AFTER ARRIVAL IN NEPAL
Your first consideration on arrival is to follow the necessary airport procedures.AFTER YOU GET DOWN FROM THE PLANE
Nepal remains a popular destination for tourists all over the world with its offering of the mystical Himalayas, lush green valleys, and a rich cultural and natural heritage. However, in order to make the initial transition smoother, once you set foot in this enigmatic country, it would be best to follow the following advise.

So are you ready to begin your journey to Nepal? Here is what you should do at the airport:

• Fill out your disembarkation card properly.
• Fill out your visa application form, if you do not have a visa yet, and paste a photo of yourself on the application.
• You will be asked to submit your visa fees. For travelers visiting Nepal the second time: be informed that you will be asked to pay a re-entry fees. If you come to nepal for no longer than 24 hours and you can show a valid flight ticket, you can get a transit visa for only US$ 5.
• Once you pay the visa fees, do not forget to count the change, and don’t be shy to claim the deficit!
• Next, you will walk through an X-ray machine. After that, walk to the luggage claim and make sure you collect all that is yours. If any of your baggage is missing, you can claim it at the concerned Airline’s office.
• Walk through customs. Expect to be checked even at the green channel.
• When you get a trolley for your luggage, make sure that the trolley is functioning well.
• You exit, and now, do not, I repeat, DO NOT be shocked…. Fifty people will come at you offering this, that or the other. Flatly refuse. Say NO to everything.
• If you are not picked up by a travel agent or an acquaintance, walk to the departure lounge and hail a normal taxi.
• Check into a hotel (preferably one that has been recommended to you by a friend).
• Congratulations! You are now all set to begin your journey of the mystical land of the Shangri-La.

WELCOME TO THE HIMALAYAN NATION OF NEPAL
Dear travelers, please be informed of the following important hints for your safety.

• Beware of touts who claim to be the representatives of companies and offer to take you bargain-hunting.
• Always use hotel safety boxes for valuables such as money, passports, cameras etc. Do not leave cash and other valuable things lying around in your room.
• Always keep the photocopies of passports and permits with you for they might be checked anywhere on security grounds.
• It is illegal to exchange currency with persons other than authorized dealers in foreign exchange (bank and hotels).
• Save your encashment receipts in order to change surplus rupees at the time of departure, as you must present your receipts for this exchange.
• Always drink boiled or mineral water for hygiene purposes.
  Fruits and uncooked vegetables should be treated before consumption to avoid dysentery and other diseases.
• Never eat any kind of food which is openly sold on the side of the roads.
• Do not encourage begging by being benevolent.
• Pick-pocketing in crowded public places and buses is common, so be careful and always keep your valuables close to your body.
• Ask for permission before taking snaps of any religious place or people.
  While traveling in a local taxi, properly check the meter and pay only the amount shown by the meter.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Newspapers and Magazines
Visit www.thehimalayantimes.com or www.ekantipur.com for the latest news & events.

Television
There are a lot of Nepali TV channels nowadays, apart from the government owned Nepal Television (NTV), that broadcasts news and other entertainments. Similarly, numerous regional television stations are dominating today’s market. Some of the major channels include: Kantipur, NTV2, Image Channel, Sagarmatha, ABC etc. Many hotels and lodges provide access to satellite channels such as the BBC, CNN, National Geographic etc.

Electricity
Major towns in Nepal have electricity, and the voltage available is 220-volts and 50 cycles. Though load shedding is existent, most of the major hotels have installed their own generators.

Time and Business Hours

Nepal is 5 hours and 45 minutes ahead of Greenwich Median Time (GMT).

Business Hours within the Valley

• Government offices are open from 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday through Thursday and close at 3 pm on Fridays. During winter, the office closes at 4 pm.
• Banks are open from Sunday through Thursday, from 10 am to 3 pm, and till 1pm on Fridays. Most of the banks also operate evening counters which open from 4 pm- 6 pm.
• Most business offices are open from 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday to Friday.
• Embassies and International organizations are open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.
• Most shops open after 10 am and close at about 8 pm. They are usually closed on Saturdays.

Holidays
Nepal observes numerous holidays so, it is important to check the holiday calendar. Government offices observe all the national holidays and banks observe majority of them. Businesses observe major holidays only.

GETTING AROUND

Airport Bus
Airport tourist bus now shuttles passengers between Tribhuvan International Airport and downtown Kathmandu. Metered taxis are also easily available, as are prepaid taxis.

Long distance day or night bus services are available from Kathmandu to all the cities of Nepal. A new bus park has been constructed at Gongabu, on the Ring Road near Balaju, from where buses depart for different destinations.

City Buses
Airport tourist bus now shuttles passengers between Tribhuvan International Airport and downtown Kathmandu. Metered taxis are also easily available, as are prepaid taxis.

There are many buses and minibuses available at Ratna Park (Old Bus Park) which departs to different destinations in the valley. Bus services operate from early morning (5 or 6 am) till 8 or 9 pm.

Metered Taxi
Consult Kathmandu Valley map to find out the direction of your destination. Hail a taxi, which is easily recognizable by its taxi sign on the top of the vehicle and its black license plate. Trips inside the city can cost anywhere between Rs. 50 – 200 depending on the distance you are travelling. No tips are expected.

A metered taxi from the airport to downtown will cost around Rs. 150 – Rs. 200. Private taxis may charge a slightly higher than the ordinary taxis.

Night taxi services, operated by major hotels, can also be arranged. The fare is slightly higher than the metered taxi. One can also rent a private car through a travel agent or a car rental company

Tempos/ Micro Buses
Gas and battery operated vehicles with fixed routes and rates are also available in the valley. The fare is cheaper than metered taxis.

Rickshaws
Three wheeled Rickshaws are also available that transport tourists from one place to the other. However, the charge for the ride varies from one vehicle to the other.

Long Distance Bus Service
Long distance day or night bus services are available from Kathmandu to all the cities of Nepal. A new bus park has been constructed at Gongabu, on the Ring Road near Balaju, from where buses depart for different destinations.

Mountain Bikes / Ordinary Bicycles
Mountain bikes and ordinary bicycles are cheap and the best form of transportation for economy tourists. One can hire them in Thamel, Rani Pokhari and Jhochhen.

Domestic Air Service
Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has an extensive network of air services within Nepal. It has scheduled connecting flights from Kathmandu to Taplejung, Bhadrapur, Rajbiraj, Bhojpur, Phaplu, Lukla, Lamidanda, Tumlingtar, Rumjatar, Biratnagar, Simara, Janakpur, Ramechhap, Bharatpur, Meghauli, Pokhara, Jomsom, Manang, Baglung, Bhairahwa, Nepalgunj, Surkhet, Dang, Dolpa, Jumla, Bajura to name a few. Besides the national carrier, other domestic airlines such as Buddha Air, Yeti Airways, Sita Air and Agni Air also provide regular and charter services to popular domestic destinations.