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 By Air:
Tribhuvan International Airport is the only international
airport in Nepal. Royal Nepal Airlines- the
national flag carrier of Nepal and other International Airlines
operate flights to Kathmandu from
Bangkok, Colombo, Calcutta, Delhi, Dhaka, Abu Dhabi, Dubai,
Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Karachi, Lhasa,
London Osaka, Paris, Moscow, Paro, Singapore and Varanasi. The
International Airlines operating their
flights into Kathmandu include : Aeroflot, Biman Bangladesh
Airlines, China South-West Airlines, Druk
Air, Indian Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Singapore
Airlines and Thai International.
By Land:
The entry points at Nepal-India border are; Kakarbhitta, Birgunj,
Belahiya (Bhairahawa), Nepalgunj,
Dhangadi, and Mahendra Nagar. The only entry point at
Nepal-China border is Kodari.
Road Transport:
Kathmandu is connected with India through the fertile plains of
the Terai by the most picturesque
highways. Visitors are permitted to drive their own cars but
their vehicles must possess an international carnet. There are
regular bus services to kathmandu from all the border points.
The interior parts of the country are also linked with a number
of motorable roads. Buses for the different parts of the country
are available at the Gongabu bus terminal which is located near
Balaju.
Railway Air:
Nepal Janakpur- Jayanager Railway (NJJR) operates a freight and
passenger service in the eastern
Terai.
Domestic Air Services:
The Royal Nepal Airlines operates an extensive network of air
service in the interior parts of Nepal. It
has scheduled connection flights from Kathmandu to Taplejung,
Bhadrapur, Rajbiraj, Bhojpur, Phaplu,
Lukia, Lamidanda, Tunmlingtar, Rumjatar, Biratnagar, Simra,
Janakpur, Ramechhhap, Bharatpur,
Meghauli Pokhara, Jomsom, Manang, Baglung, Bhairahawa Nepalgunj
Chaurjhahari, Surkhet, Dang,
Dolpa, Jumla, Bajura, 8aitadi, Dipayal, Darchula, Mahendranagar,
Dhangadi, Tikapur and Sanfebagar.
Beside Royal Nepal Airlines the other domestic airlines such as
Nepal Airways, Everest Air, Asian
Helicopters, Necon Air, Lumbini Airways and Cosmic Airways also
provide regular and charter
services to different popular destinations.
Other Transport Arrangements:
There are taxi and auto rickshaws (three wheelers) with fare
meters in Kathmandu. Motorcycles,
bicycles and rickshaws are also available.
Passport and Visa:
All visitors to Nepal must hold valid passports and visa. The
Royal Nepalese Embassies or consulates
abroad or the entry points or the Immigration Offices provide a
visa upon the presentation of a valid
passport, two passport size photos and a payment of visa fees.
Tourists can extend their visas at the
Department of Immigration, Tridevi Marg, Kathmandu.
Entry Visa to Nepal is easily available at all International
Airports of Nepal.
Embarkation and Disembarkation Cards:
Tourists are required to fill up disembarkation and embarkation
cards upon their arrival and departure.
Currency and Foreign Exchange:
The unit of the Nepalese Currency is Rupee. One Nepali Ruppee is
made up of 100 paisa. Nepali
Rupee notes come in Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000
denominations.
Foreign visitors other than the Indian nationals are required to
pay their hotel bills and air tickets in
foreign currency. However the other payments must always be made
in Nepalese currency which can
buy at foreign exchange counter at the airport. The foreign
currency exchange counters of different
banks are also opened at different places in the city. Foreign
currencies must be exchanged only through the banks or
authorized foreign exchange.
Tourists other than Indian are not allowed to import or export
the Indian currency. The rate of exchange of the foreign
currencies are determined by the Nepal Rastra Bank and are
announced in the press daily. Bank receipts are required for
re-exchanging of currency. Nepal currency is not applicable in
India.
Banks:
Banks are open between 10:00 A.M. to 2:30 P M. from Sunday to
Thursday and between 10:00 A.M.
to 2:30 P M. on Fridays. They are closed on Saturdays and other
holidays.
Customs Formalities:
All baggages must be declared and cleared through the customs of
the port of entry. Personal effect are permitted free entry. The
duty on articles brought by the visitor varies according to the
volume and value of the goods. A tourist may bring in dutiable
goods, such as tobacco and liquors, within the prescribed
quantity free of duty. Carrying narcotic, arms, ammunition are
strictly prohibited.
Permit for Trekking:
Any foreigner intending to trek in any part of the kingdom of
Nepal shall have to obtain a trekking permit from the Department
of Immigration, Tridevi Marg and permits are issued for trekking
in any part of the country except in areas restricted for the
foreigners by government regulation.
Time:
Nepal time is 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT and 15 minutes
ahead of Indian Standard Time.
Official Holiday:
Government and most other offices work six days a week.
Working Hours:
Government offices open from 10 to 17:00 hrs in summer and till
16:00 hrs. in winter. On Fridays these offices are open till
15:00 hrs. only.
Newspapers and Magazines:
The major newspapers in Kathmandu are :
The Rising Nepal (Daily)- English, The Kathmandu Post (Daily)-
English Gorkhapatra (Daily)- Nepali,
Kantipur (Daily)- Nepali. Besides a number of other newspapers
and magazines local and international
are also available in the book stalls.
Department of Tourism :
His Majesty's the Government of Nepal, Department of Tourism
runs
information centers at its office and at the following places :
1. Tourist Information Centre, Tribhuvan International Airport,
Kathmandu.
2. Tourist Information Centre, Basantapur, Kathmandu.
3. Tourist Office, Airport, Pokhara.
4. Tourist Information Centre; Birgunj.
5. Tourist Information Centre, Bhairahawa.
6. Tourist Information Centre, Kakarbhitta.
7. Tourist Information Centre, Janakpur.
Tourist Police:
There is a special provision of Tourist Police Unit to deal with
the problems of tourists. One can contact
the Department of the Tourism, Bhrikutimandap for the services
of tourist police.
Green Channel:
Passengers arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA)
without any dutiable goods can proceed
through the Green Channel for quick clearance without a baggage
check. If you are carrying dutiable
articles, you have to pass through the Red Channel for detailed
customs clearance.
Import:
Apart from used personal belongings, visitors are allowed to
bring to Nepal free of duty cigarettes (200) or cigars (50),
distilled liquor (one 1.15 liter bottle), and film ( 15 rolls).
You can also bring in the following articles free of duty on
condition that you take them out with you when you leave:
binoculars, movie or video camera, still camera, laptop
computer, and portable music system.
Export:
It is illegal to export objects over 100 years old (sacred
images, paintings, manuscripts) that are valued for culture and
religious reasons. Visitors are advised not to purchase such
items as they are Nepal's cultural heritage and belong here. The
Department of Archaeology at Ram Shah Path near Singha Durbar
has to certify all metal statues, sacred paintings and similar
objects before they are allowed to be sent or carried out of the
country.
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