GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT NEPAL
Capital: Kathmandu (also largest city)
Extension: 147,181 Km²(56,827 sq mi) – 2,8% water
Population: 28.300.000
Currency: Nepali Rupee
Language: Nepali is the official language which is spoken by most of the population. There are over 100 recognised regional languages.
Religion: 82% hinduism; 9% Buddhism; 5% Islam ; other 3%
Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal,is a country located in South Asia between Tibet and India. With an area of 147,181 square kilometres (56,827 sq mi) and a population of approximately 27 million (and nearly 2 million absentee workers living abroad) has the shape of a rectangle, 800 kilometres (497 mi) long and 200 kilometres (124 mi) wide, thoughout the Himalayan Mountain Range. Nepal, is the home of the world’s eight thousand meter peaks: Sagarmatha(सगरमाथा) in Nepali or Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Kanchenjunga, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna II and Manaslu. It also contains more than 240 peaks over 20,000 ft (6,096 m) above sea level.
Due to its geography, Nepal is a great country to do all kind of treks.Doesn’t matter if you are 5 or 65 years old, very sporty or not at all. There is definitely a trek for all! For sure, this is the best way to experience and admire the beauty and the culture of this genuine country.
This is the country with most biodiversty of the world because within it the climate varies from Tropical and subtropical, below 1,200 metres (3,937 ft) to Arctic above 4,400 metres (14,436 ft), going through the temperate zone, 1,200 to 2,400 metres (3,937 to 7,874 ft), the cold zone, 2,400 to 3,600 metres (7,874 to 11,811 ft) and the subarctic zone3,600 to 4,400 metres (11,811 to 14,436 ft). Which means that within a range of 200Km one can be in the jungle of Chitwan at 35ºC (95ºF) or in the middle of the deepest gorge on earth, Kali Gandaki Gorge at 5ºC (41ºF) or in the Everest Base Camp at -10ºC (14ºF).
Passports, Visas & Permits info
Passport: In order to enter in Nepal, one must bring a passport valid for at least 6 more months.
Visas: All Tourist visas can be gotten upon arrival to Nepal. Prices are in USD. Depending on the person that is taken care of you, they will only accept USD or only NPR but usually you can pay with any type of cash.
Type of Tourist Visa:
A- 15days / 1 Entry Visa. Cost 25USD. – This means that it is valid only for 15days+1day extra to leave the country and only one entry. Hence, if planing on visiting anther country as Bhutan, China or India is best to get the multiple entry visa.
B-15days / Multiple Entry Visa. Cost 45 USD.- This means that it is valid only for 15days+1day extra to leave the country but with multiple entry. This is what you want to get if visiting other countries and returning to Nepal.
C- 1 month / Multiple Entry Visa. Cost (I don’t remember exactly but no more than 100USD)
D- 2-3 months / Multiple Entry Visa. Cost 100USD. – There is no problem on getting this one and no extra paperwork is required. All needed when asked is to say that you’re going to be visiting with your backpack the country and don’t have a plan yet.
All visas can be extended up to 5 months. That is also all the time that a foreigner is allowed to stay in the country per year. Meaning if you entered in August of 2012 you can stay until May 2013 by getting a 3 months visa, extend it 2 more moths and in 2013 buy another 3months visa and extend it 2 more months.
There are also Business visa, press visa and working visa. Business and working visas are very difficult to get.
The working visa is almost only available for NGO’s and it’s still very difficult for them to get them. In order to get a working visa there must be literally no one in Nepal that can do your job.
For Press visa, you must demonstrate that you are writing about Nepal and your work is being published.
The Business visa, is always changing requirements so all I’ll say is that costs a lot of money, time, and a loot of patience from your side 😉
Trekking Permits, Anyone can get their permits to goon most treks. As long as the trek is short, with a very well stablished route and you are a group of at least 3 people, please, do NOT go trekking by yourself. Those are mountains and a lot of people get lost plus it is very dangerous as if something happens no one can get you out of there. Guides are nice people, they know the trails and are very well trained to act in any type of emergency and high altitude sickness. If something happens they know what to do and who to call. Foreigners in the other hand, do not. This is a fact. If going with a trekking company they must do the paperwork to get your permits.
Other Permits
There are some special permits to do specific routes or to go to a specific area. Example, to climb a peak. The agency that you contract must get the permits. Also, for the Upper Mustang area, in Annapurna Conservation Area there is a special permit that must be for at least 10 days and costs USD.
Permits to Tibet can be issued from Nepal. Must first get a Visa for China (50USD) and then get a broker to get the two permits for you.-This can only be done with agency as is Chinese requirement. Also, borders are restricted or closed by the Chinese government constantly. Right now, borders are fully open and there is no problem to get the permits or enter in Tibet. This should last through April and May at least.
Permits and visa to Bhutan. Visa cost 50USD. Permits, must justify per day a expense of 250USD. Only able to go with an agency. Attention, justify means that if the hotel, transport and meals are included in the tour with the travel company you’re going, you do not need to pay any extra 250USD!
This is all I can think of, I’ll keep on updating this page with more info when able to.. 🙂
Hope is useful!
Another world's shoes 