Nepal is justly famous for its Himalayan treks, but the capital city of Kathmandu is the country’s beating heart.  No matter where you’re going, you’ll start out here. If you came to Nepal in search of solitude, you may be a bit put off by the city initially. Here’s how Gadling describes it:

From the time you leave Tribhuvan International Airport, the city is an assault on the senses, with the constant noise of traffic, the smell of incense (often used to counter the smell of trash), and the sights of the busy market places, awash in a myriad of bright, garish colors. The narrow, twisty streets are clogged with cars, the sidewalks are teeming with people, and air is thick with smog.

And yet, if you were to rush out of the city as quickly as possible, you would definitely be missing out. Kathmandu has been a center of both government and trade for centuries, and its busy exterior camouflages timeless temples of many different faiths as well as a rich artistic tradition.

For example, the city was named after the Kasthamandap,a pagoda-style temple in the city of town. Legend has it that the temple was built using the wood from single, divinely planted tree, and it was built without nails of any sort to hold it together.  The streets of the city are filled with gorgeous sculptures and carvings, as well.

To visit Kathmandu, you do need a Nepal visa. American citizens can apply for a Nepal visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, but you can also apply in advance. Applying in advance means that you can leave the airport more quickly, which is a blessing after a long trip!

Here’s what you need to get a Nepal visa:

• One Nepal visa application
• One passport photo
• The appropriate visa fees for your desired length of stay.  A 15-day multiple entry visa is $25, a one-month visa is $40, and a three-month multiple entry visa is  $100.

Backpackers take note: you will also need to apply for a trekking permit.

RushMyTravelVisa can expedite your Nepal visa, walking you through the application process to help you avoid common mistakes that could delay your application. Then, we forward your paperwork to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Nepal visa today!

Tags: Nepal, Nepal visa, Nepali visa

This entry was posted on Saturday, June 5th, 2010 at 12:00 am and is filed under Destinations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.