Local traditions and culture in Nepal

An often asked question by travellers heading to Nepal is whether there are any festivals going on during their time there so I thought that people might find this Nepali Festival calendar useful as it also give an explanation of what each festival is all about

One word of caution about one festival - Holi – I have been in Nepal several times during this festival and as the years have gone on it has become more raucous, I have come across quire a few females that have been Man Handled by Nepali Males – So Care is now needed, also make sure that you wear clothes that you aren’t particular about as you Will get covered in “Colour” –Google Images on Holi Nepal to see what I mean ;-)

Here is another link for 2012 so that yoiu cna check when the festivals are taking place
http://www.weallnepali.com/hamro-nepal#TOC-Nepali-Festivals-2012

Good Luck
Rob

In Hindu religion the cow is considered holy like a god and it is big trouble if you kill one, even by accident. In the 3000 years of the Hindu religion cows are revered as they are considered the mother of civilisation providing milk for all, and it is considered good luck if you see one wandering the streets and offer it a small snack. If you rent a motorbike and you come across a cow in the middle of the road don't kick it r you may find yourself in jail.

It is now possible to arrange TIMS and ANCAP Fees in Advance through Nirmal, Drop him an email for details, But basically he will arrange both permits for you for a fee of around $50 including the price of the Permits. (National Park Entrance fees can now be paid at the park gate for both Langtang and Sagarmatha, charges are 1.000NPR or approximately $15 – So if you are trekking in these areas you can just arrange your TIMS in advance for about $20 if you are on a tight timeframe) You will have to email him your passport details, then you attach the photographs and pay the fee when you arrive – This is a Great Service and might well save you a day or two although TAAN registered agents aren’t aloud to sell independent trekkers cards (Green ones), nearly all of them are prepared to sell independent trekkers the Blue accompanied trekkers ones.
To do this the agents then have to demonstrate to the authorities that some money has changed hands between the trekker and the agent to arrange the trek so the price charged by the agent is usually the same at $20 that you would pay at the TAAN offices.
I have come across many lots of Trekkers who have done this. Particularly when they are on a tight timeframe organising both ANCAP and TIMS in advance and I haven’t heard of any of them running into problems, But strictly speaking the agents are stretching the rules !!

Starting March 15th 2010 TIMS card will cost $20 US in Nepali currency for trekkers not in groups. Group trekkers get it for $10

"The cabinet meeting held recently has changed some provisions related to Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS). The new changes will come into effect from March 15.

As per the new provision, trekkers are required to take TIMS Card from Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) before starting their trek. Trekkers travelling in groups can get the TIMS card upon paying $10 each while those preferring to travel individually need to pay $20.

However, trekkers and mountaineers with climbing permits from Tourism Industry Division under Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and Nepal Mountaineering Association aren't required to get the TIMS Card. Similarly, trekkers with permits from Immigration Department to controlled areas like Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo, Manasulu and others also are not required to get the TIMS Card. Likewise, members of diplomatic missions are not requires to get TIMS Card."

There were some unconfirmed reports that TIMS were now available at National Park Gates, I emailed my contact In Nepal and he tells me that although they are indeed available, however it is Not normal practice for trekkers to get them there (Because of potential problems in having the trekking information transferred by telephone to the TAAN office computer and therefore being available should something go wrong on trek and the need of locating the trekker arises) so and therefore advices that trekkers should obtain them before leaving Kathmandu / Pokhara.
Good Luck on your trek
Best Regards
Rob

The Karnali River is one of the largest tributaries of the of the Ganges. It rises in the southern slopes of the Himalayas in Tibet, at an altitude of 13,000 feet, flows south through the Himalayas in Nepal and joins the sacred Ganges River in Northern India at an elevation of 2,000 feet.
The section that you raft is called “The Western Bend” This is a 180k trip and lasts around 8 to 10 days. You will experience Real Whitewater rafting and encounter many sets of rapids up to Grade 5. Defiantly Not for the fain hearted !!
I rafted the Karnali through my old Friend Nirmal at Himalayan Magic Adventures, he was providing the gear raft for a larger expedition run by another Kathmandu based company called “Himalayan Wanderers”
Prices are from around $750 to $1,000 depending on the duration of the trip and the size of the party.
The Trip was Simply Awesome and I can give both of these companies the very best of recommendations.
If you Really want Whitewater then “The Western Bend” of the Karnali River is Definitely the one for you !!!!!

This is another often asked question by trekkers who want to show their appreciation of their “staff” by trying to get the level of tipping right

Normal levels are 1 days pay for each week of a trek, so your Guide and Cook will be on about $25 per day and the porters and cooks boy around $15 per day

So - assuming that you are doing a 14 day trek I would suggest $50 for The Guide and Cook and $30 for each Porter and cooks boy

Tips should be in Nepali Rupees and given out individually to each member of staff, usually on the last evening of your trek. It’s is a good idea to take some nice envelopes with you to put the money in and make a little party when giving out your tips to make your staff feel Really Appreciated

Tipping Really Is Very Important to your staff so please try not to be mean with them, the above levels don’t really amount to a massive amount of money to the average trekker (Especially if you think what you have paid for your international air-fare just to get to Nepal)
but make a Big difference to the average Nepali – So My Message is Please be generous

Happy Trekking
Rob

Trekkers' Information Management System(TIMS)

Starting March 15th 2010 TIMS card will cost $20 US in Nepali currency for trekkers not in groups. Group trekkers get it for $10

"The cabinet meeting held recently has changed some provisions related to Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS). The new changes will come into effect from March 15.

As per the new provision, trekkers are required to take TIMS Card from Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) before starting their trek. Trekkers travelling in groups can get the TIMS card upon paying $10 each while those preferring to travel individually need to pay $20.

However, trekkers and mountaineers with climbing permits from Tourism Industry Division under Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and Nepal Mountaineering Association aren't required to get the TIMS Card. Similarly, trekkers with permits from Immigration Department to controlled areas like Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo, Manasulu and others also are not required to get the TIMS Card. Likewise, members of diplomatic missions are not requires to get TIMS Card."

Nepal, aptly, has been called 'a Trekker's Paradise'. Its high standing mountains, scenic hills and the luxuriant Terai offers some of the most spectacular trekking routes in the world. Passing through the diverse culture and nature, trekking in Nepal is a life-time experience which involves a certain degree of physical risks owing to the rugged topography.

With the distinction of Nepal as a trekking destination and its growing charm, a provision of Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) has been implemented to control illegal trekking operations and ensure safety and security of the trekkers in general trekking areas through the mechanism of Prompt Information Service as and when required .

The past experiences have shown that difficulties have been faced while carrying out rescue operations promptly during the times of accidents and natural calamities. Because of lack of proper record system of trekkers, their exact whereabouts and the information about trekking routes, rescue and search missions used to face difficulties in spotting the trekkers missing.

The provision of Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) has come into force from Jan 01, 2008. Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) have started recording trekkers detail and issuing TIMS Card to trekkers.

Where & how to obtain TIMS Card ?
The visiting tourists, who are interested to general trekking areas of Nepal, are required to receive TIMS Card through any one of the following:

Kathmandu (NTB Office, TAAN Office, and Government registered trekking Companies), and
Pokhara (NTB Office, TAAN Office, and Government registered trekking Companies)
Opening Hour/s: TIMS counter at Government registered trekking Companies will remain open 12 hours a day all the seven days a week round the year,
TIMS counter at TAAN/NTB Office will follow government working hour/days.
To obtain TIMS Card you need copy of Passport and two copies of Passport-size Photographs.

Why is TIMS Necessary?
The following considerations have been taken into account in the process of issuing TIMS:

All important details of trekkers and trekking routes shall be maintained on a computerized Database Management System that may be useful for safety and security of trekkers. To help carry out search and rescue operations for trekkers in case of natural calamities and other accidents by means of Authentic Information Service . To maintain a record system that includes personal details of trekkers, trekking area, trekking routes, handling agencies, duration, etc. The data generated from the system will be useful to all stakeholders:- tourism organizations, Government agencies, diplomatic missions, tour operators, research institute, etc.
Unauthorized trekking operations will be controlled, thus, resulting into better management of trekking service and in benefit of all concerned :- trekkers, agencies, field staff, Government, etc. and also occasional untoward incidents will be better prevented.
To upgrade the service standard and contribute for better management of sustainable mountain tourism development of Nepal.

TIMS will not be required for:
The expedition members permitted to climb the mountains.
The visitors in the controlled areas permitted by the Department of Immigration.
The foreign guests invited by the Government of Nepal.
The authorities from different diplomatic missions in the country, who is holding official letter/s and traveling own risk .
Visitors on certain mission recommended by the concerned department of the Government.
Foreign Nationals having the residential visa.

There were some unconfirmed reports that TIMS were now available at National Park Gates, I emailed my contact In Nepal and he tells me that although they are indeed available, however it is Not normal practice for trekkers to get them there (Because of potential problems in having the trekking information transferred by telephone to the TAAN office computer and therefore being available should something go wrong on trek and the need of locating the trekker arises) so and therefore advices that trekkers should obtain them before leaving Kathmandu / Pokhara.
Good Luck on your trek
Best Regards
Rob

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Can't even remember the site we were visiting but ran across a funeral...sort of?? Found out later that the Nepalese cremate their dead and usually scatter their ashes in the water. The 8% or so population of Christians in the area are still fighting through the legal system to have some type of burial area but because the country is so populous, it's been a struggle. When we saw these two deceased people just covered and laying out in front of everyone we didn't get it.

I did get closer and stood over the bodies and was mesmerized by the nonchalant-ness of it all but that's what travel is all about.

I think the site was the Holy Area of Pashupatinath. Not sure.

An Often asked question on here as well as on other Nepal travel forums is for advice on Volunteering in Nepal so I thought that I would try and write a few words / ideas on the subject !!??

One of the largest growths in tourism in Nepal of late is the Pay to Volunteer section, Unfortunately this often does more harm than good and to give you an idea of what I mean I list a couple examples below
1)Build a school – Imagine the scenario, a group of volunteers are building or even just painting a school whist the skilled tradesmen builders of the village now being left unemployed – No Job = No Money = No Food and definitely no welfare state to provide for him until the volunteers go home !!
2)Work in an orphanage – I have heard about so called orphanages opening up in Nepal just to provide volunteering opportunities and therefore to make lots of money for the organisations that run them. Even to the extent of them being filled with the children of the staff of said organisations – So when the volunteers go home so do the children !!
3) Volunteer to teach – This is fine until you start to consider that you might well be putting a paid local teacher out of a job, or possibly worse, volunteering in a private school where the children’s parents are paying relatively high sums of money to have their children educated and then the less scrupulous private schools not only take the money from the parent, but the volunteers too !!

So what to do ??
First of all ask yourself the simple question of why are you volunteering ? Is it for the Good of Nepal or just to make you feel Better ?
If it is the former then ask yourself what specific skills can you offer (Preferably without putting a local out of work) , make a list of these skills and have them to hand when you contact your short-list of Genuine organisations.
Then, As long as you have Plenty of time to offer (Most genuine volunteer projects are counted in Months rather than Weeks) and are Genuinely committed (Not just trying to fill in some time and to have something Nice to add to your CV) and have a modicum of luck you should be able to find a suitable place.

The next thing that any potential Volunteer in Nepal to be aware of is the large number of scams that there are. So make sure that you research any company / organisation that you might be considering well and Certainly don’t send Anyone Any money in advance unless you are 100% sure of your chosen company / organisation !!
I met up with a young Australian lass that had paid a large sum of money in Australia to Volunteer in Nepal, She was meant to me met at Tribuvan Airport on her arrival in Nepal – Guess what – No-One turned up to meet her and then she was unable to contact the organisation !!

I put her in touch with a friend of mine, Declan Murphy who runs a small charity called just-one – “just-one strives to actively promote and facilitate educational opportunities for disadvantaged and marginalized children in Nepal by working at a grass-roots level with the children, their families and their communities to implement a range of carefully developed, culturally sensitive, sustainable initiatives”

just-one only takes a very limited number of volunteers, and only ones with skills that they specifically need, However Declan will steer other volunteers in the right direction and make sure that they don’t get ripped off !!
For further info on just-one as well as the Pay to Volunteer section please see the web-link below

Good Luck and Happy Volunteering in Nepal