NEPAL DESCRIPTION  

Draped along the spine of the Himalaya, Nepal is a land of sublime scenery, time-worn temples, and some of the best hiking trails on earth. It's a poor country, but it is rich in scenic splendour and cultural treasures. The kingdom has long exerted a pull on the Western imagination.

It's the kind of country that lingers in your dreams long after you leave it. This is why so many travellers are drawn back to Nepal, armed the second time round with a greater appreciation of its natural and cultural complexity, a stout pair of walking boots and a desire for sculpted calf muscles.

When To Go
Always consider the climate when you plan a trip to Nepal. Judge it wrong and you may never see the mountains. The best time to visit is probably the start of the dry season in October-November: the weather is balmy, the air is clean, visibility is perfect and the countryside is lush and green following the monsoon. However, roads and trails damaged during the monsoon may not be repaired until later in the year. There are some important and colourful festivals to enjoy too, though the Dasain festival in October can be disruptive if you are on a tight schedule.

February-April, the tail end of the dry season, is the second-best period: the weather is warm and many of Nepal's wonderful wild flowers are in bloom, but dust can reduce visibility (and the pleasure of travelling by road).

In December and January the skies are as clear as Swarovski crystal but it can be chilly: trekkers need to be well prepared for snow, and a warm sleeping bag is an asset in cheaper hotels, even in Kathmandu. On the other hand, sitting around an open fire wrapped in a yak wool blanket can be a very cosy experience.

The rest of the year is fairly unpleasant for travelling: May and early June are generally too hot and dusty for comfort, and the monsoon from mid-June to September obscures the mountains in cloud and turns trails and roads to mud. Flying is often the only way to reach outlying areas at this time of year, and the western border crossings to India are often impassable.

Weather Overview
Because of the varied topography, the weather in Nepal can vary wildly from one district to another. As a general rule, temperatures fall and rainfall decreases the higher up you go. In the high-altitude deserts of the Tibetan Plateau, temperatures hover just above freezing for most of the year and it almost never rains. From March to April and October to November - the best times to visit Nepal - days are generally warm with little rain, decent sunshine and temperatures in the 24-28°C (75-83°F) range. From November to March, night-time temperatures can drop close to freezing, and snow can block mountain passes, though Pokhara and Kathmandu rarely see more than a few flakes. May and early June are unbearably hot and sticky and rain buckets down most days from May to September. Kathmandu is generally drier than Pokhara at this time of year, while the Terai positively drowns.

Geography
Nepal sits uneasily on the shoulder of the southern Himalaya, wedged between China to the north and India to the south. In length and breadth it's just another small country, but in height it's a world-beater. From the low-lying plains of the Terai, the landscape soars to the peaks of the Himalaya, including cloud-hugging Mt Everest. In fact, Nepal boasts eight of the world's 14 tallest mountains.

As well as being the tallest mountains in the world, the Himalaya are also some of the youngest - they first rose about 50 million years ago and they're still growing. Between the Terai and the Himalaya are the landslide-scarred gorges and lush green valleys of the Chure Hills and Mahabharat Range. The heavily cultivated land between the Mahabharat Range and the Indian border supports the bulk of the country's population - the only towns of any size in the hills are Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur and Pokhara. Beyond the Himalaya are the high-altitude deserts of the Tibetan Plateau, one of the least populated areas on earth.

Visas Overview
All foreigners (except Indian nationals) require visas, which can be obtained in advance or on arrival with one passport photo and payment in cash (US dollars are best). Single-entry tourist visas cost Rs30 for up to 60 days, or Rs80 if you require multiple entry. You can extend tourist visas up to a maximum stay of 150 days (each additional 30-day period costs Rs30) at the immigration offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Note that the final extension from 120 days to 150 days is only possible in Kathmandu.

Visas allow travel to most parts of Nepal, with the exception of certain remote trekking areas, which may require an additional permit. Visitors to national parks must also pay national park entry fees - typically Rs500 to Rs1,000. This includes trekkers visiting the Annapurna Conservation Area, Langtang National Park and Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park. Permits can be obtained in Kathmandu or through trekking agencies, while national park fees can be paid in Kathmandu or Pokhara, or sometimes at the entry checkpoints for the national parks. Your paperwork will be checked along the route and there's a hefty fine if you get caught without the necessary permits.

People
The population of Nepal is made up of dozens of different tribal groups such as the Newars, who dominate the area around Kathmandu. Other important tribes include the Thakalis, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Chepangs, Tibetans, Bhotias (Bhutanese), Rais, Limbus, Jirels, Sherpas, Bahuns, Chhetris and the Tharus and Mithila of the Terai.

Overview
At once a time machine and a magic carpet, Nepal sweeps you along crooked, ancient streets flanked by dazzling, multi-roofed pagodas, gold-topped stupas and arcane stone sculptures, and into low-ceilinged rooms cluttered with horror-eyed masks, spinning prayer wheels, Buddhist thangka scrolls and Tibetan carpets. Muttered chants and Nepali flute music hang in the air and animal sacrifices add an extra shade of red to the crimson tika powder thrown around at temples and shrines.Nepal is known as the abode of the gods. For many years a secret, unknown country, it was, in the 1950s, faced with making a leap from the 11th century to modern times. Visited first by mountaineers and trekkers, it later became the haunt of hippies. In 1989, restrictions barring several areas to tourists were lifted.
The Nepalese Government has set aside more than 35 per cent of the total area of the country as natural sanctuaries. There are now nine National Parks, three conservation areas and two wildlife reserves, located both in the mountainous zones as well as in the tropical plains. The Terai lowlands in the south form the richest habitat in the country. Five protected areas are located in the region and many species of wildlife, including the rare Royal Bengal tiger and leopard, can be observed.

Kathmandu
Kathmandu, the capital and also the cultural, commercial and business hub of the Kingdom, is a magical place. In the center is Durbar Square where there is a wonderful collection of temples and shrines, both Buddhist and Hindu. They are generally built in the pagoda style with a mass of intricate exterior carving. The old Royal Palace is in the square, as is the Statue of Hanuman the Monkey God, clad in a red cloak. Here also is the house of the living goddess – the Kumari. A few kilometers from Kathmandu is the hugely impressive Bodnath Stupa. It has become a center of Tibetan exile culture and is a good place to buy Tibetan handicrafts and artifacts. Climbing upwards from the city one can reach the famous Buddhist stupa of Swayambhunath, popularly known as the Monkey Temple. There are a great many steps leading up to the temple, which is frequented by an even greater number of monkeys. The monkeys should be treated with some caution since their behavior can be unpredictable. The monkey temple is noted for its large staring eyes. There are also a number of monasteries. Respect should be shown for local sensitivities when visiting religious sites or temples.

Excursions
Just 5km (3 miles) west of the city, below the Nagarjun Forest, are the Balaju Water Gardens, with a reclining statue of Lord Vishnu and a 22-headed sea-dragon fountain. Around 19km (12 miles) south of Kathmandu, and accessible by taxi, are the Godavari Royal Botanical Gardens housing trees, shrubs and beautiful orchids in an idyllic setting.

The Kathmandu Valley
Bhaktapur
Kathmandu was once one of three equal cities, the other two being Bhaktapur and Patan. Bhaktapur (also known as the ‘temple city’) is located some 12km (7.5 miles) from Kathmandu in the eastern part of the valley. The Kathmandu Valley’s rich cultural and natural heritage has prompted UNESCO to list seven World Heritage Sites in the area. The National Art Gallery, located in the old Malla Palace, has unusual, colorful animal paintings on the second floor that are worth a look. Other museums in Bhaktapur are the National Woodworking Museum, showing fine examples of Newari woodcarving (for which the city is renowned), and the Brass and Bronze Museum, both in Dattatreya Square.

Patan
Patan is located at the southern end of the Kathmandu Valley and is famous for its bronze and silverware. The city contains many ancient historic and artistic landmarks, including Patan Durbar Square (also the location for the interesting Patan Museum), Krishna Mandir, the Royal Bath, the Kumbheshwor Temple and the Golden Temple. Patan has the Jawalakhel Zoo, housing exotic South-Asian animals.

Elsewhere
There are shrines for every purpose in the valley, such as the Shrine of Ganesh the Elephant God, reputed to bring good luck. There are four Ganesh temples in the valley, each a masterpiece of Nepalese architecture – one in Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, one in Chabahil, one in Chobar and one near Bhaktapur. Lumbini, being the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is one of the world’s most important pilgrimage sites.
The Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal’s first national park, is a jungle overflowing with wildlife. There are many lodges here offering visitor accommodation, canoeing, white-water rafting and elephant rides. Nagarkot Village, situated on rice steppes in magnificent countryside, provides spectacular views of Mount Everest, mist permitting. The hill town of Gorkha is the ancestral home of the Shah Dynasty and residence of the original Gurkha soldiers. There is a lively bazaar and the Royal Trek to Pokhara begins here. The secluded town of Pokhara lies 200km (125 miles) west of Kathmandu in the center of Nepal on Lake Phewa. No other place in the world commands such a view of the Himalayas. It is a starting point for mountaineers and trekkers, and was at one time the home of JRR Tolkien.

The Mountains
One of the principal reasons for visiting Nepal must be either to see or to climb the mountains, especially Mount Everest. Located in Sagarmatha National Park in the Khumbu region bordering Tibet, the mountain’s appropriate Nepalese name is Sagarmatha (Head of the Sky). The Sherpas and Tibetans worship it as Chomolongma (Mother Goddess of the Earth). At an altitude of 8848m (29,022ft), Everest is the world’s highest peak and has been opened for commercial mountaineering for decades. It is part of the Great Himalayan Range, which stretches for some 800km (500 miles) and which includes a further eight peaks above 8000m (26,240ft). The countryside offers an astonishingly varied topography as the snowy mountain peaks give way to intricately green terraced hills, scenic rivers and tropical jungles in the interior.
For walkers and trekkers, Nepal is a true paradise: the picturesque hamlets and mountain villages are linked by hundreds of trails that have been used for centuries, with little change noticeable even today. The practicalities for trekking are now easy to arrange. Numerous temples and Buddhist shrines can be also be discovered en route and visitors should make sure that, when visiting them, they stick to the proper religious protocol (see also Social Conventions in the Travel Tips section).

Trekking
The trekking season is generally from September to May, but the best periods are October to December and March to April. The countryside is mostly rugged and the trails are loose, but trekking is by far the best way to enjoy Nepal’s spectacular landscape. Different types of trips with varying degrees of difficulty can be arranged. Some foreign travel agencies can book trekking packages in advance in collaboration with the Nepalese trekking agencies. In Kathmandu, there are many local officially registered trekking agencies that can provide a fully organized trek, complete with porters, guide, cook, food tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, transport to and from the starting and finishing points, flight arrangements, permits and insurance. They also provide participants with a choice of itineraries.

Trekking formalities
As of July 1999, trekking permits are no longer required for the general trekking areas designated by the Department of Immigration (such as the Annapurna, the Everest, the Langtang and Rara). Permits are required for the Baihang District, Dolpa, Gorkha District, Humla District, Kanchanjunga, Makalu, Mugu District and Rasuwa District and Upper Mustang and they can be obtained from the Department of Immigration located at New Baneshwar, Kathmandu (see Passport/Visa section for further details) or trekking agencies and tour operators. Trekking to Dolpa, Kanchanjunga, Makalu and Upper Mustang can only be undertaken through a registered trekking agency. Entrance fees are levied for the national park areas and wildlife reserves; these range up to NRs2000 per person per day. Children under 10 are exempt. Higher fees are payable for filming and helicopter landing permits. Further information can be obtained from the Nepal Tourism Board (see Top Things To Do).

Trekking advice
The Nepal Tourism Board gives the following advice to trekkers: use authorized guides and porters only; be careful with matches around wooded or grassy areas as forest fires can cause serious damage; be economical with all fuel, especially local firewood (campfires are not recommended); prioritise tour companies and lodges which do not use firewood; trekkers are strictly forbidden to cut any green forest reserve or kill any wildlife; use washing and toilet facilities provided or, if none are available, make sure to be at least 30 meters away from any water source; use biodegradable items as much as possible; when visiting temples or Buddhist shrines, respect local religious customs (see Social Conventions in the Travel Tips section); take necessary precautions when suffering from altitude sickness (for details, see the Health section).

Note
In the past, the authorities have discouraged women from trekking on their own. Some Nepalese trekking agencies, however, are now keen to provide a service for female trekkers who can also hire female guides and porters.

Pony treks
Ponies have been a means of transport for people and materials for centuries in Nepal and are today used extensively for trekking. Pony treks follow nearly the same routes as normal treks and are offered mostly in the western region around Pokhara, as well as in the hinterlands of Dolpo and Lo Manthang.

Scenic flights
Most of the domestic airlines arrange flights in light aircraft over Mount Everest. Flights are also available from Pokhara and other locations west of the capital, flying over the spectacular Annapurna range. Flights do not operate during the monsoon season (June to September).

Mountaineering
To scale any of the mountain peaks in Nepal, climbing permits are required. They can be obtained from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (tel: (1) 425 6232/31/28) or the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) (tel: (1) 434 525; website: www.nma.com.np). Further information can also be obtained from the Nepal Tourism Board (see Top Things To Do).

River rafting
Rafting permits are not required for the general areas; however, to raft the Himalayan rivers, a permit must be obtained from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (tel: (1) 425 6232/31/28).

Golf
The popularity of golf is on the increase in Nepal, which has seven golf courses including the Gokarna Forest Golf Course, the Royal Nepal Golf Club, the Yeti Golf Club and the Himalayan Golf Course. For further information, contact the Nepal Tourism Board (see Top Things To Do).

Adventure sports
The tourist potential of adventure sports has not escaped the Nepalese authorities, and the Nepal Tourism Board is now promoting a range of high-adrenalin activities that can be pursued in the country’s spectacular landscapes. Ballooning and hang-gliding are among the newest additions, as Kathmandu has just opened its skies for commercial ballooning, which does provide the opportunity to get excellent aerial views of the city and its panoramic surroundings. Trips over Mount Everest are rare, but also possible. Hang-gliding, which uses an ultra-light, one-person glider system, is popular in Pokhara and in the Langtang region. Bungee jumping and canyoning are also popular. Paragliding and power paragliding are available in Pokhara.

The Nepal Yeti
The existence of the famous Nepal Yeti, a giant, gorilla-sized hairy snowman that eats yaks and sheep, remains strongly questionable. Only a few people, including the father of Tenzing Norgay (the first Sherpa to conquer Mount Everest), claim to have seen it. Popular myth recounts that those who did spot the creature got sick and died within a few days. For Yeti enthusiasts wishing to try their luck, the abominable snowman is said to make random appearances around the Khumbu region (in the foothills of Mount Everest).


Location
South Asia.

Area
147,181 sq km (56,827 sq miles).

Population
26.3 million (UN, 2005).

Population Density
178.69 per sq km (2005).

Capital
Kathmandu.
Population: 1.5 million (2005).

Government
Constitutional monarchy.  
Recent history: King Gyanendra ascended the throne in June 2001 soon after then Crown Prince Dipendra gunned down his parents King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya and seven other royals before killing himself. On 1 February 2005, the King dismissed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his Government, for failing in its mandate to hold elections and to restore peace. He took power directly himself. His move was also accompanied by a state of emergency, which included a number of measures including censorship of the press and suspension of many fundamental rights. He subsequently appointed a mainly pro-monarchist Cabinet to govern under him, largely drawn from the pre-democratic Panchayati era. The escalating crisis between the King, political parties and the Maoist insurgents culminated in mass strikes and demonstrations against the King’s direct rule in spring 2006. The King recalled Parliament in April 2006 and appointed Girija Prasad Koirala, the leader of the largest political party Nepali Congress, as Prime Minister.

Language
The official language is Nepali (spoken by 49 per cent). There are many other languages, including Maithili and Bhojpuri. English is spoken in business circles and by people involved in the travel trade.

Religion
Mainly Hindu (81 per cent) and Buddhist (11 per cent), with a small Muslim minority (4 per cent).

Time
GMT + 5.75.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. There are frequent power cuts.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala since April 2006.

Head of State
King Maharajadhira Gyanendra since 2001.

Telephone
Country code: 977. The Telecommunication Office, Tripureshwar, deals with telephone calls and cables. The International Telephone Office is open Mon-Thurs 0900-1400 and Fri 0900-1330. Hotels and private communication centers provide long-distance telephone services (ISD, STD).

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Coverage is sporadic and variable.

Internet
There are Internet cafes in Kathmandu, Patan and Pokhara. Internet services are also provided by hotels.

Media
The Maoist rebellion in Nepal, and the efforts to suppress it, have had a profound impact on the media. Media rights groups say attacks on media workers have been perpetrated by both sides in the conflict. It is reported that in 2004, for the third consecutive year, more journalists had been arrested in Nepal than in any other country. Press freedoms were suspended under a state of emergency invoked by King Gyanendra in February 2005. The restrictions were enshrined in a media law in October. As a result, some newspapers have left their editorial pages blank, or have published editorials on deliberately bland topics. Up to 60 private FM radio stations have been ordered not to broadcast political news and to restrict their coverage to sport, education, environment and health matters. The government publishes a Nepali-language daily and an English-language newspaper. It operates national radio and TV services.

Post
Postal services are available in most centers. Make sure that letters are hand-cancelled at the post office (post boxes should not be used for important communications).

Post office hours: The general post office in Kathmandu (near the Dharahara Tower) is open Mon-Fri 0900-1700. Main hotels will also handle post.

Press
• English-language newspapers available in Nepal are The Himalayan Times (website: www.thehimalayantimes.com), The Kathmandu Post (website: www.kantipuronline.com) and Rising Nepal.
• Other dailies include Kantipur and Annapurna Post.
• The International Herald Tribune, Newsweek and Time can all be found in Kathmandu. • State-owned Gorkhapatra is Nepal’s oldest newspaper. Social Conventions
As a foreign visitor, one must be careful to respect local customs in order not to cause offence. The following are some local conventions it is advisable to adhere to: never step over the feet of a person, always walk round; never offer food and drink which is ‘polluted’, in other words, food that you have tasted or bitten; never offer or accept anything with the left hand, use the right or both hands. It is rude to point at a person or statue with a finger (or even with a foot). Often when people shake their head, it means ’yes.’ Shoes and footwear should be removed when entering houses or shrines. Kitchens and eating areas of houses should also not be entered with footwear, as the hearth of a home is sacred. Do not stand in front of a person who is eating as this means your feet will be next to his food; squat or sit by his side. Local Chorten are built to pacify local demons or dead persons and should be passed by in a clockwise direction, as should temples; the earth and universe revolve in this direction. Small flat stones with inscriptions and supplications next to the Chorten should not be removed as souvenirs; this is considered sacrilege by the Nepalese. Avoid touching a Nepalese dressed all in white; his dress signifies a death in the family. Shaking hands is not a common form of greeting; the normal greeting is to press the palms together in a prayer-like gesture (Namaste). A gift given to a host or hostess will probably be laid aside unopened; to open a parcel in the presence of a guest is considered uncivil. Casual wear is suitable except for the most formal meetings or social occasions. Bikinis, shorts, bare shoulders and backs may not be appreciated. Men only remove their shirts when bathing. Overt public displays of affection, especially near religious places, are inappropriate. Seek permission before entering a temple; some do not allow westerners or non-Hindus to enter. Do not take leather articles into a temple. Nepalese cities are generally safe, but take sensible precautions with personal possessions. Photography: Always ask permission first. In general, it is allowed outside temples and at festivals, but not at religious ceremonies or inside temples; however, there is no hard and fast rule and the only way to be sure of not giving offence is to ask first and accept the answer.

International Travel:

Getting There by Air
The national airline is Royal Nepal Airlines (RA) (website: www.royalnepal.com).

Departure Tax
NPR791 for international flights to Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; NPR1,130 for flights to all other countries. Children under 2 years are exempt.

Main Airports
Kathmandu (KTM) (Tribhuvan) (website: www.tiairport.com) is 5.5km (3.5 miles) east of the city (journey time – 20 minutes). To/from the airport: Buses and taxis to the city are available. Facilities: Bank/bureau de change, duty-free shop, post office, refreshments and tourist information.

Getting There by Rail
Two stretches of the Indian Railway Line run to the border with Nepal, where cycle-rickshaws are available for onward journeys.

Getting There by Road
Kathmandu is connected with India and Tibet by new and picturesque highways through the fertile plains of the Terai.

Bus services operate from all border points to Kathmandu. However, during the monsoon season, landslides can often make border points impassable. Visitors are permitted to drive their own cars provided they are in possession of an international carnet. For information on how to obtain an international carnet, visitors should contact their national Automobile Association.

See Getting Around for required documentation.

Note
All visitors entering Nepal by land must use one of the following entry points: Belhiya (Bhairahawa), Birgunj, Dhangadi, Kakarbhitta, Mahendra Nagar and Nepalgunj (all on the Nepal-India border); and Kodari (on the Nepal-China border). If entering overland by car, an international carnet is required (enquire at embassy for details); see General Info.

Overview
The following goods may be imported into Nepal without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or equivalent of other tobacco articles; 1x1.5l bottles of alcoholic beverage; a reasonable amount of perfume for personal use.

(a) All baggage must be declared on arrival and departure. (b) Certain goods including cameras, videos and electronic goods may only be imported duty free if they are exported on departure. They may not be left in Nepal. (c) It is illegal to export goods over 100 years old. (d) Export certificates need to be obtained from the Department of Archaeology for the export of any metal statues, sacred paintings and similar objects.

Internal Travel:

Getting Around By Air
There is a network of domestic flights linking major towns, radiating from Kathmandu. Many of these offer spectacular views across the mountains. Royal Nepal Airlines operates an extensive range of scheduled flights to around 32 destinations in the interior parts of Nepal. Other domestic airlines provide regular and charter services to popular destinations. Helicopters can be chartered for various purposes. Nepal’s domestic air service is known to be punctual and reliable.

Note
Air fares must be paid in foreign currency by foreign nationals. Only Nepalese and Indian nationals are allowed to pay in Nepalese Rupees.

Getting Around by Rail
Nepal Janakpur-Jayanager Railways (NJJR) operates a freight and passenger service in the eastern Terai.

Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the left. The interior parts of the country are linked with a number of motorable roads. The road system is of unpredictable quality. Many of the mountain and hill roads are impassable during the monsoon season (June to September). Bus: There are regular bus services to Kathmandu from all the border points. Tickets may be booked in advance. Buses for the different parts of the country are available at the Gongabu bus terminal, which is located near Balaju. Services are operated by the Transport Corporation of Nepal and by private operators. Deluxe tourist buses are available from Kathmandu to Pokhara and Chitwan. Most of them depart at 0700 from near Thamel in the city center. Six-seater sumo tato vans, 12-seater vans and air-conditioned minibuses are also available for long distance travel. Visitors should, however, be aware that multiple-fatality accidents on buses are common. Bicycles and motorcycles: These can be hired cheaply from Thamel, Rani Pokhari and Jhochhen. Motorcyclists require a driving license. Cyclists should make sure they have a working bell. Car hire: Cars can be hired in Kathmandu. Chauffeur-driven cars can only be hired in the Kathmandu Valley. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is valid in Nepal for 15 days, after which a local license is required. The minimum driving age is 18. A temporary license to drive is available from local authorities on presentation of a valid national driving license.

Getting Around Towns and Cities
There are bus services in the populous areas around Kathmandu, which include the neighboring cities of Patan and Bhaktapur. A trolleybus route provides frequent journeys over the 11km (7-mile) Kathmandu– Bhaktapur road. Private minibuses feed the trolleybus route from nearby villages. On buses and trolleybuses belonging to the Transport Corporation of Nepal, a 4-stage fare system applies, with color-coded tickets issued by conductors. ‘Microbuses’ also operate. Taxi: Metered taxis are plentiful in Kathmandu; at night, the meter reading plus 50 per cent is standard. Private taxis are more expensive and fares should be agreed before departure. Tempos: These are metered 3-wheel scooters, which work out slightly cheaper than taxis. Rickshaws: These operate throughout the city. Fares should be negotiated in advance. Bicycles and motorcycles: These can be hired cheaply from Thamel, Rani Pokhari and Jhochhen. Motorcyclists require a driving license. Cyclists should make sure they have a working bell.

There are bargains for those careful to avoid fakes and the badly made souvenirs sold by unscrupulous traders. Popular buys include locally made clothes such as lopsided topis (caps), knitted mittens and socks, Tibetan dresses, woven shawls, Tibetan multicolored jackets and men’s diagonally fastened shirts; and pashmina (fine goat’s-wool blankets), khukri (the national knife), saranghi (a small, four-stringed viola played with a horse-hair bow), Tibetan tea bowls, papier mâché dance masks, Buddhist statuettes and filigree ornaments, bamboo flutes and other folk objects.

Shopping hours
Sun-Fri 1000-2000 (shops are usually closed on Saturday).

Currency Information:

Currency
Nepalese Rupee (NPR) = 100 paisa. Notes are in denominations of NPR1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 25 and 10 paisa.

Note: (a) Visitors should bear in mind that foreign visitors other than Indian nationals are required to pay their airline tickets, trekking permits and hotel bills in foreign currency. (b) The import of local and Indian currency is prohibited, except for nationals of Nepal and India.

Currency Exchange
It is illegal to exchange currency with persons other than authorized dealers in foreign exchange (banks, hotels and licensed money changers). Visitors should obtain Foreign Exchange Encashment Receipts when changing currency and keep them, as these will help in many transactions, including getting visa extensions and trekking permits.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
American Express is widely accepted, with MasterCard and Visa in tourist shops, hotels, restaurants and agencies. ATMs are widely available in Nepal.

Traveller's Cheques
Accepted at banks and major hotels. If trekking, it is important to bear in mind that cash is necessary. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Banking Hours
Banks in the Kathmandu valley are open Mon-Fri 0900-1530. In other areas, opening hours are usually Sun-Thurs 1000-1500 and Fri 1000-1200. Licensed money changers are open 12 hours per day.Passport/Visa