Thamel Tourism Development Committee

Welcome to Thamel Home Page

Visas and trekking permits

Entry visas are granted for 15, 30, or 60 days. Given are the rates specified for various types of visas with their respective time frames. A single-entry visa for 15 days costs US$ 15 and 30 days US$25. A double-entry visa for 30 days costs US$ 40. A multiple-entry visa for 60 days costs US$ 60. In case you need to extend your visa for up to five months in the same year, you have to pay an extra fee of US$ 1 per day of extension at the Department of Immigration. Visa fees are not required for children aged under 10 years. Department of Immigration is located in Thamel, tel: 412337, 418573. Operating days are Sunday to Thursday from 10 am to 1 pm, and Friday from 10 am to 12 noon. Travellers can extend their Visas by applying to the immigration office in Pokhara (Tel: 21167). The office is located between Fewa lake and the airport. Trekking permits can also be issued for the Annapurna region. Those who decide to go trekking to easily accessible or remote destinations (where the main highway do not connect) need to acquire trekking permits from the Department of Immigration in Thamel. If you visit more than one trekking area, you will require a seperate permit for each area.
US $5 is charged for the trekking permit fee to the Annapurna, Everest, Langtang, and other areas for the first four weeks. After that, US $10 is charged per week. Likewise, US $10 is charged for Kanchenjunga and Lower Dolpa for one week and after that, US $20 per week. For the Manasulu area, US $90 is charged during September/November and US $75 per week during December/August. US $90 is charged for the first seven days to Humla (Simikot to Yari) and after that, US $15 per day. Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpa trekking permit fees are expensive. For the first 10 days, US $700 is charge and after that, US $70 per day.
National Park entry fees: Rs. 650 is charged to those enter in a national park or wildlife reserve and the payment can be made at the entrance gate. Rs. 200 is charged on the Annapurna Region and this can be paid at the Immigration Office along with the trekking permit fee. The fees are used for the national park's conservation purposes.

Transportation

As you travel around Kathmandu City you may need the services of meter taxis or tempos. A percentage, according to government published rates, is added to the tariff on the meter by tempos. Company taxis provide reliable service and so does the Night Taxi Service, tel: 224374.

Information Centers

Tourists who need information on Nepal can receive free posters and brochures at the Department of Tourism, Babar Mahal, New Road, and also at the office soon to be opened in Thamel. The information counter is open fro Sunday to Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm. On Fridays, it closes at 3 pm. In winter, the department stays open until 4 pm, except on saturdays and fridays.
Travel information centers are also located in Birgunj, 22083; Pokhara, 20028; Bhairawa, 20304; Janakpur, 20755; and Kakarbhitta, 20208.

Casinos

Casino Nepal, Casina Anna, Casino Everest, and Casino Royale are located in Soaltee Holiday Inn, Hotel Annapurna, Hotel Everest, and Hotel Yak and Yeti, the four five-star hotels of Nepal respectively. They are run by professionals with manu years of international experience and games such as Flush, Roulette, Blackjack and many others entertain visitors. The casinos are open 24 hours a day. Special pick up services are available.

Banks

Nepal Grindlays Bank (tel: 415228) and Himalayan Bank (tel: 227749) are both located in Thamel and provide reliable services. Opening times are as follows:

Himalayan Bank:    Sunday to Thursday 10.00am to 3.30 pm
                   Friday 10.00 am to 12.30 pm
Nepal Grindlays Bank:
Sunday to Thursday 9.45 am to 3.30 pm (winter)
                   9.45 am to 4.15 (summer)

Friday             9.45 am to 12.45 pm (winter)
                   9.45 am to 1.15 pm (summer)

Money Exchange

Exchanging currency with unauthorized individuals or organizations is illegal. Make sure you deal with only those who are authorized to exchange foreign currency. These are usually banks, hotels, travel agencies, or licensed personnel. When you exchange Nepalese rupees, make sure you keep your encashment receipt safe: you may need them in case you decide to extend your visa. Besides, at the time of departure you must produce those receipts in order to exchange whatever surplus Nepalese you have. The airport bank at the department lounge will assist you.

Credit Cards

You may use American Express, Visa, Master Card, Himalayan Bank Card, JCB, and Diner's Club at hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and carpet and curio shops who are licensed to accept them.

Postal Services

The general post office is located at Sundhara and is open from Sunday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm. During winter, the office closes at 12 o'clock, The Foreign Post Section is close to the GPO and is open from Sunday to Thursday from 10.15 am to 1.30 pm. Foreign parcel mailing and receipt services are available untill noon on Fridays.

Customs

Antique paintings, valuable manuscripts, and sacred images are checked by the Department of Archaelogy before permission is granted to take these items out of the country. You may get more information from travel agents or craft dealers on this matter. The Custom Department located at Tripureswor will also provide necessary information. Tel: 220363, 215525, 221781.

Airport Tax

You are required to pay airport tax of Rs. 600 if departing to SAARC countries and Rs. 700 to other international destinations. Rs. 50 is the domestic airport tax.

Local City Bus Route

Route No.               From                    To
1                       City bus park           Airport/Maharajgunj
2                       City bus park           Jorpati/Thali
3                       City bus park           Sundarijal
4                       City bus park           Sankhu
5                       City bus park           Narayansthan
6                       City bus park           Chhamhasingh
7                       Bagabazar               Bhaktapur/Kamalbinayak
9                       Bagabazar               Old Thimi/Bhaktapur
10                      Bagabazar               New Thimi/Bhaktapur
11                      City bus park           Panauti
12                      City bus park           Banepa/Dhulikhel
13                      City bus park           Godavari
14                      City bus park           Laganknel
16                      Bhaktapur               Lagankhel
19                      City bus park           Kalanki Buspark
20                      City bus park           Thankot
21                      City bus park           Kirtipur
22                      City bus park           Pharping
23                      City bus park           Balaju
26                      City bus park           Patan Gate

P.O. Box 1873
Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 521107, 418887

Webmeister: Anita Shrestha, AMAA, INC