Pilgrimage Tour to Nepal and India
Travel Notes and Suggestions
Novemer 28 - December 7, 2005

Please bring these things with you for the trip

Nepalese visa
A tourist visa can be easily obtained from the immigration counter upon entry at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. A single-entry visa for 60 days costs US$ 30. The application forms are available as you enter the immigration area. Be sure to bring two passport photos with you and the correct amount in US$ to facilitate the process.

Tourist visas are also available from Royal Nepalese embassies and consulates throughout the world. Please contact the Nepalese embassy or consulate nearest you for information.

On expiry of the 60-day visa, tourists can obtain a further visa for another 30 days on payment of US $30. Tourist visas can be extended at the immigration office monthly, for a total stay of up to 150 days per Western calendar year.

Banking and currency
The official rate for the Nepalese rupee was 71.50 rupees to one US dollar as of May 2004. Visa, American Express and MasterCard are in common use here though frequently with a surcharge. It is not necessary to bring a lot of cash as traveler’s checks are easily cashed and are safer. The following currencies, among others, are easily cashed at local banks: traveler’s checks and cash in US Dollars, Canadian dollars, Euros, and British pounds. ATMs (cash machines) are now available in Kathmandu; Visa is somewhat more prevalent than Mastercard; AmEx is rare.

Communication services
It is easy to keep in touch with home from Kathmandu. There are many communication centers in Kathmandu with international phone, fax, e-mail, internet phone, photocopy machines, postal and express mail services.

Climate and clothing
The cold season in Kathmandu usually begins in November and ends in mid-February, with temperatures dropping to near freezing at night and warming with the sun to 50-75°F/10-26C during the day. Morning fog may persist through midday and occasional showers occur in January, in which case the weather is cooler. Mid-October through December is characterized by mostly clear skies and excellent views. October and March are particularly pleasant with warm days (75-85°F/26-32¡C) and cool nights (45-55°F/7-13C). In April the weather turns hotter and dry, with occasional thunderstorms in the afternoons or evenings.

Casual, but modest, clothing is recommended, and is appreciated by the local Nepalis. As the temperatures will vary during these months, consider layering your clothing to make the most of each item. For the cold season bring jeans, corduroys and long skirts/dresses, with shirts and a sweater/jacket. Women often wear leggings/tights under their skirts. A down vest/jacket and polar fleece garments are lightweight and useful. Some people find they need long underwear and a hat. All types of clothing are available, or can be made inexpensively in Kathmandu. Sturdy, comfortable shoes/sandals are a must for Kathmandu’s rugged streets and sidewalks. Loafers, sandals or other slip-on shoes are advisable for use in the monastery, as shoes are customarily removed before entering most rooms. Hiking boots are also advisable if you plan to do any trekking or day-hikes around the Valley, but these are also available locally. For the warmer months bring light clothing for the daytime and a lighter sweater/jacket for evening. Bring a swimsuit if you swim and plan to be in Kathmandu during the spring or fall. You might want to bring a sleeping bag, especially if you are traveling outside Kathmandu.

Climate
Nepal has four climatic seasons (a) Spring: March-May, (b) Summer: June-August (c) Autumn: September-November and (d) Winter: December-February. The average temperature and rainfall records in Kathmandu are presented hereunder:

Medical Care
Regarding medical care, there are several medical clinics with medical practitioners trained in the West. The CIWEC Travel Medicine Center has three doctors, a nurse practitioner, and several consultants, including a female gynecologist. There are also good doctors of Homeopathic, Tibetan and Ayurvedic medicine in Kathmandu. There is a world class eye hospital as well. If you wear glasses, bring a spare pair. Alternatively, bring the prescription for your lenses as most types of lenses can be made here at very low cost and quickly should you have a problem.

It is strongly advisable to have medical insurance, especially medical evacuation insurance, during your period of residence in Nepal. In the unlikely event of needing emergency medical assistance outside of Nepal, this kind of insurance could save you a lot of money. If you pay for your ticket with a major credit card, this insurance may be included. It’s worthwhile enquiring.

Note that most locally available medications are manufactured in India and thus are very inexpensive (although this is slowly changing). However, if you use a brand-name prescription medicine (not a generic), consider bringing the medication with you to ensure that the quality and dosage of the medication are maintained. Pollution can be a problem in Kathmandu; travelers with respiratory problems should bring their usual medication.

People
Nepal has a population of more than 23 million people of different ethnic backgrounds living in different regions, with diverse cultures, languages and dialects.

Stay well and enjoy your visit to Nepal!

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