Nepal is approximately 56,827 square miles in area and trapezoidal in shape. It is a unique travel destination with diverse geography, from incomparable snow-capped mountain ranges to colorful valleys and plains, ancient architecture, art and culture, vivid traditional festivities, religious and spiritual symbolism are prevalent in every aspect of Nepali life and can be seen everywhere. Kathmandu is Nepal’s capital and also its largest city. Kathmandu is located in the Kathmandu Valley along with the cities of Patan and Bhaktapur.

Kathmandu Valley is situated at an altitude of 1,350m (4,400ft) above sea level and covers an area of 218 sq miles. The valley enjoys an incredible amount of sunshine and maintains a pleasant temperate weather throughout the year.

The city is served by Tribhuvan International Airport, which provides regular flights to Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, Pakistan, Dubai, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain and various cities in India and China.

It is believed that the city of Kantipur, now known as Kathmandu, was founded around the 10th century. It was during this period that Kastha­mandap (house of wood) gave the city its name and can still be seen in Kathmandu’s Durbar Square. The entire Kathmandu Valley is really one enormous art gallery and museum, and the arts and architecture in Nepal are inextricably intermingled. The finest woodcarvings and the best sculptures are often part of a building - a temple is not simply a temple without its finely carved roof struts. The crafts also reflect Tantric Hindu and Buddhist overtones.

For most visitors to Nepal, the Kathmandu Val­ley is the arrival point and the focus of the visit. This small mountain-sheltered valley is the his­torical centre of Nepal, the place where king­doms rose and fell, palaces and temples were built and rebuilt and Nepali art and culture was developed and refined. Rivers and streams interlace the landscape, the brick-red villages cling to ridges to preserve precious land and even from the bustling centres of the cities it is possible to catch a glimpse of the snow-capped peaks of the majestic Himalayas against the in­tense blue skies.

Shopping in Kathmandu is an experience all its own. Thamel, Kathmandu’s tourist hotspot, is where shoppers can find Nepalese, Tibetan and Indian artifacts, woodcarvings, handicrafts and an assortment of unique clothing and apparel. There also are several malls where you can find fashionable clothing and grocery stores where you could get everything from wine to cereals. There are numerous dining options throughout the city offering a diverse choice cuisine like Italian, Indian, Thai, Korean, Chinese and a variety of local cuisine.

Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two- and three-pin plugs are used.

Money: The official currency is Nepali Rupee (NPR), which is divided into 100 paisa. As change can be a problem it is recommended that visitors have a supply of small notes handy. Tourist activities are often quoted in US Dollars and it is advisable to carry new dollar bills in varied denominations. Both Euro and US dollar travellers cheques are widely accepted in tourist areas and can be cashed easily in most banks and major hotels throughout the country. There are ATMs in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards are accepted in many tourist hotels, shops, restaurants and travel agencies. Banks and moneychangers are present in all tourist places and in the major cities; all receipts from foreign exchange transactions should be kept so rupees can be exchanged back into foreign currencies on departure. Cash is needed when trekking.

Currency Exchange Rates
NPR 1.00 = A$ 0.01 || C$ 0.01 || € 0.01 || NZ$ 0.02 || £ 0.01 || US$ 0.01 || R 0.10
Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Language: Nepali is the official language. English is spoken in all major tourist areas.

Entry requirements:
Entry requirements for Americans: United States citizens must have a passport and visa.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British citizens must have a passport and visa.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians must have a passport and visa.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australians must have a passport and visa.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans must have a passport and visa.
Entry requirements for New Zealand nationals: New Zealand citizens must have a passport and visa.

Passport/Visa Note: Tourist visas can be issued on arrival to most nationalities for different prices according to visa duration. Tourist visas are valid for Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara Valley and Tiger Tops in Chitwan. Visitors intending to trek or visit other areas should obtain a permit from the Central Immigration Office.

Travel Health: Malaria is a health risk between June and September in the low-lying areas of Nepal, including Chitwan National Park, but not in the common trekking areas. Outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis occur annually, particularly between July and December; vaccination is advised. Cholera outbreaks occur and food and water precautions should be followed. Untreated water should be avoided; visitors can buy bottled water or purify their own. When trekking it is preferable to treat river water rather than leaving a trail of plastic bottles behind. Purifying water with iodine is the cheapest and easiest way to treat water. Altitude sickness is a real risk for trekkers. Many trekkers may suffer from altitude sickness above 8,202ft (2,500m); if symptoms persist it is wise to descend as quickly as possible. Standard of care in hospitals varies, but there are traveller's clinics in Kathmandu and numerous pharmacies in the major towns. Medical insurance is essential, which should include air evacuation. Travellers arriving from infected areas require a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Tipping: Restaurants and hotels may add 10% to bills in which case no further tip is required; otherwise a 10% tip is customary in places that cater to tourists. It is customary to tip guides and porters on treks. Elsewhere it is not customary to tip, but gratuities are always appreciated.

Local Customs: Nepal has numerous cultural practices that are unusual to foreigners. In the tourist areas there is a high degree of tolerance towards visitors, but away from these places foreigners should be sensitive to local customs. Never accept or offer anything, or eat with the left hand. Do not eat from someone else's plate or offer food from one's own. Women should dress conservatively and cover as much as possible. Permission should be sought before taking photographs, particularly at religious sites. Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon.

Business: The Nepalese are warm and friendly, and business tends to be conducted with a combination of formality and sincerity. Much time is given to small talk and socialising. Handshakes are fairly common, though one should wait to see if greeted with a hand, or a namaste - a traditional greeting of a small bow accompanied by hands clasped as if in prayer. Visitors should return the greeting. Dress tends to be formal and conservative, with suits and ties the norm. Titles and surnames are usually used; the elderly in particular are treated with great respect and the word 'gi' is added after the name as a polite form. Punctuality is important, although it may take some time to get down to business, and negotiation can be a long process. English is widely spoken and understood, though discussions in Nepali may occur between Nepalese themselves within a meeting. Business hours are usually 9.30am or 10am to 5pm Sunday to Thursday (closing at 4pm in winter). Saturday is a holiday.

Communications: The country code for Nepal is +977, and the outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)1 for Kathmandu and (0)61 for Pokhara. Two mobile phone operators provide GSM 900 network coverage in the main cities and towns, but this does not extend to the summit of Mount Everest! In the main tourist centres of Kathmandu and Pokhara there are Internet cafes on every corner.

Duty free: Travellers to Nepal do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or the equivalent in other tobacco products; 1 litre of alcohol and perfume for personal use. It is illegal to export goods that are over 100 years old.