Nepal travel tips – Everything you need to know before travelling to Nepal

Nepal is defined as a country packed with countrysides, historical sites, mountains, and wildlife. However, Nepal has a bit more than that to offer, such as pleasant hospitality that you won’t find anywhere else in the world, unexpected discoveries, the comfort of travelling, and many other things.

There is also the Nepalese culture, which may cause a culture clash at a certain level. Thus, in order to familiarize you with Nepalese culture and make your journey easier, we have compiled a list of the most important things you should know before travelling to Nepal. And here’s how it goes:

VISA PROCEDURE FOR NEPAL

Visas are available upon arrival at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, as well as at border entry points in Kakadvitta, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Gaddachowki on the Nepal-India border and Kodari on the Nepal-China border. Visas are also available via the nearest Nepal Embassy or Diplomatic Mission.

Visas for renewal can also be obtained through the Department of Immigration in Kalikasthan and Kathmandu. A valid passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond your anticipated departure date) and one passport-size photo with a light backdrop are necessary.

The size of the passport-size photo has not been set by the Immigration Department.
Visa can only be purchased by paying in cash in US dollars. Visa fees cannot be paid with credit cards, Indian cash, or Nepalese currency.

A. Tourist Visa

Duration of Visa Facility Fee
Multiple entries for a period of 15 days US$ 25 or similar convertible currency
Multiple entries over a period of 30 days US$ 40 or similar convertible currency
90-day multiple-entry US$ 100 or comparable convertible currency

B. Visa gratis (free)

For the first visit in a visa year (January to December), only nationals of South Asian countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are eligible for a free 30-day visa. A visa, on the other hand, can be extended by the Immigration Department upon payment of the visa fee as indicated above.

Visas are not required for Indian nationals to enter Nepal.

C. Indian Nationals

Indian nationals do not need visas to enter Nepal but they must have one of the following documents, according to Nepalese immigration.

  • Passport and Driver’s License with Photograph
  • Photo ID card issued by a government agency Ration Card with Photo
  • Election Commission Card with Photo
  • Identity Card issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu
  • Identity Card with Photograph issued by Sub-Divisional Magistrate or any other authority of his status. Also, please verify with your local travel agency for the documentation required by Indian Immigration for Indians travelling to Nepal.

D. Additional Information

Nationals from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan must get visas via Nepal Embassies or Diplomatic Missions in their respective countries, as visas are not issued on arrival at Nepal’s immigration entry points.

E. Visa Extender

Tourists are permitted to stay for a maximum of 150 days per visa year (Jan 1 to Dec 31).

Currency

Nepal’s currency is the Nepalese rupee (NPR). One rupee equals 100 Paisa. Notes come in denominations of Rs1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins come in denominations of 50, 25 and 10 Paisa.

Currency Exchange

Money can be exchanged at Kathmandu International Airport and at any of the capital’s numerous banks and money exchange shops. Although it is unlawful to exchange foreign cash with unlicensed individuals, there is a thriving black market for currency exchange, particularly in Kathmandu’s Thamel neighbourhood.

These street vendors frequently give the best prices, but they can be irritant after you have concluded the sale. Hotels exchange money as well, albeit at a lesser rate than banks. Because it is difficult to convert rupees back into foreign cash, only change as much as you need.

ATMs are available in Nepal’s main cities. In tourist locations, Kathmandu and Pokhara have the most of them. In Thamel Chouk, Standard Chartered Bank provides a 24-hour ATM that takes Cirrus, Visa, and Mastercard.

Remember that the further you are from civilization, the less likely it is that you will be able to exchange or withdraw money from an ATM, so bring plenty of cash with you when you go trekking.

In the Annapurna villages, no credit cards are accepted. Credit cards, on the other hand, are commonly accepted in Kathmandu Valley, albeit most shops charge a 5% service fee for each transaction.

Customs

Each visitor to Nepal is allowed to carry in 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or an equivalent amount of tobacco goods; 1 litre of alcohol; and a personal amount of perfume-free of charge. Visitors should declare electronic items such as cameras, video recorders, and other such items upon arrival in Nepal.

It is unlawful to export any item that is more than 100 years old, and all religious paintings, metal statues, or other artefacts must be accompanied by a certificate from the Department of Archaeology before they can be exported. Customs agents in Nepal are extremely thorough, so don’t think you’ll be able to get away with anything.

Language

Nepali is the official language of Nepal, and it is spoken by roughly half of the people. Hundreds of other languages, like Bhojpuri and Maithili, are spoken in smaller circles, but English is generally understood in the tourism business.