General Information on Nepal

Nepal has a long rectangle shape with almost 900 km east-west length and its breadth varies from 100 to 241 km north-south and is a small beautiful Himalayan kingdom sandwiched between two largest Asian countries like China and India, bordering in the east, west and south by India and north by Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. It lies between 80 degree 4' and 88 degree 12' east longitude and 26 degree 22' and 30 degree 4' north latitude. The total area of Nepal consists of 147,181 sq. km. It is a very popular destination for the tourists all over the world. Nepal is the land of the birthplace of Lord Buddha "The Light of Asia" and famed Gorkha warriors. Nepal is also known as land of Himalayas as it consists eight the highest 14 mountains over 8000m, including the highest mountain Mt.Everest, the top of the world.

Nepal normally means the home of God and Goddess as more than fifteen thousand shrines, temples and monasteries are located in Kathmandu Valley and outside where pagoda style architecture originated.

Geographical and Topography

Nepal is a sovereign independent kingdom. It is divided into three main geographical regions:

• Himalayan
• Mountain
• Terai

About 15% of the total land of the country is covered with the snow capped mountains in the northern part at the altitude between 4,800-8848 meters. Eight major peaks above 8,000 meters Mt. Everest, Kanchanjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Annapurna I lie in this area.

68% of the total land of the country is occupied by the hills and mountains in the central part of Nepal. Most of the villages and towns are located in this part. Altitude varies from 610-4800 meters in this region.

17% of the total land of the country, the plain area in the southern part is known as Terai region. This is main fertile land of the country as well as the main wildlife parks are located in this area.

Nepal's varied culture, topography, climate and scenic beauty attract many more visitors towards Nepal. From the high mountains to plain Terai, thick jungles to rapids of white rivers, historical cities to beautiful villages made Nepal a best destination for each individual holidaymaker and travel agents. The breath-taking views of Himalayan Ranges during the treks, excitement in the white water rafting, sightseeing of the cities, temples, mountains and wildlife are the main highlights of Nepal as Nepal provides shelter to over 30 species of mammals. Nepal also has 800 species (almost 10% of the world total) of birds.

Population and Language

People of Nepal can be divided into two distinct groups, the Aryans and the Mongolians. Though Nepal's ethnic groups are varied as its land with their own languages and cultures. In the Kathmandu Valley are the Newars whose culture and artistry have earned them an international reputation. The Sherpas of the Himalayas are known as tough mountain climbers. Brahmins and Chhetris are scattered over the hills and valleys, and Tamangs are found in the districts around the Kathmandu Valley. The Rais, Limbus, Magars and Gurungs of the mid-hills have earned fame as Gorkha Soldiers. Lowland ethnic groups such as Maithili, Bhojpuri and Tharu enhance the colourful mosaic. The population of Nepal is about 22 million. Many ethnic groups have their own languages for dialects. But Nepali the national language is mainly spoken in Nepal. Due to modernity, people can also speak and understand English as well in the main tourist area.

Religion

Hinduism and Buddhism constitute two major religions of Nepal. Both these co-religionist are bound together by a sense of fellow feeing and bonhomie particularly displayed in their worship of common deities and joint celebration of many festivals belonging to either religion culture. Kumari, the Virgin Hidu Goddess, for instance, is selected from a Buddhist clan. A remarkable feature of Nepal is thus the religious homogeneity that exits, particularly between the Hindu and Buddhist communities. Apart from the Hindus and Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs are also found in Nepal.

Climate

Nepal's climate varies with its topography. It ranges from tropical to arctic depending upon altitude as the Geographical formation of Nepal depends highly on altitude. The Teri Region has as hot, humid climate. The Mid land or Mountain Region has a pleasant almost all the year though nights are cool in winter. The northern Himalayan Region above 3400 m has an alpine climate with considerably lower temperature in winter can be expected. Nepal has for climatic seasons as stated below:

Spring : March-May
Summer : June-August
Autumn : September- November
Winter : December-February


How to Enter Nepal

By Air: Tribhuvan International airport is the only international airport in Nepal. Air transfer is the most sufficient and easily accessible way to enter Nepal as Kathmandu is directly and indirectly linked with the major cities of Asia, Europe and America. There are several International Airlines including the National Flag Carrier Royal Nepal Airlines operating flights to Kathmandu from Karachi, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, Dubai, Dhaka, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore. The International Airlines besides our National Carrier Royal Nepal Airlines, operating their direct flights into Kathmandu are BANGLADESH BIMAN AIRLINES, CHINA SOUTHWEST AIRLINES, DRUK AIRLINES, PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES, INDIAN AIRLINES, AIR SAHARA, QATAR AIRLINES, THAI AIRWAYS, GULF AIR, MARTIN AIR, PHUKET AIR, AUSTRIAN AIRLINES and TRANSVIA.

By Land:
Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal are connected with motor able roads. The following entry points are allowed for foreigners coming to Nepal from Tibet and India.

1. Kakarbhitta
2. Birgunj
3. Kodari (China-Nepal border)
4. Sunauli
5. Nepalgunj
6. Dhangadi
7. Mahendranagar

Immigration Formalities

Passport and Visa:
All visitors to Nepal except Indian nationalities must hold valid passports and visa. Tourist visa can be obtained for US $ 30.00 from any Royal Nepalese Embassy or Consulate Offices overseas for a period of 60 days. However, a visa can also be obtained at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu upon arrival and above mentioned entry points. Tourists can extend their visas at the Department of Immigration, Bhrikuti Mandap, Exhibition Road, Kathmandu.

Foreign Exchange Regulations:
Tourists other than Indians are not allowed to bring in Indian currency. All foreigner visitors other than the Indian nationalities are required to pay their hotel bills and air travel tickets in foreign currency. All other convertible foreign currency either in cash or in traveler's cheques can be brought in unlimited quantity but must be declared upon arrival.

Currency:
Nepalese Rupees (approximately Rs. 70.00 equals US $ 1.00)

Customs Formalities:
All baggage must be declared and cleared through the customs at the port of entry. Personal effects are permitted free entry. The dutiable goods like movie cameras with 12 rolls of films or one video camera with deck, one ordinary player, bi-cycle can be brought in after declaring in the in the customs which should be taken out at the time of departure. Importing and exporting of antiques, precious stones, gold, silver, wild animals and their skins, horns and narcotics are strictly prohibited.

Airport Tax:
Passengers are required to pay Rs. 885.00 per person for departure to SAARC countries and Rs. 1695 for international destination and Rs.170.00 for domestic flights.

Electricity:
220 volts/50 cycle. Most of the cities of the kingdom are electrified.

Time & Holiday:
Nepal time is 4 hrs 45 minutes ahead of GMT and 15 minutes ahead of Indian standard time. Saturday is public holiday. However, most of the offices remain closed on national holiday in feast and festivals.

Clothing:
Clothing depends on place and time. It is recommended to bring light and warm clothing. For trekkers warm clothing are recommended to bring.