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Floridmountaintrekking is pleased to welcome you to this tiny but amazingly diverse part of the world that goes by the name of 'Nepal'. Thrilling adventure or soothing peace, mountaineering in snow-capped Himalaya or safari in tropical plains, exploration of the rich culture or exotic nature, it offers a whole range of experiences. You may wish to take up a challenge and try your mettle or just simply relish natural bliss without effort, you can be sure to find Nepal an ideal holiday destination. 
| Nepal- The Himalaya Kingdom |
| Nepal is a Himalayan country, wedged between the giants of India and Tibet, an autonomous region of China. Its geography dominated by the Himalayas - eight of the fourteen highest mountains in the world, including Everest, can be found within its borders. On every side, a skyline of fluted snow and ice peaks soar beyond the imagination rise above the trails, the campsites and valleys. It is a land of great diversity- a home of incredible variety of ecosystems, the greatest mountain ranges, dense tropical jungles teeming with a wealth of wildlife, thundering rivers, forested hills and frozen valleys. The country is a potpourri of ethnic groups, customs and traditions. From the humid and tropical southern Terai lowlands to the frozen alpine regions of the Himalayas in the north, we find different colorful cultures & people co-existing in harmony for centuries. |
| The country also offers an astonishing diversity of sightseeing attractions and adventure opportunities found nowhere else on earth! A visitor can join in the numerous annual festivals that are celebrated throughout the year in traditional style highlighting enduring customs and beliefs. |
| Nepal is a land where the arts, culture are as well-preserved as the valleys and forests, temples enriched with wood carving and bronzes, millennium- old statues standing a long the way side, songs and dances unchanged for centuries and entire cities preserved in their medieval splendor. |
| In addition to enjoying numerous activities of choice in Nepal, it is also a significant transit point for traveling to Tibet (China) Bhutan, Darjeeling and Sikkim (India). |
| Nepal at a Glance |
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| World Heritage Sites (Cultural) |
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| General Information |
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. |
| Money & Banking |
Money Matters |
| Nepal has modern banking facilities and some international banks even have offices in Kathmandu. Almost all foreign currencies along with credit cards such as American Express, Visa, and Master card are accepted in Nepal. All visitors are required to exchange their money through the bank or authorized agents. In Kathmandu banks with money exchange counters are found everywhere and most hotels also have exchange counters. These facilities to change money are quick and convenient. It is necessary to ask for receipts when money is changed. On the return journey, if one is left with Nepalese rupees they can be exchanged for 15% of the amount on these receipts into any foreign currency at the Kathmandu International Airport. Remember to retain Rs. 700 for airport tax when departing on flights to SAARC Countries (India, Bhutan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives) or Rs.1650 or all other international destinations. It is generally not possible to change foreign currency/travelers checks (except in Namche Bazaar, Jomsom, Salleri, Okhaldunga, Pokhara etc.) in the mountains. One must therefore change required money in Kathmandu before the trek starts. When cashing money for the trek, always ask for small denominations. |
Local Currency & Money Exchange |
| The unit of the Nepalese Currency is Rupee. One Nepali Rupee is made up of 100 paisa. Nepali Rupee notes come in Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000. Coins come in paisa 5,10,25,50 Rs. 1 , 2, 5 denominations. Paisa coins are not currently used for common transactions. Foreign currency and travellers cheques can easily be exchanged at banks or authorized agents. In Kathmandu banks have money exchange counters, which are quick and convenient. Mastercard, Visa and American Express are accepted at all major Hotels, Travel Agencies, Restaurants and Stores. Only the first two though, are currently accepted at banks for money advances. ATM services are also available in Kathmandu but not in rural areas. In the cities, and specially while trekking, change for Rs500 and Rs1000 bills is not easily available. So better ask for small denominations (ones, twos, fives, twenties and some in fifties and hundreds - never in five hundreds and thousands), and be careful about torn or damaged bank notes. The people in the village may not accept them. |
Money Transfer/receipt |
| Normally there is no problem to transfer and receive money from Nepal; however, here are few restrictions to send money out of Nepal. If someone wants to transfer money from Nepal to any other foreign countries more than US$500 need authorization from Nepal Rastra Bank (Central Bank of Nepal). You need to furnish proper documents and good cause for the same. Basically there is no any restriction to transfer money to Nepal. There are many banks and money transfer agents who offer services to transfer money in Nepal. |
Exchange Rates |
| Nepal's currency is set at a fixed exchange rate with the Indian Rupee. 100 Indian Rupees = 160 Nepali Rupees. The US dollar is about US$ 1 = NRS 64 (January 2008). |
Banking |
| Banks are open between 10:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M., Sunday to Thursday and between 1 0:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. on Friday. Closed on Saturday and national holidays. Some Banks in Thamel, Kathmandu are open till late hour. |
| Travel Information |
Getting to Nepal |
| By Air: Kathmandu is served by direct flight to/from Amsterdam, London, Paris, Frankkurt, Moscow, Vienna, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, Karachi, Kolkota, Banglore, Delhi, Mumbai, Patna, Varanasi, Dhaka, Paro (Bhutan), Lhasa (Tibet) Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai (China) and Osaka (Japan). |
| By Land: All visitors entering Nepal by land can enter through the following routes Kakarbhitta, Birjung, Sanauli, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi, Mahendranagar on the Nepal-India border and Kodari on the Nepal-China border. |
| Visa Regulation |
| The single entry tourist visa can be obtained from the entry points of Nepal or from the Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad by paying US$ 30 for 60 days. Multiple entry facility can be obtained paying additional US$ 50 and valid for a visa year (Jan-Dec) |
| Season |
| The most popular seasons for traveling to Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and India are spring (Feb-May) and autumn (Aug-Nov). During the monsoon season (June-Aug) tours and treks are also possible depending on where you are going. |
| What to Wear |
| During most of the year light woolens and cottons are sufficient for day wear, with warmer attire necessary in the evenings. Heavy woolen clothing is required during winter months. |
| Communication |
| Private communication centers and hotels provide ISD, STD, Fax and E-mail services. The STD code for Nepal is 977. Inquiries can be made at 197. |
| Electricity |
| Major towns in Nepal have electricity and the voltage available is 240 volts and 50 Hz (cycles). Load shedding is sometimes experienced in Nepal. However, most of the hotels have installed their own generators. |
| Plugs & Sockets |
| Nepal uses the round two-pin or flat-three-pin type of plugs & sockets. Adaptors are easily available in electrical shops in Nepal. |
| Time |
| Nepal is 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) and approximately 12 hours and 50 minutes ahead of Pacific Time. |
| Money and Credit Cards |
| Payment can be made in foreign exchange in hotels, travel agencies and airlines. Credit cards such as American Express, Master and Visa are widely accepted at major hotels, travel agencies, shops and restaurants. |
| Travel Documents |
| It is the traveler's own responsibility to obtain passport and travel visa. The passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended return date. The traveler is responsible for providing us the correct complete and accurate information about personal details including physical disabilities. |
| Public Safety and Personal Security Concerns |
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