From Wikitravel
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Location |
 |
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Flag |
 |
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Quick Facts |
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Capital |
Kathmandu |
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Government |
Republic. Monarchy was dissolved by Constituent Assembly on 28
May 2008. |
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Currency |
Nepalese rupee (NPR) |
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Area |
total: 141,848 km2
water: 4,000 km2
land: 136,800 km2 |
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Population |
27,676,547 (July 2006 est.) |
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Language |
Nepali (official; spoken by 90% of the population), about a
dozen other languages and about 30 major dialects; note - many in
government and business also speak English (1995) |
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Religion |
Hinduism 86.2%, Buddhism 7.8%, Islam 3.8%, other 2.2% |
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Calling Code
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+977 |
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Internet TLD |
.np |
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Time
Zone |
UTC+5:45 |
Nepal [1] 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 world's tallest - on
the border with Tibet. It recently was declared a republic and has
abolished the monarchy.
Understand
Geography
Elevation Zones
Nepal can be divided into elevation zones, south to north:
- Outer Terai
- Level plains, a cultural and linguistic extension of northern
India. Nepali is spoken less than Awadhi and
Bhojpuri dialects related to Hindi and
Maithili related to Hindi and Bengali. Lumbini,
Buddha's birthplace and Janakpur, Sita's
birthplace are in this zone. Other cities -- Dhangadhi, Nepalgunj, Bhairawa, Butwal, Birgunj, Janakpur and Biratnagar -- are transportation hubs and
border towns more than travel destinations. Nevertheless the Terai
may offer opportunities for intimate exposure to traditional Indian
culture that have become less available in India itself.
- Siwalik Range or Churia Hills - the outermost
and lowest range of foothills, about 600 m (2,000 ft) high. Extends
across the country east to west but with significant gaps and many
subranges. Poor soils and no agriculture to speak of. No developed
tourist destinations, however the forests are wild and the sparse
population of primitive hunters and gatherers is unique.
- Inner Terai - large valleys between the
Siwaliks and higher foothills to the north. The
Dang and Deukhuri valleys in the
Mid West are the largest, offering opportunities to experience
Tharu art and culture. Chitwan south of Kathmandu
is another of these valleys, known for Royal Chitwan
National Park where tigers, rhinos, crocodiles, deer and
birds can be observed. Originally these valleys were malarial and
lightly populated by Tharus who had evolved
resistance and developed architectural and behavioral adaptations
limiting exposure to the most dangerous nocturnal mosquitos.
Suppression of mosquitos with DDT in the 1960s opened these these
valleys to settlers from the hills who cleared forests and
displaced and exploited Tharus. Nevertheless remoter parts of these
valleys still have a Garden of Eden quality - forests broken by
indefinite fields, lazy rivers, fascinating aboriginal
peoples.
- Mahabharat Range - a prominent foothill range
continuous across the country from east to west except for narrow
transecting canyons, with elevations ascending up to 3,000 m
(10,000 ft). Steep southern slopes are a no-man's land between
lowland and Pahari (hill) cultures and languages,
which begin along the crest and gentler northern slopes. Given
clear skies, there are panoramic views of high himalaya from almost
anywhere on the crest. Underdeveloped as a tourist venue compared
to India's 'Hill Stations', nevertheless Daman and Tansen are attractive
destinations.
- Middle Hills - Valleys north of the Mahabharat
Range and hills up to about 2,000 m (6,500 ft). are mainly
inhabited by Hindus of the Bahun (priestly
brahmin) and Chhetri (warriors and rulers) castes
who speak Nepali as their first language. Higher where it becomes
too cold to grow rice, populations are largely
Magar, Gurung,
Tamang, Rai or
Limbu, the hill tribes from which
the British recruited Gurkha soldiers while the
soldiers' families grew crops suited to temperate climates. Men in
these ethnic groups also work as porters or may be herders moving
their flocks into the high mountains in summer and the lower
valleys in winter. Trekking through the hills is unremittingly
scenic with streams and terraced fields, picturesque villages, a
variety of ethnic groups with distinctive costumes, and views of
the high himalayas from high points.
- Valleys - Kathmandu and to the west Pokhara occupy large
valleys in the hills The Kathmandu Valley was urbanized long before
the first europeans reached the scene and has historic
neighborhoods, temple complexes, pagodas, buddhist stupas, palaces
and bazaars. Its natives are predominantly Newar
farmers, traders, craftsmen and civil servants. Newar culture is an
interesting synthesis of Hindu and Buddhist elements. Unfortunately
a range of hills north of this valley limit views of the himalaya.
Pokhara has fewer urban points of interest but outstanding views of
the nearby Annapurna Himalaya. Pokhara's Newar
population is confined to bazaars. Elsewhere upper caste Hindus
dominate, whose ancestors probably were Khas
peoples from far western Nepal. Both valleys offer excellent
opportunities to experience Nepal without strenuous trekking.
Narrower valleys along streams and rivers are important
rice-growing centers in the hills. There is a limited amount of
this land and most of it is owned by upper caste Hindus.
- Lekhs - Snow occasionally falls and lasts days
or weeks in the winter above 3,000 m (10,000 ft), but melts away in
summer below about 5,500 m (18,000 ft). Treeline is about 4,000 m
(13,000 ft). This zone is used for summer pasturage but not
year-round habitation.
- Himalaya - North of the lekhs, the
snowy high himalayas rise abruptly along a fault zone to peaks over
6,700 m (22,000 ft) and even over 8,000 m (26,000 ft). Himalaya
means 'abode of snow', which is uninhabited. Valleys among the
peaks are inhabited, especially along trade routes where rice from
the lowlands was traded for salt from the Tibetan Plateau along
with other goods. Trade has diminished since China annexed Tibet in the 1950s but catering to trekkers and
climbers has become an economic engine. People living along these
routes have Tibetan affinities but usually speak fluent
Nepali.
- Trans-Himalaya - Peaks in this region north of
the highest himalayas in central and western Nepal are lower and
gentler, mostly around 6,000 m (20,000 ft). Valleys below 5,000 m
(17,000 ft). are inhabited by people who are essentially
Tibetan and have adapted to living at much higher
elevations than other Nepalis. Roads have not yet penetrated this
far and travel is expensive by air or arduous on foot.
Nevertheless, it is a unique opportunity to experience a very
significant and attractive culture in spectacular
surroundings.
River Basins
are also important geographic divisions. The Mahabharat
Range is a major hydrologic barrier in Nepal and other
parts of the Himalaya. South-flowing rivers converge in
candelabra shapes to break through this range in a
few narrow gorges. Travel is usually easier within these candelabra
drainage systems than between them, so high divides between river
systems became historically important political, linguistic and
cultural boundaries.
Karnali-Seti-Bheri
The Karnali system in the far west is the
birthplace of Pahari ('hill') culture. It was settled by people
called Khas speaking an
indo-european language called
Khaskura ('Khas talk') that was related to other
north indian languages, all claiming descent from classical
Sanskrit.
East of the Karnali proper, along a major tributary called the
Bheri and further east in another basin called the
Rapti lived a Tibeto-Burman people called
Kham. Khas and Kham people seem to have been
allies and probably intermarried to create the synthesis of aryan
and mongoloid features that especially characterizes the
second-highest Chhetri (Kshatriya) caste. It
appears that Khas kings recruited Kham men as guards and soldiers.
Khas and Kham territories in the far west were subdivided into
small kingdoms called the Baisi, literally '22' as
they were counted.
Nepal has one of the world's highest birthrates because Hindu
girls usually marry by their early teens, causing their entire
reproductive potential to be utilized. Furthermore, men who can
afford it often take multiple wives. This may trace back to Khas
culture, explaining relentless Khas colonization eastward as finite
amounts of land suitable for rice cultivation were inevitably
outstripped by high birthrates.
Rapti and
Gandaki
The Rapti river system east of the Karnali-Bheri had few
lowlands suitable for growing rice and extensive highlands that
were not attractive for Khas settlement but were a barrier to
migration. However the Rapti's upper tributaries rose somewhat
south of the Himalaya. Between these tributaries and the Dhaulagiri
range of the Himalaya, a large east-west valley called
Dhorpatan branching off the upper Bheri provided a
detour eastward, over an easy pass called Jaljala into the
Gandaki river system further east. The Gandaki is
said to have seven major tributaries, most rising in or beyond the
high Himalaya. They merge to cut through the Mahabharat and Siwalik
ranges. In this basin elevations were generally lower and rainfall
was higher compared to the Karnali-Bheri and Rapti basins. There
was great potential for rice cultivation, the agricultural base of
the Khas way of life. A collection of small principalities called
the Chaubisi developed. Chaubisi literally means
'24', as these kingdoms were counted. Not all were Khas kindoms.
Some were Magar -- a large indigenous hill tribe people related to
the Kham. Other kingdoms were Gurung and Tamang. Several Gandaki
tributaries rose in the transhimalayan region where inhabitants and
rulers became increasingly Tibetanized to the north.
- Emergence of Shah Dynasty from
Gorkha
Within the Chaubisi kingdoms of the Gandaki basin, Gorkha was a
small valley east of Pokhara ruled by a Khas family now called
Shah, an honorific title that may have come later, however any
earlier name seems to be forgotten. In 1743 A.D. Prithvi
Narayan Shah became the ruler of Gorkha after his father
Nara Bhupal Shah died. Prithvi Narayan already had a reputation as
a hotheaded upstart. Resolving to modernize Gorkha's army, he was
bringing modern arms from India when customs officers demanded
inspection and payment of duties. Prithvi Narayan refused and
attacked the officers, killing several before escaping with his
arms and men. He also visited Benares to study the situation of
local rulers and the growing encroachment of British interests.
Prithvi concluded that invasion was a chronic danger to rulers on
the plains of northern India, whereas the hills were more
defensible and offered more scope to carve out a lasting
empire.
Kathmandu Valley
(Bagmati)
Prithvi Narayan must have been a charismatic figure, for he
recruited, equipped and trained a formidable army and persuaded his
subjects to underwrite all this from his ascension until his death
in 1775. Through conquest and treaty, he consolidated several
Chaubisi kingdoms. As his domain expanded,
Khaskura became known as
Gorkhali, i.e. the language of the Gorkha kingdom.
Then he moved east into the next river basin, the
Bagmati which drains the Kathmandu Valley that
held three small but prosperous urban kingdoms. Like the Rapti, the
Bagmati rises somewhat south of the Himalaya. Unlike the Rapti
basin, this valley had once held a large lake and the remaining
alluvial soil was exceptionally fertile. Between the agricultural
abundance, local crafts, and extensive trade with Tibet, the cities
were prosperous. Prithvi Narayan encircled the valley, cutting off
trade and restricting ordinary activities, even farming and getting
water. With a combination of stealth, brutality and intimidation he
he prevailed and deposed the local kings in 1769, making Kathmandu
his new capital. This was the high point of Prithvi Narayan's
career, however he continued consolidating the Kathmandu Valley
with the Chaubisi and Baisi federations to the west until his death
in 1775. Gorkhali was re-dubbed Nepali as 'Nepal'
came to mean not only the urbanized Kathmandu Valley, but all lands
ruled by the Shahs.
Koshi
Prithvi Narayan's heirs Pratap Singh, Rana Bahadur and Girvan
Yuddha continued expansion of their kingdom into the
Koshi river basin east of the Bagmati system. Like
the Gandaki, the Koshi traditionally has seven major tributaries
descending from the Himalaya before joining forces to break through
the Mahabharat and Siwalik ranges. Ranges drained by Koshi
tributaries include Mount
Everest and its neighboring peaks, as well as
the western side of the Kangchenjunga massif. Kangchenjunga and a
high ridge to the south are the watershed between the Koshi and
Tista basins as well as the border between Nepal and the former
kingdom
Sikkim that India
annexed it in 1975.
Containment by British
The Shah dynasty's expansion continued eastward across Sikkim
and westward across Kumaon and beyond Dehra Dun to the Sutlej
River, until the British declared war in 1814 and finally defeated
Nepalese forces in 1816. The British wanted a buffer state between
British India and the Chinese empire that ultimately controlled
Tibet, so it trimmed Nepal back approximately to its present size
and let it remain independent.
Informal Settlement
in Sikkim and Bhutan
Nevertheless Nepalese eastward colonization beyond the Kosi
continued informally, still driven by high birthrates. By the 1800s
land-hungry Nepalis were settling in the
Tista
basin, which happened to be a different country,
Sikkim. In the 1900s
they were settling beyond Sikkim in the kingdom of
Bhutan. This kingdom --
where late marriage and low population densities prevailed among
the indigenous, culturally Tibetan population -- saw the
demographic writing on the wall and expelled as many as 100,000
Nepalis in 1990.
Caste, Ethnicity, Religion and
languages
The caste and ethnic groups of Nepal according to the 2001
census are classified into five main categories: (a)Castes
originating from Hindu groups (b) Newars (c) the ethnic groups or
janajati (d) Muslims (e)Others.
Hindu Groups
Hindu castes migrated from India to Nepal after 11th century due
to Muslim invasion of northern India. The traditional Hindu caste
system is based on the four Varna Vyawastha "the class system" of
Brahman (Bahun) priests, scholars and advisors;
Kshatriya (Chhetri) rulers and warriors,
Vaishya (merchants); Shudra
(farmers and menial occupations not considered polluting). Below
the Shudra Dalit perform 'polluting' work such as
tanning and cleaning latrines. However the middle Vaishya and
Shudra are underrepresented in the hills, apparently because they
did not have compelling reason to leave the plains while Muslim
invaders tried to eliminate previous elites. Dalits seem to have
accompanied the upper castes into the hills because they were bound
by longstanding patronage arrangements.
Traditional caste rules govern who can eat with whom, especially
when boiled rice is served, and who can accept water from whom.
Until the 1950s these rules were enforced by law.
Dalits are subject to caste-based discrimination and so called
‘untouchability’ in social, economic, educational, political and
religious areas. The National Dalit Commission (2002) categorized
28 cultural groups as Dalits. Some argue that the use of the term
Dalit will never ever help to abolish caste-based untouchability.
(Literally, 'Dalit' translates to 'suppressed' in Nepali.) There
are suggestions that the term should not be used because it not
only breeds inferiority but is also insulting.
Newar
Newars -- the indigenous people of the Kathmandu valley --
follow both Hinduism and Buddhism. According to the 2001 census
they can be classified into 40 distinct cultural groups, but all
speak a common language called Nepal bhasa (Newa bhaaya). Newars
use prevailing lingua francas to communicate outside their
community: Nepali in the hills and Maithili, Bhojpuri and Awadhi in
the Terai.
Indigenous peoples
The ethnic groups of the hills, Terai and mountain areas are
grouped as Janajati. According to the National Foundation for
Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN), ethnic groups are
those “who have their own mother tongue and traditional customs, a
distinct cultural identity, a distinct social structure and written
or oral history all of their own" (NFDIN, 2003). A total of 61
Adibasi Janajatis have been recognised by the Nepal
Government, 5 are from the mountain regions, 20 from the Hills, 7
from inner Terai and 11 from the Terai region. A Janajati is a
community who has its own mother tongue and traditional culture and
yet does not fall under the conventional fourfold Varna of the
Hindu system or the Hindu hierarchical caste structure
[2]. Many of these ethnic
groups are Hinduized to some degree, although Hindu practices
supplement rather than replace more ancient beliefs and practices.
Unlike the Hindus, many indigenous nationalities of Nepal such as
the Sherpa people as well as the people of Muslim & Christian
faiths, have a culture of eating beef.
Other caste and ethnic groups included in the ‘other’ category
are; Sikhs, Christians, Bengalis, and Marawadis.
Different indigenous nationalities are in different stages of
development. Some indigenous nationalities are nomads, e.g. Raute,
and some are forest dwellers, e.g. Chepang and Bankaria. Most of
the indigenous nationalities rely on agriculture and pastoralism
and very few are cosmopolitan, e.g. Newar.
Religion
The census of 2001 has listed 8 religions—Hindu, Buddhist,
Islam, Kiranti, Christian, Jain, Sikh and Bahai. In addition, are
animism or Bon are still practiced. Hindu comprises 80.6% and other
religions are 19.4%.
Climate
Nepal has a Monsoonal climate with four main seasons - though
traditionally a year was categorized into six distinct climate
periods: Basanta (spring), Grishma (early summer), Barkha (summer
monsoon), Sharad (early autumn), Hemanta (late autumn) and Shishir
(winter).
Below is a general guide to conditions at different seasons:
- Heavy monsoonal rains from June to September -
the rains are generally lighter high in the Himalayas than in
Kathmandu, though the mountain peaks are often lost in cloud.
- Clear and cool weather from October to
December - after the monsoon, there is little dust in the
air so this is the best season to visit the hilly and mountainous
regions.
- Cold from January to March, with the
temperature in Kathmandu often dropping as low as 0°C (32°F) at
night, with extreme cold at high elevations. It is possible to trek
in places like the Everest
region during the winter, but it is extremely cold and snow fall
may prevent going above 4,000 - 4,500 meters (13,000 - 15,000
feet). The Jomosom trek is a reasonable alternative, staying below
3,000 meters (10,000 feet) with expected minimum temperatures about
-10°C (14°F) (and much better chances of avoiding heavy snow.)
- Dry and warm weather from April to June -
there is an abundance of blooming flowers in the Himalayas at this
time, with rhododendrons, in particular, adding a splash of color
to the landscape. Terai temperatures may reach or exceed 40°C
(104°F) while Kathmandu temperatures are about 30°C (86°F). This is
the best time to undertake mountain expeditions.
The recording of temperatures and rainfall of the major
locations across Nepal was started in 1962 and their averages
[3] provides a reference point for analyzing the climate
trend.
Regions
Nepal is officially divided into 14 administrative zones and
five development regions, but travellers might be more comfortable
with the conceptual division below (based on the country's
elevation). From north to south:
|
Middle
Hills
The Hill Region (Pahar in Nepali) is mostly between 700
and 4,000 meters altitude. This region is split from the Terai
Range by the Mahabharat Lekh (Lesser Himalaya) and forms a
geographic midlands between the Terai and the Himalayas. It
includes the scenic Pokhara
valley, a popular base for activities in the area. |
|
Western
Tarai
The western side of the Terai mountain range with the Royal Chitwan
and Royal Bardia National Parks. |
- Kathmandu - capital
and cultural center of Nepal, with the stupa at Boudhanath in a separate
district
- Bhaktapur -
well-preserved historical city, center of Nepali pottery
making.
- Biratnagar - this
city is in eastern Nepal near Dharan and famous for political
reason.
- Birgunj - business
gateway between India and Nepal. It is in mid-southern Nepal.
- Janakpur - a
historical religious centre and home to the 500-year old Janaki
Temple.
- Namche
Bazaar - a Sherpa settlement located in the Solu Khumbu region
- popular with trekkers
- Nepalgunj - the main
hub for the Mid- and Far-Western Development Region. Bardiya
National Park is close-by
- Patan - sister-city of
Kathmandu and metal working center
- Pokhara - Picturesque
lake-side town, and the base for many activities. Great live music
scene, with plenty of cool bars and hotels. Fast becoming the
destination of choice for travelers due to the scenery, adventure
sports and nightlife.
Other destinations
Locked between the snow peaks of the
Himalayas and the seething Ganges plain,
Nepal has long been home to wandering ascetics and tantric yogis.
Consequently, the country has a wealth of sacred sites and natural
wonders:
- Annapurna - Popular
trekking region of Nepal with the world-famous Annapurna
Circuit
- Chitwan National Park - See
tigers, rhinos and animals in the jungle
- Daman -
tiny village in the mountains offering panoramic views of the
Himalayas - especially stunning at sunrise and sunset
- Haleshi (Tibetan:
Maratika) - the site of a mountain cave where
Padmasambhava attained a state beyond life and death.
- Mount Everest - The
tallest peak of the world in the Khumbu region
- Lumbini - the sacred
site of the Buddha Shakyamuni's birth
- Nagarkot - A hill
station one hour from Kathmandu offering excellent views of the
Himalayan Range.
- Parping - the site of
several sacred caves associated with Padmasambhava, the founder of
Tibetan Buddhism
Get in
Visas
Visas for citizens of most countries are available on arrival at
the land borders and at the airport in Kathmandu at a cost of US$25
for 15 days, US$40 for 30 days and US$100 for 90 days multiple
entry visa. Tourist visa can be granted for a maximum of 150 days
in a visa year. You can pay this in Nepali Rupees, US dollars or
Indian rupees. The Nepali Rupee is tied to the Indian Rupee at a
rate of 1.6. Note 500 Indian Rupee notes are not accepted.
Entry points for foreigners are Tribhuvan International Airport
(Kathmandu), Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal), Birganj, Parsa
(Central Nepal), Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border) ,Belahia,
Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal), Jamunaha, Nepalgunj (Banke,
Mid Western Nepal), Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal),
Gaddachauki, and Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal).
By plane
The ceasefire signed by the Maoists has seen the opening up of
routes with new airlines in the country. There are direct flights
from Kathmandu to Bangkok
[4], Singapore
[5], Hong
Kong with Dragon Air/Cathay Pacific
[6].
ArkeFly
[7]
flies direct to Europe (Amsterdam, Netherlands). Many European
destinations can be reached via Doha with Qatar Airways
[8],
Abu Dhabi with Ethihad
[9], Dubai with Emirates
[10], Bahrain with Gulf Air
[11]. Flights
are also available via Delhi on Jet Airways and UAE on Air
Arabia.
Nepal's
Tribhuvan International Airport is
located just outside of the Ring Road in
Kathmandu. The terminal is a one-room brick
building with a large wooden table serving as both
customs and
immigration.
[12]Tourist visa
of 15 days or more is available on arrival.
Money
can be changed to the local currency as well, but these services
are only available directly after scheduled arrivals.
Outside the airport, all 'representatives' of the tourist
industry are required to remain 10 meters (about 30 feet) from the
front door. This does not prevent them from waving large signs and
yelling in an attempt to encourage you to choose them as your
guide/taxi/hotel/luggage carrier. Make your choice
before crossing the line, or better yet, arrange
your first night's accommodation before you arrive and ask the
hotel to send someone to meet you. Many hotel and guest houses
offer complimentary pick up and delivery from the airport. Fixed
priceTaxis are also available before you exit the
building but you may get a cheaper fair if you are willing to
haggle!. As always, negotiate the price beforehand with the driver.
A taxi ride to Thamel or Boudha should be around 300 NRS.
Otherwise, order a taxi at the pre-paid booth inside the airport,
which costs 400+NRs (and rising). This is more than the normal taxi
rate, but it saves the hassle of long negotiations.
By car or motorcycle
Car rental in Nepal is almost unheard of, as is renting a car in
India and taking it across the
border.
Many travellers drive from India on Royal Enfield motorcycles.
Technically, foreigners have to pay customs at the borders but most
don't bother. Selling the bike in Nepal is easy as other travelers
are looking for bikes to ride back to India.
If you are coming from India you will find driving in Nepal a
lot less chaotic! The roads are amazing and the new east-west
highway currently under construction with support from the Japanese
will open up new destinations for those interested in exploring
Nepal by motor-bike.
Please check before hiring a motorbike on the current state of
fuel. At time of writing (13DEC 09) there was large problems with
fuel supply which can leave riders stranded. At time of writing,
bike hire should be no more than 500Rs a day (Pulsar, Hero Honda,
scooter) unless you are hiring an Indian Enfield.
Hirers are also notorious for trying to charge tourists large
amounts of money on returning the bike for 'damage payment' that
may not have been from you. Therefore make sure a thorough damage
assessment with the hirer is carried out before departing and if
the hirer tries to scam you on return go to local police.
By bus
There are Five border crossings open to tourists. The
Sunauli-Bhairawa border crossing is the closest to
Varanasi, the Raxaul-Birganj crossing to Patna,
Kolkata, and Siliguri-Kakarbhitta is to
Darjeeling. The Banbassa-Mahendrenagar border
crossing in the extreme west of Nepal, is the closest to Delhi. The
bahraich-Nepalganj border is the one closest to Lucknow which is
the easiest destination by air or train from Delhi.
The crossing between Nepal and Tibet via Kodari
is open to independent travelers entering Nepal, but only to
organised groups entering Tibet.
By train
A cargo train began operating between Sirsiya in southern Nepal,
and the Indian town of Raxaul in 2003. Internal train network is
limited to few kilometers of train network in
Janakpur
- Micro Bus has become very popular lately. They
are 10-12 seater with very fast service. It has almost replaced
local bus service given its fast service. However, apart from
previous few routes, Micro Bus has come up with many other
alternate routes and now has got good coverage. The fare is more
expensive than the local bus.
- Super Express Bus - or 'Supper Express' as the
ticket says is somewhere between a micro and a local bus. These
generally depart between 5 - 7AM and do not stop to pick up locals
along the way. People are not allowed to sit on the roof. The
'supper express' is more expensive than a local bus but cheaper,
(and faster) than the micro.
- Local Bus - Although the system can be
confusing they are cheap. They can be crowded at times both with
people and domestic animals such as goats, ducks etc. Some buses
will not depart until full to a certain quota.
- Tourist Bus - Book a few days ahead at a Kathmandu or Pokhara travel agent (or your
hotel will book for you). A few steps above local buses (no goats,
everyone gets a seat) but not much safer.
- Rickshaw - Good for short jaunts if you don't
have much luggage and don't mind being bounced around a bit.
Bargain before you get in, and don't be afraid to walk away and try
another.
- Tempo - These come in two types. One is a
three wheeled electric or propane powered micro-bus for 10-13
passengers. They run in different routes around the city and cost
5-12 NRs. The other type is a newer Toyota van running the same
routes at a higher price and a bit faster and safer. Be prepared
for a crowd
- Taxis - There are two types of taxi --
"private", which pretty much run from the airport to your (upscale)
hotel; and "10 Rupee", which don't leave until they are full. When
haggling for fare remember that Taxi drivers have been hit hard by
the petrol crisis sometimes queing up overnight to get 5 litres of
petrol at twice the market price. So be sympathetic but don’t get
ripped off! Offer to pay 'meter plus tip', 10% is more than
enough.
- Tram - The old-fashioned street cable-car that
ran from Kathmandu (near
the stadium) to Bhaktapur is currently closed due to
'non-existing maintenance' and the fact that none of the drivers
paid for the power.
- Custom or classic motorcycle - Run by a
European couple, Hearts and Tears in Pokhara offer lessons, guided
tours and rental of 350cc and 500cc Royal Enfield bikes. In
Kathmandu, Himalayan Enfields (behind the Israeli Embassy on
Lazimpat)sells/rents good bikes and does repairs. The official
Enfield dealer in Nepal is in Balaju Industrial Estate off the Ring
Road.
- Local motorcycle - Another choice is to rent a
small motorcycle. And it can be rented in the Thamel area. Again
with the petrol crisis, motorcycle rental has become a costly
choice, depending on availabily 1 litre of petrol will cost you
120-250 NRs on top of the rental fee (300-800NRs).
- On Foot - although motor roads are penetrating
further into the hinterlands, many destinations can only be reached
by foot (or helicopter). See the section on trekking, below.
Talk
The great biological and cultural diversity of present-day Nepal
is matched by its linguistic diversity. Nepal boasts a variety of
living languages many of which are remnants of the traditional
Asiatic cultural amalgamation in the region. impressively large
number for a country with a small land mass like Nepal. Nepal has
more distinct and individual languages in one country than the
whole of the European community.
The official language of Nepal is
Nepali. It's
related to Hindi, Punjabi, and other Indo-Aryan languages, and is
normally written with the
Devanagari script (as is
Hindi). While most Nepali speak at least some Nepali, a large
percentage of the population has as their mother tongue another
language, such as
Tharu around Chitwan,
Newari in the Kathmandu Valley, and
Sherpa in the
Everest area.
Although Nepal was never a British colony, proximity to India
has made English somewhat widespread among educated Nepalis.
Nevertheless learning even a few words of Nepali is fun and useful,
especially outside of the tourist district and while trekking.As
Asian languages go, Nepali has to be one of the easiest to learn,
and the traveler making the effort isn't likely to make worse
blunders than many natives with a different first language.
A disturbingly large number of Nepal’s mother tongues are
severely endangered and will likely be reduced to symbolic identity
markers within a generation. So why not try to pick up a few
phrases!
Do
The spectacular view from Annapurna Base Camp.
A total of 101,320 trekkers visited Nepal in 2007. Out of total
60,237 (59.4%) visited Annapurna area while those
visiting the Everest and Langtang
regions accounted for 26,511 (26.5%) and 8,165 (8.1%)
respectively.
"Tea-House Trekking" is the most easy way to trek as it doesn't
require support. Tea Houses have now developed into full-scale
tourist lodges with hot showers, pizza, pasta and beer. The day's
hikes are between lodge-filled settlements or villages: there's no
need for tents, food, water, or beer-- all those things, plus
luxuries such as apple-pie, can be purchased along the way.
Physical requirements go from very soft to strenuous.
Facilities available in remote areas are less extensive than in
the more popular areas. It may be advisable to visit such regions
with organised groups, including guide, porters and full support.
Manaslu, Kanchenjunga,
Dolpo, Mustang and
Humla are in remote areas. Many of them require
also special permits.
Annapurna Region Treks
- Annapurna Circuit: A 2-3 week trek
around the Annapurna mountains, leads up the Maryangdi river to
Manang, over Thorung La (5400m) to the Hindu temples at Muktinath.
Down the Kali Gandaki on the Jomsom trail- The last week of
the Annapurna Circuit, done in the opposite direction. Known as the
"Apple-Pie Trek" partly for crossing the apple growing region of
Nepal, and partly for being one of the easier treks, enjoying
Gurung and Thakali hospitality. Up through spring rhododendron
blooms to Poon Hill for a dawn Himalayan vista. Another shorter but
spectacular mini-circuit is the
Nayapul-Ghandruk-Ghorepani-PoonHill-Nayapul route.
- Annapurna Sanctuary: A trek up into
the very heart of the range provides an awesome 360 degree high
mountain skyline.
Everest Region Treks
Everest lies in the region known as
Khumbu - To get here, take a bus to
Jiri or fly to
Lukla then hike up to
Namche Bazzar, capital of the Sherpa lands at
the foot of Everest. Main "teahouse trek" regions, in each of these
areas there are a number of trail options, there is plenty of scope
for short treks of less than a week to much longer if you have time
and wanderlust.
- Everest Base Camp Trek: Lukla to
EBC, Stunning scenery, Wonderful Sherpa people. The most popular
trek is up to Everest Base Camp and an ascent
of Kalar Patar. Visit the Buddhist Tengboche monastery for the Mani Rimdu
festival in November.
- The 'Classic Everest Base Camp Trek': Jiri to EBC
- Gokyo: Lukla to the sacred lakes of Gokyo. Explore the Gokyo valley with its sacred lakes
and stupendous views of four 8000m peaks. Or a circuit of the
region crossing the high passes or Cho La and Renjo La.
- Numbur Cheese Circuit Trek
through the largest cheese producing area, via the sacred lakes of
Jata Pokhari and Panch Pokhari to Numburchuili base camp.
- Island
Peak Trek in the Everest
region takes in some of the most spectacular scenery in the
Himalayas. See 'Regions' - Khumbu
- Pikey Cultural Trail
- Dudh Kunda Cultural Trail
Trekking Peaks
Trekking Peaks require a qualified "climbing guide", permits and
deposits to cover camp waste disposal
- Island
Peak Trek - The Island Peak trek in the Khumbu region takes in some of the most
spectacular scenery in the Himalayas.
- Mera
Peak Climbing - Enjoy panoramic views of Mt. Everest (8,848 m;
29,030 ft), Cho-Oyu (8,201 m; 26,910 ft), Lhotse (8,516 m; 27,940
ft), Makalu (8463 m; 27,770 ft), Kangchenjunga (8,586 m; 28,170
ft), Nuptse (7,855 m; 25,770 ft), and Chamlang (7,319 m; 24,010
ft).
Langtang Region Treks
- Helambu Langtang Trek: a short
taxi ride from Thamel to the roadhead at Shivapuri leads to a trail
through the middle-hills countryside of Helambu, either circuit
around and return to Kathmandu or cross the pass to the sacred lake
at Gosainkhund, descend and then hike up the Langtang valley
beneath mountains that form the border with Tibet. Descend back to
catch a bus on a rough road through Trisuli to Kathmandu.
- Tamang Heritage Trail
Pro-Poor Rural Treks
Tourism is a dynamic sector of economy and accepting it as a
vehicle of poverty reduction is a relatively new concept in Nepal.
Nepal is a predominantly rural society, with 85% of the population
living in the countryside. Naturally, Nepal’s rich culture and
ethnic diversity are best experienced in its village communities.
You can engage in local activities, learn how to cook local cuisine
or take part in agricultural activities like kitchen gardening,
etc.
- According to the NTB rural tourism in Nepal focuses on "Village
Trek" visits to indigenous people that “… will make tourists,
experience rural life and Nepalese hospitality off the beaten path
with all the beautiful scenery and cultural diversity of
Nepal.”
In the rural Nepal context, pro-poor tourism means expanding
employment and small enterprise opportunities especially
pro-Indigenous Peoples, youth and pro-women. Recent pro-poor
initiatives in Nepal include the UNDP-TRPAP
[13] and ILO-EMPLED
[14] projects.
Trekking on the Indigenous Peoples Trail and the Numbur Cheese
Circuit is a means for Nepali as well as foreign visitors to
experience the rural and traditional Nepali way of life, and for
the local Community to participate in and benefit directly from
tourism. You'll feel better knowing that your visit is genuinely
helping your hosts. And if you want to simply lie on a beach....
well, The 'Majhi Fishing Experience' on the Sun Kosi in
Ramechhap features one of
the best beaches in Nepal!
'Ethno-Tourism' or Cultural
Treks
Ethno-tourism is increasingly popular in Nepal and is designed
to maximize social and economic benefits to the local communities
and minimize negative impacts to cultural heritage and the
environment. Ethno-tourism is a specialized type of cultural
tourism and can be defined as any excursion which focuses on the
works of humans rather than nature, and attempts to give the
tourist an understanding of the lifestyles of local people.
Remote Treks
Other more remote regions will require a bit more planning and
probably local assistance, not least as the required permits are
only issued via Nepali guides/agents. Camping is required on one or
more nights.
- Kanchenjunga - far eastern Nepal, accessible via Taplejung
(from Kathmandu 40min by plane, 40hrs by bus), a strenuous trek
through sparsely populated country to the third highest
mountain.
- Dolpa - Upper Dolpa in northwestern Nepal beyond the highest
Himalaya is the remote Land of the Bon, almost as Tibetan as
Nepali. Lower Dolpa is more accessible and can me reached by
plane
- Manaslu - Unspoiled trails through remote villages and over a
wild pass to circuit an 8000m mountain. The Manaslu massif rises
above the old kingdom of Gorkha about halfway between Kathmandu and
Pokhara.
Social Responsibility and Responsible
Travel
Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world and hiring a
local company will benefit the local economy, however the
involvement of travel agents in Kathmandu must be approached with
caution. The numbers of travel, trekking and Rafting agencies
registered in 2007 were 1,078, 872 and 94 respectively. The rapid
growth in tourism in Nepal coupled with the absence of a
self-regulating code of conduct has helped to grow unhealthy
competition among travel agents with regular undercutting in
tariffs. Such undesirable actions take away benefits not only from
trekking guides and porters but also from others engaged in
supplying goods and providing services to the tourists. By paying
lower tariffs tourists may save money but directly at the expense
of local Communities. Try to use 'socially responsible' tour
operators that promote proper porter treatment and cultural and
environmental sensitivity among their clients in line with the
UN-WTO Sustainable Tourism Criteria
[15]
- Organised Group Trekking or Independent Trekking?
While organized groups from "western" tour operators drain the
big chunck of the profit out of the country, still organized groups
hire a larger amount of local workforce from porters to guides.
While with local agents most of the profit remains in the country.
Groups are more likely to go remote areas, and rely as much as
possible on local resources to minimize transport cost and hire
maximum local porters. Cost of full organized tours might be also
very high, depending on services.
In comparison, independent trekkers while concentrated on the
main trails with Lodges, stay often longer also in one place with
less budget. They usually use simpler lodges with less costs. They
venture seldom in remote areas, as that would mean more expense or
very basic local services which most try to avoid. While individual
travellers may consume more locally easy producable services, they
generally spend less than organized travellers on same trails
simply because they often have longer travel periods with less
budgets.
Safety and comfort are higher with organized tours, freedom of
changing itinerary is the domain of the individual traveller. There
is a full range of choice for any demand, just be sure to think
about well what trekking means. For the hard core trekkers, no
porter will ever carry, while for many to carry a 15-18 kg backpack
might be just simple too much.
- Tourism Concern and ACTSA are two UK-based organizations
dedicated to encouraging community-based and fair-trade tourism in
Nepal. Tourism Concern UK [16] publishes a list of
those operators who are working with Tourism Concern's porters
campaign, using or developing guidelines on porters' working
conditions. Conversely there is also a list of UK tour operators
who do not have, or have not demonstrated to Tourism Concern proof
of policies on porters' rights and working conditions.
- Keep working conditions and wages in mind when selecting a
trekking company. For visitors from the west, hiring guides and
porters is affordable and an extra few dollars can make a big
impact in the life of a guide or porter. In order to feed
themselves and their families, porters take on the job of carrying
heavy loads to high elevations. Some of the problems porters face
are underpayment by companies, not receiving the full amount of tip
intended for them, inadequate clothing and gear, being forced to
carry excess weight, insufficient food provision and poor sleeping
facilities. Sometimes these issues leave porters open to illness
and neglect on the mountain. As porters have no job security, they
have little room for complaint.
- There are a number of websites that facilitate direct contact
with recommended trekking guides and porters. The standard wage for
a porter is 500 NRs per day and you pay for food and accommodation
(approx 200 NRs) or 700 NRs per day without food - Most porters
prefer this arrangement as they may save a few rupees by staying
with relatives along the trail!
- The International Porter Protect Group’s (IPPG) [17] was set up in response to
these issues, to improve health and safety for the trekking porter
at work in the mountains and reduce the incidence of avoidable
illness, injury and death. This is achieved by raising awareness of
the issues among the trekking community and travel companies,
leaders and sirdars. IPPG recommends the following guidelines that:
- Adequate clothing is made available for protection in bad
weather and at altitude. This should include adequate footwear,
hat, gloves, windproof jacket and trousers, sunglasses, and access
to a blanket and pad above the snowline.
- Leaders and trekkers provide the same standard of medical care
for porters they would expect themselves.
- Porters must not be paid off because of illness without the
leader or trekkers being informed.
- Sick porters are never sent down alone, but rather with someone
who speaks their language.
- Sufficient funds are provided to sick porters to cover the cost
of their land rescue and treatment. Also, we select strong and
experienced porters!
- All trekking porters should have provision for security,
personal protective equipment including shoes and clothes,
depending on the weather.
Other Trekking Companies and Information: NOTE:
The Companies & individuals below are listed by individual
editors for personal & business purpose, and do not represent
government or Wikitravel recommendation.
- Swan Valley Treks & Expeditions - [18] Is a small,
personalized firm specializing in treks, tours & expedition in
Nepal. They have also started tours with Nepals neighbours Tibet,
Bhutan and India.
- Navyo Nepal - Discover Asia [19], a female run company
offers it's service mainly to European clients.
- Mountain Sherpa Trekking & Expedition [20] is one of the reputable
Local own Sherpa Trekking Company operating all Nepal trekking
& tours as well as Tibet & Bhutan tours since 1980. This
Company donates 20% of total profit for different orphanage, School
& social organization Every Year.
- A Local Village organization [21], Empowering Women,
Children, provides Education, Health, Teaching, Local Development,
Environment awareness, Volunteer Placement. Groups of Local People,
Has charity trip and providing to you some charity trip to make
village sustainable.
- Austravel & Tours Nepal P. Ltd. [22] is socially
responsible Tour & Trekking holiday operator in Nepal. Team of
young and dynamic people headed by Mr. Rammani Khatiwada has vast
experience in the service he offers. Contact to: info@trekandtournepal.comor
call on +977 9841207303 for a reliable local agency on affordable
price as well as a tribute to eco-tourism.
- Friendship Nepal Tours [23] is a premier Tour
Operator located Kathmandu, Nepal with highly trained team of
individuals with over two decades of experience in the travel
industry offers Tours and trekking in Nepal and inbound and
outbound tour to Tibet, Sikkim, India and Bhutan.
- One reliable and highly recommended trekking company is run by
the very experienced Ngawang Sherpa: yontensherpa@yahoo.com
- Ker & Downey Nepal [24] Lodge to Lodge
Trekking service provider in Annapurna Region. Has Trekking Lodges
in Birethanti, Ghandrug, Dhampus and Majgaun in Lumle. Trekking and
Rooms are available on advance booking. info@kerdowneynepal.com
- Adarsha Nepal Adventure Tours and Travels [25] is a reliable adventure
tour operator with expertise in Nepal and Tibet Travel.
- Firante Treks & Expeditions Pvt Ltd [26] fully licensed Nepalese
Adventure Company run by team of experts.
- Ngawang Yonten Sherpa. An experienced guide
and native of Solu Khumbu - many years of leading groups and
organizing treks in the Everest Region: yontensherpa@yahoo.com
- Trekking With Shiva [27] offers
adventure, nature and culture treks for groups and individuals to
every region of Nepal. Phone: +977-9846040820,+977-61-462693
For your Full travel activites remember Unique EuroLines Travels
and TOurs, Thamel KTM ,Phone-+977-1-4265358/4251957
Email:unique_eurolines@yahoo.com or contact MR. Surya Prakash
Tiwari. 9841446491
- There is one trade union of Trekking guides and porters called
UNITRAV ( Union of trekking travels rafting workers Nepal). They
are only authorized trade union in this field. For more information
please visit their site www.unitrav.org
Rafting
Rafting trips for various durations and all levels of experience
leave from
Kathmandu and
Pokhara. For detailed
itineraries visit the Nepal Association of Rafting Agents
[28].
The main rivers are:
- Bhote Koshi
- Kali Gandaki
- Karnali
- Seti
- Sun Koshi
- Trisuli
- Arun
- Tamor
- Marshyangdi
- Bheri
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking in Nepal is fun and at times challenging event.
There are many popular biking routes in Nepal that are in operation
at the moment. They are:
- The Scar Road from Kathmandu starts from
Balaju towards Kakani to Shivapuri ending in Budhanilkantha in
northern Kathmandu.
- Kathmandu to Dhulikhel starts from Koteshwor
in Kathmandu to Bhaktapur to Banepa to Dhulikhel. You can also
continue from Dhulikhel to Namobuddha to Panauti to Banepa.
- The Back Door to Kathmandu starts from Panauti
and heads to Lakuri Bhanjyang and then to Lubhu in Lalitpur ending
near Patan.
- Dhulikhel to the Tibetan Border starts in
Dhulikhel and follows the Araniko Highway with a night stay on the
way.
- The Rajpath from Kathmandu starts from Kalanki
in Kathmandu and follows the Prithvi Highway up to Naubise. Then
Tribhuwan Highway route is taken with overnight stay in Daman. From
there, ride downhill to Hetauda, with the option of heading towards
Narayangarh or the Indian border.
- Hetauda to Narayangarh and Mugling starts from
Hetauda and heads along the Mahendra Highway to Narayangarh. You
could take a detour to Sauraha near from Taandi.
- Kathmandu to Pokhara starts from Kathmandu and
traverses through Naubise, Mugling to Pokhara.
- Pokhara to Sarangkot and Naudanda starts from
Lakeside Pokhara and heads towards Sarangkot and from there towards
Naudanda. From there, ride downhill towards the highway.
The best time to go for biking is between mid October and late
March, when the atmosphere is clear the the climate is temperate -
warm during the days and cool during the night. Biking in other
times of the year is also okay but great care should be taken while
biking during the monsoon season (June to September) as the roads
are slippery. Biking can be done independently or can be organized
through biking companies of Nepal.
You can rent mountain bikes from simple indian
made to real good ones locally, but remember that if your'e going
on a longer or harder ride, at least your own saddle would be a
good option to bring. Rent goes from anywhere (november 2009) 3
(simple bike) to 30 US Dollars (western bikes with suspention).
Motorcycling
Nepal's geography and climate makes for some of the best
motorcycling roads in the world. The traffic is a little chaotic,
but not aggressive, and the speeds are low. Be aware that you need
an international driving licence in Nepal, even do
you might never be stopped by the police as a tourist on a
bike.
Perhaps the best and most original way to explore the country is
by motorcycle. Kathmandu should be avoided by beginners, but the
rest of Nepal is simply amazing. Hearts and Tears Motorcycle Club
in Pokhara is run by a European couple with experience on the race
track and around the world. They specialise in teaching and
touring, and have a great collection of custom bikes. It's a
professional set-up with imported safety equipment, structured
training, and well organised group tours.
Jungle Safari
Royal Chitwan National Park
offers elephant rides, jungle canoeing, nature walks, and birding,
as well as more adventurous tiger and rhino-viewing.
Trance Parties
"The Last Resort", near the Tibetan border, has frequent Full
Moon Trance Parties, lasting 2-3 days. Watch for posters and check
music shops.
Pokhara has
started featuring its own brand of Full Moon raves and interesting
Western takes on Nepali festivals.
Buy
There are banks in
Kathmandu,
Pokhara and in several other major cities that
will allow you to retrieve cash from ATM or credit cards. You may
be charged a service fee, depending on your bank. There are quite a
number of ATMs now in those cities that are open round the clock.
Although Indian currency is valid in Nepal, the Rs. 500 and Rs.
1000 currency notes are not acceptable. Carrying 500- and
1000-Indian rupee notes is a punishable offence in Nepal. Be sure
to keep all currency exchange and ATM receipts as they are required
at the airport bank to convert back to your original currency. If
you don't have them, they will refuse to convert your currency but
they will suggest going to the Duty Free shop upstairs, eventhough
it isn't a licensed money changer. Traveller's checks may be useful
outside of the major cities.
Eat
The Nepali national meal is daal bhaat
tarkaari. It is essentially spiced lentils poured over
boiled rice, and served with tarkari: vegetables such as mustard
greens, daikon radish, potatoes, green beans, tomatoes,
cauliflower, cabbage, squash etc, cooked with spices. This is
served in most Nepalese homes and teahouses, two meals a day at
about 10 AM and 7 or 8 PM. If rice is scarce the grain part may be
cornmeal mush called Ato, barley, or chapatis (whole wheat
'tortillas'). The meal may be accompanied by dahi
(yogurt) and a small helping of ultra-spicy fresh
chutney or achar (pickle).
Traditionally this meal is eaten with the right hand. Curried meat
-- goat or chicken -- is an occasional luxury, and freshwater fish
is often available near near lakes and rivers. Because Hindus hold
cattle to be sacred, beef is forbidden. Buffalo and yak are eaten
by some but considered too cow-like by others. Pork is eaten by
some tribes, but not by upper-caste Hindus. And like in India, some
communities and tribes are vegetarians and do not eat meat of any
sort.
Outside the main morning and evening meals, a variety of snacks
may be available. Tea, made with milk and sugar is certainly a
pick-me-up. Corn may be heated and partially popped, although it
really isn't popcorn. This is called "kha-ja", meaning "eat and
run!" Rice may be heated and crushed into "chiura" resembling
uncooked oatmeal that can be eaten with yogurt, hot milk and sugar,
or other flavorings. Fritters called 'pakora' and turnovers called
"samosa" can sometimes be found, as can sweets made from sugar,
milk, fried batter, sugar cane juice, etc. Be sure such delicacies
are either freshly cooked or have been protected from flies.
Otherwise flies land in the human waste that is everywhere in the
streets, then on your food, and so you become a walking medical
textbook of gastrological conditions.
Because of the multi-ethnic nature of Nepali society, differing
degrees of adherence to Hindu dietary norms, and the extreme range
of climates and microclimates throughout the country, different
ethnic communities often have their own specialties.
Newars, an ethnic group originally living in the Kathmandu
Valley, are connoisseurs of great foods who lament that feasting is
their downfall (whereas sexual indulgence is said to be the
downfall of Paharis). In the fertile Kathmandu and Pokhara valleys
this cuisine often includes a greater variety of foodstuffs --
particularly vegetables -- than what are available in most of the
hills. As such, Newari cuisine is quite distinct and diverse
relatively compared to the other indigenous regional cuisines of
Nepal, so watch out for Newari restaurants. Some of them even come
with cultural shows...a great way to enjoy good food while having a
crash-course in Nepalese culture.
The cuisine of the Terai lowlands is almost the same as in
adjacent parts of India. Locally-grown tropical fruits are sold
alongside subtropical and temperate temperate crops from the hills.
In addition to bananas ('kera') and papayas ('mewa') familiar to
travelers, jackfruit ('katar') is a local delicacy.
Some dishes, particularly in the Himalayan region, are Tibetan
in origin and not at all spicy. Some dishes to look for include
momos, a meat or vegetable filled dumpling
(similar to Chinese pot-stickers) often served with beer, and
Tibetan Bread and Honey a puffy fried bread with
heavy raw honey that's great for breakfast. One delicacy that you
do not want to miss while in Nepal is the dried meat (it especially
complements with beer/alcoholic beverages. Up in the Himalayan
mountains, potatoes are the staple of the Sherpa people. Try the
local dish of potato pancakes (rikikul). They are
delicious eaten straight off the griddle and covered with dzo
(female yak) butter or cheese.
Pizza, Mexican, Thai and Chinese food, and Middle-Eastern food
can all be found in the tourist districts of
Kathmandu and
Pokhara. If you are on a budget, sticking with
local dishes will save a lot of money.
Note that many small restaurants are not prepared to cook
several different dishes; try to stick with one or two
dishes or you will find yourself waiting as the cook tries
to make one after another on a one-burner stove.
As far as possible, eat only Nepali village products. Do not eat
junk foods like biscuits, noodles etc. If you take only village
product foods, it will help to rise their economic life.
Drink
Alcohol:
- Raksi is a clear liquid, similar to tequila in
alcohol content. It is usually brewed "in house", resulting in a
variation in its taste and strength. This is by far the least
expensive drink in the country. It is often served on special
occasions in small, unbaked clay cups that hold less than a shot.
It works great as a mixer in juice or soda. Note that it may appear
on menus as "Nepali wine".
- Jaand (Nepali) or chyaang
(Tibetan) is a cloudy, moderately alcoholic drink sometimes called
Nepali beer". While weaker than raksi, it will still have
quite an effect. This is often offered to guests in Nepali homes,
and is diluted with water. For your safety, be sure to ask your
guests if the water has been sanitized before drinking this
beverage.
- Beer production in Nepal is a growing
industry. Some local beers are now also exported, and the quality
of beer has reached to quite international standards International
brands are popular in the urban areas.
- Cocktails can pretty much only be found in Kathmandu and Pokhara's tourist areas. There
you can get watered-down "two for one drinks" at a variety
of pubs, restaurants, and sports bars.
Tea: Although not as internationally famous as
Indian brands, Nepal does in fact have a large tea growing
industry. Most plantations are located in the east of the country
and the type of tea grown is very similar to that produced in
neighboring
Darjeeling. Well known varieties are
Dhankuta, Illam, Jhapa, Terathhum and Panchthar (all named after
their growing regions). Unfortunately over 70% of Nepal's tea is
exported and the tea's you see for sale in Thamel, while they serve
as token mementos, are merely the scrapings from the bottom of the
barrel.
- Chya is a tea drink with added milk and also
sometimes containing ginger and spices such as cardamom.
- Suja. Salty tea made with milk and butter -
only available in areas inhabited by Tibetans, Sherpas and a few
other Himalayan people.
- Herbal teas. Most herbal teas are made from
wild flowers from the Solu Khumbu region. In Kathmandu, these
teas are generally only served in high class establishments or
those run by Sherpas from the Solu Khumbu.
Water: Problematic due to lack of sanitary
facilities and sewage treatment. It is safest to assume water is
unsafe for drinking without being chemically treated or boiled,
which is one reason to stick to tea.
Sleep
Budget accommodation in Nepal ranges from around 250 NPR to
around 750 NPR for a double. Cheaper rooms usually do not have
sheets, blankets, towels, or anything else besides a bed and a
door. Most budget hotels and guesthouses have a wide range of
rooms, so be sure to see what you are getting, even if you have
stayed there before. Accommodations will often be the cheapest part
of your budget in Nepal.
- The
Himalayan Buddhist Meditation Center
(HBMC)[29] for
Tibetan Buddhist studies is an urban center in Thamel for
meditation, study, and spiritual practice. The Center hosts daily
yoga classes (9AM-10AM 300NRs) and evening meditation classes. -
Nepal Vipassana Centers.
Vipassana Meditation as taught by S. N. Goenka. -
Osho Tapoban International Commune
and Forest Retreat Center located in the dense forest of the
Nagarjun Hills in the Outskirts of Kathmandu holds regular Osho
meditations with weekend, monthy 1 to 7 days meditation events.
-
Foot Fetish (9851032715) Proprietor Liza and
friendly staff in Thamel offers reflexology (600NRs) Thai Massage
(700NRs) and Ayurvedic Massage (1200NRs). - The
Healing
Hands Center [30]. Classes in Ancient
Massage / Thai Massage. Five-day course, ten-day course and
one-month professional course every month.
- Nepali
- Motorcycling Professional training with Hearts
and Tears Motorcycle Club in Pokhara
- Buddhism
-
Kopan Monastery [31] offers
an extensive library with books in several languages as well as an
audio and video library. Full board and accommodation is available
to visitors throughout the year at a very reasonable cost. The
income generated through this form an important part of the income
of the monastery, and help in providing free facilities to all the
monks and nuns. -
Rangjung Yeshe Institute [32]. An international institute
for Buddhist higher studies in Boudhanath, Nepal, modeled on a
traditional Tibetan Shedra.
Tsering Art School
[33] offers a
professional Thangka Painting Course. A minimum study period of 3
months a year for 3 years is recommended.Due to the sacred nature
of this art form, those who wish to study here must have taken
refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, and consider themselves to
be Buddhist. There are no boarding facilities offered at the
Tsering Art School for foreign students. The school fees are 1,600
Nrs per month. Basic drawing and painting implements are required
and can be purchased in Nepal. For study enquiries and enrolments
please contact the school administrator, Miss Lobsang Dolma by
email on: zorig@asia.com
Work
Volunteer in Nepal
Volunteering in Nepal can be a rewarding alternative to simple
tourism. Currently in Nepal, the tourism industry is far removed
from the everyday village life of most of the population. Trekking
or package tours often move too quickly through the country to
provide an appreciation of the natural beauty and diverse cultures.
Volunteering is sometimes the only way to see remote areas outside
the Kathmandu Valley and well-trod trekking trails.
Unfortunately, volunteer tourism has mostly become more
profitable than real tourism. Foreign operators and Nepali
agents have found an inexhaustible supply of well-meaning but
naieve people who will pay big money to "volunteer" in Thamel,
Lakeside and Chitwan.
Teaching English is a popular project for
volunteers and is often combined with courses in computer literacy
or health and physical education. The Nepali school system, which
many children only attend for a few years, requires English fluency
so there is always a demand for native English speakers of all
ages, races, and nationalities. There are no prerequisites for
teaching beyond English fluency and, in some programs, any
university level degree.
There are many options for finding volunteer opportunities.
Several international organizations will find you a project, room,
and boarding - either at the school or with a local family -
for a fee. This fee can range from 500 USD to 2000
USD depending on the type and length of program. Often only little
of the money will go to the school and host family, often they are
too poor even to support a volunteer, the bulk often goes however
to the agency. In some cases the agency will provide language and
culture lessons as well as general teaching supplies and support.
Once you make a deposit on a particular program there may be
limited options for change. Programs can last from two weeks to six
months, but keep in mind the longer stay is more rewarding for both
you and the school, as it can take several weeks to get into the
swing of things. Above all, examine carefully how your money is
spend and who really benefits.
An alternative to paid placement is to find a local,
grassroots program, or to contact schools directly
in Kathmandu when you arrive. Local hostels and restaurants usually
have bulletin boards full of requests for volunteers. More and more
local groups are placing ads on the web as well. These programs are
more likely to charge only for room & board,
but you will need to do some research to find out the specifics of
each group and what, if any, support you will receive. Waiting
until you arrive also lets you get to know the areas you can
volunteer in and allows you to shop around for a situation that
best suits you. These placements tend to be longer term (3-6
months), but this is always negotiable with a specific school or
project.
Stay safe
There are strikes ("bandas") and demonstrations
to contend with. Businesses close and transportation halts. Ask
about strikes at your hotel and make sure you have enough money to
last. Food and water are still available in hotels, and much
business goes on behind closed doors. Rallies and demonstrations
are routinely charged by police wielding laathis or long
sticks. Tourists should keep a low profile, and to avoid
confrontations.
The Maoist insurgency ended in 2006 after they signed
comprehensive peace agreement with the government. Their combatants
are still in camps (as of September 2008) with their future to be
decided by the government. The former rebels are now leading the
government and their activists on the ground have not harassed the
tourists. The trekking routes and other tourist destinations are
safe for travel
[34]. If your country has an embassy or consulate in Nepal, let
them know your whereabouts and plans, and at least listen seriously
to any cautionary advice they offer.
Nepal's cities are safer than most. Even pickpockets are rare.
Still, don't flash cash or make ostentatious displays of wealth,
out of respect for the nonmaterialistic reality of the people.
Be cautious about transportation. Roads are
narrow, steep, winding and frequently crowded. Seatbelts are an
aberration. If you read the papers regularly, you may notice
articles about busloads of people falling into gorges.
Scheduled flights are safer than the roads, but
planes occasionally fly into clouds and find mountains. The risks
are greatest before and during the monsoon season when the
mountains are usually clouded over. Helicopters
may be better at avoiding this, but sometimes crash due to
mechanical complexity and dubious maintenance. If you are flying
with a company that has no pilots older than 30, you might wonder
why. Aviation was already fairly well developed by the 1960s; where
have all the old pilots gone?
Nevertheless if you should be seriously injured or sick out
where there are no motorable roads or airports, medical
evacuation by helicopter may be your last best chance.
This can get very expensive. If there is no firm guarantee that the
bill will be paid, companies offering these services may demur, so
look into insurance covering medical evacuations.
Also ask if your embassy or consulate guarantees payment; another
reason for introducing yourself, even if they seem a bit
stuffy.
- Minimizing gastrointestinal problems - Since
most of Nepal still gets along without modern sanitation, these are
endemic. They range from self-limiting attacks of diarrhea where
dehydration is the main risk, through intestinal parasites, amoebic
dysentery and giardiasis which are chronic without proper medical
treatment, to immediately life-threatening infections like cholera
and typhoid. Habituation even to common intestinal flora generally
takes about a year and many unpleasant bouts of stomach problems,
so tourists contemplating shorter stays should take extensive
precautions. Filter or treat your own water, use bottled water,
checking to make sure lid is sealed (limit use of bottled water
since there's no place to dispose of the used bottles) or stick
with beverages made from water that has been thoroughly
boiled and filtered. Tea or coffee from cafes
catering to tourists are 'generally' safe.
- When trekking carry iodine or other chemical
means of treating water and be sure to follow directions, i.e.
don't drink the water before the specified time interval to ensure
that resistant cysts are deactivated. In trailside teashops,
although glasses may be washed in questionable water, tea is made
by pouring boiling water through tea dust into your glass. The
chances of disease-causing organisms surviving that are small but
not zero.
- Brush teeth with prepared drinking water and
avoid water entering the mouth when showering.
- Salads, especially in the wet season, should
be treated as a suspect.
- Wash hands regularly and especially before
eating.
- Thoroughly wash fruit and vegetables for raw
consumption using boiled and filtered water. Also consider peeling
them.
- Look for freshly-cooked food and avoid anything that has been
cooked and then left sitting around without refridgeration (which
can expose you to a buildup of bacterial toxins), or without
protection from flies (which can transfer disease organisms and
parasite eggs to the food).
- Also see the Food poisoning article.
- Get vaccinated and consider prophylactic
treatment. You may be exposed to typhoid, cholera,
hepatitis malaria, and possibly even rabies. Read the article on
Tropical diseases and review
travel plans with your health care provider.
- Practice safe sex or do without. Nepali women
are sought after in India and the Middle East and so there is human
trafficking. Victims may be allowed to return home when health
issues become a liability, then continue 'working' as long as
possible. The incidence of STDs is rising and the government has
not always been proactive about treatment and promoting awareness.
Unless your Nepali is extremely fluent, your chances of finding out
about a prospective partner's sexual history are slim.
- Altitude sickness Permanent
snow lines are between 5,500 m and 5,800 m (18,000 ft and 19,000
ft), so base camps and passes in the Himalaya are usually higher
than Mount Blanc or Mount Whitney. This puts even experienced
mountain climbers at risk of altitude-related medical conditions
that can be life-threatening. Risks can be minimized by choosing
routes that don't go high, such as Pokhara-Jomosom, or routes and
trekking companies where gamow bags or other treatment are
available, and by sleeping not more than 300 m (1,000 ft) higher
per day. According to the "climb high, sleep low" mantra, it is
good to take daytime conditioning hikes that push acclimation, then
to return to a more reasonable elevation at night.
- Hypothermia is a risk, especially if you are
trekking in spring, autumn or winter to avoid heat at low
elevations. When it is a comfortable 30°C (85°F) in the Terai, it
is likely to be in the teens Fahrenheit or -10°C (14°F) at that
base camp or high pass. Either be prepared to hike and
sleep in these temperatures (and make sure your comrades, guides
and porters are equally prepared), or choose a trek that doesn't go
high. For example, at 3,000 m (10,000 ft) expect daytime
temperatures in the 40s Fahrenheit or 5 to 10°C.
- Rabies - Dogs are not vaccinated and catch
this fatal disease from other dogs or wild animals with some
regularity. All mammals are potentially vulnerable. Dogs are
considered ritually polluting and are widely abused, so it can be
impossible to know whether a dog bit you because it is paranoid
about people or because it is rabid. You should be vaccinated
against rabies before going to Nepal, but this is not absolute
protection. Be on the lookout for mammals acting disoriented or
hostile and stay as far away as possible. Do not pet dogs, cats or
pigs no matter how cute. Keep a distance from monkeys, especially
in places like the Monkey Temple in Kathmandu. If bitten or exposed
to saliva, seek medical attention. You may need an extended series
of injections that provides a higher level of protection than
routine vaccination.
- Snakebite - The risk is greatest in warm
weather and at elevations below 5,000 ft (1,500 m). Poisonous
snakes are fairly common and cause thousands of deaths annually.
Local people may be able to differentiate poisonous and
non-poisonous species. Cobras raise their bodies in the air and
spread their hoods when annoyed; itinerant snake charmers are
likely to have specimens for your edification. Vipers have
triangular heads and may have thick bodies like venomous snakes in
North America. Kraits may be the most dangerous due to innocuous
appearance and extremely potent neurotoxin venom. Kraits are
strangely passive in daylight but become active at night,
especially around dwellings where they hunt rodents. Krait bites
may be initially painless, causing only numbness. However without
proper antivenin numbness can progress to deadly paralysis, even
with bites from small, seemingly harmless specimens. Wearing proper
shoes and pants rather than sandals and shorts provides some
protection. Watch where you put your feet and hands, and use a
flashlight when walking outside at night. Sleeping on elevated beds
and on second stories helps protect against nocturnal kraits.
Respect
Greet people with a warm Namaste (or "Namaskar"
to an older or high-status person) with palms together, fingers up.
Show marked respect to elders. Be friendly, be patient.
Feet are considered dirty. Don't point the
bottoms of your feet (or your bum!) at people, or at religious
icons. In this vein, be sure not to step over a person who may be
seated or lying on the ground. Be sensitive to when it is proper to
remove your hat or shoes.
The left hand is considered unclean because it
is used to wash after defecating. Nepalis carry a small jug (called
a lota) of water for this purpose in lieu of
toilet paper. It would be insulting to touch anyone with this
hand.
Accept tea.
Circumambulate temples, chortens, stupas, mani
walls, etc. clockwise. (ie, with your right side
closest to the object or respect)
When
haggling over prices, smile, laugh,
and be friendly. Be prepared to allow a reasonable profit. Don't
insult fine craftsmanship, it's much better to lament that you are
too poor to afford such princely quality.
Many
Hindu
temples do not allow non-Hindus inside certain parts
of the temple complex. Be aware and respectful of this fact, as
these are places of worship, not tourist attractions.
Being a non-Hindu makes you moderately low
caste, but not an untouchable. Avoid touching
containers of water; let someone pour it into your drinking
container. Likewise avoid touching food that others will be eating.
Make sure you are invited before entering someone's house. You may
only be welcome on the outer porch, or in the yard.
Wash hands before and after eating. Touch food
only with the right hand. The left hand can be
used to hold glasses, bowls, and probably eating utensils. Outside
the main cities, be prepared to eat rice meals with your (right)
hand as Nepalis do, or bring along a fork and spoon.
Contact
The use of email is growing, although its avaliability is most
widespread in
Kathmandu
(especially in Thamel and around the Boudha Stupa in Boudhanath) or
Pokhara. However,
Namche, in the the
Everest region, has several internet cafes that
use satellite connections, but the cost is more that us$2/min
compared to 30NRs than in Kathmandu .
Mail can be
received at many guesthouses or at Everest Postal Care, opposite
Fire & Ice on Tri Devi MAag. Phone calls are best made from any
of the international phone offices in
Kathmandu-- Voice over Internet (VOI) is
usually 1-2 NRs/min.
Mero Mobile SIM cards can be purchased for 550NRs in Kathmandu
and most major towns.
.^ You need to upgrade your Flash Player .- Joshua Project - Ethnic People Groups of Nepal 28 January 2010 0:33 UTC www.joshuaproject.net [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
Try to
buy the SIM card at a shop owned by the phone company as if you buy
it from a corner shop it can take some time for the card to be
activated, despite promises that it will be done in " a couple of
hours" .
The standard Nepalese electrical outlet is a three-pronged
triangle, but some have been retrofitted to accept US and European
plugs. Simple adapters can be purchased inexpensively, around
80NRs, in Kathmandu to change the shape of the plug (but not the
voltage of the electricity!); some have fuses built in.
- By motorcycle - For foreigners it is easy to
buy an indian registered bike, ride it to India and sell it at the
end of the trip. Himalayan Enfields nest to the Israeli embassy has
good deals, approx 20,000 - 35,000 NRs for a 350cc. For the more
adventurous, a Nepali registered bike can be ridden around the
world - or shipped back home for us$200-350.
- Mount
Kailash - Actually in Tibet, a short distance beyond the NW
corner of Nepal. Hindu and Buddhist cosmology describes the cosmos
as a central mountain, Mount Meru, surrounded by the earth's
continents and seas, then by the rest of the universe. Cambodia's
Angkor Wat temple
complex is actually an architectural representation of this schema.
As geographical knowledge developed, Mount Kailas was proclaimed
the physical manifestation of Mount Meru. Factually it is the
hydrologic hub of the subcontinent. The Karnali, Sutlej Indus and
Brahmaputra rivers all begin near this mountain. Hindus and
Buddhists gain religious merit by circumambulating the
mountain.
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[neˈpaːl] (help·info)), officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country in South Asia and, as of 2010, the world's most recent nation to become a republic. It is bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India. With an area of 147,181 square kilometres (56,827 sq mi) and a population of approximately 30 million, Nepal is the world's 93rd largest country by land mass[6] and the 41st most populous country. Kathmandu is the nation's capital and the country's largest metropolitan city.
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