Planning a Trip to Kathmandu

Get up really early and walk around the square - I mean like 5.30am. It is probably going to be freezing but it is the best time to interact with the locals whilst they set up the market for the day.

There is NEVER really a wrong time to go to Nepal. However if you want to see more festivals I suggest going in the fall because (especially in November) there is always a festival somewhere during that time of year. When I went I went through the Fulbright program with my father, so our driver was our translator, driver, tour guide and all around good friend. But through all the gross bus travels, bad toilet stops, and not so fine hotels I really fell in love with the place!!

Thamel is a very lively place and sometimes you just need to relax, drink a decent cup of coffee and maybe use some wireless internet - the java cafe! definately very touristy and not as cheap as other places but very nice.

Nepal Visa Information: Effective from 16 July 2008 

Tourists who visit Nepal must hold valid passport and visa.

Entry 
Tourist entry visa can be obtained for the following duration from Nepal Embassy/ Consulate or Mission offices abroad, or at the following immigration offices in Nepal: 

Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu

Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)

Birganj, Parsa (Central Nepal)

Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border)

Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal)

Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal)

Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal)

Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal) Multiple entry 15 days US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry 30 days US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry 90 days US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency

Tourist Visa Extension 

Visa extension fee for 15 days or less is US $ 30 or equivalent convertible currency and visa extension fee for more than 15 days is US$ 2 per day

Tourist visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a single visa year (January – December).



Gratis (Free) Visa 

Gratis visa for 30 days available only for tourists of SAARC countries.



Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal.



Transit Visa

Transit visa for one day can be obtained from Nepal's immigration offices at the entry points upon the production of departure flight ticket via Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal, by paying US $ 5 or equivalent convertible currency. 

For further information, please, contact 
Department of Immigration
Maitighar, Impact Building, Kathmandu,
Tel:00977-1-4221996 / 4223590 / 4222453
Web site: www.immi.gov.np ) 

Bhaktapur is a museum, a movie set and another world all at the same time . Built from red brick with intricately carved wooden structures, temples, lively markets, narrow lane ways and flaming colours are an overload on your senses. Perfect for experiencing true Nepali life in an unspoiled Nepali city, Bhaktapur is the most memorable city. Bhaktapur is the religious heart of Nepal, where the people rise at 3 o'clock every morning to pray. If you're staying the night, you too will be woken up, to the sound of bells ringing all over the city. The town is World Heritage listed and is home to Nepal's tallest temple, Nyatapol Temple standing 30 metres tall.

These are some of the poorest and yet most content people I have met. It is a place visually rich in color, texture and faces. Be generous when you tip. They have nothing and your money will be spent on vitals. Their money is worth nothing - for example you can buy a beautiful hand knit wool sweater there for about the equivalent of two canadian dollars.

Patan is the sistercity of Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, and one of the 3 royal cities in Nepal (Kathmandu, Patan and Bakhtapur). The whole Kathmandu valley is really worth a visit, although the air quality is not the best. There is a lot to see: from old palaces to stupas and cremation areas, where the dead are burnt. Good Nepali food and very cheap. Even though there were quite a few security issues, the place is nonetheless safe to travel, above all since the political situation completely changed. Served by Qatar Airways, Royal Nepal, Yeti Airlines, Druk Air, Air india, Thai Airways,...

A great destination that's easily reachable by taxi from Kathmandu. The ghats and temples are really beautiful, but my favorite part was the troop of monkeys that came bounding down the steps. Great place to spend an afternoon.

You have to get up very early for Mt. Everest flight and the power is usually out until 7am-8am in Kathmandu. So prepare the night before!! Wash and dry your hair and bring any make-up to the airport with you and put it on there.

Also, back your bag the night before too and make sure you have your camera, extra battery, warm clothes, snack laid out since getting ready by flashlight can be challenging!!