COVID: Review the latest FCDO Travel Advice before travelling to or from Nepal
Kathmandu has an approximate population of around 975,453 people and you can typically expect to pay around £2.36p for an equivalent pint of lager or beer.
Nepal's capital Kathmandu is situated in a green valley surrounded by the majestic Himalayan mountains. In the heart of this old town is Durbar Square which normally becomes crowded during Indra Jatra, an ancient Hindu festival that features masked dances. Many of Kathmandu's historical sites have been damaged or destroyed by last year's earthquake. The ancient granary, Durbar Square, is being renovated. The ancient theatre, Shailynath, and the theatre complex, Kathmandu Durbar Square are also being renovated.
Kathmandu is an ancient capital and considered the birth place of Lord Buddha. Dressed in traditional Kathmandu attires, tourists can shop in the open market. There are many temples and sacred places to see here like Lord Brahma Temple and Jantar Mantar, famous for its ancient pictures depicting the hunt and worship of Lord Brahma. Some of Kathmandu's sights are best seen during the day while others are best explored during the night from various hotels and guesthouses around the region.
The region is best known for the rich Buddhist history and is popular with both trekkers and tourists. Trekking in Nepal involves hiking through mountainous terrains on foot and through narrow valleys on horses. On the way, there will be villages and towns where you can stay and dine. Bali, the biggest island on the east coast is also a popular trekking destination and has magnificent Buddhist temples and other attractions. Trekking can be the most exhilarating and therapeutic activity that you may indulge in while vacationing in Nepal.
Up to date information for vaccinations before you travel to Nepal are available from the NHS Fit for Travel website.
For up to date information around safety and security in Nepal read the Foreign & Commonwealth Office latest information for Nepal.
Between October and December is the best time to visit Nepal as the skies are generally clear and the views spectacular. The weather remains dry until about April.
In Nepal, many people celebrate festivals during the year. The most celebrated festival is the Dashain, which marks the triumph of good over evil. This festival is celebrated by people returning to their hometowns to participate in various rituals and celebrate the harvest. At home and in temples, animals are sacrificed as a symbol of gratitude. A buffalo or goat is sacrificed. After the sacrifice, the animals are eaten and the animals are used for food. Elders also perform a tikka ceremony on the foreheads of younger family members. The elders stick fresh green rice shoots to their foreheads and the whole village participates in the celebration.
One of the most important festivals in Nepal is the Dashain. This festival begins with the erection of the "Yasin" pole, which is made of a single tree. The ceremony is considered auspicious. The tenth day of the month of Dashain is the beginning of the festival. During the day, families will worship the nine avatars of Durga. The celebrations last for ten days, ending on the full moon day.
The festival of Bhoto Dekhaune is the grand finale of the Hartalika Teej. During this festival, women pray on the banks of the river and worship seven saints. Menstruation is considered impure and religious activities are not allowed during this period. The Hindu god Indra is celebrated on November 3 every year. While it may not be the most important festival, it is a wonderful time to visit Nepal.
The most important festival in Nepal is the Dashain, which is celebrated during the months of September and October. This celebration is held over fifteen days and emphasizes family reunion and renewing community ties. Most of the people in Nepal celebrate the Dashain festival by gathering at the family home or by visiting the temples of the region. During the festival, the older women dance more and are more energetic. It is celebrated for ten days and involves all parts of the country.
The Dashain is the largest festival in Nepal, celebrated over nine consecutive days during the full moon of September or October. It is a national holiday that celebrates the victory of good over evil. This festival commemorates the victory of the goddess Durga over the Demon Mahiha. The Goddess has nine hands and is dressed in a red robe. During the festival, the gods support the goddess, a powerful Hindu goddess.
The Tihar Festival is the second most important festival in Nepal. It takes place on the first day of Kartik Krshna. The main festival is celebrated for five days. At night, homes are decorated with lights, and the Newars sing and dance to celebrate the festival. A chariot is a symbolic representation of victory over evil. The last day of the day is dedicated to the god Ganesha.
If you're interested in history and culture, you'll want to visit some of the Historical Sites in Nepal. The country is largely mountainous, but also includes portions of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The two countries share a common border, so it makes for a good holiday destination. You can also learn about the country's rich cultural heritage and explore its many cultural sites. You can also visit temples, monasteries, and ancient cities.
Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is located in south-western Nepal. It is one of the most important historical sites in Nepal and is endowed with a beautiful natural setting. Lumbini tourism is centered around the Garden, which is surrounded by several temples, monasteries, and stupas. Ashoka, the great Indian emperor, once built a collosal stone pillar in the center of the Lumbini Square.
If you are into religion, then Lumbini is a must-see, and it's not difficult to see why. This three-thousand-year-old temple is one of the most iconic historical monuments in Nepal. It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has a fascinating symbiosis of religious and historical significance. It's not uncommon to find a Buddhist temple with a shrine depicting the Buddha and his companions.
Visas are available on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport and at some land borders. To obtain a visa upon arrival by air in Nepal you must fill in an application form on arrival and provide a passport photograph. A single-entry visa valid for 15, 30 or 90 days costs US$25, 40 or 100.
See which forms you may need for entry into Nepal.
The official currency of Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). If you're looking to transfer or spend money in Nepal you can grab amazing Nepalese Rupee deals via Wise.com (GBP to NPR).
Among the several species of mammal found in Nepal, notable are the Bengal fox, Bengal tiger, clouded leopard, corsac fox, One horned rhinoceros, Asiatic elephant, marbled cat, Indian Pangolin, Chinese Pangolin, red panda, snow leopard, Tibetan fox, Pablo and Tibetan wolf.
Nepali food? Dal-bhat-tarkari is eaten throughout Nepal. Dal is a soup made of lentils and spices, served over boiled grain, bhat—usually rice but sometimes another vegetable curry, tarkari (vegetable).
Nepali is an Indo-Aryan language of the sub-branch of Eastern Pahari. It is the official language of Nepal and one of the 22 scheduled languages of India. You can learn some basic Nepali before you travel to Nepal and really impress the locals!
The currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee (A good rule of thumb when solo trekking is to tip the equivalent of £3 per day for your guides and £1.50 to £2.50 per day for porters.).
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What is the time difference?
The GMT time difference is 5.75 hours