Special Notice to Visitors

WEATHER
Nepal ’s weather is generally predictable and pleasant. There are four climatic seasons: March to May (spring), June to August (summer), September to November (autumn) and December to February (winter). The monsoon is approximately from the end of June to the middle of September. About 80 per cent of the rain falls during that period, so the remainder of the year is relatively dry. Spring and autumn are the pleasant seasons; winter temperatures drop to freezing with a high level of snowfall in the mountains. Summer and late spring temperatures range from 28ºC (83ºF) in the hill regions to more than 40ºC (104ºF) in the Terai. In winter, average maximum and minimum temperatures in the Terai range from a brisk 7ºC (45ºF) to a mild 23ºC (74ºF). The Kathmandu valleys experience a minimum temperature often falling bellow freezing point and a chilly 12ºC (54ºF) maximum. Much colder temperatures prevail at higher elevations. The Kathmandu Valley, at an altitude of 1310m (4297ft), has a mild climate, ranging from 19-27ºC (67-81ºF) in summer, and 2-20ºC (36-68ºF) in winter.
Required Clothing
Lightweight and tropical clothes with umbrella are advised for June to August. Between October and March, lightweight clothes are worn in Kathmandu, with a coat for evenings and warm clothing for the mountains.
CURRENCY
The Nepali Rupee (Rs) is divided into 100 paise. Bank notes are for one, two, five, ten, twenty, twenty five, fifty, hundred, two hundred and fifty, five hundred and one thousand rupees.
It is better to carry some money in small denominations. The Indian rupee is like a hard currency. 100 IRs = 160 NRs. However beware, the Indian Rs.500 and Rs.1000 notes are not accepted anywhere in Nepal, as the bills are illegal to possess under the rules prescribed by Nepal Rastra Bank—the central bank of Nepal.
DEBIT/CREDIT CARD TERMINALS
Major credit cards are accepted in Kathmandu Valley and at Pokhara. But elsewhere, you’ll have to do with cash.
There are limited number of terminals where visitors can use wide array of international debit and credit cards. The cards that can be used in Nepal are;
• Visa Electron
• Master Card
• Maestro Card
• Plus
Locally there are two major card network that are in use—Visa Network and SCT network. In Visa Network there are around 83 terminals available whereas in SCT Network there are 136 terminals available inside and outside the organization.
AIRPORT TAX
The Tribhuvan International Airport Tax is NRs.1356 to SAARC countries and NRs.1695 to all other International destinations. Airport Tax for Domestic departures is NRs.170. Nepalese going to SAARC countries are requested to pay NRs.971 and NRs.1130 to all International destinations.
Visa Information
Gratis visa for 30 days is available only for nationals of SAARC countries. However, for extension of visa for SAARC nationals, the rule is same as that of other nationals. Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal. Nepal provides visa-on-arrival to all the nationals of different countries except the one mentioned below.
The nationals of the following countries are not provided visa-on-arrival and may obtain their visa from Nepalese diplomatic missions located in or near their respective countries prior to arrival in Nepal. The countries are: Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Palestine, Liberia, Swaziland, Ethiopia and Cameroon.
For Indian Nationals:
Indian National Traveling to Nepal must posses any one of the following documents-
1. Passport
2. Driving license with photo
3. Photo Identity card issued by a Government Agency
4. Ration Card with Photo
5. Election Commission Card with Photo
6. Identity Card issued by Embassy of India in Kathmandu

VISA FEE
Single Entry – US $ 30 for 60 days.
Multiple Entries – US $ 50 + US $ 30
VISA EXTENTION FEE
Visa fee will be extended subsequently for 30 days upon payment of US $ 30 for a maximum period of 150 days in Visa year (Jan-Dec)
• Visa can be obtained either at arrival in Nepal or from the Nepalese Embassy or Consulate or other Mission offices abroad.
• One passport size photograph is required.

ENTRY FEES
BOUDHANATH
Foreign Nationals: NRs.100 per person
SAARC Nationals: NRs.20 per person
SWAYAMBHUNATH
Foreign Nationals: NRs.75 per person
SAARC Nationals: NRs.30 per person
BHAKTAPUR
Foreign Nationals: NRs.750 per person
SAARC Nationals: NRs.50 per person
PATAN
Foreign Nationals: Rs.225 per person
SAARC Nationals: Rs.25 per person

BEST TIME TO VISIT NEPAL
The peak tourist season extends from late September until the end of November when the post monsoon air is clear and when neither the Terai is too hot nor the trekking regions too cold. December, January and early February are the coldest months, during which the temperature can drop below 0 degree around Kathmandu and snow can limit trekking opportunities.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography in Nepal is inexpensive as film can be bought cheaply and film processing is also done cheaply and within a few hours. Fees have to be paid for taking photographs in certain restricted areas and locations such as the zoo or certain museums. However, in many temples and museums photography is totally banned. Shooting in high altitudes requires filters to counter the harsh and blue light. A fee of US $ 1000 to US $ 1500 in case of a feature film and US$ 100 to US$ 500 in case of other documentary films must be paid to the Government. Permission is required for filming anywhere in Nepal. The Ministry of Communication located at Singha Durbar should be contacted for filming within Nepal. The filming has to be carried out under the supervision of a liaison officer appointed by the government. A sum of Rs.1500 must be paid to the Royal Nepal Film Corporation in case of a feature film and Rs.800 for other types of filming. The filming company must take out an insurance policy in favour of the liaison officer. Filming is possible within the national parks and conservation areas.

GETTING AROUND IN NEPAL
By Air
Besides being a more comfortable and time saving way of getting around Nepal, Nepal's domestic network includes some of the most spectacular and remote airstrips in the world.
There are 44 airports in the country, almost all the major towns being served by air. All the airplanes flying in Nepal are piloted by skilled and experienced hands. Major Domestic Airlines includes Nepal Airlines, Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Cosmic Air, Gorkha Air, Agni Air etc.
By Bus
Luxury bus services, which are extremely comfortable and much faster, are available for Pokhara and Chitwan. These tourist buses depart from central Kathmandu. Most buses from Kathmandu to other parts of Nepal leave from the Gongabu Bus Park located on the Ring Road on the north side of the town. Some buses leave from the old bus park near Tudikhel and others from Gaushala near Pashupatinath. It is advisable to purchase the tickets in advance
By Car Hiring
A relatively expensive, but comfortable option is hiring a car or Land Rover to get around Nepal. Land Rovers for long or short-distance trips can be found in front of the Mt. Makalu Hotel near New Road. The rates are negotiable. Much cheaper than the Land Rovers, you can hire a taxi.

INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES FLYING INTO NEPAL
Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), Qatar Airways, Thai Airways, Indian Airlines, Pakistan Int’l Airlines, Bangladesh Biman, China Southwest, Druk Airlines, Aeroflat Russian Airlines, Air France, Air India, British Airways, Dragon Air Hongkong, Evo Air, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Korean Air, Lauda Air, Malaysia Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Dutch Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines, Etihad Airlines (UAE).