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– 144 – www.paradises.com years ago and access is still highly restricted. Trekkers need special trekking permits and must be accompanied by a government appointed officer. To trek in Upper Mustang is a rare privilege. Here you will experience the way of life of true mountain people. Where to stay Accommodation spans the spectrum, from international-standard hotels in Kathmandu to very basic and economical tea houses dotted around the countryside. Getting around Most of the valley attractions around Kathmandu can be reached on foot but the easiest way to get around is by bicycle, tempo (three-wheeled bus) or auto-rickshaw. Taxis (which aren't all metered), cars with drivers, mountain bikes or motorbikes can be hired for the day. There are no self-drive cars, or trains although both China and India are exploring extending their rail links to Nepal. In early 2008, China began building a railway connecting the Tibetan capital of Lhasa with the market town of Khasa on the Sino-Nepal border. Meanwhile public buses are the main form of transportation and are incredibly cheap but slow and uncomfortable. Tourist buses between Kathmandu and Pokhara are a better option. Royal Nepal Airlines and other private airlines offer domestic services but book domestic f lights in advance and confirm your ticket. Food and entertainment Nepal lies at the intersection of two of the world's greatest gastronomic giants, India and China and, while their influence is evident, Nepalese food is quite different. A common dish, dal bhat tarkari, is a combination of lentil soup, rice and curried vegetables. Popular drinks are lassis and chang, the Himalayan home brew made from barley. In the evenings, traditional folk musicians or gaines gather to sing and socialise, with classical dancing and trance-like masked dances enlivening the Kathmandu Valley and Bhaktapur regions. Activities Most visitors head to Nepal for adventure travel. Rafting, kayaking and trekking are incredibly popular. Other activities include mountain biking, mountaineering, pony trekking and jungle safaris. Less strenuous pursuits include orchid tours, nature and culture tours. Hot Air Ballooning is a perfect way to see Nepal's breathtaking scenery and magnificent valleys, which are unmatched anywhere else on the planet. Horseriding is a very popular choice for touring various hill regions, especially where there are no other forms of transport. Shopping Once you've seen the temples you're likely to want to take some Nepalese handiwork home. Many of the wood carved pagodas, temple struts, bronze cast deities, windows and woodblocks of traditional design and stone sculptures available are surprisingly inexpensive. Brass and copperware and traditional Nepali and Tibetan silver jewellery are also available. Climate Varies from tropical heat in the Terai to freezing cold in the mountains. In the mid-hills it's temperate with warm summers and cool winters. The rainy season is from June to August. Clothing In Kathmandu light clothing with a jacket for evenings in the warm months of May to October. For the rest of the year, warm clothing, particularly from November to February. Time zone AEST, 4hrs 15mins; GMT +5 hrs 45mins. Currency Nepalese rupees in banknotes of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 5, 2, 1. The rupee is made up of 100 paisa. While tipping is not expected it is becoming more common in upmarket restaurants in Kathmandu. Porters on treks, however, should be tipped around Rs 100 per day. Visa and health Passports and visas are required except for Indian nationals. Tourists can obtain visas on arrival. Yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving or transiting from infected areas. Inoculations against typhoid, paratyphoid and hepatitis are recommended. Other health risks are altitude sickness, malaria and meningococcal meningitis. Getting there TIA in Kathmandu is the only international airport of Nepal. Royal Nepal Airlines (RA) is the national carrier and flies from Kathmandu to Delhi, Dubai, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Osaka, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Other international carriers to Kathmandu include Air Arabia, Air China, Air Sahara, Biman Bangladesh, China Southern Airlines, GMG Airlines, Gulf Air, Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Korean Air, PIA, Qatar Airways, Royal Druk Air, and Thai Airways. — N e p a l —