Museums and Galleries in Nepal

Museums and Galleries in Nepal

Nepal Association of Fine Arts (NAFA)

Nepal Association of Fine Arts (NAFA) was founded in 1965 A.D. in the chairmanship of late His Majesty the King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev while he was crown prince. Because of His Majesty's chairmanship the Art sector and this association got highly glorified and there was the beginning of Renaissance in Nepali Art Universe by the achievement of unique contribution in its development. Thereafter on 1977 June 8, with view to make the Association more manageable and progressive following its envisaged goal not to be hampered in any way, the Association was affiliated, by the late King Birendra, into the Nepal Academy under which it is functioning smoothly at present.

Tourist arrivals soar up by 12.9%

Tourist arrivals soar up by 12.9%

Press Release February 1, 2008 The beginning of the New Year 2008 has heralded an optimistic tourism growth in Nepal in 2008. The data released by Immigration Office, TIA shows that arrivals in January has grown by 12.9 %, up by 2985 compared to the same month last year. Although decline in the arrivals from India (-12.2%) and Sri Lanka (-12.5%) have dragged down the total arrivals from SAARC region by 7 %, the European and North American markets have registered robust growth of 33.1 % and 34.3 % respectively. China (96.8%), S. Korea (5.1%), Thailand (23.2 %) and Malaysia (12.1 %) have posted a remarkable growth. It is very notable that contribution of S. Korean market in the total arrivals has come to be very significant. It has contributed more than 10 % in the total arrivals and; it is due to direct flight between Kathmandu and Seoul. The Japanese market is down by 15.3 % which could be due to irregular air service of national flag carrier, NAC, to Japan. All the European markets have shown positive growth this month, except Austria (-7.5%). The UK (33.9 %), France (78.5 %), Germany (4.5 %), Spain (28.5 %), and Netherlands (36.5 %) have recorded a significant growth showing increased consumer confidence towards the destination. It is expected that more tourists will travel to Nepal in days to come because of easy accessibility from long haul destinations and forthcoming tourist season.

Indian tourists flock to Muktinath

Indian tourists flock to Muktinath

At least 5,000 Indian tourists visited the temple since the middle of March last year, a staff at the Muktinath Area Development Committee, Rudra Nath Sharma Poudel said. Their visits had dwindled during the conflict, he added. A pilot with Manang Air, Sarina Gurung said as many as five flights were made now-a-days to Muktinath when weather remains fine. Most of the flight passengers are from India and each flight carries two-dozen passengers, she added. Normally, it takes 35 minutes in a helicopter to reach Muktinath from Pokhara. Gurung underlined the need for greater publicity for Muktinath abroad. In addition to Manang Air, Sri Air is also making charter flights to Muktinath. Its helicopters make four to five flights a day. The helicopter returns from the temple with the same passengers after a gap of an hour, allowed for visit to the temple. However, a hotelier at Ranipauwa bazaar near the temple, Laxmi Tulachan says that business is not good even after surge in the number of Indian tourists. They return by the same flight without strolling around, Tulachan who is also the owner of Hotel Muktinath, says. Muktinath temple lies on the bank of Gandaki river in Muktinath village development committee, 26 km east of Mustang district headquarters, Jomsom. Muktinath is reachable on foot from Pokhara through Myagdi district headquarters in Beni or through Tatopani of Myagdi's tourist area in Ghorepani. Visitors to Muktinath on regular flights include only a few as it is difficult to buy air tickets, head at Jomsom airport Rajan Pokhrel said. Some Indian visitors choose to travel by road. Beni-Jomsom road is under construction at Mustang and Myagdi districts which has made it convenient for pilgrims to visit Muktinath, said president of the Jeep Entrepreneurs' Committee Jayendra Thakali. Jeeps and motorcycles ply on the finished section of the road which has eased the trip. A housewife from Bangalore, Sudha Shankar said it was great to visit a place like Muktinath. The place is sce-nic and panoramic, she said. A shopkeeper at Ranipauwa near the temple, Rangaraj Shastri said most Indian visitors come from South India. There are more visitors during Dashain and Janai Purnima, he added. According to Poudel, the temple receives 35,000 visitors annually, out of which 10 per cent come from India.

Busy Everest witnesses several records this season

Busy Everest witnesses several records this season

On Tuesday alone, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation reported that 23 people, including 11 Sherpas, reached atop Everest. The successful summiteers included five Americans, three Britons, two Canadians and one Turk.

The month of May marks the favorite mountaineering time in spring season as mountaineers enjoy a window of relatively stable climatic conditions allowing them to attempt to scale the 8848 m high Mt Everest.

Some 550 people are expected to go for climbing this season from Nepal and Tibet . A total of 23 expeditions have received permission from the Nepal government to scale Everest this season.

Nepal 's legendary mountaineer Appa Sherpa broke his own record by successfully climbing the Everest for 17th time.

Samantha Larson, 18, of California, US, became the youngest foreigner to scale the peak last week. Reaching the summit with her father David, 51, the pair also became the first father-daughter team to have set their foot on Everest.

One Briton, Rod Baber, claimed to be the first person to make a cell-phone call, supported by China Telecom, from the summit on Monday, while another was the first to fly over the summit in a paraglide on Thursday. The cell phone voice was recorded and uploaded in his blog as well.

Travelling to Nepal by air

Travelling by air

You can fly directly to Kathmandu from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Vienna, Amsterdam, Doha, Dubai, Dhaka, Karachi, Munich, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Paro, Lhasa, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangalore, New Delhi, Mumbai, Patna, Calcutta and Varanasi. Charter flights can also be arranged for large movements. All flights feature business class and amenities of international standards. Many a time, the Captain offers a guided sightseeing of the Himalaya for no extra charge!

Nepal Airlines, Thai Airways, Qatar Airways, Indian Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Biman Bangladesh, Gulf Air, Indian Airlines, Air Sahara , Jet Airways, Austrian Air, Martinair, Air China, Druk Air fly to Nepal regularly.

Airfares fluctuate with the changes in exchange rates and are to be paid in foreign currency by foreign nationals. Only Nepalese and Indian nationals are permitted to pay in rupees for air passage between Nepal and India. Departure flight tickets should be reconfirmed three days in advance to avoid inconveniences by possible flight cancellation or changes in the flight schedule. Overweight luggage charges are levied in foreign exchange.

Customs: All baggage must be declared and cleared through the customs on arrival at the port of 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: binoculars, movie or video camera, still camera, laptop computer, and portable music system.

Export: It is illegal to export objects over 100 years old (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. The Department of Archaeology (tel: 4213701, 4213702) at Ramshah Path near Singha Durbar has to certify all metal statues, sacred paintings and similar objects before they are allowed to be sent or carried out of the country. Handicraft dealers and travel agents are able to assist you in this process. For more information on customs matters, contact the Chief Customs Administrator, TIA Customs Office; tel: 4470110, 4472266.

Airport Tax:

Effective form January 14,2005 ,the tourists would be levied NRS. 565(including VAT) at the departure terminal along with the Passenger Service Charge (airport tax)

Note:The new Airport Tax is equally applicable to Nepalese as well as non-Nepalese citizens flying from Nepal.

Travelling by road

All visitors entering Nepal by land must use no other entry points other than:

Nepal-India border

• Kakarbhitta
• Birgunj
• Belhiya, Bhairahawa
• Nepalgunj
• Dhangadi
• Mahendra Nagar

Nepal-China border

• Kodari

The overland tourists entering the Kingdom with their vehicles must possess an international carnet.

Situation Update in Nepal

Situation Update
January 31, 2008

Nepal is now prepared for the Election of Constituent Assembly on April 10, 2008. To make it more participatory, election campaigns are being held in the different parts of Nepal. In a meeting organised by seven-party alliance (SPA) on January 30, 2008 in Birgunj which is 276 kms east of Kathmandu, minor bombs(Improvised Explosive Device) went off outside the Narayani Stadium. The blast injured dozens of people and there is no report of human casualty in the incident. Tourists were not injured in the incident as Birgunj- a bordering town of Nepal located close to Indian city of Raxual- is the place not frequented by tourists.

Police is investigating on the issue and high alert security is arranged around the area. The security personnel have re-affirmed the commitment for peace and security for the Constituent Assembly Election.