Nepal Travel Information
Getting to Nepal
By air: Kathmandu is connected with major international cities by different flights all over the continents.
By land: Kakarbhitta, Birjung, Sunauli, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi, Mahendranagar on the Nepal-India border and Kodari on the Nepal-China border
Visa
A visa is necessary to enter Nepal and can be obtained from Nepalese Embassy or Consulate or at the entry points in Nepal on arrival.
What are needed to get a visa?
A valid passport and one passport size photo with a light background. Immigration Department has not specified the size of the passport-size photo. Visa can be obtained only through payment of cash in the following currency: Euro, Swiss Franc, Pound Sterling, US dollar, Australian dollar, Canadian dollar, Hong-kong dollar, Singapore dollar and Japanese Yen. Credit Card, Indian currency or Nepalese currency are not accepted for payment of Visa fee.
Tourist Visa
Multiple Entry - US$ 30 or Equivalent Foreign Currency for 15 Days
Multiple Entry - US$ 50 or Equivalent Foreign Currency for 30 Days
Multiple Entry - US$ 125 or Equivalent Foreign Currency for 90 Days
Gratis (Free) Visa
- For first visit in one visa year (January to December) , gratis visa for 30 days is available only for nationals of South Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. However, visa can be extended from the Immigration Department on payment of visa fee as specified above.
- Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal.
For Visa Extension: Tourists can stay for a maximum of150 days in a visa year (Jan 1 to Dec 31).
FOR INDIAN NATIONALS:
As per the Nepalese Immigration, Indian Nationals Traveling to Nepal must posses any one of the following documents-
1. Passport
2. Driving License with photo
3. Photo Identity card issued by a Government Agency
4. Ration Card with Photo
5. Election Commission Card with Photo
6. Identity Card issued by Embassy of India in Kathmandu
7. Identity Card with Photo issued by Sub- Divisional Magistrate or any other officials above his rank
Hotel Accommodations
In Nepal different categories of hotels are available all over major cities and towns from star to Budget standard with all facilities as per the client’s interest, timeframe and affordability
Best season for travelling
The most popular seasons for travelling in Nepal are spring (Mar-May) and autumn (Sep-Nov). Also, during the monsoon season (June-Aug) and winter, tours and treks are possible depending on the areas or regions.
Required clothing
Lightweight clothing is recommended for May through October, warm garments and required throughout October to March, and an umbrella or a raincoat is a must for the rainy season(June-Aug)
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 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500, 1000. Similarly, coins are available in 1, 2 and 5 rupees, which are in circulation.]
Electricity
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.
Customs:
All baggage must be declared and cleared through the Customs on arrival at the entry point. Personal effects are permitted free entry. Passengers arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) without any dutiable goods can proceed through the Green Channel for quick clearance without a baggage check. If you are carrying dutiable articles, you have to pass through the Red Channel for detailed customs clearance.
Import:
Apart from used personal belongings, visitors are allowed to bring to Nepal free of duty cigarettes (200) or cigars (50), distilled liquor (one 1.15 liter bottle), and film (15 rolls). You can also bring in the following articles free of duty on condition that you take them out with you when you leave: binocular, movie or video camera, still camera, laptop computer, and portable music system.
Export:
The export of antiques requires special certification from the Department of Archeology. It is illegal to export objects over 100 years old such as sacred images, paintings, manuscripts that are valued for culture and religious reasons. Visitors are advised not to purchase such items as they are Nepal's cultural heritage and belong here.
Vaccination and Health Issue
There are no statutory vaccination requirements for visiting Nepal, but we recommend you to consult your doctor at least 2 - 3 months prior your trip to Nepal and protection against malaria, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis and polio etc. The main health problem in high altitude is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). You may experience some mild symptoms initially; such as headache, lethargy; nausea and difficulty sleeping at night, but these will disappear within a few days if you give enough time to acclimatize for your body if symptoms are appeared by not ascending higher. To avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), people take Diamox and you can also use these pills after consulting with your doctor. Our itineraries are prepared with great attention to allow your body to acclimatize properly while on trek. For trek, we carry a medical kit with standard prescribed medicines with Diamox for AMS which you can use on your own risk. We do not take any medical liability since our staffs are not qualified to prescribe medicines. If you have ever suffered from altitude sickness, or have a heart or breathing problem, we highly recommend you to consult your doctor about your suitability for trek before booking is made. We advise you to take your own first aid kit with some pain-killing pills and enough medicine for cold, diarrhea, nausea and fever. Some nasal ointment and throat-moistening pills will be of great use for those who are sensitive to cold and freezing weather conditions.
Rescue / Evacuation
In case of a serious sickness or a casualty, which we believe will not happen; we will do everything to transfer you to the nearest hospital or back to Kathmandu. In such case you will be entirely liable for all the expenses incurred in evacuation. Therefore, please make sure that it is covered by your insurance policy or be prepared to pay on your own after being back to Kathmandu.
Insurance
We recommend you to take a complete travel insurance which will cover your trip cancellation, medical expenses, helicopter evacuation and emergency repatriation etc before joining any trip.
Trip Extension
If you want to extend your trip after the trek, you can extend it by going for a White Water Rafting / Jungle Safari / Cultural Tour etc.