Facts about Nepal:

Location:
Between India & The Tibetan Autonomous region of The People’s Republic of China.

Area:
147181 Sq. Kms.

Latitude:
26’ 4” and 30’27” North.

Longitude:
80’4” and 88’12” East.

Capitol:
Kathmandu.

Topography:
From the world’s deepest gorge “Kaligandaki’ to the highest point on Mt.Everest.

Vegetation:
Nepal possesses some of the most outstanding Bio-Diversity in the world. Ranging from Sub-tropical rain forest to Alpine deserts.

Climate:
Climate range from Sub-Tropical in the low land to Artic in the higher altitude.
World Heritage Site: Nepal has 10 heritage site & 7 heritage site is in Kathmandu just with in 20 Kms.

Flora & Fauna:
840 different species of wet land migratory & residential birds. 11 of the 15 butterfly families in the world. 2% of the flowering plants. 4% of mammals on Earth.

Home of Endangered Species:
Royal Bengal Tiger, One Horned Rhino, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Brown Bear, Gangetic Dolphins, Wild Elephant, Giant Horn Bill, Swamp Deer, Wild Yak, Musk Deer, Black Buck Tibetan Antelope etc.

The people:
Nepal's many ethnic groups are as varied as its land. In Nepal there is more than 35 different ethnic groups with their own language, culture & custom. Nepal is the only Hindu kingdom in the world. Hinduism, tempered by Buddhism, dominates it. Total population of Nepal is about 19 million & 90% of them living in rural areas. Most of the rural areas are in Terai, southern part of the country.
For most people the urge to see Nepal comes from the lure of the Mountains, yet perhaps one of the greatest features of trekking is the close contact made with the Nepalese people themselves. They are physically strong, full of humor, sharp witted and full of life. The life they, we consider extremely tough but their positive attitude and friendly disposition enables them to endure and even enjoy, this primitive and rugged existence.

The Land: 
For its size, Nepal surprisingly contains the greatest altitudinal variation on this planet. Nowhere else on Earth does the land reach so high. The land rises from the Terai, the southern plains at almost sea level and within a short distance to the North, culminates at Sagarmatha (Mt.Everest), the highest point on Earth. Eight of the 14 summits in the world over 8000m lie in Nepal. Nepal clearly divisible into three separate areas The Terai, The Middle Hills, and The Mighty Himalayas. Nepal offers an unbelievable diversity of and forms, climates and vegetation that makes almost every day trekking a different experience.

Language:
Nepali, written in Devanagari script, is the national language. English, widely understood in the urban centers and areas frequented by tourist. Your guide speaks English. Nepali is a relatively simple language and it is worth considering buying a small phrase book to carry with you for reference. Most Nepalese will only be too happy to help you with learning Nepali.

Time:
Nepal is 5 and 1/2 hours ahead of GMT, 4 and 1/2 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard time and 10 and 1/2 hours ahead of American Eastern Standard time.

Your address in Nepal:
During your visit in Nepal you can use our address. Usually mail to Nepal takes 7 to 12 days, seldom longer. Your mail can be sent in our office as follows.
Your Name
Trek name & Joining date

C/- Himalventure trek & Expedition P.Ltd.

P.O.Box # 9030
Kathmandu, Nepal.
Phone # 977-1-4700385 / Fax # 977-1-4701386.
e-mail: himtrek@ccsl.com.np
Web Page: www.himalventuretreks.com

During your stay in Nepal please observe the following:
Women and men should not wear high cut or revealing shorts. Long shorts and long trousers are more acceptable.
Tops that bear the shoulders are not acceptable.
Full or partial nudity is unacceptable; please wear swimsuit or sarong when bathing.
Please remove your shoes before entering to any Monastery or Temple.(This may not always apply. Check with locals)
Over displays of affection between men and women are discouraged.
Most Hindus & Buddhist cannot eat food that has been touched by a foreigner.
Do not throw rubbish into a cooking fire.
It is religiously offensive to touch on the head.
Many Hindu Temples are closed for foreigner. Please ask your guide or locals before you enter into any temple.

Money to bring with you:
The ideal currency is US $ in travelers cheques for increased security and convenience, preferably from major companies such as Visa, American Express or similar. In General, it is very hard to advise on the correct amount to bring as everyone has different budgets and different ideas of what souvenirs are going to be bought. However on trek, rafting probably you will spend between 100 to 300 Nepali Rupees (Around $ 2 to 4) for soft drinks, chocolates etc. If you drink or smoke, you have to add little more on it. In Kathmandu generally this is about Rs 200 to 400 ($ 4 to 6) per meal in the tourist area of Thamel.

About Money: 
The unit of the Nepalese currency is the RUPEE, which is made up of 100 PAISA. Notes are in 1000 (Silver), 500(Brown), 100(Green), 50(Blue), 20(Orange), 10(Gray), 5(Pink), 2(Gray/Green, 1(Gray/Blue) denomination. The Exchange rate varies rate varies constantly.

Tipping:
Tipping is completely personal matter and entirely optional but for those that wish to tip or consider the service exceptional the following is recommended as a guideline.
In Hotels: 10 Rs for bellboys, waiters and porters is adequate.
After Trek and Rafting: The practice of tipping field staff and raft staff has become an enjoyable ritual at the end of trek and raft. As a general guide for Annapurna Trek Rs 1500 to 2000 each client is more than adequate. This amount is shared between all the staff involved in your trek.

Keeping things safe:
While you are trekking, your passport and air ticket are kept in our safe. You should deposit your valuables such as Travelers Cheques, Cash and other papers either in your hotel lockers or in our safe. There is no use to carry all your valuables in trekking.

Shopping:
Visitors in Nepal are amazed at the variety, quality and cheapness of the souvenirs and handicrafts available for sale. The most popular area is Thamel. Your guide will show you around Thamel, introducing you to various restaurant shops. This colorful area of Kathmandu with its mélange of trekking shops, bars and street hawkers is not really a good representation of Nepal but it certainly provides a great way to fill up your suitcase with bargains.
Pottery from Bhaktapur, painted masks from Thimi, distinctive weaving from various ethnic regions of Nepal, hand-knotted carpets from Tibetan refugee camp, jewelry, brassware and clothing from different part of the country. Bargaining is a way of life and an acquired skill. Virtually everything is sold after negotiation. With patience and humor the buying price can often be bought for much cheaper. Remember that generally the more relaxed and friendly you are while bargain, the cheaper the price you pay.
Credit cards are not normally accepted and in those shops that do accept it a premium is charged for credit card use. Cash Rupees are the best way to shop.

The paperwork:
All nationals require a visa for Nepal. Visa can be obtained from the airport immigration on your arrival but we recommend that you obtain visa before leaving your home country. If you are staying in Nepal after the tour completion date, it is your responsibility to extend your visa from the date tour visa expired. At your initial trek briefing you will be required to fill out the forms for your trek permit and for Rafting permit. You will require 3 passport size photos for this.

Insurance:
We highly recommend that you take out a comprehensive Personal Travel Insurance Policy before leaving home. It is necessary to take out a personal insurance policy to cover you against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, cancellation and in the unlikely event that you need emergency evacuation by plane or helicopter due to illness or accident. An average rescue flight would cost between US$ 1500 to 3000, therefore it is essential to have adequate insurance cover for all eventualities.