Nepal

Nepal is a beautiful country with lofty mountains, pristine nature, mesmerizing monuments, typical culture and festivals. Sincere smiles of Nepalese people can evoke the beauty of slow pace of life. No matter how hard is the life but Nepalese people take it easy; they do not shun and call it with hard names. This is what the foreigners have to learn from us. And, surely they have learnt ‘ simplicity is the beginning of nature and the last of an art”.

Nepal stands as a unique destination for nature, culture and adventure. It is one of the most favorite destinations for mountaineers, trekkers and nature lover. Visitors comment “Nepal is so natural and insatiable and visiting your country once is not enough” Definitely, magnificent snow-capped Himalayan range, top of the world Mt Everest, The birthplace of Lord Buddha – Lumbini, trekking through undulating landscape, rafting in raging rivers, Jungle safari in wilderness, pristine nature and enjoying typical festival and culture has surely allured foreigners.

How to reach Nepal ?

Traveling by Air: The Royal Nepal Airlines is the national flag carrier of Nepal with flights scheduled to Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Bangkok and Hong Kong . Other international airlines operating from/ to Kathmandu are Air Arabia (Sharjah), Air China (Lhasa, Chengdu), Arke Fly (Amsterdam), Bahrain Air (Bahrain), Biman Bangladesh (Dhaka), China Southern Airlines (Guanzhou), China Eastern (Kunming), Dragon Air (Hong Kong), Druk Air (Delhi, Paro), Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi), Fly Dubai (Dubai), GMG Airlines (Dhaka), Gulf Air (Bahrain, Muscat), Indian Airlines (Delhi, Kolkotta, Varanasi), Jet Airways (Delhi, Mumbai), Jet Lite (Delhi), Kingfisher Airlines (Delhi), Korean Air (Seoul), Pakistan International Airlines (Karachi), Qatar Airways (Doha), Silk Air (Singapore) and Thai Airways (Bangkok).

Airfares fluctuate with the changes in exchange rates and are to be paid in foreign currency by foreign nationals. Only Nepalese and Indian nationals are permitted to pay in rupees for air passage between Nepal and India. Departure flight tickets should be reconfirmed three days in advance to avoid inconveniences by possible flight cancellation or changes in the flight schedule. Overweight luggage charges are levied in foreign exchange.

Traveling by road / Entry Points
All visitors entering Nepal by land must use these designated entry points and may not enter from any other point:

• Nepal-India border: Kakarbhitta, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, Mahendra Nagar

• Nepal-China border: Kodari

Note: Overland tourists entering the country with their vehicles must possess an international carnet.

VISA FEE & RULES

Tourist Visa

• 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

Gratis (Free) Visa

• Gratis visa for 30 days is available only for nationals of SAARC countries. However, for extension of visa for SAARC nationals, the rule is same as that of other nationals.
• Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal.

For Visa Extension:
Tourists can stay for a maximum of 150 days in a visa year (Jan 1 to Dec 31) extending the visa at the rate of 2 US $ per day. However, a minimum amount of 30 US$ has to be paid for a period of 15 days or less.

Further information: Department of Immigration, Maitighar, Kathmandu

Tel: 00977-1-4221996/ 4223590 Website: www.immi.gov.np )

Custom Formalities

Any visitor bringing in more than 5000 US$ or equivalent amount in any other currency/currencies must declare the currency/currencies at the Customs Office in the Airport.

Customs:
All baggage must be declared and cleared through the customs on arrival at the entry point. Personal effects are permitted free entry. 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 sticks) or cigars (50 sticks), 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:
The export of antiques requires special certification from the Department of Archeology, National Archive Building, Ram Shah Path, Kathmandu. It is illegal to export objects over 100 years old, such as 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.

For more information on customs matters, contact the Chief Customs Administrator, TIA Customs Office (Phone: 4470110, 4472266).

Weather & Temperature

It is difficult to say the actual weather and temperature as the climatic conditions of Nepal vary from one place to another in accordance with the geographical features.  In the north summers are cool and winters severe, while in south summers are tropical and winters are mild.  In terai, summer temperature exceeds 38° C However, Pokhara and Kathmandu have moderate and pleasant climate through-out the year. We have five major seasons; Winter (Dec. Jan. Feb), Spring (Mar. Apr), Summer (May,June) Monsoon  (July, August, Sept), Autumn (Oct, Nov).  There is no seasonal constraint travelling in Nepal. Just, it depends what visitors want to do / see; trekking, mountain, floods, festivals, culture, people, greenery, agriculture, shopping, pilgrimage, research, photography, meditation, Ayurveda study, Gemestones research etc.

 Average temperatures and rainfall during peak summer and winter in three places: