home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- <text id=93CT1797>
- <title>
- Nepal--Travel
- </title>
- <history>
- Compact ALMANAC--CIA Factbook
- South Asia
- Nepal
- </history>
- <article>
- <source>CIA World Factbook</source>
- <hdr>
- Travel
- </hdr>
- <body>
- <p> Customs: US tourists are welcome in Nepal. Visas may be
- obtained at Tribhuvan Airport on arrival, but unnecessary
- arrival delays can be avoided by obtaining visas before
- entering Nepal. Visas are usually valid for Kathmandu Valley,
- Pokhara, and Chitwan; permits for travel to or trekking in other
- parts of the country must be obtained from immigration
- authorities in Kathmandu. Individuals wishing to climb the
- higher mountains should write for permission to the Ministry of
- Foreign Affairs well in advance of planned expeditions.
- </p>
- <p> Climate and clothing: Summer clothing may be worn March
- through October. In winter, woolen clothing is needed,
- especially at night. Weather is pleasant in the four winter
- months, with cool nights but warm days. During spring, weather
- is hot; during the monsoon, it is warm and humid.
- </p>
- <p> Health: No immunizations are required for entry. Gamma
- globulin is recommended for all areas. Malaria suppressants are
- recommended, and polio, typhus, and meningitis inoculations are
- often suggested for those traveling outside Kathmandu.
- </p>
- <p> Transportation: Ten airlines now serve Kathmandu. Royal Nepal
- Airlines Corp. provides domestic service to some areas, and
- small plane charters are available. Traditionally,
- transportation in Nepal is by foot, and the use of porters to
- transport goods remains common. Nepal has the lowest road
- mileage in relation to area or population of any country in the
- world.
- </p>
- <p> Telecommunications: International telephone and telegraph
- service is available. DHL courier service is available. Material
- sent through DHL courier service normally reaches the US
- destination within 4 days. Nepal is 10 hours and 45 minutes
- ahead of eastern standard time and does not observe daylight
- saving time.
- </p>
- <p> Work Week: The government of Nepal (GON) work week is Sunday
- through Friday; Saturday is a holiday. GON office working hours
- are from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. mid-November to mid-January and
- from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during other months. However, all
- GON offices closed at 3:00 p.m. on Fridays.
- </p>
- <p> National Holidays (1990-91): Ram Nawami, March 24; New Year's
- Day, April 14; Mother's Day, April 25; Buddha Jayanti, May 9;
- Teacher's Day, July 8; Janai Purnima, July 26; Gai Jatra
- (Kathmandu Valley only), Aug. 7; Krishnashtami, Aug. 13;
- Father's Day, Aug. 22; Teej (women only), Aug. 23; Rishi
- Panchami (women only), Aug. 25; Indra Jatra (Kathmandu Valley
- only), Sept. 4; Ghatasthapana, Sept. 19; Dashain
- festival, Sept. 26-Oct. 3; UN Day (half-holiday), Oct. 23; Tihar
- festival, Oct. 18-20; Her Majesty's Birthday, Nov. 8;
- Balachaturdashi, Nov. 16; King Mahendra Memorial and
- Constitution Day, Dec. 16; His Majesty's Birthday, Dec. 29;
- Prithvi Jayanti, Jan. 11; Martyr's Day (half- holiday), Jan. 15;
- Basant Panchami, Jan. 21; King Tribhuvan Memorial and National
- Democracy Day, Feb. 19; Shivaratri, Feb. 12; Fagupurnima, Feb.
- 28; Women's Day (women only), March 8; Ghode Jatra (Kathmandu
- Valley only), March 15; and Chaitra Ashami, March 23.
- </p>
- <p> Note: As all national holidays are observed on the basis of a
- lunar calendar, dates of these holidays may change every year.
- </p>
- <p> Tourist Attractions: Trekking is the best way to see Nepal.
- Porters may be hired to carry gear, and sherpa guides will lead
- the way and do all the cooking. Trekking agencies in Kathmandu
- provide all arrangements for treks ranging from spartan to
- luxurious. Tents, sleeping bags, and other gear are available in
- Kathmandu for rent or purchase at reasonable rates. Hunting for
- game such as boar, leopard, and deer in the Terai region is
- strictly controlled and quite expensive.
- </p>
- <p> Weights: The Nepalese have their own system of weights and
- measures. The metric system is being introduced gradually.
- </p>
- <p>Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs,
- 1990.
- </p>
-
- </body>
- </article>
- </text>
-
-