Nepal has been a tourists paradise for many years. A country of amazing attractions, both natural and man-made, it offers a memorable experience for every visitor. Nepal is the home to the world's highest mountains, including Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest 88 48m).
Enchantment is everywhere, be it on the shoulders of high mountains, or terraced farmlands meticulously carved like stairways on the hill sides, or cascading mountain rivulets and rushing rivers, or in forests full of wildlife, flowers and bird song. In Nepal, there is something for everybody: tourist, trekker, river rafter, wildlife enthusiast, poet, artist, writer, and scholar.

Rules and Regulations related to Tourism in Nepal

Frontier Formalities

Passport and Visas

All visitors to Nepal except Indian nationals must hold valid passports and visas. Tourist entry visa can be obtained for the following duration from Nepal Embassy/ Consulate or Mission offices abroad, or at the following immigration offices in Nepal.

» Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
» Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)
» Birgunj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
» Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border)
» Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal)
» Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal)
» Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal)
» Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal)

Tourist Visa

Visa Facility	Duration	Fee
Multiple Entry	15 Days	US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple Entry	30 Days	US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple Entry	90Days	US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency

Tourist Visa Extension
» Visa extension fee for 15 days or less is US $ 30 or equivalent convertible currency and visa extension fee for more than 15 days is US $ 2 per day.
» Tourist visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a single visa year (January - December).

Customs/Airport Tax
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 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
As per the decision of Nepal Government dated 2001/02/19, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has announced a hike in the airport taxes at the Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) and other domestic airports, with immediate effect. The revised airport taxes are as follows:
1 International Sector TIA;
a) SAARC Regions Rs. 791/-
b) Other Countries Rs. 1695/-
2 Internal (Domestic) Sector;
a. Rs 170/- for all sectors
b. The new Airport Tax is equally applicable to Nepalese as well as non-Nepalese citizens flying from Nepal.

River Rafting
Permission to be obtained:
1. Rafting team willing for rafting in any river of the Kingdom of Nepal should apply to the Ministry of Tourism to obtain permission for rafting in the format as specified.
2. After receiving the application pursuant, Ministry of Tourism may issue a letter of permit for rafting in the river according to the format specified, in the rivers allowed for rafting by Government of Nepal, for a maximum period of 30 days.

Permit Fee
The permit fee of Rs. 80 per person should be paid in convertible foreign currency.
Postponement of rafting
1. If the permitted rafting is to be postponed, application should be given 15 days before the commencement of the rafting to the Ministry of Tourism along with the issued letter of permit.
2. After receiving the application pursuant Ministry of Tourism shall consent to postpone the rafting, if permit has not been issued to other team for rafting on rivers a specified on the letter of permit on the intended postponed period.

Facilities to be provided to the River Rafting team.
Government of Nepal shall allow the permitted rafted teams to import boat, raft and other floating instruments essential for rafting according to Nepal law.

Mountaineering
Restriction of Climbing the Himalayan-Peaks without Obtaining Permission
No mountaineering expedition team shall be entitled to climb any Himalayan-Peaks without obtaining permission under this Act.

Permission to be taken for Mountaineering
1. A mountaineering expedition team, desirous to climb any Himalayan-peak of the Kingdom of Nepal opened by Government of Nepal for mountaineering shall have to submit an application to Government of Nepal as prescribed.
2. Government of Nepal may, if an application is received pursuant and if it seems reasonable after making necessary examination there of, issue permit as prescribed.
3. The conditions to be fulfilled by the mountaineering expedition team obtaining permit for mountaineering shall be as prescribed.

Royalty to be paid for Mountaineering
1. The mountaineering expedition team, obtaining, obtaining permit for mountaineering pursuant, shall pay the prescribed royalty in the convertible foreign currencies for the specified altitude of Himalayan peak.
Provided that the royalty be paid by a Nepalese mountaineering expedition team or by Nepalese of a joint mountaineering expedition team of Nepalese and foreigners may be paid in Nepalese currency.
2. The royalty being paid by a mountaineering expedition team shall not be transferred for another mountaineering expedition team.

Route for Mountaineering:
1. A mountaineering expedition team shall strictly use the route for mountaineering a prescribed in the prmit issued by Government on Nepal. 2. A prior approval of Government of Nepal shall have to be obtained in case the route of mountaineering is needed to change on account of natural or any other reasons.
Provided that, if it is indispensable to change the route on account of unexpected reasons, the reason there of shall have to be informed as soon as possible to the Government through the Liaison Officer.

Liaison Officer:
1. A mountaineering expedition team, which has obtained a permit for mountaineering, shall have to include Liaison Officers in such number of its team as Government of Nepal may depute.
2. A mountaineering expedition team shall have to provide with the facilities as prescribed for the Liaison officer deputed for a accompanying what the expedition team pursuant for the period commencing from the date of departure for mountaineering expedition to the date of arriving after completion of mountaineering at Kathmandu or any other place as specified by Government of Nepal.
3. The functions, duties and powers of a Liaison Officer shall be as prescribed.