Nepal Info

Getting to Nepal

Nepal has one international airport- Tribhuvan International Airport. To enter into Nepal, you can book a flight ticket to Kathmandu.

Direct flights from Nepal

[Note: If you are from Europe or USA or UK and you want to visit Nepal then, there are no direct flights. You must take a transit.]

By Land

Nepal is a landlocked country, bordered by India (East, South, and West side) and China (North side).

Via China (Tibet)

From China (Tibet), you can enter into Nepal via Rasuwagadhi (Kyirong on the Tibetan side) by land transport.

Before 2015, the Kodari/Zhangmu was the entry point. But this passage was destroyed by the earthquake that hit Nepal in 2015.

Via India

There are 6 entry points to Nepal from India.

1. Kakarbhitta - Nearest entry point from Darjeeling, Sikkim and Kolkata.
2. Birgunj – Nearest entry point from Patna and Kolkata.
3. Belahiya - Nearest entry point from Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Agra and Delhi.
4. Nepalganj - Nearest entry point from Lucknow
5. Dhangadi – Nearest entry point from Lucknow and Delhi
6. Mahendranagar – Nearest entry point from Delhi and Uttarakhand

By water (boat)

Being a land-locked country, Nepal cannot be entered via ship or any waterways.

Visas

Visa is required for all foreign nationals except the Indians. You can obtain a visa upon your arrival in Nepal. These visas are issued by the Embassy as well as the border authorities.

Applying for visa from your home country might cost you more. So, it is better to obtain visa in the airport upon arrival.

For visa extension, you must fill the online form that requires you to upload a passport-sized photo.

If you use the machine in the immigration hall for filling the form, it is free of charge. But that option is very much time-consuming.

Vaccination

Vaccination is not compulsory to enter into Nepal, unless you have come from the Yellow-fever infested region.

But, it better to consider some vaccinations prior to visiting Nepal:

1. Diphtheria and Tetanus (Recommended)
2. Hepatitis A
3. Hepatitis B
4. Influenza (Recommended)
5. Japanese Encephalitis (Recommended)
6. Meningococcal meningitis
7. Polio (Recommended for children)- WHO (World Health Organization) declared polio free country to Nepal in 2014.
8. Rabies
9. Yellow Fever (Recommended only if you are coming from infected area.)
10. Typhoid (Recommended)
11. Tuberculosis

Cultures and Religions

Nepal is a multicultural country. There are over 100 ethnic groups and over 120 different languages, spoken throughout the country. Despite these diversities, there have been no cultural conflicts until today. In a single community, all kinds of people live and in harmony with each other.

As diverse their languages are, Nepalese celebrate an array of festivals and rituals. While the major festivals are Dashain and Tihar (Hindu Festivals), Christmas and Id are also celebrated with joy. There is no any restriction like only Hindus are allowed to participate in the celebration of Dashain and Tihar: anybody is welcome to join these festivities. However, one must show respect to the gods and should have an unbiased heart.

Some of the rituals are centered to the Kathmandu valley only. The Jatras (typically Gai Jatra, Bisket (Biska) Jatra, Ghode Jatra, Indra Jatra, etc.) are celebrated only in the Kathmandu valley. These Jatras don’t belong to a particular religion and culture and are celebrated with great joy throughout the valley.

Weather and Climate

The weather and climate of Nepal can be distinguished into three parts for the outsiders to clearly understand the best time to visit Nepal.

1. Low Season (Monsoon, summer, and winter)

Monsoon is a wet season in Nepal. So, if you are planning to visit Nepal in the month between Jun-Sept then, you will need to bring along the umbrella and raincoats with you. Trekking trails in the critical trekking regions in Nepal become slippery and difficult to pass through in this time of the year.

In Nepal, the summer blends with the monsoon. So, it is the least favored time of the year to go for trekking.

Similarly, winter (Dec-Jan) is extreme in the Himalayas. So, it cannot be considered a good season to explore Nepal.

2. Middle Season (Spring)

Spring (Feb-mar) is one of the recommended seasons to go for trekking because in this time of the year, there is less rainfall and the temperature is tolerable. Everyday in the morning of the Spring, the sun powers the whole eco-system with new energy.

3. High (peak) Season (Autumn)

Autumn (Oct-Nov) is the best season to go for the trekking. Not only are the temperatures favorable for trekking in this season, but also the skies are clear to get the amazing views of the landscapes and mountains.

Geography

For a country of its size, Nepal is geographically diverse. The whole country is divided into three regions, based on the altitudes and terrains.

1. Terai Region

Terai is the lowermost belt of Nepal, ranging from the altitude of 59 m (the lowest point of the country) to the 1000 m above sea level. The land is flat with barely a hilly section to climb.

The temperature in the Terai is hot and humid. It is a mosquito-infested region of Nepal.

The majority of the people, living in the Terai, are Tharus whose origin is linked with the Indian subcontinent. They have their own culture and lifestyle. The people of the Terai region are also known as ‘Madhesis’.

2. Hilly Region

Hilly region is the middle region of Nepal, squeezed between the higher mountains and the lower plains. The altitude ranges from 1000 m to 1500 m above sea-level. Topographically, the hilly region of Nepal has high hills, but not rocky, and can be used for cultivation.

The temperature is neither too hot nor too cold in the Hilly region of Nepal. Kathmandu and Pokhara lie in this region.

Majority of the population are Brahmins, Chhetris, Gurungs, Rais and Magars.

The people of the Hilly region are also known as ‘Pahadis’.

3. Himalayan Region

Himalayan is the uppermost region of Nepal, where the altitude ranges from 1500 m to the 8848 m (the highest point on the Earth). The terrain is rocky, so cultivation is not possible in most of the regions.

The temperature is extremely cold, and in the higher sections, the temperature barely rises above the freezing point (0oC).

Majority of the population are Sherpas and Tamangs. People living in this region is also known as the ‘Himalis’.

Must know facts about Nepal (Customs and Traditions)

Before coming to Nepal, you should know about the customs and traditions of Nepal.

Here is the list of things that you should consider while you are traveling in Nepal:

1. Spitting or throwing wastes around the cooking place is not considered good.
2. Never point to any person, sacred site and cremation site by a finger; always use the palm instead.
3. Use your right hand to eat if the spoon or fork is not provided.
4. Remove your shoes before entering into a temple, houses, or monasteries.
5. Take off your head wears (hats) and shoes in the monasteries and ask permission to someone before clicking the Photographs.
6. Speak calmly and don’t shout at anybody as it is considered a bad manner.
7. Use both your hands while receiving and giving something.