Nepal
The Himalayas of Nepal has always been known as "The Abode of the Gods". Many of the primordial history, religion, culture and traditions as well as legends are the identification of Nepal. The Himalayas of Nepal harbors many holy temple shrines, monasteries and sacred lakes in the wilderness in remote parts of the region.
The Himalays is the oldest and highest mountain chain on the earth. The great Himalayan range of 800km lies within the Himalayas of Nepal. It has 1310 magnificient peaks over 6000m including 8 of the world's hieghtest mountains and 14 peaks of 8000m.
The varied climate and mixed people of Nepal combines to produce a magical attraction for outsider. Many foreign visitors come to trek one or more beautiful regions. To trek, one do not need to have any extra skills nor they need to be mountaineer or an athelete.
For visitors on extended holiday and with fewer restraints, there is even more varied spectrum of adventure, safari in the jungles, trekking to explore deeper in the alpine valley with perceptual snow and glistering glaciers. The more interpid traveler may venture further up to scale any of the 18 minor peaks.
LOCATION:
It borders with the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China inthe North and India in the East, South and West respectively.
AREA: 147,181 sq. kilometers.
ALTITUDE: Varies from 70 meters to 8848 meters.
CAPITAL: Kathmandu.
POPULATION: 1,84,91,097
LANGUAGE:
Nepali is the national language of Nepal. Educated people understand and speakEnglish as well.
TIME:
Nepal Time is 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT and 15 minutes ahead of Indianstandard time.
ENTRY POINTS:
By Air: Tribhuvan Internaitonal Airport, Kathmandu.
By Land: (1) Kakarbhitta (2) Birgunj (3) Belhiya (Bhairahawa) (4)Nepalgunj (5) Dhangadi (6) Jogbani (Biratnagar) and (7) Mahendra Nagar inNepal-lndia border and Kodari in Nepal-China border. The overland touristsentering the Kingdom with their vehicles must possess an international carnet.
AIRPORT TAX
Rs. 1200 per person for departure to SAARC (South Asian) Countries and Rs. 1700for departure to other international destinations. For domestic flights thoseflying within Nepal are required to pay Rs. 170.
INTERNAL TRANSPORT
Various Arilines have an extensive network of air services in the interiorof Nepal. This include Taplejung, Bhadrapur, Rajbiraj, Bhojpur, Phapl, Lukla,Lamidanda Tumlingtar, Rumjatar, and Biratnagar in the East; Nepalgunj,Chaurjhari, Surkhet, Dang, Rolpa and Jumla, in the Mid-West, and kolti,Mahendranagar, Dhangadi, Silgadi (Doti), Tikapur, Sanphebagar, Baitadi, andDarchula in the Far Western Region. Besides Royal Nepal Airlines, the otherdomestic airlines such as Nepal Airways, Everest Air, Asian AirlinesHelicopter, Necon Air provide regular and charter services to different populardomestic destinations.
MOUNTAIN FLIGHT
Domestic Airlines in the private sector operate breathtaking mountain flightsfor the tourists round the year.
AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION
High Country Trekking provides transportation for airport arrival.
OTHER TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS
Metered taxis having black plates are available in Kathmandu. Micros andother public vehicles are also available and are slightly cheaper than taxis.Bicycles, motorcycles and rickshaws are also available on hire. The fare forthe bicycles or motorcycles is fixed wheareas the fare of rickshaws is to benegotiated. There are regular bus services between the main town of theKathmandu Valley. The Bus Terminal is located at Gongabu (new bus terminal) andBagbazar (old bus terminal). Similarly, scheduled bus services for outside theValley operate from the Gongabu Bus Terminal which is located at Balaju,Kathmandu.
CURRENCY & FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Nepali Rupee notes come in Rs. 1, Rs. 2, Rs. 5, Rs. 10, Rs. 20, Rs. 50, Rs.100, Rs. 250, Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 denominations. Foreign currencies must beexchanged only through the banks or authorized foreign exchange dealers.
CLIMATE
Nepal has four major seasons, namely, (1) Winter: December-February, (2)Spring: March-May, (3) Summer: June-August, (4) Autumn: September- November.
Nepal can be visited the whole year round.
ENTRY PROCEDURES
All visitors except the Indian nationals must hold a passport and a valid visa.The visas can be obtained at the Nepalese Diplomatic Missions and Consulsabroad and entry points issue visa.
CUSTOMS
All baggage is subject to customs' check at the point of entry. Carryingnarcotics, arms and ammunitions are strictly prohibited. Visitors can exportsouvenirs to their respective countries. The export of antiques requiresspecial certificate from the Department of Archeology, National ArchiveBuilding, Ram Shah Path, Kathmandu (Tel: 215358), Gold, silver, preciousstones, wild animals and their skins, horns, etc, all drugs whether processedor in their natural state, are prohibited to export.
PEOPLE & RELIGION
Nepalese people are mainly divided into two distinct groups the Indo-Aryans andthe Mangoloids. Kathmandu Valley is the spiritual and cultural meeting point ofall these groups. Hindu Temples and Buddhist shrines are scattered all over thekingdom. Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the Light of Asia. There is acomplex blending of Hinduism and Buddhism in Nepal.
TRAVEL ROUTE
Various international airlines operate scheduled flights to Kathmandu from Bangkok, Bombay, Calcutta,Delhi, Dubai, Dhaka, Paro, Varanasi, Frankfurt, Paris, Hongkong, Karachi,London, Moscow, Singapore and Lhasa.
