Nepal

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Quick Facts

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Capital

Kathmandu

Government

Parliamentary Democracy and Constitutional Monarchy

Nationality

Nepalese

Population

26,427,399^[1]

Languages

Nepali, Newar, Maithili, Tharu, Thamang, Magar, Jumli

Religions

Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Kirant Munduhm

Currency

Nepalese Rupee (NPR) ₨

Calling Code

+977

Time Zone

UTC+5:45

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Introduction

haktapur market seller and Bodnath Stupa in Kathmandu

© All Rights Reserved HansNL

Nepal is a destination that is burned on your memory, unable to be forgotten but always longed for. The Nepalese formula combines cultural interest through hundreds of century-old temples and religious traditions with the natural beauty that Nepal is so blessed to boast. With eight of the ten tallest mountains in the world within its borders, you know to expect something extraordinary - but no number of photos can prepare you for the real thing. Its jungles, often forgotten amidst the grandeur of Mount Everest and its fellow Himalayan brothers, are equally impressive, though in a vastly different way.

However, the political situation in Nepal is currently not stable. Violence involving travellers has been common. Travel advisory services are currently recommending a high degree of caution.^[2][3][4]

Brief History

Geography

Nepal shares international borders with China and India.

Regions

Nepal is organised into 5 developmental regions.

• Central Nepal includes Kathmandu.
• Eastern Nepal includes the Everest region and the Arun valley.
• Far Western Nepal
• Midwestern Nepal
• Western Nepal includes Pokhara and the Annapurna region.

Cities

• Kathmandu
• Pokhara
• Biratnagar
• Lalitpur
• Birganj
• Dharan

Sights and Activities

Royal Chitwan National Park

The Royal Chitwan National Park was established in 1973 and contains 932 square kilometersitage with a diversity of ecosystems-including the Churia hills, Ox-bow lakes, and the flood plains of the Rapti, Reu and Narayani Rivers. It is located west of Kathmandu at the foot of the Himalayas and is one of the few remaining undisturbed vestiges of the 'Terai' region, which formerly extended over the foothills of India and Nepal. It has a high biodiversity which makes this park unique in Nepal and wildlife includes one of the last populations of single-horned Asiatic rhinoceros and several dozens of Bengal tiger, although the last one is a matter of pure luck to see this elusive big cat. It is placed on the Unesco World Heritage List.

Annapurna Circuit

trek around annapurna

© All Rights Reserved mbbb5

This hike is one of the most impressive ones anywhere in the world but come prepared with a very good physical conditions as this hike is not for the faint of heart, taking 17 to 21 days! It is definately one of the best treks in Nepal, though road construction is threatening its reputation and its future as a classic trek. The scenery still is outstanding though the trek takes you through distinct sceneries of rivers, mountains, and flora and fauna. The trek goes counter-clockwise and reaches its summit in Thorung La (pass) at the height of 5416m. Altitude sickness is one of the biggest risks but because of the slow ascent it shouldn't be that much of a problem for most travellers.

Kathmandu Valley

Another Unesco World Heritage Site, the Kathmandu Valley contains seven groups of monuments and buildings which display the full range of historic and artistic achievements for which the Kathmandu Valley is world famous. It is of extreme importance regarding the cultural heritage in the country. The seven groups of monuments and buildings include the Durbar Squares of Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu), Patan and Bhaktapur, the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhu and Bauddhanath and the Hindu temples of Pashupati and Changu Narayan.

Pokhara

Offering a Beautiful lake, fresh trails, good eateries and a peaceful life style Pokhara will have it all for you. Nepal's second city is the opposite to Katmandu's hectic overcrowded streets. Enchanting music streams out of store fronts onto the peaceful one road that is Pokhara's lakeside. Here you can shop till you drop with a host of trekking stores all conveniently lined up. Once you are tired of that you can eat and drink in the many restaurants that overlook the still aters of late Phewa Tal. Take a trip up to the World Peace Pagoda or go Para gliding from the top of a nearby mountain. Visit caves and go rafting, or arrange everything to do with your trek in this paradise of Nepal.

Other sights and activities

Mt. Everest

© All Rights Reserved travel_adv

• Mount Everest - one of the most Famous Mountains in the world.
• Sagarmatha National Park - high mountain park, including the Everest. It's a Unesco World Heritage site.
• Lumbini - Birthplace of Lord Budha, Unesco site.

Events and Festivals

Weather

Nepal generally has a rather warm and humid climate, but conditions vary a lot and of course this has to do with altitude. The lower parts have temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius or more during the hotter March to October period and from June to September it also is the rainy period. This time of year is not advised for a visit of course. Kathmandu has somewhat lower temperatures on average and the western lower areas are the hottest in the country. Winters last from November to March and still are relatively warm and for most parts dry as well, but temperatures in Kathmandu for example can drop slightly below zero from January onwards. The higher you get the colder it gets and of course there is no place in the world where you can theoretically go higher, so be prepared and take warm clothes when you go hiking. The best time for a visit probably is the October to December season when it is dry, clear, warm but not too hot or cold. The monsoon has ended and this means there also is little dust in the air, so the chances to actually see the highest peaks are best.

Getting There

By Plane

Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu is the only international airport in Nepal. Nepal Airlines, the national airline, serves flights to Hong Kong, Osaka, Shanghai, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Delhi and Dubai.

By Train

There are no possibilities of getting to Nepal by train.

By Car

You can cross into Nepal by car from India at 5 crossing points. Be sure to have the proper information regarding the car, sufficient insurance and of course an international driving licence.

By Bus

There are four border crossings to India: The Sunauli-Bhairawa border crossing is the best one to choose if you are heading to or coming from Varanasi, the Raxaul-Birganj crossing to is to or from Kolkata, and Siliguri-Kakarbhitta is to Darjeeling. The Banbassa-Mahendrenagar border crossing in the extreme west of Nepal, is the closest to Delhi.
The border crossing between Nepal and Tibet via Kodari is open to independent travelers entering Nepal, but only to organised groups entering Tibet.
Note that there are no direct connections, you have to switch buses at the border and pass on foot.

By Boat

Nepal is a landlocked country and no river crossings are possible either.

Getting Around

By Plane

Royal Nepal Airlines offers and extensive network of domestic flights. Other airlines, offering less frequent flights to several destinations include companies with beautiful names like Yeti Airlines, Buddha Air, Cosmic Air, Skyline Airways and Gorkha Airlines.
Destination to and from Kathmandu include places like Luklu, Pokhara, Simikot, Jomsom, Janakpur and Bharatpur.

Note that cancellations due to severe weather conditions or more human and mechanical problems are the case. If you have time, just board the next plane.

By Train

Apart from a cargo and passenger train in the far east from Janakpur, crossing the border with India, there are no options. And even this one is not carrying tourists across that same border.

By Car

Recent increases in fuel prices following a series of bandhs (strikes) and chronic shortages have made private transport much more expensive than before, with petrol hovering at 120 NRs per litre. A short ride from Kathmandu to Patan, around 4 km, now costs 250 - 300 NRs, around 4 to 5 USD.
As you can not rent a car and drive yourself, you are highly likely to rent a car with a driver. This is possible for a day, multiple day trips or even longer trips and saves you the hassle of the chaotic traffic in some parts. Bargain about the prices and watch the car you are going with. Sometimes you pay a bit more through a travel agent, but car and driver (doubling as a guide) are often of a better quality.
Roads are of a mixed quality, with some well paved main roads, but muddy dirt roads more into the interior and the mountains. Many of these mountain roads can be impassable during the June to September monsoon season.

By Bus

Public buses in the city, often converted mini-vans and pickup trucks, are usually very crowded on most routes. Long distance public buses are usually much less crowded.
More comfortable tourist buses frequently ply major tourist routes such as the Kathmandu, Chitwan, Pokhara and to the Indian border at Sunauli. The Greeline Tourist Bus, a really great option for travelling between Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara, costs 30USD and includes the price of a buffet lunch along the way. It's comfortable, cheap, and the journey is beautiful.
There are often also smaller 12 seaters and minibuses plying the same routes.

Other transport by land

Renting motorcycles and bicycles is becoming more and more popular and although much of the country is moutainous, there are parts that are perfectly travelld by bike, especially in the Kathmandu Valley.
In the mountains, your feeth will be the best way to get around and there are circuits in the higher Himalaya ranging from a day to several weeks or more!
And then there are some more special ways of getting around, especially in the Kathmandu Valley and in and near Pokhara, including the bicycle-rikshaw and the tempo (three-wheeled buses).

By Boat

There are no regular passenger services by boat useful to travellers. Probably some chartered boats on a lake and rafting a river are your only options of being in or on a boat at all.

Red Tape

All foreigners, except Indians, need a visa. Nepali embassies and consulates overseas issue visas with no problem at all. You can also get one on the spot when you arrive in Nepal, either at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan Airport or at road borders: Nepalganj, Birganj/Raxaul Bazaar, Sunauli, Kakarbhitta, Mahendranagar, Dhangadhi and even the funky Kodari checkpoint on the road to Tibet. A Nepali visa is valid for entry for three to six months from the date of issue.
People from China and Southeast Asian countries can get a visa for free. You can get 30-day extensions in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Money

See also: Money Matters

The Nepali rupee (Rs) is divided into 100 paisa (p). There are coins for denominations of one, two, five and 10 rupees, and bank notes in denominations of one, two, five, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rupees.

Work

Study

Language

Nepali (Khaskura Bhasha) is the main language, but there are over 120 other languages spoken in Nepal, such as:

• Awadhi
• Bahing
• Hindi
• Limbu
• Maithili
• Mundari
• Newari

English is understood by most of the educated population of Nepal and those who are regularly around tourists.

Eat

Sleep

Drink

Always drink bottled or purified water in Nepal. You may imagine that the water filtering down from the mountains will be fresh and clean. It may be to start with, but not once it reaches the tap in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Water purifcation tablets can be easily purchased in Nepal or you can take them with you from home. It might be a good idea to take a water bottle with you that you can purify the water in if you are doing a long trek or just buy bottled water from the shops and cafes.

Drinking alcohol and trekking at high altitutes do not sit well together as drinking can encourage dehydration and ruin the next days trek for you.

Alcohol is available but can be relatively expensive if it has to be transported to a remote post on a trek route. There are some great pubs and bars in Kathmandu that serve cocktails and alcoholic drinks at reasonable prices.

Health

See also: Travel Health

Contact your local GP or tropical medical centre before you leave. It is always important to advise travellers to seek contact with a medical professional for the latest information at least 6 weeks prior to departure.

In Nepal you run a greater risk of becoming ill than at home. Always drink bottled or purified water. There are more varieties of bacteria for example, in a subtropical climate (the lowlands), and your body isn't as used to them as you don't live in that area of the world. Although the risk of getting ill must not be exaggerated, and certainly should not spoil your enjoyment of the holiday, it is advisable to be prepared for your trip and to be aware of the health risks of that country.

If you are currently taking prescription medicines, be sure to pack the instruction leaflet with you, and carry some spare medicine. This will make life a lot easier if you happen to lose the medicine, especially when trying to explain the medication to a Nepali pharmacist. Although the marketing name may vary from country to country, the chemist will certainly understand the written chemical contents.

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, be sure to take a copy of your prescription, as well as extra glasses or spare lenses.

Last minute trips to Nepal shouldn't be a problem to an already healthy person, but be sure to double check with your for up-to-date advice before you leave. Always carry your vaccinations booklet with you.

Here are a couple of websites providing excellent, up-to-the-minute information about travel health:

• World Health Organisation
• Fit for Travel

Altitude sickness - or acute mountain sickness (AMS) is one of the major concerns for trekkers in Nepal, particularly at high altitudes. This condition occurs when you ascend quickly to altitudes above 2000-2500 metres. Whether you are likely to get altitude sickness varies per person, some suffer from symptoms while others have no problems at all, and you could be feeling fine on one day of your Nepal trek but suffer from headaches and nausea (typical symptoms of altitude sickness) the next.
You can usually avoid altitude sickness by giving your body plenty of time to acclimatise and drinking plenty of fluids during your Nepal trek. Altitude sickness may be mild or severe.
Mild altitude sickness (benign AMS): symptoms usually occur within the first 24 hours at altitude and can include shortness of breath, headache, nausea, lethargy and loss of appetite. Treatment for benign AMS is to stay at the same altitude or even descend from your Nepal trek if the symptoms don't improve within a couple of days. Paracetamol can help for headaches and if necessary additional medication or oxygen can be given.

Severe altitude sickness (malignant AMS): in cases of malignant AMS the headache worsens and shortness of breath increases even when you're resting particularly at night. Other symptoms include severe lethargy and lack of balance and coordination (walking looks like you're drunk) and irrational behaviour. This is a very serious condition that if left untreated can lead to pulmonary or cerebral oedema and even death. The best treatment for severe altitude sickness is to descend from your Nepal trek immediately! Additional medication and oxygen can also be given.
If you're travelling to Tibet you are already at a very high altitude the moment you step off the plane and there's no easy way to descend to a lower altitude. Taking plenty of time to acclimatise is therefore essential if you're planning on travelling to Tibet.

Preventing altitude sickness during your Nepal trek:

• Ascend slowly to altitudes above 2500 metres.
• Take 48 hours to acclimatise when ascending above 2500 metres.
• Avoid alcohol or sleeping pills.
• Drink plenty of water or herbal tea (no alcohol or coffee).
• The altitude at which you sleep should be no higher than 300 metres than your sleeping altitude of the previous night.
• Avoid using Diamox, an anti-AMS drug as it has been known to mask symptoms of AMS.
• In cases of severe altitude sickness a helicopter can be chartered but this is very expensive and can only be arranged through a trekking agency or your embassy and a deposit needs to be paid in advance.

Safety

See also: Travel Safety

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also: International Telephone Calls

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