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Since Nepal first opened its frontiers to foreign visitors in the fifties, it has been the epicenter of Himalayan adventure activities. Climbing and trekking holidays in Nepal Himalaya has become highly sought after adventure sports throughout the world soon after the advent of tourism culture. Nepal has an unsurpassed range of environments, ranging from the lowland of Terai to the snowy summit of the highest mountain range on Earth. Traveling in Nepal not only offers an opportunity to submerge in Himalayan bliss but also a chance to step back in time. Standing before the entire world as a vivid kaleidoscope of picturesque landscapes, exotic wildlife, arid high-altitude meadows, magnificent mountains, incredible travel destinations, unique culture, festivals, ancient heritage, pristine backwaters, and exotic cuisine, Nepal is undoubtedly a traveler’s delight. Trekking in Nepal is often referred to as walking through the paradise on earth.
Visas and Permits
All foreigners (except Indian nationals) require visas, which can be obtained in advance from Royal Nepalese Embassies & Royal Nepalese Consulates abroad or upon arrival in any ports. Single-entry tourist visa costs US$30 valid for 60 days. A multiple entry visa costs USD 80. Visa fee has been waived for the people who will spend 3 nights or less in a visit and also to those repeaters who have previously stayed 15 nights or more within the same visa year. Visa fee to Chinese and the citizens of SAARC member countries also have been waived. Besides, you will have to obtain permits to trek in the certain areas of Nepal. The most popular trekking routes like Annapurna, Langtang and Everest do no require trekking permits but National Park Entry Permits are still applicable. Upper Mustang, Manaslu and Dolpo fall in the "restricted area" category and attract expensive permit plus series of paper works.
Getting there
Flights: There are few direct flights to Nepal, which means most travelers from Europe, North America and Australia have to change aircraft and/or airline en route. Nepal's only international airport is Kathmandu's Tribhuvan Airport. If you want to see the mountains as you fly into Kathmandu, make sure you sit on the right-hand side of the plane. The departure tax plus tourism service fee for international flights are US$25, or US$20 to destinations on the Indian subcontinent.
Overland:
The classic overland routes between Nepal and India are still popular. There are three main crossing points: Sunauli-Bhairawa, Birganj-Raxaul Bazaar and Kakarbhitta-Siliguri. The Sunauli border crossing is the best one from Varanasi, the Birganj crossing is the easiest from Kolkata, and Kakarbhitta is the obvious choice from Darjeeling.
Accommodation and Facilities
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 guide or porter only through a registered travel/trekking agency.
In the last few decades, Kathmandu and Pokhara with the rest of Nepal has seen the mushrooming of world class hotels. During spring and fall, the better hotels work at near full capacity and are booked well in advance. There are, 
however, plenty of less glamorous but decent hotels to suit everyone's fancies and finances. Most hotels offer a choice: bed and breakfast; bed, breakfast and one other meal; or room and full board. Rates listed however, are for room only, unless otherwise indicated. Toilets and showers in this case are generally communal and heating is extra. These small hostelries are located in the older parts of Kathmandu and in the Thamel district. With the boom of tourism in Nepal since the early 1970s, even Nepalis living in remote parts of the country have improved the standard of local tourist facilities. Hence accommodation and meals for tourists are more easily available than ever before.
Currency and foreign exchange
Nepalese Rupees are found in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins come in 5p, 10p, 25p, 50p, Rs.1, Rs.2 & Rs. 5 denominations.
Payments in hotels, travel agencies and airlines are made in foreign exchange. Credit Cards like American Express, Master and Visa are widely accepted at major hotels, shops and restaurants. Remember to keep your Foreign Exchange Encashment Receipt while making foreign exchange payments or transferring foreign currency into Nepalese rupees. The receipts may be needed to change left-over Nepalese Rupees into hard currency before leaving the country. However, only 10 percent of the total amount may be converted by the banks. Major banks, hotels, and the exchange counters at Tribhuvan Airport provide services for exchanging foreign currency. Exchange rates are published in English Dailies such as The Rising Nepal and The Kathmandu post
Time: Nepal is five hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT.
Business Hours
Government offices are open from 9 am to 5 pm from Sunday through Thursday. On Fridays they remain open until 3 pm. Banks are open from Sunday through Thursdays from 10 am to 3 pm. On Fridays, banks remain open until 12 pm only. Business offices are open from 10 am to 5 pm Sunday through Friday. Embassies and international organizations are open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. Most shops open after 10 am and close at about 8 pm and are usually closed on Saturdays.
Visiting a Temples /Monasteries
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.
Photography
Do not intrude with a camera, unless it is clearly OK with the people you are photographing. Ask before a temple compound whether it is permissible to enter and take photographs.
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Language
It's quite easy to get by with English in Nepal; with those you have to deal with in Katmandu & Pokhara valley along the main trekking trails, particularly the Annapurna region, Everest region and Langtang region and other
tourist destination, English is widely understood. However, Nepali on the other hand is fairly easy language and useful to come in contact with the local.. The magic word Namaste -translated it means I salute the god in you, but it is used as an everyday greeting encompassing everything from Hello to How are you? and even 'see you again soon'. Properly used it should be accompanied with the hands held in a prayer like position, the Nepali gesture which is the equivalent of westerners shaking hands.
Tipping
Tipping is becoming fairly common in upmarket restaurants in Kathmandu, so leave around 10% of the bill if service was good. There's no need to tip in cheaper establishments or to tip taxi drivers. Porters, guides on treks, however, should be tipped.
Medical advice
Travelers should bring prescribed medicine. Common medicine for stomach problems, headache, and malaria is available in Kathmandu but may still bring them. Medicine is usually not available in remote areas. So necessary medicine is advisable to carry with you. Before going toNepal, it is advised to get injection against typhoid, meningitis and hepatitis. Malaria is not a problem in the higher area of Nepal, but can be found at the lower. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Altitude problem:
Often known as acute mountain sickness, is particularly a matter of important medical consideration while trekking the Himalayas. Altitude sickness means the effect of altitude on those who ascend too rapidly to elevations above 3000 meters. Symptoms like headache, nausea, shortness of breath; fatigue etc can be encountered as initials of the sickness. The major information source on prevention and treatment of the sickness can be obtained from following links or consult your doctor.
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