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If this is your first time in Nepal this calendar year, you will likely have arrived on a Tourist Visa, obtained before you left your own country, or obtained at your port of entry into Nepal. The Visa is good for the duration of the time period you requested when applying for the visa, and MUST be extended BEFORE that period expires. Tourist Visa extensions can be made up to a maximum stay of 150 days per Western calendar year. If you are going to stay in Nepal beyond that period, you must obtain some other type of visa. Students fully enrolled at the Centre for Buddhist Studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute in the BA program are eligible for a STUDY VISA and will be able to reside in Nepal as long as they remain in good standing with the program. For further information please contact
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Tourist visas are available from the Royal Nepalese embassies and consulates throughout the world. Please contact the Nepalese embassy or consulate nearest you for information. They are also available at the immigration counter upon entry at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
You can obtain one of the following three types of tourist Visa: - 15-day multiple entry for $25
- 30-day multiple entry for $40
- 90-day multiple entry for $100
At the Airport application forms are available on the tables and counters as you enter the immigration area. Bring TWO (2) passport photos with you and the correct change in US$ or Nepalese Rupees to facilitate the process.
On expiry of the visa, tourists can obtain a further visa for another 15 days on payment of US$ 30 or 30 days on payment of US$ 60. Tourist visas can be extended at the Department of Immigration office monthly, for a total stay of up to 150 days per Western calendar year. For a student in the BA program at the Centre for Buddhist Studies, the easiest option is to first arrive on a Tourist Visa. After arriving, the Shedra Office will process all the paperwork leading to a Nepali Student Visa. This process will be explained during Orientation.
To help students calculate their financial needs, the table below shows an estimate of costs for incoming students for the academic year 2008-2009. This allows for an average level of comfort but not luxurious living.
| Full-time tuition fee per year | $2520 BA /$2840 NON BA | | General fees (one time only) | $465
| | Exam fees | $100 | | Student visa fees (per month $ 20) | $160 | | Books and supplies (average student) | $150 | | Room and board (per month 175) | $2100 | | Annual seminar fee (fall semester only) | $65 | | Optional fieldtrips (Bodhgaya, Lumbini, etc) | $250 | | TOTAL: | US $5810 |
It is the policy of Rangjung Yeshe Institute that all students must have adequate medical insurance. At the time of enrollment, students are therefore required to demonstrate proof that they are covered by an insurance policy for the period of their studies. Please bring a copy of your insurance card as well as the emergency contact phone/ E-mail contacts for office records. Although in Nepal, it is not possible to purchase long-term insurance that covers international students, a list of travel insurance providers can be found at www.hasbrouck.org. Please note that none of these are affilitated nor endorsed by CBS.
Although it is not currently possible to stay at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery, accommodations are available close to the monastery. Most of the rooms available in Boudhanath are at simple guesthouses. If you have not traveled to Nepal or another developing country before, put all expectations behind you and come with an eye for adventure. When selecting accommodations, keep in mind your needs for space, cleanliness, services, etc. Then try to bring these realities into line with what is available in your price range. The following list of guesthouses was revised in early 2006. Prices are subject to change, but are unlikely to fluctuate much unless there is a significant shift in the domestic economy. In recent years, inflation has not greatly affected the value of the US dollar, increases in the cost of goods in rupees being mostly offset by changes in the rupee exchange rate. The official exchange rate in March 2006 was 72 Nepalese rupees per US dollar. None of the guesthouses allow cooking in the rooms unless stated. During the winter months, provision of electric space heaters is variable as noted. Where heaters are not available, a kerosene space heater provided by the tenant is allowed. Discounts are available where stated. For international visitors there is a wide range of comfortable and reasonably-priced accommodations available just a few minutes walk or drive from the monastery. Below is a list of hotels and guesthouses in and around Boudhanath. Compiled in January 2008, the list includes basic information on room rates as well as how to make an advanced booking. Room rates may be subject to change by next autumn, but are unlikely to increase very much. The official exchange rate in December 2008 is approximately 78 Nepalese rupees per US dollar. To view the various hotel locations in relation to the Great Stupa and to our monastery, please download our easy-to-read Map of Boudhanath. | | | | Hyatt Regency PO Box 9609, Taragaon,
Boudhanath, Kathmandu, Nepal
Website: www.kathmandu.regency.hyatt.com
The Hyatt Regency Kathmandu is a luxury 5-star city resort hotel situated in Boudhanath, 5 minutes walking distance from Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery. For guests planning to attend the enthronement celebrations, the following discounted rates are available during November 2008:
| ROOM TYPE | SINGLE | DOUBLE | | Hyatt Guest Room | USD 120 | USD 125 | | Stupa View Room | USD 130 | USD 135 | | Regency Club Room | USD 150 | USD 155 |
These rates are inclusive of breakfast, but exclusive of all applicable taxes and service charge (cumulative of 24.3%). To receive the special above-mentioned room rates, email the Hyatt and quote the reservation code “G-MON”.
Email for Reservation:
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| | | | | Le Meridien - Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa Rajnikunj Gokarna, Thali
P.O. Box 20498
Kathmandu, Nepal
Website: www.gokarna.com
Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa, located within the lush serene Gokarna Forest, is a 15-minute drive from Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery. This luxury hotel includes its own prestigious golf course and luxurious spa. Daily room rates, that include breakfast, use of spa and daily yoga sessions, but exclude a 23% government tax, are:
| ROOM TYPE | PRICE | | Single | USD 71 | | Double | USD 84 |
Email for reservation:
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By Fax: +977-1-445-0002
By Phone: +977-1-445-1212 | | | | | Hotel Padma G.P.O.Box 13823
Boudhanath, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 977-1-446-2452, 447-0957
Fax No: 977-1-448-1550
Website: www.geocities.com/hotelpadma
Located right beside and facing the Boudhanath Stupa, all rooms have attached bath, telephone and television. The hotel restaurant serves Chinese, Nepalese & Continental dishes. Hotel Padma is a 5-minute walk from Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery. Major credit cards are accepted. Daily room rates inclusive of tax are:
| ROOM TYPE | PRICE | | Single | USD 71 | | Double | USD 84 | Single Room: USD 19
Double Room: USD 27
Deluxe Room: USD 38
Email for reservation:
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| | | | | Happy Valley Guest House Boudhanath, Kathmandu
A 3-minute walk from Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery, this hotel lies directly beside Thrangu Rinpoche's Monastery. The guest house provides a rooftop garden where tea and drinks are served, and includes a wonderful view of the Boudha Stupa. The hotel also has a pleasant restaurant that serves breakfast only. There are 30 rooms with attached bathrooms, all equipped with a phone. Daily room rates are:
| ROOM TYPE | PRICE | | A Class Suite | USD 50 | | A Class Double | USD 35 | | B Class Double | USD 25 | | A Class Single | USD 35 | | B Class Single | USD 20 |
Discounts: A Class >1 week stay (12%)
Email for reservation:
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| | | | | Shechen Guest House Boudhanath, Kathmandu
Website: www.shechenguesthouse.com.np
Rooms at the very popular Shechen Guest House, which is located next to and run by Shechen Monastery, are clean and comfortable. The hotel, which is a 5-minute walk to Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery, includes a small private garden and a vegetarian restaurant. Daily room rates, which include breakfast but not the 10% government tax, are:
| ROOM TYPE | PRICE | | Single Room | USD 12 | | Double Room | USD 16.50 | | 3-Bed Room | USD 23 |
Email for reservation:
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| | | | | Tharlam Guesthouse P.O. Box 5673
Boudhanath, Kathmandu,
Tel: 977-1-449-6878
Fax: 977-1-447-2550
Website: www.tharlam.org/GuestHouse.htm
Just a 3-minute walk from Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery, the new Tharlam Guesthouse, which is adjacent to the Sakya School's Tharlam Monastery, has clean, spacious and comfortable rooms with attached bath and TV at very reasonable rates. Some rooms include a kitchette. Suites are also avaiable. Daily room rates are:
| ROOM TYPE | PRICE | | Single Room | USD 8 | | Double Room | USD 10 | | Deluxe Room | USD 16 |
Email for reservation:
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| | | | | Lotus Guest House Boudhanath, Kathmandu
The well-known Lotus Guest House is popular with budget travellers. Run by the adjacent, Dabsang Monastery, the guest house offers clean and simple rooms which face a large garden where breakfast is served daily. Daily room rates, excluding a 10% government tax included are:
| ROOM TYPE | PRICE | | Single without bath/toilet | USD 4 | | Single with bath/toilet | USD 4.85 | | Double without bath/toilet | USD 6.50 | | Double with bath/toilet | USD 7.25 |
Reservations can only be made by phone.
Contact the manager, Mr. Wang, for reservations.
Tel:+977-1-447-2432 or 447-2320 between 8:30am - 9:30am Nepal time. | |
