Useful Information

All meetings of the 19th GMM 2019 will take place at the Yak and Yeti Hotel in Kathmandu.

Address: Durbar Marg, 44600 Kathmandu, Nepal

Phone: +977 1 4248999 , +977 1 4240520

Email: reservation@yakandyeti.com.np

The application for funding is available in the registration form available here. Please submit your registration by 2 December 2018. Feedback will be provided by 11 January 2019.

All cancellations need to be electronically mailed to rhsc2019@aimgroup.eu

Refund of registration fees will be as follows:

• Postmarked until and including 18 January 2019: 75% refund (25% handling fee)
• Postmarked from 19 January – 28 February 2019: 50% refund
• No refund on cancellations after 1 March 2019, not even if due to visa rejection, illness, etc.

Airport

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) is an international airport in Kathmandu, located in the Kathmandu Valley about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from the city centre of Kathmandu and to the Conference venue.

Getting around

Public transport facilities in Kathmandu are very limited and unless you want to get a feel of the pulse of the city we recommend taking a taxi or making use of the airport shuttles, the hotels provide. Taxis are available and easily recognized by the taxi sign on top and black licence plate. Private taxis may charge slightly higher. No tip is expected. Taxis don’t usually have meters, so please ask for the fare before departure. Taxis don’t usually accept credit cards. Please make sure you always have Nepalese Rupees or US Dollars with you.

All participants and official guests are requested to wear their name badge during all events. Admission to the sessions is restricted to registered participants wearing their name badge. Your badge will be handed out at the registration desk at the Conference venue.

Registration opening hours: Monday, 25 March – Thursday 28 March from 08:00 – 18:00

Prior to departure visa

Foreign Nationals (except officials and diplomatic passport holder) of following 11 countries (Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Palestine, Swaziland, Syria, Zimbabwe) are requested to obtain tourist visa from Nepalese diplomatic missions (Embassies and Consulates) prior to departure to Nepal.

On-Arrival Visa

All 'On Arrival Visas' are Tourist Visas. So even if you are travelling to Nepal for a business meeting you need to apply for a Tourist Visa. On Arrival visa fees ranges from 25 USD to 100 USD (15 Days - 90 Days). The visa application can be done:

• Directly at the airport after arrival by using the kiosk machines.
• Prior to your arrival by filling in the application form – available here

Visa on Arrival - Kiosk Machine

1. Use one of the Kiosk machines upon your arrival at the airport and fill in the application form electronically.
2. Make payment at the visa fee collection counter. While you can use different modes of payments, we advise you to carry some cash to be on the safe side.
3. Get the receipt
4. Proceed to the Immigration Desk with your online form, payment receipts and your passport
5. Hand in your documents to immigration officer for visa processing. He/she issues visa to you upon his/her satisfaction.

Visa on Arrival - Application Form

If you fill in the application form prior departure, you will get submission Receipt with barcode, please print it out and bring it along for acquiring visa. It works for fifteen days and becomes invalid then after. If so, you will have to fill it up again.

More information can be found here.

Catering

Refreshments (Coffee breaks and buffet lunch) will be provided for you throughout the conference.

Insurance and Liability

It is highly recommended that all participants carry adequate individual travel and health insurance, as RHSC/PATH and/or its agents cannot accept liability for accidents, illnesses or injuries that may occur at or during the meetings.

Conference Language

The official language of the meeting is English.

Internet

High-speed and/or wireless Internet access is free of charge for all guests throughout the hotel in the hotel- and meeting rooms.

Room reservation

A valid credit card must be given when making your reservation in order to guarantee and secure your reservation.

Payment

Payments can be made by credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express) or bank transfer. All extras have to be settled directly at the hotel.

Modifying your reservation

All booking changes or cancellations must be communicated in writing to the hotel directly.

Hotel Yak and Yeti

At the time of booking, one night non-refundable. Any late cancellation, one night retention charge.

Hotel Annapurna

Cancellation of a confirmed booking (less than 72 hours before arrival date) or No – Show will be charged a one-night room retention charge on contracted rate.

Fairfield Marriott

Cancellation or change up to 48 hours prior to arrival is free of charge. Afterwards, the full amount of the retention will be charged.

Cash machines are available at the airport, near the conference venue, at shopping malls and major tourist attractions.

Kathmandu has a mild climate. In the summer (June, July, August), temperatures have a range from 19-27°C. The best time to visit Kathmandu is in spring (March to April) and autumn (October to November). Temperatures are between 20°C and 25°C.

The Nepalese rupee is the official currency of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. The Nepalese rupee is subdivided into 100 paisa. Exchange rate 1 USD -> 115 NPR, 1 EURO -> 134 NPR. Major credit cards are accepted at hotels, bigger shops and “tourist or higher level” restaurants. However make sure you always have cash – NPR or USD – with you.

The official language of Nepal is Nepali, formerly called Khaskura then Gorkhali. According to the 2011 national census, the percentage of Nepali speaking people is about 44.6%.

One of the most attractive of Nepalese local customs is giving the greeting, namaste (‘I salute the god within you’). Touching is a sensitive issue in Nepal, and it is essential to know when it is appropriate. The head is the most sacred part of the body. You can't pat or touch it, even on children.

Kathmandu is a fairly safe city. The combination of ancient vehicles, low-quality fuel and lack of emission controls makes the streets of Kathmandu particularly polluted, noisy and unpleasant. Traffic rules exist, but are rarely followed or enforced; be especially careful when crossing streets or riding a bicycle. Consider buying a face mask to filter out dust and emission particles, especially if you plan to ride a bicycle or motorcycle in Kathmandu.

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Ask your doctor what vaccines and medicines you need based on where you are going, how long you are staying, what you will be doing. The main recommended vaccinations for Nepal are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Meningitis. Boosters are also recommended for Tetanus, Polio, Mumps, and Measles. Depending on your travel plans, you may also consider inoculations against Japanese Encephalitis, Hepatitis B, and Rabies.