Nepal

SAFETY: good
Please note that in the country's various tourist areas, strikes and roadblocks (the so-called “bandhs”) may be called, sometimes at short notice. The usual precautions are advised.

TRANSPORT SYSTEM: fair
The domestic air network is operated by Royal Nepal Airlines and a few private carriers. The country's road network is not very developed, but is served by buses. Nepal has no railway network, and cars can only be hired with a local driver. In the Kathmandu Valley and around Pokhara, short journeys are made by taxi (with or without meter), tempo (three-wheeled vehicle), auto-rickshaw, rickshaw and bicycle.

Main airports: Tribhuvan Airport, Kathmandu

ACCOMMODATION: excellent
The country offers a wide choice of accommodation of every kind, category and price.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. – Location: a state in South Asia. – Borders: China (Tibet) to the north and India to the south; it is a landlocked country. – Time zone: 4 hrs 45 mins ahead of Italy; 3 hrs 45 mins ahead when daylight saving time is in force in Italy. – Area: 147,181 sq km – Capital: Kathmandu. – Population: 24,785,000 – Religion: Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim. – Languages: Nepali. English is not widely spoken outside urban centres. Units of measure: the metric system is in use.

CURRENCY: Nepalese rupee (NPR). Currency formalities: on entering the country you must declare any currency in excess of US$5,000. Failure to declare is considered an offence. Nepalese rupees may not be taken out of the country. - Credit cards: international credit cards (Visa, etc.) are accepted in the capital's larger hotels and more established shops, provided they were not issued by an Indian bank

ELECTRICITY: Voltage: 230 V and 50 Hz. – Sockets: type C, D and M (bring an adaptor).

DOCUMENTS. A passport is required, valid for at least six months and in any case beyond the length of your stay in the country. – Driving: International driving permit (1949 Geneva Convention or 1968 Vienna Convention model). Insurance: third-party insurance is compulsory and taken out at the border.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: Int. dialling code: 00977. – Telephones: international roaming is very expensive compared with buying and using a local SIM card: Nepal Telecom and Ncell are considered the best for tourists. Internet cafés and wi-fi can be found in many places in Nepal's larger cities. Nepal Telecommunications Corporation GSM 900, Mero Nepal GSM 900/1800. – Web domain: .np.

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT:
Legislation on drug use and/or dealing: the possession and use of narcotics is illegal and severely punished.
Local legislation on sexual abuse or violence against minors. Nepalese law provides severe penalties for foreigners accused of sexual abuse of Nepalese women and minors. Please remember that anyone who commits offences against minors abroad (sexual abuse, exploitation, prostitution) will be prosecuted on their return to Italy under the laws in force in our country.
Should you have any problems with the local police (detention or arrest), we advise informing the Italian consular offices in Kathmandu and Kolkata.

HEALTH SITUATION:
The capital has health facilities of a fair standard. The quality of healthcare in Nepal is low.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: January / February, National Unity Day; Vasant Panchami: celebration of the arrival of spring; Martyrs' Day. February / March, Shivaratri: (festival of Shiva, the patron deity of Nepal).
Lhosar: Tibetan New Year, celebrated above all at Bodnath. Democracy Day. Holi or Fagu: the Festival of Colours marking the end of the year, at the full moon of Phalgun. March / April, Women's Day; Hindu New Year; Godha Jatra: Horse Festival in Kathmandu; Chaitra Dasain: festival dedicated to the goddess Bhagwati; Ramanavani; Bangla Naba Barsha - Navabarsha. April / May, Buddha's birthday. July / August, Krishnastami: birthday of the god Krishna; Janai Purnima; Gai Jatra; Bhaktapur. August / September, Teej: women's festival; Indrajatra: end of the monsoon season. A week of celebrations beginning towards the end of September in front of the Hanuman Dhoka palace in Kathmandu. September / October, Vijaya Dashami. October / November, 26 - 29 October, dogs are honoured, garlanded with flowers
and coloured tika; Constitution Day. Deepavali: the festival of lights.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Thu, Sun 10:00–15:00. Banks: Mon-Thu, Sun 10:00–15:00. Shops: variable hours.

CLIMATE: hot tropical climate in the southern regions (Terai plain); moderate subtropical in the central hill regions (Kathmandu, Pokhara); alpine in the higher northern areas; sub-arctic tundra climate in the high mountain areas. Temperatures range from the very hot lowlands to the extremely harsh mountains. The monsoon rains run roughly from June to September, with very heavy daily downpours that are the dominant climatic feature.

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USEFUL ADDRESSES
There is no Italian Embassy in the country. The Consulate General of Italy in Kolkata is responsible
Consulate General of Italy in Kolkata (India):
5G Rev. Lalbehari Shah Sarani (Formerly New Road)
Alipore Kolkata 700027
Tel. 0091-33-24792414/ 24792426. - Fax 0091-33-24793892
Emergency mobile: 0091 9831212216
Nera Inmarsat satellite phone: 00870763617766
e-mail : consolatogenerale.calcutta@esteri.it

Honorary Consulate General of Italy
Heritage Plaza - I, 2nd Floor
P. O. Box no. - 7970
Kamaladi, Kathmandu
Nepal
Tel: +977-1-4169089 / 4169088
Fax: +977-1-4169088

e-mail: kathmandu.onorario@esteri.it