kodari in the Nepal – China border. The overland tourists entering the country with their vehicles must possess an international carnet or complete customs formalities.
Route |
Approx. Distance (border towns to major cities) |
Nearest Railway |
Siliguri-Kakarvitta-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(Neaplgunj)-KTM |
520 kms |
Rupaidiyav/Nanpara |
Gauriphanta-Mohana(Dhangadi)-KTM |
630 kms |
Gauriphanta/Paliya |
Banabasa-Gaddachauki(Mahendranagar)-KTM |
715 kms |
Banbasa/Tanakpur |
Sunauli-Bhairahawa-Palpa-Pokhara |
185 kms |
Gorakhpur(GKP) |
Sunauli-Bhairahawa-Chitwan |
145 kms |
Gorakhpur(GKP) |
Sunauli-Bhairahawa-Lumbini |
26 kms |
Gorakhpur(GKP) |
Indian Nationals:
Indian nationals do not require visa. However, effective from October 1, 2000, Indians travelling to Nepal by air have to show upon arrival at entry point a passport, voter's identity card issued by the election commission of India or an identity card with photograph issued by the central or State Government of India. Temporary identity card issued by Nepal based Indian diplomatic missions for identification of Indian nationals will also be considered in case of exceptions. Children under 10 years need not show any identification.
Visa information:
Tourist Visa Rules in Nepal (Effective from 16 July 2008)
Tourists who visit Nepal must hold valid passport and visa.
a) Entry
Tourist entry visa can be obtained for the following duration from Nepal Embassy/ Consulate or Mission offices abroad, or at the following immigration offices in Nepal:
- Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
- Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)
- Birganj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
- Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border)
- Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal)
- Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal)
- Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal)
- Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal)
b) Tourist Visa
Visa Facility Duration Fee:
Multiple entry | 15 days | US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency |
Multiple entry | 30 days | US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency |
Multiple entry | 90 days | US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency |
c) Tourist Visa Extension
Tourist entry visa can be obtained for the following duration from Nepal Embassy/ Consulate or Mission offices abroad, or at the following immigration offices in Nepal:
- Visa extension fee for 15 days or less is US $ 30 or equivalent convertible currency and visa extension fee for more than 15 days is US$ 2 per day
- Tourist visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a single visa year (January – December).
d) Gratis (Free) Visa
Tourist entry visa can be obtained for the following duration from Nepal Embassy/ Consulate or Mission offices abroad, or at the following immigration offices in Nepal:
-
Gratis visa for 30 days available only for tourists of SAARC countries.
-
Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal.
e) Transit Visa
Transit visa for one day can be obtained from Nepal's immigration offices at the entry points upon the production of departure flight ticket via Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal, by paying US $ 5 or equivalent convertible currency.
(For further information, please, contact Department of Immigration, Maitighar, Impact Building, Kathmandu, Tel:00977-1-4221996 / 4223590 / 4222453 , web site: www.immi.gov.np )
Dos & Don't
A tourist may stay in Nepal up to 150 days in a visa year (Jan-Dec). A tourist must extend his/her visa before expiry of the visa validity period. A tourist who does not comply with these regulations may be liable of fine and other prosecution as provided in Immigration Act and Rules. A Foreigner having obtained tourist visa shall not be allowed to work with or without receiving remuneration.
A foreigner shall not be allowed to carry out any work other than that for which purpose she/he has obtained the visa.