Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country in South Asia and the world's youngest republic. It is bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India. With an area of 147,181 square kilometres (56,827 sq mi) and a population of approximately 30 million, Nepal is the world's 93rd largest country by land mass and the 41st most populous country. Kathmandu is the nation's capital and the country's largest metropolitan city.

Nepal is a country of highly diverse and rich geography, culture, and religions. The mountainous north has eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including the highest, Mount Everest. The fertile and humid south is heavily urbanized. By some measures, Hinduism is practiced by a greater majority of people in Nepal than in any other nation. Buddhism, though a minority faith in the country, is linked historically with Nepal as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, who as the Buddha Gautama gave birth to the Buddhist tradition. About half of the population live below the international poverty line of US$1.25 a day.

Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal


People of Nepal

Nepal’s location between India and Tibet, the diversity of its 60 or more ethnic and caste groups, its isolating geography and myriad (up to 100) languages have resulted in a complex pattern of customs and beliefs that make it hard to generalise about a ‘Nepali people’.

Perhaps the dominant Nepali cultural concepts are those of caste and status, both of which contribute to a strictly defined system of hierarchy and deference. Caste determines not only a person’s status, but also their career and marriage partner, how that person interacts with other Nepalis and how others react back. This system of hierarchy extends even to the family, where everyone has a clearly defined rank. The Nepali language has half a dozen words for ‘you’, each of which conveys varying shades of respect.

When it comes to their religious beliefs, Nepalis are admirably flexible, pragmatic and, above all, tolerant – there is almost no religious or ethnic tension in Nepal. Nepalis are generally good humoured and patient, quick to smile and slow to anger, though they also have a reputation as fierce fighters.

The Nepali view of the world is dominated by prayer and ritual and a knowledge that the gods are not remote, abstract concepts but living, present beings, who can influence human affairs in very direct ways. Nepalis perceive the divine everywhere, from the greeting namaste, which literally means ‘I greet the divine inside of you’, to the spirits and gods present in trees, passes, sacred river confluences and mountain peaks.

The notions of karma and caste, when combined with a tangled bureaucracy and deep-rooted corruption, tend to create an endemic sense of fatalism in Nepal. Confronted with problems, many Nepalis will simply respond with a shrug of the shoulders and the phrase khe garne?, or ‘what is there to do?’, which Westerners often find frustrating, and oddly addictive.

Passports
Valid passport for a minimum of six months required by all nationals.

Visas
Required by all nationals except transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft on the same day provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

Visa Note
(a) British, Australian, Canadian, USA, Other EUnationals may obtain tourist visas on arrival at the airport.
(b) Business can be conducted on a Tourist visa for up to 30 days.
(c) Nationals not referred to (a) are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.

Types of Visa and Cost
The most recent visa menu is as follows:
* 60-day single-entry: US$30
* 60-day multiple-entry: US$80

If you have already visited Nepal in the same calendar year the fees are:

* Single-entry: US$30 for 30 days only
* Muliple-entry: US$60 for the balance of your original visa

Validity
Visas are valid for up to six months from date of issue. Visas are valid for 60 days on first visit to Nepal in a visa year (1 January - 31 December), but only valid for 30 days when national is visiting Nepal for the second or more time in a visa year. Visas may be extended in Nepal at the Department of Immigration, Kathmandu (tel: 494 273 or 337), or the Immigration Office, Pokhara. Maximum stay in Nepal is 150 days in any calendar year. For full conditions on visa extension (including charges and conditions), contact the consulate (or consular section at embassy);

Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy). Visas can also be obtained on arrival from the Immigration authorities at all entry points (with fees payable in US Dollars) provided travellers are in possession of valid travel documents, two passport photos and the relevant fee. Applications for business visas must be made to the Department of Immigration (see above under Validity for contact details).

Working Days Required
Minimum 24 hours if applying in person; two weeks if applying by post.

Customs Rules
Import regulations::

Free import:
- tobacco not exceeding 250 grams (equiv. to 250 cigarettes);
- whisky/wine not exceeding 1.15 liters or beer up to 12 cans;
- cloths and goods for personal use;
- medicine not exceeding NPR 1000.-;
- fruits or canned food not exceeding NPR 1000.-.

http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/NP-Nepal-customs-currency-airport-tax-regulations-details.htm

Weather Information for Kathmandu

Ref: http://www.worldweather.org
Remark: Climatological information is based on monthly averages for the 30-year period 1961-1990.

There are few direct flights to Nepal, which means most travellers 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 - several airlines fly here with a stop in western Europe or the Gulf, or you can fly into India and change to a local shuttle. 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 for international flights is 1695.00,, or 1356.00 to destinations on the Indian subcontinent, payable in Nepali rupees.

The classic overland routes between Nepal and India are still popular. Buses are usually the quickest and easiest form of transport between Nepal and India. There are five main crossing points that are open to foreigners, but most people cross at Sunauli-Bhairawa, Birganj-Raxaul Bazaar or Kakarbhitta-Panitanki. The Sunauli border crossing is convenient for Varanasi or Delhi, the Birganj crossing is convenient for Kolkata, and Kakarbhitta is the obvious choice for Darjeeling or Sikkim. A trickle of travellers enter Nepal at the Mahendrenagar-Banbassa border crossing in the extreme west of Nepal, which is handy for Delhi and the hills of Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh. The crossing between Nepal and Tibet via Kodari is open to organised groups but not to individual travellers heading north. Be prepared to make alternative plans if using this route - landslides regularly make it impassable during the monsoon.

Getting around

Royal Nepal Airlines has an extensive domestic network and reasonable prices, but its aircraft are ancient and the booking system is erratic. Half a dozen private airlines offer similar routes in newer planes for only a little more. Whoever you fly with, be aware that flights are routinely cancelled due to bad weather, security problems or industrial action. It's advisable to book domestic flights a week in advance and keep re-confirming your ticket just to make sure you don't slip off the passenger list if the flight is full. Airlines only accept payment in hard currency from visitors.

Public buses are the main form of ground transportation and are incredibly cheap, incredibly uncomfortable and tediously slow. Expect to average about 30km (18mi) per hour anywhere in the hills. Buses ply almost every paved road (not that there are many), as well as some of the unpaved ones, and nearly every visitor comes back with horror stories about 'almost' plunging into a ravine. The near escapes are only the tip of the iceberg. Hundreds of locals die in bus smashes every year and travellers are strongly advised to avoid bus travel at night. Safety is generally better on the dedicated tourist buses that connect Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan. If you don't want to share your journey with farm produce and livestock, this is definitely the way to go.