Wednesday 25 November 2009

Travel Information

Nepal's only international airport is located in it's capital, Kathmandu. There are some direct flights from Seol, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Lhasa, New Delhi, Karanchi, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other renown cities. There are few direct flights from Europe, which means most travellers have to change aircraft and/or airline on route. Another option is to fly directly to Delhi in India and then go in by land, visiting parts of India on the way.

Traveling by land from India into Nepal can be an experience on it's own. There are three main entry points: Sunauli-Bhairawa, Birganj-Raxaul Bazaar and Kakarbhitta-Siliguri. The easiest way to cross them is by tourist buses from appropriate Indian cities. If you are flying to Delhi, you can enter Nepal quickly through the Mahendrenagar-Banbassa crossing, but the recommended route is to travel first to Varanasi in India, and there cross through Sunauli-Bhairawa.

The crossing between Nepal and Tibet via Kodari is open to organized groups but not to individual travelers. Howver, the rules concerning this has recently been changing very often, so contacting a Nepali based tour operator is strongly advised. Be prepared with alternative plans if you're thinking about using this route, because landslides regularly make it impassable during the monsoon.

New visa rule is applied for tourist in Nepal effective from 16 July 2008. Tourists who visit Nepal must hold valid passport and visa.

A. 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)

B. Tourist Visa
Visa.......... Facility ........Duration....... Fee

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

C. 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).

D. 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.

E. 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

Custom Formalities

Custom

All baggage must be declared and cleared through the customs on arrival at the entry. Personal effects are permitted free entry. People arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) without any dutiable goods can proceed through the Green Channel for quick clearance without a baggage check. If you are carrying dutiable articles, you have to pass through the Red Channel for detailed customs clearance.

Import

Apart from used personal belongings, visitors are allowed to bring to Nepal free of duty cigarette (200) or cigars (50), distilled liquor (one 1.15 liter bottle), and film (15 rolls). You can also bring the following articles free of duty under the condition that you take them back with you when you leave: binocular, video camera, still camera, laptop computer, and portable music system.

Export

The export of antiques require special certification from the Department of Archeology in Ram Shah Path, Kathmandu. It is illegal to export objects like sacred images, paintings, manuscripts that are over 100 years old because they are valued for cultural and historical reasons. Visitors are advised not to purchase such items as they are Nepal's cultural heritage and belong here.

For more information on customs matters, contact the Chief Customs Administrator, TIA Customs Office (Phone: 977 + 4470110, 4472266).

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