Student Information

Map

To download a detailed map of Boudhanath, click here.


Visa Information

Students fully enrolled at the Centre for Buddhist Studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute are eligible for student visas and will be able to reside in Nepal as long as they remain in good standing with the program. For further information, please visit the Centre for Buddhist Studies web site here.

A Tourist Visa can be easily obtained from the immigration counter upon entry at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. A single-entry visa for 60 days costs US$ 30. The application forms are available as you enter the immigration area. Bring a passport photo with you and the correct change in US$ to facilitate the process.

Tourist visas are also available from the Royal Nepalese embassies and consulates throughout the world. Please contact the Nepalese embassy or consulate nearest you for information.

On expiry of the 60-day visa, tourists can obtain a further visa for another 30 days on payment of US$ 30. Tourist visas can be extended at the immigration office monthly, for a total stay of up to 150 days per Western calendar year.


Expenses

To help students calculate their financial needs, the table below shows an estimate of costs for incoming students for the academic year 2006-2007. This allows for an average level of comfort but not luxurious living.

Full-time tuition fee per year 2150 BA / 2400 NON BA
General fees$485
Exam fees$100
Student visa fees (per month 40)$480
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)$220
TOTAL:US $5610

Travel Insurance Policy

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/articles/insurance.html. Please note that none of these are affilitated nor endorsed by CBS.


Lodging

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.

Lotus Guest House
Phulbari, Boudha
P.O. Box 4512
Kathmandu, Nepal

One of best values is found at the Lotus Guest House. Run by Dabsang Monastery it is clean, pleasant, has a large garden and serves breakfast. The governing board of the Lotus has not increased the room rates in many years as their boarders are primarily foreign Dharma students and practitioners. Free services include: solar hot water, bed linens and towel, room cleaning, thermos with hot drinking water. Other available services include: breakfast, newspaper, travel bookings, taxis, postal service, local/ international telephone calls, and laundry. During the winter months electric heaters are not provided. Daily room rates with the 10% government tax included are:

  • Single without bath/toilet — 250 NRs.
  • Single with bath/toilet — 290 NRs.
  • Double without bath/toilet — 350 NRs.
  • Double with bath/toilet — 390 NRs.
  • Suites — 750 NRs.

Contact the manager, Mr. Wang, for reservations. He can be reached by phone (977 1 4472432 or 4472320) between 8:30 - 9:30 AM Nepal time. You can also request a reservation by fax at 977 1 4478091, but will not receive a confirmation.


Rabsel Guest House
Boudha
P.O. Box 136
Kathmandu, Nepal

The rooms at the Rabsel Guest House, which is next to and run by Shechen Monastery (Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's monastery) are also quite good. It has a private garden and small restaurant. It has 24 carpeted rooms with attached Western style bathrooms. Free services include: heater, solar/electric hot water, bed linens and towels, room cleaning, thermos with hot water. Services that can be arranged include: local/international telephone/fax, newspaper, travel bookings, laundry. During the winter electric space heaters can be rented for 100 NRs. per night. No discounts are given during the winter months as the guesthouse is usually fully occupied. The daily room rates, which include breakfast but not the 10% government tax, are:

  • Single room (1 person) — 620 NRs.
  • Double room (2 people) — 840 NRs.
  • 3-bed room (3 people) — 1240 NRs.
  • Discount: — 1 day free per month.

Contact Khaji Sherpa at the Rabsel between 8 AM - 8 PM for reservations phone 977 1 4479009 or fax 977 1 4470215.


Kailash Guest House
Phulbari, Boudha
P.O. Box 6022
Kathmandu, Nepal

The Kailash Guest House is very near Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery, its clean rooms offer few frills, making it very affordable. The Tibetan family, which runs the guesthouse, lives in the building and is friendly and courteous. There is no food service. Free services include: solar hot water, bed linens and towels, room cleaning, thermos with hot water, local telephone. Services that can be arranged include: travel bookings, laundry. During the winter electric space heaters are not available. Long-term discount available. Daily room rates are not discounted:

  • Single without bath/toilet — 200 NRs.
  • Single with bath/toilet — 250 NRs.
  • Double without bath/toilet — 250 NRs.
  • Double with bath/toilet — 300 NRs.

Contact the Kailash manager, Dhundup Lama, for reservations; phone 977 1 4480741.


Happy Valley Guest House
Phulbari, Boudha
P.O. Box 1012
Kathmandu, Nepal

This hotel opened directly behind Thrangu Monastery some years ago and is one of the more luxurious in Boudha. The guest house has a rooftop garden with a wonderful view of the Stupa where tea and drinks are served, and a pleasant restaurant that serves breakfast only (163 NRs.). There are 30 rooms with attached bathrooms, all equipped with a phone, calls routed through the desk. Free services include: solar/electric hot water, bed linens and towels, room cleaning, thermos with hot water. Services that can be arranged include: local/international telephone/fax, newspaper, travel bookings/trekking, laundry. During the winter electric space heaters are available if paying the full room rate.Daily room rates at the Happy Valley with the 10% government tax included and discounts are:

  • A Class suite — US$ 50
  • A Class double — US$ 35
  • B Class double — US$ 25
  • A Class single — US$ 35
  • B Class single — US$ 20

Discounts:

A Class >1 week stay (12%) >2 week stay (24%) >4 week stay (40%). B Class >4 week stay (40%).

The A Class suite has air conditioning/heating. Payment must be made in US dollars by cash, traveller's checks, or Visa (add 4.5%). The management requests that payment for discounted rooms be made in cash or TC. Contact the Happy Valley desk for reservations at phone 977 1 4471241 or 4478242; fax 977 1 4471876.


Pema Lhamo Guest House
Boudha, Phulbari
Kathmandu, Nepal

Located adjacent to the Lotus Guest House and two minutes walk from Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling, the Pema Lhamo offers comfortable accommodations at a reasonable rate. Set back from the busy pace of Boudha, the Pema Lhamo boasts a relaxing atmosphere with garden and terrace. A pleasant afternoon can be spent drinking tea and studying on a warm day. Since most rooms have a southern exposure, they are relatively sunny and warmer during the winter months. The rooms have been recently refurbished. Services include: laundry, room service, solar hot water, local telephone calls, and meals. Discounts available for long-term. Daily rates are:

  • Room with attached bath — 650 NRs.
  • Room without attached bath — 450 NRs.

Contact the Pema Lhamo Guest House by phone at 977 1 4495662.


Hotel Padma
G.P.O Box No. 13823
Boudhanath
Kathmandu, Nepal

Located next to the Boudhanath Stupa this hotel was opened in March 1998. All rooms have attached bath, telephone and Television. Services offered: 24hr room service, rooftop garden, local/international telephone & fax services, safe deposit lockers, travel and trekking information, 24hr laundry service, car rental, airport transfer, mailing service, currency exchange, shopping arcade. Chepangs Restaurant serving Chinese, Nepalese & Continental dishes. Major credit cards accepted (MasterCard/Visa/JCB). Daily room rates inclusive of tax are:

  • Single Room — US$ 18
  • Double Room — US$ 25
  • Deluxe Room _ US$ 35
  • Extra Bed — US$ 4

Discounts:

1month stay 20%




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