Saturday, September 15, 2012

Travel Insurance Nepal


Travel Insurance is compulsory on all of our tours, and links to some suggested providers are given below. We do not sell travel insurance ourselves.

Our partners at WorldwideInsure offer policies suitable for most of our tours (UK residents / EU residents / if you would like any more information or are unsure about how to arrange travel insurance if you are not a UK resident.

After you book with us you will receive details of a Stand Alone Safe Seat Planwhich we issue for your financial protection - this is not a travel insurance policy - please see our Financial Security page for details.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your insurance provides sufficient cover appropriate for the activities included in the tour. You must provide us with the details of your insurer, your policy number, and the policy emergency telephone number before departure (if you do not provide us with these details, then you will not be allowed to join the tour, and no refund will be due).

Your insurance must cover you for the following:
Medical Expenses & Repatriation

We also strongly recommend that you obtain cover for the following:
Cancellation & Curtailment
Personal Effects, Baggage & Money
Travel Delays, Abandonment & Missed Departure
Personal liability (group travellers)


Activities:

Most travel insurance policies will fit most of our holidays. However, many will not cover the altitudes gained on some of our trekking tours. Please check the tour factsheet for details of the activities involved and the maximum altitude gained on your trek and ensure your policy will cover these.

We are happy to recommend our partners at WorldwideInsure for policies to cover trekking over 2,000m (UK residents / EU residents / Worldwide residents). Their normal policy covers trekking up to 4,000m, with extra supplements available if you will travel up to 5,000m or 6,000m.

Travel Insurance In Nepal Visit Nepal Securely

Travelling to Nepal? Have you thought of your travel insurance?
Accidents and illnesses cannot be prevented when travelling to Nepal. Medical urgencies cannot only ruin your trip, but they can also dig a deep hole in your wallet. This is where an international travel health insurance comes into play.

When shopping for a travel insurance for Nepal, you should never accept less than:
Medical and hospitalization coverage. In the case of hospitalization in Nepal, the insurance company should be able to cover the expenses directly so you do not have to pay from your own pocket and then ask for a reimbursement.
Medical repatriation assistance. If something bad happens, you want to make sure you can be sent back home to be treated.
An urgency hotline that can be contacted 24/7/365. You never know when you'll need it, but you do know you want someone to be there if an emergency arises.
Civil liability coverage. If you accidentally hurt someone or damage private property.

For choosing your plan please visit here

Travel to Nepal with Travel Insurance

Nepal is an absolutely stunning location; the huge peaks of the Himalaya, including the world's highest peak Mount Everest enchant all who visit. Nepal has an ancient culture with many fine examples of art and architecture and also boasts great outdoor activities such as climbing, white water rafting and hiking.
It is easy to gain access to Nepal from neighbouring India and the people of Nepal are very relaxed, offering a nice break from the crowded Indian plains.
One of the friendliest capitals in the world, Kathmandu is an awe inspiring place packed with intricate temples. From Kathmandu , it is only a short way to the nearby city of Patan with its amazing Durbar square steeped in history. Bhaktapur is older still and offers some fascinating insights into the famous architecture of Newari. An absolute must are the holy cities of Pashupatinath and Boudhanath, with the largest Stupa in the whole of Nepal.

For those wanting to marvel at the Himalayas leave the Kathmandu Valley for Pokhara. Surrounded by mountains of 8 kilometres and upwards, the sights are truly awe inspiring and are sometimes described as being the ‘roof of the world'. For those visitors looking to see some wildlife the Royal Chitwan national park has many unexpected animals for a mountainous region including crocodiles & rhino's. It is also possible to visit Tibet from Nepal.

For more information about travel insurance in nepal please visit this site

Hike In Nepal

Nepal is one of the main destinations that any keen hiker should seriously consider. With some of the most stunning hiking over snow-covered mountains and through deep valleys, alongside incredible food, fascinating culture and warm, friendly people, a trip to Nepal will have a deep impact upon any traveller.

Around the Himalayas there are some fantastic walking tracks catered to each individual's level of hiking experience. Whether you are just after a lengthy day-trip, or are more interested in a longer expedition mixed with camping, there is something for you.

The first thing most of us think of when we consider hiking in Nepal is the rugged Himalayan mountain ranges and of course the world's highest point, Mount Everest. Though conquering Everest is certainly not something that any old traveller can dream of doing, there are plenty of other demanding, exciting and challenging hikes available for hikers of all levels of experience.

source itrektravel

You may not be able to climb Everest, but you can get close by hiking to Base Camp. To get to Everest takes a short flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, which is one of Nepal's busiest airstrips for obvious reasons. The hike from Lukla to Base Camp takes 8 days and is not to be underestimated. Finishing the hike to Base Camp is challenging and extremely rewarding, and you must be very well prepared.

Another popular area in Nepal for hikers is the Annapurna region. Though it may not be as well known as the Everest Base Camp, the natural beauty in this region is almost indescribable. Any trek will involve stunning and endless snow-covered mountains, and never-ending photo opportunities.

There are three major treks in this region: the Annapurna Circuit, the Annapurna Sanctuary Route and the Jomson Trek. These are the routes that attract the majority of Nepal's hiking tourists worldwide through their stunning scenery and lowland villages. The town of Pokhara is a picturesque starting point for any of these walks, as well as other shorter treks.

Hiking in Nepal is a fantastic way to experience some of the world's most diverse and stunning scenery and challenging trails, as well as to experience first-hand Nepali culture. The food is to die for and the people are friendly and willing to share their culture, so make the most out of all aspects of your hiking holiday in Nepal.

As with any holiday worldwide, whether hiking or not, travel insurance is a necessity. You never know what is going to happen to you, and the risk of an accident increases dramatically when trekking. Withouthiking insurance you could find yourself forking out thousands and thousands for medical expenses and emergency assistance which will ruin your holiday and leave you with a financial burden that could last years. Once you have decided on a hiking holiday, book ski travel insurance immediately to protect your health, money and belongings should anything go wrong

Travel Advice for Nepal


TRAVEL SUMMARY
The political situation in Nepal is changeable. There are frequent bandhs (shutdowns), rallies and demonstrations, which can be violent and cause widespread disruption. If you are travelling in Nepal, you should remain vigilant, avoid demonstrations, and stay in close touch with your tour operator. See Safety and Security - Political Situation and Safety and Security -Local Travel.


The Monsoon season in Nepal normally runs from June to September and can make travel in rural areas hazardous. Travellers can view weather forecasts at the Government of Nepal Meteorological Forecasting Division website. See Natural Disasters.


Most visits to Nepal are trouble-free. 19 British nationals required consular assistance in Nepal in the period 01 April 2011 - 31 March 2012. See General - Consular Assistance.


Nepal is considered to be at high risk of a major earthquake. See Natural Disasters - Earthquakes.


You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - Insurance.



SAFETY AND SECURITY


All travellers to Nepal are advised to register with the Consular Section at the British Embassy via the FCO's LOCATE page. In addition travellers should inform their family and friends in the UK of their itinerary.

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks can be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. There continue to be isolated incidents of bomb attacks (small improvised explosive devices), shootings and political violence across Nepal, including in Kathmandu. These incidents have resulted in the death and injury of Nepalese civilians. Tourists have only very occasionally been injured. These actions are carried out by a variety of political and criminal groups, especially in the Terai (southern plains). You should exercise caution in public places and take local advice.

Recent significant incidents include:



On 30 April 2012, a bomb exploded during a political protest in Janakpur, south-east of Nepal, killing four people.


A bomb exploded at the entrance to the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) in Kathmandu on 27 February 2012, close to the offices of the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister and other parts of government. According to local reports, three people have been killed and seven injured.


Four explosive devices were detonated between 25 to 28 March 2011 on public buses operating in the Terai region. One person died and 44 people were injured.



Safety and Security - Crime

Most visitors to Nepal experience a trouble-free stay. But crimes such as assault and theft against foreigners in Kathmandu and throughout the country continue to increase.

Pick-pocketing and bag-snatching are common in Kathmandu, particularly in tourist areas. Airports, buses and hotel rooms are also targeted by criminals. The areas of Thamel, Sanepa and Kupondol in Kathmandu have seen a sharp rise in petty theft and burglary against foreigners. Incidents of bag-snatching by motor-bikers are on the rise, particularly in relatively quieter areas of Kathmandu Valley. There are increasing reports of foreigners being injured in the course of such incidents. Assaults and robberies often occur in the evening in areas that are poorly lit; however, attacks against foreigners have occurred in broad daylight.

British nationals should exercise caution when walking around Kathmandu at night, especially in areas experiencing power cuts. Avoid walking on your own; avoid carrying large sums of cash and keep valuables safe and out of sight. Elsewhere in the Kathmandu Valley, you should avoid walking alone in isolated areas.

Visitors should consider exchanging money only at banks and hotels. Valuables should be stored in hotel safety deposit boxes and should never be left unattended in hotel rooms.

Bars and restaurants are now required to close at midnight as part of a Government crackdown on illegal activities. This means that after this time the streets around the city are poorly lit and relatively few people are about. Foreigners remaining in bars and clubs after hours are known to have been detained by the police.

You should exercise caution when entering ‘dance bars’ as some foreigners have been swindled or harassed in some of these establishments. As elsewhere, you should exercise judgement when accepting drinks from strangers, and should not leave your drinks unattended.

Victims of crime should call the Tourist Police in Kathmandu on 01 4700750 or the Tourist Police headquarters on 01 4247041.

There have been reports of trekkers being robbed where violence or the direct threat of violence has been used. Isolated incidences of rape have also been reported on trekking routes, and female travellers in particular should stay vigilant.



There have been a number of incidents of sexual assault against foreigners in Nepal. Three separate incidents of foreign nationals being sexually assaulted in the Thamel area of Kathmandu have been reported to date in 2011. Be aware of the use of date rape drugs. You should avoid walking alone in isolated areas, especially at night and do not go off with people you do not know. See: Rape and Sexual Assault Overseas.

If trekking, use a reputable trekking agency, remain on established routes, and walk in groups. We recommend that you do not trek alone and should avoid becoming separated from your group at any time (see section on Trekking in Nepal below).




Safety and Security - Trekking in Nepal



Trekking in Nepal often involves travelling to very remote areas. Treks often take longer than expected, which can worry family and friends. The availability of phone (including mobile phone reception) and Internet services is extremely limited. It is likely that during a trek you will be unable to contact family and friends for a long period of time.

During the winter months from November to January, flights across Nepal, particularly in high mountain areas, can be delayed due to poor weather conditions.

In November 2010 flights from Lukla were delayed for over one week. The Nepalese Army coordinated a rescue of more than 1,500 people from the area.


In November 2011, domestic flights across Nepal were cancelled or delayed due to seasonal weather conditions.

You should keep in close touch with your tour operator or guide. You will have to consider waiting for the weather to clear or arrange to trek down from the mountains and make alternative travel arrangements. You should liaise with your airline should you have to change your onward travel arrangements. Please keep your family informed of your situation and any change to your travel plans. You are required to have a valid visa in your passport to leave Nepal. If your visa has expired you will have to arrange an extension at the Department of Immigration, prior to your departure.

The Government of Nepal Meteorological Forecasting Division provides weather updates (in English): http://www.mfd.gov.np/.

The Government of Nepal has authorised the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) to implement a system for foreign trekkers called the Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS). Trekkers, including those not with organised groups, are required to have a valid TIMS card issued by TAAN, its member agencies, or NTB. In case of an emergency, the system will help authorities ascertain the whereabouts of trekkers. TIMS cards are available through authorised trekking companies, the TAAN office in Kathmandu or Pokhara, and the NTB office. Trekkers travelling through a trekking company will pay $10 and independent trekkers will pay $20 per route. For further information please visit Trekking Nepal, TAAN orNaturally Nepal.

Safety and Security - Trekking in Nepal - Advice for Trekkers:

Make sure that your insurance covers you for the altitude you are due to be trekking at. We recommend that you consider including cover for mountain rescue (evacuation by helicopter).
Be aware of the symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). For further information on AMS please check:http://www.himalayanrescue.org/hra/altitude_sickness.php
Ensure that you, your trekking guide or company has registered your trek with the Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS). Rules state that foreign trekkers will not be allowed access to National Parks without a valid TIMS card.
You should never trek alone; there have been instances of solo trekkers being attacked. Recently a solo trekker was found murdered.
Since 2003, four British nationals and eight other foreign nationals who had been trekking alone were reported missing.
Independent trekkers are recommended to use a reputable local guide as there have been reports of rogue guides robbing trekkers. Ensure that you and your guide are properly equipped and insured for the trek you intend to undertake. In very remote areas you may wish to consider renting a satellite phone – seek advice from your tour company.
Make sure someone at home has a copy of your itinerary.
Register your route at the entrance to the parks/conservation areas.
If your plans change try and call or email home to let people know you are alright.
Never venture from your planned route or itinerary without leaving someone a message to tell them what route you plan to take.
Safety and Security - Local Travel
Major street demonstrations, disturbances and road blockades occur frequently in Kathmandu and elsewhere in the country, in particular in the Terai and Eastern region of Nepal, often at very short notice. In the past, such events have suddenly turned violent. Transport can also be severely disrupted; roads and highways could be blocked. In the event of planned strike action, you should allow extra time to return to Kathmandu if you have an international flight to catch.

British Nationals are advised to avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings and remain vigilant at all times. You should also take local advice including from tour operators about the situation.

Kathmandu Valley-wide transport bans can be called at very short notice. When these bans are in place the Nepal Tourism Board and the Nepal Tourist Police in conjunction with the Himalayan Rescue Association run Shuttle Bus Services between various hotels in Kathmandu and the Domestic and International Airports. The Shuttle bus service phone number is (01) 4442555, mobile 9751044088. The Tourist Police Hotline phone number is (01) 4247041. The Nepal Tourism Board Hotline phone number is (01) 4225709.

If you are concerned about the areas you are travelling to, please keep a close watch on the local media, seek advice from your hotel or guesthouse, or contact the British Embassy in Kathmandu on arrival for up-to-date advice on the security situation, which can change rapidly.

Safety and Security - Road Travel
You must have an International Driving Permit to drive a vehicle in Nepal. Carry your licence with you at all times when driving as well as any documents relating to the vehicle itself.

The general standard of driving throughout the country is poor and badly regulated. Roads in Kathmandu are very congested. Many drivers are not properly licensed, trained or insured and vehicles are poorly maintained. There are few pavements outside central Kathmandu and motorists do not yield right of way to pedestrians.


Other road users often have scant regard for motorbikes and bicycles (which are available for rent in Kathmandu, Pokhara and some other destinations). It is the law to wear a helmet when riding a motorbike. You should also wear a suitable helmet when riding as a passenger, and when riding a bicycle.

Bus travel is particularly hazardous and multiple-fatality accidents are common. Avoid travel on overnight buses. On some routes (e.g. Kathmandu to Pokhara) tourist buses are available.

Road conditions are generally poor and difficult even in the best of conditions. During the Monsoon season (June to September) many roads outside the Kathmandu Valley are prone to landslides and become impassable.



Safety and Security - Air Travel
There have been several recent airline accidents in Nepal.

On 14 May 2012, an Agni Air flight carrying 21 passengers crashed while landing at Jomson Airport in northern Nepal. 15 people were killed in the incident. There were no British casualties.

On 25 September 2011 a Buddha Air flight crashed in the Lalitpur district, south of Kathmandu. 19 people died in the accident.

On 15 December 2010 a Tara Air flight crashed in the Okhaldhunga region, east of Kathmandu. 22 people died in the accident.

On 24 August 2010 an Agni Air flight crashed in the Makwanpur region, southwest of Kathmandu. 14 people died in the accident.

There are several domestic airlines operating in Nepal offering flights across Nepal. Check weather conditions before travelling with domestic airlines. Bad weather conditions in mountainous and hill regions can increase the risk to safety and cause lengthy delays.

Information on global airline safety is available through the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s audit of aviation safety oversight and also the Aviation Safety network.

The British Embassy cannot offer advice about which domestic airlines are safer than others.

Safety and Security - Political Situation
Nepal’s political parties failed to reach an agreement on the new Constitution before the required deadline and the Constituent Assembly’s mandate expired on 27 May. There is deep public anger at the political stalemate. There may be some street protests and disruptions as uncertainty over the political situation continues.

Visitors should be vigilant and be ready to move away from areas of Kathmandu and other main towns if large crowds start to gather.

LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

Drugs are a growing problem in Nepal and the authorities are determined to tackle and control the problem. Penalties for drugs related offences are severe. Possession of small amounts of marijuana can lead to a prison sentence in excess of five years, usually after a lengthy and expensive legal process. The availability of Class A drugs are on the rise and an increasing number of people are being caught smuggling drugs in to and out of the country.

You should respect local customs. Women should avoid wearing shorts and sleeveless tops in public places where this might be seen as inappropriate. Shoes should be removed before entering certain holy places. Non-Hindus are not permitted in certain temples.



For further information on Local laws, customs and travellers tips you should check the website of the Nepalese Embassy in the United Kingdom: www.nepembassy.org.uk.


ENTRY REQUIREMENTS


Entry Requirements - Visas
Visas are required for travel to Nepal.

To apply for a Nepalese visa in the United Kingdom you should contact the Nepalese Embassy, 12A, Kensington Palace Gardens, London, W8 4QU (Tel: +20 7229 1594 or 6231 or 5352); (Fax: +20 7792 9861) Full details can also be found on their website.

Visas are available on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport and at certain land borders. You may pay in pounds at the airport, and should bring two passport-sized photos. If you wish to stay for more than 60 days you can extend your visa up to 30 days by applying to the Nepalese Department of Immigration at Kalikasthan, Kathmandu (Tel: +977 1 4429659); (Fax: +977 14433935).

Overstaying without authority is serious and you can be detained or refused permission to leave until a fine is paid.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity
You must hold a valid passport to enter Nepal. Your passport must be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required. However, it is always sensible to have a short period of extra validity on your passport in case of any unforeseen delays to your departure. You do not have to wait until your old passport expires to apply to renew it. Any time left on your old passport when you apply will be added to your new passport, up to a maximum of nine months. For passport applications in the UK, you should apply to the Identity and Passport Service.


Entry Requirements - Medication
You may take medication into Nepal providing you have proof of a prescription. For further details contact the Nepalese Embassy +44 (0)207 229 1594 / 6231 / 5352 or email eon@nepembassy.org.uk.

Entry Requirements - Emergency Travel Documents
UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Nepal.




HEALTH


Contact your GP around eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. Country specific information and advice is published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre, and useful information about healthcare abroad, including a country-by-country guide of reciprocal health care agreements with the UK, is available from NHS Choices.

There are confirmed cases of cholera in Kathmandu, Nepalganj city in western Nepal and in Doti, Bajhang and Gorkha districts. If travelling to these areas you should take precautions. You should continue to eat only well prepared food and drink only bottled water. Maintaining personal hygiene is also essential: See NaTHNaC’s factsheet here.

Medical treatment is expensive at Western travellers' clinics in Nepal. Healthcare is poor in most places outside the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara. You should be aware that it might be difficult to obtain rapid helicopter evacuation if you were to fall ill or suffer a serious accident in a remote area of the country. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 60,000 adults aged 15 or over in Nepal were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage is estimated at around 0.4% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. Exercise the normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. See our HIV and AIDS page.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 102 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Our Travel Health pages offer further advice on how to stay healthy when overseas.

Health - Avian Influenza (H5N1)
Outbreaks of avian influenza amongst birds have been identified on 26 March in the Kathmandu Valley, Lalitpur and Bagmati provinces. We advise British nationals to avoid any direct contact with birds or bird faeces. No human cases of avian influenza have been reported. Local authorities are working to contain the outbreak.

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. As a precaution you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

See our Avian and Pandemic Influenza page.


NATURAL DISASTERS


Natural Disasters - Flooding and landslides

On 5 May an avalanche triggered a flood of the Seti river in Kaski district, north of Pokhara. Travellers should follow the advice of local authorities and exercise extra caution when trekking in the area of Annapurna and Machapuchre. The flooding has caused damage to the water supply system supplying 60% of water to Pokhara valley. Scarcity of drinking water is reported.

Travel in the rural areas during the Monsoon season (June - September) can be hazardous and care should be taken. Monsoon rains cause flooding and landslides that can cut off some towns and villages for days at a time. You should check access routes before setting off on a journey. The Government of Nepal Meteorological Forecasting Division provides weather updates (in English):http://www.mfd.gov.np/.

Natural Disasters - Earthquakes
Nepal lies in a seismically active region and is considered high risk. Earth tremors are common across Nepal. Lack of adequate emergency preparedness, medical facilities and emergency equipment will increase the impact that an earthquake could have in Nepal and the Kathmandu Valley in particular. The British Embassy would only be able to offer limited Consular assistance in the days immediately following a severe earthquake in Kathmandu Valley due to the likely impact on local infrastructure and inaccessibility of many places.

On 18 September 2011, an earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale struck the north-eastern Indian state of Sikkim, which borders Nepal. It caused damage and a number of deaths in Nepal. On 13 November 2011 an earthquake measuring 5 on the Richter scale struck the Gorkha district. There was a further small tremor in the region around Biratnagar on 28 March 2012. There were no reported deaths or major damage on either occasion. On 11 April tremors were felt in Nepal after an earthquake with an initial magnitude of 8.7 struck off the coast of Indonesia.

If you are travelling to Nepal you may wish to consider checking with your tour operator what contingency plans the operator may have in place in the event of an earthquake.

The National Society of Earthquake Technology – Nepal (NSET) provides information of what actions you should take in the event of an earthquake in Nepal:http://www.nset.org.np/nset/php/english.php.

To learn more about what to do before, during and after an earthquake, see this advice from the US Federal Emergency Management Agency.

GENERAL


General - Insurance
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Check for any exclusions and that your policy covers you for activities you want to undertake. If you are intending to travel at altitude in Nepal, please check that your insurance policy provides cover. Many policies do not provide cover over 2,500 metres. See our Travel Insurance page.

You should take out full insurance cover for medical treatment, accidents and evacuation by helicopter (presently costing between 1000 and 2000 pounds per flying hour). It is advisable to have cover for unexpected losses such as cancelled flights, stolen or lost cash, cards, passport, luggage and any loss damage or liability resulting from terrorist action.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas see our When Things Go Wrong page.

General - Registration
You should register with the FCO's LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

General - Precautions
To make your trip as smooth and as safe as possible, the British Embassy recommends that you take the following precautions.


Carry your passport with you at all times.
Leave a photocopy of your passport and your itinerary with a contact in the UK.
Enter next of kin details into the back of your passport.
Do not enter 'Restricted' areas. Strict terms and conditions apply. Check with a reputable trekking company.
Remember: altitude can and does kill. To avoid Acute Mountain Sickness ascend slowly and acclimatise fully. Take professional advice.
Reconfirm your flights (both internal and international) before departure as they are sometimes cancelled with very little advance warning, particularly during adverse weather conditions.

General - Poste Restante
For security reasons, the British Embassy in Kathmandu does not operate a Poste Restante facility. British Nationals should ensure that any private correspondence is addressed to the Central Post Office, Kathmandu or sent directly to them via a courier company. Any mail received at the British Embassy will be returned to sender.

General - Money
ATMs and exchange facilities are available across the country. Credit cards are also accepted in most major hotels, restaurants and shops. However, you should check first that a particular card is acceptable. Both Euro and US Dollar travellers’ cheques can be cashed relatively easily in most banks and major hotels throughout the country.

General - Indian currency in Nepal
The Government of Nepal has banned the use, import or export of 1,000 Indian rupee and 500 Indian rupee notes. British nationals should ensure that they do not enter or leave Nepal with either 1,000 or 500 Indian rupee notes. The Revenue Investigation Department will confiscate any notes and also impose a fine of the amount seized, payable in local currency. Lower denomination notes from India are accepted in Nepal.

General - Consular Assistance Statistics
Most visits to Nepal are trouble-free. 19 British nationals required consular assistance in Nepal in the period 01 April 2011 - 31 March 2012, including for nine deaths; one hospitalisation; and three arrests.

General - Import to Nepal
If you wish to import goods to Nepal please contact the Nepalese Embassy in London for initial guidance.

Further details can be sought from:

Ministry of Finance,
Department of Customs,
Tripureshwor,
Kathmandu,
Nepal
Phone No:
00-977-1-4266984
00-977-1-4211168

www.customs.gov.np
it@customs.gov.np

General - Volunteers
British Nationals wishing to volunteer in Nepal are encouraged to research the legitimacy of any organisations they are considering volunteering with; the Embassy does not hold records on these organisations. The Social Service Council of the Government of Nepal, however, maintains a list of legitimate volunteer organizations. Please contact them at: info@swc.org.np


See also
Nepal Travel Tips 2012 [external link]
Visiting friends and family in South Asia - Travel Tips 2012 [external link]

Contacts
Nepal, Kathmandu, British Embassy
Address:

P O Box 106
Lainchaur

General Enquiries -BEKathmandu@fco.gov.uk

Consular Enquiries -Ktm.Consular@fco.gov.ukTelephone:

(977) (1) 4414588
Fax:
(977) (1) 4411789 
Office hours:
GMT:
Mon-Thurs: 0230-0645/0745-1115
Fri: 0230-0730

Local Time:
Mon-Thurs: 0815-1230/1330-1700
Fri: 0815-1315

Consular opening hours:
Mon-Thurs: 08:15 - 12:30
Fri: 08:15 - 12:30

Source fcogovuk

Travel Insurance In Nepal Discount


High degree of caution in Nepal due to the uncertain political and security situation.
Pay close attention to your security at all times and monitor the media and other local sources for information about possible new safety or security risks.

The resignation of the Prime Minister of Nepal on 4 May 2009 has increased political tensions and the security situation remains unpredictable.

Political rallies in many parts of Nepal have resulted in outbreaks of violence and the detonation of explosive devices. You are strongly urged to avoid demonstrations, political rallies and large gatherings throughout Nepal as they may turn violent. Demonstrations and bandhs (strikes) occur without notice and can cause major traffic disruptions and shut down all public transport.

Shortages of essential supplies (food, water, fuel, gas and kerosene for cooking) can occur with limited notice. Black out (or load shedding) periods can have a significant impact on services, including in major tourist destinations. Before travelling, check that your tour operator or hotel will be able to provide an acceptable level of service and security.

Extortionists continue to approach trekkers and climbers demanding 'donations' or 'taxes'. Victims have been assaulted, detained or threatened with violence until they pay.

for more details plese click here for offers and other aspects

Travel Insurance for treeking in Nepal

Unfortunately there is no travel insurance is provided for treeking in Nepal.Most of the tourist want to have travel insurance while visiting Nepal. They want helicopter services and services and emergency help if they get in trouble.But there is not any travel agency or company offering such services to tourist so it may be quite unsecured the tourist feels while visiting Nepal. 

Introducing Nepal Travel Insurance in Nepal

Wedged between the high wall of the Himalaya and the steamy jungles of the Indian plains, Nepal is a land of snow peaks and Sherpas, yaks and yetis, monasteries and mantras.

Mountain Adventures
Ever since Nepal first opened its borders to outsiders in the 1950s, this tiny mountain nation has had an irresistible mystical allure for travellers. Today, legions of trekkers are drawn to the Himalaya’s most iconic and accessible hiking, some of the world’s best, with rugged trails to Everest, the Annapurnas and beyond. Nowhere else can you trek for days or even weeks in incredible mountain scenery, secure in the knowledge that a hot meal, cosy lodge and warm slice of apple pie await you at the end of the day. Nepal is nirvana for mountain lovers. Other travellers are drawn here by the adrenaline rush of rafting down a roaring Nepali river or bungee jumping into a bottomless Himalayan gorge. Canyoning, climbing, kayaking, paragliding and mountain biking all offer a rush against the backdrop of some of the world’s most dramatic landscapes.
Temples & Tigers
Other travellers prefer to see Nepal at a more gentle pace, admiring the peaks over a gin and tonic from a Himalayan viewpoint, strolling through the temple-lined medieval city squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, and joining Buddhist pilgrims on a spiritual stroll around the centuries-old stupas and temples that lie scattered across the Kathmandu Valley.
Further south lie Nepal’s wild and woolly national parks, where nature buffs scan the treetops for exotic bird species and comb the jungles for rhinos and tigers from the backs of lumbering Indian elephants. Whether you cross the country by mountain bike, motorbike, raft or tourist bus, Nepal offers an astonishingly diverse array of attractions and landscapes.
Travel Heaven
There are few countries in the world that are as well set up for independent travel as Nepal. Wandering the trekking shops, bakeries and pizzerias of Thamel and Pokhara, it’s easy to feel that you have somehow landed in a kind of backpacker Disneyland. Out in the countryside lies a quite different Nepal, where traditional mountain life continues stoically and at a slower pace, and a million potential adventures glimmer on the mountain horizons. The biggest problem faced by visitors to Nepal is how to fit everything in. Many people have spent a lifetime exploring the mountain trails of the Himalaya and the atmospheric temple towns of the Middle Hills, and they still keep coming back for more. Our advice is to pick a handful of essential experiences for your first visit and save the rest for trips two, three and four…


Travel Insurance In Nepal



These Are The Answers i have collected from Forum Asked By person interested in travelling in Nepal.

I'm travelling to Nepal with my fiancee in September (a quite budget trip), and we are thinking about, maybe, is not necessary to get a travel insurance, because actually we won't move so much (just Pokhara, Kathmanduand so on) and the insurance prices have increased a lot... What is your opinion? Can you advice me about that? What about health facilities in those cities? Thanx in advance for your replies!

IMHO to travel without Adequate health insurance is Madness
Let’s just say that you decide to go on a short trek and have an accident and need rescuing, Did you know for instance that the Nepali Authorities won’t put a helicopter into the air until they have checked that you have insurance to cover the cost !!

And if you were ever misfortunate enough to need treating in a Nepali Hospital (Although they Do Do their Very Best with the very limited facilities that they have to hand) you Could be in Desperate need of that Air Ambulance back home – But as you were a Cheapskate and didn’t bother with insurance, you would no doubt be left to cope best you could in Nepal !!!!!

This when you consider that my Full CasiVac High Altitude medical insurance costs less than 1/5th of my return flight is a No Brainer – Well at least it is to ME ?????

I have been to Nepal several times and have written up a lot of my personal experiences Including landing atKathmandu, how to get through customs and immigration Quickly, some ideas on Trekking, where to stay, eat, things to see and do + some tips on transport on
My Nepal Pages
I think that you might find them useful

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Magical Shakti sets up big win


Shakti Gauchan bowled a memorable spell to set up Nepal’s thumping 10-wicket victory over hosts Malaysia in the World Cricket League Division 4 at the Selangor Turf Club.
Shakti’s figure 10-8-2-3, the best economy in one-dayers between nations, helped Nepal bowl out Malaysia to 69 all out in 32.1 overs before Nepali openers Anil Mandal (41 not out) and Subash Khakurel (24 not out) raced to victory in 12.2 overs finishing the match before lunch.
Shakti Gauchan
Man of the match Shakti bowled 41 dot balls straight as Malaysia struggled after losing early wickets. Amrit Bhattarai grabbed two-in-two removing Rakesh Madhavan and S Alagaratnam in 5th over. Binod Das made it three-in-four-ball for pacers claiming wicket of H Ullah Khan (12) next over as Malaysia went down to 16/3.
Fromt hen on, Ahmed Faiz and Shafiq Sharif staged a minor recovery playing pacers with confidence and adding 36 runs for fourth wicket. But their recovery ended with introduced of spin.
Basant Regmi claimed Faiz (13) in his first over and Sharif (22) in his second to end the resistance. Then onward, Basant and Shakti combined to bowl 10 overs – from 21 to 30 – conceding only 5 runs.
Shakti took two-in-two in getting rid of KH Durrani and Nik Arifin in 21st over making it 60/8. The last two wickets fell successively – one each to off-spinner Sanjam Regmi and Basant as Malaysia ended with a lowly total.
Anil Mandal
Man of the match Shakti bowled 41 dot balls straight as Malaysia struggled after losing early wickets. Amrit Bhattarai grabbed two-in-two removing Rakesh Madhavan and S Alagaratnam in 5th over. Binod Das made it three-in-four-ball for pacers claiming wicket of H Ullah Khan (12) next over as Malaysia went down to 16/3.
Fromt hen on, Ahmed Faiz and Shafiq Sharif staged a minor recovery playing pacers with confidence and adding 36 runs for fourth wicket. But their recovery ended with introduced of spin.
Basant Regmi claimed Faiz (13) in his first over and Sharif (22) in his second to end the resistance. Then onward, Basant and Shakti combined to bowl 10 overs – from 21 to 30 – conceding only 5 runs.
Shakti took two-in-two in getting rid of KH Durrani and Nik Arifin in 21st over making it 60/8. The last two wickets fell successively – one each to off-spinner Sanjam Regmi and Basant as Malaysia ended with a lowly total.


Basant also needs a special mention as it was a hattrick of his three-wicket haul. He is at the top of the top wicket-takers in the tournament with 9 wickets. Amrit Bhattarai is jointly second with USA’s T Allen with 6 wickets each.
In other matches, USA beat Tanzania by 7 wickets chasing the target of 93 in 9 overs.
After third round of match, Nepal is atop the league table with 6 points and net run rate of +2.95.
Brief Score: Nepal 71/0 in 12.2 overs (Anil Mandal 41 not out, Subash Khakurel 24 not out) beat Malaysia 69 all out in 32.1 overs (Shakti Gauchan 3/2, Basant Regmi 3/12, Amrit Bhattarai 2/19, Sanjam Regmi 1/6, Binod Das 1/28) by 10 overs. Man of the Match: Shakti Gauchan




Nepal start Division 4 on a winning note


Nepal got off to a winning start at the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 4 (WCL Div. 4) tournament in Malaysia today after Paras Khadka’s side beat Singapore by five wickets despite losing early wickets when chasing down the small total of 112.
Nepal overcame Singapore by five wickets at the Selangor Turf Club in a low-scoring match. Singapore was bowled out for 111 in 39.5 overs after opting to bat first, while Anish Param was the top-scorer for Singapore with 31. Amrit Bhattarai (4-28) and Basanta Regmi (3-30) were the leading wicket-takers for Nepal.
In its reply Nepal slipped to 47 for five after lunch in a worrying start for Khadka’s side. Pradeep Airee (34 not out) and Shakti Gauchan (18 not out) added unbeaten 65 runs for the sixth wicket to lead Nepal home in 24.5 overs after the duo stabilised the Nepalese innings to secure victory.
“Amrit got the ball rolling for us with his fine performance and we took advantage of the early wicket to unsettle the opponent. It was not one of the easiest wickets to bat on but the middle order guys kept their cool and went on to win the match for us,” said Khadka.
In the other matches of the day, Denmark beat Tanzania by 88 runs and USA secure a 70 runs victory over Malaysia.
Match Summary:
Singapore 111 all out, 39.5 overs (Anish Param 31; Amrit Bhattarai 4-28, Basanta Regmi 3-30)
Nepal 112-5, 24.5 overs (Pradeep Airee 34 not out, Shakti Gauchan 18 not out; Mahboob 3-37)
Nepal won by five wickets
Player of the Match: Amrit Bhattarai (Nepal)

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Neil Armstrong, 1st man on the moon, dies

Neil Armstrong was a quiet self-described nerdy engineer who became a global hero when as a steely-nerved pilot he made "one giant leap for mankind" with a small step on to the moon. The modest man who had people on Earth entranced and awed from almost a quarter million miles away has died. He was 82.

Armstrong died following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures, a statement Saturday from his family said. It didn´t say where he died.

Armstrong commanded the Apollo 11 spacecraft that landed on the moon July 20, 1969, capping the most daring of the 20th century´s scientific expeditions. His first words after setting foot on the surface are etched in history books and the memories of those who heard them in a live broadcast.

"That´s one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind," Armstrong said.

In those first few moments on the moon, during the climax of heated space race with the then-Soviet Union, Armstrong stopped in what he called "a tender moment" and left a patch commemorate NASA astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts who had died in action.

"It was special and memorable but it was only instantaneous because there was work to do," Armstrong told an Australian television interviewer this year.

Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin spent nearly three hours walking on the lunar surface, collecting samples, conducting experiments and taking photographs.

"The sights were simply magnificent, beyond any visual experience that I had ever been exposed to," Armstrong once said.



The moonwalk marked America´s victory in the Cold War space race that began Oct. 4, 1957, with the launch of the Soviet Union´s Sputnik 1, a 184-pound satellite that sent shock waves around the world.

Although he had been a Navy fighter pilot, a test pilot for NASA´s forerunner and an astronaut, Armstrong never allowed himself to be caught up in the celebrity and glamor of the space program.

"I am, and ever will be, a white socks, pocket protector, nerdy engineer," he said in February 2000 in one of his rare public appearances. "And I take a substantial amount of pride in the accomplishments of my profession."

A man who kept away from cameras, Armstrong went public in 2010 with his concerns about President Barack Obama´s space policy that shifted attention away from a return to the moon and emphasized private companies developing spaceships. He testified before Congress and in an email to The Associated Press, Armstrong said he had "substantial reservations," and along with more than two dozen Apollo-era veterans, he signed a letter calling the plan a "misguided proposal that forces NASA out of human space operations for the foreseeable future."

Armstrong´s modesty and self-effacing manner never faded.

When he appeared in Dayton in 2003 to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of powered flight, he bounded onto a stage before 10,000 people packed into a baseball stadium. But he spoke for only a few seconds, did not mention the moon, and quickly ducked out of the spotlight.

He later joined former astronaut and Sen. John Glenn to lay wreaths on the graves of Wilbur and Orville Wright. Glenn introduced Armstrong and noted it was 34 years to the day that Armstrong had walked on the moon.

"Thank you, John. Thirty-four years?" Armstrong quipped, as if he hadn´t given it a thought.

At another joint appearance, the two embraced and Glenn commented: "To this day, he´s the one person on Earth, I´m truly, truly envious of."

Armstrong´s moonwalk capped a series of accomplishments that included piloting the X-15 rocket plane and making the first space docking during the Gemini 8 mission, which included a successful emergency splashdown.

In the years afterward, Armstrong retreated to the quiet of the classroom and his southwest Ohio farm. Aldrin said in his book "Men from Earth" that Armstrong was one of the quietest, most private men he had ever met.

In the Australian interview, Armstrong acknowledged that "now and then I miss the excitement about being in the cockpit of an airplane and doing new things."

At the time of the flight´s 40th anniversary, Armstrong again was low-key, telling a gathering that the space race was "the ultimate peaceful competition: USA versus U.S.S.R. It did allow both sides to take the high road with the objectives of science and learning and exploration."

Glenn, who went through jungle training in Panama with Armstrong as part of the astronaut program, described him as "exceptionally brilliant" with technical matters but "rather retiring, doesn´t like to be thrust into the limelight much."

Derek Elliott, curator of the Smithsonian Institution´s U.S. Air and Space Museum from 1982 to 1992, said the moonwalk probably marked the high point of space exploration.

The manned lunar landing was a boon to the prestige of the United States, which had been locked in a space race with the former Soviet Union, and re-established U.S. pre-eminence in science and technology, Elliott said.

"The fact that we were able to see it and be a part of it means that we are in our own way witnesses to history," he said.

The 1969 landing met an audacious deadline that President Kennedy had set in May 1961, shortly after Alan Shepard became the first American in space with a 15-minute suborbital flight. (Soviet cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin had orbited the Earth and beaten the U.S. into space the previous month.)

"I believe this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before the decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth," Kennedy had said. "No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important to the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish."

The end-of-decade goal was met with more than five months to spare. "Houston: Tranquility Base here," Armstrong radioed after the spacecraft settled onto the moon. "The Eagle has landed."

"Roger, Tranquility," the Houston staffer radioed back. "We copy you on the ground. You´ve got a bunch of guys about to turn blue. We´re breathing again. Thanks a lot."

The third astronaut on the mission, Michael Collins, circled the moon in the mother ship Columbia 60 miles overhead while Armstrong and Aldrin went to the moon´s surface.

In all, 12 American astronauts walked on the moon between 1969 and the last moon mission in 1972.

For Americans, reaching the moon provided uplift and respite from the Vietnam War, from strife in the Middle East, from the startling news just a few days earlier that a young woman had drowned in a car driven off a wooden bridge on Chappaquiddick Island by Sen. Edward Kennedy. The landing occurred as organizers were gearing up for Woodstock, the legendary three-day rock festival on a farm in the Catskills of New York.

Armstrong was born Aug. 5, 1930, on a farm near Wapakoneta in western Ohio. He took his first airplane ride at age 6 and developed a fascination with aviation that prompted him to build model airplanes and conduct experiments in a homemade wind tunnel.

As a boy, he worked at a pharmacy and took flying lessons. He was licensed to fly at 16, before he got his driver´s license.

Armstrong enrolled in Purdue University to study aeronautical engineering but was called to duty with the U.S. Navy in 1949 and flew 78 combat missions in Korea.

After the war, Armstrong finished his degree from Purdue and later earned a master´s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Southern California. He became a test pilot with what evolved into the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, flying more than 200 kinds of aircraft from gliders to jets.

Armstrong was accepted into NASA´s second astronaut class in 1962 — the first, including Glenn, was chosen in 1959 — and commanded the Gemini 8 mission in 1966. After the first space docking, he brought the capsule back in an emergency landing in the Pacific Ocean when a wildly firing thruster kicked it out of orbit.

Armstrong was backup commander for the historic Apollo 8 mission at Christmastime in 1968. In that flight, Commander Frank Borman, and Jim Lovell and Bill Anders circled the moon 10 times, and paving the way for the lunar landing seven months later.

Aldrin said he and Armstrong were not prone to free exchanges of sentiment.

"But there was that moment on the moon, a brief moment, in which we sort of looked at each other and slapped each other on the shoulder ... and said, ´We made it. Good show,´ or something like that," Aldrin said.

An estimated 600 million people — a fifth of the world´s population — watched and listened to the landing, the largest audience for any single event in history.

Parents huddled with their children in front of the family television, mesmerized by what they were witnessing. Farmers abandoned their nightly milking duties, and motorists pulled off the highway and checked into motels just to see the moonwalk.

Television-less campers in California ran to their cars to catch the word on the radio. Boy Scouts at a camp in Michigan watched on a generator-powered television supplied by a parent.

Afterward, people walked out of their homes and gazed at the moon, in awe of what they had just seen. Others peeked through telescopes in hopes of spotting the astronauts.

In Wapakoneta, media and souvenir frenzy was swirling around the home of Armstrong´s parents.

"You couldn´t see the house for the news media," recalled John Zwez, former manager of the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum. "People were pulling grass out of their front yard."

Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins were given ticker tape parades in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles and later made a 22-nation world tour. A homecoming in Wapakoneta drew 50,000 people to the city of 9,000.

In 1970, Armstrong was appointed deputy associate administrator for aeronautics at NASA but left the following year to teach aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati.

He remained there until 1979 and during that time bought a 310-acre farm near Lebanon, where he raised cattle and corn. He stayed out of public view, accepting few requests for interviews or speeches.

"He didn´t give interviews, but he wasn´t a strange person or hard to talk to," said Ron Huston, a colleague at the University of Cincinnati. "He just didn´t like being a novelty."

Those who knew him said he enjoyed golfing with friends, was active in the local YMCA and frequently ate lunch at the same restaurant in Lebanon.

In 2000, when he agreed to announce the top 20 engineering achievements of the 20th century as voted by the National Academy of Engineering, Armstrong said there was one disappointment relating to his moonwalk.

"I can honestly say — and it´s a big surprise to me — that I have never had a dream about being on the moon," he said.

From 1982 to 1992, Armstrong was chairman of Charlottesville, Va.-based Computing Technologies for Aviation Inc., a company that supplies computer information management systems for business aircraft.

He then became chairman of AIL Systems Inc., an electronic systems company in Deer Park, N.Y.

Armstrong married Carol Knight in 1999, and the couple lived in Indian Hill, a Cincinnati suburb. He had two adult sons from a previous marriage.

At the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles on Saturday, visitors held a minute of silence in memory of Armstrong.                


Source myrepublica

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

इन्जिनियरिङ्गको प्रश्नपत्र बाहिरिएको ठहर, परिक्षा रद्ध हुने, नौ जना पक्राउ

काठमाडौं- इन्जिनियरिङ्ग अध्ययन संस्थानको प्रवेश परिक्षा रद्ध हुने भएको छ । परिक्षा हुनुभन्दा एक दिन अगावै प्रश्न पत्र बाहिर आएको प्रमाणित भएपछि परिक्षा रद्ध हुने भएको हो । देशभरि गत श्रावण २७ गते  एकैदिन परिक्षा भएको थियो ।    यो परिक्षा रद्ध हुदा देशभरिबाट जाँच दिने १३ हजार विद्यार्थीहरुले पुनः परिक्षाका लागी मिहनत गर्नुपर्ने भएको छ । परिक्षाको परिणाम आउछ कि पुनः परिक्षा दिनुपर्छ भन्ने द्धिविधा रहेको बेला औपचारिक रुपमा अनुसन्धान गरिरहेको निकायले त्यस्तो निष्कर्ष निकालेको हो ।   प्रश्नपत्र बाहिरिएको विषयमा व्यापक गुनासो आएपछि इन्जिनियरिङ्ग अध्ययन संस्थान आफैले त्यसबारेमा अनुसन्धान गर्न केन्दि्रय अनुसन्धान व्यूरोलाई आग्रह गरेको थियो । व्यूरोले परिक्षा प्रणाली बारे व्यापक अनुसन्धान गर्दा प्रश्न पत्र परिक्षा हुनुभन्दा एक दिन अगावै बाहिरिएको भेट्टाएको छ ।  स्रोतका अनुसार व्यूरोले चाडै नै त्यसबारेको लिखित जानकारी संस्थानका डीनलाई गराउने भएको छ । अनुसन्धानका क्रममा प्रहरीले मिलोमतोमा पैसा कमाउने उदेश्यले प्रश्न पत्र बाहिर ल्याउने नौ जनालाई पक्राउ गरिसकेको छ भने पक्राउ गर्न खोजीएका थप केही फरार भएकाछन ।   अनुसन्धानको कार्यमा डिनहरुले नै असहयोग गरेका कारण लिखित प्रतिवेदन दिन ढिला भएको अनुसन्धानमा संलग्न अधिकृतहरु बताउछन । यो  परिक्षामा उत्कृष्ट हुनेहरुले त्रिभुवन विश्व विद्यालय मातहतका इन्जिनियरिङ्ग कलेजमा छात्रवृत्तिमा पढन पाउछन । राम्रो अंक ल्याउनेहरु काठमाडौकै पुल्चोक, थापाथाली, उपत्यका बाहिर पोखरा र घरानमा पढछन ।  

Source singardarbar

Monday, August 20, 2012

3 missing as truck plunges in Trishuli

 Three people have been feared dead after a mini truck they were traveling in fell into the Trishuli River on Monday.

Driver Subash Poudel, 28, of Manohari VDC in Makwanpur district, Poudel´s assistant Dipak Gurung, 18, of Kota VDC-8 in Tanahu district, and his younger brother Rabi Gurung, 17, have been missing after the mini truck (Lu 1 Kha 4942), which was laden with crates of eggs, plunged into the swollen river at Jyamireghat in Jogimara VDC-9 of Dhading district. 

According to Binod Ghimire, inspector at the Area Police Office in Gajuri, Dhading, the bodies of the missing had not been recovered till Monday evening. Ghimire said it was difficult for the police to retrieve the bodies because of the strong current and muddy waters caused by heavy rains.

According to DSP Janak Basnet, a joint team of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force (APF), assisted by the locals, are searching for the victims. Even the truck that fell 100 meters down the road has been untraceable.

Six die in another mishap

Six people were killed when a bus collided with a truck in Arun Khola area of Nawalparasi district Sunday night. 

Forty-two passengers were injured when the bus (Na 4 Kha 1092), which was heading toward Mahendranagar from Kathmandu, ran into an Indian truck (UP 53 BT 9387). 

Three of the dead have been identified as Lalji Paswan, 18, of Motihari district in Bihar, India, Madan Singh Rawal, 43, of Dasharath Chanda Municipality, Baitadi, and Rabindra Singh Juhari, 31, of Hikila VDC-7 in Darchula district. The identity of the three others who died is still unknown.


Source myrepublica

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Sudan plane crash kills up to 31, including minister



Up to 31 people including at least one Sudanese minister were killed when a plane taking them to an Islamic festival crashed in the south of the country, an official and state media said on Sunday.



The plane went down into mountains around Talodi, a town in the border state of South Kordofan, while bringing a government delegation there to celebrate the festival marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, state news agency SUNA said.



SUNA said 26 passengers were killed and that the dead included ministers but did not name them.



Abdel Hafiz Abdel Rahim, a civil aviation spokesman, told Reuters that 31 people were killed including the crew, but had no details about their identities.



Arabic satellite channel Al Arabiya said the plane was carrying Guidance and Endowments Minister Khalil Abdalla. Al Jazeera reported two ministers were on board, but did not name them.



Citing Sudanese authorities, Al Jazeera reported that security personnel and a media team were also killed in the crash. The report did not say whether the plane involved belonged to the state-owned Sudan Airways or another carrier.



There have been several crashes in recent years involving Sudan Airways, which has been worn down by years of U.S. sanctions and other issues.



A Sudan Airways cargo plane crashed when it was taking off in the United Arab Emirates in 2009 and another cargo plane crashed shortly after take-off from Khartoum in 2008.



Oil-producing South Kordofan borders South Sudan, which seceded over a year ago. The border state has been the site of an insurgency since shortly before South Sudan's independence.



Sudan's government accused rebels of killing a state official and seven other people there in July. A spokesman for the main rebel group in the area, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement North, said the insurgents had nothing to do with the plane crash on Sunday.


Source ekantipur

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Eights years on mother still searches for her missing son

In the last eight years, not a single evening has passed without Sabitri Ghimire of Ugratara Janagal VDC-8 in Kavrepalanchok district lighting a lamp and praying for her missing son´s return.

"I always see my son´s face in the flames of the lamp," says the 58-year-old mother. "I hope my son will return some day in future." She believes her son is still alive in some corner of the world. "If my son was no more, I would have had some hints in my dreams. I have never had a bad dream about him."
In Dhulikhel, Sabitri once met an elderly woman whose son had returned after 12 years. "She had also lit the lamp every night for 12 years," says Sabitri. "As per her suggestions, I too started lighting the lamp."
Sabitri´s oldest son, Prakash Ghimire, who was studying journalism in Ratna Rajya Laxmi Campus, Kathmandu, had disappeared without a trace in 2004. His whereabouts remain unknown since then. Sabitri has heard that Prakash was detained by plain-clothes policemen from a rented room in Jadibuti, Bhaktapur.

"I heard from Prakash´s friends that he was whisked away in a van,"she says. "Some say he was taken to Nakkhu jail while others say he was detained at an army barrack atop Shivapuri hill. I have not seen him in a long time, and I have not heard a single word about him."

Sabitri searched for her missing son in all the nooks and crannies of Kathmandu. "I may lose my way in Banepa town but not in Kathmandu," she quips. "I know each and every alley of the capital since I have wandered there dozens of times in search of my dear son. I have yet not given up hopes."

At times, Sabitri has walked up to Kathmandu all the way from Banepa. "Even when I had no money for bus fares, I walked to Kathmandu," says she. "In Kathmandu, I found many other women who had also lost their dear ones during the Maoist insurgency. After meeting them, I tried to console myself."

Prakash, 25 then, was the most reliable of the three sons, according to Sabitri. After he went missing, Prakash´s father Bed Prasad Ghimire become a chain-smoker. "My husband frequently falls sick. I have spent a huge amount of money in his treatment," she says.

Sabitri´s house, built in 1985, was badly shaken by an earthquake in 1988. Cracks have now appeared all over the walls by now. But, she has no money to repair the dilapidated house. Nor has she ever thought of it. "I only think of my missing son," she says.
In Kavrepalanchok district, 20 people disappeared forcefully during the Maoist insurgency, according to Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC), Nepal. Most of them, including Prakash, are still missing.                 

Source myrepublica 

Miss China Crowned Miss World 2012

Miss China won the coveted title of Miss World on Saturday, triumphing on home soil in a mining city on the edge of the Gobi desert.

The mostly Chinese audience erupted in cheers when it was announced that the home candidate, Yu Wenxia, had been awarded the title.

Explaining during the final why she should win the Miss World title, Yu said: "When I was young I felt very lucky because so many people helped me, and I hope in the future I can help more children to feel lucky."

Last year´s Miss World -- Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela -- handed over her crown in the futuristic Dongsheng stadium in the northeastern city of Ordos.
A total of 116 contestants, the highest number ever, took to the stage during the contest, watched annually by about a billion people around the globe.
Ordos, around 700 kilometres (440 miles) from the nearest beach, is an unusual venue for the world´s biggest beauty pageant.

Besides the traditional swimsuits and evening gowns, participants also donned outlandish costumes, with some dressed as belly dancers.

Miss World 2012 winner Yu Wenxia (C) of China, second place contestant Miss Wales Sophie Moulds (L) and third place Miss Australia Jessica Kahawaty (R) pose for photos following the pageant´s final ceremony at the Ordos Stadium Arena in the inner Mongolian city of Ordos on August 18. (AFP)


The beauty queens have been in China rehearsing for nearly a month, soaking up traditional Mongolian culture by churning yoghurt in a nomad´s yurt and donning local attire to climb a sand dune.

The city, which has a vast town square dedicated to the mighty Mongolian warrior Genghis Khan, has grown rich over the last decade on the back of a coal mining boom that has transformed it from a sandstorm-afflicted backwater into one of the wealthiest places in China.

The boom triggered a frenzy of building in the city, but the local government has been unable to fill the vast tower blocks that have sprung up, earning it the title of China´s biggest ghost town.

Enthusiastic competitors seemed unfazed, expressing optimism that with the help of the pageant, the city could leave that reputation behind and take its place alongside other global centres of glitz and glamour.

"Ordos could be the next Dubai," said Marielle Wilkie, representing the Caribbean nation of Barbados.

Albanian contestant Floriana Garo chimed in with her own bold prediction.

"In ten years, this city will be booming," she said.

Architecture in Ordos -- where the city museum is shaped like an undulating blob -- is "world class", added Markysa O´Loughlin, representing St. Kitts and Nevis, also in the Caribbean.

Bookmakers had tipped Miss Mexico, 20-year-old Mariana Reynoso, for the crown, but Miss China was also seen as a leading contender along with Miss Nepal.

While the popularity of the contest, first held in 1951, has waned in the West, continued interest in Asian countries ensures that the final rakes in a huge global television audience.

Sweden´s Kiki Hakansson was the first Miss World, while Oscar-winning US actress Halle Berry was a finalist in 1986 and Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai took the crown in 1994.

Venezuela has produced the most Miss Worlds, with six winners, while India and Britain claim five titles each.

China has already hosted the competition five times, most recently in 2010 on the tropical southern island of Hainan.

In 2002, the pageant was moved from Nigeria to Britain after more than 200 people died in clashes sparked when a newspaper suggested the Prophet Mohammed would have chosen a wife from among the contestants had he been alive.

Miss World beauty queens in China desert city
(AFP)

BEIJING: Beauty queens from all over the planet made final preparations to compete for the Miss World title on Saturday in a Chinese mining city on the edge of the Gobi desert.

A total of 116 contestants -- the highest number ever -- were scheduled to don their finest evening gowns and swimwear for the evening contest, which is watched annually by around a billion people around the globe.

This year it takes place on the arid and sparsely populated steppes of Inner Mongolia, where Ordos, around 700 kilometres (440 miles) from the nearest beach, makes an unlikely setting for the world´s biggest beauty pageant.

Reigning Miss World Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela will hand over her crown in the futuristic Ordos stadium, which sits alongside a vast town square dedicated to the mighty Mongolian warrior Genghis Khan.

The city has grown rich over the last decade on the back of a coal mining boom that has transformed it from a sandstorm-afflicted backwater into one of the wealthiest places in China.

The boom triggered a frenzy of building in the city, but the local government has been unable to fill the vast tower blocks that have sprung up, earning it the title of China´s biggest ghost town.

The beauty queens have been in China rehearsing for nearly a month, soaking up traditional Mongolian culture by churning yoghurt in a nomad´s yurt and donning local dress to climb a sand dune, according to Miss World´s website.

Contestants vying for this year´s title include a Kazakh doctor and a Peruvian medical student, but the bookmakers are tipping Miss Mexico, 20-year-old Mariana Reynoso, for the crown.

"There´s a lot of good feeling surrounding the Mexican contestant," said Tony Kenny, spokesman for bookmaker William Hill, which is offering odds of 2/1 on Reynoso.

Other leading contenders include Miss China and Miss Nepal, with other countries lagging so far behind as to be "more or less write offs", according to Alex Donohue of rival bookmaker Ladbrokes.

While the popularity of the contest, first held in 1951, has waned in the West, continued interest in Asian countries ensures that the final rakes in a huge global television audience.

Sweden´s Kiki Hakansson was the first Miss World, while Oscar-winning US actress Halle Berry was a finalist in 1986 and Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai took the crown in 1994.

Venezuela has produced the most Miss Worlds, with six winners, while India and Britain claim five titles each.

China has already hosted the competition five times, most recently in 2010 on the tropical southern island of Hainan.

In 2002, the pageant was moved from Nigeria to Britain after more than 200 people died in clashes sparked when a newspaper suggested the Prophet Mohammed would have chosen a wife from among the contestants had he been alive.


Source myrepublica

मिस वर्ल्ड जारी, बिच फेसनमा उपाधि गुम्यो, सृष्टि उत्कृष्ट १५ मा पनि परिनन्


चीनको ओर्डसमा जारी ६२ औं मिस वर्ल्डमा नेपालको प्रतिनिधित्व गरेकी सृष्टिले बिच फेसनमा उपाधि गुमाइन् ।
वेल्स सुन्दरीले बिच फेसनको उपाधि जितिन् । नेपाल सुन्दरी सृष्टि श्रेष्ठ मिस वर्ल्डमा १ सय १५ सुन्दरीसँग प्रतिस्पर्धा गरिरहेकी छन् ।
   - नेपाल सुन्दरी सृष्टि उत्कृष्ट १५ मा पनि परिनन्

Miss World 2012 Live Updates

Winner of Miss World Talent round is China PR

Miss World Sports Woman 2012 is Miss Sweden .

Winner of Multimedia Award 2012 is Miss India

The winner of Beach Fashion round 2012 is Miss Wales

And the Winner of top Model round 2012 is Miss South Sudan.

The gala evening starts with TV host Myleene Klass and American actor Jason Cook welcoming the audience.

The Divas arrive : The stunning 116 contestants are introduced individually to the audience as they walked the ramp. The crowd is buzzing with different country names as Mongolian warriors perform live on stage.

The show starts with an audio visual presentation of all the 116 contestants praising the beautiful city and culture of Shanghai and Changsu. The post card video shows the spectacular time the contestants had in China where they witnessed China's greatest performing acts.

The ambience : As Miss world 2012 contestants gear up to impress the judges and jury, guests, former beauty queens and celebs have started pouring in at Ordos, China. Tonight, all the 116 contestants will walk the ramp with the common ambition of winning the Miss World Crown. This year, Vanya Mishra from India will be fighting it out with 115 contestants for the Miss World 2012 pageant. Watch this space for getting live updates on Miss World 2012.

Source timesof india

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

New nepali Movie Mission Paisa Reloaded Official Trailor [HD]




Watch the Trailer of Nepali Movie - Reloaded -- Mission Paisa 2. Reloaded is a sequel to Nepali Movie Mission Paisa released in 2009. A movie by Simos Sunuwar, Mission Paisa stars Amir Gautam, Resh Marhatta, Nisha Adhikari and Harshika Shrestha in lead roles.


The movie directed by Simos Sunuwar has Amir Gautam, Resh Marhatta, Nisha Adhikari and Harshika Shrestha starring in it. Among the actors, Resh Marhatta and Harshika Shrestha are new faces added in the movie's sequel. The story for the movie is from Prachandaman Shrestha and is produced by Narendra Maharjan, Madhab Wagle and Simos Sunuwar.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Maoist leaders Beaten By Chair

The ongoing UCPN (Maoist) plenum has resumed after the brawl among the participants. The meeting was postponed following the incident.
An emergency Standing Committee meeting of the party at Nepal Tourism Board decided to continue the plenum.
According to sources, the brawl took place on the issue of choosing team leader of Bhojpura State Committee. It has been learnt that the participants started hooting when Baliram Sah of Vice Chairman Baburam Bhattarai panel was speaking. The Bhattarai panel reiterated against the hooting and scuffle took place.
The participants have been learnt to throw chairs during the scuffle. Chairman Dahal and Vice Chairman Bhattarai were also targeted in the stage.
Meanwhile, reporters have been barred from collecting news.
The leaders were holding discussion on the report presented by party Chairman Dahal during the closed session of the plenum.

Source ekantipur

माओवादी बैठकमा प्रचण्ड र बाबुराममाथि नै आक्रमण

५ साउन, काठमाडौं । एकीकृत नेकपा माओवादीको राजधानीमा जारी विस्तारित बैठकमा पार्टी अध्यक्ष पुष्पकमल दाहाल प्रचण्ड र प्रधानमन्त्री समेत रहेका उपाध्यक्ष डा. बाबुराम भट्टरामाथि नै आक्रमण भएको छ ।
प्रचण्डको राजनीतिक प्रतिवेदनमाथि भएको समहूतगत छलफलको रिपोर्टिङ गर्ने क्रममा भोजपुरा राज्य समितिको तर्फबाट को बोल्ने भन्नबारे सुरु भएको विवादले उग्ररुप लिएपछि प्रचण्ड र बाबुराम पक्ष एक-अर्का पक्षका शीर्ष नेताहरुमाथि नै जाइलागेका हुन् ।
विवाद बढ्दै गएपछि प्रचण्डका विश्वासपात्र पोलिटव्युरो सदस्य प्रभाकर बैठक स्थलबाट बाहिरिन खोजेका उपाध्यक्ष भट्टराईमाथि जाइलागेका थिए । उनले भट्टराईलाई कठालो समाउने प्रयास गरेका थिए । आफ्ना नेतामाथि आक्रमण भएपछि आक्रोसित भट्टराई पक्षीय एक कार्यकर्ताले पार्टी अध्यक्षमाथि नै कुर्सी प्रहार गरे । बैठकमा सहभागी एक नेताका अनुसार कार्यकर्ताले हानेको कुर्सी प्रचण्डको ढाडमा लागेको थियो । प्रचार प्रसार उपसमिति संयोजक बिश्वभक्त दुलालले अनलाइनखबरसँग भन्नुभयो- ‘सामान्य बिषयमा सुरु भएको बिबाद, तानातान र हानाहानको स्थीतिमा पुगेको हो ।’
कसरी बढ्यो तनाव ?
शुक्रबार ११ बजे बस्ने भनिएको बन्दसत्र एकघण्टा ढिलो गरी शुरुभयो । बैठक सुरु भए लगत्तै नामावली सूची अनुसार भोजपुराका बलिदान साहलाई अध्यक्षको प्रतिवेदनमाथि भएको समूहगत छलफलको निष्कर्ष प्रस्तुत गर्न मञ्चमा बोलाइयो । भट्टराई पक्षका साहले बोल्न थाल्नेबित्तिकै मञ्च र तल रहेका प्रचण्ड पक्षका नेता तथा प्रतिनिधिले आफ्ना पक्षका अशोक जैसवालले बोल्नुपर्ने भन्दै हुटिङ गरे ।
भट्टराई पक्षकाले भने साहले बोल्नथालिसकेकोले उनले बोलेपछि अशोकलाई बोल्न दिनुपर्ने बताए । तर, प्रचण्ड पक्षधरले एकोहोरो हुटिङ र होहल्ला गर्न छाडेनन् । यसको नेतृत्व नेतृ अञ्जना विशंखेले गरेकी थिईन् ।
बोल्न थालेका आफ्ना पक्षका नेतालाई अवरोध गरेको भन्दै मञ्चमा रहेका भट्टराई, देवेन्द्र पौडेल लगायतले विरोध जनाए । बोल्नै नपाउने प्रवृत्तिको अन्त्य हुनुपर्छ भनेर भट्टराई र पौडेलले प्रतिवाद गरे लगत्तै त्यहीं रहेका प्रचण्ड पक्षधर नेता जनार्दन शर्मा प्रभाकरको पारो तात्यो । ‘गुटबन्दी गर्ने तिमी नै हौ’ भन्दै उनले भट्टराईमाथि हात हाल्न खोजे । सँगै रहेका पौडेल, डिलाराम आचार्य लगायतका नेताहरुले छेकेका कारण प्रभाकरको हात बाबुराममाथि पर्न पाएन । उनीहरुले नछेकेको भए बाबुरामले पिटाई खाने बैठकमा सहभागी एक नेताले अनलाइनखबरलाई बताए । तनाव बढेपछि प्रभाकरलाई झ्याईकुटी पार्दै स्वयंसेवक वाईसिएलले उनलाई मञ्चबाट तल झारेका थिए ।
उपाध्यक्षमाथि नै हातपात गर्न खोजेको भन्दै भट्टराई पक्षधरका नेताहरुले चर्को बिरोध र हुटिङ गरे । त्यो बेला अध्यक्ष प्रचण्डले ‘हैन मिलाऔं, शान्त रहनोस्’ भन्दै थिए । तर, हातपातकै स्थिति आएपछि बाबुराम पक्षधर कार्यकर्ता पनि प्रतिवादमा उत्रिए । बझाङका एक प्रतिनिधिले पार्टी अध्यक्ष प्रचण्डमाथि कुर्सी प्रहार गरे । त्यसपछि बाहिरिने क्रममा प्रचण्ड पक्षमा पूर्व लडाकूहरुले हतियार बुझाएको तथा भारतसँग विप्पा सम्झौता गरेको भन्दै बाबुरामलाई घेर्न खोजेका थिए । कार्यकर्ताबाट नै नेताहरु असुरक्षित रहेको थाहा पाएपछि प्रहरी र बाईसीएलले हस्तक्षेप गरेर शीर्ष नेताहरुलाई ‘रेस्क्यू’ गर्नु परेको स्रोतको भनाई छ ।
पोलिटब्युरोमा कसरी मिल्यो ?
सुरक्षाकर्मीको स्कर्टिङको सहरा लिएर बैठकस्थलबाट बाहिरिएका नेताहरु छेवैमा रहेको नेपाल पर्यटन बोर्डको सभाकक्षमा भेला भए । त्यही पोलिटब्युरो वैठक बस्यो । वैठक हलभित्रको अबस्था देखेर जिल खाएका अध्यक्ष प्रचण्डले सुरुमै नेताहरुलाई थामथुम पार्न खोजे । ‘दस्तावेजमा भट्टराईजी र मबीच कुनै असहमति छैन, दुवै जना सल्लाह गरेरै डकुमेन्ट ल्याएका हौं’- प्रचण्डको भनाई उदृत गर्दै एक पोलिटब्युरो सदस्यले अनलाइनखबरसँग भने-’तपाईहरु धेरै जान्ने हुनुपर्दैन, हामीवीच कुनै असहति छैन, चुप लागेर वस्नुस् ।’ प्रचण्डले यसो भनेपछि पहिले हात हालाहालको अबस्थामा पुगेका प्रभाकर र देवेन्द्र पौडेलहरु पनि चुप लागेका थिए ।
प्रचण्डले नै लागेका बिषयमा सवैले बोल्न पाउँछन, अरुलाई पनि बोल्न दिउँ भन्दै प्रस्ताव राखेपछि वैठक सहमतिमा टुंगिएको थियो । त्यसपछि सुचारु भएको वैठकमा असन्तुष्ट भट्टराई र श्रेष्ठ पक्षका कार्यकर्ताले आ-आफनो मत राखे ।