Security Information Kathmandu-Lhasa direct bus service KTM: Tribhuvan International Airport has tight security Entry fees and taxes everywhere Trekkers bring medical care to the AnnapurnasMedical clinics Air-China landed in Kathmandu Kathmandu: Prohibitory orders

An agreement has been signed between Chinese and Nepali transport authorities to start direct bus service from Kathmandu to Lhasa, Tibet, from the first week of May 2005. The agreement was signed in Lhasa on Friday.
Each side will be operating two buses in the initial phase. Three types of buses - luxurious, standard and general - will be running in the 900km Kathmandu-Lhasa route. Ticket fare for the luxurious buses have been set for US$70, 60 for standard and US$50 for the general type.

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The Civil Aviation Office at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has refuted media reports that claimed that there was a possible threat of hijacking Indian airlines planes flying to Nepal. Tribhuvan International Airport meets all the provisions on aviation safety as per the international standard and principles of the International Civil Aviation organisation (ICAO) and that all international and domestic flights are being operated regularly in a smooth manner. The security arrangements at the Tribhuvan International Airport is capable of avoiding any possible unfavorable situation that may arise as TIA has been consolidating security provisions necessary for the aircraft and airport in a regular manner. The Civil Aviation Office has also assured all passengers and tourists about the security at the airport and urged them to carry on their travel plans as scheduled.

The Chief of the Civil Aviation Office at the TIA said there was tight security at the TIA. "People have to cross the 'Golden Gate' manned by the Royal Nepalese Army personnel to enter the TIA. Then they have to pass through the security check carried out by Nepal Police personnel. Finally, security officials of concerned airlines also carry out security checks," the CAO chief said.

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Tourists most welcome in paying taxes

Visa fees cost from US$ 30.- (single) to US$ 80.- (multiply). Your taxi driver will charge you with NRS 650.- on a ride from TIA to the city. Every room bill is charged with 10% government tax and at least 5% service charge. Bhaktapur welcomes you with a entry fee of US$ 10.-. Your Hanuman Dhoka and Patan sightseeings become more beautiful with entry fees of NRS 250.- each. Before your trekking to Manang you have to pay at least US$ 75 for the trekking permit. While on trekking you have to fill the Maoist donation bag with NRs 1000.- ore more. Tribhuvan International Airport says good-bye with a departure tax of NRs RS 1100.-.
US$ 30.- + NRs 650.- + US$ 10.- + NRs 500.- + US$ 75.- + NRs 1000.- + NRs 1100.- (approx. US$ 34.) ... Isn't it too much? A Coke will cost you only NRs 15.- to NRs 40.-

The phrase 'medical tourism' gets a whole new meaning with this unique project that relies on tourists to stock remote health posts with first aid supplies. Over the years, Medicines for Nepal has given supplies to the Maternity Hospital in Thapathali, Bir Hospital, TU Teaching Hospital, Siddhi Memorial Foundation in Bhaktapur and Tashi Palkhiel Tibetan Settlement in Pokhara. They have a long standing rapport with Kanti Children's Hospital where they are raising funds for Prakash Nidhi Tiwari to join a fellowship at Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, the world's leading facility for paediatric oncology. Local experts are also concerned about travellers distributing medicine. "They have a moral responsibility to make sure the medicines are properly used," an expert said April 2004

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The Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) has set up medical clinics at Manang, Pheriche (Everest Region) and Everest base camp. The clinics in Manang Goan and Pheriche have been in operation since March 01, 2004 with the Everest base camp starting opening from April 01, 2004. The Manang Clinic is managed by Dr. Alexandra Halina Dunin Bell and Dr. Michael Kai Chin while the Pheriche Clinic is manned by Dr. Suzanne Christinne Boyle. The two clinics will be open until the 20th of May 2004. The Everest base camp Medical Clinic set up at the height 5,340 meters will be looked after by Dr. Lauanne Freer and Dr. Denise Meritt and assisted by the HRA staff. The Everest clinic will be open till the end of May, 2004, coinciding with the closure of expeditions and trekking in the area. The managers of the clinics are experienced and qualified persons in mountaineering and high altitude emergencies, the NTB release added. The Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) is a voluntary non-profit organisation formed in 1973 with an objective to reduce casualties in the Nepal Himalayas, especially keeping in view the increasing number of Nepalese and foreigners who trek up into the remote wilderness. Everest Base Camp Clinic The Himalayan Rescue Association Nepal, a non profit organisation which operates medical clinics at Pheriche and Manang is considering a proposal to set up a trial medical clinic at Everest Base Camp spring 2003, staffed by physicians with previous high altitude experience. We plan to set up camp on or around April 1 and remain at EBC until the end of spring climbing season. The experienced medical staff will treat all climbers and staff at EBC for a fee (similar to the operations at Manang and Pheriche) and will treat trekkers visiting base camp as well. If the clinic is successful, it will allow climbers and trekkers to pursue their missions and leave their health care needs to the professionals. Of course, our mission to provide low cost medical care the native Nepali will carry on at the EBC clinic as well. The HRA staff will be based at EBC and will not climb with any team, even in the event of emergency. Any medical emergencies occurring at advanced camps will be expected to be dealt with by the individual team in the usual manner. In addition, the HRA clinic will NOT supply teams with medications for their summit attempts. We will, of course, provide any assistance we can from our base in case of emergency. If the spring trial of the HRA EBC clinic is successful, the clinic will be a permanent entity at Everest. If there is sufficient demand, services may be expanded to fall climbing season as well.April 2004

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Kathmandu: New prohibitory orders
Kathmandu District Administration Office (DAO) issued prohibitory orders at a few more places in the city. DAO has restricted protest rallies, sit-ins and hungers strikes around Bhotahiti area, Jamal, Teendhara Pathsala, Ghantaghar and Ranoddip Chowk.
Similar restrictive orders are already in place at few other areas including Durbar Marg, Ratnapark, Bhadrakali and Singh Darbar since March 21.

Kathmandu: Air-China landed at TIA
Air-China landed in Kathmandu for the first time with 80 Chinese tourists. Air-China, currently operating two weekly flights between Kathmandu to Chengdu , is planning to increase its flights along with the increase in the Chinese tourists to Nepal.