GENERAL INFORMATION:
Geography
Sandwiched between Asia's two major giants—China and India, Nepal is a sovereign, independent Himalayan Kingdom (lying between 800 4' and 880 12' East Longitude and 260 22' and 300 27' North Latitude).

Nepal is the country of amazing extremes, which is surrounded by Tibet, the Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, in the north, and India in the east, south and west.

Covering a total area of 147,181 sq. kilometers, the country expands to about 885 kilometers from the east to the west. Its breadth (north-south) ranges between 145-241 kilometers.

Geographically, the country can be divided into three regions— Himalayan region, hilly region and the plain area in the Terai. The Himalayan region that covers 20 per cent of the total area ranges between 4,877-8,848 meters. The region has 8 of the world's 14 highest peaks above 8,000 meters. The mountain region covers about 64 per cent of the total land area. Terai region is the low land occupying 17 per cent land.

Climate
Nepal has four main seasons that include Winter (December-February), Spring (March-May), Summer (June-August), and Autumn (September-November). Visitors can visit Nepal throughout the year. Lightweight closing is recommended for May-October. And warm garments are necessary for October-March. During summer, an umbrella or a raincoat is essential. Climatic variation is one of Nepal's unique characteristics. Various types of climate can be found from the tropical to the plain of the Terai region.

High Altitude Sickness
An acute mountain sickness (AMS), also known as altitude sickness, may affect those who ascend rapidly to more than 3,000 meters of height. The initial symptoms of AMS include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, insomnia/sleeplessness, persistent headache, dizziness, light headedness, confusion, dis-orientation, drunken gait, weakness, fatigue, lassitude, slight swelling of hands and face, breathlessness and breathing irregular and reduced urine output.

Medical facility
Health care services are available at the government hospitals and private nursing homes in Kathmandu and other cities outside the Kathmandu Valley. In the countryside, primary health care services are available. You are advised to consult your family doctor regarding any health-related problem before visiting Nepal and follow his/her advice. However, if you are taking any medicines, bring them with you. It would be better if you could bring some first aid medicines for cold, headache, fever, diarrhea, bandages, handy-plasters, anti-septic lotion, etc.
People
Around 23 million people belonging to more than 40 ethnic communities live in this world's only Hindu Kingdom, which is also known as a hidden Shangri-La. The different ethnic groups of the country speak around 70 dialects.

Etiquette
Taking off one's shoes before entering a temple, shrine or any religiously and culturally sacred place is Nepal’s traditional custom.

Language
Despite Nepali being the national language, people involved in the travel trade business and other educated ones communicate in English. Tourist guides having specialization in various languages of the world are available here.

Political System
The Nepalese people have been practising multiparty democracy with constitutional monarchy since 1990.

International Time
Nepal's standard time is 5 hours and 45 minutes ahead of the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 15 minutes ahead of Indian standard time.

Traffic system
Left-hand drive system is in practice in Nepal.

Electricity
The current is 220V/50 cycles in Nepal. Sockets have either three round pairs or two thick round pairs. If you have your own electrical appliance, you need to bring an international converter kit and a set of adapter plugs. Alternatively, it is more practical to travel with battery-operated appliance, if possible. While on trek, you can recharge your batteries in some lodges as they use generators.

Communication facility
Highly standard communication system is available in major cities like Kathmandu, Dharan, Biratnagar, Pokhara, Chitwan. But during the time of rafting and trekking, telephone and fax facilities may not be available in some places.

Working hours

The government offices open at 9 A. M. and close at 17 P. M. in summer and they open at 9 A. M. and close at 16 P. M.
Drinking water
Boiled or well-filtered water is advised.

Foreign Exchange

Visitors must exchange foreign currency only through banks or authorized foreign exchange dealers. They can exchange money at foreign exchange counter at the airport upon arrival. They need to take receipts of the transaction. Currencies can be exchanged between 9 A. M. to 3 P. M. at commercial banks from Monday to Friday. The banks remain closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Nepalese Currency

The Nepalese currency is called Rupee (which is often written NRs). The Nepalese notes of NRs. 1, NRs. 2, NRs. 5, NRs. 10, NRs. 20, NRs. 25, NRs. 50, NRs.100, NRs. 250, NRs. 500 and NRs. 1,000 are in use. Coins of 5 paisa, 10 paisa, 25 paisa and 50 paisa are also in use.

How to enter Nepal:

Foreign nationals, except Indians, need a visa for visiting Nepal. The Royal Nepalese Embassy or Consulate provides you a visa. You can also get the visa at airport upon arrival.
For a single entry visa, it costs US$ 30 for 60 days, whereas one has to pay US$ 25 for an additional re-entry fee, US$ 40 for double and US$ 60 for multiple visas. But children below 10 need not pay any visa fee. Those, who intend to stay more than 60 days here, have to pay Nepalese currency equivalent to US$ 50 as visa extension fee for 30 days. They have to consult the Department of Immigration to extend the visa. US$ 50 is charged for 30 days for those who want to re-enter Nepal within 150 days after leaving the country during the same visa year.
Foreign investors can obtain a business visa with multiple entry from the Department of Immigration for a period of one and five years at the recommendation of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry by paying an equivalent of US$ 100 and 250 respectively in Nepalese currency.

Airport tax:

Passengers departing from the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) are required to pay NRs. 600 for going to SAARC countries and NRs. 1,000 to all other international destinations. Domestic airport tax is NRs. 110 (with VAT).
Hired taxis are available at TIA to go to the hotels or other places.

DURING ARRIVAL:

Your first meet with your agent in Nepal:
Your agent can be met just outside the arrival lounge of the airport. It will not be difficult for you to identify the agent since he can be found displaying a placard with the name of the group, and names of individuals only if they are FITs.
Customs clearance & baggage carrying:
You will have to make your baggage clear at the customs and bring your baggage on your own from the customs to the exit point since the government regulations do not permit the agents to enter the area. You are permitted to bring in dutiable goods like tobacco and liquors within the prescribed quantity free of duty. Carrying narcotics, arms and ammunition is strictly prohibited. Your agent looks after your baggage only after you meet him outside the arrival lounge and hand over the baggage to them. Your agents will help you in carrying out the check-in formalities at the hotel.

Transfer facility:
Once you meet your agent outside the arrival lounge of the airport, he/she will make necessary arrangements for your transfer to the hotel as per your schedule. The vehicle will be waiting for you in the parking area.

We have cars, mini vans and coaches. We also provide vehicles as per your demand and contract signed between you/ tour operators and your agent here. The type of vehicles also depends on the size of your team.
Check-in:
When you reach the hotel, your check-in formalities will be carried out and you will be received with welcome drinks.
A tour officer (your agency's representative) will look after you and your group. The officer will be constantly in touch with you during your stay in Nepal and he will inform and brief you about your itineraries and other information. He/she will make all the arrangements as per your schedules.
If you have any extra activity or program, please tell the tour officer who will assist you.
He/she will also help you in reconfirming your onward flight.
During your stay in Nepal, executive director and tour manager of your agency will extend necessary help to you in case you face any problem.

DURING DEPARTURE
Airport time:
You will have to reach the airport two hours before the departure flight time. Your agent will make arrangements to pick you up from the hotel about two and an half hours before the departure flight. If the agent fails to meet you, he/she will leave the message at the hotel mentioning the details of the departure about your onward flight.
He/she will bid you a farewell outside the departure gate of the airport.
Provision for excess baggage

International flight:
One passenger is allowed 44 lb. (20 kilos). You need to pay extra charge if you have more than 20 kilos. Please, consult the concerned airlines or agent.
Domestic flights:
There is the limit of 33 lb. (15 kilos). Excess baggage is permissible but you need to pay extra charged.

You can export souvenirs to their respective countries. But the export of antiques requires special certificate from the Department of Archaeology, National Archive Building.
DURING YOUR STAY:

Sightseeing:
You can explore the ancient arts, architecture, temples, shrines, monasteries dating back to centuries, typical traditional lifestyles of various ethnic groups through sightseeing. Visiting different interesting destinations has always been an attraction for foreign visitors in Nepal. These places are important from religious and cultural points of view. They are also worth visiting due to the scenic beauty.

Eco-tours:
We also offer special eco-tour packages. Under such programs, one can visit various places in the urban areas by bicycles and rickshaws. One can enjoy the areas, to a maximum extent, and make a significant contribution for the protection of the natural environment of the sites. One can also visit some places by rafting and walking. Jungle safari is an important part of eco-tour in the national parks and other protected areas. Short treks to the virgin sites are also included in the program.

Convention facility:
The Himalayan Kingdom is not only a delightful holiday destination for visitors but also a favorable center for holding meetings, conferences and exhibitions. The favorable climate and international standard conference facilities at moderate rates are the comparative advantages in Nepal. Visitors can enjoy sightseeing and explore the hospitable culture of the Nepalese as well as participate in the conferences or meetings at the same time.

The Birendra International Convention Center (BICC), which is a well-equipped venue for holding such activities, is an important venue for such activities. Its conference hall can accommodate more than 1,000 participants at one time. The Rastriya Sabhagriha, the Russian Cultural Center, Bhrikuti Mandap Exhibition Hall are other venues. Besides, most of the hotels in and outside Kathmandu have conference halls with all types of facility. The halls of various hotels offer excellent setting for the purposes of meetings, conferences, incentives and exhibitions (MICE). The seat capacities of the halls range from 10 to 1200.

Shopping:
Shopping is another important part of your visit to Nepal where not only original Nepalese products such as traditional handicraft goods, hand-made garments, jewelries and gems but also genuine international brands are available at a moderate price. Visitors can also buy quality products like tender-wool pashmina shawls, leather goods, metal-crafts, khukuris, Tibetan jewelries, traditional Nepalese paper and varieties souvenir goods.
Foreign goods like perfumes, cosmetics, toiletries, watches, cameras, blankets, garments, baby care products, optical goods and sunglasses are found in all the tourist hubs of the country.

Home Stay Program:
This programme has been designed to give you an opportunity to make you familiar with the lifestyle of Nepalese people. This also offers you and the Nepalese people a valuable chance to share cultures and traditions. It helps develop and consolidate relations at the people to people level among the people from diverse origins and cultures of the world.

As a multiethnic, multi-religious and multi-lingual country, the living styles and cultures of the host family may vary according to their respective ethnicity. Therefore, you may experience the different flavor and cultural etiquette of the host family. Since you can stay at homes as a guest in typical Nepali atmosphere, it may be a significant occasion for you to study and experience unique Nepalese cultures and lifestyles in depth