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Nepal Information ! |
| Nepal
is a country of amazing extremes. Just imagine a rectangle,
500 miles long and 150 miles wide (800 by 240km), divided
lengthwise into three strips. Within the northernmost
strip lie the Himalayas, or "abode of snow,"
and includes eight of the ten highest mountains in the
world. The southernmost region is called the Terai.
It is an extension of the Genetic(????????) plain of
northern India and contains dense jungles inhabited
by elephants, rhinos and tigers. You'll agree these
creatures provide a marked contrast to the high altitude
yaks and snow leopards less than 100 miles (160 km)
to the north.
Enchantment
is everywhere; on the shoulders of high mountains, along
the terraced ridges ascending like stairways to sky,
beside quiet or rushing rivers, or deep within the forests
full of wildlife, flowers and birdsong. Nepal is a year-round
destination with four distinct seasons; summer, monsoon,
autumn or winter. Regardless of your time of visit,
you will find unsurpassed splendor in any season depending
upon one's mood and choice.
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Mother nature has gifted this country with abundant beauty
in all the seasons. The balmy and moderate summer of the valleys
is ideal for strolling around the temples, monuments and shrines
in a leisurely manner. The monsoon brings with it soothingly
green, lush valleys and an occasional glimpse of the snow-capped
peaks along Nepal's northern border. Summer or winter, the
climate is surprisingly moderate.
Nepal, historically
closed to foreigners and foreign influence until 1951, is
now one of the major tourist destinations in the South Asia. |
| Geography: |
Nepal is a landlocked country situated between Tibet, Autonomous
Region of China and India, divided into three geographical
regions:
Himalayan
region: Ranges in altitude between 3,000 and 8,848
meters, with the snow line starting at 4,800 meters. It houses
eight of the fourteen highest peaks in the world.
Hilly
region: Occupies 64% of the country's total land.
The region is formed by the Mahabharat range soaring up to
4,877 meters. To the South lies the Chure range the altitude
of which varies from 610 meters to 1,524 meters.
Terai
region: At a maximum altitude of 305 meters above
sea level, this geographic region occupies 17% of the total
land. The country's lowest altitude, just 70 meters above
sea level, can be found in the Eastern Terai. |
| People:
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The
country has a population of about twenty three million and
a wide variety of ethnic groups. Sherpas live in the Himalayan
region up to an altitude of 4,572 meters. Brahmans, Chhetris,
and Thakuris inhabit other parts of the country. |
| Religion
and Culture: |
Nepal is the only country in the world where Hinduism and
Buddhism are mingled into a complex religious blend. Hindus
and Buddhists worship each other's deities and celebrate each
other's festivals. The best known feature of Nepalese culture
is probably the Pagoda and the unique temple architecture
of the Kathmandu Valley. The temples and stupas exhibit beautiful
wood carving, metal work and stone sculpture. They add glory
and grandeur to the cultural scene of the landscape. |
| For
Trekking and Expeditions: |
The
most popular months are March, April and May in spring and
October and November in autumn, with some exceptions, because
there is usually no significant rainfall during those months.
The monsoon months of June to September are an excellent alternative
for high altitude expeditions and trekking in the arid regions
of Dolpo, Mustang and Tibet. |
| For
sightseeing:
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Kathmandu
Valley offers excellent sightseeing trips any time of year.
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| For
Rafting:
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The
best rafting period is right after the monsoons (October,
November), when the water level in the rivers is high and
fast. |
| For
Terai and Chitwan:
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October
through April when temperatures in the lowland are pleasant. |
| Getting
into Nepal:
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By
Air - Nepal lies within a reasonable flight distance from
many parts of the world. Direct connecting flights from Europe
and Asia keeps Kathmandu a popular tourist destination.
By Land -
Kathmandu is connected to India and Tibet by several highways. |
| Visa
Formalities:
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Nepal
Visa: All visitors to Nepal can obtain a visa from any Nepalese
Embassy or Consulate. A tourist visa can also be obtained
at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu and at various
overland entry points. A tourist visa can be extended at the
Central Immigration office in Kathmandu and Pokhara. |
| National
Park and Conversation Fee: |
Eight
areas of Nepal have been designated national parks. They are
Langtang, Rara, Royal Chitwan, Sagarmatha (Everest), Shey
Phoksondo, Khaptad, Bardia and Makalu Barun National Parks.
Trekking in any of those National Park areas requires a park
permit, which can be obtained at the national parks and conservation
counter office on payment of NRs 1000 each. Similarly, all
trekkers are required to pay an entry fee of NRs. 2000 for
both the Annapurna and Makalu region. This fee is utilized
for environmental conservation and maintenance of the area. |
