General informtion on Nepal

Posted by FLORIDNEPAL on Thursday, January 8, 2009

People

Nepal has a composite population stemming from various racial and ethnic communities. It has been a melting pot of diverse linguistic and ethnic groups with population of 25 million living in different regions, wearing different costumes and speaking different languages and dialects. The people belong to multi-ethnic groups, ranging from the Indo-Aryan to Mongoloid. The Himalayan and central hilly regions are mostly inhabited by the people of the Tibeto-Burman strand while the people inhabiting the Terai lowlands may be grouped under the Indo-Aryan category. Its cultural traditions, art and literary heritage go back to thousands of years. The varied mosaic of various races and ethnic groups have given to Nepal a distinct character and culture.

Festivals

Festival in Nepal has always been a meaningful event where people enjoy themselves more through their direct involvement than just watching them. In Nepal every festival has some purpose to serve, such as to bring rain or to have good harvest, to avert calamities and so on. In fact, festivals are the best way to understand and appreciate the Nepalese way of life. The Nepalese year is full of festivals which are celebrated according to the lunar calendar.

Climate

Nepal possesses diverse climate and weather due to its unique topographical variation. The country though smaller in size has its altitudes ranging from 70m in the southern Terai area to 8848m of Mt. Everest. The country experiences tropical, subtropical, alpine and Trans-Himalayan types of climate. Such climatic and topographical variations have made the country centre of attractions for the people around the world.

Art & Culture

There is perhaps no country in the world except Nepal where traditional architecture, painting and sculpture have been well preserved for 1500 years. The exquisite medieval art and architecture of the Kathmandu valley vividly reflects the artistic ingenuity and the religious tradition of the people. To better understand the deep and complex roots of Nepalese culture, it is necessary to visit the monuments and religious shrines.

History

Nepal has a long glorious history. Its civilization can be traced back to thousand of years before the birth of Christ. For centuries, the kingdom of Nepal was divided into many principalities (Chaubise States). Kirantas ruled in the east, the Newars in the Kathmandu Valley, while Gurungs and Magars had their domain the mid-west. The Kirantas were said to have ruled their territories from 300 B.C. The country took its present shape only after 1768 A.D. when Prithvi Narayan Shah, king of Gorkha, conquered and united all the tiny statues into one kingdom.

Religion

Religion is the lifeblood of the Nepalese who believe in mysticism and spiritualism with a multitude of gods and goddess reflecting the diverse facets of their life. Hinduism and Buddhism constitute two major religions in Nepal. A remarkable feature of Nepal is the religious homogeneity what exists, particularly between the Hindu and Buddhist communities. Apart from the Hindus and Buddhists, Muslim forms the third largest religious group.

Muslims comprise a small section of the population, mainly found along the Indian border and in a few isolated villages. There are a few Christians as well. Some ethnic groups including the Tharus and Rais follow their own shamanist and animist traditions, although their practices incorporate many Buddhist and Hindu influences.

Some helpful information to assist you with planning your trek

Consider the experience and fitness level of the members of your group carefully. We can advise you about difficulties & challenges relating to each route as well as the scenic & cultural highlights of the relative regions.

Give yourself enough time to allow some flexibility in your schedule for acclimatization, side-trip or extra rest day, if needed.

Remember Nepal may not be just like it is at "home". That is one of the reasons most people come here. Savour the differences and enjoy. Our staffs are knowledgeable and happy to answer your questions about Nepali culture and customs.

Pack carefully. Ask about seasonal changes and temperature. Be prepared for cold nights at high altitudes at any time of the year. Layered clothing works better than one heavy layer and gives more flexibility for warm mid-day. Good and comfortable boots will be your best friend.Try to keep your daypack as light as possible. Maximum weight – 8 to 10 Kg. is suggested.

Each porter carries 20-25 Kg. Although dokos (wicker carrying baskets) are more picturesque, we now recommend our clients put their personal gear in a backpack with a good hip-belt to ease the porter’s load. Packing gear for two clients plus their personal equipment is a usual practice. (An alternative to the above suggestion is the use of a zippered duffel bag).

Respect the environment. The advice "Take nothing but photographs. Leave nothing but footprints" remains true. Nepal has suffered environmentally in the past. Help us to change the trend and preserve our beautiful land.

Airport representative:

Kathmandu airport (officially known as Tribhuwan International Airport) is the only international airport in Nepal. With advice on airport facilities and to ensure hassle free from public transport, brokers and much more, our airport representative will help you to take the stress out of your trip.

On the day of your arrival to Kathmandu airport our airport representative will be expecting to warmly welcome you to this Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal with a signboard (placard) in his hand as shown below:

NEPAL ENVIRONMENTAL TREKKING (P.) LTD.
(YOUR NAME)

If you think to take the advantage of this awesome reception you need to provide us your flight details with the time of arrival to Kathmandu airport. You will find everything you need for the beginning and the end of your journey.

Currency Converter

Use currency converter to convert your holiday funds instantly. Simply type the amount of currency you would like to convert, select the currency you are converting from and to, and then just click on the currency converter button to perform currency conversion.

Note: The currency rates are subjected to have constant change depending upon the exchange rate of Government bank.
click here

Food, Water and Medical supplies

Food and Water:
Many, if not most, travelers to Nepal are likely to get stomach problems at some point during their visit. It is generally caused simply because of a change in diet and climate, drinking contaminated water and eating contaminated food. In Nepal you should drink only treated water and eat only freshly cooked food. You should always wash your hands before eating, especially if you eat things like biscuits and bread with your fingers. If you follow these simple rules, you should not experience any severe stomach problems. If, however, you come up with any serious health problem or in need of additional medication the crew of “Nepal Environmental Trekking” will always be there to take care of you.

Some conservative physicians recommend that you drink boiled water or the water treat with iodine. The bottled mineral water available in Kathmandu is the safest water to drink. Do not drink tap water under any circumstances. If you eat in restaurants outside the hotel, you should follow the cooked foods rule. We recommend you not to eat open-air sweets and snacks from the local shops which can be unhygienic and that may cause upset to your stomach and ruin your trek. The most important consideration for staying healthy is to take extra care with your own personal hygiene. Keep your hands clean by washing them frequently in the washing water that we provide.

Suggested medical supplies

· Suntan lotion or sun blocking cream
· Lip salve (Chapstick, Blistex, or Glacier Cream)
· Foot powder
· Band-Aids (plasters) and tape
· Moleskin or other blister pads
· Elastic (Ace) bandage
· Antiseptic cream
· Aspirin
· Throat lozenges or cough drops
· Decongestant tablets
· Iodine - small bottle for water purification
· Toilet paper & matches or a cigarette lighter to burn used TP
· Bactrim, Norfloxacin or other diarrhea remedy

Recommended Injections

· Typhoid
· Tetanus
· Polio
· Malaria (only if you will be visiting a jungle lodge)
· Hepatitis A
· Meningitis Meningococcal A/C vaccine
Altitude sickness?

Altitude Sickness is the effect of altitude on those who ascent too rapidly to elevations above 3,000 meters. The basic early symptoms of altitude sickness are headache, loss of appetite and sleeplessness. One shouldn't ignore these early symptoms as these symptoms may lead to more serious warnings and cause death sometimes within few hours. Medicine is no substitute for descent. If a doctor is available, he/she may give medicine and oxygen. However, the patient must go down to lower altitude even if treatment is given. In the event of a real emergency, the guide will do his best to get you transported quickly to a qualified physician or call us from the trek so that we can arrange a helicopter rescue service where you may be evacuated to Kathmandu.

When to Trek in Nepal

There are two major factors to weigh as you decide when to go to Nepal: crowds and weather. As a general rule, the better the weather, the more people come to Nepal to go trekking.

During autumn the nights are cold in the mountains, but the bright sun makes for pleasant day temperatures - in the high 20s° C, falling to 5° C at night, between 1000 metres and 3500 metres. At higher altitudes temperatures range from about 20° C down to -10° C. Mornings are usually clear with clouds building up during the afternoon, disappearing at night to reveal spectacular starry skies. During winter it is about 10 degrees colder.
Early December usually has a lull, but this is also a good trekking season. The Christmas period is cold, but this is the holiday season in Japan and Australia. High passes, especially Thorung La on the Around Annapurna trek and Laurabina Pass on the Gosainkund trek are usually closed from late November to March. February is still cold, though less so as the spring trekking season of March and April approaches.

What is trekking?

Though, we have different activities, trekking is the ultimate way of enjoying the scenic magnificence and knowing people with great cultural heritage in Nepal. You will see the great diversity of Nepal during your trekking. The vast landscape of this country has been studded with mighty Himalayas, mysterious monasteries and temples, ancient cities, various endangered species and highly fascinating flora and fauna, which offer you the most spectacular trekking and touring in this part of world. Trekking allows you to walk through villages, which are yet to be influenced by the 21st century. You can either choose the virgin tracks or the beaten trails to reach the lofty Himalayas, "the Stairs of Heaven." For our customers' amusement and adventure, we do offer the treks to many regions depending upon their time and interest. Some people have misconception that during the trekking they have to climb. But trekking does not mean mountain climbing, trekking always refers to walking on trails.

You can always take plenty of time during the trekking to cover distance. We allow ample time for photo stops and for answering individual questions. If you have a good physical condition, a trek should prove no difficulty. Previous experience in hiking and living outdoors is, however, helpful. Mountaineering experience is not necessary, but you must enjoy walking.

Trekking in Nepal will take you through a country that has captured the imagination of mountaineers and explorers for more than 100 years. You will meet people in remote mountain villages whose lifestyle has not changed in generations.

What makes us different from others…

24 hours customer assistant: all clients on arrival are handed along with their total program, vouchers and 24 hours emergency assistance numbers.

Prompt response: We give assurance that your messages/ inquiries are answered the same day within 24 hrs of its receipt.

Competitive price
we operate holiday trips with a deeper commitment and culture heritage of Nepal.

We feel very honor for our contribution in the field of Environment conservation.

We have well trained, educated, equipped and insured staffs
Finest transportation throughout your tour.
We provide good equipment for our clients.

Preparing for a Trek

General information:
The following information will assist you to get ready for a trek in Nepal. Nepal treks allow you to experience the Himalayan countryside and to meet the people of the hills with a minimum of formality and preparation. If you follow the suggestions here, you will have ideas of equipment, visa and physical condition that you need to enjoy your trek. Read this information carefully so that you will know what to expect when you arrive in Nepal.

There are many preparations that you can make before you depart for Nepal. Most important are your passport and a visa for Nepal, your clothing and trekking equipment, medical supplies. While some of these projects can be postponed until the last minute (by getting a visa at the airport in Kathmandu or renting your trekking equipment in Nepal, it is recommended that you make most preparations in advance so that you do not waste time during your holiday.

Visa and Immigration

Do I need a visa to enter Nepal?
All foreign nationals, except Indian Citizens, need visas to enter Nepal.

What do I need to get my visa?
You need a valid passport, two passport size photos and money (cash in US Dollars).

Where do I apply to get my visa?
The best way to apply for visa is from the Royal Nepalese diplomatic missions in your home country.
The other choice is to get it from Immigration office at Kathmandu international airport or other entry points of Nepal.

Now, what are the entry points of Nepal?
They are:
Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
Kakarvitta (Jhapa) (Eastern Part of Nepal that has border with India)
Birgunj, (Parsa) (Central Part of Nepal that has border with India)
Kodari (Sindhupalchok) (Northern Border with Tibet)
Belahiya, (Bhaieahwa) (Rupandehi, Western Part that has border with India)
Jamunaha (Nepalgunj) (Banke, Mid-western Part that has border with India)
Mohana (Dhangadhi) (Kailali, Far Western Part that has border with India)
GaddaChauki (Mahendranagar) (Kanchanpur, Far Western Part that has border with India)

If you decide to obtain visa upon your arrival to Kathmandu. You need only to fill in a form and pay a fee (in US dollars cash only), but it takes a bit of time at the airport after you arrive. You could save time when you arrive to Kathmandu airport. Fill in the visa application form before you arrive and go straight to the head of the line. Carry US dollar cash for the visa you want.

If you are making a side trip to India, Bhutan or Tibet and then returning to Nepal, be sure to get a double entry visa. The visa regulations for Nepal are a bit complex. You need to decide what kind of visa to purchase depending on how long you plan to stay in Nepal. Visa fees are mentioned at the visa application form.

Note: According to new rule if you have already visited Nepal within the same calendar year of your visit then you do not have to pay for visa fee. Nationals of SAARC countries and China do not have to pay for visa fees.

What if I decided to stay more than 60 days in Nepal? Where and what should I do to extend my Tourist Visa?
The Immigration Department of Kathmandu can extend the visa for another 30 days and the charge for this is US$ 50. Indeed the visa can be extended for a total of 120 days, an additional 30 days visa may be granted on reasonable grounds from the Immigration Office. Nevertheless, a tourist cannot stay in Nepal under tourist-visa for more than 150 cumulative days.

My son/daughter is nine years old. Do I need to pay for my child's visa?
Any child below the 10 years of age has visa fee exemption. So the visa fee for your nine-year old child is free.

Suggested equipment for trekking in Nepal

Trekking shoes (boots)
One pair of sandals
Warm Jacket, fiberfill or down should be adequate.
Sleeping bags and down jacket (we also provide from here)
A rain proof jacket with hood.
Heavy weight trousers are useful for high up in the mountains in morning and night. Wind proof/water proof trousers are necessary on all treks going above 10,000ft.
Thermal underwear
2 pairs of loose fitting long shorts/skirts
2 cotton T-shirts
A woolen hat and sun-hat
A pair of gloves, leather with lining and woolen is best
2 pairs of thin and 2 pairs of thick woolen socks
Personal medical supplies
Flash light
Toiletries with towels
Snow glasses and sunglasses
Suntan cream
Water bottle
Daypack
Rucksack
Things of your personal interest

Other Documents: Some other items that you should carry are:
Your passport and extra photographs
A vaccination certificate and record of medical history
Your insurance form
You can carry credit card or travelers cheques (but we would suggest you to carry a minimum of cash)
A photocopy of your passport (in case of loss)

Physical Conditioning:
The better your physical condition, the more you will enjoy the trek. You do not have to undergo a rigorous training program. Just do as much walking as you can up and down hills, up (and down) stairs in your office or home. Jogging and cycling are useful training for a trek. Whenever possible, make your hikes in the same shoes that you will use for the trek. You must remember that you are going on a hiking trip among the highest mountains on earth. The hills are steep and you may be traveling in hot weather, in snow or in rain. You will often be tired, and you must be prepared for this. However, anyone in good health can complete a trek if you hike slowly, and spend a little effort now to get into good physical condition.

Nepal Florid treks(p.)ltd

General informtion on Nepal