NEPAL - JEWEL OF THE HIMALAYAS

NEPAL - JEWEL OF THE HIMALAYAS

Stes de Necker

Geography

Nepal is a landlocked country in Southern Asia, between the Tibet autonomous region of China and India. It contains 8 of the world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest - the world's tallest - on the border with Tibet, and Lumbini, the birth place of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.

A monarchy for hundreds of years, Nepal was declared a republic in June 2008.

Nepal has a very diverse geography, rising from less than 100 metres (328 ft) elevation in the tropical Terai—the northern rim of the Gangetic Plain, beyond the perpetual snow line to some 90 peaks over 7,000 metres (22,966 ft) including Earth's highest Mount Everest or Sagarmatha at 8,848m (29,029 ft).

Cities

Kathmandu — capital & cultural centre of Nepal, with the stupas at Boudhanath and Swayambhu

Bhaktapur — well-preserved historical city, centre of Nepali pottery making, no motorized vehicles allowed!

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

Boudhanath — (Boudha) Home of the largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal and a very important place of pilgrimage & meditation for Buddhists, local Nepalis, & tourists.

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 — Beautiful, historic Patan Durbar Square was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979

Pokhara — picturesque lake-side town fast becoming the destination of choice for travellers due to the scenery, adventure sports, dining, hotels & live music scene 

Visiting Nepal

Tourist visas are available on arrival for citizens of most countries at the designated land borders for USD25, for 15 days, USD40 for 30 days and USD100 for 90 days . They can only be granted for a maximum of 150 days in each 12 month period.

As well as US dollars, other convertible currencies like the euro, Pound sterling and Australian dollars can also be used but some smaller entry points (like Birgunj) may not accept them.

All tourist visas are currently "multiple entry" type visa and permit multiple entries and exits during the period of validity.

Be aware that without permission voluntary services while on a tourist visa is strictly prohibited. It will be a punishable offence.

There is detailed information on the official website of Nepal Immigration, where you can download the appropriate forms.

Domestic Flights

There are now many airlines, offering frequent flights to several destinations include companies with beautiful names like Yeti air, Buddha Air and Cosmic Air. Destinations to and  from Kathmandu include places such as Pokhara, Biratnagar, Nepalganj, Lukla, Pokhara, Simikot, Jomsom, Janakpur and Bharatpur.

For bookings from outside Nepal, there are internet agents (like NepalAirFlight, NepalFlightCentre) who can make bookings, take payment (credit/debit cards/Paypal) and then send e-tickets. Other than these agents, tickets can only be bought on arrival in Nepal so if you are flying at short notice it is necessary to be flexible on flight times/dates as the planes often get fully booked in advance. 

Note that cancellations and delays due to severe weather conditions do occur. If you have time, just board the next plane!

Language

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, it 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 Sanskrit, and other Indo-Aryan languages, and is normally written with the Devanagari script. While most Nepalis 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, English is 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 traveller making the effort isn't likely to make worse blunders than many natives with a different first language.

Etiquette

Greet people with a warm Namaste (or "Namaskar" formal version - to an older or high-status person) with palms together, fingers up. It is used in place of hello or goodbye. Don't say it more than once per person, per day. The least watered down definition of the word: 'The divine in me salutes the divine in you.'

Show marked respect to elders.