Introduction of Nepal

Nepal –  A Paradise travel destination. Nepal is a mecca for outdoorsy travelers offering the best trekking opportunities in Asia. Best-known for the Himalayas with Mount Everest as the star attraction, the country offers more than just the world’s tallest peak, whether it’s the highlands with dramatic landscapes, Majestic Himalayas, distinctive ethnic groups, age-old traditions, Golden temples, Charming Hill village, rich biodiversity or Asia’s best wildlife, topped with the impossibly friendly and welcoming people in the world; Nepal celebrates its diversity with utmost pride.

The country is home to the world’s highest mountains, medieval cities studded with ancient monuments, 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ancient Hindu and Buddhist shrines and lush tropical jungles (home to endangered species like the Royal Bengal tigers and the one-horned rhinoceros). The Himalayan rivers fed by the mountain glaciers are ideal for white water rafting, kayaking, canoeing etc. One can also indulge in other adventures like bungee jumping, mountain biking, paragliding, mountain flights, wildlife safari and many more.

A rare place on earth where you can find religious harmony with mutual respect for one another’s beliefs and personal space. Nepal is a country so expansive in its variety that it outshines the notion of big and small, a country so beautiful that you will keep coming back for more. No doubt, in Nepal – Once is not Enough.

History and Geography

Geography

Nepal – a landlocked country located in South Asia squeezed between India and Tibet, home to the highest mountain range in the world, as well tropical lowland plains in the south. The elevation of the country ranges from 60m above sea level to the highest point on earth 8,848 m, all within a distance of 150 km resulting into climatic conditions from sub-tropical to Arctic. For a country that covers just 0.01% of earth’s land surface area, it offers the sheer diversity of nature.

The Great Himalaya Range, ranging in elevation from 14,000 to more than 29,000 feet, contains many of the world’s highest peaks, icy glaciers and mountain lakes and some of the most rugged and difficult mountain terrain in the world. Roughly 75 percent of the country is covered by mountains. Several national parks and wild life reserves protect the diverse mountain ecology of this region.

The Hilly region, soars to touch mountain regions at an altitude of 600 m almost perpendicular altitude of more than 4,000 feet covering 68 percent of total land area. Formed by the Mahabharata range to 4700 m height, region is heavily urbanized with decision-making power centralized in Kathmandu, the nation’s capital. The hill landscape is both a natural and cultural mosaic, formed by beautiful valleys like Kathmandu and Pokhara which is now famous for its fascinating lakes in Pokhara Fewa, Begnas and Rupa.

The lowland Terai, the flat river plain of the Ganges with a belt of marshy grasslands, savannas, and forests, occupies about 17 percent of the total land area of the country commencing at about 300 meters above sea level and rising to about 1,000 meters at the foot of the Siwalik Range. This region that in the past contained malaria-infested, thick forests, commonly known as char kose jhadi (dense forests approximately 12 kilometers wide) also was used as a defensive frontier by Nepalese rulers. Pilgrimage destinations of Lumbini, Janakpur and Barahashettra lie in this region. Nepal’s four national parks and wildlife reserves, including Chitwan National Park, Koshi-Tappu Wildlife Reserve and Bardia National Park, are located in this region. Within this maze of mountains, hills, ridges, and low valleys, elevational changes resulted in ecological variations.

History

Throughout its entire history, the country has witnessed wars of succession, conflict and frequent periods of instability. Nepal’s history dates back to the time of 4th century, the first civilizations in Nepal, which flourished around the 6th century B.C., were confined to the present day capital, Kathmandu Valley. The Mongoloid people are the first known rulers of the Kathmandu Valley.

Later in the 6th century BC, Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born into the Shakya royal family of Kapilavastu embarking on a path of meditation and thought that led him to enlightenment as the Buddha. The religion that grew up around him continues to shape the face of Asia. Between the 4th and 8th centuries, the Licchavis dynasty reasserting Hinduism ushered in a golden age of cultural brilliance. The chaityas (stupas) and monuments of this era can still be seen at the Changu Narayan Temple, north of Bhaktapur, and in the backstreets of Kathmandu’s old town.

Taking over this dynasty came over the rule of Mallas, this period was a golden one that stretched over 550 years. During this period, the Kathmandu Valley was divided up among his sons into the three kingdoms of Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon), Kathmandu (Kantipur) and Patan (Lalitpur) where rivalry between the three kingdoms found its expression in the arts and culture, which flourished in the competitive climate.

The outstanding collections of exquisite temples and buildings in each city’s Durbar Square are testament to the huge amounts of money spent by the rulers to outdo each other. The Malla era shaped the religious as well as artistic landscape, introducing the dramatic chariot festivals of Indra Jatra and Machhendranath. The Malla kings shored up their position by claiming to be reincarnations of the Hindu god Vishnu and establishing the cult of the kumari, a living goddess whose role it was to bless the Malla’s rule during an annual celebration.

By 1768 Prithvi Narayan Shah, ruler of the tiny hilltop kingdom of Gorkha, fought off reinforcements from the British East India Company, in 1769 he advanced on the three Malla kings, ending the Malla rule and unifying Nepal. After the death of Prithivi Nayaran Shah, the ranas took over the kingdom and The hereditary family of Rana prime ministers held power for more than a century, later in the 90’s King Tribhuvan of Shah dynasty claimed the political immunity established a new government. After a few hereditary rule a horrific tragedy wiped out the entire royal family of Nepal including King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya along with most of their closest relatives.

Prince Dipendra was crowned as King while he was on coma stage, later he died in hospital bed. After the death of Diepndra, Gyanendra Shah, late King Birendra’s brother, succeeded as the King of Nepal. King Gyanendra Shah was dethroned in 2006 by a decade long People’s revolution led by communist party of Nepal (Maoist) and several weeks of protest by major political parties and established Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

People and Language

Nepal is home to over 26 million people. Nepal is a multi-ethnic and multilingual country with 125 castes with their own ethics and rituals.  The distinction in caste and ethnicity is understood easily with a view of customary layout of the people. The country is also known as “Land of Sherpas”. People from Mongol community including Sherpas also known as Tibetan speaking groups are the inhabitants of the northern region of the Himalayan region. Lopas in the Lower and Upper Mustang region. Their lifestyles are similar to the Tibetans, who believe mostly in Buddhism.

The Middle hill region is populated mostly by the ethnic communities like Tamang, Gurung, Magar, Thakali along with Brahmins and Chhetris.  Gurungs and Magars in the western hilly region; Rais, Limbus and Sunwars in the eastern mid hills. Annapurna and Mustang areas are mainly covered by Thakali, Pun and Mongolian people. The Kathmandu Valley is primarily a home for the ethnic Newar community, but it is a melting pot in the recent context of various castes and social groups.

Tharu, Yadavas, Satar, Rajvanshis and Dhimals people are the indigenous groups in the Terai region, but it has been a mixed society after people from different caste emigrated there from the middle hills. And Brahmins, Chhetris and Thakuries are generally spread over all parts of the country.

There are 70 different languages that are spoken in Nepal that could even be called dialects. Though different groups and races have their own languages, Nepali is the national language and understood by most of Nepalese people but the speaking style might be different in the different parts of the country. The more you travel around Nepal, the more you will get the chance to meet speakers of these languages.

Weather and Climate

Nepal’s climate, influenced by elevation as well as by its location in a subtropical latitude ranging from tropical to arctic. With a range of 60 m to 8848 m above the sea level in altitude, there is a great variety of climates and weathers in Nepal.  In the northern Himalayan region with altitudes above 16,000 feet the temperature is always below freezing and the surface covered by snow and ice. An average temperature drop of 6°C occurs for every 1,000 m gain in altitude. The summers are usually temperate in the lower parts of this region while the winters can go below sub-zero.

The midlands are pleasant throughout the year with average summer and winter temperatures of 19 °, C – 35 ° C and 2 ° C – 12 ° C respectively.

The word terai, a term presumed to be derived from Persian, means “damp,” and it appropriately describes the region’s humid and hot climate. In the Terai, summer temperatures exceed 37° C and higher in some areas, winter temperatures range from 7°C to 23°C. In mountainous regions, hills and valleys summers are temperate. Eighty percent of the precipitation is received during the monsoon (June-September). Rainfall is ample in the eastern portion of the Tarai (which receives from 70 to 75 inches a year) but the western portion of Nepal (receiving from 30 to 35 inches a year) is drier.

Weather

Nepal is a four-season destination, and the sky’s the limit. Nepal’s weather is generally predictable and pleasant. The four seasons are:

Winter (December – February)

High passes, especially the Thorong-la pass on the Annapurna circuit trekking, Ganjala pass, Chola Pass, Renjola Pass, Khongmola pass, Lauribina pass, Gosaikunda pass are usually closed. Short treks and some Tea Houses treks like Ghandruk Ghorepani trek, or Chisapani Nagarkot trek in the middle hills are the best at this time.  Down in Kathmandu, the weather is chilly in the mornings and evenings. This season can prove to be very adventurous for travel and trekking as requires a lot of preparation to experience the harsh Himalayan winter. Besides, if you can tolerate extreme cold then mountains are always calling you.

Spring (March – May)

Spring is the second preferable season for traveling to Nepal. The temperature is mildly warm in low lands while moderate in higher altitudes with plenty of opportunities to have a rendezvous with the mountain views.  Especially in the Himalayas, the scenario of the fully bloomed Rhododendron forests is exquisite. The mornings are bright and refreshing in this season. Occasional rainfall and thundering is, however, a possibility.  This season doesn’t encounter much snow, making the Himalaya trails easier for trekkers. Spring is also the best time to do a jungle safari in Chitwan National Park, giving you the best chances of spotting Rhinos, Elephants, Tigers, Monkeys etc.

Summer (June – August)

Summer is the monsoon of Nepal however the lower regions can get rather dusty. Monsoon in Nepal is not the typical monsoon of Asia. From mid-June the monsoon season starts, rains usually occur 1-2 hours during the night-time, clearing away the dust, leaving the sky clean and clear by the morning making the Himalayan view even more dramatic.

Due to the daily rain there is a risk of landslides in the upper regions, so it is highly recommended that you avoid certain trekking areas yet here are some treks that are particularly good during monsoon season as they lie in the rain shadow like Annapurna Circuit, Manaslu trek, Upper Mustang trek, the Nar Phu Valley Trek and some parts of the Himalayas in Manang, Mustang, and Dolpo. Besides Monsoon cannot be an obstacle for a cultural trip to Kathmandu, Chitwan, Pokhara.

Autumn (September – November)

The fall season is hands down, the best time to visit Nepal!  During this season you can do all treks in Nepal, whether you want to explore Nepal’s beautiful culture, or go trekking in some of the highest passes in the world. Autumn season offers the best views of mountains and hills and the abundance of scenarios in Nepal. This is also the season of festivities as Nepal celebrates the most significant Hindu festivals Dashain followed by Tihar.

Festivals and Holidays

Holidays and festivals in Nepal are not declared more than a year in advance, making accurate predictions difficult. A significant number of these events affect the working hours of government offices and banks, which often close every other day, especially during public holidays and various festivals. On Fridays, offices close at 3 PM and take a lunch break of about an hour. Saturday serves as the weekly holiday, resulting in the closure of most offices and banks. Additionally, museums typically close on Tuesdays. The exact timings for festivals and their corresponding public holiday dates change annually based on Nepal’s lunar calendar.

Festivals

These are manifestation of cultural sensibility of any particular society at its beat. Nepal have more festivals then there are days in a year. Blessed to be one of the most diverse countries in the world, Nepalese keep their culture and traditions close to their heart so almost every day Nepal and Nepalese are participating in some sort of festivals and celebrations for one or the other community. It is impossible to mention all the festivals celebrated in Nepal. So, here are some grand festivals to explore in Nepal

Jan–Feb – Magh

Magh (or Makar) Sankranti

Marking a rare solar (rather than lunar) event in the Nepali calendar – the day the sun is farthest from the earth – the first day of Magh (Jan 14 or 15) is an occasion for ritual bathing at sacred river confluences, especially at Devghat and Sankhu. The day also begins a month-long period during which families do daily readings of the Swasthani, a compilation of Hindu myths, apply mustard oil over their bodies, and enjoy feast rice cooked with yams or tarul-a must-and til ko laddu, sweets made of sesame and jaggery (sugarcane paste).

Phaagun (Feb–March)

Holi

Nepal’s version of the springtime water festival, common to many Asian countries. The rites of this festival celebrates the death of the demoness Holika. Holi is one of the lively festival. The people of Terai of Nepal celebrate Holi next day in Kathmandu.  Locals put ‘Chir’, a bamboo pole, decorated with strips of colourful cloth representing good luck prosperity, indicating the onset of the Holi festival. Everyone, young or old, takes part in this day, people throw water bombs with brightly coloured payloads at each other, powdered paints are liberally showered over crowds, paint is smeared on faces and everyone has a fine time looking like smiling rainbows.

Shivaratri

‘Shivaratri’ means the ‘night of Lord Shiva’.  The best place to witness the festival is at the Pashupatinath temple of Kathmandu, where thousands of Sadhus (Hindu holy men) smoke marijuana and hashish, considered dear to Lord Shiva.  On this day   tens of thousands of pilgrims and sadhus from all over the subcontinent gather for Nepal’s best-known mela to celebrate the festival. Children collect firewood money by holding pieces of string across the road to block passers-by, people in other towns and villages of the valley celebrate it with bonfires and vigils.

Lhosar

Lhosar meaning ‘New year’ is celebrated by Nepali ethnic groups who trace their history to Tibet, particularly the Gurung, Tamang and Sherpa people. It often coincides with the Chinese New Year, as it follows the lunar calendar. Each community celebrates the festival slightly differently at different times of the year, but there are usually large gatherings wearing cultural dress, feasting and celebrations and other cultural proceedings.

Chait (March–April)

Ram Nawami

Ram Nawami, the birthday of Lord Ram is observed on the ninth day after the full moon at all temples dedicated to Vishnu in his incarnation as the hero of the Ramayana, one of the great Hindu epics. By far the biggest and most colourful celebrations take place in Janakpur, where thousands of pilgrims’ flock to the Ram temple.

Baisaakh (April–May)

Nepali New Year (Bisket Jatra)

Bisket Jatra is a major holiday in Nepal, and Bhaktapur becomes particularly lively during the celebration. The locals raise a huge pole resembling a holy lingam by the river, which the crowd pulls down to officially commence the new year. Men filled with youthful vigor and rice beer drag the chariots across the brick-paved streets of the town. Wherever the chariots stop, people light lamps, and devotees spill into the surrounding alleys. Other gods and goddesses are placed on palanquins and carried around so they can see the sights.

Machhendranath Rath Jatra

Nepal’s most spectacular festival: thousands gather to watch as the image of Machhendranath, the Kathmandu Valley’s rain-bringing deity, is pulled around the streets of Patan in a swaying, 18m-high chariot. It moves only on astrologically auspicious days, taking four weeks or more to complete its journey.

Buddha Jayanti

Buddha Jayanti is a special occasion for both Hindu and Buddhists. They celebrate this day as the day of the Buddha Siddartha’s birth, enlightenment and death. A particularly grand ceremony is held at Buddha’s birthplace in Lumbini, on the Terai. Places like Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Lumbini, and Monkey Temple are decorated with prayer flags and butter lamps. Monks gather to offer prayers and chant Buddhist mantras.

Saaun (July–Aug)

Janai Purnima

The annual changing of the sacred thread (janai) worn by Hindu men occurs at holy bathing sites across the country. Families prepare wati, a traditional dish made from nine beans, in every Newari household. Mass observances happen at Gosainkunda, a holy lake in the mountains north of Kathmandu, and at Pashupatinath. The most prominent celebration takes place at Patan’s Kumbeshwar temple. There, priests tie strings and bestow tikas while jhankri (hill shamans) perform sacred dances. They also place richly decorated lingams, the phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. Another ceremony here is Byan–ja nakegu, where people offer rice to frogs in gratitude for good rain.

Gai jatra

On Gai Jatra, families who lost a member during the year lead a decorated cow. This cow is believed to guide departed souls to the god of death’s abode. To ease the sorrow of the grieving, locals join in rallies. Men wear women’s clothing and enjoy songs and mockery. They carry tall bamboo structures wrapped in cloth and topped with straw horns throughout Bhaktapur city. Participants perform the spectacular traditional Ghinta Ghisi dance and various other masked dances along the festival route.

Bhadau (Aug–Sept)

Krishna Janmastahmi

Krishna Janmastami marks the birth of Krishna. Considered the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Krishna is the most important character in the Hindu epic, the Mahabharat. Devotees flock to the Krishna mandir in patan on the preceding day. There, men and women from far away gather around the 17th century temple and sit in vigil waiting for the midnight to fill the air, and small oil lamps are lit as a mark of felicitation and devotion to the deity.

Teej

The three-day “Women’s Festival”, sees groups of women clad in red singing and dancing through the streets. Letting their families fend for themselves for once, they start with a girls’ night out, feasting until midnight when they begin a day-long fast. On the second day they queue up to worship Shiva at the Pashupatinath temple outside of Kathmandu, and break the fast and ritually bathe to remove their sins on the final day.

Indra Jatra

A wild week of chariot processions and masked-dance performances in Kathmandu, especially celebrated by the newar community of the valley. Also known as Yenya festival, the Indra Jatra is primarily to pray for good harvest in the coming years. Indra Jatra is known for masked dances of demons, devils, and huge chariots with living gods and goddesses being driven throughout the streets by the locals.

Yartung

A swashbuckling fair held at Muktinath, in the Annapurna trekking region, centred around the full-moon day and featuring horse racing, dancing, drinking and gambling. The main attractions of this festival are archery contest, horse riding and not to forget, lots of drinking! Archery competitions are also organized along with merrymaking and drinking excessively. It will definitely be a fun festival to witness. Yartung is celebrated on the full moon day of August every year.

Asoj (Sept–Oct)

Basanta Panchami This one-day spring festival also known as Saraswati Puja, after the goddess of learning, and Shri Panchami, after the Buddhist saint Manjushri. School playgrounds are decorated with streamers and children have their books and pens blessed; high-caste boys may undergo a special rite of passage.

Dashain (Bijaya Dasami):

Dashain festival lasts for 15 days and is Nepal’s biggest Hindu celebration, typically in early October. It begins with Ghatsthapana. On the first day, people plant jamura (barley) in a kalash (sanctified vessel), honoring Goddess Durga. The seedlings will be worn in hair on the tenth day. The 8th, 9th, and 10th are the most significant and auspicious days.

Kartik (Oct-Nov)

Tihar

Tihar is Nepal’s second most important festival, after Dashain. This festival, also famous as the festival of lights, is associated with Yam, the god of death, and Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune. On the first day, Nepalis set out food on leaf plates for crows, regarded as Yamraj’s messengers; on the second, they honour dogs as Yamraj’s gatekeepers, giving them tika, flower garlands and special foods; and on the third they garland cows both as the symbol of Lakshmi and as the soul’s guide to Yamarj’s underworld.

The festival’s most picturesque event, Lakshmi Puja, comes on the evening of the third day, when families throughout Nepal ring their homes with oil lamps, candles or electric lights to guide Lakshmi to their homes so she can bless them with prosperity for the year. Trusting in her, many Nepalis gamble on street corners, and student groups make the rounds singing “Diusire”, a form of musical fundraising. Firecrackers have also become a big part of the fun for kids. To Newars, the fourth day is known as Mha Puja (“Self-Worship”), an occasion for private rituals, and also their New Year’s Day, marked by banners, well-wishing and motorcycle parades in the Kathmandu Valley’s three main cities. On the fifth day, Bhaai Tika, sisters recall the myth of Jamuna by blessing their younger brothers and giving them flower garlands, tika and sweetmeats.

Mani Rimdu

This festival takes place at Tengboche and Chiwong monasteries in the Everest region around the full moon in October or November. Colorful Sherpa masked dances dramatize Buddhism’s victory over the ancient Bon religion from eighth-century Tibet. The festival lasts about 19 days, with only the last three open to the public. It divides into creative and destructive parts. The creative segment coincides with the waxing moon and features events like constructing a colorful Sand Mandala. Monks create spiritual medicine called Mani Rilwu and make butter offerings (Torma). During this time, monks also recite prayers for the universe’s wellbeing. Chiwong Monastery and Thame Monastery host similar events in the region.

Culture and Customs

From the lowlands bordering India to the Himalayan heights bordering Tibet, Nepal boasts a complex mosaic of customs and beliefs that will baffle, fascinate and charm travellers. Nepal located between India and China is the meeting place of different religions, the diversity of its ethnic groups, its isolating geography and myriad languages have resulted in a complex pattern of culture and customs blending to form a national identity. Nepalese culture represents a fusion of Indo-Aryan and Tibeto-Mongolian influences, the result of a long history of migration, conquest, and trade. Nepal’s rich and diverse culture is reflected in its music, dance, art, literature, folklore and its language. A prominent factor in a Nepali’s everyday life is religion. Religions practiced in Nepal are: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Sikhism, Bon, ancestor worship and animism.

Nepalese culture is one of a kind and is something to blend in and savour. The custom differs as there are several castes and ethnic communities guided by the underlying pattern of religions. Many different ethnic groups coexist in Nepal, each with their own complex customs. A few ethnic groups indulge in animal sacrifices in their religious procedures. In some societies, there are still practices of blind superstitions like shamanism. Some communities in Nepal have weird marriage traditions like getting married to a wood-apple and the sun, some have to marry their first-cousin, some their sister-in-law, and some people can even marry another man’s wife by paying a sum of money! It’s called Jari Vivaha.

Another unique tradition is celebrating the birthdays of old people when they turn specific ages – 77, 1000 months, 88, 99 and 110 years. This one is called Janku. Nepalese do not eat beef, one reason being that the Hindus worship cows however Nepalese consider cow dung to be pure for cleansing purposes.  Another interesting concept among Nepalese is division of pure and impure. Jutho referring to food or material touched by another’s mouth directly or indirectly, is considered impure by Nepalese. Nepal is a patriarchal society; usually men go out to work while women are homemakers. However, in cities, it is eradicating. In most ethnic groups, joint and extended families live in the same house and in some smaller villages extended families make up the entire community.

Kathmandu Valley, where they mix the most, there’s a high degree of tolerance of different clothes and lifestyles – a fact that travellers sense, and often abuse. Away from the tourist areas, however, ethnic groups are quite parochial, and foreign ways may cause offence. Rural Nepal is mostly agrarian, while some aspects of urban life carry the glitz and glamour of the ultra-modern world.

Some Cultural Shock

• Getting culture shock when you move to a new country (culture) is a common thin Or perhaps travelers to Nepal get more culture shock.
• Physical disciplining such as hitting or spanking a child is not uncommon. You will see it almost everywhere in Nepal. Don’t try to intervene when you see such thing. Like said before, it’s disciplining.
• Some traditional cultural practices involved animal cruelty. Animals are sacrificed in traditional Hindu festivals and in other cultural activities such as visits to the witch doctor.
• Hygiene levels are often much lower in the villages; as local people have a much higher capacity for infection.
• When women/girls have their menstruation period, they are rendered impure and therefore isolated from the rest of family members and kept in a shed.
• When in Nepal, don’t expect things to go on time. You will face delay almost in all activities. There is even a phrase “Nepali Time” which is used sarcastically to point out delay in activities.
• And the last thing, strike or aka “bandh” in Nepali. Although it’s been quite a time since the last strike, you never know when it will strike upon you. And in the worst case scenario, you might be stranded in nowhere. No buses. No open shops. So before you come here, pay attention to news related to Nepal.
• Take off your shoes before entering a temple or one’s home and ask for permission before entering a Hindu temple.
• Taking photographs inside most temples is considered illegal. Ask for permission before taking photographs of objects, and including Nepali people.
• Public displays of affection such as kissing may be considered offensive.
• When you are at a Nepali dining table, there is usually the senior member of the family, usually a female, serving everyone. She will repeatedly offer food. Consider that as a respect, don’t get offended, take a little and say thank you.
• Calling people by names like Dad, Mum, Sister, Brother, Uncle is very common. For example, you say `Amaa’ (Mother) or Buba (Dad) to your friend’s parents but never call them by their names.
• Slurping – It is common to slurp tea and other hot drinks in restaurants and homes.

Superstition is a part of Nepalese life. Never say a young baby healthy and or fat – they don’t like that, they think the baby will get sick afterwards. Never keep your shoes or sandals upside down – it brings bad luck around. Spilling rice on the floor (specially cooked rice) and walking on it is an insult to the Hindu Goddess of Food. It is common to pray before traveling specially on a long journey, so you will see bus drivers with photos of Hindu goddess, incense and bells and doing prayers before beginning the first drive of the day. Its common to see hanging of red dried Chillies in places like homes, restaurants and even in buses – it’s done to protect the place from bad spirits

Shopping and Malls

Shopping in Nepal is a popular activity to buy traditional clothing and thangkas. There are a lot of places for shopping in Nepal. Kathmandu is fast becoming a shopping paradise with new malls opening up every now and then with an assortment of products ranging from branded cloth wear to household items.  However, some of the popular places for shopping in Kathmandu are Thamel, Durbar marg, places around Durbar Squares, New road, Bhotahity, etc. Also, Shopping in Pokhara is equally important to get souvenirs and handicrafts. The Nepali handmade products are available in the major tourist destinations of Nepal.

Nepal has huge cabin industries having clothing materials, wood crafts, metal works, and jewelry. Secondary items include sculptures, tea, incense, spices, dolls, puppets, and trekking clothing. Artistic works of silver stone and metal, and gold trinkets, and incredible wood carvings are easily available. The famous Gurkha knife or Khukuri, pashmina, carpets, jewelry, masks, prayer wheels, stone carvings, singing bowls Thangkas and pauls, etc. Many materials found in Nepal carry religious significance. Though you need to have some bargaining skills in some shops cause almost no price tags, people are very hospitable and can assist you to get the goods of your choice.

You can get very good souvenirs from Nepal for the memories and to gift the near ones. Top 10 picks for shopping in Nepal are here and you can get these things in the Thamel area of Kathmandu valley and lakeside of Pokhara.

• Singing Bowl
• Pashmina
• Khukuri
• Daura Suruwal
• Thangka Paintings
• Statues and Masks
• Handicrafts and Handwoven items
• Tea, spices and incense
• Jewelry and metal works
• Prayer Flags and Yak wool

If you are bad at bargaining, online shopping portals can be a good choice. From home appliances to groceries, you can get many products online. Some of the popular online shopping portals in Nepal are Daraz, Sastodeal, Choicemandu, Giftmandu, Foodmandu, etc. However, you need to be picky and have a good sense of buying to get rid of expensive items online.  Also, Malls are good places to buy products if you just don’t like to bargain in local shops.  You can get varieties of products in one place in some malls and supermarkets. Some of the chain marts in Nepal are Big Mart, Bhatbhateni, CTC mall, Kathmandu Mall, Civil Mall, Chhaya Center, Labim Mall, Baneshwar Mall, etc. are popular for shopping in Kathmandu.

Night Life

From wild drinking nights and intense gambling sprees at casinos to non-stop dancing and engaging conversations at pubs, Nepal offers one of the most vibrant nightlife experiences. The country boasts some of the world’s best nightclubs, each hosting unique themed parties, while local streets come alive with performances by talented artists. Many venues enjoy relaxed noise regulations, allowing parties and club dances to continue late into the night. In Kathmandu, Thamel, Jhamel, and Durbarmarg are among the best areas to explore, while Pokhara serves as a central hub for nightlife. Additionally, the nightlife in Kathmandu features late-night dining carnivals, where you can savor the finest food in the bustling tourist town of Thamel.

Forex and Banking

Nepal has modern banking facilities and some international banks even have offices in Kathmandu. Banks are open from 10am to 3pm from Sunday to Thursday and until noon on Friday and licensed money changers are open 12 hours per day.

The main ways to obtain Nepal currency are atm’s, money exchangers, cash advance credit cards and wire services. Almost all foreign currencies along with credit cards such as American Express, Visa, and Mastercard are accepted in Nepal. ATMs are available throughout Nepal, however only Kathmandu, Pokhara and major hub areas have regular working machines that accept international cards and it is not possible to withdraw cash on the mountains and various trekking trails.

There are exchange counters at the international terminal at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport and banks and/or money changers at the various border crossings. Pokhara and the major border towns also have official money-changing facilities, but changing travellers cheques can be time consuming elsewhere in the country, even in some quite large towns. Similarly, It can take upto 5 working days for a bank transfer in Nepal. If someone wants to transfer money from Nepal to any other foreign countries, more than US$500 needs authorization from the Central Bank of Nepal. You need to furnish proper documents and good cause for the same however there are no restrictions to transfer money to Nepal. In general, it’s easiest to send money through companies such as Western Union or Moneygram, which can arrange transfers within minutes.

Environment and Pollution

Nepal is not rich in mineral resources but it has abundant surface and groundwater. Forest covers about 38 percent of the land area. The high pressure on agricultural land has led to considerable deforestation and soil loss. Also with the advancement of technology, the environment has degraded more in cities. Air and water pollution are significant environmental problems not only in Nepal but the overall world. Due to pollution, one may face problems like headache, fever, cough, cold, typhoid, etc.  Besides, mosquitoes are abundant during the summer season in hot places of the Terai. As a result, diseases like malaria may occur although all these problems have cure. Cities are well equipped with hospitals and precautions are to be taken by the travellers too.

Roads

About 60% of the Nepali roads are hard-surface roads wherever you travel, the route will probably be new in parts, disintegrated in places, and under construction in others.

To the northeast, the Arniko Highway follows the old Kathmandu–Lhasa trade route through broad valleys and misty gorges to the Tibet border; northwestwards, the Trisuli road snakes its way down into a subtropical valley nearly 1000m lower than Kathmandu; while west and then south, the Tribhuwan Rajpath, Nepal’s first highway, takes a wildly tortuous route on its way to the Terai. The scenery in this area is a shade less dramatic than you’ll encounter further west, but the land is nonetheless varied, rugged and only partially tamed by defiant terraces.

Nepal’s highways are irregularly maintained, and each monsoon takes a toll on surfaces. The country has a truly appalling road safety record, and accidents are common. Getting around is one of the biggest challenges of travelling in Nepal. Distances aren’t great, but the roads are poor and extremely slow. Traffic jams during office times are common. If the vehicles are driven carefully, road travel is free of risk.

Water

Water in Nepal is pure and less contaminated even though we recommend you to buy and drink mineral water, use purification tablets, or boiling water. If you are boiling water, make sure you boil it longer at altitude, as the time to boil properly is greater than at sea level.

Electricity

Loadshedding ended in 2019, however during weather condition and rain there are high chances of power cuts. Voltage fluctuation is very common, however hotels and businesses cover their electrical needs via fuel cells and generators. In Nepal the standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz and Nepal uses power outlets and plugs of types C, D & M. If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100 V – 127 V (as is in the US, Canada and most South American countries), you need a voltage converter in Nepal. You can find any of the transformers, plug adopter and converters to buy in Kathmandu and other major cities easily. We recommend you check your appliances before embarking on your journey, to understand the requirements in Nepal.

Lodging/Accommodation

Hotels, from non-star lodges to five star hotels, from guest houses to resorts, all are options for accommodation in Nepal. In the main tourist areas of Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan, you’ll find an ever-expanding range of options. It’s hard to generalize about the more expensive hotels and resorts. Some charge a hefty premium to insulate you from the Nepal you came to see, while others offer unique experiences. Meanwhile, guest houses, tea houses, camps, volunteer houses and also local houses are options while you’re on trek. Trekking trails are dotted with simple tea houses that offer a welcoming smile and a warming cup of tea at the end of a hard day’s hike. Teahouse facilities are basic: hot water, electricity, and clean toilets are never a guarantee and You’ll be expected to eat your meals at the teahouse’s own restaurant, though there are some remarkably comfortable ones out there too.

Guesthouse in Nepal can mean anything from a small, family-run lodge, to a generic budget hotel. Most places have a range of rooms, from budget, shared-bathroom boxes to en suites with a/c and TVs.

Lastly but not the least, homestay/ village stay offer a unique opportunity for comfortable cultural immersion, and could become a good way to disperse visitors and spread the economic benefits of tourism into rural areas.

Transportation

The motorways in Nepal mostly feature gravel and are poorly maintained in the highlands. Public transport is common and reliable. Local Nepali drivers operating buses on these roads are usually experts, making it safe to explore Nepal by public transport. However, public buses can be crowded and uncomfortable. These buses often take many hours to reach their destinations, as they stop to pick up more passengers along the way. Long-distance buses follow a set schedule and typically start early in the morning, with tickets sold at bus stations.

Public jeeps are also common in Nepal’s mountain regions. A drive can last as long as 17 hours, such as the trip from Kathmandu to Salleri, and these jeeps can be nearly as crowded as local buses.

Tourist buses operate on main routes and are usually in good condition, offering a safer ride than regular buses. These buses do not take more passengers than seats, making the journey more comfortable and quicker.

You can also hire a motorcycle or charter a taxi, car, or 4WD vehicle. Taxis, private vans, and jeeps are available any time of day and can take you anywhere in Nepal, with prices often negotiable. Taxis are available at night, but fares are slightly higher. Rental cars always come with a driver in Nepal. If you want to hire a private jeep for your trek, you can easily arrange this through your hotel or a tourist agency.

Driving a private vehicle offers the flexibility to stop anywhere and explore less-visited areas of Nepal. With road extensions, you can now drive to many Himalayan destinations that were once only accessible to hardcore trekkers.

Communications

Telecommunication has been rapidly developing in Nepal. Both landline and mobile telephone services are available in our country and the network coverage includes most parts of Nepal. Nepal Telecom and Ncell are the major telephone service providers, and their data plans are also pretty feasible and reasonable. Easy internet availability in the major cities, and surprisingly in certain aspects of remote treks as well. There is even fast internet service at the summit of Mount Everest (8848m) but in some mid hills and valley gorge, the cell / sat phone can be weak or nil due to blockage of hills and mountains. Countless Internet cafes and communication centers in the Valley and around the country. Wi-fi services are also provided at various hotels and restaurants.

For calling from outside, the country code for Nepal is 977 and the area code for Kathmandu is 1. There are many Cell companies, where one can buy a SIM card at a reasonable cost after showing your ID and passports.

Custom Department Things

All travelers are permitted to carry 200 cigarettes, 20 cigars, whisky/wine not exceeding 1.15 liters or beer up to 12 cans, medicines for personal use up to a value of NPR 10,000, 50 grams of gold ornaments and 100 grams of silver ornaments. Other exemptions include personal effects such as binoculars, cameras, film stock, record player, tape recorder, transistor, and radio. It is illegal to export antiques; objects like metal statues, sacred images, paintings, and manuscripts. Cats and dogs must be accompanied by a veterinarian health and rabies certificate but not all the airlines offer shipment of animals in the cabin or as checked baggage.

Clothes

Nepal has a wide range of climates so carrying both light and warm clothes in casual and comfortable styles is appropriate. In the mountain areas, warm woolen clothing is necessary while at lower altitude cotton clothing is ideal. You will need a good windproof, waterproof jacket and proper shoes for trekking.

Nepal is a very popular destination for the elephant pant-wearing and backpack-bearing traveling crowd. You’ll be able to create your own collection of elephant pants, Om symbol shirts, and cultural clothing at the many shops.

Health and Safety Measure

Safety standards in Nepal are not always the equal of what you might be used to in your home country. Stomach issues that often bother travelers in this part of the world can cause dehydration. Rehydration treatment sachets may count as the most important part of your first aid kit when trekking in a place like Nepal. Another issues to prepare for is malaria. If you travel during winter time, malaria pills are not necessary, even if you go to the national parks like Chitwan. Finally, bring some mosquito repellant, especially if you travel south toward Terrai. Wear a mask (if possible) when walking in the dusty and polluted streets, especially during the summer season in Nepal. Many private clinics and hospitals are open during the day. Drug stores near the hospital regions are open 24 hours (Bir Hospital, Teaching Hospital, Patan Hospital, etc).

A travel insurance policy that covers medical treatment and Please have a handy medical first aid kit ready for any situation is recommended for all tourists.

Pre departure information

Both domestic and foreign nationals exiting Nepal from Tribhuvan International Airport must go through immigration checks. Travelers should present valid travel documents (passport) and properly filled embarkation cards to an immigration officer.

All travelers can carry 200 cigarettes, 20 cigars, whisky or wine not exceeding 1.15 liters, or up to 12 cans of beer. They can also bring medicines for personal use valued up to NPR 10,000, along with 50 grams of gold ornaments and 100 grams of silver ornaments. Other exemptions include personal items like binoculars, cameras, film stock, record players, tape recorders, transistors, and radios. It is illegal to export antiques, including metal statues, sacred images, paintings, and manuscripts.

Cats and dogs must be accompanied by a veterinarian health and rabies certificate but not all the airlines offer shipment of animals in the cabin or as checked baggage.

Entering Nepal

Nepal makes things easy for foreign travellers. Visas are available on arrival at the international airport in Kathmandu and at all land border crossings that are open to foreigners, as long as you have a valid passport, photos on hand and can pay the visa fee in foreign currency. Both domestic and foreign nationals should go through immigration checks after arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport, the only international airport in Nepal.

A visa is required to enter Nepal, granted at the Nepalese embassies or consulates abroad. You may also be granted an on-arrival tourist visa at Tribhuwan International Airport or at the immigration office of any entry/exit point.  Nationals of these countries must apply for the visa in advance through Nepalese consulates abroad- Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan.

Entry and Exit Point in Nepal

In Nepal there are only 8 government approved entry points. These inlets can also be used for getting out of Nepal. There is absolutely no problem if you plan your entry and exit from the separate points and fill up the prescribed forms. Following are the government approved entry/exit points of Nepal.

• Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu – By air
• Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)
• Immi Birgunj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
• Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border)
• Belahia, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal)
• Jamunaha, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal)
• Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal)
• Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal)

Deviation from these points at the time of entry or exit shall be treated as the violation of immigration rules.

Travel Insurance

Few countries permit such limitless and free exploration as Nepal hence travel insurance isa must for undertaking any tour. It is also an excellent idea to cover theft, loss and medical problems. In Nepal, most medical treatment must be paid for at the point of delivery. If your insurance company does not provide upfront payment, be sure to obtain receipts so you can reclaim later. Chosen insurance should provide adequate protection for the full duration of the tour to cover personal injury, death, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, helicopter rescue, air ambulance and adequate cover for baggage.

Some Facts about Nepal

• People in Nepal do not greet one another with putting their palms together and bow their forehead and say “Namaste” (directly translated as ‘I salute the God in youˇ).
• A popular and cheap ‘fast food’ is the Momo, dumplings made from flour and water filled with different fillings like chicken, meat or vegetables either fried or steamed and served with a dipping sauce.
• Nepal is rightfully called Amazon of Asia as it is a home for the variety of unique species of Flora and Fauna. Nepal is home to one of the few places on earth where you can see both the Bengal tiger and the one-horned rhinoceros
• The Annapurna region was voted one of the top 10 best trekking places on earth.
• Everest in the Nepali language is Sagarmatha which means goddess of the sky and it stands at a staggering 8,848 meters (29,029 ft.) above sea level.
• Many are employed as porters also known as Sherpas for mountain expeditions as they do not suffer the effect of altitude and due to their genetics and upbringing.
• Nepal is the birthplace for the Lord Buddha. Lumbini and a pilgrimage for many devout Buddhists.
• Nepal has the densest concentration of World Heritage Sites. Kathmandu valley alone has 7 World Heritage Cultural sites within a radius of 15 kilometers.
• The Nepali flag is the only nation with non-quadrilateral flag. The two triangles symbolize the Himalaya Mountains and represent the two major religions, Hinduism and Buddhism.
• Cows are sacred in Nepal, so is their manure. It is common practice to clean the home with water and cow manure, to clean and bless it at the same time.
• Marijuana plants grow in gardens, on the side of the road, in ditches, on mountainsides, pretty much everywhere in Nepal.
• Nepal has the only living goddess in the world, the Kumari. Kumari is the tradition of worshiping young pre-pubescent girls as manifestations of the divine female energy.
• Nepal holds some of the most extreme places on the earth such as the highest lake on the earth (Tilicho 4800 meters), the highest valley on earth (Arun valley), the deepest gorges (1200 meter) in Kaligandaki and the tallest grassland in the world in Chitwan.
• The Tiger Tops in Nepal conducts the World Elephant Polo Championship and is the elephant polo headquarters.