General Information

• Airport Tax Rs. 770/- per person for departure to SAARC (South Asian) Countries and Rs. 1100/- for departure to other international destinations.
• Airport Transfer In addition to metered taxis, limousine service is also available at the airport for transport to major hotels in the city.
• Altitude Varies from 70 meters to 8848 meters.
• Area 147,181 sq. kilometers
• Capital Kathmandu
• Climate Nepal has four major seasons, namely, (1) Winter: December-February, (2) Spring: March-May, (3) Summer: June-August, (4) Autumn: September- November. Nepal can be visited the whole year round.
• Currency & Foreign Exchange Foreign currencies must be exchanged only through the banks or authorized foreign exchange dealers. The receipts from such transaction are to be obtained and retained. Visitors can exchange money at the foreign exchange counter at the airport upon arrival also. Master cards and VISA cards are also accepted in tourists areas.
• Customs All baggage must be declared and cleared through the customs on arrival at the entry. Personal effects are permitted free entry. A tourist may bring in dutiable goods, such as tobacco and liquors, within the prescribed quantity free of duty. Carrying narcotics, arms and ammunition are strictly prohibited. Visitors can export souvenirs to their respective countries. The export of antiques requires special certificate from the Department of Archaeology, National Archive Building, Ram Shah Path, Kathmandu. (Tel: +977-1-421535
• Entry Procedures One can get a visa at the Royal Nepalese Embassy or Consulate or at the airport upon arrival. Children under 10 years need not pay any visa fees. Two passport size photos mandatory.
• Language Nepali is the national language. However travel-trade people understand and speak English as well.  There are also tour guides that can speak Japanese as well.
• Location Nepal borders with the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China in the North and India in the East, South and West respectively.
• Mountain Flight Royal Nepal Airlines and other domestic Airlines in the private sector also operate breathtaking mountain flights for the tourists round the year.  
• People Nepal has more than 40 ethnic groups and 70 spoken languages.
• Population 22 million
• Religion Nepal enjoys the distinction of being the only Hindu Kingdom in the world. However, there is a harmonious blending of Hinduism and Buddhism. We also have Islam and Christianity in the country.
• Time Nepal Time is 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT and 15 minutes ahead of Indian standard time.
• Transport Around Nepal Metered taxis having black plates with white figures are available in Kathmandu. Metered tempos (three wheeler scooter) are also available and are slightly cheaper than taxis. Bicycles, motorcycles and rickshaws are also available on hire. The fare for the bicycles or motorcycles is fixed wheareas the fare of rickshaws is to be negotiated. There are regular bus services between the main town of the Kathmandu Valley. The Bus Terminal is located at Gongabu (new bus terminal) and Bagbazar (old bus terminal). Similarly, scheduled bus services for outside the Valley operate from the Gongabu Bus Terminal which is located at Balaju, Kathmandu.
• Visa Formalities Free Visa for tourists of SAARC countries and People’s Republic of China.
  Visa Fee:
  Single entry – US$ 30 for 60 days
  Multiple entry – US$ 50 + US$ 30Visa fee will be extended subsequently for 30 days upon payment of US$ 30 for a maximum period of 150 days in a visa year (Jan-Dec). For further information please contact:
  Department of Immigration, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu
  Tel: +977-1-4223681 / 4470650
  Website: www.immi.gov.np
• What To Wear Except in formal gathering informal clothes are acceptable mostly everywhere. Light weight clothing is recommended for May through October. Warm garments are required in October-March. An umbrella or a rain coat are must for the rainy season.