19 Sep 2019 Prakash Devkota
A Complete Guide to Visit Nepal: Nepal Travel Guide provides comprehensive information about underneath topics.
Location
Nepal is a beautiful Country located in the lap of Himalayas. This very beautiful yet small country is located in South East Asia between two of the most known countries: India and China. Many people around the world even misinterpret Nepal to be a small sub-continent of India. Nepal is a sovereign, independent, indivisible, secular, federal, democratic and Republic country. The exact location of Nepal is between 26º 22’ N to 30º 27’ N latitudes and 80º 4’ E to 88º 12’ E longitudes. Nepal is also a land of the superlatives. She embraces the tallest mountain, the deepest gorge, the lowest point, the highest lake, the biggest mountain chain etc. Moreover, the culture, tradition, geography, climate, the biodiversity of Nepal are unique and unbelievable. Nepal is a country of unity in diversities.
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What to Do in Nepal
Travelling through Nepal offers a wide range of activities to perform. This is a country which offers a complete package of tourism activities. The landscapes, nature, culture, geography, people, religious and cultural landmarks and many more things offer you a complete set of activities to amuse your interest. Here are the things that can be done in Nepal. Check it out on Nepal Travel Guide and pick some as per your preference.
- Trekking
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Paragliding
- Bungee Jumping
- Rafting
- Canoeing
- Jungle Safari
- Sightseeing
- Touring
Climate of Nepal
Nepal is located in the sub-tropical region of the world experiences subtropical monsoon climate. It is also the monsoon climate that is found in most parts of South East Asia. This kind of climate is marked by hot and wet summer and cool and dry winter. The climate of Nepal largely depends upon its geographical features. That is to say, the upper mountainous region experiences a cool alpine climate, the mid-hill region has a moderate climate whereas the lower plains experience hot and humid climate.
The average annual summer temperature ranges between 10º C to 24º C whereas the average annual winter temperature ranges between 0º C to 15º C. Similarly, the annual average rainfall is around 1600 mm. About 80% of the total rainfall occurs during summer and occasional rainfall also occurs during winter. On the basis of the temperature, rainfall and position of the sun the overall climate of Nepal can be studied under four seasons. Spring Season (March to May). Summer Season (June to August), Autumn Season (September to November) and Winter Season (December- February) are the four main seasons in Nepal. Spring and autumn are the best time to visit Nepal.
Read More: Best Time to Visit Nepal
Preparation before Arrival
Preparation for anything is a good thing to do for its success. Here is something that has to be done in advance or during your visit if you are planning to go for a holiday in Nepal. First of all, gather sufficient information about Nepal through Nepal Travel Guide, and the activity you are going to do. Then, collect information basically about climate, permit and difficulty level. Similarly, have sufficient information about documentation, itinerary, route, accommodation and transportation facilities. Go through the portal of some of the best travel agencies and compare them. Finally, learn more about Nepali culture and etiquette.
Must-Know:
Transportation in Nepal
Nepal so far has only one international airport. Pokhara Regional International Airport at Pokhara and Gautam Buddha International Airport at Bhairawa are under construction. Major cities of Nepal like Pokhara, Dhangadhi, Bhairawa, Biratnagar, Bhadrapur, Chitwan etc have domestic airports as well. Most parts of Nepal now are linked with roadways. There are link-roads almost everywhere. Except in some remote areas you can enjoy your ride in the public buses or you can hire a vehicle to make it more comfortable and lively. The transportation costs in Nepal are much affordable. If you are in a group, it is better to hire a private car or Micro Bus for your convenient. But you need to be ready to move along rough and unpaved muddy roads at the hillsides.
Telecommunication in Nepal
There are proper internet facilities in most of the major cities of Nepal. Nepal Telecom offers telecommunication facilities with internet in most part of the country. Except in a few remote areas, Ncell functions well if NTC doesn’t. Similarly, CDMA and Smart Cell are also preferable choices for you. You can enjoy surfing the internet in your own smartphones with 4G internet facilities with these SIM Cards. Moreover, in the towns, there are a lot of cyber cafes where you can enjoy video chatting, texting mails and more other activities. All these SIM cards can be easily obtained and are very much affordable.
Also See: About Drone Camera
Visas and Documentation
Nepal issues visas on arrival for citizens of most countries. These can be purchased for 15, 30, or 90 days and range from $25 to $100. You must bring a passport-sized photo, or stand in line and pay for one when you arrive. Volunteers technically require a visa arranged by the place they are working with as volunteering on a tourist visa is expressly forbidden, though harder for them to enforce. In most of the cases Nepal issues visas on arrival at the airport or at the border. We can also apply for a Nepal tourist visa online up to 15 days before your arrival. Mind that, your passport should have a validity of at least six months. This information is also available at Nepal Travel Guide.
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Currency in Nepal, Banks and ATMs
The Nepalese Rupee is the currency of Nepal. The currency code for Nepalese Rupee is NPR. Payment at the hotels, travel agencies and airlines can be done in foreign exchange. There are plenty of foreign exchanges and ATM in major cities around Nepal. Most of them accept cards issued by international banking networks. The maximum withdrawal limit is 15,000 now. However, you can access multiple withdrawals. Similarly, Visa cards, Master Cards, JCB and American Express are easily accepted in the mast of the tourist class hotels, restaurants and Airlines. Don’t worry, there will be many commercial banks across the country and their chain networks ready to help you.
For Online Booking >> Payment Mode – Online Payment
Accommodation in Nepal
Nepal has an extensive range of hotel, restaurants and Guesthouses. These hotels include budget hotels to standard international hotel chains. There won’t be any problem regarding the hotels in the major tourist destinations. However, during peak season booking in advance is a good idea. Moreover, there are sufficient teahouses and homestay facilities across the country. Besides that, camping itself is a good idea when you are in a group. Don’t worry you won’t have any threat of staying under the open sky.
Read More: About Accommodation
Must Visit Places in Nepal
Nepal is a country full of diversities. Here are mountains, jungles, ancient cities, incredible natural scenery etc. She offers the tallest mountain of the world to the deepest gorge. Here are so many awe-inspiring places that one must not miss during his/her Nepal visit. Though, there are hundreds of beautiful places behind the scene, here is the list of some of such places that must not be missed.
- Everest Base Camp
- Manang and Mustang
- Annapurna Base Camp
- Lake Tilicho
- Rara Lake
- Upper Dolpo
- Lumbini and Janakpur
- Chitwan National Park
- Bardiya National Park
- Manaslu Region
- Pathivara
- Pokhara
- Ghandruk and Ghalegaun
- Bandipur
- Ilam
Get Idea:
Safety Concern
Nepal is one of the safest countries in the world. You must not worry about security issues while travelling in Nepal. The Maoist War/ Armed Insurgency has been settled down in peaceful politics. Nepal is in her journey towards peaceful politics. However, some occasional demonstrations and strikes can discourage you. Don’t worry, if you don’t involve, it doesn’t matter to you.
The people around the country are friendly and humble. They regard you high and welcome you warmly everywhere you go. Safety for our guest has always been our first priority. But some risks might be in there in trekking and hiking. So, take some precautions in mind while doing them.
Nepali People and Language
Nepali People are simple, innocent, friendly and helpful. For the guests are gods. They have understood the fact that tourism is the mainstay of the Nepalese economy. Therefore, it is the fastest growing industry in Nepal. They will welcome you warmly and amuse you with the world-class hospitality.
Nepali people better understand the fact that man is great by heart, not by caste. However, in some remote areas, people are superstitious and conservatives. Otherwise, people here are secular and respect for every religious community. Though more than 80% of people are Hindu, you will see a perfect example of religious tolerance here.
Nepal is a multi-lingual country. Thus, hundreds of languages are spoken in Nepal. There are altogether 123 languages spoken in Nepal. They are our mother tongue. However, Nepali is the official language of Nepal. Don’t worry about the guides and the people involved in the industry better understand and speak English and you won’t have any problem.
You Should Know:
Greetings and Customs
Nepal is a multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-ethnic country. It has a unique culture unlike in many other countries in the world. Here are some customary practices you are expected to do during your visit in Nepal
- Respect Nepali Culture.
- Respect everyone’s beliefs.
- Smile and Say “Namaste” or Namaskar, Hello to start chatting with someone.
- Never lose your temper.
- Go with the flow.
- Don’t Kiss in Public.
- Clad conservative.
- Don’t eat beef.
- Take off your shoes before entering a temple or one’s home.
- Don’t use bad language even among friends.
- Don’t blow your nose in public.
Altitude Sickness and Prevention
The geographical position of Nepal is a reason for altitude sickness. The altitude ranges from 60 meters to 8,848 meters. One may suffer from altitude sickness above 2,500 meters. Altitude sickness is a medical condition due to the lack of oxygen in your blood. One may have symptoms like headaches, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, tiredness, etc. during AMS. It may be fatal if not cured in time. It can take a form of HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) or HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) if the complications develop. Here are some tips to avoid this:
- Ascent slowly.
- Acclimatize properly.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Descend as low as possible as soon as the primary symptoms are observed.
- Use Diamox tablets.
You Should Know: How Altitude Sickness Occur and it’s Effective Remedy Technique?
Climbing Gears and Equipment
Visiting Nepal demands a wide range of gears and equipment as well. These gears and equipment can be slightly different according to the season and area. However, Nepal Travel Guide mentions certain basic trekking and mountaineering gears which are must for every venture.
Know More: Essential Climbing Gears and Equipment
The basic gears and equipment for the Nepalese Himalayas are presented below.
Clothing:
- Jacket (Fiber or Down)
- Woollen shirts and thick sweaters
- Waterproof Jackets
- Tracksuits
- Trekking Shoes
- Trousers
- Thermal coat and undergarments
- Loose-fitting long shorts
- Gloves
- Sandals
- Woollen Hat
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Towel and Hankies
- Lightweight walking boots
- Woollen socks
Accessories:
- Duffle Bag
- Sleeping bag
- Daypack
- Trekking sticks
- Sunglasses
- Water bottle and water purifying tablets
- Toilet accessories
- Headlamp, torch and candles
- Matches and lighters
- Map, knife, binoculars, pillow, entertainment accessories
Travel Tips
- Be prepared for queues and traffic jams.
- Nepali Time is 5 hours 45 minutes faster than GMT.
- Don’t expect easy trails.
- Be ready for higher altitudes.
- Do not travel alone.
- Don’t fully rely on schedules and times.
- Never mind pollution.
- Drink bottled water only, and don’t eat raw or pre-cut vegetables.
- Avoid Tipping
- Exchange back all the Nepalese currencies before you leave.
- Do not touch someone’s head and don’t sit your legs crisscrossed.
- Always be alert about Strikes and demonstrations.
- Be careful about tourist traps like Dance Bars.
- Have insurance, permit and visa information clear and correct.
- Always have hand sanitizer and tissue papers.
- Don’t expose your food to monkeys.
- Stay away from beggars and street children.
- Mind that there will be an entrance fee in some places too.
- Avoid taboos.
- Greet everyone, speak polite and simple.
Prakash Devkota
Managing Director and Team Leader
Mr. Prakash Chandra Devkota is an established name in the Tourism Sector in Nepal. He is a focused individual gifted with a brilliant mind. He is also hugely dedicated to social work. Born in the Gorkha district, a beautiful hilly region of Nepal, he first entered the tourism industry as a guide in 1997. He has gained extensive experience in almost all the trekking and climbing routes like Mera, Island, Lobuche and, Ama Dablam, etc.
He registered Nepal Guides Treks & Expedition in 2009 AD. Due to his passion for adventure and efforts to provide quality personalized service to his clients, he has established himself as a successful tourism entrepreneur. He has dedicated most of his time working diligently to elevate the tourism industry and collected more than 15 years of experience in organizing trekking and expeditions in Nepal, Bhutan, and India. He believes in the power of the tourism industry and the employment opportunities that can be created through it. He constantly looks for innovative ways to run the company.
Mr. Devkota has always been an avid practitioner of eco-friendly tourism and has always promoted environmental conservation throughout his career. He motivates his staff to embrace eco-friendly tourism through responsible tourism practices. He believes promoting eco-tourism will preserve natural resources and positively impact the environment.
