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Nepal Guide

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Nepal is a landlocked country located in South Asia. It lies sandwiched between China on the north and India on the east, south, and west. Its capital is known as Kathmandu, a city that is well known for its rich cultural history despite the overnight urbanization developments taking place frequently. However, Nepal tries to strike a balance between the influences of the two countries and is able to maintain a culture that is distinctively its own. This country boasts of having Earth’s highest mountain, The Everest, in addition to other spectacular features

When Can I Visit Nepal?

If you are really interested in visiting Nepal, then the weather is an important factor to keep in mind. Nepal’s climate is influenced by both continental and maritime factors. This means that Nepal has four distinct seasons.

Spring normally starts from March to May and at 22oC, this is a perfect time to visit Nepal if you really want to enjoy the trek, within this season, you can also have a safari adventure and get to see diverse wildlife.

Summer here is a wet season. It starts from June to August and the average temperatures are 30oC and can be more during the heat waves. During this warm period, trekking can be quite a challenge since most of the trains can be very muddy. For safety purposes, it is not recommended that you do not take a hike due to poor visibility and the risk of frequent landslides.

From Mid-September to November, we have fallen. This is also one of the best times to visit Nepal, if you desire to go for a trek in some of the highest peaks or explore the natural beauty and the culture of the people, you definitely need to consider visiting Nepal in the fall. What heightens the experience is the magnitude of the Dashain festival, that is Nepal’s biggest festival celebrated in the capital and all other adjacent towns.

Winter starts from December to mid-January. Since Nepal is a country full of mountains and deep valleys, winters experienced in this region can be heavily foggy and rather cold. Most of the treks are closed during this season for safety and health purposes. However, visiting Nepal during this season can be a breathtaking experience if you want to enjoy the sights in a less crowded environment.

How do I get the Visa?

Nepal provides a hustle free experience for all foreigners seeking to get visas. You do not need to apply and wait for weeks as is common in most countries. In Nepal, visas are available at the international airport at the capital in Kathmandu and any other border openings for foreigners. You are required to have passport photos on hand and money preferably in US dollars for the foreign fee.

To get a visa upon your arrival by air, you are required to take a digital photo and fill out an application form at one of the automatic registration machines. You can also be an early bird by filling the form and uploading your picture online 15 days before the arrival date.

A Nepali visa is valid for entry to the country for three to six months from the date it has been issued. Tourist visas are also available for 15, 30 or 90 days on arrival. Children below 10 years are required to have a visa but they are not charged for the fee. All foreigners apart Indians are required to have visas.

Do I Need Vaccines?

There are some vaccinations recommended for Nepal. Those are recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) include;

  • Hepatitis A

  • Hepatitis B

  • Typhoid

  • Yellow Fever

  • Cholera

  • Rabies

  • Polio

  • Japanese Encephalitis

It is important to ensure that you have been vaccinated for each of these diseases since some like rabies is a high risk to those who may come into contact with the animals.

Travel Safety Tips

Nepal is a truly picturesque country! Also referred to as the Himalayan Kingdom, it would be wise for you to follow the travel tips to this beautiful country to enjoy your stay in Nepal. Below are 5 very important tips

  1. Ensure that you are not trekking alone since many people get lost as solo trekkers.

  2. Make sure that you carry cash with you at all times since there are many rural town and villages that lack ATM machines.

  3. Always carry a universal adapter with you to reduce the need for you to spend a lot of time searching for the right plug hat may be difficult to do.

  4. Beware of money scamming taxi drivers and only travel by meters.

  5. Ensure that you have taken all the necessary vaccinations before the trip to prevent diseases that could have easily otherwise been easily avoided.

Trekking Packing List

Are you up for a trek on the mountainous regions of Nepal?  It is crucial to know the type of clothing you are expected to be in and the correct equipment to have. It is important for you to have prior knowledge of the place you desire to trek on to know the relevant equipment, below are some commonly used equipment and clothes for many treks around Nepal.

  1. A waterproof, durable and lockable duffel bag.

  2. Sunscreen, water bottles, and a moisturizing skin cream

  3. A daypack to carry essential items such as sunscreen, a camera, and a passport

  4. A thermal vest that is synthetic and long-sleeved will really be of help during the trek

  5. Water purifier, hand sanitizers, and a head torch.

  6. Synthetic sports bras for women to wick moisture away from your skin

  7. Lightweight walking pants that are air permeable and provide protection against the sun

  8. The perfect sized hiking boots with full ankle support. Do not wear leather boots since they are too heavy

  9. A good pair of sunglasses with protection against UV rays. This can greatly help you prevent headaches, snow blindness, and

These are just but an example of the item you are required to have before you go for trekking. Be sure to look for more equipment you must have during a trek.

Non-Trekking Packing List

It is not a must for you to trek around Nepal to have an experience of a lifetime. However, just like the way trekkers have a packing list, you also need a packing list. 

  1. Keep in mind that most roads in Nepal are unpaved therefore pack good shoes and sandals.

  2. Instead of packing too many clothes for a month long vacation or so, why not carry a few that you can wash and wear? For women please be considerate of the cultural difference. Wearing bitty shorts and skirts and clothes made of sheer material can be quite offensive.

  3. Carry a daypack that holds your personal effects such as sunscreen, wet wipes, and a flashlight

  4. Insect repellant is something you would not want to forget about.

  5. Necessary toiletries and a book if you need to keep busy.

Before deciding on the type of other personal effects to bring, do thorough research on the weather to expect and thereafter choose the suitable weather for the clothing.

Essential Language Phrases

In Nepal, the official language used is Nepali. To get your way around or to ask for something from the locals, you need to have information on some common phrases used. Below are the phrases you can use.

  • Hello (general greeting) – नमस्ते (namaste)

  • My name is… – मेरो नाम … हो (mero naam … ho)

  • I’m from… – मेरो घर … हो (mero ghara … ho)

  • I don’t understand – मैले बुझिन (maile bujhina)

  • Yes – हो (ho)

  • No – होइन (hoena)

  • I don’t know – मलाई थाहा छैन (malaaii thaahaa chaina)

  • Excuse me – माफ गनुस् (maapha ganus)

  • Sorry – माफ गनुस् (maapha ganus)

  • Thank you – धन्यवाद (dhanyabad)

Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the largest and capital city of Nepal. It is well known because it has the highest concentration of world heritage sites. This city is a hub of ancient traditions. When in Nepal, be sure to visit Kathmandu, it is the perfect place not only to learn but to relive history.

Pokhara

 This is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Nepal. Many tourists who visit this place are up for the breathtaking site of the Himalayan ranges and lakes on whose shores the city lies on. Activities that are common in this location include rafting, canoeing, and bungee jumping.

Annapurna Massif

The Annapurna is the 10th highest mountain in the world located in Nepal. It has been concluded that this mountain is the most difficult and dangerous 8000-meter peak to climb, having an expedition fatality to a successful ascent ratio of 38%. What makes it the most dangerous is that it is considered the most sensitive avalanche prone areas, which make climbing a difficult experience. However, the sight of this majestic mountain is a breathtaking view.

Nagarkot

Nagarkot has been rated as one of the most beautiful places in Nepal with a rejuvenating and numerous jaw-dropping view that will leave you to fall in love with what nature has to offer. If you are looking for a place far from the busy city hustle, then this is the perfect destination. This is the perfect view where you can get the perfect clear view of Mount Everest.

Typical Costs

The cost in each city within Nepal vary. For accommodation, low budget rooms can be acquired at about $10 per day. Prices can also get up to $100 per day depending on where you are staying at.  

Food in Nepal is widely distributed. This means that you have a wide variety of food to choose from, that can cost $5 for a meal, especially if you are staying in a large city or town. In trekking regions, the food is pretty basic. Remember that the cost of food depends on your choice.

For transportation to various parts of Nepal, buses are the common mode of transport. The local bus fares for a whole night travel may cost you $10-$25 depending on the bus you are using. You can also higher a taxi to take you to your destination where you are charged $10 for a distance of approximately 7 kilometers.  

How to Get Around

Transportation within Nepal can prove to be somewhat challenging because of the mountainous terrain. There are various modes of travel throughout Nepal. You can decide to go around by air, bus, motorcycle, private cars or taxi and Rickshaw transport.

Each town has its own common mode of transport. You can choose to travel by air to enjoy the scenic aerial view of the green and mountain ranges Nepal has to offer or you can simply travel by rickshaw and feel the cool wind on your face as you enjoy the picturesque view of the landscape before you begging for admiration.

Do’s and Don’ts

Nepal has diverse cultural practices that may appear unusual to a person on their first visit to the country. In order for you to enjoy your visit, get to know more about what you can do and what you cannot do to the Nepali public. Here are 4 examples of do’s and don’ts.

Do’s:

  • Remove your shoes before entering a Nepalese home, temple, and monastery

  • Seek permission before entering a temple. Most Hindus do not allow westerners to enter the temple.

  • Use both your hands to show appreciation and respect rather than one while giving or accepting something from others

  • Take photographs after receiving permission to do so.

Dont’s:

  • Kiss or hug your partner in public

  • Eat with your left hand or eat beef.

  • Touch women and holy men. Use the palm together greeting “Namaste”

Conclusion

If you want to get a calm holiday or you are up for a challenge to trek, consider visiting Nepal. The breathtaking sites will leave you with a lot of appreciation for nature.

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