Travel and Visa Information
Some basic Information for Conference Delegates
Dear Speakers, Scholars, Presenters and Participants,
It is our pleasure to know that you are visiting Nepal, a Himalayan country that is in the hearts of people all around the world.
Although a country small in size, its people are as tall as Mount Everest in hospitality. The country is well-known for the world’s most magnificent snowcapped mountains and its biodiversity. This makes the place very popular for tourism because of its natural beauty, historic temples, and ancient palaces, which are cultural hubs of worship and of various other public events. The majority of Nepali are Hindu by religion; there are also substantial numbers of Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, and Kirants.
Many tourists visit the country every year. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims from India and other places come to Nepal to visit the holy temple of Lord Pashupatinath. Similarly, Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, sticks on the must-visit list for Buddhists.
Nepal is approximately rectangular in shape and stretches 885 kilometers in length (east to west) and 193 kilometers in width (north to south). The total area of Nepal is 147,516 square kilometers. It is a land-locked country bordering India to the east, south, and west and China to the north. Its elevations range from less than 100 meters to 8,848 meters, occupying an area from 26º 22′ to 30º 27′ north latitude and 80º 4′ to 88º 12′ east longitude.
The country’s total population stands at 26.6 million (Central Bureau of Statistics, 2011).
Some FAQs:
What is the conference site?
Kathmandu University in Dhulikhel 45200 is the conference site. It is 30 kilometers away from Kathmandu City.
- Take the taxi from Kathmandu Airport (KTM) to Dhulikhel 25.2 km. Taxi. 23 min. $23–28.
- Drive from Kathmandu Airport (KTM) to Dhulikhel 25.2 km. Drive 25.2 km. 23 min. $4–5.
- Take a town car from Kathmandu Airport to Dhulikhel 25.2 km. Towncar. 23 min.
Directions
Is Nepal a safe country?
Yes, Nepal has a low crime rate and is generally a safe country. However, we advise you to take as many safety concerns as you do with any international travel; please be aware of your surroundings. Always make sure your purse is zipped, and wallets are in sealed pockets. In the markets, be vigilant of pick-pockets and distraction scams.
Check with your hotel and travel managers about the safe/ unsafe areas of town and timings; use caution when traveling alone. Monitor your luggage at all times, when at the bus stations and airports.
Do Nepalese speak English?
English is understood by most people in the cities, and especially those who live in and around popular tourist sites. However, Nepali is the official language of the country, and it is used and understood by most of the people. It has roots in Sanskrit and is written in Devanagari script. Besides, in many parts of the country, different ethnic groups speak their own languages.
What is the weather like? What should we bring along?
Expect 19°C (66°F) daytime maximum temperatures in the shade, with, on average, 5 hours of sunshine per day in December. Temperature drops to 3-14 degrees during the mornings and nights. So, we recommend that travelers bring clothes based on their best suit. Medium-weight and easy-to-wash cottons are recommended year-round in the Kathmandu valley. From October to February, we also suggest woolen sweaters, jackets or similar warm outfits. Pack comfortable walking shoes, including sandals and athletic shoes.
What is there to buy in Nepal to take back home?
There are many things to take back home, depending on your personal choice. Nepal is well known for its handicraft materials, pashmina, Nepali art and crafts, and Nepali musical instruments like Madal and traditional bamboo flutes are the items to purchase. Moreover, Nepali carpets are also best known among tourist customers. The best place to shop these goods is around Thamel area. Of course, you can shop with a comfortable bargain.
Do we bring our medication with us?
Yes, and make sure to bring prescriptions and the medications in their original containers to avoid customs inspection hassle.
Are there ATM facilities in Nepal?
There are many ATM machines in all towns across the country. VISA, MASTERCARD and American Express are the most popular cards (Both Debit and Credit) that are accepted in Nepal.
Do we need to cover travel insurance?
Yes, we advise you to get your insurance cover from your respective country.
Is it okay to take photographs of people in villages?
It is ethical to take their permission. When you seek consent, 99% would not deny it! .
Are the food and water in the hotels hygienically standard?
Yes, your food and water are safe while you are in many of the tourist standard hotels. They serve meals only when they are hygienically prepared. However, we advise you to ask for boiled water in local hotels. You can, alternatively, use bottled/sealed water.
Do I have to tip the hotel staff, driver or anyone for their assistance?
Well, they should not ‘ask’ you for anything; however at the end of your stay or trip if any of the service providers has done a good job and you feel they warrant a special thank you, by all means, give them something that makes their day too.
When is the best time to travel?
It really depends on your destination, activities and season of travel. December-February are fine chilly months with over five hours of sunshine on average in Nepal. More favourable months are usually September – November and March – May. The monsoon season is June – August.
Weather
In early December, the temperature around Kathmandu and Dhulikhel will be good (around 3-14 degrees); it will be warm during the day, with nights beginning to get slightly cooler. So, down jackets, an additional sweater or sweatshirt, and windproof jackets or a light fleece jacket should be adequate for walking around and sitting out in an open area during evenings and mornings. However, for contingency planning, one should keep some extra clothes that could be worn in layers, keeping in view the places where we will stay.
Electricity in Nepal
In Nepal, electric Plugs are of two or three round prongs, but not flat prongs as found in Australia or other countries. So, you will need a voltage converter and plug adapter to use U.S. – like appliances. Nepal’s Electricity is 220-240 volts/ 50 HZ to power the appliances and different plugs. If you try to plug an American appliance such as a shaver or hairdryer into an outlet of a different voltage, you may destroy the appliance and cause yourself injury. If your appliance’s plug doesn’t match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance’s plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it’s crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for both types. We recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit if you plan to take many electronic appliances.
Local Transport
Dhulikhel is about 30 kilometers east from Kathmandu. If you wish to go directly to Dhulikhel from Kathmandu airport, you can hire a taxi. Nepal is a safe country, and people are trustworthy. However, the taxis in Nepal do not run by the meter, so you will have to agree on the rates first. It is better if you use the pre-paid taxi service at the airport, which charges you standard fees (approved by the airport authority). Make sure your driver knows your destination address, including the name of hotel or street name. Also, it is good to remember the taxi number. This could prove helpful in case of emergency or if you happen to forget anything inside the vehicle. Taxis would normally cost Nepalese Rupees 3000 to 4000 (= 22 to 30 USD). It takes an hour to reach Dhulikhel from Kathmandu Airport.
Or, you may wish to spend a night in Kathmandu. Thamel, the city center, is only 20 – 30 minutes driving distance from Kathmandu airport. Although it is a main backpacker’s destination in Nepal, there are plenty of good hotels in the Thamel area, and this could probably be where you would want to start your journey. If you are traveling from the airport to Thamel, the easiest way is to take a taxi. When you exit the airport, you will see a taxi outside waiting for clients or you can also pre-book inside the airport.
Public Transportation: There are also public buses being operated regularly and available at the bus stop at the exit of the airport. These buses may take longer time but are very cheap, which could be a good way to taste the Nepali lifestyle at its core. They take you directly to Dhulikhel Bus Park that is approximately one kilometer’s walk from the conference venue. Similar options apply when you return to Kathmandu from Dhulikhel.
Ride Share: Is Uber available in Nepal?
No, Uber is not available in Kathmandu, Nepal, but there are other transportation options, including:
- Taximandu: A local app for booking taxis, airport transfers, and city tours
- Taxis: Taxis are available throughout Kathmandu
- Rickshaws: Pedal rickshaws are available in tourist areas like Thamel
- inDrive: Also known as the Nepali Uber
- Pathao and Tootle: Other transportation options in Nepal
- Buses and public transport
- Tourist buses
- Flights
- Driving
- Hiring a car or jeep
- Bicycle
When using a taxi or rickshaw, it’s recommended to negotiate a price before getting in.
- A Guide to Transportation in NepalThere are also several options to get outside the city and see the rest of the country. * Taxis. * Buses and Public Transport. *Nepal Hiking Team
- No uber or ola service in Nepal but Taximandu is there to serve you 24/7No uber or Ola service available in Nepal but there is one local app call Taximandu for taxi booking. Airport transfer and city to…Tripadvisor
- Kathmandu – Travel guide at WikivoyageBy rickshaw or taxi Pedal rickshaws can be found around the tourist areas of Thamel and taxis are everywhere. It’s often difficult…Wikivoyage
- Show all
Visa for Entry into Nepal
A visa for entry into Nepal can be obtained at the nearest Nepal Embassy or Diplomatic Mission.
A visa can also be obtained on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.
A valid passport and one size passport-sized photo with a light background are required.
Visa can be obtained on arrival only through cash payment in the following currency: Euro, Swiss Franc, Pound Sterling, US Dollar, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Hong Kong Dollar, Singapore Dollar and Japanese Yen. Please note Credit card, Indian currency and Nepali currency are not accepted as payment of visa fees.
Visa Facility | Duration | Fee |
Multiple entry | 15 days | US $ 30 or equivalent convertible currency |
Multiple entry | 30 days | US $ 50 or equivalent convertible currency |
Multiple entry | 90 days | US $ 125 or equivalent convertible currency |
Provision of a free visa for 30 days is available for nationals of South Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Indian nationals do not require a visa to enter Nepal. Indian nationals traveling to Nepal must possess any one of the following documents:
- Passport
- Driving License with a photo
- Identity card issued by a Government Agency with a photo
- Ration Card with a photo
- Election Commission Card with a photo
- Identity Card issued by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu with a photo
- Identity Card with a photo issued by Sub-Divisional Magistrate or any other officials above this rank
Nationals from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan will need to obtain a visa from Nepal Embassies or Diplomatic Missions in their respective countries, as they do not get visa on arrival at the immigration entry points of Nepal.
If you want to cut the hassle at the airport, you can alternatively apply for an online visa: http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/
If you have further queries, please contact the Nepal Immigration Department at :
E-mail: mail@immi.gov.np
Website: https://www.immigration.gov.np/
if you are interested to know more about Nepal
Please visit: http://welcomenepal.com/promotional/