Some basic Information for Conference Delegates

Dear Speakers, Scholars, Presenters and Participants,

It is our pleasure to know that you are visiting Nepal, a Himalayan country that is in the hearts of people all around the world.

Although a country small in size, its people are as tall as the Mount Everest in hospitality. The country is well-known for the world’s most magnificent snowcapped mountains and its bio-diversity. This makes the place very popular for tourism because of its natural beauty, historic temples, and ancient palaces which are cultural hubs of worship and of various other public events. The majority of Nepalese are Hindus by religion; there are also substantial numbers of Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, and Kirants, a nature related religion.

Many tourists visit the country every year. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims from India and other places come to Nepal to visit the holy temple of Lord Pashupatinath, and Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha,sits in the list of must-visit list for the Buddhists where Lord Buddha was born some 2500 years ago.

Nepal is approximately rectangular in shape and stretches 885 kilometers in length (east to west) and 193 kilometres in width (north to south).The total area of Nepal is 147,181 square kilometres. Itis a land-locked country with India to the east, south, and west and China to the north. Its elevations range from 90 meters to 8,848 metres, occupying an area from 26º 22′ to 30º 27′ north latitude and 80º 4′ to 88º 12′ east longitude.

The total population of the country stands at 26.6 million (Central Bureau of Statistics, 2011).

Some FAQs:

1. Is Nepal a safe country?

Yes, Nepal has a low crime rate and is generally a safe country. However, we advise you to take enough safety concerns as you do with any international travel; please be aware of your surroundings. Always make sure your purse is zipped and wallets are in sealed pockets. In the markets, be vigilant of pick-pockets and distraction scams.

Check with your hotel and travel managers about the safe/ unsafe areas of town and timings; use caution when traveling alone. Do monitor your luggage at all times, when you are at the train/bus stations and airports.

2. Is a visa required to visit Nepal?

Yes. The Nepal visa is purchased upon arrival in Kathmandu or at the Nepal border. If you have the correct USD in cash (US$ 25 or equivalent Nepali currency for 15 days) and two passport photographs in hand, the process becomes easier than normal.

3. Do Nepalese speak English?

English is understood by most people in the cities,  and especially those who live in and around the popular tourist sites. However, Nepali is the official language of the country, and it is used and understood by most of the people. It has roots in Sanskrit and is written in Devengari script. Besides, in many parts of the country, different ethnic groups speak their own languages.

4. What should we bring along?

We recommend that travelers not wear clothing that is too short, tight, or revealing. Medium-weight and easy to wash cottons are recommended year-round in the Kathmandu valley. From October to February, we also suggest woolen sweaters, jackets or similar warm outfits. Pack comfortable walking shoes, including sandals and athletic shoes. A head cover may be required for women and men at sacred sites and places of worship.

5. What is there to buy in Nepal to take back home?

There are so many things to take back home depending on your personnel choice. Nepal is well known for its handicraft materials, pashmina, Nepalese art and craft, and Nepali musical instruments like Madal and traditional bamboo flute are the items to purchase. Moreover, Nepali carpets are also best known among the tourist customers. And the best place to shop these goods is around the Thamel area with a comfortable bargain.

6. Do we bring our medication with us?

Yes, and make sure to bring prescriptions and the medications in its original containers to avoid custom inspection hassle.

7. Are there ATM facilities in Nepal?

There are many ATM machines in the Kathmandu and Pokhara Valley. VISA, MASTERCARD and American Express are the most popular cards (Both Debit and Credit) that are accepted in Nepal.

8. Do we need to cover travel insurance? 

Yes, we advise you to get your insurance cover from your respective country.

9. Is it ok to take photographs of people of Villages?
   However, it is better to take permission from them before taking photographs. Sometimes they may angry in taking photos without asking them.
10. Are the food and water in the hotels hygienically standard?

Yes, your food and water are safe while you are in many of the tourist standard hotels. They serve meals only when it is hygienically prepared. However, we advise you to ask for boiled water in the hotels. You can, alternatively, purify water with tablets or use bottled sealed water.

11. Do I have to tip the hotel staff, driver or anyone for their assistance?
    Well, they should not ‘ask you’ for anything, however at the end of your stay or trip if any of the service provider has done a good job and you feel s/he warrants a thank you, by all means give them something that makes their day too.
12. When is the best time to travel?

It really depends on your destination, activities and season of travel. The favourable months are usually September – November and February – April. The monsoon season is June – August.

Weather

In mid-September, the temperature around Kathmandu and Dhulikhelwill be very good (around 15-25 degree); it will be warm during the day with nights beginning to get a little bit cooler.  So, down jackets, an additional sweater or sweatshirt and windproof jackets or a light fleece jacket should be adequate during evenings and mornings for walking around and sitting out in an open area.  However, for contingency planning one should keep some extra clothes that could be worn in layers, keeping in view the places that we are going to stay.

Electricity in Nepal

In Nepal, electric Plugs are of two or three round prongs, but not flat prongs as found in use in Australia or in other countries. So, you will need a voltage converter, and plug adapter in order to use U.S. – like appliances. Nepal’s Electricity is 220-240 volts/ 50 HZ to power the appliances, as well different plugs. If you try to plug an American appliance such as a shaver or hairdryer into an outlet of a different voltage, you may destroy the appliance and cause yourself injury. There are few things you should know about other countries (here Nepal) before you travel. If your appliance’s plug doesn’t match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance’s plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it’s crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for both types. We recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit if you plan to take many electronics

 Local Transport

Dhulikhel is about 30 kilometers east from Kathmandu. So, if you wish to directly go to Dhulikhel from Kathmandu airport, you can hire a taxi. Nepal is a safe country and people are trustworthy. However, the taxis in Nepal do not run by the meter, so you will have to agree on the rates first.  Make sure your driver knows your destination address, including name of hotel or street name. Also, it is good to remember the taxi number, or plate numbers.  This could prove helpful in case of emergency situations or if you happen to forget anything inside the vehicle. Taxis would normally cost Nepalese Rupees 2500 to 3500. It takes less than an hour to reach Dhulikhel from Kathmandu Airport.

Or, you may wish to spend a night in Kathmandu. Thamel, the city center is only 20 – 30 minutes driving distance from Kathmandu airport.  Although it is a main backpacker’s destination in Nepal there are plenty of good hotels in Thamel area, and this could probably be where you would want to start your journey. If you are travelling from the airport to Thamel, the easiest way is to take a taxi. When you exit the airport, you will see a taxi outside waiting for clients or you could also pre-book inside the airport.

There are also public buses being operated regularly and available at the Kathmandu Old Bus Park. These buses may take longer travel time but are so inexpensive and efficient, which could be a good way to taste the Nepali lifestyle at its core. They take us directly to Dhulikhel Bus Park that is approximately one kilometer’s walk from the conference venue.

Similar options apply when you return to Kathmandu from Dhulikhel.

 Visa for Entry into Nepal

• Visa for entry into Nepal can be obtained at the nearest Nepal Embassy or Diplomatic Mission.
• Visa can also be obtained on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.
• A valid passport and one passport -size photo with a light background is required.
• Visa can be obtained on arrival only through payment of cash in the following currency: Euro, Swiss Franc, Pound Sterling, US Dollar, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Hong Kong Dollar, Singapore Dollar and Japanese Yen. Please note Credit card, Indian currency and Nepali currency are not accepted as payment of visa fee.

• Provision of free visa for 30 days is available for nationals of South Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
• Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal.  Indian Nationals Traveling to Nepal must possess any one of the following documents:
  • Passport
  • Driving License with photo
  • Identity card issued by a Government Agency with photo
  • Ration Card with Photo
  • Election Commission Card with Photo
  • Identity Card issued by Embassy of India in Kathmandu with photo
  • Identity Card with photo issued by Sub-Divisional Magistrate or any other officials above this rank

Nationals from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan will need to obtain visa from Nepal Embassies or Diplomatic Missions in their respective countries, as they do not get visa on arrival at the immigration entry points of Nepal.

If you want to cut the hassle at the airport, you can alternatively apply for online visa http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/

If you have further query please contact , Nepal Immigration Department at :
E-mail: mail@immi.gov.np
Website: https://www.immigration.gov.np/

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