Nepal

Nepal

 

General Info:

Nepal located on the foot of the Himalaya range and is one of the beautiful and diverse countries in the world, culturally, ethnically and geographically. Placed between India and China, Nepal houses eight out of ten world's highest peaks, including the world's tallest mountain Everest. It's a poor country yet rich with cultural treasures as Buddhism and Hinduism supply raised temples, fascinating architecture and history. While the amazing scenery supplies some of the best hiking trails on earth. Nepali people are most welcoming and humble people and having many merry festivals and holidays during the year.   

 

Capital: Kathmandu

 

Borders: China to the north and India to the south.

 

Land: 147,181 Square Kilometer

 

Population: Approximately 29,519,114 million.

 

Currency: Rupee.
In October 2008 1E= 104.15 Nepalese Rupee, 1$=78.2 Nepalese Rupee.

 

Language: Nepali and other regional languages.
In main cities services are provided in English as well. 

 

Weather: There are two seasons in Nepal: The dry season from October until May and the wet season from June to September. Monsoon hits all of Nepal and sometimes causes floods in the south. Temperature is high in May and June and colder in December and January.

 

 

Useful Information:

 

Visa – You will get a tourist visa at the entrance to Nepal for 60 days at the price of 30$.

 

Health – There are several recommended vaccinations to take before coming to Nepal - usually, Hepatitis A, Typhus and Polio. Consult a doctor before your trip and make sure to get medical travel insurance.

 

Money and Costs -

A night at a hostel                                  5 USD

A meal                                                  5-13 USD

An hour of internet                                 0.5-4 USD

A bottle of local beer                             1.5 USD          

A bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara       10-14 USD

 

Country Dialing Code – (+977)

 

Electrical Plugs – European standard (230V 50 Hz). If you are coming from country with US standard bring a converter.

 

Time Zone – GMT+5.75.

 

Transportation:

Transportation to the country:

• Plane: Nepal's Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu has direct flights to and from Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong and Delhi. Qatar Airways are flying to and from Kathmandu from many European destinations via Doha, as well as the airlines of Abu Dabi, Emirates and Bahrain via their capitals. A taxi ride from the airport to the Thamel should cost around 300-400 Rupee. 
• Bus: Would be the easiest way to enter Nepal if you are coming from India. There are five crossings open to tourists: Sunauli-Bhairawa closest to Varanasi; Raxaul-Birganj to Kolkata; Kakarbhitta-Siliguri to Darjeeling or Sikkim. Those three are the most common but there is the Banbassa-Mahendrenagar crossing that is the closest to Delhi but located in the extreme west of Nepal; and the crossing between Nepal and Tibet via Kodari which is open only to organized groups if you are entering Tibet, but also to individuals if entering Nepal. Landslides regularly make it impossible to cross the last border during monsoon season.

 Transportation inside the country:

• Plane - Royal Nepal Airlines has a domestic flights network, as well as six other privet airlines. Be aware of frequent cancellation due to bad weather conditions.
• Micro Bus – Contain 10 to 12 seats with fast service. The fair is more expensive than a local bus though.
• Super Express Buss – Usually depart between 5 to 7 am and do not make local stops. Price is cheaper than the Micro Bus but yet more expensive than a local.
• Local Bus – The cheapest way to get around though can be confusing. Sometimes crowded and contain domestic animal, known as very slow and unsafe (as safe as you can get on the mainly not-paved roads of Nepal).
• Tourist Bus – Connect Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan. Considered to be safer and reliable. Book a ticket a few days in advance in one of the travel agencies. 
• Rickshaw – Common in cities, efficient way to get around and cheap if you know to bargain well.
• Tempo – Three wheeled micro-bus with 10-12 seats, cost around 5-12 Rupee.
• Taxi – Common around the airport and in Kathmandu, a payment of what the meter shows with 10% tip is expected.
• Car – You can hire a car only with a local driver.
• Motorcycle – Can be rented in Kathmandu and Pokhara, but the roads are dangerous.
• Bicycles – Mountain bikes can be rented in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lumbini and sometimes can make it faster than a local bus.

 

Where to go:

 

                  East:

• Kathmandu – The colorful and enchanting capital is full of attractions for visitors: sculptures, temples, markets, pubs, clubs, books stores and great restaurants.
• Patan – The most ancient city in Nepal and the peaceful twin of Kathmandu: markets, artisans, fancy temples and ancient history.
• Bhaktapur – Authentic Hindu culture in a town well preserved and not yet affected by western tourism or Buddhism. 
• Lumbini – The birth place of Buddha and one of four sacred cities to Buddhism.
• Everest Base Camp Trek – Challenging trek that can take between 14-22 days – it depends if you decide to fly in to Lulka and save a week of walking.

 

                  Center:

• Pokhara – The breathtaking vacation city, located at a lake among green mountains and white summits.   
• ABC (Annapurna Base Camp) Trek- A 10 -12 days challenging trek reaching Annapurna's base camp.
• Around Annapurna Trek- 18-22 days of surrounding the Annapurna range (possible to take a plane back to Pokhara after the second week).
• Jomsom Trek – A week in each direction or taking a flight back to Pokhara after a week.
• Kali Gandaki River – Rafting trip of three days or more.