Nepal is a heady mix, a fascinating land of ancient history, vibrant cultures and people, bio-diversity and scenic grandeur. Behind the old temples and places of the Kathmandu Valley, above and beyond the hills that surrounding the valley, another kingdom' rises skyward. The abode of snows' which is what Himalaya means in Sanskrit, is a natural kingdom' and a magnet to mountaineers from all above the world. You don't have to be Sherpa or Hillary in order for you to get in amongst these great mountains. With a touch of enterprises and a modicum of fitness most travelers can walk the trails that lead into the road less heights of the Himalaya. In Nepal one trek is rarely enough, and many visitors soon find themselves planning to return. Fascinating old town, magnificent temples and great walking are not all Nepal has to offer. Many visitors come to Nepal expecting to find these things but also discover how outstanding friendly the Nepalese are.

Geography:
Nepal is a land that is largely defined by its geographical features. Located between China and India, Nepal also stands at the defining frontier of civilization in this part of the world, showing a true multicultural, multi-ethic amalgamation. This varied landscapes has a population of roughly 23 million people, with over 70 languages and dialects.

Close to a third of the length of the greater Himalayan falls within Nepal's borders. In fact, 10 of the world's 14 highest mountains lie within the 147,181sq.km spread of this landlocked mountain kingdom. Geographically, it remains an active zone and the youngest mountains in the world are still in a state of uplift.

Nepal supports an astonishing variety of flora and fauna due to its geographical location, climate, altitude and aspect. Packed into a width if less than a 100 km, are conditions ranging from tropical to alpine, from an altitude of 60-100m above sea level to 8,848m. This unique location and climate has the best of both geographical worlds-flora and fauna of the Orient as well as that of the Holarctic.

Adventure Tourism
Nepal's popularity as a tourist destination has increased vastly over the last three decades. So have infrastructure and the possibility of visiting the far-flung parts of this mountain kingdom. Today, tourism is the major foreign exchange earner fort he country and employs/engages a sizeable number of locals. Nepal has now emerged as a destination that prides itself on offering the best of services to traveler and tourist, suiting a whole to traveler and tourist, suiting a whole range of budgets and offering multiple possibilities too explore this land.

Adventure tourism here dates back to the early attempts to scale the world's highest peaks. It has come a long way since. While trekking, mountaineering and game watching have long been popular, an entire range of other possibilities have been explored in the recent years- rafting, biking, fishing, rock-climbing, paragliding, ultra-light aircraft, hot air-ballooning, mountain flight, boating, pony treks, jet scooter, boating and bungy jumping.

This varied landscapes has some of the best sites for these activities, raging rivers to run, mountains to scale, clear blue skies, challenging treks, fine lakes and rivers to boat, fish and raft down, and a wild terrain to ride. Come be part of this experience. Come get a hormonal high.

Climate:
Nepal contains a variety of climate conditions ranging from the tropical heat of the Terai plains to the freezing cold of the high Himalaya. The mid-hills, particularly the Kathmandu Valley, are pleasant with warm summers and cool winters. Temperatures range between a maximum of 37 and a minimum of f8 degrees Celsius in the plains, 28 and 2 degress Celsius in the Kathmandu Valley, and between 16 and –6 degrees Celsius in the mountains. The rainy season generally begins from June and lasts till August.

The people
Nepal’s many ethic groups are as varied as its land with their own languages and cultures. In the Kathmandu Valley are the Newars, whose culture and artistry have earned them an international reputation. The Sherpas of the Himalaya are known as tough mountain climbers. Brahmins and Chhetris are scattered over the hills and valleys, and Tamangs are found in the districts around the Kathmandu Valley. The Rais, the mid-hill have earned fame as Gurkha soldiers. Lowland ethnic groups such as the Mathili, Bhojpuri and Tharu enhance the colorful mosaic. The population of Nepal is about 23 million.

Population
Currently, Nepal's population stands at around 23 million (1998 estimate). The annunal increase in population is by nearly 600,000. The largest city is Kathmandu, the capital, with more than 700,000 people. In the mountains the rate of increase is lower than in Terai, is because of many people migrating in search of land and work. Despite extremely high rates of infant morality, the life expectancy is only a horrifying 54 years, the overall annual rate of population increase is a rapid 2.6%. Family planning is primary importance, but most people continue to regard children as a blessing. A child is seen as a vital and fulfilling part of the parents' life, an extra worker and someone to care for them in old age, not just an extra stomach. Women have an average of more than four children each.

Entry Procedure & Visa:
Except the Indian nationals, all visitors must hold passport and valid Visa, Visa can be obtained at the Nepalese diplomatic missions and consulate abroad. Visa is also issued at the entry points. Visa can be extended at the department of immigration, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu (telephone number 223590).
Children under 10 years are not required to pay any Visa fee. Two passport size photos are essential. The Visa fee is US $ 30 for single entry and US$ 50 for multiple entries.
Business Visa (with multiple entry) can be obtained from the department of immigration for the period of one year or five years upon the recommendation of the ministry of Industry by paying the equivalent of US$ 100 and US $ 250 respectively in Nepalese currency for the foreign investors.

Currency regulation:
The unit of the Nepalese currency is Rupee. One Nepalese Rupees is made of 100 paisa. Nepalese Rupee notes some in RS 1, 2, 5,10,20,25,50,100,500,1000.
Foreign Visitors other than the Indian national are required to pay their hotel bills and air tickets in foreign currency. However the other payments must always be made in Nepalese currency, which can be bought at foreign currency exchange counter at the airport. The foreign currency also can be exchanged in hotel, different bank counter & authorized foreign exchange dealers.

The rate of exchange of the foreign currencies is determined by the Nepal Rastra Bank & is announced in the press daily.
The Current rate is US $ 1=Rupees 78, Euro 1=Rupees 76 update of August 2002.