Tourism

Tourism is a good source of income of lots of countries over the parts of the world. In this 21st century the use of modern facilities and other infrastructure is better to attract more number of tourist. Nepal is also a country good for tourism.

The activities include climbing, mountain flight, trekking, rafting in trepid mountaining rivers, mountain biking, paragliding, jungle safari, hiking, village tour, hot air ballooning etc. Tourism provides the single largest source of foreign exchange for the country’s development plants and the largest source of employment besides agriculture. Nepal collects over $60 million in revenue from tourism each year, which is the largest income of this country.

When to visit

In spring and autumn the weather is generally mild and dry. These are the most popular times for trekking in Nepal. March, April and may are the most colourful months - with wild flowers in full bloom throughout the lower lying areas. September, October and November are also excellent months.

During the winter, December, January and February, there is usually lots of snow, and the ice-cold winds restrict trekking to lower regions and sheltered valleys. But there are fewer trekkers at this time of year - so you feel more like a true explorer!

Summer, June, July and August, is the rainy season. Most of Nepal is drenched by the Monsoon. Visibility can be restricted, and trekking can be difficult. On the plus side - you'll have the place pretty much to yourself!

How to get there

You can fly directly to Kathmandu from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Vienna, Amsterdam, Moscow, Osaka, Shanghai, Bangkok, Hongkong, Sharjah, Dubai, Dhaka, Karachi, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Paro, Lhasa, Singapore, Delhi, Mumbai, Patna, Calcutta, and Varanasi .

You will require a visa to enter Nepal. These are usually granted for 60 days and are obtained on arrival at Kathmandu Airport. You can save time by filling in the visa-form during the flight (the flight attendants have them). You will need two additional passport photographs for the visa.

Currency

You will need Nepalese Rupees as soon as you arrive. You are not allowed to bring them with you from abroad, so you will be expected to purchase them at one of the currency exchange kiosks within the airport. You will be given a receipt showing how many Rupees you have bought. You will need the receipt to re-exchange any unspent Rupees when you leave. You can also purchase Nepalese Rupees from banks, hotels and licenced money-changers. You may also be offered the "chance" to buy them (at much better rates) on the streets. This is illegal and should not be considered as an option.

Visitors other than Indian nationals are required to pay for their trekking permits and hotel bills in foreign currency.

Credit debit cards

American Express, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in tourist shops, hotels, restaurants and most of the agencies.

Travellers cheques: Accepted at banks and major hotels. If trekking, it is important to bear in mind that cash is necessary at lodges, restaurants and hotels along your route. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Health

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required of travellers arriving from infected areas. Cholera is a serious risk in Nepal and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. Typhoid is common in low lying areas. Malaria is a risk in low lying areas. Neither of these are considered as problem in the high mountains.

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised.

Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Altitude sickness can be a hazard for trekkers, so it is important to be in good health before travelling.