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NEPAL
INFORMATION
Nepal
is a kingdom of high Himalayan Mountains, artistic monuments,
exotic wildlife, and diverse cultures. It is the land where
Lord Buddha was born over 2,500 years ago. The kingdom of Nepal
covers an area of 147,181 square kilometers, and stretches 145-241
kilometers north to south and 850 kilometers west to east. The
country is located between India in the South and China in the
North. Nepal is primarily an agricultural country. Tourism,
carpets and garments are major industries.
WHAT
IS NEPAL LIKE ?
Tucked away between India and
the Tibetan Plateau, Nepal is dominated by the towering Himalayas
- a majestic range of snowy giants standing guard over the stunning
beauty of our country.
Thanks
to these huge mountains, Nepal enjoys the widest range of altitude
of any country in the world. Altitudes vary from as little as
70m on the Terai plains to Mount Everest's colossal peak at
8848m. As a result, our vegetation zones include tropical, subtropical,
temperate and alpine areas.
In
these diverse natural environments an incredible range of flora
and fauna flourish, attracting nature lovers all year round.
Nepal is an ornithologist's paradise, with over 800 species
of birds, including storks, pheasants, cuckoos and enormous
birds of prey. For those who prefer larger animals, a visit
to one of the National Parks could reward you with a sighting
of our famous royal Bengal tigers, bears or one horned rhino.
You do not have to go far to see the monkeys, many of whom live
side by side with the residents of towns and villages!
Neither
do you need to go to a museum to find evidence of Nepal's long
and fascinating history: it's all around you in the towns and
villages that dot the Kathmandu valley and lie hidden in the
mountain ranges. Villages where everyday life still follows
long established traditions, and where time almost seems to
have stood still.
The
Nepalese are naturally a friendly, welcoming people. We enjoy
meeting people from around the world, and are proud to share
our wonderful country with you. Visitors to Nepal often return
time and time again, drawn by the stunning scenery, the warm
and smiling people, the outdoor adventure and the special atmosphere
that pervades the clear mountain air.
LOCATION
/ GEOGRAPHY:
The Kingdom of Nepal covers an area of 147,181 square kilometers,
and stretches 145-241 kilometers north to south and 850 kilometers
west to east. The country is located between India in the south
and China in the north. At latitudes 26 and 30 degrees north
and longitudes 80 and 88 degrees east, Nepal is topographically
divided into three regions: the Himalaya to the north, the hills
consisting of the Mahabharat range and the Churia Hills, and
the Terai to the south. Elevations are varied in the kingdom.
The highest point is Mt. Everest (8848 m) in the north and the
lowest point (70 meters above sea level) is located at Kechana
Kalan of Jhapa District. Altitude increases as you travel south
to north To the north temperatures are below - 40 degrees Celsius
and in the Terai, temperatures rise to 40 degrees Celsius in
the summer. During June, July and August, the kingdom is influenced
by monsoon clouds.
LANGUAGE:
Nepali, written in the Devanagari script, is the national language
as well as the lingua franca for Nepal's diverse communities.
Numerous languages and dialects are spoken in the kingdom, however,
only six (Nepali, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang and Nepalbhasa)
are spoken by more than half a million people. English and Hindi
are widely understood in the urban centers and areas frequented
by tourists
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 750 per person if going
to SAARC (South Asian) countries and Rs 1100 for departure to
other international destinations. Domestic airport tax is Rs
165.
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 rupees. Exchange rate is approximately
US $ 1 = 76.10
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)
| |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| Kathmandu |
19-2 |
20-4 |
25-8 |
30-11 |
30-16 |
30-20 |
30-21 |
29-20 |
27-19 |
23-15 |
23-4 |
20-2 |
| Pokhara |
20-8 |
21-8 |
27-11 |
30-16 |
30-19 |
30-20 |
30-21 |
30-21 |
29-20 |
27-18 |
23-11 |
20-8 |
| Chitwan |
24-7 |
26-8 |
33-12 |
35-18 |
35-20 |
35-23 |
33-24 |
33-24 |
32-22 |
31-18 |
29-12 |
24-8 |
Absolute
extreme temperatures: Bhairawa (max 42-min 5); Gorkha (33-5);
Janakpur (42-4); Jiri (28-minus6)
HISTORY
For centuries the Kingdom of Nepal was divided into
many principalities. Kirats ruled in the east, the Newars in
the Kathmandu Valley, while Gurungs and Magars occupied the
mid-west. The Kirats ruled from 300 BC and during their reign,
emperor Ashoka arrived from India to build a pillar at Lumbini
in memory of Lord Buddha. The Kirats were followed by the Lichhavis
whose descendants today are believed to be the Newars of the
Kathmandu Valley. During this period, art thrived in Nepal and
many of the beautiful woodcarvings and sculptures that are found
in the country belong to this era. With the end of the Lichhavi
dynasty, Malla kings came to power in 1200 AD and they also
con tributed tremendously to Nepal's art and culture. However,
after almost 600 years of rule, the kings were not united among
themselves and during the late 11th century, Prithvi Narayan
Shah, King of Gorkha, conquered Kathmandu and united Nepal into
one kingdom. Recognizing the threat of the British Raj in India,
he dismissed European missionaries from the country and for
more than a century, Nepal remained in isolation. During the
mid-I 9th century Jung Bahadur Rana became Nepal's first prime
minister to wield absolute power. He set up an oligarchy and
the Shah Kings remained figureheads. The Ranas were overthrown
in a democracy movement of the early 1950s. Today, Nepal enjoys
a multi party democratic system with a constitutional Monarch.
THE
PEOPLE, CULTURE & RELIGION:
Nepalese people are mainly divided into two distinct groups,
the Indo-Aryans and the Mongoloids. Kathmandu Valley is the
spiritual and cultural meeting point of all these groups.
Religious
practices are an important part of the lives of the Nepalese
people. Mythologies of various Hindu gods and goddesses abound
in this country and cultural values are based on the philosophies
of holy books like the Swasthani Gita, Ramayana etc.
Women
and children visit neighborhood shrines at dawn to offer worship
to the gods. Holding plates of rice, flowers, and vermilion
powder, they perform puja by lighting incense, ringing the temple
bell, and applying tika, a red paste, on their foreheads. Passers
by stop at temples and show their reverence to the gods by spending
a few minutes praying. Occasionally, groups of men sit near
temples playing music and singing hyms until late night.
In
Nepal, Hinduism and Buddhism are the two main religions. The
two have co-existed down the ages and many Hindu temples share
the same complex as Buddhist shrines. Hindu and Buddhist worshipers
may regard the same god with different names while performing
religious rites.
Though
Nepal is the only Hindu Kingdom in the world, many other religions
like Islam, Christianity, and Bon are practiced here. Some of
the earliest inhabitants like the Kirats practice their own
kind of religion based on ancestor worship and the Tharus practice
animism. Over the years, Hinduism and Buddhism have been influenced
by these practices which have been modified to form a synthesis
of newer beliefs.
As
a result, visitors to this country may often find the religious
practices in Nepal difficult to follow and understand. But this
does not prevent one from enjoying the different traditional
ceremonies and rituals of Nepalese culture. It is indeed a totally
new experience of religious fervor.
A.
HINDUISM:
Thousands of gods and goddesses make up the Hindu pantheon.
Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are he three major Hindu gods who
have heir own characteristics and incarnations. Each god has
his own steed which is often seen kneeling faithfully outside
that god's temple. Symbolic objects are carried by the multiple
ands of each deity which empowers them to perform great feats.
B.
BUDDHISM:
Sakyamuni Buddha is the founder of Buddhism who lived and taught
in this part of the world during the sixth century BC. The great
stupas of Swayambhunath and Bouddhanath are among the oldest
and most beautiful worship sites in the Kathmandu Valley.
The
spinning of prayer wheels, prostrating pilgrims, collective
chants and burning butter lamps are some Buddhist practices
often encouithtered by tourists. A slip of paper bearing a mantra
is kept inside the wheels so that prayers are sent to the gods
when the wheel is spun. Scenes from the Buddha's life and Buddhist
realms are depicted on thangka scroll paintings which are used
during meditation and prayer ceremonies. Many Buddhist followers
are seen performing these practices in Swayambhunath, Boudanath,
and at other Buddhist sites around the Valley.
ECONOMY:
Nepal is a developing country with an agricultural economy.
In recent years, the country's efforts to expand into manufacturing
industries and other technological sectors have achieved much
progress. Farming is the main ecomic activity followed by manufacturing,
trade and tourism, The chief sources of foreign currency earnings
are merchandise export, services, tourism and Gurkha remittances.
The annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is about US$ 4.3 billion.
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 modem 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.
ENTRY
PROCEDURES:
Nepalese entry procedures change frequently. As of Jan. 2000
you can obtain a 60 day single entry visa at any entry point
in Nepal for US $30. It is recommended to check prior to arriving
in Nepal what the current procedure is and also to bring at
least one passport photo with you if you intend arranging your
visa on arrival here. (Carry all necessary documentation in
your hand luggage.)
ENTRY
POINT:
By
Air:
Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.
By
Bus:
(1) Kakarbhitta (2) Birgunj (3) Belhiya (Bhairahawa) (4)
Nepalgung (5) Dhangadi (6) Jogbani (Biratnagar) and (7) Mahendra
Nagar in Nepal-India border and (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.
OFFICAL
HOLIDAYS:
Saturday and Sunday are the weekend holidays in Nepal when most
government offices are closed. Most business are closed only
on Saturdays.
WORKING
HOURS:
Government offices open from 9 A.M. to 17 P.M. in the summer
and from 9 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 during your stay
in Nepal such as trekking or river rafting.
BOOKING
& PAYMENT:
All bookings must be made at least 2 months in advance with
complete passport details. A deposit of 10% is also required
at the time of booking to secure confirmed status. Bookings
may be processed in less than 15 days depending on space availability.
Balance payment must be settled at least 15 days before trip
departure. Payment may be forwarded to our following bank address:
Himalayan
Bank Ltd.
Main branch, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal.
TELEX NO. 2789 HIBA NP SWIFT: HIMANPKA
A/C No: 341050J
Name: Gyaneswor Sapkota (Managing Director of agency)
CANCELLATION
POLICY:
There will be a cancellation charge of 50% for confirmed booking
upto 7 days prior to departure whereas, no refund thereafter.
No refund for no shows & delay arrivals whatsoever reason.
For
details please contact at:
Country
Holiday (P) Ltd.
P. O. Box No. 20359, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 00977 1 4278 435 Fax: 00977 1 4278435
E-mail: turnepal@wlink.com.np
Web: www.asianholidaytours.com,
www.countryholiday.com.np
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