TOURIST SERVICE CENTER
The Tourist Service Centre (TSC) is designed to respond to the information needs of foreign visitors. It is located at Bhrikuti Mandap, to the east of the Tundikhel parade ground. It consists of an audio visual hall, souvenir shops, restaurant and an information counter where there is a computerized information service. Tel: 256909; Fax: 977-1-256910; E-mail: info@ntb.wlink.com.np
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTERS
Information centers and counters of the Nepal Tourism Board are open 9 am to 5 pm Sunday through Saturday at Tribhuvan International Airport (Tel: 470537) and at the Tsc at Bhrikuti Mandap from 9 am to 5 pm Sunday through Friday. Elsewhere in the country: Birgunj (Tel: 051-22083), Pokhara (Tel: 061-20028), Bhairahawa (Tel: 071-20304), Janakpur (Tel: 041-20755) and Kakarbhitta (Tel: 023-20208).
MONEY MATTERS
Currency Exchange. It is illegal to exchange foreign currency with individuals and organizations other than authorized dealers (banks, hotels, licensed money changers). In order to change surplus rupees at the time of your departure, please make sure that you have saved your encashment receipts, which you must produce for the exchange. Counters of Nabil Bank Limited at the airport departure and arrival lounges help you in this process (Tel: 472278).
Bank Hours. Banks are open 9:15 am to 2:30 pm Monday through Friday. The counters of licensed money changers are open 12 hours a day, seven days a week.
Money Transfer. You can receive money from anywhere in the world through Western Union Money Transfer. Contact its local agent Annapurna Travel & Tours at Durbar Marg near the clock tower (Tel: 223530, 223940), Nabil Bank Limited, Kantipath (Tel: 228538) or Sita World Travel, Thamel (Tel: 418363, 418738).
CREDIT CARDS
American Express, Visa and Mastercard are welcomed at major hotels, restaurants, carpet and curio shops throughout the country. The local services centers for credit cards are: Alpine Travel Service on Durbar Marg (Tel: 225020, 225362) for Visa and MasterCard. American Express at Jamal (Tel: 226172, 227635) for American Express cards and cheques. These centers are open Sunday through Friday 9:30 am to 5 pm. Contact them for any service regarding credit cards including replacement of lost cards. Credit card services are also provided by Nabil Bank Limited, Kantipath (Tel: 228538, 227181), Himalayan Bank, Thamel (Tel: 227749) and Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Ltd., Baneswar (Tel: 220629).
TOURIST VISAS
A visa is required to enter Nepal except for Indian nationals. A single entry visa for 60 days can be obtained from any Royal Nepalese Embassy or Consulate upon payment of US$ 30. You can also get a visa at the point of entry upon arrival. Visitors who require single, double or multiple re-entry visas can get them by paying an additional US$ 25, 40 and 60 respectively. For extension of visas once you are in Nepal, the Department of Immigration charges US$ 50 for each additional month. Children under 10 are not charged any visa fees.
The Department of Immigration in Kathmandu is located at Bhrikuti Mandap next to the TSC building; Tel: 222453, 223590. It is open 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. Visa extension and trekking permit applications are accepted at the reception counter from 9 am to 2 pm, Monday to Friday.
Pokhara Immigration Office. Visa extension applications may also be submitted to the Pokhara Immigration Office (Tel: 21167), between the airport and Lakeside.
CUSTOMS AND AIRPORT TAX
Green Channel. Passengers arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport 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 cigarettes (200) or cigars (50), distilled liquor (one 1.15 liter bottle) and film (15 rolls). You can also bring in the following articles free of duty on condition that you take them back with you when you leave: binoculars, movie or video camera, still camera, laptop computer and portable music system.
Export. It is illegal to export objects over 100 years old (like sacred images, paintings, manuscripts). Visitors are advised not to purchase such items as they are Nepal’s cultural heritage and belong here. All statues, sacred paintings and such other items have to be cleared by the Department of Archaeology (Tel: 250683, 250685) at Ramshah Path near Singha Durbar that they are not antiques before being allowed to be sent or carried out of the country. Handicraft dealers are able to assist you in this process. For more information, contact the TIA Customs Office; Tel: 470110, 472266.
Airport Tax. Passengers departing from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) are required to pay an airport tax of Rs. 700 for travel to SAARC countries and Rs. 1000 to other international destinations. Domestic airport tax at TIA, Pokhara, Bhadrapur, Biratnagar, Simara, Bhairahawa, Lukla, Nepalgunj and Jomsom is Rs. 150. In Rajbiraj, Janakpur, Bharatpur, Tikapur, Dang, Surkhet, Dhangadhi and Mahendranagar, the tax has been fixed at Rs. 125 (+10% VAT).
POST AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
The General Post Office (Tel: 227499, 240018), located near the Dharahara Tower, maintains operating hours from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. The counters are open 7 am to 4 pm and provide stamps, postcards and aerogrammes. Post Restante is available Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm. Airmail of parcels up to 10 kg and surface mail of up to 20 kg can be booked at the foreign parcel counter from 9 am to 2 pm, Monday through Friday. Express Mail Service (EMS) is available at the GPO and at Thamel, Basantapur and airport postal counters.
Telephone, fax, telex and telegraph services are available at the Nepal Telecommunication Corporation near the stadium. Hotels and private communication centers also provide long distance telephone (ISD, STD) and E-mail services. The country code for Nepal is 977 and the area code for Kathmandu is 1.
TOURIST POLICE
The Nepal Police has a unit known as the Tourist Police trained specially to assist visitors regarding security and other travel related problems. Telephone 247041 and an English-speaking officer will take your call from 11 am – 5 pm. The office is located in the Nepal Tourism Board building, Bhrikuti Mandap. You can also seek one of the officers stationed at Thamel (Tel: 429750) or at other major tourist sites. Look for the Tourist Police insignia on their left shoulder. A Tourist Police van is also on constant patrol.
ASSOCIATIONS
For information or for providing comments on any aspect of your visit to Nepal, you are welcome to contact the following associations:
Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN)
Box 20980, Anamnagar; Tel: 240940
Association For Tourism
Box 9541, Thamel, Kathmandu; Tel: 423882
Central Carpet Industries Association (CCIA)
Box 2419, Bijuli Bazaar, Kathmandu; Tel: 496108
Export Council of Nepal (ECON)
Box 13943, Thamel; Tel: 422520
Federation of Nep. Chambers of Commerce & Ind.
Teku; Tel: 262218, 262061
Handicraft Association of Nepal (HAN)
Box 784, Thapathali, Kathmandu; Tel: 212567
Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA)
Box 4944, Lazimpat; Tel: 440292, 440293
Hotel Association Nepal (HAN)
Box 2151, Kamal Pokhari, Kathmandu; Tel: 412705, 410522
Nagarkot – Naldum Tourism Development Committee
Nagarkot; Tel: 221012
Nepal Association of Fine Arts (NAFA)
Naxal, Kathmandu; Tel: 411729
Nepal Association of Rafting Agents (NARA)
Box 3586, Kamaladi, Kathmandu; Tel: 244048
Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO)
Box 495, Kamaladi, Kathmandu
Nepal Association of Travel Agents (NATA)
Box 362, Naxal, Kathmandu; Tel: 418661
Nepal Beauticians Association (NBA)
Tripureswor, Kathmandu
Nepal Hotel Business Society
Box 4650, Bagh Durbar, Kathmandu; Tel: 255361
Nepal Freight Forwarders Assoc. (NEFFA)
Box 20283, Naxal, NATA Building; Tel: 419769
Nepal Incentive and Convention Association (NICA)
New Baneswar; Tel: 494411
Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA)
Box 1435, Naxal, Kathmandu; Tel: 434525
Nepal Tourism Board (NTB)
Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu; Tel: 256909
Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
Nepal Chapter
Box 1041, RNAC Building, Kathmandu; Tel: 224266
Regional Hotel Association Pokhara
Pokhara; Tel: 20474
Restaurant and Bar Assoc. of Nepal (REBAN)
Box 6908, Dhobi Dhara, Kathmandu; Tel: 416078
Tourist Guide Association of Nepal (TURGAN)
Box 5344, Kamaladi, Kathmandu; Tel: 225102
Tourist Guide Welfare Association of Nepal (TGWAN)
Thamel; Tel: 413667
Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN)
Box 3612, Naxal, Kathmandu; Tel: 427473
Trekking Guides Association of Nepal (TGAN)
Jyatha, Thamel, Kathmandu
Village Tourism-Nepal (VITOUN)
P.O. Box 20101; Tridevi Marg; Tel: 258732
TIME DIFFERENCES
Nepal time is five hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT. The following table gives the time differences with major world cities (with international direct dialing country and area codes in parentheses):
When it is 12 noon in Kathmandu, it is
| 8:15 am | in Amsterdam | (31-20) |
| 6:15 pm | in Auckland | (64-9) |
| 1:15 pm | in Bangkok | (66-2) |
| 2:15 pm | in Beijing | (86-1) |
| 11:45 am | in Calcutta | (91-33) |
| 11:45 am | in Colombo | (94-1) |
| 8:15 am | in Copenhagen | (45-6/2) |
| 12:15 pm | in Dhaka | (880-2) |
| 9:15 am | in Doha | (974-08) |
| 10:15 am | in Dubai | (971-4) |
| 8:15 am | in Frankfurt | (49-69) |
| 2:15 pm | in Hong Kong | (852) |
| 11:15 am | in Karachi | (92-21) |
| 2:15 pm | in Kuala Lumpur | (60-3) |
| 2:15 pm | in Lhasa | (86-0891) |
| 6:15 am | in London | (44-01) |
| 11:15 pm | in Los Angeles | (1-213) |
| 11:45 am | in Madras | (91-44) |
| 8:15 am | in Madrid | (34-1) |
| 11:15 am | in Male | (960) |
| 2:15 pm | in Manila | (63-2) |
| 4:15 pm | in Melbourne | (61-3) |
| 2:15 am | in Montreal | (1-514) |
| 10:15 am | in Moscow | (7-095) |
| 11:45 am | in Mumbai | (91-22) |
| 11:45 am | in New Delhi | (91-11) |
| 2:15 am | in New York City | (1-212) |
| 3:15 pm | in Osaka | (81-6) |
| 8:15 am | in Paris | (33-1) |
| 2:15 pm | in Perth | (61-9) |
| 3:15 am | in Rio de Janeiro | (55-21) |
| 9:15 am | in Riyadh | (966-1) |
| 8:15 am | in Rome | (39-6) |
| 3:15 pm | in Seoul | (82-2) |
| 2:15 pm | in Shanghai | (86-21) |
| 2:15 pm | in Singapore | (65) |
| 8:15 am | in Stockholm | (46-8) |
| 4:15 pm | in Sydney | (61-2) |
| 11:45 am | in Thimpu | (975) |
| 3:15 pm | in Tokyo | (81-3) |
| 12:45 pm | in Yangon | (95-1) |
| 8:15 am | in Zurich | (41-1) |
GOVERNMENT HOLIDAYS
Government offices are closed on Saturday and Sunday in the Kathmandu Valley and on Saturday in other places. Most businesses are closed on Saturday. Other government holidays occurring during January to March are as follows:
| Jan 29 (Tue) | Martyrs’ Day |
| Feb 19 (Tue) | National Democracy Day |
| Mar 8 (Fri) | Women’s Day (for women only) |
| Mar 12 (Tue) | Maha Shiva Ratri |
| Mar 28 (Thu) | Holi |
INFORMATIONEN FÜR REISENDE
Informationsbüros des Nepal Tourism Board. Zweigstellen gibt es in Kathmandu nahe dem Bhrikuti Mandap und am Tribhuvan International Airport, sowie in den Städten Pokhara, Birgunj, Bhairawa, Janakpur und Kakarbhitta. Das Tourist Service Center ist in Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu, und verteilt auf Anfrage kostenlos Poster und Brochüren.
Geldwechsel. Es ist illegal mit anderen als den autorisierten Stellen (Banken, Hotels und lizensierte Geldwechsler) zu tauschen. Damit Sie bei Ihrer Abreise überzählige Rupien zurücktauschen können, achten Sie bitte darauf, daß Sie die Quittungen aufbewahren, die Sie für den Rücktausch vorlegen müssen. Die Bank in der Abflughalle am Flughafen hilft Ihnen beim Rücktausch (Tel. 471 933 Apparat 442).
Touristenvisum. Außer für indische Staatsangehörige ist ein Visum erforderlich. Ein einmaliges Einreisevisum für 60 Tage kann man von der nepalesischen Botschaft oder einem Konsulat erhalten. Die Gebühren kosten 30 US$. Das Visum ist auch am Einreiseort zu erhalten. Man muss für ein einmaliges Visum 25 US$, ein zweimaliges Visum 40 US$ und ein Multivisum 60 US$ zusätzlich bezahlen. Die Verlängerung des Visums kostet 50 US$ für jeden zasätzlichen Monat. Das Department of Immigration stellt das Visum aus. Die Touristen, die nach ihrer Rückkehr wieder in Nepal innerhalb 150 Tagen während des selben Visumjahres einreisen, können ein Einreisevisum erhalten. Die Gebühren 50 US$ für einen Monat. Kinder unter 10 Jahren müssen keine Visagebühren bezahlen. Das Department of Immigration (Ausländerbehörde) ist am Bhrikuti Mandap in Kathmandu (Tel. 222453, 223590). In Pokhara gibt es eine Zweigstelle, die Trekking Permits ausstellt und Visen verlängert.
Trekking Permits. Außer Annapurna-, Everest- und Langtanggebiet ist die Trekkingserlaubnis für das Trekking im Landesinneren erforderlich. Die Permits bekommt man in den Büros des Department of Immigration in Kathmandu und Pokhara. Wenn Sie vorhaben, in zwei verschiedene Gebiete zu wandern, brauchen Sie auch zwei getrennte Permits.
Zoll. Neben persönlichen Gebrauchsgegenständen dürfen Ausländer 200 Zigaretten oder 50 Zigarren, 2 Flaschen bzw. 12 Dosen Bier oder 1 Flasche Schnaps zollfrei ins Land einführen. Es gibt Beschränkungen beim Import von bestimmten Dingen wie Kameras, Video‑ und elektronische Geräte, und es gibt Ausfuhrverbote. Wenn Sie nichts zu verzollen haben, können Sie direkt zum grünen Ausgang gehen. Ihre Koffern werden dort geröntgt. Wenn Sie etwas zu versollen haben, müssen Sie den roten Ausgang benützen. Ein Zollbeamter wird dort auf Sie warten.
Gegenstände mit archaeologischem oder historischem Wert dürfen nicht ausgeführt werden und sollten nicht erworben werden. Alle Metallfiguren, Malereien im antiken Stil, Teppiche und andere Gegenstände müssen vom Department of Archeology geprüft werden, bevor sie außer Landes geschickt oder gebracht werden. Die Agenten der Reisebüros und die Händler für Kunsthandwerk können Ihnen dabei helfen. Für weitere Auskünfte kontaktieren Sie das Customs Department, Tripureshwar (Tel. 259861, 259915).
Flughafensteuer. Die Flughafensteuer wird von allen Passagieren erhoben, die vom Tribhuvan International Airport abfliegen. Sie beträgt 700 Rs. bei Flügen in SAARC Länder und 1000 Rs. bei allen anderen internationalen Reisezielen. Die Steuer für Inlandsflüge beträgt 150 Rs. (+ 10% VAT).
INFORMATIONS POUR LES VOYAGEURS
Centres d’information du Nepal Board du Tourisme. Des bureaux d’accueils sont situés dans Kathmandou près de Bhrikuti Mandap et a l’Aéroport International de Tribhuvan ainsi que dans les villes de Pokhara, Birgunj, Bhairawa, Janakpur, et Kakarbhitta. Le Centre du Service Touriste, situé à Bhrikuti Mandap, distribue des posters et des prospectus gratuits à la demande.
Change. Il est illégal de changer les devises avec des particuliers et organisations autre que les places autorisées (banques, hotels et changeurs de devises sous licence). Afin de rechanger votre surplus de roupies au moment de votre départ du Nepal, assurez vous d’avoir conservé vos reçus d’encaissement; ils vous seront nécessaires pour cette opération. Une banque située dans le hall des départs de l’aéroport (Tel: 471933, poste 442) vous aidera dans ce processus.
Visa de tourisme. Un visa est nécessaire pour entrer au Nepal, excepté pour les nationaux Indiens. Il peut être obtenu un visa valide pour une seule entrée pour 60 jours dans tout Consulat ou Ambassade du Népal contre paiement de 30 dollars. Vouz pouvez aussi obtenir un visa a votre point d’entrée au moment de votre arrivée. Les visiteurs qui besoin une seule entrée, une double entrée ou un visa à entrée multiple peuvent les obtiennent contre paiement additionel du 25, 40 et 60 dollars respectivement. Pour l’extention du visa, le Départment de l’Immigration charge 50 dollars pour chaque mois additionel. Les visiteurs qui rentrent a la pays dans 150 jours de departure au cours de la même l’année du visa peuvent obtenir un visa pour entrer en paiment de 50 dollars pour 30 jours. Pour les enfants de moins de 10 ans, le visa est gratuit.
Le Départment de l’Immigration est situé dans Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandou (Tel: 222453, 223590). Il y a un bureau à Pokhara pour les extensions de visa et pour les permis de trekking.
Permis de trekking. Un permis de trekking est nécessaire pour visiter les régions intérieures du pays sauf que l’Annapurna, l’Everest et le Langtang région; ce permis peut être obtenu aux Bureaux d’Immigration de Kathmandou ou de Pokhara. Si vous projetez de faire un trekking dans deux régions différentes, deux permis de trekking sont nécessaires.
Douane. Hormis leurs effets personnels, les visiteurs étrangers sont autorisés à importer en exemption de taxe: 200 cigarettes ou 50 cigares; deux bouteilles ou 12 cannettes de biere ou 1 bouteille d’alcool distillé. Il y a des limitations a l’importation de certains articles tels que appareils photos, vidéos et matériel électronique, et il y a restriction a l’exportation de certaines marchandises. Ceux qui n’ont rien à declarer peuvent proceder directement au Canal Vert où leurs valises seront passées aux rayons X. Ceux qui ont quelque chose à declarer doivent utiliser le Canal Rouge où ils seront reçus par un agent des douanes.
Les objets ayant une valeur archéologique ou historique ne pourront pas être exportés et ne devraient pas être achetés. Toutes statues et peintures anciennes, tapis et autres objets de même nature doivent être contrôlés par le Départment d’Archeolegie avant d’être envoyés ou emportés. Les agents de voyage et vendeurs de souvenirs peuvent vous aider dans les formalités. Pour plus d’informations, contactez le Department des Douanes, Tripureswor (Tel: 259861, 259915).
Taxe d’aeroport. La taxe d’aéroport est demandée à tout passager quittant le pays, à l’aéroport de Tribhuvan International. Elle est de 700 roupies pour les pays de SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) et de 1000 roupies pour toutes autres destinations internationales. La taxe de vols intérieurs est de 150 roupies (+ 10% VAT).