Spread across these varied altitudes are communities of colourful cultures and people, animated cities and towns, and far flung mountain villages.  Life here revolves around an intricate intermingling of ancient Hindu and Buddhist religious rituals.  Numerous festivals are celebrated throughout the year coloured by a diversity of religious and tribal traditions. The capital of Kathmandu brings an assortment of these different societies together into a vibrant collection of brilliant sights and exotic smells, with modern shops co-existing with street sellers, while pyramidal Buddhist temples, holy Sadhus of the Hindu faith and medieval palace squares fill the urban landscape.

PASSPORT & VISA REQUIREMENTS
Australian passport holders must have a valid passport and a visa is required. Tourist visas can be issue on arrival for different prices according to visa duration.  Tourist visas are valid for Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara Valley and Tiger Tops in Chitwan.  Visitors intending to trek or visit other areas should obtain a permit from the Central Immigration Office.

CURRENCY
The official currency is the Nepali Rupee (NPR), which is divided into 100 paisa.  As change can be a problem it is recommended that visitors have a supply of small notes handy.  Tourist activities are often quoted in USD and it is advisable to carry new dollar bills in varied denominations.  Both Euro and USD travellers cheques are widely accepted in tourist areas and can be cashed easily in most bank and major hotels throughout the country.  There are ATMs in Kathmandu and Pokhara.  Credit cards are accepted in many tourist hotels, shops, restaurants and travel agencies.  Banks and moneychangers are present in all tourist places and in the major cities; all receipts from foreign exchange transactions should be kept so rupees can be exchanged back into foreign currencies on departures. Cash is needed when trekking.

LANGUAGES
Nepalli is the official language.  English is spoken in all major tourist areas. 

VOLTAGE
220-240V AC at 50Hz. Standard sockets are small rounded 2 or 3 pin.

TIME DIFFERENCE
Nepal has only one time zone - it is 5½ hours ahead of GMT.

HEALTH REGULATIONS
There is a risk of malaria between June & September in the low lying areas including Chitwan National Parl, but not in the common trekking areas.  Outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis occur annually, particularly between July and December; vaccination is advised.  Cholera outbreaks occur and food and water precautions should be followed.  Untreated water should be avoided; visitors can buy bottled water.  Altitude sickness is a real risk for trekkers.  Many trekkers may suffer from altitude sickness above 2,500m; if symptoms persist it is wise to descend as soon as possible.  Standard of care in hospitals varies, but there are traveller's clinics in Kathmandu and numerous pharmacies in the major towns.  Medical insurance is essential which should include air evacuation.  Travellers arriving from infected areas require a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

TIPPING
Restaurants and hotels may add 10% to bills in which case no further tip is required; otherwise a 10% tip is customary in places that cater to tourists.  It is customary to tip guides and porters on treks.  Elsewhere is it not customary to tip, but gratuities are always appreciated.

CUSTOMS
Nepal has numerous cultural practices that are unusual to foreigners.  In the tourist areas there is a high degree of tolerance towards visitors, but away from these places foreigners should be sensitive to local customers.  Never accept or offer anything, or eat with the left hand.  Do not eat from someone else's plate or offer food from one's own.  Women should dress conservatively and cover up as much as possible.  Permission should be sought before taking photographs, particularly at religious sites.  Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon.