THINGS TO REMEMBER

TOURIST SERVICE CENTER

The Tourist Service Centre (TSC) is designed to respond to the information needs of foreign visitors. It is located at Bhrikuti Mandap, to the east of the Tundikhel parade ground. It consists of an audio visual hall, souvenir shops, restaurant and an information counter where there is a computerized information service and all travel and tourism related information can be obtained. On the first floor, there is a diorama hall which presents a three dimensional panorama of some unique features of Nepal’s geography and important chapters in Nepalese history. On the same floor is a display hall representing a microcosm of Nepal’s ethnic diversity. Tel: 256229; Fax: 977-1-256910; E-mail: info@ntbwlink.com.np

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTERS

Information centers and counters of the Nepal Tourism Board are open 9 am to 5 pm Sunday through Saturday at Tribhuvan International Airport (Tel: 470537) and at the Tsc at Bhrikuti Mandap from 9 am to 5 pm Sunday through Friday. Elsewhere in the country: Birgunj (Tel: 22083), Pokhara (Tel: 20028), Bhairahawa (Tel: 20304), Janakpur (Tel: 20755), and Kakarbhitta (Tel: 20208).

MONEY MATTERS

Currency Exchange. It is illegal to exchange foreign currency with individuals and organizations other than authorized dealers (banks, hotels and licensed money changers). In order to change surplus rupees at the time of your departure from Nepal, please make sure that you have saved your encashment receipts, which you must produce for the exchange. Counters of Nepal Arab Bank located at the airport departure and arrival lounges help you in this process. (Tel: 472278).

Bank Hours. Banks are open 9:15 am to 3 pm Monday through Friday. Nepal Bank Ltd, New Road (Tel: 221185); Rastriya Banijya Bank, Bishal Bazar (Tel: 228335); Nepal Bangladesh Bank, Kamaladi (Tel: 258307); Nepal Grindlays Bank, Thamel (Tel: 422787); Himalayan Bank, Thamel (Tel: 227749); Nepal Arab Bank, Kantipath (Tel: 227181); Nepal SBI Bank, Durbar Marg (Tel: 225326); Everest Bank, New Baneswar (Tel: 214878); Nepal Indosuez Bank, Durbar Marg (Tel: 228229); Nepal Sri Lanka Merchant Bank, Bagh Bazar (Tel: 227555); Bank of Kathmandu, Kamaladi (Tel: 414541).

The counters of licensed money changers are open 12 hours a day.

Money Transfer. You can receive money from anywhere in the world through Western Union Money Transfer. Contact its local agent Annapurna Travel & Tours at Durbar Marg near the clock tower (Tel: 223530, 223940), Nepal Arab Bank, Kantipath (Tel: 228538) or Sita World Travel, Thamel (Tel: 418363, 418738).

CREDIT CARDS

American Express, Visa and Mastercard are welcomed at major hotels, restaurants, carpet and curio shops throughout the country. The local services centers for credit cards are: Alpine Travel Service on Durbar Marg (Tel: 225020, 225362) for Visa and Mastercard. American Express in Jamal (Tel: 226172, 227635) for American Express cards and cheques. These centers are open Sunday through Friday 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (Fridays 9:30 am to 5:30 pm). Saturdays and holidays 9:30 am to 5 pm for information. Contact them for any service regarding credit cards including replacement of lost cards. Credit card services are also provided by Nepal Arab Bank, Kantipath (Tel: 228538, 227181), Himalayan Bank, Thamel (Tel: 227749) and Nepal Grindlays Bank, Baneswar (Tel: 220629).

TOURIST  VISAS

A visa is required to enter Nepal except for Indian nationals. A single entry visa for 60 days can be obtained from any Royal Nepalese Embassy or Consulate upon payment of US$ 30. You can also get a visa at the point of entry upon arrival. Visitors who require single, double or multiple re-entry visas can get them by paying an additional US$ 25, 40 and 60 respectively. For extension of visas once you are in Nepal, the Department of Immigration charges US$ 50 for each additional month. Children under 10 years are not charged any visa fees.

The Department of Immigration in Kathmandu is located at New Baneswar; Tel: 494273, 494337. It is open 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. Visa extension and trekking permit applications are accepted at the reception counter from 9 am to 2 pm Monday through Friday.

Pokhara Immigration Office. Visa extension applications may also be submitted to the Pokhara Immigration Office (Tel: 21167), which is located between the airport and Lakeside.

CUSTOMS AND AIRPORT TAX

Green Channel. Passengers arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport without any dutiable goods can proceed through the Green Channel for quick clearance without a baggage check. If you are carrying dutiable articles, you have to pass through the Red Channel for detailed customs clearance.

Import. Apart from used personal belongings, visitors are allowed to bring to Nepal free of duty cigarettes (200) or cigars (50), distilled liquor (one 1.15 liter bottle), and film (15 rolls). You can also bring in the following articles free of duty on condition that you take them back with you when you leave: binoculars, movie or video camera, still camera, laptop computer and portable music system.

Export. It is illegal to export objects over 100 years old (like sacred images, paintings, manuscripts). Visitors are advised not to purchase such items as they are Nepal’s cultural heritage and belong here. All statues, sacred paintings and such other items have to be cleared by the Department of Archaeology (Tel: 250683, 250685) at Ramshah Path near Singha Durbar that they are not antiques before being allowed to be sent or carried out of the country. Handicraft dealers are able to assist you in this process. For more information, contact the TIA Customs Office; Tel: 470110, 472266.

Airport Tax. Passengers departing from the Tribhuvan International Airport are required to pay an airport tax of Rs. 600 for travel to SAARC countries and Rs. 1000 to all other international destinations. Domestic airport tax is Rs. 100.

POST AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

The General Post Office (Tel: 227499, 240018), located near the Dharahara Tower, maintains operating hours from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. The counters at the GPO are open from 7 am to 4 pm and provide stamps, postcards and aerogrammes.

Post Restante is available Monday through Friday 9 am and 5 pm. Airmail of parcels up to 10 kg and surface mail of up to 20 kg can be booked at the foreign parcel counter from 9 am to 2 pm, Monday through Friday.

Express Mail Service (EMS) is available at the GPO as well as at Thamel, Basantapur and airport postal counters.

Telephone, fax, telex and telegraph services are available at the Nepal Telecommunication Corporation near the stadium. Hotels and private communication centers also provide long distance telephone (ISD, STD) and E-mail services. The country code for Nepal is 977 and the area code for Kathmandu is 1.

MEDIA

English-language newspapers
The Kathmandu Post (Tel: 480100)
The Rising Nepal (Tel: 222279)

Radio
Radio Nepal, 567, 648, 792 KHz (Tel: 231803)
FM Kathmandu, 100 MHz (Tel: 241925)
K.A.T.H., 97.9 MHz (Tel: 230368)
Kantipur FM, 96.1 MHz (Tel: 541902)
Metro FM, 106.7 MHz (Tel: 231847)
Radio Sagarmatha, 102.4 MHz (Tel: 423109)

Television
Nepal Television (Tel: 229135)

TOURIST POLICE

The Nepal Police has a unit known as the Tourist Police trained specially to assist visitors regarding security and other travel related problems. Telephone 247041 and an English-speaking officer will take your call from 11 am - 5 pm. The office is located in the Nepal Tourism Board building, Bhrikuti Mandap. You can also seek one of the officers stationed at Thamel (Tel: 429750) or at other major tourist sites. Look for the Tourist Police insignia on their left shoulder. A Tourist Police van is also on constant patrol.

MD Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd.,
Tripureswor, P. O. Box 3525, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Tel: 260327, 256003 . Telex: 2611 EMC NP. Fax: 977-1-261159.
E-mail:nttj@mos.com.np

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Last Updated: 24 July, 2000
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