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Nepal
Nepal is a stunning tapestry of vivid human and geographical contrasts- a mosaic of 22 million Nepalese composed of 61 ethnic cultures speaking 70 languages, largely happy folk and brave and hardy ones too.
Few other countries are so easily identified by mention of just two words Gurkha and sherpa. The former courageous service with british army is legendary, and whoever could forget Tenzing Sherpa , joint first conquerer with Sir Edmund Hillary of mighty mount everest almost 50 years ago?
The ancient capital of Kathmandu, seat of royal family, fittingly lies plumb at the center of Nepal, which came late to family of modern nations. Until 1950 it was virtually a closed and shuttered society, a living antiquity. But it could also well be called the world’s most advanced society if you allow that....
Li Mingxia
Beijing this month jan 2003.1 issue 110
Draped along the greatest heights of the Himalayas, Nepal is a land of sublime scenery, time-worn temples, and some of the best walking trails on earth...It's the kind of country that lingers in your dreams long after you leave it.
Visa
All foreigners (except Indian nationals) require visas, which can be obtained in advance or on arrival. Single-entry tourist visas costing US$30 are issued for up to 60 days and can be extended for a maximum of three months (for an extra US$50). Double and multiple-entry visas are also available.
Visas permit travel around the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara and Chitwan National Park in the Terai. Trekking permits are required if you intend striking out from the main areas; they can be obtained from immigration offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Best time to visit
Climatic factors are very important in deciding when to visit Nepal.
October-November, the start of the dry season, is in many ways the best time of year: the weather is balmy, the air is clean, visibility is perfect and the country is lush following the monsoon.
February-April, the tail end of the dry season, is the second-best period: visibility is not so good because of dust, but the weather is warm and many of Nepal's wonderful wild flowers are in bloom.
In December and January the climate and visibility are good but it can be chilly: trekkers need to be well prepared for snow, and for cheaper hotels in Kathmandu - nonexistent heating makes for rather gloomy evenings.
The rest of the year is fairly unpleasant for traveling:
May and early June are generally too hot and dusty for comfort, and the monsoon from mid-June to September obscures the mountains in cloud and turns trails and roads to mud.
Getting There
& Away
There are few direct flights to Nepal, which means most travelers from Europe, North America and Australia have to change aircraft and/or airline en route. Nepal's only international airport is Kathmandu's Tribhuvan Airport.
If you want to see the mountains as you fly into Kathmandu, make sure you sit on the right-hand side of the plane. The departure tax for international flights is US$10, or US$7 to destinations on the Indian subcontinent.
The classic overland routes between Nepal and India are still popular. Buses are usually the quickest and easiest form of transport between Nepal and India.
There are three main crossing points:
Sunauli-Bhairawa, Birganj-Raxaul Bazaar and Kakarbhitta-Siliguri. The Sunauli border crossing is the best one from Varanasi, the Birganj crossing is the easiest from Kolkata, and Kakarbhitta is the obvious choice from Darjeeling.
Getting Around
Royal Nepal Airlines and several private companies offer domestic air services.
Public buses are the main form of transportation and are incredibly cheap, There are several services between Kathmandu and Pokhara aimed specifically at tourists and they are quite comfortable.
There are no trains and no drive-yourself rental cars in Nepal. Cars with drivers can be hired.
Local transport in the Kathmandu Valley and around Pokhara includes metered and un-metered taxis, buses, tempos (three-wheeled buses), auto-rickshaws, bicycle rickshaws and bicycles
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In brief
Area: 140,800 sq km
Population: 24 million
Capital city: Kathmandu (pop 535,000)
[ map ]
People: Newars, Indians, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Bhotias, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas
Language: Nepali
Religion: 90% Hindu, 5% Buddhist, 3% Muslim, 2% other
Time: GMT/UTC plus five hours 45 minutes
Electricity: 220V, 50 Hz
Currency: Rupees
USD $ 1 = 70 NRS
Festivals
Dasain, celebrated nationwide in October, is the most important of all Nepalese celebrations. Running a close second is Tihar (November), Other festivals celebrated nationally include the water-tinged Holi (March) and Chaitra Daisan (April),. Hindu festivals number the Haribodhini Ekadashi (November) and Maha Shivaratri (March), the Gai Jatra (August) in Kathmandu and the Krishna Jayanti (August/September) in Patan.
Buddhist celebrations are just as thick on the ground, and include Mani Rimdu (November) in Solu Khumbu, Buddha Jayanti (May) in Kathmandu, and Losar (Tibetan New Year) (February) in Swayambhunath, Jawlakhel and highland communities.
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