Go Nepal e-Magazine

Other things to be included are: Calamine lotion to ease
irritation from bites or stings; bandages and band aids for
minor injuries; scissors, tweezers, thermometer, insect
repellent, sun block lotions, chopsticks, water purification
tablets, throat lozenges, moleskin, Sulamyd 10 percent eye
drops, paracetamol and antacid tablets.
Cultural Etiquette
• Some tips on the common etiquettes practiced by
Nepali people should be useful to visitors.
• The form of greeting in Nepal is “Namaste” perform
ing by joining both palms together. It literally means
“the divine in me salutes the divine in you”.
• As a mark of respect Nepalese usually take their
shoes off before entering someone’s house or place of
worship.
• Food or material that has been touched by another
person’s mouth is considered impure or “jutho” and,
therefore, is not accepted unless among close friends
or family.
• Touching something with feet or using the left hand
to give or take may not be considered auspicious.
• Women wearing skimpy outfits are frowned upon
especially in the rural parts of the country.
• As a part of the tradition some Hindu temples do not
allow non Hindus to enter.
• Leather articles are prohibited inside some temple
areas.
• Walking around temples or stupas is traditionally
done clockwise.
• To avoid conflict photography is carried out after
receiving permission from the object or person.
• Public displays of affection are considered scandal
ous.
• Nodding of head means “Yes” while shaking of head
means a “No”. A slight dangling of head from left to
right means “OK”.
Responsible Tourism
• Please be a responsible tourist. Like someone said,
we request you to, “Leave only footprints, and take
only photographs.”
• Use designated routes, campsites and resting places
to reduce trampling and other negative environmen
tal impacts.
• Respect local culture and traditions, use home stays,
locally owned hotels/ lodges or campsites as much as
possible to support the local livelihood.
• Avoid/ minimize using firewood. Use common space
for heating. Opt for alternatives to minimize defor
estation.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene. Use the litter box
locally available. Carry back your own garbage while
traveling through ecologically sensitive areas.
• Encourage to place mobile toilets at a considerable
distance from sources of water, river banks and
springs while camping along the river sides.
• Use the services of local guides and porters as much
as possible to explore more about local environ
ment and culture.
• Money spent here will contribute directly to the local
livelihood, women’s empowerment and environ
mental conservation.
• Before you begin your journey we request you to
abide by the above guidelines in order to
safeguard the nature and culture of the area and
be a responsible tourist.
Exchange Rates and Banking Hours
The rates for purchase and sale
of Euro, Pound-Sterling and US
Dollar currency notes and foreign
currency travellers’ cheque, where
applicable, are quoted by authorized
dealers/money-changers
within the floor and ceiling rates
worked out daily in accordance with guidelines prescribed
by Nepal Rastra Bank (Formal National Bank of Nepal).
For other currencies, banks quote rates based on market
conditions. Currencies like Euro, Pound-Sterling, US
Dollar, German Mark, Swiss Francs, French Francs and
Japanese Yen are widely accepted. Large numbers of commercial
banks are also available for the money exchange
purpose. And if the banks are closed then you can also
find local money-changer shops all over the tourist major
destinations. ATM facilities can also be found in the major
cities widely.
Purchase of Goods
Shops/emporia selling goods or providing services to foreign
tourists are permitted to accept payment in foreign
exchange in the following manner:
*Against internationally recognized Credit Cards.
By bank drafts drawn in approved foreign currencies on
banks in Nepal; By travelers cheque in foreign currency
Foreign tourists are permitted by Nepalese Customs to
take with them goods purchased in Nepal (except banned
items) without any value limit, provided the goods are
purchased out of funds brought from abroad. Some shops
and emporia also undertake to send the goods abroad as
unaccompanied baggage at the request of the tourists.
Restaurants and Food around Nepal
Nepal – and specifically Kathmandu a range of dishes can
be found. A vast range of flavours can be found just in
daal bhaat, the national dish of rice, lentils, lightly curried
vegetables and pickles; though it can also, sometimes,
be disappointingly bland. In the Kathmandu Valley, the
indigenous Newars have their own unique cuisine of spicy
meat and vegetable dishes, while a vast range of Indian
curries, breads, snacks and sweets comes into play in the
Terai; in the high mountains, the traditional diet consists