General Information

GENERAL INFORMATION OF NEPAL

INTRODUCTION 

Draped along the greatest heights of the Himalaya, the kingdom of Nepal is a land of eternal fascination, a place where one visit is rarely enough. It’s a land of ancient history, colorful culture and peoples, superb scenery and some of the walking on the earth. Nepal’s history is closely related to its geographical location, separating the fertile plains of India from the desert-like plateau of Tibet. Its position between India and China meant the country was able at times to play the role of intermediary – a canny trader between two great powers- awhile at other times it faced the threat of invasion. Internally, its history was just as dynamic, with city - states in the hills vying with each other for power until one powerful king, Prithvi Narayan Shah, overran them all. 

Behind the time-worn temples and palaces to the Kathmandu Valley, above beyond the hills that ring the valley, another ‘kingdom’ rises skyward. The ‘adobe of snows’, which is what Himalaya means in Sanskrit, is a natural ‘kingdom’ and a magnet to mountaineers from all over the world. Fortunately you don’t have to be a Sherpa and your surname doesn’t have to be Messner or Hillary in order for you to get in among these great mountains. With a dash of enterprise and a modicum of fitness most travelers can walk the trails that lead into the road less heights of the Himalaya. One trek is rarely enough, and many visitors soon find themselves planning to return. 

Nor is trekking the only activity which draws visitors – Nepal also has some superb white-water rafting opportunities, mountain biking, safaris on Elephant-back or Elephant Polo into the Royal Chitwan National Park, Bungee, Canoeing, paragliding are an other not-to-be-missed part of the Nepal experience.

HISTORY

In many ways – historically, culturally and linguistically – Nepal has been the meeting point between the Mongoloid peoples of Asia (Tibeto-Burmese languages) and the Caucasoid peoples of the Indian plains (Indo-European languages). In earlier times, Nepal was able to exploit its position as an intermediary in the trade between India and China. Today, the country continues to take advantage of its strategic position between these two uneasy giants. 

GEOGRAPHY

In two of the three dimensions, length and breadth, Nepal is just another small country. In the third, height, it’s number one in the world. Nepal stretches from north-west to south-east about 800km and varies in width from around 90km to 230km. This gives it a total area of just 1, 47,181 sq km according to the official figures. Within that small area, however, is the greatest range of altitude to be seen on this earth – starting with the Terai, only 100m or so above sea level, and finishing at the top of Mt. Everest (8848m), the highest point on earth.

(a) 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. 

(b) 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.

(c) TERAI REGION: 

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

CLIMATE

Nepal contains a variety of climatic conditions ranging from the tropical heat of the Terai plains to the freezing cold of the high Himalayan. The mid-hills, particularly the Kathmandu Valley, are pleasant with warm summers and cool winters. Temperatures range between a maximum of 37 and a minimum of 8 degrees Celsius in the plains, 28 and 2 degrees Celsius in the Kathmandu Valley, and between -6 and 16 degrees Celsius in the mountains. The rainy season lasts from June to August.  Maximum-Minimum Temperatures (in degrees Celsius; * rainy seasons)

Absolute extreme temperatures: Bhairawa (max 42-min 5); Gorkha (33-5); Janakpur (42-4); Jiri (28-6)

FLORA AND FAUNA

Nepal has it all –tropical, temperate and alpine flora and fauna. The species of flora and fauna available in such a small country is really mind boggling. Nepal has 6500 known species of trees, shrubs and wild flowers. Nepal bags more than 300 species of orchids. In May and April you see the whole hill in bloom with rhododendron while there will be grand scenery of wild flowers in rain shadow zones of Dolpo and Mustang during summer days. Similarly, there are more than 800 species, almost 10 % of world's bird species found in Nepal. This number is greater than total birds found in USA and Canada combined! Nepal also boasts to be the home of Royal Bengal Tiger. Rhinos, Elephants, Deer’s, wild Bison and Crocodiles just to mention a few. Many National parks and conservation areas are established to protect the habitat of these fauna and flora.

NATIONAL PARKS & CONSERVATION AREAS

Nepal has eight national parks and four wildlife reserves that protect every significant ecological system in the country – from the tropical plains of the Terai and the fertile midland valleys, to the highest mountains in the world. Around 16,650 sq km are protected, or 11.3% of the country’s area and you can add another 2600 sq km if you include the Annapurna Conservation Area. Considering the strength of the demand for land, there has been a particularly impressive commitment to conservation. 

(1) World Heritage Sites (Cultural):

• Kathmandu Durbar square 
• Patan Durbar square 
• Bhaktapur Durbar Square 
• Swoyambhunath Stupa 
• Bouddhanath Stupa 
• Changunarayan Temple 
• Pashupatinath Temple 
• Lumbini Garden 

(2) National Parks:

• Everest National Park (1148 sq km) 
• Chitwan National Park (932 sq km) 
• Rara National Park (106 sq km ) 
• Bardiya National park (968 sq km) 
• Langtang national Park (1710 sq km ) 
• Shey Phoksundo National Park (3555 sq km) 
• Khaptad National Park(225 sq km) 
• Makalu Barun National Park and conservation Area (2330 sq km) 

(3) Conservation Areas:

• Annapurna Conservation area ( 2600 sq km ) 
• Kanchanjunga Conservation area (2035 sq km ) 
• Manasalu Conservation area (1663 sq km)

ECONOMY

Judged by western standards, Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world with an estimated annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of only US$ 210 per person in 1997. To a certain extent, this suggests an overly bleak picture because more than 90% of the population is basically, and will almost certainly remain, subsistence farmers operating outside the cash economy.

(a). Agriculture: 

Eight out of 10 Nepalese are engaged in farming and it accounts for more than 40% of the GDP. Rolling fields and neat terraces can be seen all over the Terai flatlands and the hills of Nepal. Even in the highly urbanized Kathmandu Valley, large tracts of land outside the city areas are devoted to farming Rice is the staple diet in Nepal and around three millions are produced annually. Other major crops are maize, wheat, millet and barley. Besides food grains, cash crops like sugar cane, oil seeds, tobacco, jute and tea are also cultivated in large quantities. Most recently the cardamom is becoming one of the most popular cash crops in the eastern part of the country.

(b). Manufacturing: 

Manufacturing is still at the developmental stage and it represents less than 10% of the GDP. Major industries are woolen carpets, garments, textiles, leather products, paper and cement. Other products made in Nepal are steel utensils, cigarettes, beverages and sugar. There are many modern large-scale factories but the majority are cottage or small-scale operations. Most of Nepal's industry is based in the Kathmandu Valley and a string of small towns in the southern Terai plains.

(c). Trade: 

Commerce has been a major occupation in Nepal since early times. Being situated at the crossroads of the ancient trans-Himalayan trade route, trading is second nature to the Nepalese people. Foreign trade is characterized mainly by import of manufactured products and export of agricultural raw materials. Nepal imports manufactured goods and petroleum products worth about US$ 1 billion annually. The value of exports is about US$ 315 million. Woolen carpets are Nepal's largest export, earning the country over US$ 135 million per year. Garment exports account for more than US$ 74 million and handicraft goods bring in about US$ 1 million. Other important exports are pulses, hides and skins, jute and medicinal herbs.

(d). Tourism: 

In 1996, a total of 390,000 tourists visited Nepal, making tourism one of the largest industries in the Kingdom. This sector has been expanding rapidly since its inception in the 1950s, thanks to Nepal's natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and the diversity of sight-seeing and adventure opportunities available. At one time, tourism used to be the biggest foreign currency earner for the country. Nepal earned over US$ 116 million from tourism in 1995.

POPULATION

Nepal’s population currently stands at around 22.6 million (1997 estimate). The population growth rate is a high 2.7%. The largest city is Kathmandu, the capital, with more than 235,000 people, although the population of the Kathmandu Valley is around 7, 00,000. In the Mountains the rate of increase is lower than in the Terai, but this is because many people are migrating in search of land and work. Despite (or because of) extremely high rates of infant mortality and the life expectancy of only 57 years, the overall annual rate of population increase is high, putting enormous pressures on Nepal’s fragile ecology.

PEOPLE 

Like the geography, the population of Nepal is extremely diverse and highly complex. Simplistically, Nepal is the meeting point for the Indo-Aryan people of India with the Tibeto-Burmese of the Himalaya, but this gives little hint of the dynamic ethnic mosaic that has developed and continues to change to this day. In a south-north direction, as you move from the plains to the mountains, the ethnic map can be roughly divided into layers: the Terai, the midlands or Pahar zone, and the Himalaya. Each zone is dominated by characteristic ethnic groups whose agriculture and lifestyles are adapted to suit the physical constraints of their environment. These zones can be further subdivided from east to west, with different groups in the east, central and western regions of each zone.

(a). Himalayan Zone:

In the Himalayan zone, the people are Mongoloids of Tibetan descent. They are Known in Nepali as Bhotiya or Bhote, terms that are now often considered derogatory because the Shah and Rana regimes categorized Bhotiya as untouchables who could legally be enslaved.

(b). Midlands Zone:

In the east of the midlands zone, one finds the Kirati (also known as Kiranti) people, who are divided into the Rai and Limbu groups. These groups are also Mongoloid peoples who speak Tibeto-Burmese languages. In the central midlands zone around the Kathmandu Valley live the Newars. Some believe the Newars and Kirati, others believe they are survivors from a still older group.

(c). Terai Zone:

Until the eradication of malaria in the 1950s the only people to live in the valleys of the Inner Terai, and along much of the length of the Terai proper, were Tharus and a few small, associated groups. Most Tharus, though not all, have a Mongoloid appearance. In the eastern Terai, Mithila people dominate; in the central Terai, Bhojpuri-speaking people dominate; and in the western terai, Abadhi, speaking people are significant.

THE GODS OF NEPAL

There are so many gods and related auspicious beings in Nepal - being able to identify some of them makes understanding and enjoying Nepali culture much easier. The definitions that follow include the most interesting and most frequently encountered ‘big names’ plus associated consorts, vehicles and religious terminology. Brahma, Saraswati, Shiva, Ganesh, Hanuman, Krishna, Vishnu are the most famous and powerful gods of Nepal.

EDUCATION

While education is gradually spreading to the small villages, it has been a slow process, especially in the mountains. At 75% the illiteracy rate in the country is uncomfortably high. In recent years the education system has been thrown open to private enterprise. This has led to a dramatic increase in the number of schools - seemingly every town you pass through has a high number of “English Medium Boarding Schools’ on the surface this is a good thing, but unfortunately the reality is somewhat less encouraging. With profit being the bottom line of any business, it seems many of these schools are business ventures first and foremost. The education side of things comes a poor second. It is a sad fact that the standard of education offered by the free government schools is also lacking.

ARTS

The whole Kathmandu Valley is really one enormous art gallery and museum, and the arts and architecture in Nepal are inextricably intermingled. The finest woodcarving and the best sculpture the often part of a building a temple is simply not a temple with out its finely carved roof struts. The crafts also reflect the uniquely Nepali melting pot where religious art has Tantric Hindu and Buddhist overtones and the dividing line between one religion and another is hard to discern.         

RELIGION & CULTURE

In Nepal, Hinduism and Buddhism are mingled into a complex blend which is often impossible to separate. The Buddha was actually born in Nepal but the Buddhist religion first arrived in the country around 250BCE, introduced, so it is said, by the great Indian Buddhist emperor Ashoka himself. Later, Buddhism gave way to Hinduism but from around the 8th century the Tantric form of Buddhism practiced in Tibet also began to make its way across the Himalaya into Nepal. Today Buddhism is mainly practiced by the people of the high Himalaya, such as the Sherpas and Tamangs, and by the Tibetan refugees who have settled in Nepal. Although the vast majority of the population is Hindu (86.5%) or Buddhist (7.8%) there are also small groups of Muslims (3.5%) and Christians (0.2%).

LANGUAGE 

 Nepali is the official language. English is understood by majority of people in the cities. The country is a potpourri of more than 61 ethnic groups & sup-groups and has over 70 different languages & dialects.  The main languages of Nepal are as follows - Nepali, Maithili, Bhojpuri,Tamang language, Nepal Bhasa, Tharu language , Magar, language, Limbu language, Sherpa language, Awadhi language, Gurung language.  

CUSTOM & AIRPORT

(a). 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. 

(b). 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.

(c). 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 travel agents are able to assist you in this process. For more information on customs matters, contact the Chief Customs Administrator, TIA Customs Office.

(d). Airport Tax: 

Passengers departing form the Tribhuban International Airport are required to pay an airport tax of Rs 1356 per person if going to SAARC (South Asian) countries and Rs 1695 for departure to other international destinations. Domestic airport tax is Rs 170.

TIME

A Nepal standard time is 5 hrs 45 minutes ahead of GMT and 15 minutes ahead of Indian standard time.

CURRENCY

Nepalese currency is the rupee (abbr. Rs.) which is divided into paisa. Bank notes come in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 25, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1 rupee. Exchange rate is approximately US $ 1 = Rs. +/- Rs.70.00.

ENTRY PROCEDURES

• 15 days multiple entry Visa fee  US$ 25 or equivalent foreign currency is required. 
• 30 days multiple entry. Visa fee US$ 40 or equivalent foreign currency is required. 
• 90 days multiple entry. Visa fee US$100 or equivalent foreign currency is required. 
• Visa fee will be free for the citizen members of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) up to 30 days. 

Visa Extension:

• Minimum US$30 fee will be charged for extension less than 15 days. 
• US$2 per day will be charged for extending visa for more than 15 days. US$20 additional fee will be charged for multiple entry facility during the extended period. 

Required documents:

• (1) Passport size photo. 
• Original Passport.
• Amount of visa fee equivalent to foreign currency. 

ENTRY POINT

By Air: 

Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.

By Bus: 

(1) Kakarbhitta. 
(2) Birgunj. 
(3) Belhiya (Bhairahawa). 
(4) Nepalgung. 
(5) Dhangadi. 
(6) Jogbani (Biratnagar). 
(7) Mahendra Nagar in Nepal-India border.
(8) Kodari in Nepal-China border.
The overland tourists entering the kingdom with their vehicles must possess an international carnet.

CLOTHES

Medium-weight and easy to wash cottons can be a good choice year round in the Kathmandu Valley. From October to February, woolen sweaters, jackets or similar other warm outfits are necessary. Short or long-sleeved shirts are good March through May. From June to September, light and loose garments are advisable.

MONEY & CREDIT CARD: 

American Express, Visa & Master Card are accepted at major hotels, travel agencies, restaurants, carpet and curio shops throughout the country.

OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS: 

Friday is half holiday and Saturday is the weekend holiday in Nepal when most government offices are closed.  Most business is closed only on Saturdays.  All museums remain closed on Tuesdays and government holidays.   

WORKING HOURS: 

Government offices open from 10 A.M. to 17 P.M. in the summer and from 10 A.M. till 16 P.M. in the winter.

SHOPPING

Shopping can be very rewarding and exciting in Kathmandu. There are numerous tourist shops on the main streets and in the hotel arcades brimming with tempting jewelry, statues, and typical Nepalese handicraft. Thangka is one of the best buys in Nepal. Each place has its specialty product, which is unique. Bhaktapur, for instance, is the place to buy pottery. The Traditional Craftsman's Colony in Patan is a famous center for Nepalese handicraft. You may get carved wooden items while at Patan. As for jewelry, buyers can opt for loose gems or custom-made items.

Besides handicraft, Nepal is also a good place for genuine luxury goods. With a host of departmental stores and shopping plazas offering international brand-name products, Kathmandu has become a haven for the serious shopper. Browsers will enjoy the city's numerous traditional markets that overflow with vegetables, fruits and other.

INSURANCE

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 any adventure activities during your stay in Nepal.

FESTIVALS

We often joke in Nepal that we have more festivals than days in a year. Dasain, celebrated nationwide in October, is the most important of all Nepalese celebrations and features the biggest animal sacrifice of the year. Running a close second is Tihar (November), other festivals celebrated nationally include the water-tinged Holi (March) and Chaitra Daisan (April), Hindu festivals number the Haribodhini Ekadashi (November) and Maha Shivaratri (March), both celebrated in Pashupatinath, the Gai Jatra (August) in Kathmandu and the Krishna Jayanti (August/September) in Patan. Buddhist celebrations are just as thick on the ground, and include Mani Rimdu (November) in Solu Khumbu, Buddha Jayanti (May) in Kathmandu, and Losar (Tibetan New Year) (February) in Swyambhunath, Jawalakhel and highland communities.

HEALTH GUIDE - INOCULATION   

We recommend that the clients get themselves immunized against certain illness that are not prevalent in their home country such as Cholera, Typhoid, Malaria, Meningitis, Hepatitis etc; Their physician would be best able to advise them on the availability and administration of these inoculations.   

Please ensure that all water is boiled & filtered before consumption. Normally all hotels and reputed restaurants in Kathmandu serve boiled & filtered water. If in doubt, please stick to soft drinks or bottled mineral water.   We highly recommend CEWIC clinic used by all expatriate community. Phone numbers are:  4413163 or 4424111.

HYGIENE:

The simple way of keeping oneself in firm or with fine stomach is to wash ones hand with soap regularly before eating, after using toilets, or touching your mouth with unwashed hands. Also avoid touching your eyes and nose with unwashed hands. In polluted area, it is recommended to wear a mask. It is suggested not to share water bottles or food with others.

LANGUAGE & PEOPLE  

Nepali is the official language. English is understood by majority of people in the cities. The country is a potpourri of more than 61 ethnic groups & sup-groups and has over 70 different languages & dialects.  

ELECTRICITY 

All cities and towns in Nepal have electricity and rural electrification in selected areas through mini hydro projects are currently underway. Voltage available is 240-220 volts AC & 50 cycles throughout the country. Load shedding is frequently experienced in Nepal but mostly during dry months only.