Nepal Travel Information.

Nepal Country Information

Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and altitude variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60 meters above sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters, all within a distance of 150 kilometers resulting in climatic conditions from Sub-tropical to Arctic.

Nepal – occupying only 0.1% of the earth – is home to:
- 2% of all the flowering plants in the world
- 8% of the world's population of birds (more than 848 species)
- 4% of mammals on earth
- 11 of the world's 15 families of butterflies (more than 500 species)
- 600 indigenous plant families
- 319 species of exotic orchids

Area: 147,181 sq. kilometers
Geography: Situated between China in the north and India in the south
Capital: Kathmandu
Population: 22 million
Language: Nepali is the national language. However, travel-trade people understand and speak English as well.
Currency: Nepali Rupee (approximately US$ 1 equals Rs. 71.24 )
www.nrb.org.np/exchangenew.php
Political System: Multi-party democracy with constitutional monarchy
Religion: Nepal enjoys the distinction of being the only Hindu Kingdom in the world. However, there is a harmonious blending of Hinduism and Buddhism.
Climate: Nepal has four major seasons, namely,
(1) Winter: December-February
(2) Spring: March-May
(3) Summer: June-August
(4) Autumn: September-November

Nepal can be visited the whole year round.

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

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

Visa and Permits to enter Nepal

Tourist visa to Nepal

A Visa is necessary to enter Nepal and can be obtained from any Royal Nepalese Embassy or Consulate or at the entry points in Nepal.

The rules below have been updated as of September 2001.

* Single entry tourist visas can be obtained by paying US $30 for 60 days.

* If you wish to leave and re-enter the country, you'll need to pay an additional fee. US $25 for Single Re-entry, US $40 for Double Re-entry and US $60 for Multiple Re-entry Visa.

* If you leave and wish to Re-entry visa Nepal as a tourist within 150 days in the same visa year, the cost is US $50 for 30 days.

* Visitors may extend their tourist visa by paying US $50 for 30 days.

* Trekking permits are not required for Everest, Annapurna and Langtang areas.

* Business visas with multiple entry facilities are available at a rate of US $100 for one year and US $250 for five years. The Ministry of Industry recommendation is required.

Non Tourist Visa to Nepal.
Marriage Visas :

For those married to a Nepali citizen and wanting to stay in Nepal for as long as they like without getting a Nepali passport and giving up their country of birth passport ,a non-tourist marriage visa is the best way.

Changing from a tourist visa to a non-tourist visa can sometimes be a lengthy process and a lot of waiting around before they get to your file.

You need to visit the Department of Immigration office next to the tourist visa office in Bhrikuti Mandap, and collect a form for Non-Tourist visas. You require the following documents:

The application form photocopied 6 times (so you have 7 forms). Sign the forms after you have photocopied them.

* 7 passport photos one for each form.

* Photocopies of your own and your partners passports, including a copy of your current tourist visa.

* Photocopy of your partners Nepali citizenship card.

* Photocopy of your marriage certificate.

Student Visa:

Eligibility: Foreigners involved in official works, INGO, Missions and employees working in different institutions, representative of the press agencies and magazines, servant of diplomatic and official visa holders, person of Nepalese origin holding foreign passports, leader of a tourist group and foreigners married to a Nepalese citizen.

Issuing Authority: Department of Immigration on the recommendation of concerned agencies.

Visa Fee:
US$ 60 per month for the first year and US$ 100 for the next year for non tourist.
US$ 10 per month for press visa.
US$ 20 per month for those working in HMG office or project
US$ 20 per month for marriage visa.
US$ 10 per month for relation visa.

Business Visa:

Eligibility: Foreign investor and persons involved in trade and commerce.
Issuing Authority: Department of Immigration on the recommendation of concerned agencies;
Visa Fee: (1) US$ 100 for one year. (2) US$ 250 for five years.
 

Nepal Customs and Airport Information

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 (Ph: 427.1504, 427.1478) 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 travel agents are able to assist you in this process. For more information on customs matters, contact the Chief Customs Administrator, TIA Customs Office; Ph: 447.0110, 447.2266.

Airport Tax: Passengers departing from the Tribhuvan International Airport are required to pay an airport tax of Rs. 900 if going to SAARC countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) and Rs. 1100.00 to all other international destinations. Domestic airport tax is Rs. 165.
 

Important Note to all Visitors and Trekkers

Here's a little legalese from the Nepalese ~ requesting your cooperation to observe the following guidelines during your stay in Nepal.

1. All foreign visitors are requested to be mindful of the date of expiry of the Nepalese visa and their passports to avoid future problems. As such, you are requested to apply for a visa extension, if you wish so, within the valid period of the Nepalese visa.

2. You are requested to get the arrival/departure stamp on your passport at the entry/exit points to avoid further complications.

3. Living in Nepal without passport or a valid visa is a punishable offense.

4. Deviation from the prescribed routes in the trekking permit will be treated as the violation of the law.

5. You are advised to be aware of brokers/cheaters or any counterfeit documents of visa/trekking permits to avoid legal complications. If you are not visiting/trekking through any authorized agency, do not use mediators for visa/trekking permits. You are requested to contact the Immigration Office directly.

6. Change of purpose of stay without permission is not allowed and employment or voluntary service while on a tourist visa is strictly prohibited. It will be a punishable offense.

7. Be sure to register at the police and Immigration cheek point along the trail. It is wise to register your trekking destination and schedule at your Embassy or Consulate.

8. If you encounter problems along the trails, report them to the nearest police or Immigration post.

9. You are requested to change money with authorized dealers and do not forget to take formal receipts.

10. You are requested to inform the Immigration Office or Police Station for any changes in your address previously given in the visa application form.

11. You are advised to be mindful to contact the Immigration Department for visa transfer in case of getting new passport or travel document from you Embassy/Consulate.

12. Passport and trekking permit should be kept by the trekker while trekking.

13. Filming in restricted areas or notified areas without permission is strictly prohibited.

14. Respect local traditions, customs, values and sentiments to help them protect local cultures and maintain local pride.

- Respect privacy when taking photographs
- Respect holy places
- Refrain from giving money to children since it will encourage begging
- Respect for local etiquette earns you respect
- Let the Himalayas change you - Do not change them
- Protect the natural environment
- Leave the campsite cleaner than you have found it
- Limit deforestation - make no open fires
- Burn dry papers and packets in a safe place
- Keep local water clean and avoid using pollutants
- Plants should be left to flourish in their natural environment
- Help your guides and porters to follow conservation measures
 

Nepal Time and Business Hours

Nepal is five hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT. Government offices are open from 10 am to 5 pm from Sunday through Thursday. On Fridays they remain open until 3 pm. Banks are open from Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm. On Fridays, banks remain open until 12 pm only. Business offices are open from 10 am to 5 pm Sunday through Friday.

Embassies and international organizations are open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. Most shops open after 10 am and close at about 8 pm and are usually closed on Saturdays.

Although Nepal works seven days a week, it observes numerous holidays, at the least a couple a month. So please check the holiday calendar. Government offices observe all the holidays and banks observe most of them. Businesses observe the major holidays only.