It's not just mountaineers with their hearts set on
conquering Everest who fall in love with the Himalayan
country of Nepal. With stunning scenery, fringed by the
highest peaks on the planet, leading down to steamy
jungle packed with wildlife, there's something for
everyone.
The colourful culture and friendly people received a bad
press in recent years with a country-wide Maoist
rebellion which saw tourist figures drop dramatically.
However, the political situation has stabilized, Nepal
is back on track to woo visitors with a warm, hearty
welcome.
In addition to a distinctive ancient Hindu and Buddhist
culture, Nepal has jaw-dropping mountains with
spectacular scenery for walkers and trekkers. If there
is a hikers' paradise, this is it, with picturesque
mountain villages linked by hundreds of trails that have
been used for centuries, with little change noticeable
even today.nepalvisitors.com Trails are dotted with intriguing temples to
discover on the way.
Nepal was created from an amalgam of principalities in
1768 under King Prithvi Narayan Shah. Under the control
of a hereditary king, it became a ‘buffer state' between
the British Empire and territories to the north. The
country became independent in 1923, but it was not until
1947 (the year of Indian independence) and total
withdrawal of the British before Nepal achieved complete
autonomy.
Nepal's acronym of Never Ending Peace And Love, does
well to characterise this nation of good natured and
accommodating people; a land of majestic Himalayan
scenery comprising eight of the world's ten highest
mountains, including Mt Everest: the uppermost place on
earth at 29,029ft (8,848m).
Situated between India and Tibet, the Kingdom of Nepal
is filled with as many different ethnic groups, customs
and traditions as it is diverse in geography. From the
hot Indian plains and steamy southern Tarai lowlands,
the terrain crosses the Kathmandu Valley and rises to
the frozen heights of the Himalayan peaks towards the
Tibetan plateau known as the 'roof of the world'. Spread
across these varied altitudes are communities of
colourful cultures and people, many untouched by modern
development; animated cities and towns, and far-flung
mountain villages. Life here revolves around an
intricate intermingling of ancient Hindu and Buddhist
religious rituals. Numerous festivals are celebrated
throughout the year coloured by a diversity of religious
and tribal traditions. The capital of Kathmandu brings
an assortment of these different societies together into
a vibrant collection of brilliant sights and exotic
smells, with modern shops co-existing with street
sellers, while pyramidal Buddhist temples, holy Sadhus
of the Hindu faith and medieval palace squares fill the
urban landscape.
Nepal is well endowed with glorious scenery - verdant
terraced valleys, rushing rivers and ice-blue lakes that
originate in the 'abode of snows', or Himalayas. The
uplifting sight of soaring mountains is a magnet for
mountaineers and trekkers, offering some of the greatest
challenges and most scenic walking opportunities on
earth. Its diverse terrain offers tremendous
opportunities for adventurous activities, and although
mountain climbing and trekking are the most popular,
there is also superb white-water rafting on steep
mountain rivers, as well as elephant-back safaris or
tiger tracking in the Royal Chitwan and Royal Bardia
National Parks situated within the jungles of the
southern Tarai belt.
Nepal has many attractions, but the essence of the
country is its smiling, friendly people with their
heartfelt palm-pressed greetings, and together with its
inspiring scenery, this beguiling kingdom is a place
where one visit is usually not enough to satisfy the
captivated traveller.
Entry Requirements for Nepal Holidays & Nepal Travel
Tourist visas can be issued on arrival. A 60-day visa
costs US$30 and a 150-day/multiple-entry visa costs
US$80.
- For Australians - Australians must have a valid
passport and visa. Tourist visas can be obtained on
arrival for a stay of 60 days at a cost of U$30, or for
a maximum of 150 days, multiple entry, at a cost of
U$80.
- New Zealand citizens must have a valid passport and
visa. Tourist visas can be obtained on arrival for a
stay of 60 days at a cost of U$30, or for a maximum of
150 days, multiple entry, at a cost of U$80.
- United States citizens must have a valid passport and
visa. Tourist visas can be obtained on arrival for a
stay of 60 days at a cost of U$30, or for a maximum of
150 days, multiple entry, at a cost of U$80.
- United States citizens must have a valid passport and
visa. Tourist visas can be obtained on arrival for a
stay of 60 days at a cost of U$30, or for a maximum of
150 days, multiple entry, at a cost of U$80.
- British citizens must have a valid passport and visa.
Tourist visas can be obtained on arrival for a stay of
60 days at a cost of U$30, or for a maximum of 150 days,
multiple entry, at a cost of U$80.
Currency of Nepal
The official currency is Nepali Rupee (NPR), which is
divided into 100 paisa. As change can be a problem it is
recommended that visitors have a supply of small notes
handy. Tourist activities are often quoted in US Dollars
and it is advisable to carry new dollar bills in varied
denominations. Both Euro and US dollar travellers
cheques are widely accepted in tourist areas and can be
cashed easily in most banks and major hotels throughout
the country. There are ATMs in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards are
accepted in many tourist hotels, shops, restaurants and
travel agencies. Banks and moneychangers are present in
all tourist places and in the major cities; all receipts
from foreign exchange transactions should be kept so
rupees can be exchanged back into foreign currencies on
departure. Cash is needed when trekking.
Nepal Telephone Access Codes and Communications
The country code for Nepal is +977, and the outgoing
code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g.
0044 for the UK). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)1
for Kathmandu and (0)61 for Pokhara. Two mobile phone
operators provide GSM 900 network coverage in the main
cities and towns, but this does not extend to the summit
of Mount Everest! In the main tourist centres of
Kathmandu and Pokhara there are Internet cafes on every
corner.
Nepal Duty Free Allowances & Restrictions
Travellers to Nepal do not have to pay duty on 100
cigarettes or the equivalent in other tobacco products;
1 litre of alcohol; and perfume for personal use. It is
illegal to export goods which are over 100 years old.
Nepal Holidays - Tipping Information
Restaurants and hotels may add 10% to bills in which
case no further tip is required; otherwise a 10% tip is
customary in places that cater to tourists. It is
customary to tip guides and porters on treks. Elsewhere
it is not customary to tip, but gratuities are always
appreciated.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Village Tourism in Nepal.
Village tourism in Nepal is distinctive, as people are
friendly and adopted by instinct to respect tourists.
For this purpose, many villages have been specified as
true destination according to surrounding environment
attractive features of the villages. A village is
selected as a model village for tourist destination. In
such villages, a few guest room and kitchen are
developed. Visitors can stay with the local people, feel
there simplicity and watch their way of living. You may
often participate their jobs and experience rural life.
You may feel inconvenient, but the true sprit of
visiting rural society, lies in doing what locals do. In
village tourism all activities are concerned with
village. The food you eat is produced in the near by
field. Villagers perform various programs in group for
entertainment. They usually depict local culture and
customs. Since everything you are offered are local and
services are being produced among the local community, a
large amount of your trip expense stays in the village.
This is your genuine contribution and thus helps in the
poverty elimination scheme of the government. However,
some professional operators can be expected to dive in
with cut-price packages that give locals a much smaller
portion. So if you are considering a village stay,
questions yourself how much and how are the local
communities benefited.
As you are staying as a family member with your host
family, you can participate in all activities of their
daily life. The kitchen room and the surrounding are
well kept and with sufficient light. However the
availability of efficient daily tools may not match to
the degree of your expectation.
We are fairly committed to Eco-tourism and community
based tourism. We feel the greatest pleasure and we
equally work with our aim of promoting village tourism
since with the very view we have been registered, to
operate your tour. We are operating village tour in many
different villages of Nepal. Written below are some
popular destinations. We also manage things for your
village tour in more remote areas and rarely visited
villages.
Recommended
Agency
Pokhara
Chitwan Tour.
Tour, trek and
climbing in Nepal, Kathmandu valley,
Pokhara , Chitwan, Lumbini tour, Everest
and Annapurna regions, Chitwan Jungle in good
value. climbinginnepal.com
Trek auNépal.
Nepal Tours, Leading Tour
Operators from India offers - Nepal Tour, Nepal Tour
Package, Tour Nepal, Travel Nepal, Nepal Tours Packages,
Nepal Tour Operators nepaltrekandtour.com
Adventure Holidays.
Offers Adventure Holidays, Family Holidays, Walking
and Trekking Holidays, Small Group Holidays, Family Holidays, Safari Holidays,
Activity Holidays, Adventure Travel, Cycling Holidays
in Nepal.
trekntour.com
Viajes
Nepal.
Guia de Nepal
con información de turismo para preparar viajes
a Nepal, la guia turistica incluye todo para
preparar tus viajes, informacion sobre hoteles,
Vacacion, rafting, viajes de aventura, Visitar
el nepal, escalar montes, viajesnepal.com
Kathmandu Travel.
trekking, trek,
tour, hiking,
holidays, expeditions, peak climbing, rafting,
Sightseeing trips and jungle safaris in Nepal, Tibet and
Bhutan. lobenexpeditions.com
Resorts
in Nepal.
arranges
Cultural tour in Nepal, Nepal tour, Tours Nepal,
Nepal travel, Tour Nepal, Tour to Nepal, Travel
nepal dalima.com
Nepal
Biking Tour.
We have
compiled a list of bicycle tours in Nepal. If
you are interested in any of these bicycle tours
or cycling vacations, Bike tour in Nepal: small
group, modest adventure,
eco-tour, beautiful bicycling. please contact
the operator . tibetbiking.com
Nepal Sightseeing.
Offers Sightseeing
in Nepal, Sightseeing Tours, Tours Destination Nepal,
Pokhara Valley Tour, Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing,
information and trips. Sherpaclimbing.com
Himalayan
Tribes.
We Organizes trekking in Nepal, expedition in Nepal
& Tibet, jungle safaris, rafting trips, Sightseeing
Tour, Tibet tours, Bhutan Tour and more. himalayantribes.com
Nepal Tour.
We Offers tours,
trekking, mountaineering, rafting, safari and
sightseeing in Nepal and inbound and outbound
tour to Tibet, India and Bhutan. climbinginnepal.com
Nepalese Kukri.
The kukri is the renowned national weapon of Nepal
and the Gurkhas, an elite Nepalese Brigade of the
British Army. The kukri is a long, curved knife that
is deadly in the hands of a Gurkhas. nepalesekukri.com
Pokhara Tours.
We organize Pokhara with Sarangkot Trek and Sunrise
Tour, Pokhara sightseeing, Pokhara Mountain View,
Pokhara Tour, Visit to Pokhara, Pokhara city himalayantribes.com
Nepal
Package Tour.
For travels,
special sightseeing package tours, hotels booking,
safari, trekking/treks/hiking, peak climbing,
expeditions in Nepal. Tibet tours. kailash-trip.com
Nepal Cashmere.
We are manufacturer and exporter of Cashmere
Product, Pashmina Shawl, Weaving Shawl,
Printed Shawl, Shaded Shawl, Beaded Shawl,
Cashmere Sweater. nepalpashminastore.com
Thangka
Paintings.
Manufacture, Exporter, wholeseller and distributor
of the finest thangka Paintings in Nepal. we have
been sending outstanding thangka Paintings. Authenticthangka.com
Nepal Trek and
Tour.
Nepal Trekking Company arranges himalaya hiking trekking adventure tour in
Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan & Sikkim with travel information. trekandtournepal.com
Everest Trekking.
The trek to Everest Base Camp from Lukla takes you
through lush valleys with abundant flora and fauna,
past friendly Sherpa villages and Buddhist
monasteries, mactreks.com
Nepal
Expedition.
We organize Nepal
Expedition, Trekking in Nepal, Trek in Nepal, Peak
Climbing in Nepal, River Adventure Nepal, Trek
Nepal, Tibet Expedition, Expedition Nepal. elbruztreks.com
Nepal Tour.
Nepal Tours - Travel
agent offering tours for nepal, trekking tours in
nepal, nepal adventure tours, kathmandu tours,
honeymoon tours for nepal. greatholidaysnepal.com
Nagarkot
Tour.
Lama Parivar Himalayan Trek Nepal offers
information on Kathmandu Tour, Dhulikhel Tour,
Nagarkot Tour, Godavari Tour, Kathmandu Valley
Tour Itineraries, Nepal Tour. come2nepal.com