Nepal, a sovereign independent country, is a exotic place of
natural beauties. The country is privileged to have the world's highest peak Mt. Everest
monitoring and protecting us. The land where Lord Buddha was born and to be known as the
world largest Hindu country.
GEOGRAPHY
Nepal is a landlocked country with the total area of 147,181 sq. kilometers, and stretches
145-241 kilometers north to south and 850 kilometers west to east. The country is bordered
by China to the North and India to the south, East and West.
At latitudes 26 and 30 degrees north.
At 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 in the middle, and the fertile valleys of Terai to the south.
Elevations are varied from the highest point on earth - Mt. Everest (8848 m) in the north
and the lowest point a mere 70 meters above sea level in the south.
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LANGUAGE
The official language of Nepal is Nepali and written in Devanagari script. However, with
different ethnic cultures their language also varies.
English is understood and spoken by majority of people in Kathmandu valley and other major
cities.
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CLIMATE
The climate of Nepal varies from area depending upon the altitude of the place.The
main rainy season is during the monsoon period from June to September.
A visit to Nepal is possible all the year round. But activities like mountain flight,
jungle safari excursions, rafting and trekking are best from October to May.
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CLOTHING
Warm clothing are required from November to February and Tropical wear from March to
October.
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WATER
In Nepal tap water is not recommended for drinking. All the major hotels and restaurants
in Kathmandu, Pokhara & Chitwan avail customers with boiled and filtered water.
Mineral water also is available in most of the places. It is advisable to use water
sterilization tablets or stick to tea and bottled soft drinks.
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ENTERING NEPAL
The capital Kathmandu is linked by air with London,Frankfurt, Shanghai, Osaka, Paris, Hong
Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Bombay, Calcutta, New Delhi, Moscow, Lhasa, Paro, Dubai, Dhaka,
Varanasi, Karachi and Doha. Besides the national flag carrier Royal Nepal Airlines
Corporation, Indian Airlines, Thai Airways International, Singapore Airlines, Bangladesh
Biman, Pakistan International Airlines, China South West Airlines, Druk Air, Aeroflot,
Qatar Airway operate their schedule flight to Kathmandu.
Travelers may also enter the country by road through five major entry points to Nepal -
Kakarbhitta, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Bhairahawa from India and Kodari from Tibet.
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CUSTOMS
Passengers arriving at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) without any dutiable goods
can proceed through the Green Channel for quick clearance. If you are carrying dutiable
articles, you have to pass through the Red Channel.
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PASSPORT
A valid passport is required for all the nationals except Indian.
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NEPAL ENTRY VISA
All the nationals are required to obtain visa except Indian nationals for the entry into
the country. The visa can be obtained from Royal Nepal Embassy or Consulate or at the
entry points in Nepal.
Visa Fee :
Period Type of Visa
Fee (US$)
15 Days Single Entry
15.00
30 Days Single Entry
25.00
30 Days Double Entry
40.00
60 Days Multiple Entry
60.00
The goods that can be brought in without any duty are cigarettes (200 sticks) or cigars
(50 sticks), distilled liquor (1.15 liter bottle), and film (15 rolls) apart from used
personal effects.
Export of object over 100 years old (sacred images, paintings, and manuscripts etc.) is
illegal. The export of metal statues, sacred paintings and similar objects has to be
certified by The Department of Archaeology.
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AIRPORT TAX
An airport tax of Rs. 900.00 for the passengers departing to a member country of SAARC and
Rs.1000.00 for the travel to a third country has to be paid.
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BUSINESS DAYS AND HOURS
The Nepal Standard Time is 5 Hours 45 Minutes ahead of GMT. Government offices open from
9AM to 5 PM Monday to Friday. Banking hour is from 9AM to 3 PM from Monday to Friday.
Embassies and international organizations are open from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through
Thursday while most of the business houses are open from 9 AM to 5 PM Sunday through
Friday.
Saturday and Sunday is observed as official weekly holiday in Nepal. Most of the
businesses and shops are closed on Saturday, while the museums throughout the valley
remain closed on Tuesday and other government holidays.
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CURRENCY REGULATION
Import of Indian currency by any national except Indian is strictly prohibited. Any other
currency either in travelers cheques or cash can be brought in any quantity provided it is
declared upon arrival. The money can be exchanged from a bank or an authorized currency
dealer. Upon exchange of convertible currency, a receipt is issued by the exchanging
authority in which the monetary transaction should be recorded.
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LOCAL CURRENCY
Nepalese currency unit is Rupees (locally pronounced Rupiah) and denoted by currency
symbol Rs. One Rupees is subdivided into 100 paisa.
The denomination of the currency notes in use are Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500,
1000 and the coins are found in the denomination of 5, 10, 25, 50 paisa and Rs. 1, 5, 10.
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ELECTRICITY
220 Volts AC at 50 hertz throughout the country.
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