Nepal Facts

Capital City	Kathmandu
Language	Nepali
Population	26.5 Million
Currency	Nepalese Rupee (NPR/ Rs.)
Time Zone	(GMT +05:45), Kathmandu
Dialling Country Code	+977

Geography & Climate

To the south of landlocked Nepal lies India and to the north is China along with the mountainous Himalayan Range. Across the central belt of Nepal are hills and the southern strip consists of lowland plains (Terai). This elevation gives Nepal the largest altitude variation in the world, from just 100m above sea level to Mt Everest, the highest point in the world, at 8848m. The Southern Plains experiences tropical climes and gets progressively colder as one moves north. Nepal has five distinct seasons; spring, summer, monsoon, autumn, and winter.

In the Terai (south Nepal), summer temperatures exceed 37° C and winter temperatures range from 7°C to 23°C in the Terai. In mountainous regions, hills and valleys summers are temperate while winter temperatures can plummet to sub-zero. Average temperatures drop 6°C for every 1,000 m you gain in altitude. Average temperatures in the three most popular tourist areas are as follows:

CITY	Summer (May, June, July)		Winter (Dec, Jan, Feb)
	Max (°C)	Min (°C)	Max (°C)	Min (°C)
Kathmandu	28.1°C	19.5°C	19.3°C	3.0°C
Pokhara	29.7°C	21.3°C	20.3°C	7.7°C
Chitwan	33.0°C	25.3°C	24.1°C	8.3°C

 

Shopping in Nepal

Popular products include clothing and accessories made from Sheep/ Yak’s wool as well as more premium products like cashmere and silk. Some good gifting ideas are local tea, incense, jewelry, wooden and metal handicrafts and local effigies, and the famed Khukuri Knife.

 

Major Festivals in Nepal

• Dashain: One of the most important festivals the year, stretching to 2 weeks, offering prayers to Goddess Durga’s victory over Evil incarnate. Traditionally, it marks the harvest season and is a time for family reunions and exchange of gifts and blessings. This period is often a good time to view the cultural and natural beauty of Nepal.
• Indra Jatra: The eight-day long festival is one of the most important festivals of the Newar community. This festival is generally celebrated around September/ October. It is an exciting festival of masked dances, vibrant religious processions and of course the famed Living Goddess is taken out around Kathmandu in her chariot.
• Tihar: Tihar is the festival of lights and Nepal is prettiest at this time of the year. Homes are lit up with oil wick lamps and candles to welcome Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth. Other days are dedicated to Mha Puja, a celebration of oneself, and to celebrate the relationship of Brother& Sister on Bhai Tika.

 

Etiquette and Culture

A Nepalese person as referred to as Nepali and the country is comprised of different ethnic groups with unique appearances and dialects. Most of the people live in the Central hills and Hinduism is the dominant Religion with the varied presence of Buddhist Monasteries.

A formal greeting is to say Namaste while pressing your palms in a prayer-like fashion in front of your chest.
When eating always use your right hand, the left hand is reserved for cleaning oneself and is considered unclean. Once food has touched your lips it is considered polluted, so do not offer food to others that you have taken a bite of and when sharing a drink from a communal vessel try not to let it touch your lips.
Nepalis are tolerant but conservative when it comes to clothing. Public display of affection is frowned upon.

 

Major Attractions

• Kathmandu: Take a step into medieval Nepal, and take a stroll in the capital’s narrow alleys, carved temples, and bustling markets. The sights and sounds of Kathmandu make it a rewarding city to explore.
• Chitwan National Park: A safari in Chitwan National Park offers the opportunity to see wild rhino, elephants, leopards, and Royal Bengal Tiger if you are very lucky as well as hundreds of bird species. It offers some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in Asia.
• Pokhara: A picture-perfect idyllic lakeside city against a backdrop of the stunning Mt. Machhapurhare, literally translated as Mt. Fishtail. This city offers travelers a retreat opportunity for rest and recreation and is a stopover for many starting and finishing treks in the area.
• Bhaktapur: The name of the city translates to City of devotees; the carved wooden structures and stone sculptures are proof of their devotion. Bhaktapur is the best preserved and the best example of Medieval Nepal.
• Annapurna Circuit: Annapurna region offers some of the most spectacular peaks to add on to a trekkers’ visual delight. The physical challenge and the sense of journey from lowland Nepal to Trans-Himalayan Plateau are immensely satisfying.
• Mt Everest: Mt. Everest attracts the best mountaineers from around the world, but you needn’t be a hardcore adventurer to visit Mt Everest. Shorter, less strenuous hikes have been tailored view the best of Everest area including Everest Base Camp and its famous Monasteries.
• Patan: Often called Lalitpur meaning City of Beauty, its own long history and tradition as a center of arts and crafts. It is characterized by elegant tiered rooftops and ornately carved temples.
• Lumbini: A mecca for all Buddhists, Lumbini is where Gautama Buddha was born, otherwise known as Buddha. It is a site of ancient stupas, robed monks, a vibrant multi-hued prayer flags with a peaceful, spiritual atmosphere.
• Bandipur: Bandipur is a quaint well-preserved town, and is a living museum of Newari culture. Time seems to have stood still in this town.
• Spirituality: Meditate, rejuvenate, and revitalize to attain bliss. Feel the transformative energy of Buddha’s relic at A Buddhist Monastery which overlooks the all-seeing eyes of Swayambhunath Stupa.

 

Responsible Travel

Responsible Travel is more about creating memories that leave a positive social impact rather than the destination itself. TravelPal Nepal is committed to traveling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies, and the environment.

Top responsible travel tips for Nepal

• Be considerate of Nepal’s customs, traditions, religion, and culture.
• Dress modestly and respectfully. Shoulders to knees should be covered, especially when entering places of worship.
• Always dispose of litter thoughtfully, including cigarette butts.
• Learn some local language and don’t be afraid to use it – simple greetings will help break the ice.
• Shop for locally-made products. Supporting local artisans helps keep traditional crafts alive.