Nepal, birthplace of the Buddha, roof of the world, land of the legend, beauty-within it’s narrow confines contains an amazing range of culture and physical environment, presenting one with an abundance of contrasts and experiences. From the vast sweep of the Himalayan peaks in the north to the subtropical expanse of open country side and wild jungles to the south, squares brimming with fairy tale temple and palaces to the timeless remote and untouched villages. It is an open invitation to gain precious insight into a fast disappearing world and embark on truly life enhanced journeys of discovery.

Being at that confluence, the intruding of culture icons cannot be better showcased where it would be difficult to distinguish between what is northern Tibetan and southern Indian. Its where Buddhism and Hinduism have influenced and to a high degree. Thus if you asked a Nepali his religious he may reply Hindu but a Buddhist too. The greatest binding factor across the Himalayan valleys has been this spiritual mix stirred by rituals. Both thoughts stem from a series of beautiful spiritual streams composed over long periods of time, the earliest around 700 B.C., the latest around the late medieval. By their spirituality, the Upanishads, unlike the Vedas, where more concerned with practice than mere devotion.

Fast Facts

There are a few countries with geography as diverse as Nepal’s. Within its narrow borders you will find a complete climate range, from tropical to temperate, alpine to arctic. Within this spectacular geography is also found one of the richest diverse cultural landscapes.

The Himalayas extends from Assam in eastern India to Afghanistan in the west and is the highest and youngest mountain chain on earth. To the North lies China and the rest of Nepal’s borders are shared with India.

There are four seasons in Nepal: The winter is from December – February. Spring is from March to May. The summer from June to August and autumn from September – November.

Nepal can be visited throughout the year, although activities like Safari Excursions, Rafting, Trekking and Mountain flights are best from October to May.

Area : 147,181 sq. km.

Geography : Situated between China in the North and India in the South.

Capital : Kathmandu

Population : Nepal has almost 26 million people comprising of a variety of races and tribes, speaking different language and dialects.

Language :There are more than 30 languages and dialects and as many distinct ethnic groups. Nepali is the official language and English is understood and spoken by majority of the people in Kathmandu valley and other major cities.

Currency : Nepalese Rupee (approx. US$ 1 equals Rs. 78.00 as of July 2002).

Political System :Multi-party Democracy with constitutional monarchy.

Religion : Nepal is a religious melting pot and the major religions are Hinduism (90%), Buddhism (6%), Islam (3%) and the rest (1%) comprise of catholic and others. But there is a harmony among the religious.

However, there is a harmonious blending of Hinduism and Buddhism.

Climate : Nepal has four major seasons, namely a) Winter: December-February, b) Spring: March-May, c) Summer: July-August, d) Autumn: September-November: Nepal can be visited the whole year around.

People : Nepal has more than 61 ethnic groups and 70 spoken languages,

What To Wear : Light weight clothing is recommended for May through October. Warm garments are required in October-March. An umbrella or a raincoat is a must for the rainy season.


ENTRY PROCEDURES :

Foreigners

Visa
Except Indian Nationals all other citizens must possess a valid visa, which can be obtained from any of the Royal Nepalese Embassies or consulates abroad. A 15 days visa can be procured at the airport or check post after filling the relevant application from along with two passport size photographs and paying the visa fee.

Any one stopping over for 3 or less days will be given a free Visa. Chinese Nationals will get a fee Visa as per the program booked (Applicable only if flying in and out of the country).

A) Entry: No foreigner is entitled to enter into and stay in the Kingdom of Nepal without valid visa. Tourist entry visa can be obtained for the following duration from Royal Nepalese Embassy or Consulate or other mission offices or immigration offices located on entry points in Nepal.

B) Chinese citizen are requested to apply in Royal Nepalese Embassy or other Nepalese diplomatic missions as there is no provision of on arrival visa for them.

1. Visitors who are entering into Nepal first time in a visa year (Jan-Dec):

Facilities Duration Fee
1. Single entry 60 days from the date of entry US$ 30 or equivalent convertible foreign or Nepalese currency.

2. For Sri Lankan pilgrims visiting to Lumbini can get single entry visa for 15 days in US $10 or equivalent convertible currency.

3. Additional re – entry cost : US$ 25 – Single; US$ 40 – Double; US$ 60 – Multiple.

4. For visitors intending to stay more than 60 days, tourist visa extension fee is equivalent of US$ 50 (in Nepalese currency) for 30 days from the Department of Immigration. Visitors who intend to re-enter the country within 150 days after leaving the country during the same visa year, entry visa fee is US$ 50 for 30 days.

5. Business visa (with multiple entry) can be obtained from the Department of Immigration for the period of one year and five years upon the recommendation of the Ministry of Industry by paying the equivalent of US$ 100 and US$ 250 respectively in Nepalese currency for the foreign investors


ACCESS TO NEPAL

BY AIR: The Royal Nepal Airlines(RA) is the National Flag Carrier of Nepal with flights to/from Delhi, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Osaka, Shanghai and Singapore. Other International Airlines operating from/to Kathmandu are Aeroflot Russian Airlines(Moscow), Lauda Air(Vienna), Biman Bangladesh Airlines(Dacca), China South-West Airlines(Lhasa), Condor(Munich), Dragon Air(Hong Kong), Druk Air(Paro), Gulf Air(Abu Dhabi), Indian Airlines(Delhi, Calcutta, Varanasi), Necon Air(Patna, Varanashi), Pakistan International Airlines(Karachi), Singapore Airlines(Singapore), Qatar Airways(Doha), Thai International(Bangkok), Transavia(Amsterdam via Sharjah).

BY LAND: 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 and (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.

MOUNTAIN FLIGHT
Royal Nepal Airlines and other domestic Airlines in the private sector operate breath-taking mountain flights for tourists round the year.


FACILITIES:
Nepal has every category of accommodation facilities. These range from the international standard star hotels to budget hotels and lodges. In order to have an assured quality service, it is advisable to use the facilities and services of government registered hotels, lodges, travel agencies, the licensed tour guides only and engage an authorized trekking guide or porter only through a registered travel/trekking agency.

MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

Jungle Safari: Royal Chitwan and Bardiya National Parks and Royal Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve offer exciting safari holidays. Jungle activities here include venturing into deep jungle on elephant back or four wheel drive to view wild animals in their natural habitat, canoe rides on the jungle rivers, nature walks, bird watching and village tour excursions.

Village Tours: Village tours allow visitors to experience a stay in a typical Nepali village. This gives visitors an opportunity to observe the rich Nepalese cultural tradition from the closest quarter and intermingle with the locals. Besides, any expenses made at that level directly contribute to the welfare of the local community, hence giving the visitor a sense of satisfaction. Village Tours are conducted in Sirubari, Gorkha and other places.

Sight-seeing: For those who can not withstand the rigorousness of mountain climbing there are mountain flights which fly around Mt. Everest and other summits providing a close-up view of the top of the world. On a clear day, the hill resorts of Nagarkot (32 km. East of Kathmandu), Dhulikhel (32 km.) and Daman (80 km. southwest of Kathmandu) afford magnificent views of Mt. Everest and the entire Himalayan range. For the less adventurous, Pokhara, the lake city of Nepal provides ample opportunities for fishing, swimming, canoeing and boating along with majestic panoramic views in its background.

A Rich cultural heritage: Nepal offers an incomparable scope to connoisseurs of art and culture to see and study the different aspects of fine arts in its painting, sculpture, woodcarving and architecture. The three main historic cities of Kathmandu, Patan and bhaktapur with numerous historical monuments, old palaces and palace squares, shrines and temples, ageless traditions and legends make it a veritable living museum. The Kathmandu Valley boasts seven World Cultural Heritage Sites all within a radius of 20 km.

Kathmandu Valley

The Kathmandu Valley, the capital, is the political, commercial and cultural hub of Nepal. Spread across an area of 360 square kilometers and at an altitude of 1336 meter above the sea level, Kathmandu is an exotic and fascinating showcase of a very rich culture, art and tradition. The valley, roughly oval bowl measuring 24 km east-west and 19 km north-south, is encircled by a range of green terraced hills and dotted by compact clusters of red tiled-roofed houses.

A remarkable legend speaks that the valley was once covered by a lake until the Bodhisattva Manjushri raised his sword of wisdom and sliced a passage through the mountain walls, draining the water and creating the first settlements. The valley embraces most of Nepal's ethinc groups, but Newars are the indigenous inhabitants and the creators of the valley's splendid civilization

Not very long ago, it was said that there were just as many houses as there were temples and shrines in Kathmandu valley. Now, of course, that fact does not hold true because of the rapid urbanization and population growth in the

last three decades. Nevertheless, the valley still exhibits a living, breathing entity,a vital culture that has miraculously survived till now.