About Nepal, Nepal Tour, Nepal, Hotels in Nepal, Tourism in Nepal, Nepal Tour Guide, Flights to Nepal, Car Booking in Nepal, Nepal Tour Packages.
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About Nepal, Nepal Tour, Travel Nepal, Hotels in Nepal, Tourism in Nepal, Nepal Tour Guide, Flights to Nepal, Car Booking in Nepal, Nepal Tour Packages.
 
 
Home > Destinations > Nepal  
 
Nepal
 
Travel To Nepal
 
Tourist Map Of Nepal
Places Of Interest Festivals Of Nepal How to get there
 
Introduction

Nepal - a country of amazing extremes, is the home of the world's highest mountains, historic cities and the forested plains where the lordly tigers and the great one- horned rhinoceros trundle at ease. In fact enchantment is everywhere- for anyone in search of
Shangrila!

Geography
Nepal, a sovereign independent Kingdom, is bounded, on the North by the Tibetan Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, the east-south and west by India. The length of the Kingdom is 885 kilometres east-west and its breadth varies from 145-241 kilometers north-south. The country can be divided into three main geographical regions.

(1) Himalayan Region
The altitude of this region ranges between 4877m. - 8848m. It includes 8 of the highest 14 summits in the world which exceed altitude of 8000 meters including, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and others.


(2) Mountains Region
This region accounts for about 64 percent of total land area. It is formed by the Mahabharat range that soars up to 4877 meter and the lower churia range.

(3) Tarai Region
The low-land Terai oceupies about 17 percent of the total land area of the country.
There is no seasonal constraint on travelling in and through Nepal. Even in December and January, when the winter is at its severest, there are compensating bright sun and brilliant views.

History
Nepal-a country with a long historic tradition is an amalgamation of a number of medieval principalities. Before the campaign of national integration launched by King Prithvi Narayan Shah the Kathmandu Valley was ruled by the Malla Kings, whose contributions to art and culture are indeed great and unique. In 1768 AD the Shah dynasty ascended the throne of the unified kingdom. His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, is tenth King in the Shah dynasty. The new democratic constitution of the kingdom was promulgated on November 9, 1990. Nepal is one of the founder members of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation SAARC of which the third summit was held in Kathmandu in November 1987.

People
Nepal has a population of more than 18 million people made of different races living in different regions, with diverse culture, languages and dialects.

The Gurungs and Magars live mainly in the west. The Rais, Limbus and Sunuwars inhabits the slopes and valleys of the Eastern mid hills. The Sherpas live in the Himalayan region. The Newars constitute an important ethnic group of the capital valley Kathmandu. There are Tharus, Yadavas, Satar, Rajvanshis and Dhimals in the Terai region. The Brahmans, Chhetris and Thakuris are spread generally over all parts of the Kingdom.

Religion & Culture
Hinduism and Buddhism constitute two major religions of Nepal. A remarkable feature of Nepal is the religious homogeneity what exists, particularly between the Hindu and Buddhist Communities. Apart from the Hindus and Buddhists, Muslim from the third largest religious group. The exquisite medieval Art & Architecture of the Kathmandu Valley vividly reflect the artistic ingenuity and the religious tradition of the people.

Climate
Nepal has four climatic seasons

(a) Spring : March-May
(b) Summer : June-August
(c) Autumn : September-November
(d) Winter : December-February.

Because Nepal is quite far south in Latitude (same as Miami), the weather is warmer and winter is much milder at lower elevations. The monsoon is determined by the Bay of Bengal. It is hot during the monsoon with rain almost everyday. During this season, trekking in most of Nepal is difficult and uncomfortable, the trails being muddy and infested with leeches. It usually does not rain for more that one or two days during the entire autumn and the winter season. In the winter, the mountains are covered with snow including some high hills. Mt. Everest itself is a huge black rock during the trekking season, which becomes snow-covered only during the winter.

Population
Nepal's population currently stands at around 23 million (1998 estimate). Every year population increases by nearly 600,000. The largest city is Kathmandu, the capital, with more than 700,000 people. In the mountains the rate of increase is lower than in Terai, but this is because many people are migrating in search of land and work. Despite extremely high rates of infant morality, the life expectancy is only a horrifying 54 years, the overall annual rate of population increase is a rapid 2.6%. Family planning is primary importance, but most people continue to regard children as a blessing. A child is seen as a vital and fulfilling part of the parents' life, an extra worker and someone to care for them in old age, not just an extra stomach. Women have an average of more than four children each.

Visiting a Temple
Always walk clockwise around Buddhist stupas, chortens or mani walls. Always remove your shoes before entering a Buddhist or Hindu temple or sanctuary. You may also have to remove any items made from leather, such as belts and bags. Many Hindu temples do not permit westerners to enter.

It's the custom to give a white scarf or Khata to a Buddhist abbot when you are introduced. The honorific title Rimpoche is usually bestowed on abbots. The scarves can easily be found at Tibetan shops.

Language
Nepali, serves the purpose of the kingdom's lingua franca in Nepal. The educated people speak and understand English as well.


Shopping
Nepal has many fine handicrafts to offer to visitors hand-knotted woollen carpets, jewellery, pashmina shawls, woollen knitwears, embroidery, thangka paintings, mithila painting, wood carvings, metalworks, ceramics and pottery, rice paper and stationary.

General Info
Full country name : Kingdom of Nepal
Area : 140,800 sq km
Capital City : Kathmandu
 
Places of Interest Make your Package for Nepal
 

(1) Cities to visit :
Kathmandu
Capital of Nepal, the mystical valley-Kathmandu is Nepal's biggest and most cosmopolitan city, a meeting place of a dozen ethnic groups, and the home town of the Newars.

Patan
The ancient city of Patan, lying 5 km southeast of Kathmandu, is known as the city of fine arts. The diversity of the medieval culture has left a rich legacy of impressive sightseeing in this city for today's visitors.


Bhaktapur
Situated at an altitude of 1,401 m, Bhaktapur (or Bhadgaon as popularly know as) covers an area of four square miles. Bhaktapur or "the City of Devotees" still retains the medieval charm and visitors to this ancient town are treated myriad wonders of cultural and artistic achievements.

Pokhara
If Kathmandu is the cultural hub of Nepal, Pokhara is its center of adventure. An enchanting city nestled in a tranquil valley, it is the starting point for many of Nepal's most popular trekking and rafting destinations.

Lumbini
Lumbini-a place in the South-Western Terai of Nepal, evokes a kind of holy sentiment to the millions of Buddhists all over the world, Lumbini and its surrounding area is endowed with a rich natural setting .

Janakpur
Named after the legendary King Janak, Janakpur was the capital of the ancient Indian Kingdom Mithila, the native country of goddess Sita, the wife of the Hindu god Rama and the heroine of the great Hindu epic Ramayana. Today Janakpur stands as the most cleanest and interesting place among all the towns of Terai.

(2) Trekking :
The best way to experience Nepal's unbeatable combination of natural beauty and cultural riches is to walk through them.To trek, one does not have to be brave, a mountaineer nor an athlete. Anyone who is sound and healthy with the spirit for adventure to explore the exotic, will enjoy the thrills of trekking in the hills of Nepal. Trekking can be done from October to May, however the best months are October and November The country's mountainous, hilly and Terai regions offer some of the most spectacular trekking in the world.

Places for Trekking :
are Everest, Helambu & Langtang, Annapurna, Kanchenjunga & Jumla rara.

(3) National Parks and Wild Life Reserves :
Royal Chitwan National Park
Royal Chitwan National Park, the oldest national park in Nepal, is situated in the subtropical inner Terai lowlands of South-Central Nepal. The park was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1984.
There are more than 43 species of mammals in the park. The park is especially renowned for the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, the tiger and the gharial crocodile along with many other common species such as gaur, wild elephant, four-horned antelope, striped hyena, pangolin, Gangetic dolphin, monitor lizard and python. Other animals found in the park include the sambar, chital, hog deer, barking deer, sloth bear, palm civet, langur and rhesus monkey. Ther are over 450 species of birds in the park.

Sagarmatha National Park
The mountains of Sagarmatha National Park are geologically young and broken up by deep gorges and-glacial valleys. Vegetation includes pine and hemlock forests at lower altitudes, fir, juniper, birch and rhododendron woods, scrub and alpine plant communities, and bare rock and snow. The famed bloom of rhododendrons occurs during spring (April and May) although other flora is most colorful during. the monsoon season (June to August).

Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve
The Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve is situated in the southern part of Far-Western Nepal in Kanchanpur District.
The reserve provides prime habitat for swamp deer. An estimated population of 2,000 to 2,500 of this species is found in the reserve. Other wild animals in the reserve are the wild elephant, tiger, hispid hare, blue bull, leopard, chital, hog deer, and the wild boar. A total of 200 species of birds have been recorded in the reserve. Many grassland birds along with the rare Bengal florican can be seen in the phantas. Marsh mugger, Indian python, monitor lizard and snakes like cobra, krait, and rat snakes are recorded in the reserve.

Royal Bardiya National Park
The park is the largest and most undisturbed wildreness area in the Terai. About 70% of the park is covered with dominantly sal forest with the balance a mixture of grassland, savannah and riverine forest. The approximately 1500 people who used t0 live in this valley have been resettled elsewhere. Since farming has ceased in the Babai Valley, natural vegetation is regenerating, making it an area of prime habitat for wildlife.

(4) Museums :
The National Museum
The National Museum located on the way to Swayambhunath Hill is most popular among the Kathmandu people. It holds not only ancient artifacts, but also interesting mementos of recent kings and recently used firearms. A visitor to the museum will understand much about the way wars were fought in this part of the world and the type of firearms that were used to conquer Nepal and later to protect it from the British Raj. Other artifacts include ancient statues, paintings, and murals. You may be interested in the doll collection as well as the stuffed animals there. The collection of coins in the complex includes coins going back to the second century BC as well as excellent samples from dynasties that ruled Nepal after the birth of Christ.
Timings
From 10:30 am to 3 pm, except on Tuesdays and govt. holidays.
From 10:30 am to 2 pm, on Fridays.

The Tribhuvan Museum
It is located in the Hanuman Dhoka Palace. This palace was the main seat of the Shah kings for many years. Here is an exhibit that highlights the life of King Tribhuvan. King Tribhuvan is best remembered for his valiant efforts in liberating the nation from the rule of the Rana prime min isters. You may also wish to look out over Kathmandu from the Basantapur Tower in the complex. It is said that a benevolent king used to keep watch over his people from this window to make sure that food was being cooked in every home (the smoke coming from the roof-tops told him whether or not a cooking fire was on in every house). You may also wish to see the section that carries the mementos of King Mahendra and observe the Malla architecture and carvings.
Timings
From 10:30 am to 3 pm, except Tuesdays.
From 10:30 am to 2 pm, on Fridays.

The National Art Gallery
This museum is in the Palace of Fifty-five Windows. This palace is believed to be the first in the Kathmandu Valley to use glass, much coveted by the ancient rulers. Within the palace are beautiful paintings of erotic motifs, paubhas, and animals. The stonework is especially fine and a room outlines the life and times of the Shah kings of Nepal. There are also samples of everyday items used in the past by famous people. Among the displays are scriptures that are among the most valuable in the kingdom.
Timings
From 10 am to 4 pm, and
From 10 am to 4 pm, on Fridays.

The National Woodworking Museum

The National Woodworking Museum in Dattatreya Square often surprises visitors. Upon entering the museum, guests ask for the exhibits. However, the building itself is the museum and contain very finely carved pillars, windows, doors, and struts. Also, there are wood carving samples that go back to the l5th century. Wood was a major constructing item long before that time but not much survives due to the adverse effects of time and weather. The building was constructed in the l5th century by King Yaksha Malla. It is called the Pujari Math and outside the Math, you have to get out of the museum and walk along an alley where the ceiebrated Peacock Window is situated.
Timings
From 10 am to 4 pm, except on Tuesdays.

 
Festivals Of Nepal Make your Package for Nepal
 
Mata Tirtha Snan (Mother's Day)
This is one of the widely celebrated festivals that falls on the first month, Baisakh (April/May), of the Nepali Year.It is also called Mata Tirtha Aunsi as it falls on a new moon night.

Buddha Jayanti
This day is celebrated to mark the birthday of the Lord Buddha which dates back in about 543 BC.It falls on Jestha Purnima (Full moon night-May/June).

Janai Purnima,Rakshya Bandhan,Khumbeshwor Mela Patan
Janai Purnima is the festival of Sacred Thread.On this day every Hindu ties a sacred thread on the wrist.It is also called Rakshya Bandhan.On this day, there is a big Mela (fair) at Khumbeshwor, Lalitpur.It is again on a full moon night.

Gaijatra
The festival of "Gai Jatra" (the procession of cows) which is one of the most popular festivals, is generally celebrated in the Nepalese month of Bhadra (August-September).This festival has its roots in the belief that the god of death, Yamaraj, must be feared and hence worshipped.

Shree Krishna Janmastami
Sri Krishna Janmastami marks the celebration of the birth of Lord Sri Krishna. This festival is also known as Krishna Jayanti or Janmashtami. Lord Krishna is regarded as the 8th avatar or 'incarnation' of Lord Vishnu.It falls on Saptami of Bhadra (August/September).

Dashain Holidays
During the month of Kartik in the Bikram Sambat calendar (late September and early October), the Nepalese people indulge in the biggest festival of the year, Dashain. Dashain is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese of all caste and creed throughout the country. The fifteen days of celebration occurs during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the day of the full moon.

Ghode Jatra
Ghode Jatra, the Horse Racing Day falls on Darhsa Shrad Aunsi of the month Chaitra (March/April). A grand horse parade takes place at Tundikhel, the central point of the city reputed to have been in the former days the largest parade ground in Asia.

Lhosar
Lhosar is the Tibetan New Year which falls on February/March. This festival is mast impressively observed by all the Tibetan-speaking populations. They organize folk songs and dances on this occasion. These dances can be seen in Khumbu, Helambu and other northern regions of Nepal and also at Boudhanath in Kathmandu.

Taya Macha
The Taya Macha dance is shown in different parts of Pokhara as part of the Gai Jatra observances. The five dancers, four dressed up as angels and one as a clown, are accompanied by a group of traditional musicians. It is believed that the performance will bring peace to the souls of those who have passed away during the previous year. The festival has its roots in the Kathmandu Valley. It was brought to Pokhara by Newars who migrated here centuries ago.
 
How to get there Make your Package for Nepal
 
By Road : The entry points at Nepal-India border are; Kakarbhitta, Birgunj, Belahiya (Bhairahawa), Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, and Mahendra Nagar. The only entry point at Nepal-China border is Kodari.

By Rail :
Nepal Janakpur-Jayanager Railway (NJJR) operates afreight and passenger service in the eastern Terai.

By Air :
Tribhuvan International Airport is the only international airport in Nepal. Royal Nepal Airlines- the national flag carrier of Nepal and other International Airlines operate flights to Kathmandu from Bangkok, Colombo, Calcutta, Delhi, Dhaka, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Karachi, Lhasa, London Osaka, Paris, Moscow, Paro, Singapore and Varanasi. The International Airlines operating their flights into Kathmandu include : Aeroflot, Biman Bangladesh Airiines, China South-West Airlines, Druk Air, lndian Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai lnternational.

Passport and Visa :
All visitors to Nepal must hold valid passports and visa. The Royal Nepalese Embassies or consulates abroad or the entry points or the Immigration Offices provide a visa upon the presentation of a valid passport, two passport size photos and a payment of visa fees. Tourists can extend their visas at the Department of Immigration, Tridevi Marg, Kathmandu.
Entry Visa to Nepal is easily available at all International Airports of Nepal.

Permit for Trekking :
Any foreigner intending to trek in any part of the kingdom of Nepal shall have to obtain a trekking permit from the Department of Immigration, Tridevi Marg and permits are issued for trekking in any part of the country except in areas restricted for the foreigners by government regulation.
 
 
       
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