General information

Namaste and Welcome to Nepal !

Nepal is culturally rich country with variety of world-class and nature-based destination. Nepal is ideal destination for exploring untouched, undiscovered land and uncovering yourself. With most of the mighty peaks and mountains lying in Nepal, It is dreamland for mountaineers and trekkers. Mt. Everest also called Mt. Sagarmatha or Mt. Chomolungma is the highest mountain in the world with 8,848m height lies in Nepal along with 7 other peaks ranging above 8,000m. In 1949, Nepal's peaks / mountains were opened for climbing. Since then, mountaineering has been the major tourism activity and considered as prolific sector in terms of revenue generation of the Country. So, The Government of Nepal has opened 414 peaks for mountaineering activities by adding 104 peaks in 2014.

Major Tourism Sites of Nepal:

Kathmandu:

Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is one of the world's oldest cities. The old part of the city, with narrow medieval streets and lovely little shrines, centers on the Durbar Square. One can find distinctive pagoda-roofed temples, stone sculptures, old monasteries and historic monuments in Durbar Square.

Bhaktapur:

Bhaktapur or also known as Bhadgaon, is a museum of medieval art and architecture with many fine examples of sculpture, woodcarving and colossal pagoda temples consecrated to different gods and goddesses. The city is shaped like a conch shell-one of the emblems of the god Vishnu and was founded by King Ananda Deva in  889 A.D.  Pottery and weaving are its major traditional industries. The city lies fifteen Kilometers to the east of Kathmandu.The city is 1,402 meters above sea level.

Patan:

The ancient name of Patan is Lalitpur which means a city of beauty. It is indeed a city of beauty and grace and is planned on a circular format with Buddhist stupas at each of the four points of the compass. The city is three Kilometers south-east of Kathmandu across the river Bagmati. Like Kathmandu, its center of attraction is Durbar Square complex, situated right in the middle of the market place. The city is full of Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples with fine bronze gateways, guardian deities and wonderful carvings. Noted for its craftsmen and metal workers, it is also know as the city of artists. It is believed that the city has been built during the reign of Vira Dev in  299 A.D.

Pokhara:

Pokhara, an enchanting city nestled in the tranquil valley, is the starting point for many of Nepal’s most popular trekking and rafting destinations. The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificence of the fish-trail summit of Machachhapuchhre (6,977m) rising behind it creates an ambience of peace and magic. The valley surrounding Pokhara is home to thick forests, gushing rivers, clear lakes and the world famous views of the Himalayas. Situated 200 km west of Kathmandu, the city is connected by air and road not only from Kathmandu but from other parts of the country. Pokhara offers magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machchhapuchhre, five peaks of Annapurna and other peaks.

Lumbini:

Lumbini, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam. The Shakya prince and the ultimate Buddha, the Enlightened One, is the pilgrimage destination of the world’s millions of people faithful to all schools of Buddhism. UNESCO lists this nativity site, identified by Indian Emperor Ashoka’s commemorative pillar as a World Heritage Site. The main attraction of Lumbini remains the Sacred Garden which spread over 8sq km, possessing all the treasures of the historic area. The Mayadevi temple is the main attraction for pilgrims and archaeologists alike. Here we find a bas relief of Mayadevi, Lord Buddha’s mother giving birth to him. Standing west to the Mayadevi shrine is the oldest monument of Nepal, the Ashoka Pillar. Emperor Ashoka erected the pillar in 249 BC to commemorate his pilgrimage to the sacred site. To the south of the pillar, we find the sacred pond, {Puskarni} where Queen Mayadevi had taken a bath just before giving birth to Lord Buddha. Places of various interest surrounds the area There are other places of interest too nearby. It is accessible by air from Kathmandu to Bhairawa. From Kathmandu it takes about eight hours by bus or car.

Chitwan: 

Chitwan is one of the finest national parks in Asia, renowned for its concentration of wildlife and top class tourist lodges, which provide the opportunity to see animals in their natural habitat. Chitwan which means the ‘heart of the jungle’ is among the last surviving example of the continuous band of forests and grasslands, which once extended from the Indus River in Pakistan to the Burmese border. The main attraction here is the Chitwan National Park, One of the largest forests regions in Asia teeming with wildlife such as the rare great one-horned rhinoceros, several species of dear, sloth bear, leopard, wild boar, fresh water, dolphin, crocodile, more than 350 species of birds and the elusive Bengal tiger. Chitwan National Park is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site (natural) list. Visitors to Chitwan may enjoy elephant back excursions, nature walks, canoe trips and jungle treks. There are several authorized agencies to organize such safaris. Visitors may also take a river raft. First driving from Kathmandu to the river Trishuli or Seti Khola. The five-hour drive to Chitwan (165km overland) from Kathmandu is filled with thrilling views of the hills, rivers and plains with jungles on either side.

Dhulikhel:

Dhulikhel is scenic and town situated 30 kilometers east of Kathmandu on the Arniko Rajmarg (Kathmandu Kodari Highway). From here one can have a panoramic view of the Himalayan range. From the main town, a short visit to Namobuddha, with stupa and Buddhist Monastery is highly recommended site to visit. Panauti, a village noted for its numerous temples with magnificent woodcarving, is a short distance from Dhulikhel.

Muktinath & Jomsom:

It is believed that all miseries / sorrows are relieved once you visit this temple (Mukti=Nirvana, Nath=God). The famous temple of Lord Muktinath lies in the district of Mustang and is situated about 18km northeast of Jomsom at an altitude of about 3,749m. The main shrine is a pagoda shaped temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Set into the wall around it is 108 waterspouts from which pour holy water. The temple is situated on a high mountain range and is visited during fair weather. There are two ways to get to Muktinath from Kathmandu. Either take a direct flight from Kathmandu via Pokhara to jomsom and hike for 7-8 hours via Kagbeni or trek all the way from Pokhara which takes 7-8 days. It is believed that one should visit this temple after competing pilgrimages of four Dhams in India. This temple is held sacred by Hindus as well as Buddhists. The Jwala Mai temple nearby contains a spring and an eternal flame fed by natural gas underground. Jomsom is a major center in the Annapurna region. There is a world-class accommodation facility in Jomsom from where one can enjoy remarkable natural beauty.

Gorkha:

Gorkha is the birthplace of King Prithvi Narayan Shah the great, the founder of modern Nepal. Situated on a hill overlooking the snowy peaks of the Himalaya is a beautiful old palace known as Gorkha Durbar. There are two attractive temples of Gorakhanth and Kali inside the place precinct. Gorkha can be reached in about six hours by road from Kathmandu and four hours from Pokhara. A side trip to Manakamana temple, on the way to Gorkha is very enjoyable and interesting. The Nepalese believe that MANAKAMANA Goddess fulfills the wishes of all people and that's one reason why the temple is visited by the tourist and the locals all through the year.

Major Tourism Activities in Nepal:

The 800 km stretch of the Nepal Himalayan is the greatest in the world with eight peaks that rise above 8,000m including the highest in the world, Mt. Everest. Ever since the country opened its peaks to climbers in 1994, the Nepal Himalayan has become a great theatre of mountaineering activity and the drama of success and failure have provided impetus to thousands of men and women to meet the ultimate challenge. The Nepal Himalayan has been an attraction to many people, be they saints, philosophers, researchers or adventures.

Trekking:

The best way to experience Nepal’s unbeatable combination of natural beauty and culture riches is to walk through them. One can walk along the beaten trails or virgin tracks. Either way you are in for an experience for a lifetime. Along with forests of rhododendron, isolated hamlets, and small mountain villages, birds, animals, temple, monasteries and breathtaking landscapes, you will also encounter friendly people of different cultures offering a fascinating glimpse of traditional rural life.

Bird Watching:

Nepal is a paradise for bird lovers with over 646 species (almost 8% of the world total) of birds, and among them almost 500 hundred species are found in Kathmandu Valley alone. The most popular bird watching spots in Kathmandu are Phulchoki, Godavari, Nagarjun, Bagmati river, Taudaha and so on. Get your binoculars and look forward to a rewarding experience.

Mountain Flight:

Only awe-stricken silence can come close to matching the experience of going on a mountain flight to encounter the tallest mountains on earth. Mountain flights offer the closest possible aerial views of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga and the Tibetan Plateau. Mountain flights appeal to all category of travelers and have become a popular tourist attraction of Nepal. For those who are restricted by time or other considerations from going for a trek, these flights offer a panoramic view of the Himalayan in just one hour.

Rock Climbing:

For all those cliff-hangers out there, Kathmandu offers a roster of stone walls that make for an experience of a lifetime. Now of late, Rock climbing has become a popular sport in Kathmandu, which offers some really terrific places for rock climbing. Nagarjun, Balaju, Shivapuri and Budhanil Kantha are some of the places where you can try this sport.

Rafting/Kayaking/Canyoning:

Rafting is one of the best ways to explore the typical cross section of natural as well as ethno-cultural heritage of the country. There are numerous rivers in Nepal which offer excellent rafting or canoeing experience. You can glide on calm jade waters with munificent scenery all about or rush through roaring white rapids, in the care of expert river-men employed by government authorized agencies. One can opt for day of river running or more. So far, the government has opened sections of 10 rivers for commercial rafting. The Trisuli river (Grade 3+) is one of the most popular of Nepal’s raftable rivers. The Kali Gandaki (5-5+) winds through remote canyons and deep gorges for five days of intense rapids. The Bhote Koshi (4-5) is 26km of continuous white water and the raging Marshyanghi is four days of uninterrupted white water. The Karnali river (4-5) provides some of the most challenging rapids in the world. The Sun Koshi (4-5), 27km, requiring 8-10 days to complete, is a big and challenging river. Adventurers are provided with world-class services by rafting agents. Agencies here provide life jackets, camping and the standard rafting paraphernalia needed by world-class rafting. An extremely popular sport in Europe, cannoning is now available in Nepal. Cannoning gives you the freedom to explore some of the most ruggedly beautiful, yet forbidden places in the world.

Hot Air Ballooning:

Hot air ballooning is very popular with tourists for it affords the most spectacular bird’s-eye view of the Kathmandu valley and the Himalayan ranges towering in the background. On a clear day it’s a superb way to view the Himalayan (from over 6000m up), and the view of the valley is equally breathtaking.

Bungy Jumping:

The ultimate thrill of a bungy jump can now be experienced in Nepal at one of the best sites that this sport can boast of anywhere in the world. Nepal’s first bungy jumping site is situated 160m. Over the Bhote Koshi river, inviting you to experience the ultimate adrenaline rush in the surroundings of this amazing place. The jump, at 160m., is staffed and operated by some of the most experienced jumpmasters in the business.

Paragliding:

Paragliding in Nepal can be a truly wonderful and fulfilling experience for the adventure seeking. A trip will take you over some of the best scenery on earth, as you share airspace with Himalayan griffin’s vultures, eagles, kites and float over villages, monasteries, temples, lakes and jungle, with a fantastic view of the majestic Himalayas.

Ultra light Aircraft:

Ultra light aircraft take off from Pokhara and offer spectacular views of the lakes, mountains and villages. This is an ideal way to see life from a new perspective. The choice of Pokhara Valley for ultra-light aircraft is appropriate chiefly because of the proximity of the mountains, and the scenic lakes. For those who wished they could fly birds when growing up, this flight is a must. It might be lonely at the top, but this flight is a must. It might be lonely at the top, but the spectacular view from up high certainly makes it all worth it. Flights are from the Pokhara airport beginning September through June. The flights take place from sunrise to 11 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to sunset every day during these months.

Mountain Biking:

The best way to explore the Kathmandu Valley is on a mountain bike. Nepal’s diverse terrain is a mountain biker’s dream adventure comes true. Mountain biking offers an environmentally sound way of exploring this magnificent country, its landscape and living heritage. There are plenty of dirty roads and trails in Nepal to meet every mountain biker’s wildest fantasy. Mountain biking is specially recommended if you wish to explore urban centers of Nepal such as Pokhara and Kathmandu as well as the countryside. Adventurous souls may plan extended trips to such exotic locals as Namche Bazaar, and western Nepal. You could even do the entire length of Nepal across the plains. Mountain bikes are available for rent by the day or longer in many of the bicycle rental outlets in Nepal and around the city.

Jungle Safari:

National Parks located specially in the Terai region in Nepal attract visitors from all over the world. A visit to these parks involves game- stalking by a variety of means-foot, dugout canoe, jeep, and elephant back. One is bound to sight a one – horned rhino or two at every elephant safari. Besides the rhinos, wild boars, samburs, spotted deer, sloth bear, four-horned antelope are also usually seen. A Royal Bengal tiger may surprise you by his majestic appearance.

 

Do's and Don'ts in  NEPAL

The Nepalese people are friendly and hospitable by nature and the tourist in general will have no difficulty in adjustment. All the same, one may be confused regarding some customs, traditions and manners as in coming into any unfamiliar society. Nepal like any other country has its own ways of regulating life though it might be different in degrees to each individual visitor. We want you to observe and see the way the Nepalese people live and share that with them. It is in this spirit we offer you some practical  guidelines  that  could  help  make  your  stay  here  delightful,  homely  and rewarding.

The Religious way of life:

Religion is an integral and deep-rooted part of Nepali life. Temples, images, sacred paintings are to be seen every where. Nepal has been declared a religion secular state, though Hinduism is followed by nearly 80% of the population. Nevertheless,

Buddhism has also important place in this country. Hinduism and Buddhism are so

closely connected in Nepal that it would take a life time's study to understand the complexities of  country's  religious life.  All  deities  are  worshipped by  Hindus  and Buddhists alike, and feasts and festivals are shared. For centuries both have cherished mutual regard and respect for one another's tradition. The following are some hints regarding religious matters.

Visitors to a Hindu temple or a Buddhist shrine are expected to be unshoed as a mark of respect. In fact, a pair of open sandals is more convenient and comfortable while visiting the temples and stupas.

• It is better not to touch offerings or persons when they are on way to shrines.
• Beef is prohibited among both the Hindus and Buddhists. No female animal is killed for food.
• You may not be allowed entry to the inner sanctuaries of temples and stupas.
• You may be interested to take snaps of temples, stupas and monuments.
• Generally temples, stupas and monuments are permitted to be photographed, but it is better to have permission before using your cameras.

Social Outlooks:

Since the majority of our people live in rural areas, they have an outlook of life that is simple and traditional. In fact, they take special delight in the company of foreign visitors. But there are certain things that are alien or embarrassing to our people. Here then are a few things to keep in mind.

It is best be decently clad when visiting any place. Sun and beach wear is not the ideal, when roaming around the city or village. Briefs, shorts, bare shoulder and backs may not be appreciated. You need not to be stiff and overdressed, but just comfortably and decently covered.

Do not take seriously if a Nepali lady hesitates to shake hands with you. In Nepal, people and specially the ladies, do not normally shake hands when they greet one another, but instead press the palms together in a prayer- like gesture known as "Namaste"

Public displays of affection between man and woman are frowned upon. Do not do something that is totally alien to our environment.

We are hard on drugs abuse, trafficking in, and possessions of drugs are taken as serious offences.

Beggars:

Cheap charity breeds beggars but does not solve their basic problem. Therefore do not encourage beggary by being benevolent.

Currency:

Non-Indian  visitors  are  not  allowed  to  import  or  export  Indian  currency.  Foreign currency is to be exchanged with authorized foreign exchange dealers or at official bank exchange counters only.

Some other Important Hints:

• Beware of touts who claim to be representatives of companies and offer to take you bargain hunting.
• Use hotel safety boxes for your valuables. Do not leave cash and other valuable things lying around in the room.
• Table manners in Nepal are quite different from those at home. In typical  and traditional Nepali house, plates, knives, forks and spoons may be absent from the dinner table. While eating Nepalese people use their right hand, but this does not mean, however that the guests are not to use forks, knives and spoons.
• Any food or utensil touched by the used knife or spoon or fingers, or by lips or into which spittle has fallen is considered "Jutho" which means contaminated. It would humiliate a person if such food were offered to him. Nor should the dish containing such food be used again without its being properly washed.
• If you want to give a present to your host or hostess, please do not be surprised if they lay it said unopened. In Nepal, to open a parcel in the  presence of the guests is not supposed to be a good manner.