Travel and Tour to Nepal

Visa

Tourist Visa Rules in Nepal (Effective from 16 July 2008 ) Tourists who visit Nepal must hold valid passport and visa.

Entry:

a. Tourist entry visa can be obtained for the following duration from Nepal Embassy / Consulate or Mission offices abroad, or at the following immigration offices in Nepal:

Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu

Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)

Birgunj, Parsa (Central Nepal)

Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border)

Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal)

Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal)

Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal)

Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal)

b. Tourist Visa

Visa Facility Duration Fee

Multiple entry 15 days US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency

Multiple entry 30 days US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency

Multiple entry 90 days US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency

Tourist Visa Extension

1. Visa extension fee for 15 days or less is US $ 30 or equivalent convertible Nepalese currency and visa extension fee for more than 15 days is US$ 2 per day.

Tourist visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a single visa year (January – December).

Gratis (Free) Visa

No visa fee shall be applicable to the passport holder of member states of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) for 30 days.

Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal.

Transit Visa

Transit visa for one day can be obtained from Nepal's immigration offices at the entry points upon the production of departure flight ticket via Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal, by paying US $ 5 or equivalent convertible currency.

Customs Formalities :

All baggage must be declared & cleared through customs on arrival and departure. Goods which are prohibited by the government cannot be brought or taken out of Nepal.

Accommodation :

A visitor gets option to choose any category of accommodation facilities in Nepal that ranges from international standarded star hotels to budget hotels and lodges. During spring and fall, the better hotels work at near full capacity and are booked well in advance. There are, however, plenty of less glamorous but decent hotels to suit everyone's fancies and finances. Most hotels offer choice of: bed and breakfast; bed, breakfast and one other meal; or room and full board. Rates vary as per facilities. Even in remote parts of Nepal, accommodation and meals for tourists are more easily available these days.

Shopping :

Nepalese market offers visitors with many fine handicrafts such as hand- knitted woolen carpets, jewellery, pashmina shawls, woolen - knit wears, embroidery, thangka paintings, mithila paintings, wood carving, metal works, ceramics and pottery, rice paper and stationery.

Credit Card :

Major credit cards such as MasterCard, American Express, Visa card are honored and accepted at major hotels, restaurants etc.

Tourist Security :

Nepal Police has a seperate unit, Tourist Police, especially trained to assist visitors for the security and to look after the travel related problems. The tourist police personnel will be available instantly upon request in needy..

Foreign Exchange :

Foreign currencies must be exchanged only through the banks or authorized foreign exchange dealers. The receipt from such transaction is to be obtained and retained. Visitors can exchange money at the foreign exchange counter also at the Airport upon arrival.

Electricity :

220 Volts AC at 50 hertz throughout the country.

Insurance :

Since there is no policy in practice to insure foreign national during their travel period in Nepal till the date. So we suggest the foreign visiotrs to be ensure that they are adequately insured to cover up any unforeseen incidents such as accidental injuries, inability to continue at high altitude, deaths etc.

With its diverse ethnicity and traditional beliefs, Nepal has numerous cultural practices that may appear unusual to a person on his/her fist visit to the country. However, to enjoy your stay in this remarkable himalayan country, it is important to take into consideration of the varieties of the cultural aspects of the country. Here is a list of things which may be helpful to you.

1. Before entering a Nepalese home, temple (leather items in Hindu Temples), and monastry remember to remove your shoes.

2. Avoid eating with your left hand and beef is strictly prohibited among Hindus. Do not offer food from your plate, nor eat from a common pot, and avoid touching your lips to a shared drinking vessel.

3. Never touch anything with your feet. and try not to step over or point your feet at another person, a sacred place or a hearth. This is considered and offence among Nepalese.

4. While traveling, dress appropriately. Women should especially avoid dressing in skimpy outfits.

5. Seek permission first before entering a Hindu temple. Many Hindu temples do not allow westerners to enter.

6. Leather articles are prohibited in most religious places.

7.Among Hindus, avoid touching women and holy men instead the traditional palms-together "Namaste" greeting is preferable

8. Walking around temples or stupas is traditionally done clockwise.

9. Take photographs only after receiving permission for the object or person being photographed.

10. Remember, when a person shakes his head from left to right many times, he may mean "NO"

11. Develop a genuine interest to meet and talk to Nepalese people and respect their local customs.

12. Use your both hands to show appreciation and respect rather than one while giving or acepting something from others.

13. Kissing and hugging in public especially between men and women is social offence in Nepal.

Best Time to Visit:

Monsoon season is approximately from the end of June to the middle of September. About 80% of Nepal's annual rainfall is during that period, so the remainder of the year is pretty dry. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons; winter temperatures drop to freezing, with a high level of snowfall in the mountains, while high summer can be blisteringly hot. Summer and late spring temperatures range from 28ºC (83ºF) in the hill regions to more than 40ºC (104ºF) in the Terai.

In winter, average maximum and minimum temperatures in the Terai range from a brisk 7ºC (45ºF) to a mild 23ºC (74ºF). The central valleys experience a minimum temperature often falling bellow freezing point and a chilly 12ºC (54ºF) maximum. Much colder temperatures prevail at higher elevations. The Kathmandu Valley, at an altitude of 1,310m (4,297ft), has a mild climate, ranging from 19-27ºC (67-81ºF) in summer, and 2-20ºC (36-68ºF) in winter.

Required Clothing:

Lightweight and tropical clothes with umbrella are advised for June to August. Between October and March, lightweight clothes are worn in Kathmandu, with a coat for evenings and warm clothing for the mountains. When trekking in the mountains, high quality trekking gear that can handle minus temperatures is recommended all year round.

INSURANCE : Travel insurance policies that cover theft, loss, flight cancellation, emergency evacuation and medical treatment are highly recommended. Make sure the insurance also covers the activities that you will be undertaking during your stay in Nepal such as trekking, river rafting, wildlife safaris, climbing and such other activities.

IMMUNIZATION : Nepal does not require any particular Immunization for the travelers. Vaccinations for Cholera, Meningitis, Tetanus & Diphtheria, Typhoid and Gamma Globulin should be considered necessary for your trip. Please consult your physician and get a complete check - up before your departure.

MEDICAL KIT : A simple but adequate Medical Kit can be most useful without taking much space in your baggage. The following is recommended as tried and true list of items.

- Aspirin of Panadol - for pain or fever
- Antihistamine - useful as a decongestant for colds, allergies, to ease the itch from insect bites and stings or to help prevent motion sickness
- Antibiotics - useful if you are traveling off the beaten track but they must be prescribed
- Kaolin preparation (Pepto-Bismol)
- Imodium or Lomotil - for stomach upsets
- Rehydration mixture - for treatment of severe diarrhea
- Antiseptic, Mercurochrome and antibiotic powder or similar 'dry ' spray for cuts and grazes
- Calamine lotion - to ease irritation from bites or stings
- Bandages and Band-Aids - for minor injuries
- Scissors
- Tweezers and thermometers
- Insect repellent
- Water - purification tables
- Throat lozenges (Strepsils)
- Moleskin
- Eye, nose and ear drops
- Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)
- Antacid tablets.

PREVENTION, THE BEST MEDICINE : Caring oneself in eating and drinking is the most important health rule. The number one rule is not to consume the water with ice. Reputable brands of bottled water or soft drinks are generally fine. Beware of fruit juice, particularly if water may have been added.

Milk should be treated with care, as it is often un-pasteurized. Boiled milk is fine if it is kept hygienically and yoghurt (Milk curd) is usually good. Tea or coffee should also be Ok since the water would have been boiled. Salads and fruits should be washed with purified water or peeled where possible. Ice cream is usually OK if it is a reputable brand name. But beware of ice cream that has melted and been refrozen. Thoroughly cooked food is the safest but not if it has been left to cool. Stomach upsets most likely happen while traveling. But the majority of these upsets will be relatively minor. Wash your hands frequently, as it's quite easy to contaminate your own food. You should clean your teeth with purified water rather than straight from the tap. Avoid climatic extremes: keep out of the sun when it is hot, dress warmly when it is cold. Avoid potential diseases by dressing sensibly. You can get worm infections through bare feet. Try to avoid insect bites by covering bare skin when insects are around, by screening windows or by using, insect repellents.