All tourists except Indian nationals require visa to travel to Nepal. Indian nationals are required 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 sized photographs and required amount in USD cash (make sure you have change). You cannot pay visa fee with credit cards or any other means. The process is the same for the gratis visas

The following visitors will not need to pay visa fee for tourist visas:  

• Tourists from India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives Pakistan and China.
• Tourists visiting Nepal for the second time during the same visa year.
• 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. 

Insurance___________________________________________________________________

Make sure you obtain a travel insurance that covers theft, loss & medical treatment. It is a compulsory requirement for all of our trips in Nepal and it is your responsibility to take out a suitable policy. You will not officially join the group until evidence of your insurance has been provided to the trip leader. This must include personal accident, medical expenses, and repatriation to your country. For treks in the Himalaya, the policy must include a provision for helicopter rescue. We also recommend that your policy covers cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Please note that free insurance cover offered by some credit cards does not cover repatriation expenses. 

Entering Nepal_______________________________________________________________  

Traveling by road: All visitors entering Nepal by land must use no other entry points than

(1) Kakarbhitta              (Nepal-India border)

(2) Birgunj                    (Nepal-India border)

(3) Bhairahawa                         (Nepal-India border)

(4) Nepalgunj                (Nepal-India border)

(5) Dhangadi                 (Nepal-India border)

(6) Mahendra Nagar      (Nepal-India border)

(7) Kodari                     (Nepal-China border) 

The overland tourists entering Nepal with their vehicles must possess an international carnet.  

Traveling by air :

You can fly directly to Kathmandu from London , Paris , Frankfurt , Vienna , Amsterdam , Moscow , Osaka , Shanghai , Bangkok , Hong Kong, Sharjah, Dubai , Dhaka , Karachi , Abu Dhabi , Bahrain , Doha , Paro, Lhasa , Singapore , Delhi , Mumbai, Patna , Calcutta , and Varanasi . All flights feature business class and amenities of international standards.  

Nepal Airlines, Cosmic Air, Thai Airways, Orient Thai, Qatar Airways, Ethihad Air, Air Arabia, Indian Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Biman Bangladesh, Silk Air, Dragon Air, Hong Kong Express, Gulf Air, Indian Airlines, Air Sahara, Jet Airways, Austrian Air, Martin air, Air China, Druk Air fly to Nepal regularly. 

Airfares fluctuate with the changes in exchange rates and are to be paid in foreign currency by foreign nationals. Only Nepalese and Indian nationals are permitted to pay in Rupees for air passage between Nepal and India. Departure flight tickets should be reconfirmed three days in advance to avoid inconveniences by possible flight cancellation or changes in the flight schedule. Overweight luggage charges are levied in foreign exchange. 

Internal Journeys:

All major cities and some of the important trekking trail heads have air connection in Nepal. These include cities like Pokhara, Bhairahawa/Lumbini and Chitwan etc or trailheads like Jomsom and Lukla. Buddha Air, Yeti Air, Gorkha Air, Agni Air and Sita Air are major domestic carriers. Most people usually travel by bus. There are luxurious 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 required to pay an airport tax of NRs. 1356 for departure to SAARC Countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Maldives) and NRs. 1695 to other international destinations from Nepal. Those flying within Nepal are required to pay NRs. 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:              A pair of Binoculars

• A still camera (with 15 rolls of film)
• A movie or video camera
• A laptop computer
• A portable music system
• 200 cigarettes or 20 cigars
• A bottle of liquor and a reasonable amount of perfume.    

It is illegal in Nepal to export objects that are over 100 years old (sacred images, all metal statues 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 get them certified from the Department of Archaeology.

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 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 rupees. Similarly, coins which are in circulation are in 1, 2 and 5 rupees. 

Banks_______________________________________________________________________ 

Most banks are open between 9am – 3pm. Some private banks also have evening counters available in Kathmandu and Pokhara and ATM machines are widely available in these cities. 

Official Weekly Holidays_______________________________________________________ 

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. 

Your Health in Nepal__________________________________________________________

Nepal does not require any particular Immunization for your visit.  However, we recommend that you immunize against certain illnesses that are not prevalent in your home country such as Cholera, Typhoid, Malaria, Meningitis, Hepatitis etc. Your physician would be best able to advise you on the availability and administration of these inoculations.

You are also 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. 

We advise that you bring a simple medical kit of your own. The recommended are:

• 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 you are taking any.

We also send our own medical kit on each trek. 

Climate_____________________________________________________________________
 

Nepal has typical monsoonal two seasons a year. There is a dry season from October to May and there is the wet season, the monsoon, from June to September. September - November, the start of the dry season, is in many ways the best time of the year in Nepal. When monsoon just ends, the countryside is green and lush. Nepal is at its most beautiful and during this season there are plenty of colorful festivals to enjoy. 

Clothing_____________________________________________________________________ 

Clothing depends on place and time. However, it is recommended that you have both light and warm clothing. Medium-weight and easy-to-wash cottons are a good choice year-round in the Kathmandu Valley and most other hilly areas. From October to February, woolen sweaters, jackets or similar other outfits are essential. Short or long sleeved shirts are comfortable for March to May. From June to September, light and loose garments are advisable. In the mountain areas warm clothes are generally a must. Down quilt jacket and under trousers are recommended for high altitude trekking. 

Payment Service______________________________________________________________ 

Payment in hotels, travel agencies, and airlines are made in foreign exchange. Credit cards like American Express, Master and Visa are widely accepted at major hotels, shops, and restaurants. Remember to keep your Foreign Exchange Encashment Receipt while making Foreign exchange payments or transferring foreign currency into Nepalese Rupees. The Receipts may be needed to change leftover Nepalese Rupees into hard currency before leaving the country. However, the bank may convert only 10 percent of the total amount. Major Banks, hotels, and the exchange counters at Tribhuvan International Airport provide services for exchanging foreign currency. Exchange rates are published in English dailies such as The Rising Nepal and The Kathmandu post. 

Shopping____________________________________________________________________ 

Shopping in Nepal is easy. With a little money and some time one can obtain the best buys this little country has to offer. It will be helpful to have a Nepali for company if a huge shopping project is at hand. Common tourist shopping items include souvenirs and trinkets like gems and jewelry. However, one should be careful while buying jewelry as assessing their quality is difficult. Hand-weaved cotton fabric is a popular buy among visitors. Some buy pashmina that this Himalayan region is famous for and some also buy fresh tea and spices. 

Entertainment_______________________________________________________________  

Visitors have a choice from a potpourri of amusements. They can partake in cultural shows that include theater and local art; wine and dine at premier hotels that provide excellent service; enjoy music and dance at newly-opened discotheques; try a luck at rummy or blackjack at one of our casinos; enjoy a game of golf in our Himalayan serenity; or just watch a movie as cozy twosome in one of our movie theaters.