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Nepal has the natural product for trekking and
their people are the friendly behaviors .It
would not to be an overstatement to say that
Nepal is one of the richest in cultural
heritage. The trek will reveal picturesque
villages, rich varied of flora and fauna, and
viewing the highest Himalayas peaks in the world
and the typical life style of the people and
their festival. Trekking, in fact, is the
sporting tourism as the visitor walks on foot,
which is the only way of really knowing the
people and places intimately.
In this land, the unique, natural and cultural
beauty will enthrall you. The customs, temple,
pagodas will mystify you, taking you back
centuries, in this land where Lord Buddha, the
apostle of peace, was born. The people wherever
you go, are always smiling and are very
hospitable; above all, this is one of the safest
places in the world to visit. |
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By Air: All international flights land at the
Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu,
the only international airport in Nepal. The
airlines that serve Kathmandu are Thai
International, Singapore Airlines, Lauda Air,
Pakistan International Airlines, Bangladesh
Biman, China Southwest Airlines, Druk Air, Gulf
Air, Austin airways, and Qatar Airlines. The
national carrier - Royal Nepal Airlines (RNAC),
operates flights to Bangkok, Singapore, Hong
Kong and Japan.
Within Asia: You could travel to Kathmandu from
Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore. If in India,
you can fly to Nepal from Delhi, Mumbai,
Bangalore, Calcutta and Varanasi, Delhi to
Kathmandu is a one-hour flight. Flights to
Kathmandu from Lhasa are operated by China
Southwest Airlines. Druk Air flies between
Kathmandu and Paro in Bhutan. Bangladesh Biman
operates flights to Kathmandu from Dhaka
(Bangladesh). Qatar Airways flies between Doha
and Kathmandu.
:From Europe and Middle East to Nepal: Lauda Air
flies to Kathmandu from Austria twice a week.
Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Aeroflot, Thai
International, Pakistan International Airlines
and Bangladesh Biman all have services from
Europe to Kathmandu.
By Land: There are eight entry points into Nepal
by land open to tourists, out of which six are
from India and the others from Tibet.
Via India: The crossing points from India
include Mahendranagar, Dhangadhi, Nepalgunj and
Sunauli in the west, Birganj in the central
region and Kakarbhitta in the east. There are
direct buses to the Nepal border from Delhi,
Varanasi, Calcutta, and Patna.
Via Tibet: Nepal can be entered from Tibet via Kodari. For trekkers entering Tibet from Nepal,
the entry point is Simikot in far northwest
Nepal for which special permits are required.
Local Transport: For traveling within Kathmandu,
there are local buses, vans, three wheelers
(battery or gas) and a trolley bus (electric)
service to Bhaktapur. For hire there are
meter-taxis, meter three wheelers and rickshaws.
However, most taxis will refuse to take tourists
by meter. Besides these you can also hire a
motorcycle or mountain bike to get around. For
reaching other destinations within Nepal there
is an extensive network of air-links operated
both by the national carrier as well as by
private airlines. By land there are buses to
most destinations leaving from the Gongabhu Bus
Park beside the Ring Road.
Visa: The Royal Nepalese Embassies or Consulates
abroad issue visas but you could also obtain one
on arrival at the Tribhuwan International
Airport (Immigration counter). A 30-day visa can
be obtained for US$ 30/-. If you have plans to
visit neighboring countries like Tibet and
Bhutan, be sure to obtain a double entry visa.
This can be obtained from the airport on
arrival.
Note: Reentry facilities should be used within
the validity of the visa period. It is not
considered as a visa extension.
Business visa: Business visa with multiple entry
facility for the period of one year and five
years can be obtained from the Department of
Immigration on the recommendation of Ministry of
Industry by paying the equivalent of US$ 100 and
250 US$ respectively in the Nepalese currency
for foreign investors.
Customs and airports: 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. Handicraft dealers and your agents are
able to assist you in this process. For more
information on customs matters, contact the
Chief Customs Administrator, TIA Customs Office.
Airport Tax: Passengers departing from the
Tribhuvan International Airport are required to
pay an airport tax of Rs. 1100 for international
destinations and domestic airport tax is Rs.165.
Money: The Nepalese Rupee has been steadily
losing value against the US Dollar and at
present Rupees 74/- is equivalent to US$. 1/-.
The Nepali RUPIYA” or rupee is issued in notes
of Rs1, Rs2, Rs5, Rs10, Rs20, RS 25, Rs 50, Rs
100, Rs 250, Rs 500 and Rs 1000. Different
colors make them easy to distinguish, and
amounts are written in English on the backside.
Health Care: To avoid stomach ailments, always
drink bottled water or make sure the water you
drink is boiled and filtered. Even ice cubes
should be taken with caution. Food served during
our organized treks and tours are of the highest
quality and safe.
Helicopter Rescue: For serious medical
emergencies when a patient can't walk or be
carried out, your agents will arrange a
helicopter rescue. The service is expensive and
must be paid for by the rescue. Your embassy or
trekking agency may vouch for you but they won't
pick up the tab a good reason to arrange for
comprehensive trip insurance beforehand. The
helicopter company must receive assurance of
payment before it dispatches a flight. This will
be provided by your trekking agency if you're
with a group; embassies usually provide this for
their citizens, but they may need to contact the
family in advance. Registering at your embassy
before a trek greatly expedites this process.
Once the helicopter takes off, you're liable for
the costs even if it doesn't find you.
Postal Services: The Central Post Office is
located in the heart of Kathmandu near the
Tudihkel grounds. Postage facilities are also
available with your agents or from hotels.
Courier services are available with DHL and UPS
operating from Nepal.
Hospitals and Clinics: There are three major
Government hospitals in Kathmandu; Bir Hospital,
Patan Hospital, Teaching Hospital. Among the
private clinics, Nepal International Clinic is
popular among tourists. A US board certified
internist, who takes care of all the medical
needs of tourists, operates it.
Media: You can watch many international news
channels like the B.B.C., CNN OR catch the
English news on Nepal TV or one of the Indian
channels. Besides these there are English
dailies like Kathmandu Post, Space Time Today or
The Rising Nepal.
Shopping Facilities: Souvenirs come in many
shapes and sizes. The most sought after
souvenirs are Thangkas (which can be very
expensive) followed by carpets, and then there
are the Khukuri (Gurkha knife), handicrafts,
sculptures, Pashmina shawls, etc.
Highways: The major highway linking Nepal to
India and the capital Kathmandu to the terai
regions of the country is the Prithivi Highway,
which follows the Trishuli River all the way to
Narayanghat in the terai. The Mahendra Highway
links eastern Nepal with western Nepal while the
Arniko Highway is the road to Tibet starting
from Kathmandu. The old road leading out of the
valley and over the mountains is known as the
Tribhuwan Highway. This road goes via the hill
resort of Daman and reaches Hetauda in the terai.
Clothing: For summer; shorts and T-shirts are
suitable. Raincoats are a must for a monsoon
visit, which is the off-season. In the winter,
the mornings and evenings are chilly (even in
the terai) hence pullovers and jackets are
essential.
Accommodation: The cheaper hotels where most of
the tourists flock to are in Thamel which has
practically become the tourist district of
Kathmandu; not only because of lodgings but also
because that is where visitors like to be in the
evenings for entertainment and the lively
atmosphere. In other words, that’s where the
action is. The poor cousin of Thamel is Freak
Street (once the hangout of hippies and low
budget tourists). Today Freak Street is only a
shadow of its glory days in the ‘70s, and has
become a haven for those tourists who seek peace
and quiet. For souvenir shopping, it is still
one of the attractions with the large Basantapur
Square full of temporary shops that are set up
in the morning and removed at night. The Five
Stars and other bigger hotels are located all
over the city and easily reached by taxi.
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