There are two aspects of time in Nepal – the Factual & the Cultural.
First some factual details: Nepal is 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT. Interestingly, Nepal is the only country in the world along with the Chatham Islands near New Zealand with difference from the GMT in a quarter hour format. The Nepal Standard Time is based upon the Gauri Shanker Mountain in the Rolwaling region which is roughly in the central part of the country. This UTC/GMT +5¾ format of Nepal Standard Time requires a good arithmetic skills that for most other countries with full hour or half our difference. However, since the nearest half or full hour option were already chosen by the neighboring countries, it was necessary for Nepal to keep its time zone in the odd format.
The cultural aspect time in Nepal: Never forget that you’re visiting Nepal for relaxing from the atrocities of time-chasing schedules in the Western world. Hence, be prepared to accept that people in Nepal still don’t take the time seriously. Especially, if you’re visiting a government office, you’ve an appointment at a certain time, allow some margin to accommodate for what the locals humorously refer as “Nepal Time”
Punctuality is never a Nepali way of life – that’s what some Nepalis complain about their culture. Moreover, if you’re in far off villages during your trek, don’t depend on the local concept of time for reaching somewhere. For example, if you ask the villagers how much time does it take to get to the next village; everyone may come with their own idea of time.
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