Greetings from the "Himalayan Country Nepal". A country of amazing extremes with the highest point on earth Mount Everest 8848 meter to the forested plains of the Terai. Nepal the land of medieval cities, where time stands still. Fast flowing rivers and rapids where white water rafting becomes a challenge so daring. A country with exotic flora & fauna, a bird watcher's dream and a home to the unique one horned rhino and the royal Bengal tiger. A place where temples and cultural diversity so large. It simply takes your breath away or to watch, explore, trek or just simply watch the sun go down in all its grandeur on the Himalayas…. One visit will surely ask for more and … . More ….

FACTS & FIGURES

Location

Between India & the Tibetan autonomous Region of the peoples Republic of China.

Area

147,181 Sq. Kms.

Population

Approximately 21 million

Latitude

260 12' and 300 27' North.

Longitude

800 4' and 880 12' East.

Capital

Kathmandu.

People

Over 40 Ethnic Groups & 70 Spoken Languages.

Political System

Federal Democratic Republic

Topography

From the world's deepest gorge 'Kali- Gandaki' to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest. At 8848 meter.

Vegetation

Nepal possesses some of the most outstanding bio-diversity in the world, ranging from sub-tropical Rain forests to Alpine deserts.

Climate

Climate ranges from sub-tropical in the low lands to Arctic in higher altitudes.

Seasons

Winter (December - February), Summer (March - may), Monsoon (June - Aug), Autumn (Sept-Nov)

National Bird

Impean Pheasant (Danfe)

National Flower

Rhododendron Arboreum (Lali Gurans)

Time

Nepal Standard Time is 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 15 minutes ahead of Indian Standard Time (IST).

Electricity

Major towns in Nepal have electricity and the voltage available is 220 - volts and 50 cycles. Load shedding is sometime experienced in Nepal.

World Heritage Sites

Ten (of which seven World Heritage Sites are situated within 20 Kms of radius, in the Kathmandu valley)

Flora and fauna

840 different species of wetland, migratory and residential birds. 8% of the world's population of birds. 11 of the 15 butterfly families in the world. 2% of the flowering plants. 4% of mammals on earth.

Home to Endangered Species

Like Royal Bengal Tiger, one horned rhino, snow-leopard, Red panda, Brown bear, Assamese macaque, Gangetic dolphin, wolf, wild elephant, giant horn-bill, swamp deer, wild yak, Tibetan antelope, Black buck, four horned antelope, Musk deer, Pigmy hog, Haspid hare, Pangolin, Gharial, Indian bustard, Saras crane, Impean pheasant, Python, etc.

A Living Cultural Heritage

Nepal's heritage is alive and dynamic. Shamanism, Pan-animism. Temples, shrines, monuments and monasteries are extremely active with devotees burning butter-lamps, singing hymns, chiming temple-bells and playing drums. The only country that has living goddess "Kumari"

People, Culture, Religion & Language

Nepal's 21milion population is comprised of diverse ethnic groups having their own languages and cultures. The Newars, who are acclaimed for their unique artistry and culture, dominate the Kathmandu Valley, whereas the Sherpas, who are renowned more for their mountaineering skill, inhabit in the northern mountains. Brahmins and Chhetris, two of the nation's most dominant communities, are almost everywhere, and the Tamangs, Rais, Limbus, Magars and Gurungs - the ethnic groups known more as brave Gurkha soldiers - dwell mostly in mid-hills. Maithili, Tharu, Bhojpuri and other ethnic communities have their dwellings in the Terai plains.

Nepal has always been a dividing line between civilization and cultures, and a cross roads for the flow of commerce and culture between them, where the plains of the subcontinent climb up to the high plateau of Tibet, the languages and people of India give way to those of China and the Hindu religion blends into Buddhism. Nepal, the land at the margin, is often a complex blend of the two influences and this variation is further complicated by the diversity of ethnic groups within the country.

Religious practice is an important part of the Nepalese way of life. Two main religions are dominant in Nepal: Hinduism and Buddhism. Hinduism is made up of thousand of gods and goddesses. Bramha, Vishnu and Shiva are three major Gods, but each has a complex tapestry of manifestations and incarnations. Each deity also has a vehicle, which is often seen kneeling faithfully outside the shrine. Buddhism is the second major religion in Nepal. Shakyamuni Buddha, who was born in Nepal around 6th century BC, is the founder of Buddhism. The great Buddhist Stupas of Swoyambhu and Bauddha in the Kathmandu Valley are among the oldest and most beautiful worship sites in Nepal.

Nepali, like Hindi, is written in the Dev-nagari script. It is Nepal's national language, apart from being the lingua franca of the country's divergent communities that speak mutually unintelligible language and dialects. English is also widely spoken and understood in urban areas. In Tourism sector people speaks English, Japanese, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese and other foreign languages.

HISTORY

For centuries, Nepal was made up of many small kingdoms. Kirats ruled in the east, the Newars in Kathmandu valley, while Gurungs and Magars occupied the west. The Kirats ruled from 300 BC and during their reign, Emperor Ashoka arrived from India to build a pillar in Lumbini to commemorate Lord Buddha. The Kirats were followed by the Lichhavis and then came the Mallas. During the Malla period, art thrived in the Valley, and most of the monuments are from this time, In the 18th century, Prithvi Narayan Shah, king of Gorkha conquered the Kathmandu valley.

GEOGRAPHY

Nepal covers an area of 147,181 square kilometers, and stretches 145 to 241 kilometers north to south and 850 kilometers west to east. The country is located between India in the south and China in the north. At latitudes 26 and 30 degrees north and longitudes 80 and 88 degree east, Nepal is topographically divided into three regions.

The Himalaya: The Himalayan range makes up the northern border of the country and represents 16% of the total area of Nepal. Peaks like Mt. Everest (8848 m.) Kanchen Junga (8598 m.), and Dhaulagiri (8167 m.) are found here and sparse vegetation is found up to 4,500 m. Some of the Nepal's most beautiful animal and plant-life are also found here. Although rare, the snow leopard and Danphe bird are much talked-about sights among visitors. The people in this region produce and sell cheese besides working as mountain-guides and porters. Many also trade Tibet and across the boarder to sell their gods.

The Hills: This region covers 65% of the total land area of the country. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal is located here. Elevation range from 500 to 3,000 m. above sea level. During summer the temperature reaches an average of 32 degree Celsius. Winter are cold, temperature sometimes reaches minus 1 degree Celsius. Areas in the eastern hills receive more rainfall because of the monsoon clouds, which come from the southeast. The rivers in the west, which do not receive much rainfall, are dependent upon the melted snow that flows down the Himalayas. Wild animals to be found here are the spotted leopard, barking deer, and Himalayan black bear. The hilly region is also popular for different kinds of birds. Over four hundred species of birds are found here.

The Terai: The Terai - Low Land covers 17% of the total land area of Nepal. It provides excellent farming land and the average elevation of flatlands is 100 to 300 m. above sea level. In the sub-tropical forest areas of Terai are found, marshes and wildlife, which include the Royal Bengal tiger, one horned rhino, and the Gharial crocodile etc. About 48% of the country's population occupies this region. Flat farmlands and the region's flexible topography have given rise to many industries.

FLORA & FAUNA

Nepal is a land of geographical extremes, ranging from near sea level elevation in the southern Terai to the world's highest mountains. The country contains a variety of ecosystems; treeless sub-alpine pastures and dense fir forests of the high valleys, Oak and Rhododendron woods of the middle hills, and tall Sal forests of the south. Along the southern borders of Nepal are preserved much of the lowland jungles and grasslands that once covered this part of the sub-continent. Here one can see birds and mammals found nowhere else. The country has more varied flora and fauna than any other places in Asia.

ENTERING NEPAL

TRAVELING BY ROAD: All visitors entering Nepal by land must use no other entry points other than (1) Kakarbhitta (2) Birgunj (3) Belhiya, Bhairahawa (4) Nepalgunj (5) Dhangadi (6) Mahendra Nagar in the Nepal - India border and (7) Kodari in the Nepal - China border. The overland tourists entering the Kingdom with their vehicles must possess an international carnet.

TRAVELING BY AIR: You can fly directly to Kathmandu from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Vienna, Amsterdam, Moscow, Osaka, Shanghai, Bangkok, Hongkong, Sharjah, Dubai, Dhaka, Karachi, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Paro, Lhasa, Singapore, Delhi, Mumbai, Patna, Calcutta, and Varanasi. Charter flights can also be arranged for large movements. All flights feature business class and amenities of international standards. Many a time, the Capital offers a guided sightseeing of the Himalaya for no extra charge.

Airfares fluctuate with the changes in exchange rates and are to be paid in foreign currency by foreign nationals. Only Nepalese and Indian nationals are permitted to pay in Rupees for air passage between Nepal and India. Departure flight tickets should be reconfirmed three days in advance to avoid inconveniences by possible flight cancellation or changes in the flight schedule. Overweight luggage charges are levied in foreign exchange.

CUSTOMS / AIRPORT

CUSTOM: All baggage must be declared and cleared through the customs on arrival at the port of entry. Passengers arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu (TIA) without any dutiable goods can proceed through the Green Channel for quick clearance without a baggage check. If you carrying dutiable articles, you have to pass through the Red channel for detailed customs clearance.

IMPORT: Apart from used personal belongings, visitors are allowed to bring to Nepal free of duty cigarette (200) or cigars (50), distilled liquor) one 1.15 liter bottle), and film (15 rolls). You can also bring in the following articles free of duty on condition that you take them out with you when you leave: binoculars, movie or video camera, still camera, laptop computer, and portable music system.

EXPORT: It is illegal to export objects over 100 years old (sacred images, paintings, manuscripts) that are valued for culture and religious reasons. Visitors are advised not to purchase such items as they are Nepal's cultural heritage and belong here. The Department of Archaeology has to certify all metal statues, sacred paintings and similar objects before they are allowed to be sent or carried out of the country.

AIRPORT TAX: Passengers departing from the Tribhuvan International Airport Kathmandu (TIA) are required to pay an airport tax of Rs. 770.00 if going to SAARC countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan. India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) and Rs.1100.00 to all other international destinations. Domestic airport tax is Rs. 165.00.

VISA REGULATION

1. The single entry tourist visa can be obtained from the entry points of Nepal or from the Nepalese diplomatic mission abroad by paying US$ 30 for 60 days. If visitors who wish to obtain the facility of single, double or multiple re-entry, they can get it by paying additional US$ 25, US$ 40 and US$ 60 respectively.
2. If the visitor, who has already visited Nepal under tourist visa, intends to come again within 150 days of the same visa year he/she can obtain entry visa by paying US$ 50 for 30days at the entry point or at the Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad.
3. The visitors who wish to stay from more then 60 days in the Nepal can extend their tourist visa by paying the equivalent of US$ 50 in Nepalese currency for 30 days from the Department of Immigration.
4. Business visa with multiple entry facility for the period of one year and five years can be obtained from the Department of Immigration on the recommendation of Ministry of Industry by paying the equivalent of US$ 100 and US$ 250 respectively in the Nepalese currency for the foreign investors.

Note: Indian nationals do not require visa. However, Indians traveling to Nepal by air have to show upon arrival at entry point either a passport, voter's identity card issued with photograph issued by the Central or State Government of India. Temporary identity card with photograph issued by Nepal-based Indian diplomatic missions for identification of Indian nationals will also be considered in case of exceptions. Children under 10 years need not show any identification.

Department of Immigration:

Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu

Tel: 977-1-4223590 / 4222453 / 4223681

Fax: 4223127

Office Hour:

Monday - Friday  09:00 AM - 05:00 PM (Summer) / 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM (Winter)

Saturday & Sunday (Closed)

DOMESTIC AIRLINES

Nepal Airlines (RA) has an extensive network of air services in the interior of Nepal. Besides RA, other domestic airlines (there are more than a dozen operation these days provide regular and charter services to popular domestic destination. Private companies also operate helicopter services foe rescue, sling operations, transporting heavy cargo and food grains, serial photography, sightseeing, heli-trekking and heli-skiing. Nepal's domestic air service is known to be punctual and reliable. Domestic airport tax is Rs. 165.00.

CURRENCY & CREDIT CARDS