Nepal General Information

Geographical and topography Location
Nepal has a long rectangular shape with almost 900 km east-west length and its width varies 100-241 km North-South and is a small beautiful Himalayan kingdom between the two largest Asian countries such as China and India, pinched and is bordered to the east, west and south of India and north of the Tibet Autonomous Region of the Peoples Republic of China. It lies between 80 ? 4 and 88 ? 12 east longitude and 26 degrees 22 and 30 degree 4 north latitude. The total area of Nepal consists of 147,181 km ?. It is a very popular destination for tourists around the world. Nepal is the land of the birthplace of Lord Buddha "The Light of Asia" and famous Gorkha warriors. Nepal is known as land of Himalayas as it consists eight highest mountains about 14 8000m, with the highest peak Mt Everest, the roof of the world.
Nepal is a sovereign independent kingdom. It is divided into three geographical regions divided:

• Himalayas
• Mountain
• Terai

Approximately 15% of the total land area of the country with the snow-capped mountains covered at the level between 4.800 to 8848 meters in the northern part. Eight major peaks over 8,000 meters Mt Everest, Kanchanjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Annapurna I in this range.68% of the total land area of the country is occupied by the hills and mountains in the central part of Nepal. Most of the villages and towns are located in this part. Height varies from 610-4800 meters in this region.17% of the total land area of the country, the plains in the southern part is known as the Terai region. This is especially fertile land in the country and the most important wildlife parks are in the area.Nepals diverse culture, topography, climate and natural beauty attract many more visitors towards Nepal. From the high mountains at the level of the Terai, dense jungle made rapids of white rivers, historic towns, pretty villages to Nepal a best destination for each leisure and travel agencies. The breathtaking view of Himalayan Ranges during the treks excitement of white water rafting, visiting the cities, temples, mountains, and animals are the main highlights of Nepal and Nepal provides shelter to over 30 species of mammals. Nepal also has 800 species (almost 10% of the world population) of birds.
People & Religion
Nepalese people are mainly divided into two distinct groups, the Indo-Aryans and the Mangoloids (the Kirats). Before 2007 AD, Nepal was regarded as the only Hindu Kingdom in the world. But after that the Government of Nepal has already announced the country to be secular country. The Hindu Temples and Buddhist Shrines are scattered all over the Kingdom. Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Herald of Peace, the Light of Asia. Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Christians live together in harmony. And other nature worshippers, too, exist here.
Currency & Foreign exchange
Nepali Rupee notes come in Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500, 1000 denominations. Coins come in Rs. 1, 2 , 5 and 10 denominations.
Foreign currencies must be exchanged only through banks or authorized money exchangers. The receipts of 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 nationals have to make the payment in foreign currency (non-Indian currency) in hotel, trekking agencies or travel agencies and for air tickets.
Population and language
People in Nepal can be divided into two different groups, the Aryans and the Mongolians. Although Nepals ethnic groups are as different their country with their own languages and cultures. In the Kathmandu Valley are the Newars, earned their culture and art, they have an international reputation. The Sherpas in the Himalayas are known as tough mountain climbers. Brahmins and Chhetris are scattered over the hills and valleys, and Tamangs are found in the districts around the Kathmandu Valley. The Rais, Limbus, Magar and Gurung the middle of the hills are famous Gorkha soldiers than earned. Lowland ethnic groups such as Maithili, Bhojpuri and Tharu enhance the colorful mosaic. The population of Nepal is about 22 million. Many ethnic groups have their own languages for dialects. But the national language, Nepali is spoken primarily in Nepal. Because of modernity, people can also speak and understand English as well as in the main tourist area.
Religions of Nepal
Nepal was formerly the worlds only constitutionally declared Hindu state, but following the movement for democracy in early 2006 and the breaking of King Gyanendras power, the Nepali Parliament amended the constitution to make Nepal a secular state.
According to the 2001 census, 80.6% of Nepalese are Hindu, 10.7% are Buddhist, 4.2 are Muslim, 3.6% are Kirat (an indigenous religion with Hindu influence), 0.5% are Christian, and 0.4 % are classified as other groups. Although the population is mostly Hindu, since the 1971 census Hindus have shown the greatest decline as a proportion of the population, and Buddhists and Kirats have increased the most: in 1971 Hindus were 89.4 % of the population, Buddhists 7.5 percent, and Kirats statistically 0 %. However, statistics on religious groups are complicated by the ubiquity of dual faith practices, particularly among Hindus and Buddhists. Moreover, shifts in the populations religious composition also reflect political changes.
The geographical distribution of religious groups in the early 1990s revealed a preponderance of Hindus, accounting for at least 87 percent of the population in every region. The largest concentrations of Buddhists were found in the eastern hills, the Kathmandu Valley, and the central Tarai; in each area about 10 percent of the people were Buddhist. Buddhism was relatively more common among the Newar and Tibeto-Nepalese groups. Among the Tibeto-Nepalese, those most influenced by Hinduism were the Magar, Sunwar, and Rai peoples. Hindu influence was less prominent among the Gurung, Limbu [disambiguation needed], Bhote, and Thakali groups, who continued to employ Buddhist monks for their religious ceremonies.
Air
Nepals climate varies with its topography. It ranges from tropical to arctic depending on the altitude as the Geographic Education of Nepal depends heavily on the amount. The region has Teri as hot-humid climate. The land or Mid Mountain region, however has a pleasant almost all year nights are cool in winter. The northern Himalayan region above 3400 m has an alpine climate with considerably lower temperatures can be expected in winter. Nepal has given the climatic seasons as below:

• Spring:March to May
• Summer:June to August
• Autumn:September-November
• Winter:December to February

To take part in Nepal
By Air:
Tribhuvan International Airport is the only international airport in Nepal. Air transfer is to give adequate and easily accessible way, like Nepal, Kathmandu is linked directly and indirectly to major cities in Asia, Europe and America. There are several international airlines including national carrier Royal Nepal Airlines which offer flights to Kathmandu from Karachi, Calcutta, Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, Dubai, Dhaka, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore. The International Airlines national besides our airline Royal Nepal Airlines operate their direct flights to Kathmandu BANGLADESH Biman Airlines, China Southwest Airlines, Druk Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Indian Airlines, Air Sahara, QATAR Airlines, Thai Airways, Gulf Air, Martin Air, Phuket Air, Austrian Airlines and TRANSVIA.
By land:
Kathmandu and elsewhere in Nepals roads are connected with motor able. The following entry points are allowed for foreigners to Nepal from Tibet and India.

• Kakarvitta
• Birgunj
• Kodari (Nepal-China border)
• Sunauli
• Nepalgunj
• Dhangadi
• Mahendranagar

Entry formalities Passport and Visa:
All visitors to Nepal except for Indian nationalities must have a valid passport and visa. Tourist visa can be for U.S. $ 30.00 each from Royal Nepalese Embassy or Consulate offices abroad will receive for a period of 60 days. However, a visa even at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu will receive upon arrival and entry points mentioned above. Tourists can extend their visas at the immigration office, BhrikutiMandap, Exhibition Road, Kathmandu.
Currency Regulations:
Tourists other than Indian are not allowed to bring in Indian currency. All foreign visitors except the Indian nationalities are obliged to pay their hotel bills and air travel tickets in foreign currency. All other convertible foreign currency in cash or travelers checks can be made in unlimited quantities but must be declared on arrival.
Customs formalities:
All baggage must be declared and approved by the customs at the border. Personal effects are permitted free entry. The dutiable goods such as film cameras with 12 rolls of film or a video camera with deck, an ordinary player, bi-cycle can be brought into the customs, which should be taken at the time of departure after the declaration in the. Import and export of antiques, precious stones, gold, silver, wild animals and their skins, horns and drugs are strictly prohibited.
Time and Holiday:
Nepal is 4 hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT and 15 minutes before the Indian Standard Time. Saturday is a holiday. However, most of the offices are closed on national holiday in celebration and festivals.
Clothing:
Clothing depends on place and time. It is recommended to bring light and warm clothing. For trekkers warm clothes are recommended to bring.
Trekking Season in Nepal
Trekking in Nepal can be undertaken throughout the year depending on the region. The year is divided into 4 different seasons in Nepal and each season has its distinct attraction to offer for trekking.
Autumn (Sept - Nov)
Winter (Dec - Feb)
Spring (March - May)
Summer (June - August)