NEPAL
The top destination for top achievers !

Give your top performers something they will for a lifetime - an enchanting experience on top of the world! Nepal offers new heights in conference facilities and incentive opportunities with the Himalaya as a backdrop. It is the destination for people at the peak of their career. So come to Nepal and turn your next convention into a summit meeting. You have friends in high places who will make it happen.

FACTS ABOUT NEPAL
Convenient location and access

Getting there and around
Bringing achievers to Nepal is easy with eleven major international airlines touching down at Kathmandu, the national capital. There are direct flights from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Moscow, Doha, Dubai, Karachi, Delhi, Bombay, Varanasi, Calcutta, Dhaka, Paro Lhasa, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Osaka. Local transport in Kathmandu is provided by meter taxi cabs and city buses. For getting around the country, there is an excellent domestic air network and helicopter charter services as well as deluxe tourist buses.

Communications
Nepal has one of the best telecommunication facilities in Asia. International direct dialing telephone, fax and e-mail services are provided at all major hotels. There are two major English daily newspapers published locally.  International newspapers and magazines are readily available in the Kathmandu Valley. Besides local radio, TV and FM, tourist - class hotels offer STAR, CNN, BBC and other satellite transmissions.

Geography
Nepal is situated in the hub of South Asia. It is bordered by China in the north and India in the south and has a land area of 147, 181 sq km. The country is roughly rectangular in shape and can be divided into three horizontal topographical strips: high Himalaya in the north, hills and valleys in the middle and tropical plains in the south. The highest mountain (Everest) and the deepest gorge in the world (Kali Gandaki ) are here.

Climate
The climate depends on the altitude, ranging from the tropical in the Terai plains to the alpine in the Himalaya mountains. The Kathmandu and Pokhara Valleys, which lie in the mid-hills, are pleasant throughout the year with warm summers and cool winters. The monsoon lasts from June to August. Temperatures range between 8 and 37 degrees Celsius in the plains, 2 and 28 degrees in the midhills, and between minus 6 and 16 degrees in the mountains.

What to wear
From October through February, woolen Sweaters, jackets or similar other warm outfits are necessary. Short or long sleeved shirts are recommended from March through May. Bring light and loose garments if you are visiting between June and September.

Population
The population of Nepal is about 19 million and is made up of different ethnic groups who speak a multitude of languages and dialects. Nepali, written in the Devanagari script, is the national language. English and Hindi are widely understood in the cities and tourist areas. Tour guides, translators and interpreters in major world languages are available.

Wildlife
The jungles of Nepal teem with exotic and rare wildlife including the Royal Bengal tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, Himalayan black bear, snow leopard and the red panda. As far as birds are concerned, few places on earth can compare with Nepal. An astounding 800 species of birds crowd the skies over the Kingdom, which is more than the whole of North America or Europe, North Africa and the Middle East put together.

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KATHMANDU VALLEY

Where meetings become enchanting events Combining world -class accommodation and conference facilities with splendid sight-seeing opportunities, Kathmandu is one of the most popular incentive destinations in the world. Nepal's capital city offers a theme park-like setting of medieval palace squares, pagoda temples an quaint streets which resonate to a repertoire of colorful festivals. If it weren't for the people living here, your incentive group will think it was an outdoor museum.

There are three fabled cities in the Valley Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur-each more charming than the other. Once the hub of the legendary caravan route to Tibet (the Nepalese version of the Silk Road) the Valley seethes with Oriental mysticism and exotic culture. It may be difficult keeping your achievers inside the conference hall when they find out about the fascinating sights waiting for them outside:

The Durbar Square
Each of the three cities has a Durbar Square where the ancient kings of the city states used to reside. This former royal palace complex is a melange of temples, shrines, and other artistic monuments. The Durbar squares have been designated as UNESCO world Heritage Sites in recognition of their cultural wealth.

Swayambhu and Bouddhanath
These two stupas, massive white domes surmounted by gilt spires, symbolize Kathmandu's Buddhist heritage. Swayambhu is built on a hillock to the west of the city while Bouddhanath is situated on the eastern side. A variety of lesser temples and monasteries are gathered around both the stupas.

Pashupatinath
This golden-roofed pagoda temple built on the bank of the sacred Bagmati river is one of the holiest Hindu shrines in the world. It houses a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. The doors and windows of the temple are specimens of exquisite reposed artwork. The numerous stone sculptures within the complex add to its splendor.

Hill resorts
After enjoying the myriad cultural treasures of the Kathmandu Valley, your achievers might want to explore the natural wonders on the valley rim. There are resort destinations like Dhulikhel, Nagarkot, Kakani and Daman on the hills around Kathmandu which offer magnificent vantage points to view the Himalaya as well as a deluxe outdoor experience.

Pokhara
Conferencing in the shadow of the Himalaya
About 200 km west of Kathmandu, the lakeside resort town of Pokhara offers a unique convention and incentive destination. Where else can conference delegates view towering snow peaks from the window while listening to the keynote speaker ? Pokhara will overwhelm the incentive visitor with its natural beauty. And with its choice of superb convention venues and deluxe accommodation, your achievers won't be able to decide which is better.

The Himalaya
Situated beneath the pinnacles of the Annapurna range, Pokhara is unrivalled for its stunning Himalayan views. The mountains, including Annapurna I (8,091 m.) the first eight- thousander to be conquered by mountaineers, enclose the town in a semi- circle to the north. The fishtail peak of Mt. Machhapuchhre blocks out the sky over Pokhara and looks touchable from the last house.

Phewa Lake
Pokhara sprawls around the turquoise waters of Phewa Lake. It is the second largest lake in the kingdom and offers exciting boating and fishing opportunities. Many hotels, restaurants and handicraft shops are located along its eastern shore and it is the favorite hangout for adventure travelers and trekkers.

Devi's Fall
Located towards the southern end of town, Devi's Fall is an awesome bottomless fissure in the ground into which the waters of Phewa Lake disappear in a thunderous roar.

Seti Gorge
The Seti Gandaki river than flows right through the center of the city is another remarkable natural attraction. The river's fierce rush and the deep gorge carved by it make for an amazing sight.

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ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES

Incentives that thrill
Nepal offers adventures galore to award achievers with. Because of the country's topographical diversity, widely varied outdoor thrills are available only minutes from one another. What better incentive for your achievers than excursions that include deep jungle to the freezing heights of the Himalaya? Here are some adventures that will help conference delegates to decompress and have them coming back for more:

Jungle safari
Achievers will enjoy wildlife viewing and bird-watching safaris from elephant-back and four-wheel-drive vehicle in the lush forests of Royal Chitwan National Park. Canoe rides and village tours are other attractions here. There are trained guides and accommodation is provided in luxury jungle resorts with all modern amenities.

White water rafting
There can be few thrills like riding the waves of the wild rivers that tumble down from the Himalaya and crash through deep gorges on their way to the sea. River running in Nepal not only offers pure excitement, there's fantastic scenery to be enjoyed as you fly down the rapids.

Trekking
Trekking is synonymous with Nepal and something your achievers will not want to miss. Walking through the picturesque mountain villages beneath the majestic Himalaya, trekkers discover inner peace and revel in natural beauty at the same time. There are lodges along the trails so there is no need for outdoor camping.

Pony treks
Trekking need not to be only walking. Ponies are available on many trekking trails so incentive groups can enjoy the pleasures of riding while admiring the views of the mighty snow peaks. Many resort destination offer pony trekking and it is a wonderful outdoor recreation.

Mountain flights
For those who want to have a close-up, eye-level view of the Himalaya, there are sight -seeing flights that take off from Kathmandu and Pokhara. The aircraft cruises alongside the mountain range and you sit there holding your breath as the jagged peaks float by outside your window.

Hot air ballooning
For achievers who like to take their time while viewing the Himalaya, there's the hot air balloon. The balloon climbs to a height of 3.000 m and passengers riding in the basket suspended from it have a 360 degree panorama of the Himalaya as well as terrific downward views of the Kathmandu Valley.

Motor gliding
For achievers with a penchant for adventure, there's flying in a powered glider. Nothing compares with the thrill of taking off in a micro- light aircraft for a sight seeing experience of a lifetime. The flights are available in Pokhara and are conducted by experienced pilots.

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CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION VENUES

Facilities to make any event a winner
As the hub of South Asia, Kathmandu has been a natural meeting place since ancient times. Religions, cultures, travelers and traders have come together to produce a remarkable civilization in the Himalaya. Kathmandu continues the tradition as a center for international gathering with an array of superb convention facilities designed to make life easier for conference planners. Every major hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara also has meeting and convention facilities . So whatever the type of event you are planning, make it a winner by holding it here.

Birendra International Convention Center (BICC)
The inauguration of the BICC by His Majesty King Birendra in 1993 marked the entry of Nepal into the big league of conference venues. The massive complex is Kathmandu's showpiece meeting facility and is equipped with state-of -the-art audio, video, lighting, and communications systems. Designed to serve international summit meetings as well as professional and business conferences, the BICC has a 1,044-seat Main Conference Hall with 1,207 sq m of floor area and 474 sq m of stage area . The Hall accommodates 566 delegates on the floor and 473 observers in the gallery.

The BICC also has a 250-seat Assembly Hall which is suitable for medium- sized conferences, Four other meeting rooms, two with seating for 100 persons each and two with seating for 50 persons each, are ideal for intimate gatherings. The Multifunction Hall with a floor area of 483 sq m. is designed for medium-size conferences, banquets, cultural programs or dance parties. The hall can accommodate 250 persons in classroom configuration and 450 persons in auditorium style. The Exhibition Hall, with a floor space of 318 sq m, is located on the top floor and serves any exhibition purpose.

There are also four deluxe VVIP and VIP rooms with attached lounge specially designed for Royal Audiences. The Main Conference Hall, Assembly Hall and Multifunction Hall are equipped with six language simultaneous interpretation system. Uninterrupted power supply is ensured by two-different substations backed up by a 250-kilowatt standby diesel generator. Located in the upcoming business area of New Banes war, only five minutes from the airport and 10 minutes from the city core, the BICC is at a convenient distance from the major tourist centers of the Kathmandu Valley as well. The BICC is a marvelous blend of artistic construction and modern efficiency, and is guaranteed to make any conference a memorable one.

Royal Nepal Academy Hall
The Royal Nepal Academy Hall is located at Kamaladi in central Kathmandu. The auditorium seats 1,250 persons and is available for a variety of performances and events.

Rastriya Sabha Griha
Two blocks from the Royal Nepal Academy, the Rastriya Shabha Griha on Exhibition Road is a popular venue for conferences and cultural performances.

Bhrikuti Mandap Exhibition Hall
The Exhibition Hall is located across the street from the Rastriya Shabha Griha and has a total area of 3,250 sq m.

Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Every major hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara has conference facilities of various sizes. They are equipped with modern audio-visual aids and are able to host any kind of gathering or function. Classroom or auditorium style seating arrangements are -provided as necessary.

The choice of multi-purpose conference facilities available in Kathmandu and Pokhara means a capability to provide complete technical, communications and business services for any type of event. So whether you want to have a grand gathering at an international- size complex or an intimate seminar amidst stunning natural surroundings, Nepal has what it takes to make the event a winner.

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INCENTIVE PROGRAMS

A recipe greaser motivation
The whole idea behind incentive travel is to recognize and reward exceptional performance. It is meant to inspire individuals to make greater efforts in their personal and professional lives. And there can be few things more rewarding than a sojourn in an exotic Himalayan destination like Nepal. When it comes to planning a program designed specifically to motive your achievers, Nepal has all the right ingredients to bring incentive travel to life. You can be sure your incentive tour group will return fully rejuvenated and filled with new zeal to excel.

A suggested itinerary

Day 1:
Your achievers begin with a cultural discovery tour of the Kathmandu Valley. A half-day to lose themselves amidst the enthralling monuments of Kathmandu Durbar square and then a short drive to Swayambhu. A lunch break at one of the city's gourmet restaurants and then to Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath and Patan Durbar Square for more architectural grandeur.

Day 2:
Early in the morning, visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square and then a delightful countryside drive to the hill resort of Nagarkot or Dhulikhel on the Valley rim for viewing the Himalaya. Return to Kathmandu the next day after watching the magnificent sunrise.

Day 3:
Catch the early morning flight to Pokhara and spend the rest of the day boating on Phewa Lake and visiting Devi's Fall and seti Gorge. Your stay can be extended as required to include trekking or a rafting trip.

Day 4:
Drive to Royal Chitwan National Park and an exciting wildlife safari through the jungle. In the evening, enjoy a cultural program or laze around with your favorite drink. Fly back to Kathmandu the next day or extend your jungle adventure.

Day 5:
Enjoy the early-morning mountain flight to view the magnificent Himalaya or go up in a hot air balloon for a bird's eye and surrounding snow peaks.
The rest of the day can be spent on browsing through bargains at Kathmandu's fabulous marketplaces.

Shopping
Shopping is one of the little known delights of Kathmandu. Nepalese craftsmen produce an astounding variety of exquisite jewelry, household articles and decorative items that are exported all over the world. Kathmandu is also the place for the widest selections of loose gems in the region. Handmade brass and copper utensils, sacred scroll paintings, metal images of deities, wood carvings, tea, and woolen carpets are bargains your incentive group will snap up.

Kathmandu is also rapidly making a name for itself as a paradise will be pleasantly surprised at the range and prices of the designer goods that fill the glitzy shopping centers and classy showrooms here. World - class perfumes and cosmetics by names view of the Kathmandu Valley like Christian Dior, Nina Ricci, Pierre Cardin and Givenchy; watches by Omega, Seiko, Citizen, Rodo, West End; as well as cameras, in Kathmandu because overhead costs are lower. Moreover, authorized dealers for all major international brands are situated here so you can be sure you are getting the original product. For your achievers, therefore, nothing like a shopping binge in Kathmandu to round off a memorable incentive tour.

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