General Information

Nepal is a country of high Himalayan Mountains, artistic monuments, exotic wildlife, and diverse cultures. It is the land where Lord Buddha was born over 2,500 years ago. The country covers an area of 147,181 square kilometers, and stretches 145-241 kilometers north to south and 850 kilometers west to east and is located between India in the South and China in the North. Nepal is primarily an agricultural country. Tourism, carpets and garments are major industries. Tucked away between India and the Tibetan Plateau, Nepal is dominated by the towering Himalayas – a majestic range of snowy giants standing guard over the stunning beauty of our country. Thanks to these huge mountains, Nepal enjoys the widest range of altitude of any country in the world. Altitudes vary from as little as 70m on the Terai plains to Mount Everest’s colossal peak at 8848m. As a result, our vegetation zones include tropical, subtropical, temperate and alpine areas.

In these diverse natural environments an incredible range of flora and fauna flourish, attracting nature lovers all year round. Nepal is an ornithologist’s paradise, with over 800 species of birds,  including storks, pheasants, cuckoos and enormous birds of prey. For those who prefer larger animals, a visit to one of the National Parks could reward you with a sighting of our famous royal Bengal tigers, bears or one horned rhino. You do not have to go far to see the monkeys, many of whom live side by side with the residents of towns and villages!

Neither do you need to go to a museum to find evidence of Nepal’s long and fascinating history: it’s all around you in the towns and villages that dot the Kathmandu valley and lie hidden in the mountain ranges. Villages where everyday life still follows long established traditions, and where time almost seems to have stood still.

The Nepalese are naturally a friendly, welcoming people. We enjoy meeting people from around the world, and are proud to share our wonderful country with you. Visitors to Nepal often return time and time again, drawn by the stunning scenery, the warm and smiling people, the outdoor adventure and the special atmosphere that pervades the clear mountain air.

Location & Geography:  Nepal covers an area of 147,181 square kilometers, and stretches 145-241 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 degrees east, Nepal is topographically divided into three regions: the Himalaya to the north, the hills consisting of the Mahabharat range and the Churia Hills, and the Terai to the south. Elevations are varied in the country. The highest point is Mt. Everest (8848 m) in the north and the lowest point (70 meters above sea level) is located at Kechana Kalan of Jhapa District. Altitude increases as you travel south to north To the north temperatures are below – 40 degrees Celsius and in the Terai, temperatures rise to 40 degrees Celsius in the summer. During June, July and August, the Nepal is influenced by monsoon clouds.

Language:
Nepali, written in the Devanagari script, is the national language as well as the lingua franca for Nepal’s diverse communities. Numerous languages and dialects are spoken in the kingdom, however, only six (Nepali, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang and Nepalbhasa) are spoken by more than half a million people. English and Hindi are widely understood in the urban centers and areas frequented by tourists.

Time:
A Nepal standard time is 5 hrs 45 minutes ahead of GMT and 15 minutes ahead of Indian standard time.

Currency:
Nepalese currency is the rupee (abbr. Rs.) which is divided into paisa. Bank notes come in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 25, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1 rupee. Exchange rate is approximately US $ 1 = Rs. 70.00

Climate:
Nepal contains a variety of climatic conditions ranging from the tropical heat of the Terai plains to the freezing cold of the high Himalayan. The mid-hills, particularly the Kathmandu Valley, are pleasant with warm summers and cool winters. Temperatures range between a maximum of 37 and a minimum of 8 degrees Celsius in the plains, 28 and 2 degrees Celsius in the Kathmandu Valley, and between -6 and 16 degrees Celsius in the mountains. The rainy season lasts from June to August.

Maximum-Minimum Temperatures (in degrees Celsius; * rainy seasons)

Absolute extreme temperatures: Bhairawa (max 42-min 5); Gorkha (33-5); Janakpur (42-4); Jiri (28-minus6)

Visas andPermits
Visa for Nepal: All foreign nationals (except Indians) require a visa to enter Nepal. Visas are obtainable from embassies abroad or on arrival at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan airport. If getting the visa at the airport be prepared for long queues. There have been instances when passengers were asked to show return flight tickets. You will also need to provide two passport photos and the following fees in US dollars cash only: multi entry visa valid for 15 days – US$25, multi entry visa valid for 30 days – US$40, multi entry visa valid for 90 days – US$100.

***Please note if you are staying in Nepal for less than 24 hours while in transit a transit visa can be issued on presentation of your international flight ticket, there is a nominal charge of US$5 and two photos are required

ENTRY PROCEDURES:
Nepalese entry procedures change frequently. As of Jan. 2000 you can obtain a 60 day single entry visa at any entry point in Nepal for US $30. It is recommended to check prior to arriving in Nepal what the current procedure is and also to bring at least one passport photo with you if you intend arranging your visa on arrival here. (Carry all necessary documentation in your hand luggage.)

CLOTHES:
Medium-weight and easy to wash cottons can be a good choice year round in the Kathmandu Valley. From October to February, woolen sweaters, jackets or similar other warm outfits are necessary. Short or long-sleeved shirts are good March through May. From June to September, light and loose garments are advisable.

MONEY & CREDIT CARD:
American Express, Visa & Master Card are accepted at major hotels, travel agencies, restaurants, carpet and curio shops throughout the country.

OFFICAL HOLIDAYS:
Saturday is the weekend holidays in Nepal when most government offices are closed. Most business are closed only on Saturdays.

WORKING HOURS:
Government offices open from 9 A.M. to 17 P.M. in the summer and from 9 A.M. till 16 P.M. in the winter.

INSURANCE:
A travel insurance policy that covers theft, loss and medical treatment is recommended. Make sure the insurance also covers the activities that you will be undertaking during your stay in Nepal such as trekking or river rafting.

FOR MORE DETAILS FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING LINKS:

Important Information
Nepal Trekking Bureau is trying to provide as much information links as possible. We believe these links will be very much informative and up to date news and information.

• Nepal Trekking Bureau Offers the different Adventure Activities in the Himalaya
• Visa Online Nepal Tourists Visa application
• Lonely Planet Guide For travel information
• Medical Informations A site provides complete altitude(AMS) information, causes and treatments
• Child Environment Nepal(CEN) A Charity supports by Himalayan Glacier Trekking
• KEEP A non profit organization work for sustainable Tourism & HGT is working with
• Recommended Travel Library An informative collection of trekking tales from Nepal
• Nepal Information Page An information resource for those planning a trip to Nepal
• Kantipur Online Nepal Online News
• Nepal News Nepal Online News
• Nepal Tourism Board A board promote Nepal Tourism World Wide and deliver Nepal information
• Nepal Immigration For Tourists visa as well as other visa information
• TAAN A association of Trekking Agencies of Nepal
• Nepal Mountaineering Association A association of Nepal Mountaineers
• UK foreign affairs must see site for travel advisory
• USA foreign affairs a must see site for travel advisory
• Australia foreign affairs a must see site for travel advisory
• New Zealand foreign affairs a must see site for travel advisory
• French foreign affairs
• Currency Converter Check for current rates of different currencies
• Time & Dates Check the Golbal Time & Dates