|
TRAVEL GUIDE TO NEPAL
Airport Taxes
Airport tax of Rs. 600/- per passenger is levied
on departure to SAARC (South Asian) Countries: Bangladesh, India,
Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Rs. 1000/- for departure to
other international destinations. For domestic flights those flying
within Nepal are required to pay Rs. 30 in rural area and Rs. 100 in
urban areas
Baggage
On Domestic flights,
passengers are allowed 44 pounds of luggage per person. On International
flights, passengers are allowed two pieces of checked luggage. Excess
luggage fees will be charged if you check more than the stated
allowances, and these charges are your responsibility. At most
major airports, baggage carts are available for your luggage, usually
for a small additional fee.
Back to Top▲
Climate
and Clothing
The seasons in Nepal can broadly be categorized into two- dry and wet
with monsoon. There is dry season from October to May while wet season
of the monsoons last from June to September. The coming up of dry season
- from September till November - is the Autumn and is the best time of
the year in Nepal. With the end of monsoon and the advent of Autumn,
different kinds of celebrations start in Nepal. The countryside is green
and lush during this period. Nepal celebrate their two popular
festivals, Dashain and Tihar during this time. Summer months in Nepal
are from April to September while winter months are from November to
March. In the north summers are mild and winters harsh while quite the
opposite in the south.
Lightweight cotton clothing is recommended from May through October.
Warm clothes are needed for winter. An umbrella or raincoat is a
necessary for the monsoons.
Communications
Telephone Services: Telephone, fax, telex and telegraph services are
available at the Nepal Telecommunications Corporation at Tripureshwar.
Hotels and private communications centers provide long distance
telephone. For calling from outside, country code for Nepal is 977 and
the area code for Kathmandu is 1.
Postal Services: The Central Post Office located near Dharahara
Tower, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The counters
are open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and provide stamps, postcards and
aerograms. Post office is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to
5 p.m. Express Mail Service (EMS) is available at GPO and at Thamel,
Basantapur and airport postal counters.
Internet Services: Several Internet cafes and communication centers
have opened up in the Valley and around the country in the past few
years. Visitors only have to find a place they are most comfortable in
to use the facilities to keep in touch with home. E-mail and Internet
services are also offered by hotels.
Currency
The unit of the Nepalese Currency is Rupee. One Nepali Rupee is made
up of 100 paisa. Nepali Rupee notes come in Rs. 1, Rs. 2, Rs. 5, Rs. 10,
Rs. 20, Rs. 25, Rs. 50, Rs. 100, Rs. 500, Rs. 1000. Coins come in 1, 2,
5, 10, 20, 25, 50, Rs. 1, Rs. 2, Rs. 5, and denominations.
Foreign currencies must be exchanged only through banks or authorized
foreign exchange dealers. The receipts from such transaction are to be
obtained and retained. Visitors can exchange money at the foreign
exchange counter at the airport upon arrival. Indian currency of
Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 bills are not allowed to be brought into Nepal. They
will not be exchanged and will not be accepted for transaction of any
kind.
Credit cards like the American Express, Visa and Master Card are
accepted. Convertible currencies are as follows: Dollar (U.S.,
Australian, Hong Kong, Canadian, Singapore); Euro(Swiss, French,
Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Italy); Pound (U.K.); Yen (Japan). Please
retain your encashment for changing back local currency into foreign
currency on departure at exit points or at Tribhuvan International
Airport departure lounge.
Banks in Kathmandu Valley are open between 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. from
Monday through Friday. They are closed on Saturdays, Sunday and other
public holidays. In other places banks are open from 10 a.m. to 2:30
p.m. from Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Fridays
and are closed on Saturdays and government holidays. ATM machines are
located in a few banks in the capital. Money can be transferred from
other parts of the world from the numerous transfer agencies in the
capital.
Back to Top▲
Customs Regulations
All baggage must be declared and cleared through customs on
arrival at the entry. Personal effects are permitted free entry.
Passengers arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) without any
dutiable goods can proceed through the Green Channel for quick clearance
without a baggage check. If you are carrying dutiable articles, you have
to pass through the Red Channel for detailed customs clearance.
Electricity
The voltage in Nepal is 220 Volts AC.
Electrical appliances will require an adapter that can change the shape
of the plug prongs, as well as an electrical voltage converter that will
allow a normal 110-volt American appliance to take the 220 Volt current.
Food and
Water
Stomach upsets are the most likely travel health
problem but the majority of these cases are minor problems. Thoroughly
cooked food is the safest but not if it has been left to cool. One
should be careful about what one eats and drinks. The number one rule is
not to drink tap water or other water from open sources. Reputable
brands of bottled water or soft drinks are available.
Do not drink unpasteurized milk. Boiled milk is fine if it is kept
hygienically and yogurt is usually good. Tea or coffee should also be
all right since the water would have been boiled. Salads and fruit
should be washed with purified water or peeled where possible. Food,
drink and snack from reputable sources are usually safe. However beware
of food that has been kept out in the open for long.
Heath
Matters
Visitors do not need any particular immunization for visit except
if arriving from an infected area . Vaccinations for cholera,
meningitis, tetanus and diphtheria, typhoid and gamma globulin should,
however, be considered. It may be a good idea to get a complete check-up
before departure.
Medical facilities in Kathmandu Valley are sound. All kinds of
medicines, including those imported from overseas are available in
Kathmandu. Kathmandu Valley also offers the services of major general
hospitals and private clinics. Health posts have been set up by the
government in different parts of rural Nepal. However, facilities are
not on par with those found in Kathmandu Valley.
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,
rafting.
Back to Top▲
Holidays
Prithvi Narayan Shah's Birthday - Jan 10th or 11th
Basanta Panchami - Jan/Feb
Shiva Raatri - Feb/Mar
Democracy Day - Feb 18th or 19th
Nawa Barsa (Nepali New Year) Apr 13th or 14th
Chait Dasain - Mar/Apr
Ram Nawami - Mar/Apr
Buddha Jayanti - Apr/May
King's Birthday - Jul 6th or 7th
Janai Purnima - Jul/Aug
Krishna Asthami - Jul/Aug
Dasain (5–6 days) - Sep/Oct
Tihaar (3 days) - Oct/Nov
Constitution Day – Nov 8th or 9th
Passports and Visas
Nationals of SAARC countries and China do not need visa when visiting
Nepal. Other non-Nepali visitors do not need visa to be in Nepal for
three days. Visa must be obtained for staying over the initial period of
three days. First single entry to Nepal for 60 days from the date of
entry is US $ 30 or equivalent convertible foreign or Nepali currency.
The second entry in the same visa year for 30 days from the date of
entry is US $ 30. Visa for
stay up to 30 days can be obtained upon arrival at the airport.
Time Difference
Standard Time in
India is 5:45 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and 10:45 hours ahead of Eastern
Standard Time, USA.
Tipping
Tipping is a newly accepted custom in Nepal.
Hotel, restaurant, touring and trekking organization staff members often
make up for relatively meager wages with tips. But, it should only
reward good work. Don't tip for short taxi rides in town or any service
person you've bargain with. Groups might give a reasonable amount per
day to a tip pool to be divided among the staff, generally relative to
rank, for good service. Gratuities for travel guides and drivers on
private tours is customary.
Transportation
All ground transportation, airport
transfers and sightseeing, will be provided via private car and guide.
If you wish to explore on your own, we recommend metered taxis that can
be hailed off the streets and are easily recognizable by the taxi sign
and their black number plates. Night taxis are available for higher
prices. Three wheeler scooters that are cheaper than taxis are also
available. For cheaper rides buses and teeny vans called micro buses are
available to different parts of the Valley.
What to Pack?
Valid Passport.
Travelers Checks. Copy of Your Airline Ticket.
Mosquitoes
repellent. Your Medicines.
Medications for diarrhea
and other digestive system ailments. Departure
documents. Travel alarm clock. Camera(s), batteries & films. Sunscreen/Tan lotion. Pocket size
Kleenex. Extra luggage locks/keys. First Aid kit. Soft, foldable
slippers. Extra set of eyeglasses. Folding Umbrella. Comfortable
walking shoes.Back to Top▲ |
