Before You Book

PREPARING TO GO TO NEPAL

CAPITAL

Kathmandu.

LANGUAGE

Nepali is the official language of Nepal.

RELIGION

Approximately 85% of the population is Hindu, 10% are Buddhist, and approximately 3% are Muslim.

LOCAL TIME

Nepal Standard Time (NPT) is 5 hours & 45 minutes ahead of GMT.

ELECTRICITY

220 Volts – sockets are of the European two pronged round pin variety. Please bear in mind supply is erratic and power cuts are common, even in the cities.

PASSPORT & VISA

A valid passport is required by all nationals. All Passengers are responsible for securing proper documentation prior to joining the tour. Please ensure that passport/s are valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the intended date of return and contain between 2-6 blank “Visa” pages. You should have at least two free pages in your passport. Please access the Travel & Visa Requirements Section on the top of this page for the latest visa entry requirements for the country/ies you are visiting. Passports are required; in addition, travelers are also advised to check with local consulates for full details regarding visa requirements. Please note securing a valid visa for entry is the sole responsibility of the traveler.

LOCAL CURRENCY

The monetary unit in Nepal is the Nepali Rupee (NPR).

XE.com is a useful site for currency conversion.

MONEY EXCHANGE, CREDIT CARD & ATM

Changing money is a quick and simple process in the major tourist centers (Kathmandu or Pokhara) where there are many banks, exchange offices and hotels. Most major currencies can be changed into Nepali Rupees in Kathmandu. ATM's can also be found in Kathmandu and Pokhara and credit cards are usually accepted in larger shops and more expensive hotels and restaurants. Left over Nepal Rupees can be exchanged back on production of your original encashment receipt. It is not possible to change back more than is shown on your encashment receipt.

CLOTHING

As a general guideline, clothing should be lightweight, loose fitting, hard-wearing and easily washed. In the hotter summer months, cotton clothing is much more comfortable than man-made materials like nylon. In the winter months (Dec-Feb) Nepal can get extremely cold (particularly in the mountains) so you should bring plenty of warm clothing. Make sure you allow for climate changes (even in the lowlands) and remember that even when day-time temperatures are quite high, night-time and early morning temperatures can be extremely cold. You will generally find it is better to have several thin layers rather than one thick layer as it gives you more flexibility and warmth. A fleece can be invaluable. You should also bear in mind that Nepal has conservative attitudes towards dress, particularly in remote and mountain areas. Women, and to a certain extent men, will find that the way they dress will often determine the degree of respect they receive from both men and women. Make sure you bring lots of clothing that covers shoulders and knees and more than one outfit which covers your legs to ankles and your arms past the elbows. A sarong is an invaluable item to carry as it can be used to instantly cover any exposed areas (i.e. head, legs).

COMMUNICATION & EMAILS

Email
Internet cafes, many with high-speed broadband links, can be found in most cities and sizable towns such as Kathmandu, Patan and Pokhara. Internet services are also available at hotels.

Phone
Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies, please check with your provider. Coverage is sporadic and variable.

Post
The postal service is fairly good, and stamps are available everywhere.

WEATHER & CLIMATE

Nepal is in the northern hemisphere on the same latitude as Egypt and Florida. Consequently, in the lower altitudes, temperatures can reach over 30 (Celsius). In the higher altitudes, winter temperatures can plummet to -25 (Celsius). The seasons are distinct in Nepal as outlined, but variations can occur. Mid-September to the end of November is autumn and is usually associated with clear skies and little precipitation and therefore this is the most popular time for trekking. In the wintertime (December to February) it is generally very dry with clear skies, but the temperature is at its lowest. In the lower altitudes the cool temperatures are perfect for trekking but in the higher altitude’s nighttime temperatures can be extremely cold. March to May is spring which is the season for flowers, particularly rhododendron. Temperatures rise from March onwards. In April and May, you may expect heavy showers late in the afternoon, with hazy skies. At lower altitudes temperatures can be very warm, while at higher altitudes they can still fall well below zero at night therefore it is also a popular time for trekking. During June to August, it is very wet and often raining and is not conducive to trekking in Nepal.

Kathmandu: (approx)

MEALS

Approximate costs for meals and snacks not included are shown below:

• Simple snack - $US 2-3
• Light meal - $US 5-8
• Fancy restaurant - $US 8-12

DRINKS

Approximate costs for drinks bought in a shop in the street are shown below. Note: Prices in restaurants and hotels can be as much as double as those specified.

• 1l of water - $US 0.5
• 30cl bottle of soft drink - $US 0.5
• 65cl bottle of beer - $US 3.00

It is not recommended that you drink the local tap water in Nepal however bottled water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widely available throughout the country.

FOOD
Nepali food is simple but wholesome and quite like Indian cuisine but without the amazing variety. The national dish is dal bhat. Dal is a lentil sauce, bhat is rice. The dish is in fact rarely as simple as this however it invariably comes with several different side dishes such as achar (pickle), curd (yoghurt), and usually vegetable curries. Another common dish found on many menus is momos – Tibetan dumplings made with vegetables or meat (usually chicken). Nepalese cooks can prepare virtually any sort of food on demand, and you will be astonished by the huge variety of international dishes (such as Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Mexican and Italian) available in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Tea is available everywhere. Traditionally this is black tea served with sugar. Hotels usually serve tea western style, i.e. with milk and sugar separately. Street stalls usually prepare it Indian style, i.e. with plenty of milk and sugar already added. Major international brands of soft drinks are readily available, as well as local brands and fresh fruit juice. A local drink found on every menu is Lassi - this is yoghurt based and can be salted, sweetened, or flavoured with a variety of fruits. Alcohol is widely available. Locally brewed beers are good, and many international brands (e.g. Carlsberg, Tuborg) are brewed in Nepal too. Local spirits are also available and some of them are very good. Imported wines are available but can be expensive.

HEALTH & MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES

As a general recommendation, it is advisable to check with your family doctor or travel clinic for latest health information.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance from your travel agent. Health plans only provide limited coverage while traveling outside of the country. Your travel agent can offer you a complete travel insurance package. Some credit cards do offer travel insurance; however, they do not always provide adequate coverage. Review and understand the terms of your credit card insurance policy. Extra travel insurance can be purchased.