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NEPAL INFORMATION Weather - Best Time To Go - Places to See and more
KHUMBU VALLEY TRAIL and VILLAGES] Peak Freaks Expeditions CLIMBING TREKKING PHOTO GALLERY
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO TO NEPAL? Climate factors are very important in deciding on a visit to Nepal. October-November, the start of the dry season, is in many ways the best time of the year in Nepal. With the monsoon only recently finished the country-side is green and lush and Nepal is at its most beautiful. Rice is harvested and there are some more important and colorful festivals to enjoy. At this time of the year the air is sparkling clean, visibility is unexcelled and the Himalayan views are as near perfect as you can ask. Further more the weather is still balmy, neither too hot nor too cold. For obvious reasons, this is also the peak tourist season. In December-January the temperatures and visibility are still good, though it can get very cold. Trekkers need to be well prepared, as snow can be encountered on high-altitude treks. Heading for the Everest Base Camp at this time of the year can be a real feat of endurance and the Annapurna Circuit trek is often closed by snow on the Thorang La pass. Down in Kathmandu the cheaper hotels, where heating is non-existent, are often chilly and gloomy in the evenings. There's sometimes a brief winter monsoon, lasting just a day or two in January. February-March-April, the tail end of the dry season, is good second-best time. The weather gets warmer so high-altitude treks are no longer as arduous, although by the end of the dry season, before the monsoon breaks, it starts to get too hot for comfort. Visibility is not good as earlier in the dry season since the country is now very dry, and dust in the air reduces that crystal Himalayan clarity. In compensation, Nepal's wonderful rhododendrons and many other flowers are in bloom so there's plenty of color to be seen along the trekking trails. May and the early part of June are not the best months as it is extremely hot and dusty and the coming monsoon hangs over you like a threat. Mid-June to September, when the monsoon finally arrives, is the least popular time to visit Nepal. The rains wash the dust out the air, but the clouds obscure the mountains so you're unlikely to enjoy more than a rare glimpse of Himalaya. Although it doesn't rain all day it usually does rain everyday and the trails will be muddy and plagued by leeches. Despite this, it is possible to trek during the monsoon, although high rivers may further complicate matters and it's certainly not as pleasant as other times of the year. Landslides sometimes block roads during the monsoon but many visitors still come to Nepal form India as the weather is even less pleasant down on the plains. The latter part of the monsoon, the months of August-September, are a time of festivals which will certainly enliven a visit to Kathmandu. Location:
Nepal borders with the Tibet Autonomous
Region of the People's of China in the North and India in the East, South and
West respectively. Area:
147,181 sq. Kilometers Altitude:
Varies from 70 meters to 8848 meters Capital:
Kathmandu Population:
approx. 22 million Language:
Nepali is the national language of Nepal.
Educated people understand and speak English as well. Time:
Nepali is the national language of Nepal.
Educated people understand and speak English as well. Climate:
Nepal has four major seasons. People and
Religion: Nepalese
people are mainly divided into two distinct groups, the Indo-Aryans and the
Mongolians. Kathmandu Valley is the spiritual and cultural meeting point
of all these groups. Nepal is the only Hindu Kingdom in the World.
Hindu Temples and Buddhist shrines are scattered all over the kingdom.
Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the Light of Asia. Hindus and
Buddhists live together harmoniously in Nepal. Currency and
Foreign Exchange: Nepali Rupee notes come in
Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500, 1000
denominations. Coins come 5p, 10p, 25p, Rs. 1, 2, 5 denominations. Foreign
currencies must be exchanged only through the banks or authorized foreign
exchange dealers. The receipts from such transaction are to be obtained
and retained. Visitors can exchange foreign currency at the foreign
exchange counter at the airport upon arrival. Visitors other than the
Indian national have to make the payment in foreign currency in hotel, travel
agencies or trekking agencies and air tickets. Non-Indian visitors are not
allowed to import or export Indian currency. The approximate value of one
USA dollar is equivalent to Rs. 73.65 as of January 30, 2001. Entry Procedure:
All visitors except the Indian nationals must hold a passport and a valid visa.
The visas can be obtained at the Nepalese Diplomatic Missions and Consulates
abroad and entry points issue visa for visitors. The visa will be extended
at the Department of Immigration. 3. The
visitors who wish to stay for more that 60 days in Nepal can extend their
tourist visa by paying the equivalent of US$50 in the Nepalese currency for 30
days from the Department of Immigration. ENTRY
POINTS: By Air:
Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu Customs
formalities: All
baggage must be declared and cleared through the customs on the part of entry.
Personal effects are permitted free entry. The duty on articles brought by
the visitor varies according to the volume and value of the goods. A
tourist may bring in dutiable goods, such as tobacco and liquors, within the
prescribed quantity free of duty. Carrying narcotics, arms and ammunition
are strictly prohibited. Visitors can export souvenirs to their respective
countries. The export of antiques requires special certificate from the
Department of Archaeology, National Archive Building, Ram Shah path, Kathmandu
(Tel: 215358). Gold, silver, precious stones, wild animals and their
skins, horns, wild flora and fauna etc. and all drugs whether processed or
in their natural state are prohibited to export. Travel
route: Royal
Nepal Airlines the national flag carrier of Nepal and other International
airlines operate scheduled flights to Kathmandu from Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Bombay,
Calcutta, Doha, Delhi, Dubai, Dhaka, Paro (Bhutan), Airport tax: International tax now including in your arriving airline ticket. Airport
transportation: In
addition to metered taxis, limousine service is also available at the airport
for transport to major hotels in the city. Cost to Kathmandu is approximately Rs.
200. Other
transport services: Metered
taxis having black plates with white figures are available in Kathmandu.
Metered tempo (three wheeler scooters) is also available and is slightly cheaper
than taxis. Bicycle, motorcycles and rickshaws are also available on hire.
The fare for the bicycles or motorcycles is fixed where as the fare of rickshaws
is to be negotiated. There are regular bus services between the main town
and interiors of the Kathmandu valley. The Bus Terminal is located at
Gongabu (new bus terminal) and Bagbazar (old but terminal). Similarly,
scheduled bus services for outside the valley operate from the Gongabu Bus
Terminal which is located near Balaju, Kathmandu Facilities: Major tourist
attractions: The river rafting which is known as White Water Adventure represents another major attractions. With distance of 100 miles, one can see the topographical variations with the river rising from the higher points near Nepal - Tibetan border and then dropping dramatically to lower levels the plains bordering India. For those who wish to view wildlife, Nepal offers plenty of scope. There are eight National Parks and four Wildlife Reserves and two Conservation Area in Nepal. For the less
adventure, Pokhara the lake-city of Nepal has no equal as it provides ample
opportunities for fishing, swimming, canoeing and boating along with the
sightseeing of majestic panoramic views in its background. It is only Pokhara, a
tropical spotty with an altitude of about 900 meter from where one can see the
mountain crossing over 8000 meters from such a short distance of about 40
kilometers. For the nature lovers Nepal is such a land of natural beauty
that metaphors cannot delineate its real picture. Places to Visit KATHMANDU
CITY Pashupatinath Dakshinkali Boudanath Swayambhunath Painted on the four sided base below the spire are the all seeing eyes of lord Buddha. The whole area around the Stupa contains an array of small stupas and temples. This is one of the best places from which to view the Kathmandu valley, as it is situated an a small hillock. BHAKTAPUR Nagarkot The top of Nagarkot commands accelerating views in all direction. The altitude of Nagarkot is 2229Mt. Above from sea level. It is also very popular for the viewing sunrise and sunset.
Patan You will see Durbar square, the Patan durbar (palace), which houses a bronze collection, the Krishna temple built by King Siddi Narsinh Malla, Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, and Mahaboudha Temple. A trip to the Tibetan Refugee Centre and the Handicraft Centre will be included during your visit to Patan, where you will witness the hand weaving of Tibetan carpets and molding of metal statues. Pokhara
Valley What to See
Lumbini The
birth place of Lord Buddha Nepal is well known to the world as the sacred birth place of Lord Buddha as it is famous for its mountains and monuments. It attained a high level of civilization and prospwerity, and its acclaim is well deserved. Buddha was born into a royal family. Immediately after his birth, he took seven steps in the four cardinal directions, and wherever he set foot, a divine lotus flower bloomed.
HOLIDAYS
Govt.
Office-Hour:
Note: Government
offices and banks are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and other
Electricity:
Medical
facility:
The Garbage:
THE GARBAGE'S
ARE DIVIDED INTO THREE CATEGORIES: a. Toilet paper b. Cardboard boxes and paper waste c. Bamboo baskets and mats d. Cotton and jute bags e. Spoiled food 2. Recycling materials: a. Tins, bottles jars and plastic containers b. Plastic and foil bags and sheeting's. c. Reusable cooking gas cylinders d. Gas Canisters 3. Re-exportable goods; a. Used oxygen bottles b. Used batteries c. Climbing equipment's such as tents, personal gear etc.
Economy Overview Labour Force GDP Facts and Figures Industries and Land Use
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HIMALAYAN HIGH ALTITUDE SPECIALISTS since 1983
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Kathmandu
is known as Kantipur, the kingdom of Nepal. Here you will visit the temple of
the living Goddess, who acknowledges the greetings of her devotees from balcony
of her temple residence, Kathmandap-the source of the name Kathmandu. It was
allegedly made from the timber of a single tree. Next, on to the Durbar Square
area with its array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the
ancient palace of the Nepalese Royalty.
Located
approximately 3km from the center of Kathmandu, this Buddist stupa is said to be
2000 years old. The stupa which forms the main structure is composed of a solid
hemisphere of brick and earth which supports a lofty conical spire capped by a
pinnacle of gilt copper.
Also
known as BHADGAON meaning the city of devotes, this place is the home of
medieval art and architecture. Lying 14Km east of kathmandu city. This place was
founded in the 9th century and is shaped like a conch shell. The city is at the
height of 4600 ft. Above sea level. In Bhaktapur you will visit the Durbar
Square with its array of temples overlooked by the palace of 55 Windows built by
King Bupatindra Malla, the Nytapola Teple. This temple, which was also built by
king Bhupatindra Malla, is the best example of the Pagoda style and stands on
five terraces, on each of which stands a pair of figures, famous strong men,
elephants, lions, griffins and goddesses. Time permitting, a visit to the museum
of Thanka painting can also be considered. A 30 minute walk brings you to the
Dattatraya temple and Pujari Math which can also be done provided there is
plenty of time at the clients' disposal.
It
is situated about 35Km. east of Kathmandu city and from here one can see Mt.
Everet and other peaks of the Himalayas. Nagarkot is located between Kathmandu
valley in the west and Indravati in the east.
Dhulikhel
Pokhara
is Nepal's second most popular tourist destination and its adventure capital. It
is overshadowed by a massive wall of the Himalayas, and dominated by the
towering peak of the Annapurna range. Even more impressive is the fishtailed
pinnacle of Mt. Machhapuchhare (6977 mt.) For the adventurous, the massif of Mt.
Dhaulagiri (8167m) waits to be explored. Pokhara is the starting point for the
most famous treks in Nepal, in the Annapurna area. Pokara is situated 200 K.M.
west of Kathmandu.