Travel Guide To Kathmandu, Nepal

Kathmandu is the largest city and capital of Nepal and the namesake of the Kathmandu Valley. Once thought to be the fabled and inaccessible Shangri-La, Kathmandu is now a hub for independent travelers as well as a growing vacation spot catering to all budgets. As a result of considerable urban growth in recent decades, it is now part of one continuous urban area together with Patan to the south.

The city's rich history is nearly 2000 years old, as inferred from an inscription in the valley. Its religious affiliations are dominantly Hindu followed by Buddhism. People of other religious beliefs also live in Kathmandu giving it a cosmopolitan culture. Nepali is the common language of the city, though many speak the Nepal Bhasa Newari as it is the center of the Newar (meaning: citizens of Nepal) people and culture. English and Hindi are understood by all of the educated population of the city. Besides a significant number of the population speaks any of the foreign languages like: French, German, Chinese, Hebrew, Korean etc. The literacy rate is 98% in the city.

From the point of view of tourism, economy and cultural heritage, the sister cities of Lalitpur (Patan) and Bhaktapur are integral to Kathmandu.

The city generally has a salubrious climate with comfortable warm days followed by the cool mornings and nights. Unpredictability of weather is expected as during winter, temperatures during the winter months have dropped to 3 °C (37 °F). The rainfall which is mostly monsoon based (about 65% of the total concentrated during the monsoon months of June to August), which decreases (100 cm to 200 cm) substantially from eastern Nepal to western Nepal, has been recorded as about 1,400 millimetres (55 in) for the Kathmandu valley and an average of 1,407 millimetres (55.4 in) specifically for the Kathmandu city. On an average Humidity is 75%.

Getting there and getting around

Kathmandu can be reached in from around 28 locations in UK and Ireland with airlines such as Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air India, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Gulf Air, Jet Airways, Kingfisher, Korean Air, Oman Air, PIA, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Thai Airways.

Tribhuvan International Airport is an international airport situated in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Tribhuvan is the sole international airport in Nepal. There are two terminals, one domestic and one international. Radisson Hotel Kathmandu operates an executive lounge for First and Business class passengers for different airlines and Thai Airways International operates a business lounge for its Business class passengers as well as Star Alliance Gold card holders. A recent extension to the international terminal has made the distance to the airplanes shorter. At present, about 30 international airlines connect Nepal to various other destinations in Asia Europe and the Middle East. The airport is about six kilometres from the city centre in the Kathmandu valley.

Other modes of transport include bus etc. with various economical choices and packages.

Places to see

Some of the must-see places in / around Kathmandu are Darbar Square, Bodhnath Stupa, Thamel Chowk, Mountain Flight, Swayambhu,Narayanhiti Palace Museum, Freak Street, Nasal Chowk, Pashupatinath, Garden of Dreams, Taleju Temple, Ashok Binayak, Shiva Temple, Maju Deval, Narayan Temple, Shiva-Parvati Temple, Kumari Palace, Bhagwati temple, Saraswati Temple, Krishna Temple, Sweta Bhairab, Kal Bhairab, Indrapur Temple, Vishnu Temple, Mahendreswar Temple, Kathmandu Area, Bhaktapur, Patan, Pokhara,Kiritpur, Nagarjun Forest Reserve,Basantapur Tower, Chitwan National Park, Kernali River Rafting, National Museum and Tribhuvan Museum.

Food & Drink

The renowned eateries in / around Kathmandu include, but are not limited to, Jatra Resturant, Pumpernickel Bakery, 1905 Resturant and Disco,Fire and Ice Pizzeria, Gaia Resturant & Coffee Shop, Delices de France French Resturant, BK's Palace, Roadhouse Cafe, OR2K, Chez Caroline, Nargila Resturant, Dwarika's hotel, Station BBQ, Le Bistro, Thakali Kitchen, Upstairs Cafe, Mike's Breakfast, Krua Thai Restaurant, International Cuisine, The Chimney Resturant, La Dolce Vita, Golden dragon, Ganesh restaurant, Cafe de Classic, Anatolia Resturant, China Town-The Chinese Resturant and Picnic.

When it comes to drinking Kathmandu has got even more to offer. E.g. Cafe de Peacock and Soma Bar, Buddha Bar, Irish Bar, Sam's Bar, Maya Pub, G"s Terrace, Freak street Bars, Fire Club, Jugal Dance Bar, Jazz Upstairs, The Rum Doodle, New Orleans,Maya Cocktail Bar, J-Bar, Latin Quarter, Full Moon, Tom & Jerry Pub, Just Juice 'n'Shakes, Dechenling Beer House and Jatra.

Entry Requirements - Visas

Visas are required for travel to Nepal. To apply for a Nepalese visa in the United Kingdom you should contact the Nepalese Embassy, 12A, Kensington Palace Gardens, London, W8 4QU (Tel: +20 7229 1594 or 6231 or 5352); (Fax: +20 7792 9861) Full details can also be found on their Website: http://www.nepembassy.org.uk

Visas are available on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport and at certain land borders. You may pay in pounds at the airport, and should bring two passport-sized photos. If you wish to stay for more than 60 days you can extend your visa up to 30 days by applying to the Nepalese Department of Immigration at Bhrikuti Mandap (adjacent to the Tourism Development Board and opposite City Hall) (Tel: +977 1 4222453 or 4223590); (Fax: +977 1 4223127).

Overstaying without authority is serious and you can be detained or refused permission to leave until a fine is paid.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity

Entry to Nepal may be refused, and airlines may not carry you if your passport has less than six months' validity.

Contacts

Nepal, Kathmandu, British Embassy

Address:
P O Box 106
Lainchaur
General Enquiries - BEKathmandu@fco.gov.uk
Consular Enquiries - Ktm.Consular@fco.gov.uk

Telephone:
(977) (1) 4414588

Fax:
(977) (1) 4411789

Office hours:
GMT:
Mon-Thurs: 0230-0645/0745-1115
Fri: 0230-0730
Local Time:
Mon-Thurs: 0815-1230/1330-1700
Fri: 0815-1315

Consular opening hours:
Mon-Thurs: 08:15 - 12:30
Fri: 08:15 - 12:30

Website: http://www.ukinnepal.fco.gov.uk/en

Country	Nepal
Time Zone	Nepal Time (UTC+5:45)

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