Nepal General Information

Nepal has grown to become the youngest republic in the world. The people’s movement in June 2006 overthrew the centuries-old shah Dynasty and Nepal was declared a federal Democratic republic in the month of May 28, 2008. However, the country is still going through an instable political period for which a legal constitution as per the people’s aspirations needs to be completed. Nevertheless, tourists still care to visit this wonderful country.

Location
Nepal is a beautiful land-locked country with stunning landscapes nestled within the laps of the powerful Himalayan Range. Situated in southern Asia, the Tibetan Autonomous Region of People’s Republic of China borders Nepal in the north while Nepal is connected with its eastern, western and southern borders with India. Nepal’s geographical location gives it unique tourism prospects due to its neighbors which also possess attractive tourist spots, thereby making it convenient for tourists to simply cross over its borders for further travel. Nepal is an also a member of the SAARC {South Asian Association for Region Cooperation} group of countries.

Language
Nepali is the national language of Nepal. However, people in urban areas speak and understand English pretty well. People in the tourism industry also speak and understand selected international languages like Chinese, Indian, French, Japanese, German, Spanish and others. Apart from these, there are hundreds of local dialects spoken by people from various ethnic groups. Nepal’s diverse local setup makes it even more attractive for visitors who enjoy learning and speaking the local lingo.

Climate
THE WEATHER & THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL IN NEPAL
Nepal’s climate varies according to its season. Autumn and spring are the two most favorable seasons for visiting Nepal. Autumn starts from early September to early December and brings in clear weather with sunny days and warm nights. Whereas spring starts from the beginning of March to the end of May with occasional rain falls. From June to September, is the monsoon season. Trekking is generally difficult and uncomfortable as the climate of Nepal at this time of year brings about hot weather and rain falls almost every day. The trails become muddy and are often leech-infested. Moreover, the mountains are usually obscured by cloud. There are, however, possibilities for summer trekking in the trans-Himalayan regions of Mustang, Dolpo and Tibet. These regions lie in a rain-shadow and therefore receive significantly less precipitation than the more southerly areas.

CLIMATE CONSIDERATION FOR TREKKING TRIPS
The best seasons to trek in Nepal are autumn, from mid September until end November and spring, from the beginning of March until the mid May.

People and Religion
Ethnic diversity and customs of Nepal make Nepal the most fascinating tourist destination in the world. Official statistics indicates that Nepali population of around 23 millions includes more than 60 ethnic groups speaking 70 different languages and dialects. Northern Himalayan People, Middle Hills and Valley People and Terai People make up the total populations of the nation. Sherpas, Dolpas, Lopas, Baragaonlis and Manangis come under Northern Himalayan People. Magars, Gurungs, Tamangs, Sunuwars, Newars, Thakalis, Chepangs and majority of Brahmans and Chhetris are regarded as Middle Hills and Valley People. The Terai People are Tharus, Darai, Kumhal, Majhi and migrants from India. Nepali society is culturally influenced by caste hierarchy. Caste system comprises of Brahmin, Chettri, Vaisya and Shudra. Nepali is the official language. Nepal is a secular country. Hinduism and Buddhism are the two main religions. Official statistics shows that 89.5% of the population is Hindu, 5.3% Buddhist, 2.7% Muslim, 2.4% Shamanist and Animist, 0.1%Jain and 0.04% Christian. Regardless of ethnic background or religion, Nepali people are the most hospitable and friendly people you could ever wish to meet. Nepalese revere their guests as gods. Visit to Nepal can surely be an experience of a lifetime. Nepal is a secular state and it respects the practices and existence of different religions within its political setup. The Hindu temples and Buddhist shrines are scattered all over the country. Nepal is the birthplace of the lord Buddha, the sign of peace. Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Christians and people of other religions live together here in perfect peace and harmony.

Currency & Foreign exchange
Nepal bank notes come in Rupees 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000 denominations. Coins come in Rupees 1, 2, 5 and 10 denominations. Foreign currencies must be exchanged only through banks or authorized money exchangers. The receipts of such transactions are to be obtained and retained. Visitors can exchange foreign currency at the foreign exchange counter at the airport upon arrival as well. Visitors other than the Indian nationals have to make the payment in foreign currency (non-Indian currency) in hotels, trekking agencies or travel agencies and for air tickets.

Political System
Nepal has been declared a federal Democratic Republic by the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly on May 28, 2008. Nepal practices multi-party system of Democracy with the President as the Head of state and the Prime Minister who enjoys all central executive powers. Though Nepal has been declared a federal republic, the demarcation of federal states is yet to be completed.

Mountains
Stretched across diverse picturesque landscape, Nepal lies geographically sandwiched between China and India. Nepal encompasses total surface area of 147,181 sq. km from the Himalayan range in the North to the Indo-Gangetic lowlands in the South at the latitude 26°12′ to 30°27′ North and the longitude 80°4′ to 88°12′. Topographically, Nepal has lowland Terai Region in the south, central lower mountains and hills in the middle and Mountain Region in the north. On the basis of diverse ecological settings, regions have been divided into Terai, Siwalik, Middle Mountain, High Mountain and High Himalaya. Terai lies in the northern part of Indo-Gangetic plain extending nearly 800 km from east to west and about 30-40 km from north to south occupying 17% of the total land area with average elevation below 750 m including Terai region, Bhavar Terai and Inner Terai. Siwalik is also called Churia Hills and has elevation ranging from 700 to 1,500 m. Middle Mountain is also referred as Mahabharata range which stretched on 65% of the total land area with elevation ranging from 1,500 to 2,700 m. Kosi, Gandaki, Karnali and Mahakali river meet the middle mountain at many junctions. High Mountains range from 2,200 to 4,000 m and are naturally resourced with phyllite, schists and quartzite. The soil found here being shallow resist weathering. Where as High Himalayas occupy 16% of the total land area of Nepal with elevation ranging from 4,000 to above 8,000 m. This region accommodates the eight of the highest peaks in the world; Mt. Everest [(8848m], Kanchanjunga [8586m], Lhotse [8516m], Cho Oyu [8201m], Dhaulagiri [8167m], Mt. Makalu [8463m], Manaslu [8163m] and Annapurna I [8091m].

The government of Nepal has opened 326 peaks for mountaineering and expeditions.
Visitor’s movement
Nepal receives foreign visitors to the tune of five lakhs every year. The arrival figure in the country in 2007 crossed five lakhs for the first time. Most of the visitors come to Nepal for holiday/ and pleasure activities and adventure seekers enjoy trekking, mountaineering and other challenging activities. A significant number of visitors also come for pilgrimage, official and business purposes. Apart from Katmandu valley, visitors prefer to visit Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini and different trekking areas of the country including the Everest, Annapurna and Langtang regions.

Culture and Traditions
Nepal is a country rich in ancient culture and tradition. This country is also home to over 60 ethnic groups and indigenous nationalities that have their distinct attire, culture, traditions and lifestyles. These communities speak more than 100 local dialects making Nepal a country of great cultural and ethnical diversities. The People of Nepal celebrate different festivals throughout the year. There is not a single day in Nepal’s calendar when colorful festivals are not celebrated. Various temples, monasteries and place of religious significance are found everywhere in Nepal. Nepal is famously known for its festivals & cultures & is said to have the most government holidays in the world. Tourists really enjoy this very much.

Topography
Nepal is a country of great topographical diversities. The altitude in the country varies from less than 70m above sea level at kechana kalan of Jhapa to the world’s highest point 8,848m at the summit of Mt. Everest. This variation occurs at the distance of less than 300kms. Nepal Is divided into three different religions as per altitude variations: Mountain, Hills and Terai. Nepal has three major river systems: Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali which all drain into the Bay of Bengal through the Ganges. Similarly, Nepal is home to little lakes of different sizes at the laps of Himalayas to the lowlands of Terai. This country is also home to Lake Tilicho, a lake geographically located at the highest altitude in the world.

Biological Diversity
Despite being a small country, Nepal has a great biological landscape. Nepal has different national parks and conservation areas to protect bio-diversity in particular beauty spots of natural nature at its best. This exotic Himalayan country is home to 167 species of mammals, 50 amphibian, 130 reptiles, 863 birds and more than 6000 species of plants among which about 245 species of plants are only found in Nepal. A total of 118 ecosystem, 75 vegetation and 35 forest types have been identified so far. Endangered animal species like the Royal Bengal Tiger, one-horned rhinos, Red Panda and others are preserved in different protected areas within the borders of Nepal. Nepal’s biological diversity make up a major portion of Nepal’s glamorous landscapes for which some of its sceneries & naturally beautiful spots are considered to be some of the best in the world.