Nepal borders with the Tibet Autonomous Region of the Peoples of China in the North and India in the East, South and West respectively.
Area: 147,181 sq. Kilometers
Altitude: Varies from 70 meters to 8848 meters
Capital: Kathmandu
Population: approx. 22 million
Language: Nepali is the national language of Nepal. Educated people understand and speak English as well.
Time: GMT+5:45

(1) Winter: December-February,
(2) Spring: March-May,
(3) Summer: June-August,
(4) Autumn: September-November.
Nepal can be visited all year round

Nepalese people are mainly divided into two distinct groups, the Indo-Aryans and the Mongolians. Kathmandu Valley is the spiritual and cultural meeting point of all these groups. Nepal is the only Hindu Kingdom in the World. Hindu Temples and Buddhist shrines are scattered all over the kingdom. Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the Light of Asia. Hindus and Buddhists live together harmoniously in Nepal.

Nepali Rupee notes come in NPR. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500, 1000 denominations. Coins come 5p, 10p, 25p, NPR. 1, 2, 5 denominations. Foreign currencies must be exchanged only through the banks or authorized foreign exchange dealers. The receipts from such transaction are to be obtained and retained. Visitors can exchange foreign currency at the foreign exchange counter at the airport upon arrival. Visitors other than the Indian national have to make the payment in foreign currency in hotel, travel agencies or trekking agencies and air tickets. Non-Indian visitors are not allowed to import or export Indian currency. The approximate value of one USA dollar is equivalent to NPR 73.65 as of January 30, 2001.

All visitors except the Indian nationals must hold a passport and a valid visa. The visas can be obtained at the Nepalese Diplomatic Missions and Consulates abroad and entry points issue visa for visitors. The visa will be extended at the Department of Immigration.

A visa is necessary to enter Nepal and can be obtained for the following duration from any Royal Nepalese Embassy or Consulate or at the entry points in Nepal.

1. The single entry tourist visa can be obtained from the entry points of Nepal or from the Royal Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad by paying US$25 for 60 days.

2. If the visitors, who has already visited Nepal under tourist visa, intends to come again within 15 days of the same visa year he/she can obtain entry visa by paying US$50 for 30 days at the entry points or at the Royal Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad.

3. The visitors who wish to stay for more than 60 days in Nepal can extend their tourist visa by paying the equivalent of US$50 in the Nepalese currency for 30 days from the Department of Immigration.

4. Business visa with multiple entry facility for the period of one year and five years can be obtained from the Department of Immigration on the recommendation of Ministry of Industry by paying the equivalent of US$250 and US$100 respectively in the Nepalese currency for the foreign investors.

By Air:
Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
By Land:
(1) Kakarbhitta (2) Birgung (3) Belhiya (Bhairahawa) (4) Nepalgung (5) Dhangadi  (6) Jogbani (Biratnagar) and (7) Mahendra Nagar in Nepal-India border and (8) Kodari in Nepal-China border.

The overland tourists entering the kingdom with their vehicles must possess an international carnet.

All baggage must be declared and cleared through the customs on the part of entry. Personal effects are permitted free entry. The duty on articles brought by the visitor varies according to the volume and value of the goods. A tourist may bring in dutiable goods, such as tobacco and liquors, within the prescribed quantity free of duty. Carrying narcotics, arms and ammunition are strictly prohibited. Visitors can export souvenirs to their respective countries. The export of antiques requires special certificate from the Department of Archaeology, National Archive Building, Ram Shah path, Kathmandu (Tel: 215358). Gold, silver, precious stones, wild animals and their skins, horns, wild flora and fauna etc. and all drugs whether processed or in their natural state are prohibited to export.

Royal Nepal Airlines the national flag carrier of Nepal and other International airlines operate scheduled flights to Kathmandu from Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Bombay, Calcutta, Doha, Delhi, Dubai, Dhaka, Paro (Bhutan), Varanasi, Frankfurt, Paris, Hong Kong, Karachi, London, Moscow, Singapore, Osaka, Lhasa and Vienna. The International Airlines operating their flights to Kathmandu include Aeroflot, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, China South West Airlines, Druk Air, Gulf Air, Indian Airlines, Lufthansa, Pakistan International Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Thai International.

The Airport Tax levied to all passengers departing from the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) Airport Tax (Passenger Service Charge):-

SAARC Countries: NPR 791 (Levied to All Nationals, included in ticket since March 01, 2009)

Other Countries: NPR 1130 (Levied to All Nationals, included in ticket since March 01, 2009)

Domestic Destinations: NPR 170 (Levied to All Nationals)

Tourism Service Fee: NPR 565 (Nepali Nationals Exempted, included in ticket since March 01, 2009)

In addition to metered taxis, limousine service is also available at the airport for transport to major hotels in the city. Cost to Kathmandu is approximately NPR 200.

Metered taxis having black plates with white figures are available in Kathmandu. Metered tempo (three wheeler scooters) is also available and is slightly cheaper than taxis. Bicycle, motorcycles and rickshaws are also available on hire. The fare for the bicycles or motorcycles is fixed whereas the fare of rickshaws is to be negotiated. There are regular bus services between the main town and interiors of the Kathmandu valley. The Bus Terminal is located at Gongabu (new bus terminal) and Bag bazar (old but terminal). Similarly, scheduled bus services for outside the valley operate from the Gongabu Bus Terminal which is located near Balaju, Kathmandu.

Nepal has every type of accommodation facilities that a tourist might ask for. This ranges from the international standard star hotels to budget hotels and lodges. Similarly one can also have a choice of sightseeing from a range of different tour packages. In order to have an assured quality service it is advisable to use the facilities and services of government-registered hotels, lodges, travel agencies the licensed tour guides only and engage an authorized travel/trekking agency.