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 Special Notice:
Please be informed that Department of Immigration has moved from Baneshwor to Bhrikuti Mandap (near Nepal Tourism Board), from February 12, 2001 onwards. For the visa appliaction and its processing you are requested to contact at Department of Immigration, Tourist Service Centre, Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu, Nepal.
By Air:
Direct from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Vienna, Amsterdam, Moscow, Sharjah, Dubai, Dhaka, Karachi, Munich, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Paro, Lhasa, Singapore, New Delhi, Mumbai, Patna, Calcutta and Varanasi are connected with Kathmandu via various airlines, viz. Royal Nepal Airlines, Aeroflot, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, China South-West Airlines, Condor Airlines, Druk Air, Indian Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Transavia, Gulf Air, Qatar Airlines, Necon Air and and Thai International
Other Transport Arrangements :
There are taxi and auto rickshaws (three wheelers) with fare meters in Kathmandu. Motorcycles, bicycles and rickshaws are also available.
Passport and Visa:
All visitors to Nepal except the Indian nationals must hold valid passports and visa. The Royal Nepalese Embassies or Consulates abroad or the Immigration Offices at the entry points provide a visa upon the presentation of a valid passport, two passport size photos and a payment of visa fees. Tourists can extend their visas at the Department of Immigration, Tridevi Marg, Kathmandu (TEL: 494273, 494337) and the Immigration Office in Pokhara.
Nepalese currency can be purchased at foreign exchange counter at the airport. Foreign currency exchange counters of different banks are also located in the city. Foreign currencies must be exchanged only through the banks or authorized foreign exchange. The exchange-rate of the foreign currencies are announced in the daily newspapers.
Visa Fees: (More Simplified Now!!!)
Single entry tourist visa: US$30 for 60 days
Re-entry Fee: Single:US$25; Double:US$40; Multiple:US$60
Visitors arrived with tourist visa intending to come again within 150 days
entry visa : US$ 50 for 30 days
Vistors intending to stay more than 60 days need to pay
tourist visa extension fee of US$ 50 (in Nepalese currency) for 30 days from the Department of Immigration
Business Visa with multiple entry can be obtained from the Department of Immigration for the period of one year and five years upon the recommendation of Ministry of Industry by paying the equivalent of US$ 100 and US$ 250 respectively in Nepalese currency for the foreign investors
Banks:
Banks are open between 10:00 A.M. to 2:30 p.m, Sunday to Thursdays and between 1 0:00 A.M. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays. Closed on Saturdays and national holidays.
Customs Formalities :
Passengers arriving without any dutiable goods can pass through the Green Channel. Dutiable goods have to be declared at the Red Channel. It is illegal to export goods over a 100 years old. The Department of Archeology has to certify for export any metal statues, sacred paintings and similar objects before being taken out of the country.
Airport Tax :
An Airport tax of Rs. 600/ per passenger is levied on departure to SAARC (South Asian) Countries and Rs. 1,000 to other international destinations. Those flying within Nepal are required to pay Rs. 100 as the airport tax.
Currency and Foreign Exchange:
The unit of the Nepalese Currency is Rupee. One Nepali Rupee is made up of 100 paisa. Nepali Rupee notes come in Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000. Coins come in paisa 5,10,25,50 Rs. 1 , 2, 5 denominations.
Foreign visitors other than the Indian nationals are required to pay their hotel bills and air tickets in foreign currency.
Mountaineering and Rafting:
To scale any of the mountain peaks in Nepal or to raft the Himalayan rivers, climbing/rafting permits are needed which can be obtained from the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mountaineering Section (Tel: 247041, Fax: 227281). However, climbing permit for trekking peaks can be obtained from Nepal Mountaineering Association (Tel: 434525, Fax: 434578)
Trekking Permit:
Exciting News for Trekkers & Adventure lovers!!!
Trekking permit is not essential for the general trekking areas such as the Everest, the Annapurna and the Langtang effective from July 17, 1999. Likewise, rafting permit has also been revoked effective from the same date. However, entry fees in the National Parks (Rs 650) and Conservation Areas (Rs 1000) remain unchanged.
Other than obove trekking area, any foreigner intending to trek in any part of Nepal has to obtain a trekking permit from the Department of Immigration. Trekking is permitted only in the areas specified by the Department of Immigration.
Time:
Nepal time is 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT and 15 minutes ahead of Indian Standard Time.
Official Holiday :
Government and most other offices work six days a week. Saturday is the weekend in Nepal.
Working Hours :
Government offices open from 1 0 A.M. to 17:00 P.M. in summer and till 16:00 P.M. in winter. On Fridays these offices are open till 3:00 P.M. only.
Electricity : 220 volts / 50 Hz.
Some of the rules for trekking are as follows:
Trekking may be undertaken for only one place or an area at a time.
Trekkers should follow the route prescribed for them by the Department of Immigration.
To trek along routes that are not prescribed may create serious problems regarding security, food and accommodation.
It is advised to arrange trekking through the registered trekking agencies to prevent oneself from any unseen accident during the trekking period.
While trekking it is advisable to take only authorized guide and porter.
Be careful with matches around wooded or grassy areas, forest and grass fire causes serious damages.
Be most economical with all fuel, specially regarding the local firewood use minimum fuel for hot showers and discourage camp-fire.
Trekkers are strictly forbidden to cut any green forest resources and to kill any wildlife. Give preference to lodges and trekking companies that do not use firewood and encourage their efforts to conserve the environment.
Use washing and toilet facilities provided or if none are available make sure you are at least 30 meters away from any water source. Bury excreta and toilet papers and use biodegradable toiletries. Avoid the use of non-biodegradable items as much as possible. Support measures to reduce pollution and improve the environment.
Altitude Sickness:
Altitude Sickness, often known as Acute Mountain Sickness, if not treated when symptoms first appear, can lead to death. It is the effect of altitude on those who ascent too rapidly to elevations above 3,000 meters. Early mountain sickness will manifest itself in headache, loss of appetite and sleeplessness. Do not ignore these warnings otherwise more serious symptoms can occur which can even cause death sometimes within a few hours. Being young, strong and fit does not help. Descend to a lower altitude immediately. If you are in the Khumbu region, contact Khunde/ Pheriche hospitals and Manang hospital if in Manang area for altitude sickness and information. Doctors are available there during trekking season.
Some hints regarding religious matters: Visitors to Hindu temple or Buddhist shrine are expected to be unshoed as a mark of respect. In fact, a pair of open sandals is more convenient and comfortable while visiting the temples and stupas. In some of the temples, entrance may be prohibited for the non-Hindus. Leather articles are prohibited inside the temple precinct. It is better not to touch offerings or persons when they are on way to shrines. Beef is strictly prohibited among the Hindus. No female animal is killed for food. Walking around temple or Stupa is traditionally done clockwise. Generally, temples, Stupas and monuments are permitted to be photographed but it is better to seek permission first.
Social Outlooks : The Nepalese people are friendly and hospitable by nature and the tourists in general will have no difficulty in adjustment
Since the majority of our people live in rural areas, they have a simple and traditional outlook on life. Here are few things/pointers to help you:
It is better to be decently clad when visiting any place. Sun and beach wear is not ideal when roaming around the city or village. Brief shorts, bare shoulders and backs may not be appreciated. One need not to be stiff, and overdressed but just comfortably and decently covered.
Do not be offended if a Nepalese lady hesitates to shake hands. In Nepal, people and specially the ladies, do not normally shake hands when they greet one another, but instead press the palms together in a prayer-like gesture known as "Namaste".
Public displays of affection between man and women are frowned upon. Do not do something that is totally alien to our environment.
We are hard on drug abuse, trafficking and possession of drugs are taken as serious offences.
Cheap charity breeds beggars but does not solve their basic problem. Therefore, do not encourage beggary by being benevolent.
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