About Nepal

Location: Between India & the Tibetan Autonomous Region of the People's Republic China.

Area: 147,181 Sq. Kms.

Capital: Kathmandu

People: 40 Ethnic Groups & 70 Spoken Languages

Population: 22 Millions (1998 approx.)

Language: Nepali (official)

Political-System: Multiparty Democracy with Constitutional Monarch.

Topography: From the world's deepest gorge 'Kali-Gandaki' to highest point on earth 'The Everest'.

Vegetation: As per the size of the country, Nepal possesses some of the most outstanding bio-diversity in the world, ranging from sub-tropical Rain-forests to Alpine deserts.

Weather: Climate ranges from Tropical in the low lands to Arctic in higher altitudes.

Seasons:

• Winter (December-February),
• Summer (March-May),
• Monsoon (June-August),
• Autumn (September-November)

Monsoon: Mostly rains at night, making the following days crispy clean and fresh.Most of the northern belt of the Trans-Himalayan zone is rain-shadowed and ideal for trekking.

National Unity Day -                   11 January
Martyrs' Day -                            29 January
National Democracy Day -         19 February
Maha Shivaratri -                         7 March
Napalese Women's Day -            8 March
Holi Festival -                            13 March
Birthday of Lord Ram -               5 April
Nepalese New Year -                    Mid-April
Buddha Jayanti -                       25 May
Indra Jatra- Festival of Rain God-   September
Dashain, Durga Puja Festival -        September or October
Deepavali -                                    First half of November
Queen Aishworya's Birthday -        8 November
Constitution Day -                          8 November
King Birendra's Birthday -            28 December

Visa: Available at Royal Nepalese Embassies & Royal Nepalese Consulates abroad or on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.

Time: Nepal Time is 5 Hours 45 Minutes ahead of GMT.

Currency: 1 US$ = 68.00 Nepalese Rupees (may change)

Per capita income: $170 (FY92)

World Heritage Sites (Cultural):

World Heritage Sites (Natural):

1. Everest National Park (1148 sq. kms.)
2. Royal Chitwan National Park (932 sq. kms.)

Tourism Services :

1. Hang-Gliding
2. Helicopter Services
3. Hot Air Ballooning
4. Jungle Safaris
5. Mountaineering
6. Trekking Services
7. White Water River rafting

Direct flight from Bangkok, Bombay, Calcutta, Dhaka, Delhi, Doha, Frankfurt, Hongkong, Karachi, Lhasa, London, Moscow, Osaka, Paris, Paro, Shanghai, Singapore, Varanasi.

By:

Aeroflot, Bangladesh Biman, China Southwest, Druk Airlines, Indian Airlines, LTU, Pakistan International Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Nepal Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways.

In Nepal:

Alpine Air, Asian Helicopters, Buddha Air, Dynasty Airways, Everest Air, Gorkha Airways, Himalayan Helicopters, Lumbini Airways, Mankamana Airways, Necon Air, Nepal Airways, Royal Nepal Airlines.

Baglung, Bardia, Chitwan, Dhankuta, Dharan, Dolakha, Gorkha, Ilam, Janakpur, Koshi Toppu, Lumbini, Pokhara, Sukla-Phanta, Tansen etc.

Popular Tourist Destinations (By Trek):

Annapurna, Dolpo, Gosainkund, Helambu, Jomsom, Jumla, Kanchanjunga, Khaptad, Langtang, Larke, Lukla, Makalu - Barun, Manang, Manaslu, Muktinath, Mustang, Namche, Rara, Rolwaling, Syangboche etc.