Things Traveler Needs to Know
The form of greeting in Nepal is “Namaste” performing by joining both palms together. It literally means “the divine in me salutes the divine in you”.
1. Do not trek alone. There have been numerous disappearances of solo trekkers in recent years. Always hire a guide through a travel/trek agency that are listed in Nepal Tourism Bord official website or member agency of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal ( TAAN) or Association of Tour and Travel Agencies (NATTA ) or trek with other people. There are online forums where travelers can look for fellow-trekkers. This applies to everyone but especially women that are traveling single – they seem to more vulnerable. Always communicate your travel plans to your next of kin.
2. Food safety – Avoid water that is not bottled or boiled. Avoid raw vegetables and pre-cut fruit as much as possible.
3. Even though Nepal is known for its pristine environment and beauty – not the highways and major city streets. They are crowded with traffic, full of smoke and bumpy and dusty. Hence traveling on a bicycle or a motorbike for the most part is not advisable. There are some off-road mountain bike trails that are ok to do.
4. Do not give money to beggars that you see on the streets. Even though they look pitiful, your giving away of money encourages them only to beg for more. If you really care support one of many charity organizations working in Nepal .
5. Be sure to exchange back all the Nepalese currencies before you leave. They are not accepted (or even exchanged for that matter) outside of Nepal . Besides, taking currency out of the country is against the law.
6. Do not touch someone’s head or sit showing the bottom of your feet towards them. It is considered rude.
7. Do not fully rely on schedules and times that are committed to you whether in verbal or written while you are in Nepal . They may not commence in time as stated or committed and may end up disrupting all your subsequent schedule. Have time buffer as much as you can between your major plans and activities, especially if you have a hard stop date that you need to fly out by.
8. Always be alert/aware of “Bandhs” (Strikes – where no transportation is allowed) as they can alter all your travel plans substantially.
9. Do not assume that “ganja” (marijuana) is legal in Nepal . It is not. Even though it is a common weed on hillsides you can get in trouble for picking it and carrying it for consumption purpose.
10. If you are planning to apply for the Visa at the airport, make sure to have passport size photo available. Plan B is to have your photo taken at the booth at the airport.
11. All nightlife pretty much ends by 10 pm with only a few places around the Thamel area that may stay open a little later.
12. Bring a universal plug and voltage adapter kit for your Electronics. Nepal uses 220V.
13. Always have some tissue paper and hand sanitizer with you at all times – and note that some of the toilets may require squatting.
14. Insist for a Running Meter in the Taxi. After 10 PM you do pay double of the meter fare however – that’s the commonly accepted norm.
15. Avoid displaying food around monkeys around temples, as they are used to snatching it.
16. Support the NON-Plastic Initiative, please limit your use of plastic items, and help make Nepal a better place.
When you‘re heading to Nepal, don‘t forget to bring your appetite. Offering everything from traditional fare to popular international dishes, you‘ll never go hungry there. Typical Nepali food is called Dal Bhat, and is made up of rice and lentils. Side dishes usually include a variety of fresh vegetables such as potatoes and cauliflower. Traditional Nepali food is often spicy, but you can usually specify how mild or hot you want it when ordering. You can get a taste of this customary cuisine at just about any local restaurant, which are plentiful throughout the country.
Given Nepal‘s incredible terrain, it‘s no surprise that it‘s one of the world‘s most popular destinations for adventure tourism. When you‘re grabbing your gear, make sure you grab a buddy too. Trekking or hiking alone is dangerous for a number of reasons. You may also want to hire a guide, as the woods and mountain areas can be tricky and getting lost or injured is a real risk. If mountain climbing is on your itinerary, be aware of and prepared for the possibility of altitude sickness and frost bite. Dress accordingly and don‘t take on more than you can handle.
In addition to trekking and hiking, Nepal offers a huge variety of outdoor adventures sure to satisfy even the most daring traveler. Whitewater rafting in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli, canyoning, rock climbing, mountain biking, mountaineering and paragliding are just a few of the many exhilarating options. If you‘re particularly brave, you can experience the second-highest bungee jump in the world, which happens to take place over the mighty Bhote Koshi River. Whatever your pleasure, be aware of the risks and use caution during your adventures.
First and foremost, you‘ll want to know how to greet the locals. The traditional manner of greeting in Nepal involves placing your palms together in a prayer style and saying “namaste” or “namaskar”. Address anyone older than you with respect using the terms “dai” for men and “didi” for women. And avoid stepping over someone‘s outstretched legs or touching anyone with your feet as these are considered impolite.
Once you‘ve mastered this, you‘ll want to be sure to obey local culture so as not to offend. Note that it is never acceptable to wear revealing clothing (including shorts), particularly for women. While swimming, stick to a one-piece and leave the bikini at home. Public displays of affection are also frowned upon in Nepal.
If you are lucky enough to be invited into a Nepali home, remember to remove your shoes before entering. At dinner time, you must always wash your hands and mouth prior to eating. Always wait for the host to serve you and avoid “polluting” food by letting it come into contact with a used plate or utensil. Whatever you do, don‘t use your own spoon or fork to serve food. Bon appetit!
Greetings!
Dear Guest, Namasté,
Welcome to Nepal, the land of Himalaya, the Mt. Everest (8850m), the tallest on the Earth, birth place of lord Buddha, living goddess Kumari and home of 30 millions Nepalese with its multi-ethnic, multiracial, multi religious and multilingual society of 103 ethnic group speaking more than 60 different dialects.
This tiny Himalayan country sandwiched in between two Asian giants India and China that attracts millions of Nature loving and Pilgrims tourist every year.
Until 1950, Nepal was a forbidden kingdom and closed its territory to explore and visit by outsiders. It opened its frontier to the rest of the world in late sixties after the establishment of its first and historic democratic government in the country. The ascension to Mt. Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa in 1953 let the Nepal an exposure to the rest of the world.
