IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT NEPAL

About Nepal Location: Between India & the Tibetan Autonomous Region of the People's Republic China. Area: 147,181 Sq. Kms. Capital: Kathmandu People: 40 Ethnic Groups & 70 Spoken Languages Population: 22 Millions (1998 approx.) Language: Nepali (official)Religion: Mainly Hinduism and Buddhism Political-System: Multiparty Democracy with Constitutional Monarch. Topography: From the world's deepest gorge 'Kali-Gandaki' to highest point on earth 'The Everest'. Vegetation: As per the size of the country, Nepal possesses some of the most outstanding bio-diversity in the world, ranging from sub-tropical Rain-forests to Alpine deserts. Weather: Climate ranges from Tropical in the low lands to Arctic in higher altitudes. Seasons: Winter (December-February), Summer (March-May), Monsoon (June-August), Autumn (September-November) Monsoon: Mostly rains at night, making the following days crispy clean and fresh.Most of the northern belt of the Trans-Himalayan zone is rain-shadowed and ideal for trekking. Holidays: ( exact date varies by year) National Unity Day - 11January Martyrs' Day - 29 JanuarY National Democracy Day - 19February Maha Shivaratri - 7 March Napalese Women's Day - 8 March Holi Festival - 13 March Birthday of Lord Ram - 5 April Nepalese New Year - Mid-April Buddha Jayanti - 25 May Indra Jatra- Festival of Rain God- September Dashain, Durga Puja Festival - September or October Deepavali - First half of November Queen Aishworya's Birthday - 8 November Constitution Day - 8 NovemberKing Birendra's Birthday - 28 December Visa: Available at Royal Nepalese Embassies & Royal Nepalese Consulates abroad or on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Time: Nepal Time is 5 Hours 45 Minutes ahead of GMT. Currency: 1 US$ = 68.00 Nepalese Rupees (may change) Per capita income: $170 (FY92) World Heritage Sites (Cultural):Bhaktapur Durbar Square , Bouddha Nath , Changunarayan ,Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Patan Durbar Square, Swayambhu Nath . World Heritage Sites (Natural): Everest National Park (1148 sq. kms.) Royal Chitwan National Park (932 sq. kms.) Tourism Services : Hang-Gliding Helicopter Services Hot Air Ballooning Jungle Safaris Mountaineering Trekking Services White Water River rafting Air Accessibility: Direct flight from Bangkok, Bombay, Calcutta, Dhaka, Delhi, Doha, Frankfurt, Hongkong, Karachi, Lhasa, London, Moscow, Osaka, Paris, Paro, Shanghai, Singapore, Varanasi. By: Aeroflot, Bangladesh Biman, China Southwest, Druk Airlines, Indian Airlines, LTU, Pakistan International Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Nepal Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways. In Nepal: Alpine Air, Asian Helicopters, Buddha Air, Dynasty Airways, Everest Air, Gorkha Airways, Himalayan Helicopters, Lumbini Airways, Mankamana Airways, Necon Air, Nepal Airways, Royal Nepal Airlines. Popular Tourist Destinations (By Air/Road): Baglung, Bardia, Chitwan, Dhankuta, Dharan, Dolakha, Gorkha, Ilam, Janakpur, Koshi Toppu, Lumbini, Pokhara, Sukla-Phanta, Tansen etc. Popular Tourist Destinations (By Trek): Annapurna, Dolpo, Gosainkund, Helambu, Jomsom, Jumla, Kanchanjunga, Khaptad, Langtang, Larke, Lukla, Makalu - Barun, Manang, Manaslu, Muktinath, Mustang, Namche, Rara, Rolwaling, Syangboche etc.