Nepal Visitor Guide

General Information For Visitors To Nepal.

Language:

Nepali is the official language of Nepal with almost 60 percent of the population speaking it. The language which is believed to be the closest derivation from Sanskrit, was originally called Khas Bhasha, but became known as Nepali during the 20th century.

In the capital Kathmandu, Nepal Bhasa (the Newar language) and Nepali are the most widely used languages.

Climate:

It is often asked, “When is the best time to visit Nepal?” Nepal is a year round destination, with different offerings during different seasons. For culture, heritage, sightseeing, golf, and a relaxing getaway, any time of year is rewarding.

There are 2 main trekking / tourism seasons in Nepal; Spring (February – May) and Autumn (September – November). 

Spring Season (February – May): This season is ideal for touring and trekking throughout all regions of Nepal. It is particularly nice to trek during the months of March and April in the Everest, Annapurna, Langtang and other regions as the Rhododendrons (Nepal’s national flower, there are over 16 varieties) are in bloom at this time. The weather is fresh and crisp with low humidity, the sun is not too hot and night-time temperatures are very comfortable even when camping. Also ideal for visiting Chitwan National Park for jungle safaris.

Monsoon Season (June-August): During the late June to end August monsoons, the light has an amazing clarity and the land grows green and lush with astonishing quickness. This time of the year is still good for cultural exploration tours, particularly in the areas of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Pokhara, when ripe paddy fields glisten in the sun and there is a different kind of magic created by the monsoon. Although possible, this season is not considered ideal to go to Chitwan due to high rains and temperatures. Trekking to Rain Shadow areas such as Jomsom and Mustang in the Annapurna region is ideal.

Autumn Season (September- November): September, October and November are pleasant months and there are some important and colourful festivals to enjoy both in the valleys and in the mountains. This season is ideal for tours, treks and Jungle Safaris to Chitwan. October is the busiest trekking month so it’s sometimes nice to delay your tour/trek to late November, December, and even far as January so as to avoid the tourist rush.

Winter Season: (December-January): There is no snow in the Kathmandu and Pokhara valleys so December and January are perfect months to visit. There are fewer tourists and contrary to what most guide books say (due most likely to climate change) climate conditions favorable for viewing Himalayan vistas are turning up to be in December and January. Although treks to the Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp should be avoided at this time, medium and easy grade cultural treks to all regions can be made. Christmas in the Everest region or the Chitwan Jungle makes a holiday to remember.

Geographical Coordinates

Latitude: 28º00´ North of the Equator
Longitude: 84º00´ East of Greenwich

Clothing:

Except in formal gatherings, informal clothes are acceptable everywhere. Warm garments are required October – March. An umbrella or a raincoat is a must for the rainy season i.e. July – September.

Currency:

• The unit of the Nepalese Currency is Rupee. One Nepali Rupee is made up of 100 paisa. 1 US$ = 82 Nepali Rupee (DEC 11)
• Foreign currency, and traveller cheques, can easily be exchanged at banks or authorized agents. .
• MasterCard, Visa and American Express are accepted at all major Hotels, Restaurants and Stores. ATM’s are available in Kathmandu and other major cities.

Banking:

Banks are open between 10:00 A.M. to 2:30 p.m, Sunday to Thursdays and between 10:00 A.M. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays. Closed on Saturdays and national holidays. Some Banks in Thamel, Kathmandu are open till later.

Tips and Service Charges:

• Tipping is generally expected in up-market restaurants in Kathmandu only, so leave around 10% of the bill if service was good
• City Tour  Guides should be tipped around US$ 6-8 per day for groups of 1-4 pax (more for larger groups)
• Drivers US$ 4-6 per day for groups of 1-4 pax.
• Trek Guides: US$ 8-10 per day for guides.
• Porters US$ 4-6 per day.   

How To Enter Nepal:

• By Air: Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
• By Land:Kakarbhitta, Birgunj, Belhiya (Bhairahawa), Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, Jogbani (Biratnagar), Mahendra Nagar in Nepal-India border and Kodari in Nepal- China border.

Customs:

Visitors are allowed to bring in the consumable articles such as at 01 April 09: (subject to change at any time)

liquor one bottle up 1.15 liters

200 sticks of cigarette

Export of Antiques:

• The export of antiques requires special certificate from the Department of Archaeology, National Archive Building, Ram Shah Path, Kathmandu.
• Gold, Silver, precious stones, wild animals and their skins, horns, etc, all drugs whether processed or in their natural state, are prohibited to export
• Carrying narcotics, arms & ammunitions are strictly prohibited.

Airport Transportation: In addition to metered taxis, limousine service is also available at the airport for transport to major hotels in the city. We can prearrange private minibus transfers.

Other Transportation arrangement: Metered taxis having black plates with different figures are available in Kathmandu. Bicycles, motor cycles and rickshaws are also available on hire. The fare for the bicycles or motorcycles is fixed whereas the fare of rickshaws is to be negotiated. There are regular bus services between the main town of the Kathmandu Valley. The Bus Terminal is located at Gongabu (new bus terminal) and Bagbazar (old bus terminal).

Visitor Services:

• Telephone Services, available in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and even in some remote villages on main trekking routes.
• Internet and Email are available in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and some trekking routes.
• In Kathmandu many international Postal Services are available as FedEx, UPS, and DHL.

Electricity:

Electricity in Nepal is 220V/50Khz. Either a two round plug or a three triangular shaped round plug adaptor is required in Nepal.

Visas:

Entry Procedures: All visitors except Indian Nationals must hold a passport & valid visa. The visas can be obtained by prior to arrival in Nepal or on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu. It is a simple procedure on arrival in Kathmandu proceed to the Immigration counter; where you will need to hand over two passport sized photos and your visa fee.

Short Stay Visa: US $25
Long Stay Visa up to US$100

Please enure: you carry additional passport sized photo’s with you when travelling in Nepal as if you decide to trek to gain some permits additional passport sized photos maybe requested.

Health:

Your nearest Travel Doctor in Australia can be contacted by telephoning 1300 421 142

Ideally you should seek advice at least 8 weeks prior to your departure. We encourage all travellers to ensure their hepatitis and tetanus vaccinations are kept up to date at all times. Please note there is a rabies risk in Nepal.

Geography:

Nepal is a landlocked country, bounded on the north by the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China; on the east by Sikkim and West Bengal of the Indian Union on the south by Indian States of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and on the west by Uttar Pradesh of Indian Union. Its total area is 147,181 sq km. The length of the country is 885 kilometers east-west and its breath varies from 145 to 241 kilometers north-south. Climatically, it lies in the temperate zone with the added advantage of altitude.

Nowhere in the world is there such a vast and unique diversity of landscapes, terrain, and cultures in so concentrated an area as in Nepal. As its northern borders are capped by the mighty Himalayas, Nepal is endowed with 8 of the world’s 14 eight thousand meter peaks. Nepal naturally evolved into a mountaineers’ playground after the summit of Mt. Everest (8848m) in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. But Nepal is more than just mountains. As its southern border is shared with sub-tropical India, the lower ‘Terai’ jungle region is host to national parks with a rich ecosystem and diversity in wildlife. The middle hills region where the major cities of Kathmandu and Pokhara are located offer treks at comfortable altitudes through scenic country sides overlooking an abundance of rivers, valleys and forest. The altitude at Pokhara starts at approx 820 metres and in the capital Kathmandu 1336 metres.

There are three main geographic/altitude regions:

Himalayan Region: The altitude of this region ranges between 4877 meters and 8848 meters with the snow line running around 48848 meters. It includes 8 of the existing 14 summits in the world which exceed an altitude of 8000 meters. They are (1) Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) 8848 m, (2) Kangchenjunga – 8586 m, (3) Lhotse – 8516m, Makalu – 8463m, (5) ChoOyo- 8201 m, (6) Dhaulagiri – 8167m, (7) Manaslu – 8163m, and Annapurna- 8091 m.

Middle Hill Region: This region accounts for about 64 percent of total land area. It is formed by the Mahabharat range that soars up to 4877 meters. To its south lies the lower Churia range whose altitude varies from 610 meters to 1524 meters. The Middle Hill Region contains some of the most varied landscape in Asia, from Alpine Forests to Temperate Jungle.

Terai Region: The low-land Terai region which has a width of about 26 to 32 kilometers and a maximum altitude of 305 meters, which occupies about 17% of total land area of the country. The Terai Region accounts for some of the greatest diversity in wildlife in Asia; Bears, Tiger, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant, Sloth, Deer, Antelope, Gangatic Dolphin, more than 830 species of bird life.

 Average Temperatures in Nepal (in celsius).

 Average Rainfall in Nepal. (in mm)