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There are
few countries with a
geography as diverse as
Nepal's. Within it's narrow
borders you will find a
complete climatic range,
from tropical to temperate,
alpine to arctic. Within
this spectacular geography
is also found one of the
richest and most diverse
cultural landscapes.
The Himalayas extend from
Assam in eastern India to
Afghanistan in the west and
is the highest and youngest
mountain chain on earth. To
the North lies China and the
rest of Nepal's borders are
shared with India.
Nepal can be divided into
three east - to -west
geographical zones. Going
from north to south are the
summit laden Himalayas, the
middle hills of the Shiwalik
and Mahabharat ranges, and
to the south the lush plains
of the Terrain . This
features an astonishing
topographical variation with
the altitude ranging from 70
meters to 8848 meters.
There are four seasons in
Nepal. The Winter is from
December - February. Spring
is from March to May. The
Summer from June to August
and Autumn from September -
November.
Nepal can be visited
throughout the year,
although activities like
Safari Excursions, Rafting,
Trekking and Mountain
flights are best from
October to May.
Entering Nepal :
The Capital city of
kathmandu is linked by both
air and road. Flights link
it with Delhi, Kolkata,
Varanasi and Mumbai in
India, Dhaka in Bangladesh,
Karachi (Pakistan), Paro
(Bhutan), Bangkok
(Thailand), Singapore,
Hongkong, Dubai, Frankfurt,
London, Pairs, Osaka and
Lhasa.
By road there are 15 entry
points, the major ones being
Birgun, Bhairahawa (Sunauli),
Kakarbhita, Nepalgunj (from
India) and at Kodari from
Tibet.
Health :
No International
certificates of vaccination
regarding current
inoculation against Cholera,
Typhoid or Yellow fever are
required.
Clothing:
It is advisable to bring
along warm clothing while
traveling from November to
February and tropical wear
from March to October.
Religion :
Nepal is a religious melting
pot and the major religions
are Hinduism (90%) ,
Buddhism (6%) , Islam (3%)
and the rest (1%) comprise
of Catholics and others. But
there is a harmony among the
religions.
Population:
Nepal has almost 25 million
people comprising of a
variety of races and tribes,
speaking different language
and dialects.
Language:
There are more than 30
languages and dialects and
as many distinct ethnic
groups. Nepali is the
official language and
English is understood and
spoken by majority of people
in Kathmndu valley and other
major cities.
Visa:
A visa is required to enter
Nepal except for Indian
Nationals. Indians must,
however, posess
identification papers.
Tourists staying for up to
three days get a free visa.
Visitors from SAARC
countries and China do not
have to pay any visa fees.
Chinese travelers can get
visas at the entry point
upon arrival. Re-entry visas
are granted free of cost to
any visitor who has stayed
for at least 15 days in
Nepal in a visa year
(January - December).
Children under 10 are not
charged for a visa.
Visa fees:
Single Entry US$ 30 per
person Valid for 60 days
Multiple Entry US$ 80 per
person Valid for 60 days
Visa fee is subject to
change as per government
rules and regulations.
Airport Tax :
Rs. 770/- per person for
departure to SAARC (South
Asian) countries and Rs.
1100/- for departure to
other international
destinations.
Passport :
A valid passport is required
for all nationals except
Indians. Indians must,
however, posess valid
identification papers issued
from the govt. authority.
Customs 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 liquor, 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 Archaelogy.
Currency Regulation :
Import of Indian Currency by
foreigners other than Indian
nationals is strictly
prohibited. All visitors
should obtain a receipt for
all currency exchange. The
same should be handed over
at the airport at the
departure and generally 10 %
of the amount exchanged can
be reconverted from Nepalese
Rupees into US Dollars.
Local Currency:
The Nepalese Rupees is the
local currency and is
subdivided into 100 paises.
The denomination of currency
notes available are in 1, 2,
5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500,
1000 and coins in 50 paisa,
1, 2, 5 Rupee currently in
circulation. |
