LOCATION

It borders with the Tibet Autonomous region of the People's Republic of China in the North and the India in the East, South and West respectively.

LANGUAGE

Nepali is the national language of Nepal. Yet the average people whom travelers have to deal with will speak and understand English and various other foreign languages.

TIME

Nepal time is 5:45 hours ahead of GMT and 15 minutes ahead of Indian Standard Time.

CLIMATE

Nepal has four major seasons namely, Winter [Dec.-Feb.], Spring [Mar.-May], Summer [June-Aug.] and Autumn [Sept.-Nov.]. Nepal can be visited the whole year round. But for trekking and mountaineering the best seasons are Spring and Autumn.

PEOPLE AND RELIGION

Nepalese people are mainly divided into two distinct groups the Indo-Aryans and the Mangoloids. Kathmandu valley which is also the capital city of Nepal, is the spiritual and cultural meeting point of all these groups.

Nepal is the only Hindu Kingdom in the world. Hindu Temples and Buddhist shrines are scattered all over the Kingdom. Nepal is the birth-place of Lord Buddha - the Light of Asia. You will find a complex blending of Hinduism and Buddhism in Nepal, which is unique.

WHAT TO WEAR

Except in formal gathering, informal clothes are acceptable mostly everywhere. Warm garments are required in October - March. An umbrella or a rain coat is a must for the rainy season.

CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE

Nepali Rupee note comes in Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 denominations. Foreign currency must be exchanged only through banks or authorized foreign exchange dealers. The receipts from such transaction are to be obtained and retained. Visitors can exchange foreign currency at the foreign exchange counter at the airport upon arrival or from any of the government authorised money exchange counters in the Kathmandu city.

Visitors other than the Indian nationals have to make payments in hotels, travel and trekking agencies and air tickets in foreign currency. Non-Indian visitors are not allowed to import or export Indian Currency. The approximate value of One US Dollar is equivalent Rs. 70.

Read more information about Nepal in tourist info page.