More Than Just Cheap Flights.

Nepal Information

Overview

It’s not just mountaineers with their hearts set on conquering Everest who fall in love with the Himalayan country of Nepal. With stunning scenery, fringed by the highest peaks on the planet, leading down to steamy jungle packed with wildlife, there’s something for everyone.

The colourful culture and friendly people received a bad press in recent years with a country-wide Maoist rebellion which saw tourist figures drop dramatically. However, the political situation has stabilised, Nepal is back on track to woo visitors with a warm, hearty welcome.

In addition to a distinctive ancient Hindu and Buddhist culture, Nepal has jaw-dropping mountains with spectacular scenery for walkers and trekkers. If there is a hikers’ paradise, this is it, with picturesque mountain villages linked by hundreds of trails that have been used for centuries, with little change noticeable even today. Trails are dotted with intriguing temples to discover on the way.
 
Nepal was created from an amalgam of principalities in 1768 under King Prithvi Narayan Shah. Under the control of a hereditary king, it became a ‘buffer state’ between the British Empire and territories to the north. The country became independent in 1923, but it was not until 1947 (the year of Indian independence) and total withdrawal of the British before Nepal achieved complete autonomy.

Top Things To See

Enjoy the magic of Kathmandu, the capital and also the cultural, commercial and business hub of the Kingdom. In Durbar Square, discover a wonderful collection of temples and shrines, the old Royal Palace, and the Statue of Hanuman the Monkey God.

Attend one of Nepal’s many colourful festivals. Holi, in spring, sees everyone splattered with powdered paint and a three-tier umbrella erected in Kathmandu’s Durbar Square before being taken down and set alight. Indra Jatra, in autumn, includes an appearance by the Kumari Devi, Nepal’s living goddess.

Stretch your legs on the short steep walk from Bandipur, south of Pokhara, to visit the Thani Mai Temple. The architecture is stunning around the perfectly preserved Newari village. Even more impressive are the Himalaya views, particularly spectacular at sunset.

Before heading on to Pokhara, take time to visit Siddha Gufa, the largest cave in the country with spectacular limestone formations, just outside Bandipur.

In Bhaktapur (the ‘Temple City’), have a look at unusual, colourful animal paintings in the National Art Gallery, located in the old Malla Palace. Other museums include the National Woodworking Museum, showing fine examples of renowned Newari woodcarving, and the Brass and Bronze Museum.

In Patan, discover ancient historic and artistic landmarks, including Patan Durbar Square (also the location for the interesting Patan Museum), Krishna Mandir, the Royal Bath, the Kumbheshwor Temple and the Golden Temple. See exotic South Asian animals in the Jawalakhel Zoo. 

Take a more leisurely route along the Sapt Kosi River as it flows through the Koshi Tappu Reserve, and look out for gangetic dolphins.

Go to Pashputinath to see the sadhus, or wandering Hindu holy men, who make pilgrimages to the ghats and holy waters.

Visit the Shrine of Ganesh the Elephant God, reputed to bring good luck. There are four Ganesh temples in the valley, each a masterpiece of Nepalese architecture - one in Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, one in Chabahil, one in Chobar and one near Bhaktapur.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Top Things To Do

See or climb the lower slopes of Mount Everest, Sagarmatha (’Head of the Sky’) in Nepalese. At an altitude of 8,848m (29,022ft), Everest is the world’s highest peak and has been opened for commercial mountaineering for decades. Don’t forget your climbing permit, however.

Head for the hills - or mountains in this case: Nepal is a paradise for walkers and trekkers, with glorious mountain landscapes, remote ruins and villages. Trekking season is September to May. Check beforehand if a permit is required, and be aware some treks must be undertaken with an agency.

Hire a mountain bike to discover quiet corners of the Kathmandu Valley and visit local villages, then catch sight of Everest’s snow-covered peak from Nagarkot.
 
Stop on the way up the steep steps to Swayambhunath Stupa (also known as the monkey temple) in Kathmandu to watch the monkeys and have your fortune told by a Tibetan astrologer.

Go shopping for Tibetan handicrafts and artefacts at the hugely impressive Bodnath Stupa, a centre of Tibetan exile culture, a short ride from central Kathmandu. Alternatively, visit the lively bazaar in the hill town of Gorkha , the ancestral home of the Shah Dynasty and residence of the original Gurkha soldiers.

Go on an elephant ride in the Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal’s first national park, and keep your eyes peeled for endangered Royal Bengal tigers and Indian one-horned white rhino.

Meditate on the teachings of Buddha at his birthplace near the border town of Lumbini.

Chill out by taking a rowing boat out on Phewa Tal, the mesmerising lake at Pokhara, and get up early to watch sunrise over the Annapurna mountains from Sarangkot.

Take a scenic flight over Mount Everest. Most of the domestic airlines arrange flights in light aircraft. Flights are also available from Pokhara and other locations west of the capital, flying over the spectacular Annapurna range. 

Try some high octane sports. River rafting is superb here; permits are required for Himalayan rivers. Or go ballooning, hang-gliding or fly a micro-light plane from Kathmandu, Pokhara or the Langtang region. Paragliding and power paragliding are also available in Pokhara.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Going Out

Food and Drink

National specialities:
• Dal bhaat (lentils and rice).
• Tarkan (spiced vegetables).
• Gurr (a Sherpa dish of raw potatoes, pounded with spices, then grilled like pancakes on a hot, flat stone ground and mixed with milk, tea or water).
• Rotis (flat pancake-like bread made from wheat or rice flour).
• Choyla (roast, diced water buffalo meat, heavily spiced and eaten with flat, beaten rice).

National drinks:
•Chai (tea brewed with milk, sugar and spices; in the mountains it is salted with yak butter).
•Lassi (curd mixed with sugar in a mixture of sweet and salty flavours).
• Arak (very strong potato alcohol).
• Rakshi (wheat or rice spirit).
• Chang (homebrewed beer made from fermented barley, maize, rye or millet). 

Legal drinking age: 21.

Tipping: Only expected in tourist hotels and restaurants. 10% is sufficient.

Nightlife

There’s no wild nightlife scene in Kathmandu, but there are plenty of late bars and nightclubs, some with live music, around Thamel and the city’s 5-star hotels. Some restaurants put on traditional Newari dance shows for tourists and there are a couple of casinos. Watch movie blockbusters on DVD in restaurants around Thamel or sample Hindi films at cinemas.

Shopping

Popular buys include locally made clothes such as lopsided topis (caps), knitted mittens and socks, Tibetan dresses, woven shawls, Tibetan multicoloured jackets and men’s diagonally fastened shirts; and pashmina (fine goat’s-wool blankets), khukri (the national knife), saranghi (a small, four-stringed viola played with a horse-hair bow), Tibetan tea bowls, papier mâché dance masks, Buddhist statuettes and filigree ornaments, bamboo flutes and other folk objects. Find copies and good-quality seconds of walking and climbing gear in Thamel.

Shopping hours: Daily, 1000-2000 in tourist areas.

Climate

Nepal’s weather is generally predictable and pleasant. There are four climatic seasons: March to May (spring), June to August (summer), September to November (autumn) and December to February (winter). The monsoon is approximately from the end of June to the middle of September. About 80% of the rain falls during that period, so the remainder of the year is dry. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons; winter temperatures drop to freezing with a high level of snowfall in the mountains. Summer and late spring temperatures range from 28ºC (83ºF) in the hill regions to more than 40ºC (104ºF) in the Terai. In winter, average maximum and minimum temperatures in the Terai range from a brisk 7ºC (45ºF) to a mild 23ºC (74ºF). The central valleys experience a minimum temperature often falling bellow freezing point and a chilly 12ºC (54ºF) maximum. Much colder temperatures prevail at higher elevations. The Kathmandu Valley, at an altitude of 1,310m (4,297ft), has a mild climate, ranging from 19-27ºC (67-81ºF) in summer, and 2-20ºC (36-68ºF) in winter.

Required Clothing

Lightweight and tropical clothes with umbrella are advised for June to August. Between October and March, lightweight clothes are worn in Kathmandu, with a coat for evenings and warm clothing for the mountains.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period. 

2008
15 Jan Maghe Sankranti.
30 Jan Martyrs’ Day. 
11 Feb Basanta Panchami.
19 Feb Rashtriya Prajatantra Divas (National Democracy Day). 
6 Mar Shivaratri (in honour of Lord Shiva).
8 Mar Nepalese Women’s Day.
21 Mar Holi/Chaite Dashain.
4 Apr Ghode Jatra (Festival of Horses). 
13 Apr Ram Nawami (Birthday of Lord Ram).
14 Apr Navabarsha (New Year’s Day). 
20 May Buddha Jayanti (Birthday of Lord Buddha).
16 Aug Rakshya Bandhan (Janai Purnima).
Aug* Children’s Day.
28 Aug Krishna Janmashtami.
Sep/Oct* Fulpati.
30 Sep Ghatasthapana.
7 Oct Maha Asthami.
8 Oct Maha Nawami.
9 Oct Vijaya Dashami.
28 Oct Laxhmi Puja.
29 Oct Gobardhan Puja.
9 Nov Constitution Day.

2009
Jan/Feb* Basanta Panchami. 
30 Jan Martyrs’ Day. 
19 Feb Rashtriya Prajatantra Divas (National Democracy Day). 
4 Apr Ghode Jatra (Festival of Horses).
Mar* Holi.
Mar* Ram Nawami (Birthday of Lord Ram).
6 Mar Shivaratri (in honour of Lord Shiva).
8 Mar Nepalese Women’s Day.
Mar/Apr* Chaite Dashain. 
14 Apr Navabarsha (New Year’s Day).
2 May Buddha Jayanti (Birthday of Lord Buddha).
Aug* Rakshya Bandhan (Janai Purnima).
20 Aug Children’s Day.
Aug/Sep* Krishna Janmashtami.
Sep* Fulpati Saptami.
Sep* Maha Asthami.
Sep* Maha Nawami.
Sep* Vijaya Dashami.
Oct* Laxhmi Puja.
Oct* Ghatasthapana.
Oct* Gobardhan Puja.
9 Nov Constitution Day.

* Dates to be confirmed.

Note

Some of the above are Hindu festivals, which are declared according to local astronomical observations. It is not possible to predict the exact dates of festivals occuring and the dates published are approximations. Travellers should check locally nearer the time for precise dates.

Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: Yes

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: Yes

Malaria

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Rabies

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: No*

Typhoid and Polio

Special Precaution: Yes

Health Care

The most convenient hospital for visitor care is Patan Hospital in Lagankhel. Other hospitals include the Western Regional Hospital and the Manipal Hospital in Pokhara and the Mission Hospital in Tansen. Pharmacies in Kathmandu offer a wide range of Western drugs at low prices. In Kathmandu, you can get certain vaccinations free at the Infectious Diseases Clinic. Full medical insurance is essential.

Note

* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas.

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

Nepalese Rupee (NPR; symbol Rs) = 100 paisa. Notes are in denominations of Rs1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 25 and 10 paisa.

Note: (a) Visitors should bear in mind that foreign visitors other than Indian nationals are required to pay their airline tickets, trekking permits and hotel bills in foreign currency. (b) The import of local and Indian currency is prohibited, except for nationals of Nepal and India.

Currency Exchange

It is illegal to exchange currency with persons other than authorised dealers in foreign exchange (banks, hotels and licensed money changers). Visitors should obtain Foreign Exchange Encashment Receipts when changing currency and keep them, as these will help in many transactions, including getting visa extensions and trekking permits.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express is widely accepted, with MasterCard and Visa in tourist shops, hotels, restaurants and agencies. ATMs are widely available in Nepal.

Traveller's Cheques

Accepted at banks and major hotels. If trekking, it is important to bear in mind that cash is necessary. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Banking Hours

Banks in the Kathmandu valley are open Mon-Fri 0900-1530. In other areas, opening hours are usually Sun-Thurs 1000-1500 and Fri 1000-1200. Licensed money changers are open 12 hours per day.

Passport/Visa

British

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: No

Australian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: No

Canadian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: No

USA

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: No

Other EU

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: No

Passports

Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft on the same day provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

Visa Note

(a) All nationals referred to in the chart above may obtain tourist visas on arrival at the airport. (b) Business can be conducted on a Tourist visa for up to 30 days. (c) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist: £20 (single-entry); £55 (multiple-entry). Business: applications can be made on arrival which need to be approved by the Ministry of Industry.

Validity

Visas are valid for up to six months from date of issue. Visas are valid for 60 days on first visit to Nepal in a visa year (1 January - 31 December), but only valid for 30 days when national is visiting Nepal for the second or more time in a visa year. Visas may be extended in Nepal at the Department of Immigration, Kathmandu (tel: 494 273 or 337), or the Immigration Office, Pokhara. Maximum stay in Nepal is 150 days in any calendar year. For full conditions on visa extension (including charges and conditions), contact the consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy). Visas can also be obtained on arrival from the Immigration authorities at all entry points (with fees payable in US Dollars) provided travellers are in possession of valid travel documents, two passport photos and the relevant fee. Applications for business visas must be made to the Department of Immigration (see above under Validity for contact details).

Working Days Required

Minimum 24 hours if applying in person; two weeks if applying by post.

Contact Addresses

Nepal Tourism Board

Bhrikuti Mandap, PO Box 11018, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: (1) 425 6909 or 6229.
Website: www.welcomenepal.com

Embassy of Nepal in the UK

12A Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QU, UK
Tel: (020) 7229 1594 or 6231 or 5352.
Website: www.nepembassy.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; 1000-1200 (consular section).

Embassy of Nepal in the USA

2131 Leroy Place, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 667 4550.
Website: www.nepalembassyusa.org

Travel Advice

Warning

The security situation in Kathmandu and elsewhere in Nepal has improved since the formation of an interim government on 1 April 2007. However, there continues to be sporadic law and order problems in some parts of the country, especially in the Terai, in the south of the country.

There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. Since 2006, a number of bombings, shootings and armed clashes have taken place across Nepal. On 14 January 2008, a small bomb was thrown at a moving micro-van (public transport) close to the venue of a mass political gathering in central Kathmandu, injuring several people. On 1 November 2007, a bomb exploded at the Ghantaghar chowk area in Birgunj. One person was killed and five people were injured. On 1 October 2007, a bomb exploded outside the Japanese Embassy in Panipokhari.

Since January 2007 there has been civil unrest and violence in the Terai district. Riots and roadblocks in the Terai severely disrupted transport and prevented supplies reaching the rest of the country. Tensions remain high between rival political groups and occasional clashes have broken out. In March 2007, at least 28 Maoists were killed during a clash with the Madhesis People’s Rights Forum (MJF) cadres in Gaur, central Terai. The security situation in general throughout the Terai appears to be steadily deteriorating.

The Government of Nepal has announced that elections will be held on 10 April 2008. Related bandhs (shutdowns), rallies and demonstrations are likely to take place in the run-up. These events can cause widespread disruption and can be called at short notice. Transport can be severely disrupted, roads and major highways could be blocked. Travellers are advised to avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings and remain vigilant at all times. In January 2008, demonstrations, related to an increase in fuel prices, turned violent.

Following the murder of a political group leader, a number of violent incidents have occurred around the Kapilbastu district since 16 September 2007. Curfews are still in force in some areas around the Kapilbastu district, including Krishnagar and around the Chandrota Highway.

On 29 October 2007, an earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale affected parts of central Nepal, including the Kathmandu Valley.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

• Nepal Overview
• Nepal Things to See
• Nepal Things to Do
• Nepal Events
• Nepal Climate
• Nepal Public Holidays
• Nepal Health
• Nepal Currency
• Nepal Passport & Visas
• Nepal Contact Addresses
• Nepal Travel Advice