| General Information Nepal |
|
The Country |
|
Squeezed between the Tibetan Plateau
to the north and the Indian plain to the south is one of the most
beautiful countries in the world. Here the geo-cultural diversity
varies to an extent that one rarely finds in other countries with
such a small area. Nepal is the home of the world's highest peak
Mt. Everest and 7 of the other 14 peaks above 8000 m. (26000ft.)There
are more than 300 peaks opened for mountaineering; more than 1000
miles of trekking trails where one can not only enjoy the endless
Shangri-la of mountains but the lush green hills, valleys, wildlife
and culture. The snow capped mountains are the source of numerous
rivers that offer white water challenges of different grades. There
are some of the best wild-life reserves and national parks protecting
the rare Royal Bengal tiger, one horned rhino, red panda, snow leopard
and other mammals. Nepal is also the home of various cultural groups
speaking more than 100 languages and dialects, practicing unique
religions and ways of life which reflect ancient human civilization
unchanged since time immemorial. |
|
| Area |
: |
147,181Sq. Km |
| Population |
: |
25 million |
| Capital |
: |
Kathmandu (Population: 1 million) |
| Language |
: |
Nepali official English in Tourist
Areas (many other local dialects) |
| Religion |
: |
Hinduism (60%) Buddhism (30%)
and others |
| Political System |
: |
Multi-Party with Constitutional
Monarchy |
| Major Industries |
: |
Agriculture, Cottage industries,
Tourism |
| Per capita income |
: |
US $ 300.00 |
| Life expectancy |
: |
58 yrs |
| Literacy |
: |
About 50% |
| Currency |
: |
Nepali Rupees ( 1 US Dollar =
70 Rupees / 1 Euro = 88 Rupees and 1 Pound = 130 Rupees )
Always check current exchange rate. |
|
|
Nepal through the Eyes of
the World |
|
It's among
the top 50 places to see before one dies.
-BBC |
Everest base camp listed
in the 20 journeys of a lifetime. -
Observer UK |
Annapurna circuit, declared
amongst 12 best walks on earth. –
Modern Maturity, USA. |
| Second best
preferred country after New Zealand, in a survey carried out
by Wonder Lust publication of UK.
|
Best among best - Service
& Hospitality Category, conducted
by Tourism Network, based in Germany. |
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How to Reach Nepal: |
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In order to fly directly
to Nepal from your home country, Tribhuvan International Airport
(TIA) in Kathmandu is the only international airport in Nepal. TIA
has direct air-link with Osaka, Shanghai, London, Frankfurt, Hongkong,
Singapore, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Bombay and Calcutta. Lufthansa,
Royal Nepal Airlines (RNAC), Air India, Singapore Airlines, Thai
are the airlines that carry most of the foreign travelers into Kathmandu;
and if you buy tickets from any other airlines, you will probably
connect with one of these airlines for the final leg of your flight.
|
|
Alternatively, if you
have time and enthusiasm, traveling overland to Nepal via India
is an option. Or if you are coming from China you may come to Nepal
via Tibet. The flight cost varies from where you travel and which
airlines you want to fly with. However, an economy class round trip
ticket to Nepal from North America, should cost between $1400 to
$1700 depending on what airline you fly. From western Europe, the
fare should be about the same too. From most of East Asia, the cost
is about $3-400 for one-way. If you are flying into Nepal from India
or other South Asian cities, one-way fare would be between $100
to $200. |
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Individual or Organized Trips
|
|
Most guide
books written for tampers and back packers urge to travel individually
as trails are well described and infrastructures are set in most
tourist destinations from city tours to trekking and to jungle camps.
They claim that this is the best way to experience things by on
your own and it's the cheap way of travelling. However, this does
not reflect the reality of holiday trips in Nepal and this doesn't
respect the development of sustainable tourism industry in poor
country like Nepal and others. Tourism and hospitality industry
in developed countries and in country like Nepal is significantly
different. |
|
In order to develop
tourism as a sustainable industry, we highly recommend you to arrange
your trip to Nepal, Tibet and India through a registered Trekking
/ Travel company. Tourism is a growing industry employing thousands
of manpower and supporting lively hood of poor people around. If
you go on your own that will not support local economy rather it
may put you on unsafe situation and you will fail to experience
the opportunity to enjoy your trip with local staff who shares first
hand knowledge of culture, tradition and ethics. There is burden
of companies running Organized Trips here. You will be able to get
best out of it doing some research and reading before you book a
trip. You may pay little extra and have trained western trip leaders
on your trip or you can arrange trip with local agencies based in
Nepal or India on fair budget. |
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Let Nepal change you; don't
try to change it! |
|
| Nepal has only been
open to Western visitors since 1950s and despite a veneer of Western
culture it generally remains a very traditional and religious society.
As visitors to the country you will be treated as a special guest
but we must respect the Nepali lifestyle and respond in a sensitive
manner to their customs and beliefs. While the Nepalese will never
rebuke you publicly for unknowingly offending then, please keep
in mind that certain actions can do so deeply. The Nepali people
are amazingly tolerant of different religions, race and creeds.
Hindus, Buddhists, Moslems, Christians and other happily share the
same villages, festival and sometimes shrines. Their tolerance and
acceptance of people for what they are inside should be a lesson
to rest of the world. |
|
During your stay
in Nepal please observe the following: |
|
• Women and
men should not wear high cut or revealing shorts. Long baggy shorts
or long trousers are more acceptable. |
• We advise
women to wear long loose cotton skirts or long baggy trousers. Tops
that bear the shoulders are not suitable. |
•
Full or partial nudity is unacceptable; please wear swimsuit or
sarong when bathing. |
• Overt displays
of affection between men and women are discouraged. |
| • Please remove
your shoes before entering a Nepali home, monastery or temple. |
•
Most Hindus cannot eat food that has been touched by foreigner.
|
• Do not throw
rubbish into a cooking fire or household hearth. |
• It is religiously
offense to touch a Hindu on the head. For similar reasons, never
point the sole of your fee at a person or shrine. |
•
Many Hindu temples or parts thereof are closed to non-Hindus. Please
ask before entering. |
• Ask permission
to the people, care taker or guide while taking picture of person,
statue or shrine. There are many shrines where taking snaps is strictly
prohibited. |
• Never offer
half eaten food (don't share same plate while eating meal) as it's
considered as Jutho (unclean). |
•
Begging is a harsh reality in the Third World but something that
the locals believe should not be encouraged as it creates a society
where work is not respected. You should avoid giving any money,
balloons, pens sweets, in fact anything to anyone at anytime. |
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Last
but not the least, remember that in Nepal punctuality has little
meaning and patience and sense of humour are great assets. Leave
your watch at home and take things as they come! Once you have become
accustomed to the pace of life you are likely to reassess your frantic
Western schedule! |
