Nepal General Information

With its ancient culture and the Himalayas as a backdrop, landlocked country Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and latitudinal variation. It is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the north and by India to the south, east and west. The Himalaya mountain range runs across Nepal's northern and western parts, and eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including the highest, Mount Everest, are within its territory.
Nepal had many small kingdoms and the modern state was formed with the Unification of Nepal by King Prithvi Narayan Shah on December 21, 1768. Prior to 2006, Nepal was a kingdom. Nepal is now a federal democratic republic. Its recent history has involved struggles for democratic government with periods of direct monarchic rule. The first President of Nepal, Ram Baran Yadav, was sworn in on 23 July 2008.

In general, 5 seasons prevail in Nepal:

Autumn (dry and mild) through October to November
Winter (mostly dry and cold) from December to mid-February
Spring (dry and mild) from mid-February to mid-April
Pre-monsoon (dry, often squally, and hot) from mid-April to mid-June

Monsoon (wet and warm) from mid-June to end of September

Facts:

Population: 29.3 million (UN, 2009)
Capital: Kathmandu
Area: 147,181 sq km (56,827 sq miles)
Major language: Nepali
Major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism
Life expectancy: 66 years (men), 67 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Nepalese rupee = 100 paisa
Main exports: Carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain
GNI per capita: US $400 (World Bank, 2008)
Internet domain: .np
International dialing code: +977

Travel Log

Time
Nepal Standard Time is UTC +05:45 and 15 minutes ahead of Indian Standard Time.

Visa Information
A visa is required to enter Nepal. One can get a visa at the Nepalese Embassy or Consulate or at the airport upon arrival. Two passport sized photos are mandatory for visa on arrival. For more information on visa information, kindly visit at http://www.tourism.gov.np/

Currency Exchange
Foreign currencies can be easily exchanged through different open authorized foreign exchange dealers like money exchange counters in reasonable tariff. Facilities from such counters are quick and convenient. You don’t need to show passport or any travel document equivalent to passport issued by the Government.

Payments in hotels, airlines, major restaurants, shop and travel agencies accept foreign currency or convertible foreign currencies, American Express, Visa and Master Card.

Visitors exchanging foreign currencies through banks are requested to collect encashment receipts for such transactions. The encashment slip may be needed for changing back local currency to foreign currency on departure at the exit points or at Tribhuvan International Airport departure lounge.

Transportation
The Prepaid Taxi Counter at the Tribhuvan International Airport is located across the Green Channel. Such taxis have green number plates. Metered taxis with black number plates are easily recognizable and can be hailed off the street.

Communication & Postal Service
Communications: Long distance telephone, email and internet services (free Skype) are easily available at different Cyber hubs in Thamel. Hotels also provide such facilities but their prices are relatively higher than public cyber hubs.

Post Office:
The Central Post Office is located near Dharahara Tower, is open from Monday through Friday. The counters are open from 9am to 4 pm and provide stamps, postcards and aerogram. Post Restante, Express Mail Service is also available at the GPO and at Thamel. You can also contact at the Reception of the hotel where you are residing for postal information and service.

Thamel
Thamel is a popular tourist destination in Kathmandu, Nepal. Narrow streets are filled with a wide range of shops, foreign money exchange booths, pubs, clubs and nightlife along with the numerous travel agents, and guest houses and even small shops selling everything from food and provisions to clothes, walking gear, mountaineering gears, cakes, pastries, music, DVDs (mostly pirated), handicrafts, souvenirs items.

The area has some very good restaurants. Although prices tend to be significantly higher than non-tourist areas, food hygiene is generally a lot better too.

Even though Thamel has been considered as a tourist heaven for low-budget travelers

Disabled travelers
They will have a hard time with Nepal’s steep slopes and uneven pavements, stairs and steps are a fact of life throughout the hill. However, a specially designed package may be tour (safari) and even a trek catered to your needs, might not be out of questions.

Licensed Guides
Mostly travel agencies have licensed English Speaking or native language guides for the convenience of the tourists. It is advisable to all the visitors to confirm that your guide has a valid license before travelling.

Tourist Police
A special unit of Nepal Police called Tourist Police deals with problems related to tourists. For any problems, one can contact to the Tourist Police at Tourist Service Centre, Bhrikutimandap to avail the service of Tourist Police or to their concerned travel agency.

Opening Hours and Holidays
Government offices open from 0900-1700hr in the summer and from 0900-1600hr in the winter. Except public holidays, government offices and business enterprise are closed on Saturdays.

Shopping
Shopping can be very rewarding and exciting in Nepal. There are numerous tourist shops on the main streets and in the hotels arcades brimming with tempting jewelry, statues and other typical Nepalese handicraft. Thangka is one of the best buys in Nepal.

Besides handicrafts, Nepal is also a good place for genuine luxury goods, trekking items and even expedition gears. With a host of departmental stores and shopping plazas offering international brand products, Kathmandu has become a paradise for the serious shopper.

P.S. * There is an export ban on certain items. Antiques can be taken out of the country only with special permission granted by the department of Archaeology.

Cultural Hints
Customs and traditions run deep in Nepal. We want the visitors to observe and see the ways of Nepalese people and share with them. We offer some practical guidelines that could help to make the stay delightful and rewarding.

Eating
Probably the greatest number of Nepali taboos to an outsider’s way of thinking have to do with food. Once you have touched something to your lips it’s polluted (jutho) for everyone else.

Places to See

Around Kathmandu
Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Boudha, Swyambhunath, Panauti, Changunarayan, Sankhu, Nagarkot, Dhulikhel , Namobuddha, Suryavinayak, Nagarjun, Kakani, Kritipur, Chobhar, Pharping and Dakshinkali, Bajra Barahi, Phulchoki, Godavari, Balaju Water Garden, Budhanilkantha, Shivapuri, Bungamati & Kokana

Outside Kathmandu
Pokhara, Lumbini, Chittwan, Janakpur, Dolaka - Charikot / Jiri, Baraha Chetra, Tansen/Palpa, Gorkha Durbar, Daman, Devghat, Dhankuta-Hile, Helambu, Illam, Muktinath/Jomsom/Marpha, Nuwakot

Nepal General Information

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