Country Information

Capital: Kathmandu

Time zone: GMT + 5.45

Telephone services: Country Code: 977
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.

Tourist information: Ministry of Tourism, Tripureshnawar, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: (1) 211 286 Fax: (1) 227 758

Passport information: Valid passports are required by all except nationals of India holding proof of identity. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except nationals of India.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended Malaria: Exists in the vivax variety in many rural areas. The falciparum variety has also been reported and is highly resistant to chloroquine.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas Other Health Risks: Cholera. High Altitude sickness. Japanese encephalitis. Hepatitis A and B. Meningitis.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: Nepalese Rupee (Rs) = 100 paisa Exchange: Obtain ‘Foreign Exchange Encashment’ receipts when changing currency and retain them as they may be needed when making transactions. NOTE: Import of local and Indian currency is prohibited. Export of local currency is prohibited. Import of foreign currency must be declared.
Amex is widely accepted while MasterCard has a more limited acceptance. Travellers cheques are accepted at banks and major hotels. US dollars are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Caters for all travellers and budgets

Languages: Nepali, with Maithir and Bhojpuri.

Weather: June – Oct: Summer and monsoon. The remainder of the year is dry. Spring and Autumn is the most pleasant time. Temperatures drop dramatically in the winter

Electricity: 220 volts Ac, 50 Hz

Post: Services are available at most centres. Post boxes should not be used for important communications

Transport: FLIGHTS: A network of domestic flights links major towns. ROAD: The road system is of unpredictable quality. BUS Services operate, but poor state of roads and high incidence of accidents make long-distance bus travel inadvisable. CAR HIRE: Hertz and Avis are present. NOTE: Driving and vehicle maintenance is poor and the cause of frequent accidents. DOCUMENTATION: An IDP is valid in Nepal for 15 days. A temporary licence can be obtained on presentation of a national licence.

Special information: FCO ADVISE AGAINST ALL TRAVEL TO NEPAL. Please check their site for latest information. In general travellers should seek local travel advise from the British Consul in Kathmandu. There have been recent outbreaks of political violence in the mid-west region. Do not travel in these areas at present and even on guided parties check that the agency have checked about where disturbances have occurred. The locals are superstitious and religious. Visitors are considered to be ‘polluted’ and are likely to be treated by the locals accordingly. Shoes should be removed before entering a local’s home. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS: Do not trek on your own without a professional guide. Always check locally about disturbances. Even where you are in a party it is advisable to take a guide off regular routes regardless of the current security situation. Consider taking comprehensive insurance to cover all physical activities and include helicopter rescue and medical evacuation if you are trekking climbing or white water rafting. Beware of the dangers of high altitude sickness. Travellers should register their presence with their local embassy in Kathmandu. The Indian Airlines 814 from Kathmandu to New Delhi was hi-jacked on 24 December 1999. Although airport security is improving Nepal is not immune from global terrorism. As of 5th June the airport is closed to all traffic.

Capital: Yaren

Time zone: GMT + 12

Telephone services: Country Code: 674
Outgoing Code: Calls must be made through the international operator

Emergency telephone numbers: Contact local operator.

Tourist information: Refer to government office.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required. Regulations may be subject to short-term change. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: apart from those in transit providing they hold tickets for immediate travel to a third country

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age arriving from infected areas.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink.

Currency: Australian Dollar (A$) = 100 cents Credit cards are widely accepted. Travellers cheques, preferably in Australian dollars, can be exchanged.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: The absence of taxes means some goods are cheaper e.g. electrical goods, cigarettes and alcohol. Visitors should buy essential goods in advance as shops are rather limited.

Languages: Nauruan and English.

Weather: A maritime, equatorial climate tempered by Northeast trade winds from Mar to Oct. The wettest period is from Mar to Oct. Hot all year round, wettest period – Dec to Mar.

Electricity: 110/240 Volts Ac 50 Hz.

Post: Up to 1 week

Transport: ROAD: A sealed road 19 km long circles the island and there are several miles of road running inland to Buada and the phosphate areas. Buses provide public transport. CAR HIRE: Available. DOCUMENTATION: A national driving licence is sufficient.

Special information: The island has a casual atmosphere in which diplomacy and tact are preferable to confrontation. Tourism is non-existent due to the environmental condition of the island following extensive phosphate mining throughout the 1990s.

Capital: Wellington

Time zone: GMT + 12 ( GMT + 13 from the last week in March to the first week in Oct.)

Telephone services: Country Code: 64
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 111

Tourist information: New Zealand High Commission, New Zealand House, 80 Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4TQ Tel: (0839) 200 288 (recorded information).

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required (except for nationals of Australia). Regulations may be subject to short term change. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except: Nationals of EU countries for visits of up to 3 months (Portuguese nationals must have the right of residence in Portugal and French nationals must be residing in France. Nationals of Brunei, Canada, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Kiribati, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Nauru, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland Thailand Tuvalu and the USA (except for US Samoans who do need a visa) for visits of up to 3 months. French citizens residing in Tahiti or New Caledonia for visits of up to 30 days. Nationals of the UK and other British Passport holders for visits of up to 6 months providing they have proof of the right of abode.

Health information: No innoculations are compulsary, but please seek medical advice prior to travel.

Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food.

Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents. All major credit cards accepted. Travellers cheques in any international currencies, are widely accepted.
ATM availability: Over 1500 locations.

Cost of living: It is possible to travel relatively cheaply in New Zealand.

Languages: English and Maori.

Weather: Subtropical in the North island, temperate in the South Island. The North has no extremes of heat or cold, but winter can be quite cool in the South with snow in the mountains. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year.

Electricity: 230 Volts AC 50 Hz. Most hotels provide 110 volt sockets AC for electric razors.

Post: 4 – 5 days to Western Europe, slightly less to the USA.

Transport: FLIGHTS: The national airline operates flights between the main airports. RAIL: Reliable but limited. TRAVEL PASSES: allow unlimited travel on New Zealand Railways’ train, coach and ferry services. ROAD: COACH: Modern coaches operate scheduled services throughout the country. It is advisable to make reservations for seats. – Contact the tourism board for details. BUS: Regional bus services serve most parts of the country. TAXI: Metered taxis operate throughout the country. CAR HIRE: Major international and local firms have agencies at airports and most major cities. Minimum age for driving a rental car is 21 years.

Special information: Should a visitor be invited to a Maori occasion the pressing of noses is common.

Capital: Castries

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 1 758 Outgoing Code: 011

Emergency telephone numbers: 999

Tourist information: St Lucia Tourist Board, 421A Finchely Road, London NW3 6HJ Tel: (020) 7431 3675 or 431 4045 Fax: (020) 7431 7920.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except nationals of Canada and the USA with valid proof of identity ( for visits up to 6 months). Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short term change. Contact embassy before departure

Visa information: Required by all except nationals of: Great Britain, Australia, Canada, the USA, EU countries, Japan. Commonwealth countries (except Namibia and South Africa). Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, South Korea, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, San Marino, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, China, Turkey, Uruguay and Venezuela. Transit visitor who continue their journey within 14 days do not require a transit visa. This does not apply to nationals of Cuba or East European countries

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink

Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange: US$ gain a better rate All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques in US dollars are preferred
ATM availability: 3 locations

Cost of living: Caters for all types of budgets, with deluxe to self-catering accommodation

Languages: English. Local French patois is spoken

Weather: Hot tropical climate with cool sea breezes. Most rainfall occurs during the summer

Electricity: 220 volts AC 50 Hz

Post: Up to 1 week

Transport: ROAD: All major centres are served by a reasonably good road network. BUS: Services connect rural areas with the capital. TAXI: Cheap and easy to use – tipping is unnecessary. CAR HIRE: Available in the towns or at the airport. DOCUMENTATION: On presentation of a national or IDP a local licence will be issued

Special information: St. Lucia is an island of contrasts with lush, green, volcanic vegetation in the interior, and long, unspoilt, white, sandy beaches. Beach wear should not be worn in towns

Capital: Plymouth

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 1 664
Outgoing Code: 011

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 999, Ambulance – 911.

Tourist information: Montserrat Tourist Board, Suite 433, High Holborn House, 52 – 54 High Holborn, London WC1V 6RB Tel: (020) 7242 3131 Fax: (020) 7242 2838.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except: Nationals of Canada, the USA and the UK and its colonies who may enter as tourists with a valid national ID card or other form of identity for a maximum stay of 6 months. Nationals of Australia, EU and Japan providing they enter as tourists for a maximum stay of 14 days. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact embassy before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except: Nationals of Great Britain Australia USA. Nationals of Commonwealth countries (except Bangladesh Brunei India Maldives Namibia Pakistan South Africa and Sri Lanka who do require visas if their stay exceeds 14 days and if entering on business.) Nationals of EU countries (except nationals of Finland, Ireland and Portugal who do require visas if their stay exceeds 14 days and if entering on business) Nationals of Fiji, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and Tunisia. NOTE Other nationals may not require a visa if entering as a tourist and not staying for longer than 14 days. However this does not apply to all nationalities therefore contact the passport office.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Dengue Fever, Dysentery and Hepatitis A are present.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink.

Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange: Commercial banks in Ulan Bator and bureau de change at certain hotels.
Visa is widely accepted. Travellers cheques are accepted in tourist areas. Pound sterling or US$ are the preferred currency.

ATM availability: 1 location only.

Cost of living: Following the volcanic eruption in 1996, the economy and the tourist industry have suffered.

Languages: English

Weather: Subtropical climate and warm all year round. Most rain falls between Sept and Nov. The heavy cloud-bursts refresh the climate and once cleared the sun re-appears.

Electricity: 120/220 volts AC, 60 Hz

Post: 1 Week

Transport: ROAD: A good network exists connecting all towns, but driving can be difficult for those not use to winding mountain roads. BUS: Scheduled buses run hourly. CAR HIRE: Available at the airport and hotels and is often included in the price of accommodation. DOCUMENTATION: A valid foreign licence can be used to purchase a temporary licence either at the airport or Plymouth police station.

Special information: The airport is currently closed, travel to the island is by ferry from Antigua. Access to some parts of the island is forbidden because of volcanic activity. Volcanic ash poses health problems. Consult your local Embassy for further information.

Capital: Colombo

Time zone: GMT + 5.30

Telephone services: Country Code: 94 Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 1 691095 / 699935

Tourist information: Sri Lanka Tourist Board, 22 Regent Street, London SW1Y 4QD Tel: (0171) 930 2627 . Fax: (0171) 930 9070.

Passport information: Passport valid for 3 months required by all. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure

Visa information: For tourist visits, nationals of the following countries will be issued a visa free of charge on arrival at Colombo airport: nationals of EU countries for a maximum stay of 30 days (nationals of Finland and Sweden may stay up to 90 days) nationals of Australia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines and the USA for a maximum stay of 90 days. nationals of Albania, Bahrain, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, CIS, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Maldives, Norway, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Yugoslavia, (Serbia and Montenegro) for a maximum stay of 30 days

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: May be present
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas
Other Health Risks: Cholera, Rabies

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption

Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (SL Re, Rs (plural) = 100 cents Exchange: An exchange form is issued on arrival, which must be stamped for all exchange transactions. Banks, hotels exchange currency. All major credit cards are widely accepted. Travellers cheques are accepted, for a better exchange rate offered than cash. US dollars are the preferred cheque currency
ATM availability: Over 12 locations

Cost of living: Suitable for all travellers and budgets

Languages: Sinahala, Tamil and English

Weather: Tropical climate. The coastal areas are cooled by the sea winds. The Monsoons are May – July and Dec – Jan

Electricity: 230/240 volts AC, 50 Hz. Round 3 pin plugs are usual

Post: Airmail to western Europe takes up to 1 week

Transport: RAIL: Connects Colombo with all tourist towns. New fast service operates on the principal routes. Rail services to the Northern area have been greatly reduced because of the violent disruptions. ROAD: Most roads are tarred. BUS, An extensive network of services of reasonable qualities provided. CAR HIRE: Available from several international agencies. DOCUMENTATION: An IDP should be obtained before departure to avoid lengthy red tape in Sri Lanka

Special information: EXTREME RISK in North and East. Please check before travelling – fighting between the security forces and the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) continues particularly in the North and East of the country. Do not visit these areas. There have been terrorist attacks resulting in fatalities in Colombo.
It is considered impolite to refuse the offer of tea.
Punctuality is considered important.
Arms and legs should be covered when visiting religious sites and shoes and hats must be removed. Sea bathing is dangerous as there are strong riptides and undercurrents. There are severe penalties for drug offences. PHOTOGRAPHY of military installations or government buildings is prohibited.