Nepal
Annapurna Massif, Nepal
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Annapurna_Massif_Panorama.jpg
Dmitry A. Mottl
Nepal (Nepali: नेपाल) is a small, landlocked country in the Indian subcontinent. It has a total area of 147,181 square kilometers (56,827 square miles), rougly the combined size of Austria and Switzerland. Nepal has a population of about 30 million people. The country shares a border with China to the north, India to the west, south and east. Nepal straddles the Himalayan range. It is roughly 100 km wide and 885 km from west to east. The country has some of the tallest peak in the world within its borders, including Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world.
Sadhus at Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmanduhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sadu_Kathmandu_Pashupatinath_2006_Luca_Galuzzi.jpgLuca Galuzzi - www.galuzzi.it
Travel Tips to Main Cities in Nepal
World Heritage Sites in Nepal
- Kathmandu Valley
- Sagarmatha National Park
- Royal Chitwan National Park
- Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha
Mountain Villages on the Annapurna Circuit
Namche Bazaar, Nepalhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Namche_Bazaar#mediaviewer/File:Namche_bazaar_krish.jpgKrish Dulal
The capital of Nepal, Kathmandu, is the main gateway for tourists to the country. It is located about centre of the country, and slightly to the east. Kathmandu is not only the biggest city in Nepal, it is also the cultural hub of the nation, with many historic sights closely. Tourists come to Nepal for two main purposes, to enjoy the Himalayan range and to enjoy the culture of the country.
Mainstream tourists usually spend a few days in Kathmandu followed by a day or two in Pokhara, a beautiful small town with scenic views of the surrounding mountains. From there, they make excursions to view the nearby peaks. Those staying longer in Nepal embark on trekking holidays into the Himalayas, to places such as Jomsom or the Everest Base Camp. Only a small number actually engage in any form of serious mountain climbing, which is not an endeavour for the inexperienced.
The World Peace Pagoda in Lumbini, Nepalhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Lumbini_Shanti_Stupa#mediaviewer/File:The_World_Peace_Pagoda_-_Lumbini.jpgtearsxintherain
The climate in Nepal is extremely varied. Generally, the best time to visit Nepal are the months of October and March, while for just Kathmandu, the best time is between October to March.
Despite its natural wealth, Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world. This has brought along social and political unrest, which culminated with the abolishing of the monarchy on 28 May, 2008, making Nepal a federal republic. Even with the volatile political climate, tourism in Nepal was only marginally affected, and people continue to visit it, drawn by its pristine beauty and unique culture.
Brimsen Temple in Patanhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Bhimsen_Temple,_Patan_Durbar_Square#mediaviewer/File:Bhimsen_temple_Patan_GP_(8).JPGGanesh Paudel
Nepal Travel Information
- Official Name: Nepal
- Capital: Kathmandu (1,300,000)
- Population of Nepal: 27,676,500
- Languages: Nepali (48%), Maithali (12%), English, over 90 indigenous languages
- Currency: Nepalese Rupee
- Religions: Hindu (80%), Buddhist (10%), others
- Size: 140,800 sq km (54,363 sq miles)
- Region: Asia
Nepal Entry Points
The majority of visitors to Nepal arrive by air, landing at Tribhuvan International Airport about 6.5km from Kathmandu. Tribhuvan is the only international airport in Nepal.
Yaks with Taboche mountain and Cholatse mountainhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Duglha_yaks.jpgPavel Novak
Nepal Entry Requirements
Except for Indian nationals, everybody else above the age of 10 require a visa to enter Nepal. Visas are obtainable immediately upon landing at Tribhuvan International Airport. Single entry 60-day visa costs US$30, double-entry $55 and multiple-entry $90. You need a passport with at least 6-month validity and two passport-size photographs. Extension of visas cost US$50, and must be applied for before the visa expires, from the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu.
Department of Immigration
phone: 223590, 222453, 223681
email: immigration@most.gov.np
web: http://www.welcomenepal.com
Visa matters: Mon-Fri 9:00am-3:00pm (summer), 9:00am-2:00pm (winter)
Rugged terrain of the Kali Gandaki valley in Nepalhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:KaliGandaki.jpgKogo
Nepal Health Requirements
Nepal is a poor country and visitors are well advised to consider receiving vaccines for typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis (if visiting the Terai during June to October), rabies, and if visiting in the winter months, meningitis A/C. You should never drink unboiled or untreated water. Stay away from ice cubes. Avoid eating raw vegetables, uncooked fish and seafood.
Finally, it will also well-advised to purchase travel insurance with emergency evacuation included in the clause.
Nepal Customs
Travellers may bring in 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacca, one bottle of liquor and 15 rolls of film. Also duty-free are personal effects: one pair of binoculars, one still camera, one video camera, one laptop computer and one portable music system. The usual prohibition against firearms, ammunition and narcotics apply, as well as for radio transmitters and walkie-talkies.
You will also need to clear customs when leaving Nepal. Please note that you are forbidden from bringing out any object that is more than 100 years old. Antiques and art treasures require special certificate from the Department of Archaeology, which takes two days to obtain.
The peaks of Dorje Lakpa, as seen from Nagarkot, Nepalhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Nagarkot#mediaviewer/File:Le_Dorje_Lakpa_(Himalaya,_N%C3%A9pal)_(8449549937).jpgdalbera
Nepal Currency
The Nepal currency is called the Nepalese rupee (NRS). Banknotes are available in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rupees. Two types of coins are available. The higher denomination ones, of 1 and 2 rupees, are gold-toned, while the lower denomination ones, of 50, 25, 10 and 5 paisa, are aluminium ones.
You can change your cash at the airport, at any banks and foreign exchange counters in Kathmandu. There's a Standard Chartered 24-hour ATM in Thamel which you can use to cash your ATM Cirrus card, as well as Visa and MasterCard.
Credit Cards
Credit cards can be used for purchases in Kathmandu without much hassle. Visa, MasterCard, Diner's Club and American Express are widely accepted, though a 5% commission is added for credit card purchases.
Banking Hours
Banks are open from 9:15am to 2:30pm, Mondays to Fridays.
Janaki Mandir in Janakpur, Nepalhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2009-03_Janakpur_05.jpgRalf Lotys
Nepal Public Holidays
Five different types of calendars are used in Nepal. This includes the Western calendar (also called the Gregorian calendar), the Tibetan calendar (Bhot Byalo), and the Vikram Sambat, which is the official calendar in Nepal, and is used in the royal household, in newspapers, public services and by the government. The following are the public holidays in Nepal, according to the Gregorian calendar:
Womenfolk preparing bonfire for the Holika Dahan spring festival in Kathmandu, Nepalhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Holika_Dahan,_Kathamandu,_Nepal.jpgEkabhishek
Using the Telephone in Nepal
The country code for Nepal is 977. Here are some telephone area codes in Nepal:- Kathmandu: 1
- Dhangadi: 91
- Gorkha: 64
- Nepalgunj: 81
Newspapers
- The Rising Nepal: http://www.nepalnews.com.np/trn.htm
- Kantipur National Daily (sister to Kathmandu Post): http://www.kantipuronline.com
- Nepali Times: http://www.nepalitimes.com
More Sights in the Kathmandu Valley
- Astura Cave
- Bagh Bhairav Mandir
- Balaju
- Banepa
- Bishankhu Narayan
- Budhanilkantha
- Bungamati
- Chabahil
- Chandeshwari Mandir
- Changu Narayan
- Chilanchu Vihar
- Chobhar Gorge
- Dakshinkali
- Dhulikhel
- Godavari
- Ichangu Narayan
- Jal Binayak
- Kakani
- Karya Binayak
- Khokana
- Kirtipur
- Lele
- Mahadev
- Nagarjun Ban
- Nala
- Namo Buddha
- Shekh Narayan Mandir
- Sunakothi
- Panauti
- Pharping
- Phulchoki
- Sankhu
- Thecho
- Tika Bhairav
- Uma Maheshwar Mandir
- Vajra Varahi
Cities and Sights between Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Bhagwati Mandir
- Daman
- Dumre
- Gorkha
- Manakamana
- Mugling
- Nuwakot
Sights on the Annapurna Trek
- Annapurna I
- Annapurna Base Camp
- Annapurna Sanctuary
- Bagarchhap
- Beni
- Bhratang
- Birethani
- Braga
- Chame
- Chulu Central
- Chulu Gundang
- Chulu West
- Dhaulagiri I
- Ghale
- Ghandrung
- Ghanpokhara
- Ghasa
- Ghorapani
- Himal Chuli
- Hiunchuli
- Khangsar
- Lo Manthang
- Machhapuchhre
- Manaslu
- Mardi Himal
- Pisang Chuli
- Siklis
- Singu Chuli
- Tatopani
- Tharpu Chule
Sights on the Langtang-Gosainkund-Helambu Trek
- Besisahar
- Betrawati
- Chautara
- Dhunche
- Gorkha
- Gosainkund
- Gosainkund Lakes
- Gosainkund Lekh
- Helambu
- Kyanjin
- Langtang National Park
- Laprak
- Larkya Himal
- Larkya La
- Manaslu
- Melamchigaun
- Panch Pokhari
- Syabru
Sights in the Everest Region
- Beding
- Changtse
- Cho Oyu
- Duglha
- Everest Base Camp
- Gokyo
- Imja Tse (Island Peak)
- Jiri
- Junbesi
- Khumbu
- Kongma Tse
- Kusum Kangguru
- Kwangde Ri
- Lho La
- Lobuche East
- Lukla
- Mera Peak
- Namche Bazar
- Pangboche
- Parchamo
- Pokalde
- Pumo Ri
- Ramdung
- Sagarmatha National Park
- Thame
- Thyangboche
Sights East of Everest
- Bhojpur
- Chainpur
- Dobhan
- Ghunsa
- Kabeli Khola
- Kanchenjunga
- Lhonak
- Makalu
- Makalu Base Camp
- Taplejung
- Tumlingtar
Cities and Sights of the Terai
- Bardia National Park
- Bharatpur
- Biratnagar
- Birganj
- Chisapani
- Chitwan National Park
- Devghat
- Dhangarhi
- Dharan
- Janaki Mandir
- Janakpur
- Kakarbhitta
- Kapilavastu
- Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
- Mahendranagar
- Narayanghat
- Nepalganj
- Sauraha
- Siddharthanagar
- Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve
Cities and Sights of the Remote West
- Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve
- Dipayal
- Dolpo
- Dunai
- Humla
- Jumla
- Khaptad National Park
- Munchu
- Phoksundo Tal
- Pina
- Rara National Park
- Ringmo
- Shey-Phoksundo National Park
- Simikot
- Tarakot
- Tibrikot
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