Welcome to Nepal

Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of biodiversity due to its unique geographical position and latitudinal variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60m above sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest 8,848.86m, all within a distance of 150km with climatic conditions ranging from sub-tropical to arctic. This wild variation fosters an incredible variety of ecosystems, the greatest mountain range on earth, thick tropical jungles teeming with a wealth of wildlife, thundering white water rivers, forested hills, and frozen valleys.

Within this spectacular geography is also one of the richest cultural landscapes anywhere. The country is a potpourri of ethnic groups and sub-groups who speak over 125 languages and dialects. Nepal offers an astonishing diversity of sightseeing attractions and adventure opportunities found nowhere else on Earth. You can join in the numerous annual festivals that are celebrated throughout the year in traditional style highlighting enduring customs and beliefs.

About Nepal

Nepal is a land-locked country bordering with the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China in the north and surrounded by India in the east, south, and west.

Language

Location Nepali is the national language of Nepal. Educated people understand and speak English as well. There are hundreds of local dialects spoken by people from various ethnic groups.

Climate

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

People and Religion

Nepalese people are mainly divided into two distinct groups, the Indo-Aryans and the Mangoloids (the Kirats). Before 2007 AD, Nepal was regarded as the only Hindu Kingdom in the world. But after that, the Government of Nepal has already announced the country to be a secular country. The Hindu Temples and Buddhist Shrines are scattered all over the cuntry. Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the Herald of Peace, and the Light of Asia. Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians live together in harmony. And other nature worshippers, too, exist here.

Currency & Foreign Exchange

Nepali Rupee notes come in Rs. 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 denominations. Coins come in Rs. 1, 2, and 5 denominations.

Foreign currencies must be exchanged only through banks or authorized money exchangers. The receipts of such transactions are to be obtained and retained. Visitors can exchange foreign currency at the foreign exchange counter at the airport upon arrival. Visitors other than Indian nationals have to make the payment in foreign currency (non-Indian currency) to the hotel, trekking agencies, or travel agencies, and for air tickets.

Natural resources: quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore

Total renewable water resources: 224 km3 km (2001)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/ agricultural:total: 10.18 cu km/yr (3%/1%/96%)  per capita: 375 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards: severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons

Environment – current issues: deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions

Environment – international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Geography – note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of the world’s 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga – the world’s tallest and third tallest – on the borders with China and India respectively
People

Age structure:

0-14 years: 38.3% (male 5,721,720/ female 5,360,391)

15-64 years: 57.9% (male 8,597,037/ female 8,134,115)

65 years and over: 3.8% (male 528,113/ female 560,414) (2007 est.)

Median age:

total: 20.5 years

male: 20.3 years

female: 20.6 years (2007 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.132% (2007 est.)

Birth rate: 30.46 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Death rate: 9.14 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.067 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.057 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.942 male(s)/female

total population: 1.056 male(s)/female (2007 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 63.66 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 61.87 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 65.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

Total population: 60.56 years

male: 60.78 years

female: 60.33 years (2007 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.01 children born/woman (2007 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Nepalese (singular and plural)

adjective: Nepali

Religions:

Hindu 80.6%, Buddhist 10.7%, Muslim 4.2%, Kirant 3.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census)

note: The Federal Democratic Republic of  Nepal

Languages:

Nepali 47.8%, Maithali 12.1%, Bhojpuri 7.4%, Tharu (Dagaura/Rana) 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.6%, Magar 3.3%, Awadhi 2.4%, other 10%, unspecified 2.5% (2001 census)

note: many in government and business also speak English (2001 est.)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Total population: 48.6%

Male: 62.7%

Female: 34.9% (2001 census)
 

Flag description:

Red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles, the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun

Major Trading Partners: China, India, European Union, United States of America US, Australia African nations, and South America

When to Go Nepal?

Climatic factors are very important in deciding when to visit Nepal. October-November, the start of the dry season, is in many ways the best time of year: the weather is balmy, the air is clean, visibility is perfect and the country is lush following the monsoon. February-April, the tail end of the dry season, is the second-best period: visibility is not so good because of dust, but the weather is warm and many of Nepal’s wonderful wildflowers are in bloom. In December and January, the climate and visibility are good but it can be chilly: trekkers need to be well prepared for snow, and for cheaper hotels in Kathmandu – nonexistent heating makes for rather gloomy evenings. The rest of the year is fairly unpleasant for traveling: May and early June are generally too hot and dusty for comfort, and the monsoon from mid-June to September obscures the mountains in clouds and turns trails and roads to mud.
Events

Nepal’s festive calendar is hectic. Dasain, celebrated nationwide in October, is the most important of all Nepalese celebrations and features the biggest animal sacrifice of the year. Running a close second is Tihar (November), but unlike Dasain, animals are honored rather than slaughtered. Other festivals celebrated nationally include the water-tinged Holi (March) and Chaitra Dasain (April), which is yet another bad day for animals. Hindu festivals number the Haribodhini Ekadashi (November) and Maha Shivaratri (March), both celebrated in Pashupatinath, the Gai Jatra (August) in Kathmandu, and the Krishna Jayanti (August/September) in Patan. Buddhist celebrations are just as thick on the ground and include Mani Rimdu (November) in Solu Khumbu, Buddha Jayanti (May) in Kathmandu, and Losar (Tibetan New Year) (February) in Swayambhunath, Jawalakhel, and highland communities.

Activities

Temple out? Sick of stupas? Try trekking instead. The best trekking season is between September and early December, although March and April are also popular.

Popular treks from Kathmandu include the Everest Base Camp, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Ruby Valley Trek, Helambu, and Langtang treks. From Pokhara, the most popular are the Annapurna Circuit and the Jomsom Trek. Less-traveled alternatives require more planning but include the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek, the Dolpo region, Mustang, and Rara Lake.

Remember to minimize your impact on the environment by avoiding the use of non-biodegradable items, disposing of your garbage responsibly, staying at lodges that use kerosene instead of firewood, and not using toilet paper.

Rafting and kayaking are incredibly popular, especially on the Trisuli River near Kathmandu and the Sun Kosi in Dolalghat. More remote challenges include the Karnali (a two-day trek from Surkhet) and the Tamur (a three-day trek from Dobhan in eastern Nepal). Other activities include mountain biking in the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, and near the Tibetan border; and safariing in the Terai. A range of language, spiritual, medicinal, and yoga courses can be taken in Kathmandu and at various temples and monasteries.