Nepal's acronym of Never Ending Peace And
Love, does well to characterise this nation of good natured
and accommodating people; a land of majestic Himalayan scenery
comprising eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including
Mt Everest: the uppermost place on earth at 29,029ft (8,848m).
Nepal is a landlocked country in Southern
Asia, between the Tibet autonomous region of China and India.
It contains eight of the world's 10 highest peaks, including
Mount Everest - the worlds tallest - on the border with
Tibet, and Lumbini, the birth place of Gautama Buddha, the
founder of Buddhism. This country previously ruled as a
kingdom, today it is a Federal Democratic Republic. Nepal
is known for its exquisite natural beauty, with the iconic
Himalayas running across the northern and western part of
the country.Soaring ice-topped mountains shimmer with rainbows
of prayer flags, while the intense streets of Kathmandu
are a ceaseless frenzy of honking mopeds, chattering vendors
and garish signs: Nepal is a thoroughly colorful slice of
Asia.
If there is a hikers' paradise, then this is it. Nepal's
craggy chunk of the Himalayas offers world-class trekking
terrain - from leafy Annapurna to distinguished Everest
- peppered with rustic mountain villages, and hundreds of
undulating trails that have been trodden upon for centuries.
But spiritual and nature-rich Nepal is certainly not only
for mountaineers set on scrambling to Everest Base Camp;
from the lime-green grasses of Chitwan National Park rustling
with the charcoal flash of an Indian rhino, to the eclectic
cafés and bohemian vibe of lake-side Pokhara, Nepal
is an intriguing and welcoming destination for all.
Nepal has many attractions, but the essence
of the country is its smiling, friendly people with their
heartfelt palm-pressed greetings and together with its inspiring
scenery, this beguiling kingdom is a place where one visit
is usually not enough to satisfy the captivated traveler.
Nepal is one of the best
sightseeing destinations on the planet. The capital city
of Kathmandu is the most popular center for sightseeing.
The Himalayan views, the culture and traditions, the historical
architectures, its people and a lot more myths and mysteries
which are a part of the daily life of the people of Nepal.
The kathmandu city is today home to a population of more
than half of a million people and is the capital of one
of the most unique cultures in the world. Remember to get
cheap flights to Kathmandu for your trip. The city and surrounding
area have many attractions which are of interest to tourists.
You can check the availability of cheap flights to Kathmandu
via our flight links. Kathmandu, which is also the capital
city of Nepal, is the first arrival point for most visitors.
This small valley surrounded by mountains is divided into
the three major towns of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur.
These were once three small kingdoms and to this day retain
their own rich artistic styles and traditions.Kathmandu
is home to a range of historical buildings and some of those
include the Dakshin Kali and the Bhimsen Temple and there
is also a concentration of attractions at Durbar Square
which has many monuments and shrines. We provide information
from many budget Kathmandu Flights. Kathmandu is also home
to some interesting galleries and museums, including the
National Museum, the Patan Museum and the Bhaktapur Art
Gallery. You can also find cheap flights from Kathmandu
to Asia and worldwide destinations. The selection of restaurants
in Kathmandu is very good and you can find a variety of
international dishes here, although all the major Kathmandu
hotels have Western and Nepali restaurants. Hotels in Kathmandu
range from the well known international hotels chains to
the more simple and lower budget forms of accommodation.
This is a wonderful and interesting city which has a lot
to offer to tourists, inside the city centre and outside
and is well worth a visit.
Time:
Local time is
GMT +5.45.
Electricity:
Electrical current
is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two- and three-pin plugs are used.
Language:
Nepali is the
official language. English is spoken in all major tourist
areas.
No immunization
is required, but vaccinations for cholera, hepatitis A, meningitis,
tetanus, diphtheria and typhoid are recommended. Altitude
sickness is a real risk for trekkers. There is a risk of malaria
between June and September in the low-lying areas including
Chitwan National Park. Untreated water should be avoided;
visitors can buy bottled water or purify their own. When trekking
it is preferable to treat one's own water rather than leaving
a trail of plastic bottles behind; purifying water with iodine
is the cheapest and easiest way to treat water. Stomach upsets
are likely to be the most common cause of illness in travelers;
food in tourist restaurants or 'Western' food should be treated
with caution as it is often reheated or left to stand out,
and drinks or salads can contain ice or have ingredients washed
in dirty water. Standard of care in hospitals varies, but
there are traveler's clinics in Kathmandu and numerous pharmacies
in the major towns. Medical insurance is essential.
Restaurants and
hotels may add 10% to bills in which case no further tip is
required; otherwise a 10% tip is customary in places that
cater to tourists. It is customary to tip guides and porters
on treks. Elsewhere it is not customary to tip, but gratuities
are always appreciated.
On 1 February
2005 the king dismissed the government, assuming direct
control of the country. The situation was violent and unpredictable,
but seems to have stabilised. Travelers are advised to avoid
all public gatherings. At present, transport is operating
freely in the Kathmandu Valley, and recent bandhs (strikes)
in Kathmandu have been ineffective. Official curfews are
being declared at short notice throughout major towns and
cities, and travelers are cautioned to abide by restrictions;
hotels will be able to provide daily information. Countrywide
bandhs are occasionally called for by the Maoists and political
parties at short notice, which can turn violent. These usually
seriously affect road transport and many businesses, and
visitors are advised to seek up to date information before
traveling; tourists have been left temporarily stranded.
Fighting between the rebels and government soldiers has
escalated since the ceasefire between the Nepalese government
and the communist Maoists broke down in August 2003. The
US Department of State has declared the Maoists to be a
terrorist organization and US citizens in particular are
advised against non-essential travel to Nepal following
anti-American threats; other Western governments are currently
offering similar warnings. Due to the recent increase in
bomb attacks and shootings in public places, including the
main tourist areas of Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lukla, as well
as on popular trekking routes, visitors are warned to be
particularly vigilant; foreign tourists have been involved
in several recent incidents. The attack on a bus in the
Chitwan district on 6 June 2005 killed at least 39 people
and injured over 70. There have been incidences of violent
robbery against trekkers and there is an armed Maoist presence
on many of the major trekking routes who demand a 'tax'
before allowing trekkers to pass. Trekkers are advised to
stay on established routes and walk in a group or with professional
guides. Foreigners were seriously injured in two attacks
in the Nagarjun Forest Reserve just outside Kathmandu in
October 2005 and visitors are advised to be cautious in
the area and to travel in a group. We really take care for
your safety. Before leaving, we help you prepare. We send
clear, concise and relevant information about Traveler's
Health and the locale, climate, food, and more. You can
get fully safety while traveling at high altitude as our
guides have been trained in mountain safety and first aid
procedures for your protection. We are in constant communication
with our field offices and monitor all aspects of government
policy and weather that may affect your trip. We are on-call
24 hours a day, in case of emergency. You can rest assured
that Skyline Treks & Expedition has one of the best
safety nets anywhere. In case of any emergency, helicopter
rescue is available during treks and expeditions. We give
foremost to your health. For this purpose, we carefully
take care of hygiene & cuisine & we provide the
most suitable equipment & gear.
Nepal has numerous
cultural practices that are unusual to foreigners. In the
tourist areas there is a high degree of tolerance towards
visitors, but away from these places foreigners should be
sensitive to local customs. Never accept or offer anything
with the left hand. Do not eat from someone else’s plate
or offer food from one’s own. Women should dress conservatively
and cover as much as possible. Permission should be sought
before taking photographs.
The country code
for Nepal is +977, and the outgoing code is 00. City codes
are also required. Three mobile phone operators provide GSM
900 network coverage in the main cities and towns, but this
does not extend to the summit of Mount Everest! In the main
tourist centres of Kathmandu and Pokhara there are Internet
cafes on every corner.