Find below Nepal travel information on the following topics. Note that some of the informations may have changed at the time of your traveling. For the latest information, if any, you may check with us before you travel to Nepal.
Nepal visa regulations
All tourists except Indian nationals require visa to travel to Nepal.Indian nationals require to produce valid identity cards like Voter ID, company documents or the like if they are entering Nepal by surface.If they enter by air, they better carry a valid passport.
Tourist Visa fees:
- Single entry visa fee - US$ 30 (valid for 60 days)
- Multiple entry visa fee- US$ 80 (valid for 60 days)
Tourist visa can be obtained at the port of entry, you require two passport size photographs and required amount in USD cash(make sure you have change). You can not pay visa fee with credit cards or any other means. The process is the same for the ‘gratis’ visas
The following nationals will not require to pay visa fee for tourist visas.
- Tourists from India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives Pakistan and China .
- Tourists already staying in Nepal for 15 days or more, visiting Nepal for the second time during the same visa year.
- Tourists staying in Nepal for 3 days (72 hrs) or less require no visas but require a valid passport.
- Children below 10 years of age.
The tourist visa can also be obtained from Nepalese Embassy or Consulates abroad. The visa application forms are available in the passport control lounge. They are also distributed in the aircrafts before landing.
Nepal entry routes
Entry by surface
Entry points for those entering the country by surface are-
Bhairahawa (Sunauli), Birgunj (Raxaul) & Kararbhitta (Siliguri) from India and Kodari (Zhangmu) if you are entering from Tibet.
Entry by air
Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal is linked by air with Delhi, Kolkata, Varanasi, Banglore, Mumbai, Dhaka, Paro, Karachi, Frankfurt, Paris, Munich, London, Vienna, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Doha, Moscow, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Osaka, Shanghai & Lhasa.
Airlines flying to Nepal
Nepal Airlines –operates Delhi, Bangkok, Hongkong, Malaysia, Dubai, Osaka
Quatar Airways – operates several flights per week to Nepal from its hub in Doha.
Gulf air – operates several flights to Nepal from its two hubs in the Gulf.
Thai Airways- operates daily flights to Kathmandu from Bangkok.
Orient Thai- Another airlines from Thailand also flies to Kathmandu.
Silk Air- flies Singapore to Kathmandu
Dragon Air and Hongkong Express fly from Hongkong to Kathmandu.
Jet Airways, Jetlite, Indian Airlines and Cosmic air shuttle between Kathmandu and Delhi.
Ethihad of UAE, Air arabia ,PIA , Biman Bangladesh also have their regular operations to Neapl.
Nepal internal flights
All major cities and some of the important trekking trail heads have air connection in Neapl.These include cities like Pokhara , Bhairahawa/Lumbini and Chitwan etc or trailheads like jomsom and Lukla.Buddha air and Yeti air are major domestic carriers, others are Gorkha air, Agni air and Sita air.A number of companies are operating helicopter services as well. Nepal has no trains .People usually travel by buses.There are tourist buses from Kathmandu to tourist hubs like Pokhara and Chitwan. These are express buses that stop on the way only for Lunch.
Airport Tax
You are supposed to pay an airport tax of Rs.1356 for departure to SAARC (South Asian) Countries and Rs. 1695 to other international destinations from Nepal . Those flying within Nepal are required to pay Rs.165 as the airport tax per flight.
Custom and duty
Those arriving at Kathmandu airport without any dutiable goods can proceed through the Green channel for quick clearance without a baggage check. Those carrying dutiable articles must pass through the red channel for customs clearance. Besides their personal belongings, passengers are allowed to bring into Nepal for free - 1 pair of Binoculars, one still camera (with 15 rolls of film), one movie or video camera, a laptop computer, a portable music system, 200 cigarettes or 20 cigars, 1 bottle of liquor and a reasonable amount of perfume.
It is illegal in Nepal to export objects over 100 years old (sacred images, paintings, manuscripts) that are valued for their religious and cultural significance. Tourists are advised not to purchase any item of antique value as they are Nepal’s cultural heritage. If you are buying such articles you should certify from the Department of Archaeology for all metal statues, sacred paintings & similar objects before carrying out of the country.
Time
Nepal is 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT and 15 minutes ahead of Indian standard time.
Local Currency
In Nepal Nepalese Rupee is subdivided into 100 paisa. The denominations of currency notes are available In 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500, 1000. Similarly, coins are available in 1, 2 and 5 rupees, which are in circulation.]
Banks
Banks are open between 09:00 A.M. to 3:00 p.m, Monday to Friday.In Kathmandu and pokhara there are ATM facilities and you can draw your money 365 days and 24 hours.
Official Weekly Holiday
Saturday is the official weekly holiday in Nepal. Shops remain open from Sunday through to Friday, while Museums throughout Kathmandu remain closed on Tuesday and other government holidays.Government offices open from 10 am to 5 pm and till 4 pm only during winter.
Elecrticity
All cities and towns in Nepal have electricity .Only a few villages on the trekking route have electricity. Voltage available is 240-220 volts AC & 50 cycles throughout the country. Load shedding is frequently experienced in Nepal , mostly during dry months.
Your Health in Nepal
We recommend you to immunize against certain illness that are not prevalent in your home country such as Cholera, Typhoid, Malaria, Meningitis, Hepatitis etc; your physician would be best able to advise them on the availability and administration of these inoculations.
You are advised to drink boiled or filtered water only and not to eat raw salads at ordinary restaurants.However you can consume the same at good hotels and reputed restaurants. We recommend you to use iodine tablets for purifying water at the trek.Make sure you obtain a travel insurance that covers theft, loss & medical treatment .
It is always wise to bring a simple medical kit of your own. The followings are recommended:
- Aspirin for pain or fever
- Antihistamine - useful as a decongestant for colds, allergies, to ease the itch from insect bites
- Antibiotics
- Kaolin preparation (Pepto-Bismol), Imodium or Lomita, for treatment of severe diarrhea.
- Antiseptic, Mercurochrome & antibiotic powder or similar “dry spray” - for cuts & stings
- Bandages & band-aids – for minor injuries.
- Scissors & a thermometer.
- Insect repellent sun block, sustain lotion, water purification tablets.
- Paracetamol
- Antacid tablets
- Your regular medicine, vitamins if your are taking any.
We also send our own medical kit on each trek.
Is Nepal safe to travel ?
After signing peace accord with the maoists in Nov, 2006 the conflict has ended in Nepal. Nepal is now preparing for general election to prepare new constitution. As the peace prevailed in the country, number of visitors has crossed a record of half a million on 2007.There is a big increase in tourist arrival from major source countries like USA, Germany, UK, Japan, France,India and many other countries.
An important fact to note is even in those conflict days , no tourists were harmed or injured , neither by the rebels nor by the government forces.No one seems to have a negative attitude for tourists.By nature Nepalese are friendly and hospitable people.In the travel advisories issued by some countries , their citizens are advised not to visit Nepal . This may be the policies of the respective governments but it does not reflect the reality in Nepal. Tourists , now , can enjoy their trip free and unhindered. Our best advice for you would be to keep yourself open for facts, listen what the recent travellers say and get informed with the news from Nepal .
