Nepal at a glance
Area: 147,181 Sq. km
Location: Situated between China in the north and India in the South, East and West.
Capital: Kathmandu
Population: 23.1 Million
Language: Nepali is the national language. However travel-trade people understand and speak English as Well.
Currency: Nepalese Rupee (approximately US$ 1 equals Rs. 72.89 as pf January 2007.
Political System: Multi-party Democracy.
Religion: Nepal is a secular state with a pre-dominance of Hindus and Buddhist population.
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 then 101 ethnic groups and 92 spoken languages.
What to Wear: Light weight clothing is recommended for May through October. Warm garments are required in October-March. An umbrella or a raincoat is a must for all rainy season.

Access to Nepal
BY AIR: Nepal Airlines is the National Flag Carrier of Nepal with flights to/from Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Osaka, Shanghai and Singapore. Other Internationals Airlines operating from/to Kathmandu are Austrain Airlines (Vienna), Air China (Lhasa), Air Nepal (Bangkok, Doha, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur), Air Sahara (Delhi) Biman Bangladesh (Dhaka), Cosmic Air (Delhi, Dhaka, Kolkotta, Varanasi), Gulf Air (Bahrain, Muscat), Indian Airlines (Delhi, Kolkotta, Varanasi), Jet Airways (Delhi), PIA (Karachi), Qatar Airways (Doha), Royal Druk Air (Delhi, Paro), and Thai Airways (Bangkok).

By Land: All visitors entering Nepal by land must use no other entry points other than (1) Kakarbhitta (2) Birgunj (3) Belhiya, Bhairahawa (4) Nepalgunj (5) Dhangadi and (6) Mahendra Nagar in the Nepal-India border and (7) Kodari in the Nepal-China border. The overland tourists entering the Kingdom with their vehicles must possess on international carnet or complete customs formalities.

Foreign Exchange: Foreign currencies must be exchanged only through the banks or authorized foreign exchange dealers. The receipts from such transaction are to be obtained and retained. Visitors can exchange money at the foreign exchange counter at the airport also. Indian Currency Rs.500/- and Rs.1, 000/- note is not allowed to be brought into Nepal and will not be exchanged and will not be accepted for transaction of any kind.

Customs Formalities: All baggage must be declared and cleared through the customs on arrival at the entry. Personal effects are permitted free entry. A tourist may bring in dutiable goods, such as tobacco and liquors, within the prescribed quantity free of duty. Carrying narcotics, arms and ammunition are strictly prohibited (Tel: 4470110 / 4472266). Visitors can export souvenirs to their respective countries. The export of antiques requires special certificate from the Department of Archaeology, National Archive Building, Ram Shah Path, Kathmandu (Tel: 4250686).

Passenger Service Charge + Tourist Service Fee: Rs.1, 356/- per person for departure to SAARC (South Asian) countries and Rs.1, 695/- for departure to other international destinations.

Domestic Airlines: Nepal Airlines has an extensive network of air services to major parts of the country. Besides Nepal Airlines, other domestic airlines (there are more than 18 in operation) provide regular and charter services to popular domestic destinations.

Mountain Flight: Many domestic Airlines operate breath-taking Everest experience flights for tourists round the year only in the morning. The flying duration is one hour.

Getting Around
Metered taxis are easily recognizable by the taxi sign and black number plates and can be hailed off the street. Micro buses, cheaper than taxis are also available. Battery run EV tempos are also available. No tip is expected. There are regular bus services within the three cities of the Kathmandu Valley operating form Ratna Park (old bus terminal). Similarly, scheduled bus services for outside the valley operate from the Gongabu Bus Terminal. In addition, one can also hire mountain or motor bikes at nominal rate.

Facilities: Nepal has every category f accommodation facilities. These range from the international standard Star Hotels and Resorts to budget hotels and Lodges. In order to have an assured quality service, it is advisable to use the facilities and services of government registered hotels, lodges, travel agencies, the licensed tour guides only and engage an authorized trekking guide or porter only through a registered travel/trekking agency.

Entry Procedures
Visa Formalities
Free visa for all tourists who visit Nepal only for 3 days.
Free visa for tourists of SAARC countries and People’s Republic of China

Visa Fee: Single entry - US$ 30 days for 60 days
Multiple entry – US$ 50+US$ 30

Visa fee will be extended subsequently for 30 days upon payment of US$ 30 for a maximum period of 150 days in Visa year (Jan-Dec)
Visa can be obtained either on arrival in Nepal or from Nepalese Embassy or Consulate or other Mission offices abroad.
One passport size photograph is required.

Indian Nationals: Indian nationals do not require visa. However, Indians traveling to Nepal by air have to show upon arrival at entry point either a passport, Voter’s Identity card issued by the Election Commission of India, or an identify card issued photograph issued by the Central or State Government of India. Temporary identity card with photograph issued by Nepal-based Indian diplomatic missions for identification of Indian nationals will also be considered in case of exceptions. Children under 10 years need not show any identification. For students between the age of 10-18 years, School/College photo ID Card is valid.