Consultation on Culture, Women and Human Rights South Asia Plus 2nd-3rd September 2010 Dhulikhel, Nepal

Dear Participants, We welcome you to the Consultation on Culture, Women and Human Rights to be held in Dhulikhel Nepal. The following is some practical information that you may require:

Venue and Accommodation

The consultation will be held at the Dhulikhel Lodge Resort, where we have arranged for accommodation also. The address of the resort is as follows: Dhulikhel, Kavrepalanchowk, Nepal Tel. 977-11-490114, 490494, 490042, 490043 Fax. 977-11-490001 E-mail: dlrdhuli@mos.com.np http://www.dhulikhellodgeresort.com/ Contacts at the Dhulikhel Lodge Resort: Mr. Prem Nath Shrestha (Manager): +977-9851024881 Mr. Ramesh (Front Office): +977-9841758842 Accommodation for all participants (except where requested) will be on twin sharing basis. PLD will cover your full board and lodging during the consultation. Expenses in addition to this on laundry, telephone, mini bar, room service will have to be settled directly by the participants before departure.

Arrival and Departures

The consultation begins at 9am NPT on 2nd September and ends on 3rd September at 6pm NPT. Participants are expected to arrange their arrival in Dhulikhel by the 1st* September and departures by 4th September morning/afternoon. Stay in Nepal before or beyond these dates, will be at the cost of the participants. All participants MUST intimate PLD about the arrival and departure schedules in advance for us to arrange pick up and drop to the airport.
*

Except the members of the resource pool who will be arriving earlier for the resource pool meeting.

Registration
The registration will commence on 1st September at 5pm NPT outside the Conference Hall. The participants will be given consultation kits upon registration. Please inform the organizers in advance of changes in flight schedules that do not allow you to arrive by registration.

Airport transfers
Pick-up will be arranged for all participants from the airport to Dhulikhel (the distance from Katmandu airport to Dhulikhel Lodge Resort is approximately 30 km). The Kathmandu airport offers a lower exchange rate, so you may want to convert only a small amount to meet local transportation costs from the Airport to Dhulikhel. Please note that currency exchange facilities are available at Dhulikhel Lodge Resort.

Travel Reimbursements
Delegates, who have received travel support by UN Agencies (UNIFEM or UNFPA) will not be entitled to reimbursement of airfare, visa costs or local travel. Delegates whose travel costs are directly supported by PLD will be reimbursed local transportation costs and flight costs (if booked by the delegate herself).

VISA
You are advised to get a tourist visa either prior to departure or at Kathmandu Airport. Obtaining a visa on arrival is possible for most countries but will take up time at the airport. You are strongly advised to check with the local Nepal consulate in your country whether your country is on the list of countries whose passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival. You will require the following documents for an on-arrival visa: 1. Completed visa form 2. Two passport size photographs 3. Photocopy of the passport 4. Photocopy of the invitation letter 5. Visa fee: Up to 15 days USD 25 Please note that no visa fees is required for residents of SAARC member states for 30 days, however please carry your passport with you as identification proof. For more information: http://www.immi.gov.np/visa/provisional-visa-arrangement-fee

Currency exchange/credit cards:

The local currency is Nepalese Rupee (NPR) The current exchange rate is US$ 1= NPR 74.80 (July10) The Hotel accepts Debit/Credit cards. Travellers Cheques /Cash can be converted into local currency at the Hotel/local bank. Please note that Indian Rupees are valid to make payments, however the carrying of INR 500 and INR 1000 is strictly prohibited under Nepalese law and liable for confiscation. All Indian participants are advised NOT to carry INR 500 or 1000 on their person at all into Nepal. You are allowed only to carry denominations of INR 100 and below.

Weather
The weather will be pleasant but September being the end of the monsoon season; there may be light showers with average temperatures generally around 24 C to 30C (68 F to 86 F). Dhulikhel is situated at an altitude of 1600m and the temperature may drop in the evenings, we advice you to please carry a light sweater or covering. Local Time Nepal Time (NPT) is 5 hours and 45 minutes ahead of GMT.

Electricity and electric plugs

The voltage used in Nepal is 230 volts (50 Hz). We suggest you carry necessary converters/ adapters with you as Dhulikhel being a small town may not have these facilities.

Insurance
We strongly recommend that you arrange your own travel insurance that covers both health and accident. The organizers will not be responsible for travel or health insurance coverage.

Faxes, telephone calls and Internet

The hotel provides internet, printing, photocopying, fax and laundry facilities. Participants are responsible for the costs of using any of these services.

Contact Persons
Partners for Law in Development (PLD) Gayatri Sharma (+91-9711687804) Aditi Malhotra (+91-9958100804) Partners for Law in Development F-18, First Floor, Jangpura Extension New Delhi- 110014 Tel. No.: 011- 24316832 / 33 Telefax: 011- 24316833 email: pldindia@gmail.com Website: http://www.pldindia.org Womens Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC) Parag Siwakoti (+977-9841689486) Bina Pokharel (+977-9841352683) Womens Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC) P. O. Box 13233 Balkumari, Lalitpur Nepal Ph. +977-1-5006373, 5006374 email: childrights@worecnepal.org Website: http://www.worecnepal.org/