Nepal Travel Guide

Nepal is a cheap and relatively safe country with amazing scenery of the Himalayan mountain range. It's perhaps the best place in the world for trekking and short day walks also. It's backpacker paradise with a cheap cost of living and a friendly tourist industry.

Sights

• The main city of Kathmandu is overflowing with various temple sights such as Bodnath Stupa, Swayambhunath and Durbur Square.
• Pokhara is a beautiful quite town with outrageous sights of the lake and Himalaya mountain range. A great place to go trekking, take shorter walks, mountain biking, rafting and kayaking.
• View Mount Everest and the other peaks of the Himalaya (of which Nepal has 8 of the worlds 10 highest).
• National Parks include Chitwan and Langtang where you can see elephants, lions and more.
• Visit Bandipur the town that stood still and see traditional Newari people and architecture.
• Lumbini is the birthplace of Buddha, where you can meditate on the nature of existence.
• Visit Tansen with its traditional village and hilltop Himalayan views.
• Wildlife Reserves include Koshi with traditional thatched villages and rice paddies.

Activities

Nepal is packed with activities, read more about Nepal's outdoor activities.

• Nepal is the worlds ultimate trekking destination. From Mount Everest, to 21 day treks around the Annapurna range, to easy walks around Pokhara and Kathmandu, there is something for everyone. Read about trekking in Nepal .
• Paragliding in the subcontinents best locations.
• Rafting and kayaking is available for novices and the experienced. The diverse rivers and mountains provide an ideal backdrop.
• Mountain biking tracks from the sublime to the ridiculous are found all over the country.
• Take a mountain flight to see the Himalayas and Mount Everest up close.

Suggested Itineraries

Trekking or rafting/kayaking can be taken in when in Kathmandu or Pokhara.  Allow time for bus journeys - about 6 hours between most big stops.

• 3 days - stay in the Kathmandu valley, visit Durbur square and the stupas
• 1 week - 3 days in Kathmandu, 4 days in Pokhara
• 2 weeks - 3 days in Kathmandu, 1 day in Bandipur, 4 days in Pokhara, 1 day in Tansen, 1 day in Lumbini, 3 days in Chitwan National Park, 1 day in Nagorkot
• More than 2 weeks - Consider Everest Base Camp, other national parks, long treks, and those out-of-the-way places.

Costs

Nepal is one of the worlds poorest countries, and the recent political problems have left a slump in tourism which can lead to good discounts.
Minimal living costs are US$7 per day. With taxis and temple admission expect to pay US$15 per day.  Read about a cheap day in Nepal .

Is Nepal safe?

Yes, generally Nepal is a safe country.  There is currently a risk from the  Maoist party (see below) but tourists are not targeted and you are unlikely to ever see any effects of their actions.  Don't be put off, tourism has slumped and discounts are widely available.

Since 13 February 1996 the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) has been fighting a People's war against the Nepal state in the hills, and other parts, of Nepal.  The war started after the Maoists presented the then prime minister with a 40 point list of demands to make Nepal a better country.  Since then the Maoists have grown in arms and troops and now control 40% of the country, but attacks have occurred throughout the country.  The Maoists terrorize politicians and local farmers alike.  The USA have made donations to Kathmandu to help their "war on terrorism". The Maoists are moving towards a political part, and have asked the UN to mediate, but the government has rejected this.

The Maoists do not target tourists, and there have only ever been a few incidents involving tourists who did not pay the requested donation.  When traveling in Kathmandu, Pokhara and most of the tourist areas you are unlikely to see any Maoist action.  The road from Kathmandu to Pokhara often has a Maoist road block, but the bus just pays a donation and passes through.  You are unlikely to be at risk.

Visas for Nepal

Most nationals are issued with a 60 day visa upon arrival at Kathmandu airport or several land crossing points with India.  The process is easy, requires 1 passport photo and payment of US$30. 30 day extensions are easy to gain within the country.  It's a good place to spend a long time.

When to go to Nepal

Nepal has a two season year.  The dry season is October to May and the wet monsoon season is June to September.  September to November and March to May bring perfect weather for viewing the Himalaya, trekking and water sports, and are the times to visit. The weather is warm during the day but gets chilly at night in high areas. See the trekking section also. 

What to bring

You might want to bring some of the following:

• Sunglasses and high protection sunscreen.
• For trekking (all but shoes are available at good prices in Kathmandu and Pokhara)
  • Hiking shoes for trekking as they are one of the few trekking items that are hard to find.
  • A sleeping bag
  • Fleece
  • Warm coats
• A fleece if visiting between October and March.
• A face mask against Kathmandu's air pollution problem.
• A torch for power cuts
• Insect repellent for national parks.
• Swimming costume for rafting, kayaking, canyoning, swimming and elephant washing in Chitwan National Park.

Transport

Flights to Kathmandu, Nepal

All international flights land at Kathmandu airport. Visas are available upon landing. There is a photo machine in the airport. You cannot pay with Nepali Rupees, so bring US Dollars, Euros or British Pounds. There is an ATM downstairs.

From Delhi

For a view of the Himalayas sit on the left hand side of the plane.

• www.JetLite.com (was Air Sahara) fly daily at 12:00, Rs 7,000. Flights last 1.5 hours. There is a ticket office at Delhi International airport, and tickets can be bought in Indian Rupees after 10:00.

Accommodation in Nepal

The best places to stay are in guesthouses.  Some are family run offering quiet places to relax, and others are amongst the bustle for the more social.  Guesthouse prices range from US$2 - $10 per night.  Hotels can be found in Kathmandu and other areas, and cost $US10+. If trekking then you'll probably want to stay in the trekking lodges, offering simple beds and food on the trekking routes.  Camping is possible when trekking, in Pokhara and other places.

Weather in Nepal

Outside of summer all areas of Nepal are warm with sunshine during the day, but it does get cold after sunset. If you are going out for the day keep an extra layer of clothes with you.

The People of Nepal

Located between India and Tibet, Nepal is made up of a diversity of ethnic groups.  The different groups of Nepali hill people are quite distinct, and with the combination of new residents to the country there is a quite a variety of faces, foods and fashions on the streets.

Nepal also has a caste system, similar to that of India.

Hinduism and Buddhism both being strong in Nepal which has led to great religious tolerance, with almost no religious tension in Nepal.

The people of Nepal are generally good humored and patient, quick to smile and slow to anger.  But they have a reputation as fierce fighters, read about the Gurkha forces .

Communications in Nepal

Internet access is everywhere in the Thamel region of Kathmandu and in Pokhara.  The broadband service is heavily shared and slow, but cheap. In other areas access is very limited.  There are a couple of WiFi cafes in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Facts about Nepal

• The Nepali calendar is 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calender used in the west.  So 2007 becomes 2064.
• The Newars, on the other hand, are 880 years behind.  So 2007 is 1127.
• Trekkers in Nepal leave behind an estimated 100 tones of unrecyclable water bottles every year.
• Public shows of affection are frowned upon in Nepal.  But you will see men holding hands.  This is not sexual, but a social thing, like in India.  Until recently Nepali men rarely shook hands.
• Hashish has been illegal in Nepal since 1973, but it is still readily available.
• Killing a cow is illegal in Nepal and carries a punishment of two years in prison.
• Nepal's flag is totally unique. 
• The first cars were transported to Kathmandu valley on the backs of porters, before there were any roads or petrol.

Theft in Nepal

Petty theft is not on the scale you'd find in many countries, theft from tourist hotels is commonplace.  Follow these tips

• A common form of theft is rifling backpacks on the roofs of buses.  Always padlock you bags.
• First floor hotel rooms are the easiest to break into, stay higher up.
• Never leave valuables in hotel rooms.

Scams in Nepal

• Young kids (and mothers with babies) ask you for milk, you buy the milk at a designated store at an inflated price, the scammer returns the milk and pockets some of the mark-up.  You can buy and open the milk to prevent the scam and still benefit the kids.
• Kids and touts who know the capital of any country you can think of, or know all about your country - a request for money will soon arrive.
• Credit card scams, where you buy some souvenirs only to find thousands of dollars worth of Internet porn subscriptions charged to your card.

Begging in Nepal

Begging is relatively common in Nepal, partly because both Hinduism and Buddhism encourage the giving of alms.  This can present a dilemma, should you give? It is often worth checking how the locals react, and decide whether this is a genuine beneficiary. At bigger temples there can be long lines of beggars.  Pilgrims customarily give a coin to everyone in the line.  The Sadhus (holy men) are another special case and usually completely depend on alms.

Useful websites

• Explore Nepal - Good information site
• Nepal Ministry of Tourism - Tourism information
• Nepal Torusim Board - Official tourist board website
• TrekInfo.com - Great trekking information, especially the forums
• Visit Nepal - Comprehensive details for travelers