Pokhara is a city in central Nepal located at 28.24 N, 83.99 E, 198 km west of Kathmandu. It is the Headquarter of Kaski District, Gandaki Zone and the Western Development Region. It is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal.

Pokhara is situated in the northwestern corner of the Pokhara Valley, which is a widening of the Seti Gandaki valley The Seti River and its tributaries have dug impressive canyons into the valley floor, which are only visible from higher viewpoints or from the air. To the east of Pokhara is the municipality of Lekhnath, another town in the valley.

In no other place the mountains rise so quickly, within 30 km, from 1000 m to over 8000 m. The Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu ranges, each with peaks over 8000 m, can be seen from Pokhara and there is a lake named Phewa Lake, two caves (Mahendra and Gupteswar) and an impressive falls (Patale Chhango or Devi /David's Falls) where water from the Phewa Lake thunders into a hole and disappears. Due to this sharp rise in altitude the area of Pokhara has one of the highest precipitation rates of the country (over 4000 mm/year). Even within the city there is a noticeable difference in the amount of rain between the south of the city by the lake and the north at the foot of the mountains.

The climate is sub-tropical but due to the elevation the temperatures are moderate: the summer temperatures average between 25 - 35°C, in winter around 5 - 15°C.

In the south the city borders on Phewa Tal (a lake of 4.4 km² at an elevation of about 800 m above sea level), in the north at an elevation of around 1000 m the outskirts of the city touch the base of the Annapurna mountain range. From the southern fringes of the city 3 eight-thousanders (Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu) and, in the middle of the Annapurna range, the Machapuchare (Nepali: Machhapucchare: 'Fishtail') with close to 7000 m can be seen. This mountain dominates the northern horizon of the city and its name derives from its twin peaks, not visible from the south.

Gratis visa for all tourists who visit Nepal for 3 days or less.

Gratis visa for tourists of SAARC countries and People's Republic of China.

Visa Fee:
Single entry- US$ 30 days for 60 days
Multiple entry- US$ 50 + US$ 30.

Visa will be extended subsequently for 30 days each upon payment of US$ 30 for a maximum period of 150 days in a visa year (Jan-Dec).

Visa can be obtained either on arrival in Nepal or from Royal Nepalese Embassy or Consulate or other Mission offices abroad. Two passport size photographs required.

Indians do not require visa to visit Nepal. However, they require to be in possession of any one of the following documents while travelling between the two countries.

• Valid national passport
• Photo identity card issued by the government of India/any State Government or Union Territory/Administration in India/Identity Cards issued by the Election Commission of India. (Except Tatkal Identity Cards issued by the Ministry of Railways).
• Children between 10-18 years age group are allowed to travel by air on the strength of a passport or photo identity card issued by the Principal of their school or college.
• Emergency Certificate issued by Embassy of India, Kathmandu to Indian nationals in case of emergent conditions.

Children up to the age of 10 years will not require the above-mentioned documents for travelling between India and Nepal, by air.

For further information please refer :
Deptt. of Immigration, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu
Tel: 00-977-1-4223681/4470650
Website: http://www.immi.gov.np

For immigration rules and visa application forms please refer the link http://www.immi.gov.np/rule.php

Nepal Rastra Bank have listed the following currency for official transaction for the purpose of buying and selling: US Dollar, Euro, Pound Sterling, Swiss Franc, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Singapore Dollar, Japanese Yen and Chinese Yuan* . However the Nepal Rastra Bank has listed another five currencies for the purpose of buying only: Swedish Kroner, Danish Kroner, Hong Kong Dollar, Saudi Arab Riyal and Katari Riyal.

Please note that Chinese Yuan can be transacted only with Chinese tourists and Nepali exporters and importers. Indian currency is accepted in Nepal except the 500 and 1000 denomination notes. It is illegal and punishable offence to carry these notes within Nepal.

Credit Card like American Express, Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in tourist areas like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and in the Everest region.

For more information, click http://www.nrb.org.np

Visitors can go to different parts of Nepal either by road or by air. Among domestic airlines of Nepal the Nepal Airlines (NA) provides extensive network. Other domestic airlines more than 18 in operation provide regular and charter services to popular domestic destinations. Excepting weather conditions Nepal's domestic air service is known to be punctual and reliable.

Buses are available to different parts of the capital and the kingdom from the new bus park in Gongabu and the old bus park in Sundhara. Regular bus services operate within the three cities in Kathmandu Valley. Scheduled bus services for outside the Valley operate from the Gongabu Bus Terminal. There are tourist bus services to selected places offered by a few travel agencies. In addition, one can also hire private vehicles at nominal rates.

Airport bus carries passengers from the airport into the city. Getting around Kathmandu Valley is made easier by metered taxis that can be hailed off the streets and are easily recognizable by the taxi sign and their black number plates. No tip is expected. Night taxis are available for higher prices. Three wheeler scooters that are cheaper than taxis are also available. For cheaper rides buses and teeny vans called micro buses are available to different parts of the Valley. Battery run scooters also serve the same purpose.

Airport tax is applicable to Nepali and non-Nepali citizens who use airport facilities. The airport tax specified for different flights from Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) and other domestic airports are as follows:

1. International Sector TIA

a) Departing for SAARC Countries
Passenger Service Charge + VAT NRs. 791/- and Tourism Service Fee + VAT NRs. 565/- = NRs. 1356

b) Departing for Other Countries
Passenger Service Charge + VAT NRs. 1130/- and Tourism Service Fee + VAT NRs. 565/- = NRs.1695.

Domestic Sector
NRs. 169.50/(including VAT)

Trekking Permit:
While permission is not required to trek to most areas, trekking permit is required for restricted areas. To get a group trekking permit an application form should be submitted through any registered trekking agency of Nepal. Some restricted areas are open only for group trekkers and trekking permit to these areas will not be issued to individual trekkers. For detail information about the permit log on to http://www.immi.gov.np official web site of Department of Immigration of Nepal.

Miscellaneous Fees:

a. Travel document is issued for US $ 20 in case of loss, damage, theft, expiry of the passport.

b. Entry visa is issued from the Department of Immigration at 25 percent additional fee along with regular entry visa fee.

c. Certification of arrival or departure stamps or replacement of trekking permit US $ 1.

Customs: All baggage must be declared and cleared through the customs on arrival at the entry. Personal effects are permitted free entry.Passengers arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) 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 cigarette (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 out with you when you leave: binocular, movie or video camera, still camera, laptop computer, and portable music system.

Export: The export of antiques require special certification from the Department of Archeology, National Archive Building, Ram Shah Path, Kathmandu. It is illegal to export objects over 100 years old like sacred images, paintings, manuscripts that are valued for culture and religious reasons. Visitors are advised not to purchase such items as they are Nepal's cultural heritage and belong here.

For more information on customs matters, contact the Chief Customs Administrator, TIA Customs Office (Phone: 4470110, 4472266).

Conservation Area Entry Fee per person:

• For SAARC Nationals Nepali Rupees 200.
• For other Nationals (other than SAARC countries) Nepali Rupees 2,000.

Note:

• Entrance fee not required for children under 10 years of age.
• This entry permit is valid for only one Conservation Area. Trekkers visiting both the Conservation Areas will require to obtain individual Entry Permits for each Conservation Area.
• Two passport size photographs are required while applying for each Entry Permit.

Terms and Conditions:

• This Entry Permit is valid for single entry only and is non refundable, non-transferable. The permit holder can enter the designated places within the Conservation Area.
• Person entering the Conservation Area shall abide by the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029 B.S. (1973, Nepal) and the Regulations made under this Act.
• This Entry Permit must be carried during the entire trip and should be shown if concerned personnel of the Conservation Area want to check it.
• Entry permits to Annapurna Conservation Area and Manaslu Conservation Area will only be issued from the following Entry Permit Counters listed below. Entry Permits will not be issued from any check posts along the trekking routes of the Conservation Areas. Therefore, all are requested to obtain an Entry Permit before entering the Conservation Areas. However, under special circumstances, Entry Permit may be issued from the check posts along the trekking route upon a payment of 100% additional charge.

Entry Permits available at the following locations:

• Kathmandu: Karmachari Sanchaya Kosh Building, Tridevi Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu (for Annapurna and Manaslu)
• Pokhara: Nepal Tourism Board's (NTB) Tourist Service Center building.

Opening hours:
Sunday to Friday except on public holidays, at the following times:

• 9 am - 5 pm (mid February to mid November)
• 9 am - 4 pm (mid November to mid February)

For further information please contact:

KMTNC/ACAP
P.O.Box: 183, Pokhara
Kaski, Nepal
Ph.no: 977-61-521102/528202
Fax: 977-61-528203
Email: info@kmtnc-acap.org.np
KMTNC, Kathmandu
Website: kmtnc.org.np