Nepal Travel Guide

• Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond intended stay)
• Two recent passport-sized photographs (white background)
• Completed arrival card (available at airport)
• Proof of onward travel (return/onward flight ticket)
• Proof of sufficient funds (USD 50 per day recommended)

Travellers can apply for a Nepal e-Visa online at the official Department of Immigration portal (https://nepalimmigration.gov.np) at least 15 days before travel. The approved e-Visa is printed and presented upon arrival.

• Available for 15-day, 30-day, and 90-day validity
• Processing time: 3–5 business days
• Payment accepted via credit/debit card online
• e-Visa can be used at Tribhuvan International Airport and 15 designated entry points

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. Customary amounts: restaurant staff 5–10%, hotel porters NPR 50–100 per bag, trekking guides USD 10–15/day, porters USD 6–10/day, drivers NPR 200–500 per day. Motorcycle tour guides typically receive USD 10–20 per day as a token of appreciation.

• Drink only bottled or purified water. Use iodine tablets, SteriPen, or a portable filter on treks.
• Avoid raw vegetables, unpeeled fruit, and street food from unhygienic stalls.
• 'Dal Bhat power 24 hour'-the local staple of lentil soup and rice is generally safe and nutritious.
• Be cautious with dairy products in remote areas.
• Carry oral rehydration salts (ORS) for diarrhoea management.

Comprehensive travel insurance is ESSENTIAL for Nepal. Ensure your policy includes:

• Medical evacuation / helicopter rescue (coverage up to USD 100,000 recommended)
• High-altitude rescue (clearly specify your maximum altitude)
• Trip cancellation and delay
• Personal accident and third-party liability
• Motorcycle accident coverage if riding (declare motorcycle use explicitly)

• Nepal is generally safe for tourists. Petty theft can occur in crowded areas-keep valuables secure.
• Do not trek alone in remote areas. Hire a licensed guide.
• Natural hazards include earthquakes, landslides (especially during monsoon), and sudden weather changes.
• Political strikes (bandh) can occasionally disrupt transport-check local news.
• Register with your country's embassy or consulate upon arrival for extended stays.

• Remove shoes before entering temples, monasteries, and private homes (look for signs or follow others' lead).
• Dress modestly at religious sites-cover shoulders and knees. Carry a scarf or sarong as a cover-up.
• Walk clockwise around stupas, mani walls, and prayer wheels (always keep them on your right side).
• Ask permission before photographing religious ceremonies, shrines, or local people.
• Do not touch statues, offerings, or sacred objects with your left hand.
• Leather items may be prohibited in some Hindu temple precincts-leave belts and bags outside.

• Greet with 'Namaste' (palms together, slight bow)-universally appreciated and appropriate in all contexts.
• Use your right hand for eating, passing objects, and giving/receiving. The left hand is considered unclean.
• Public displays of affection between couples are generally frowned upon.
• Remove sunglasses when speaking with elders or in formal settings.
• Avoid pointing your feet at people or sacred objects; feet are considered the lowest, most impure part of the body.
• It is customary to accept food or drink when offered by a host-refusing may cause offence.

• Western clothing is acceptable in Kathmandu and tourist areas.
• In rural areas and at religious sites, conservative dress is expected for both men and women.
• Nude or topless sunbathing is not acceptable anywhere in Nepal.

• Always ask permission before photographing individuals, especially women, monks, and children.
• Some temples and inner sanctuaries prohibit photography entirely-respect all signage.
• A small tip or purchase from street vendors is appreciated if you photograph them.

Nepal's mountainous terrain makes domestic flights essential for reaching remote regions. Mountain flights offer spectacular views of the Himalayas.

Note: Mountain flights are frequently cancelled due to weather. Build buffer days into your schedule and never book non-refundable connecting flights with tight connections from Lukla.

• Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) is Nepal's only international airport, located 6 km from Kathmandu city centre.
• Taxis are available from the airport; agree on fare before departure (approx. NPR 800–1,200 to Thamel). Prepaid taxis available at the ground floor.
• Pokhara Regional International Airport (PKR) opened in January 2023 and serves regional international flights.
• Land entry from India via Sunauli (Bhairahawa) and Raxaul (Birgunj) is popular for overland travellers.
• Land entry from Tibet (China) via Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani-Chinese permits required.

• Tourist buses connect Kathmandu to Pokhara (7–8 hrs), Chitwan (5–6 hrs), Lumbini (8–9 hrs), and Sauraha.
• Local buses are very cheap but overcrowded, slow, and generally not recommended for tourists on long routes.
• Private cars and minibuses can be hired with drivers for more comfortable intercity travel.
• Micro-buses and tempo (three-wheelers) serve as local transport within cities.
• Taxis are available in Kathmandu and Pokhara-always negotiate the fare or insist on the meter.
• Ride-sharing apps (Pathao, InDrive) are operational in Kathmandu and increasingly in Pokhara.

Nepal's road network is improving but remains challenging in many areas. Key considerations:

• Major highways (Prithvi, Arniko, Mahendra) are paved but often single-lane with heavy traffic.
• Mountain roads are often narrow, unpaved, and prone to landslides during monsoon.
• Road construction and widening is ongoing throughout the country-expect diversions.
• Night driving is strongly discouraged due to poor road lighting and livestock on roads.

• SIM cards (NCell, Nepal Telecom) are available at the airport and throughout the country. Bring your passport.
• Prepaid tourist SIM packages with data are affordable (approx. NPR 200–500 for 1 GB).
• 4G coverage is good in cities and along major highways. Coverage drops rapidly in remote trekking areas.
• Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, guesthouses, and cafes in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

• Satellite communication devices (Garmin inReach, SPOT) are recommended for high-altitude treks.
• Nepal Telecom has better rural coverage than NCell in remote mountain regions.

• Sun protection: high-SPF sunscreen, UV-blocking sunglasses, wide-brim hat (UV is intense at altitude)
• Layers: temperatures can swing 20°C+ between day and night at altitude
• Waterproof jacket and quick-dry clothing
• Sturdy trekking boots (even if not trekking-cobblestone streets are uneven)
• First aid kit including blister treatment, altitude sickness medication, and water purification tablets
• Portable power bank (power cuts/load shedding, though less common now)
• Always book Nepal Tour Packages in advance from verified tour operators.

• Do not give money, sweets, or pens to children on the street- it encourages begging and school absenteeism. Donate to reputable local charities instead.
• Buy from local artisans and fair-trade shops rather than mass-produced imports.
• Carry reusable water bottles and avoid single-use plastic. Many trekking lodges now offer water purification.
• Stick to marked trails to avoid erosion and disturbance to wildlife.
• Use licensed, registered guides and tour operators.

• Heavy traffic in Kathmandu city; chaotic but navigable at slow speeds.
• Prithvi Highway (Kathmandu → Pokhara): Mostly paved, excellent dual-carriageway sections. High traffic volume including trucks and buses.
• Arniko Highway (Kathmandu → Tibet border): Winding mountain road, partially damaged by 2015 earthquake. Ongoing repairs.

• Annapurna Circuit (partial motor-able): Mix of paved road, gravel, and unpaved tracks. Suitable for adventure bikes.
• Upper Mustang: Restricted area. Mostly dirt tracks, river crossings, and loose gravel above 3,500 m.
• Langtang Valley Road: Steep, narrow, unpaved-challenging but rewarding.
• Dolpo / Humla: Extremely remote, rough tracks requiring highly experienced riders.

• NEVER ride at night on mountain roads. Livestock, pedestrians, and unlighted vehicles present extreme danger.
• Sound your horn before blind corners-standard practice in Nepal and expected by local drivers.
• Maintain maximum 40 km/h on mountain sections; 80 km/h maximum on highways.
• Always give way to uphill traffic on single-lane mountain roads.
• Watch for sand and gravel on road surfaces after rain-braking distances increase dramatically.
• Keep left on all roads (Nepal drives on the left side).
• Follow the lead vehicle if riding in convoy. Maintain safe following distances.

• Landslides: Check daily road conditions, especially during and after monsoon season.
• River crossings: Assess depth and current before crossing. Remove luggage if water is deep.
• Cattle and wildlife on roads-especially at dawn and dusk.
• Potholes and road damage: Scan ahead constantly and reduce speed significantly.
• Trucks and buses: Give them wide berth on mountain roads; they have the right of way in practice.