Nepal is a small Himalayan country, which is mainly known for its captivating scenic beauty, including snow-laden mountains, hill forests, and grasslands of the Tarai region. It is a heaven for mountaineers, as it houses the eight tallest mountain peaks in the world. There are also some world heritage sites that attract lots of tourists to this country.
Visa for Nepal
Tourists can obtain visas for visiting Nepal, after landing at the Tribhuban International Airport of Kathmandu. Visa can also be obtained from the visa centers on some border-entry spots of India-Nepal and Nepal-China borders. Foreigners can also get visas from Nepal embassies of their countries.
Travel insurance for Nepal
Travel insurance is essential for each tourist visiting Nepal, which will have adequate coverage for meeting all expenses needed for touring this country. This insurance plan should be purchased from a reliable insurance company, covering the total cost of the baggage of a tourist, costs of all the planned activities in Nepal, and medical expenses if needed.
How to travel to Nepal
The best way to visit Nepal is to avail of the flights operated by reputed airlines. Air India, Indigo, Malaysia Airlines, Etihad Airlines, Qatar Airways, Air Asia, Air Arabia, Fly Dubai, Silk Air, Air China, and Oman Airlines run regular flights from different cities of the world to Tribhuban International Airport of Nepal. It is best to take a direct Dubai to Nepal flight to save time and money. However, there are also direct train routes and roadways from India to Nepal.
Internet + SIM card in Nepal
Nepal Telecom and Ncell are the only two telecom service providers in Nepal. So, tourists need to buy SIM cards from any of these two companies for making local calls while touring this country. Four different types of prepaid SIM cards are available here, which offer various data packs for internet connection on the mobiles of tourists.
How to get around Nepal
There are plenty of domestic flights for traveling from one city to another in Nepal, with Biratnagar and Nepalgunj serving as secondary hubs for domestic planes and helicopters. Tickets for these domestic flights can be booked online by paying only in US dollars, just before an hour of the required travel time. Special tourist buses are available for foreigners, to help them in sightseeing.
Safety in Nepal
Roads are quite safe in Nepal for tourists, except for a few cases of snatching bags and pickpockets. These petty crimes mostly occur in the airport area and too crowded places. It is also not quite safe to walk on the roads at night.
Respect the culture
Hinduism is the state religion of Nepal, but Buddhism is also very popular among the common mass here. Hence, Lord Buddha and different Hindu deities are worshipped in temples all over Nepal. People observe these religious traits in their marriages and other social activities. Tourists should respect the customs of these religions and behave accordingly.
Dress appropriately
Tourists are expected to dress modestly while visiting Nepal. All adult men and women should keep their shoulders and thighs covered. So, it is better to wear jeans, shirts, long skirts, long-sleeved blouses, and saris. However, dresses should be chosen according to the season when people are traveling in this country.
Scams to look out for in Nepal
Some corrupted police and other government officials in Nepal may seek bribes for allowing them to travel freely here. So, tourists should not carry jewelry, drugs, or any material for which they can be fined. They need to be careful while using their credit cards and they should not buy honey or other food materials from the roadside, as that can be drugged. They also need to watch out while boarding taxis and visiting night bars, to avoid harassment.
Trekking in Nepal
Since there are plenty of mountain peaks all around Nepal, people love trekking on these hilly routes. Most of the routes on the Greater Himalayas are quite dangerous and thus, more attractive to adventurous tourists. However, trekkers need prior permission, by producing valid documents at certain offices. The nature of trekking depends on the route chosen by a trekker and the time he is trekking.
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Food in Nepal
Nepali food habits largely resemble that of India and Tibet. Rice, lentil soup, vegetable curry, and meat curry are the common foods available in all eateries of Nepal. Momo is a popular snack here, stuffed with vegetables or minced meat. Wo is a sort of pancake made of lentils, which may be added with eggs or meat to make Bara. Sei roti and Yomari are two popular sweet dishes made by Nepali people. Dhido and Gundruk are the staple foods in the rural areas of Nepal.
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What to see in Nepal
Durbar Square in Kathmandu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consisting of many palaces, temples, and historic monuments. Bhaktapur is another prominent city declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, housing plenty of temples and magnificent buildings. Chitwan National Park, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Temple, Langtang National Park, and Lumbini Park are other notable tourist attractions of Nepal. The great mountain peaks of Mt Everest, Kanchenjunga, and Annapurna ranges offer wonderful views to tourists.
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Where to stay in Nepal
Tourists can book hotels in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Nagarkot, Rumm, and Sauraha, which are the prime cities of Nepal. However, most tourists prefer to stay in Kathmandu, and thus, plenty of hotels of all price ranges are available here. Trekkers want to stay near the base camps of their chosen trekking routes.
Therefore, tourists can expect a great trip to Nepal with their families and friends, satisfying their love for nature and adventurous spirits.
