Travel Guide

By Air:

Tribhuvan International Airport is the only international airport in Nepal. Royal Nepal Airlines- the national flag carrier of Nepal and other International Airlines operate flights to Kathmandu from Bangkok, Colombo, Calcutta, Delhi, Dhaka, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Karachi, Lhasa, London Osaka, Paris, Moscow, Paro, Singapore and Varanasi. The International Airlines operating their flights into Kathmandu include : Aeroflot, Biman Bangladesh Airiines, China South-West Airlines, Druk Air, lndian Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai lnternational.
By Land:

The entry points at Nepal-India border are; Kakarbhitta, Birgunj, Belahiya (Bhairahawa), Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, and Mahendra Nagar. The only entry point at Nepal-China border is Kodari.
Road Transport:

Kathmandu is connected with India through the fertile plains of the Terai by the most picturesque highways. Visitors are permitted to drive their own cars but their vehicles must possess an international carnet. There are regular bus services to kathmandu from all the border points. The interior parts of the country are also linked with a number of motorable roads. Buses for the different parts of the country are available at the Gongabu bus terminal which is located near Balaju.
Railway Transport:

Nepal Janakpur-Jayanager Railway (NJJR) operates afreight and passenger service in the eastern Terai.
Domestic Air Service:

The Royal Nepal Airlines operates an extensive network of air service in the interior parts of Nepal. It has scheduled connection flights from Kathmandu to TapIeJung, Bhadrapur, Rajbiraj, Bhojpur, Phaplu, Lukia, Lamidanda, Tunmlingtar, Rumjatar, Biratnagar, Simra, Janakpur, Ramechhhap, Bharatpur, Meghauli Pokhara, Jomsom, Manang, Baglung, Bhairahawa Nepalgunj Chaurjhahari, Surkhet, Dang, Dolpa, Jumia, Bajura, 8aitadi, Dipayal, Darchula, Mahendranagar, Dhangadi, Tikapur and Sanfebagar. Beside Rdyal Nepai Airlines the other domestlc alrllnes such as Nepal Airways, Everest Air, Asian Helicopters, Necon Air, Lumbini Airways and Cosmic Airways also provide regular and charter services to different popular destinations.

Other Transport Arrangements:

There are taxi and auto rickshaws (three wheelers) with fare meters in Kathmandu. Motorcycles, bicycles and rickshaws are also available.
Passport and Visa:

All visitors to Nepal must hold valid passports and visa. The Royal Nepalese Embassies or consulates abroad or the entry points or the Immigration Offices provide a visa upon the presentation of a valid passport, two passport size photos and a payment of visa fees. Tourists can extend their visas at the Department of Immigration, Tridevi Marg, Kathmandu.Entry Visa to Nepal is easily available at all International Airports of Nepal.

Embarkation and Disembarkation Cards:

Tourists are required to fill up disembarkation and embarkation cards upon their arrival and departure.

Currency and Foreign Exchange:

The unit of the Nepalese Currency is Rupee. One Nepali Ruppee is made up of 100 paisa. Nepali Rupee notes come in Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 denominations.
Foreign visitors other than the Indian nationals are required to pay their hotel bills and air tickets in foreign currency. However the other payments must always be made in Nepalese currency which can buy at foreign exchange counter at the airport. The foreign currency exchange counters of different banks are also opened at different places in the city. Foreign currencies must be exchanged only through the banks or authorized foreign exchange.
Tourists other than Indian are not allowed to import or export the Indian currency. The rate of exchange of the foreign currencies are determined by the Nepal Rastra Bank and are announced in the press daily. Bank receipts are required for re-exchanging of currency.Nepal currency is not applicable in India.

Banks:

Banks are open between 10:00 A.M. to 2:30 P M. from Sunday to Thursday and between 10:00 A.M. to 2:30 P M. on Fridays. They are closed on Saturdays and other holidays.
Customs Formalities:

All baggages must be declared and cleared through the customs of the port of entry. Personal effect are permitted free entry. The duty on articles brought by the visitor varies according to the volume and value of the goods. A tourist may brlng in dutiable goods, such as tobacco and liquors, within the prescribed quantity free of duty. Carrying narcotic, arms, ammunition are strictly prohibited.
Permit for Trekking:

Any foreigner intending to trek in any part of the kingdom of Nepal shall have to obtain a trekking permit from the Department of Immigration, Tridevi Marg and permits are issued for trekking in any part of the country except in areas restricted for the foreigners by government regulation.
Working Hours:

Government offices open from 10 to 17:00 hrs in summer and till 16:00 hrs. in winter. On Fridays these offices are open till 15:00 hrs. only.
Newspapers and Magazines:

The major newspapers in Kathmandu are :The Rising Nepal (Daily)- English, The Kathmandu Post (Daily)- English Gorkhapatra (Daily)- Nepali, Kantipur (Daily)- Nepali. Besides a number of other newspapers and magazines local and international are also available in the book stalls.
Department of Tourism:

His Majesty's the Government of Nepal, Department of Tourism runs information centres at its office and at the following places :1. Tourist Information Centre, Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.2. Tourist Information Centre, Basantapur, Kathmandu.3. Tourist Office, Airport, Pokhara.4. Tourist Information Centre; Birgunj.5. Tourist Informafion Centre, Bhairahawa.6. Tourist Information Centre, Kakarbhitta.7. Tourist Information Centre, Janakpur.
Tourist Police:

There is a special provision of Tourist Police Unit to deal with the problems of tourists. One can contact the Department of the Tourism, Bhrikutimandap for the services of tourist police.
Green Channel:

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.
Import:

Apart from used personal belongings, visitors are allowed to bring to Nepal free of duty cigarettes (200) or cigars (50), distilled liquor (one 1.15 liter bottle), and film ( 15 rolls). You can also bring in the following articles free of duty on condition that you take them out with you when you leave: binoculars, movie or video camera, still camera, laptop computer, and portable music system.
Export:It is illegal to export objects over 100 years old (sacred images, paintings, manuscripts) that are valued for culture and religious reasons. Visitors are advised not to purchase such items as they are Nepal's cultural heritage and belong here. The Department of Archaeology at Ramshah Path near Singha Durbar has to certify all metal statues, sacred paintings and similar objects before they are allowed to be sent or carried out of the country.

Introduction

Nepal is the home of the world's highest mountains, with a strong historic tradition having population of more than 18 million people of different religion and Culture.Nepal - a country of amazing extremes, is the home of the world's highest mountains, historic cities and the forested plains where the lordly tigers and the great one- horned rhinoceros trundle at ease. In fact enchantment is everywhere- for anyone in search of Shangrila!

Geography

Nepal, a sovereign independent Kingdom, is bounded, on the North by the Tibetan Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, the east-south and west by India. The length of the Kingdom is 885 kilometres east-west and its breadth varies from 145-241 kilometers north-south. The country can be divided into three main geographical regions.
Himalayan Region
The altitude of this region ranges between 4877m. - 8848m. It includes 8 of the highest 14 summits in the world which exceed altitude of 8000 meters including, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and others.
Mountain Regions
This region accounts for about 64 percent of total land area. It is formed by the Mahabharat range that soars up to 4877 meter and the lower churia range
Terai Regions

The low-land Terai oceupies about 17 percent of the total land area of the country.
There is no seasonal constraint on travelling in and through Nepal. Even in December and January, when the winter is at its severest, there are compensating bright sun and brilliant views.
History

Nepal-a country with a long historic tradition is an amalgamation of a number of medieval principalities. Before the campaign of national integration launched by King Prithvi Narayan Shah the Kathmandu Valley was ruled by the Malla Kings, whose contributions to art and culture are indeed great and unique. In 1768 AD the Shah dynasty ascended the throne of the unified kingdom. His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, is tenth King in the Shah dynasty.The new democratic constitution of the kingdom was promulgated on November 9, 1990. Nepal is one of the founder members of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation SAARC of which the third summit was held in Kathmandu in November 1987.

People

Nepal has a population of more than 18 million people made of different races living in different regions, with diverse culture, languages and dialects. The Gurungs and Magars live mainly in the west. The Rais, Limbus and Sunuwars inhabits the slopes and valleys of the Eastern mid hills. The Sherpas live in the Himalayan region. The Newars constitute an important ethnic group of the capital valley Kathmandu.There are Tharus, Yadavas, Satar, Rajvanshis and Dhimals in the Terai region. The Brahmans, Chhetris and Thakuris are spread generally over all parts of the Kingdom.
Religion and Culture
Hinduism and Buddhism constitute two major religions of Nepal. A remarkable feature of Nepal is the religious homogeneity what exists, particularly between the Hindu and Buddhist Communities. Apart from the Hindus and Buddhists, Muslim from the third largest religious group. The exquisite medieval Art & Architecture of the Kathmandu Valley vividly reflect the artistic ingenuity and the religious tradition of the people.