Nepal Travel Guide

Access to Nepal:

If you are traveling by road, then you can enter Nepal at check points located along the border with China and Nepal. If you traveling from India, Tauliwha at Bhairawa, Birjung, Kakadvitta etc offer visas. If you are traveling from China via Tibet, Kodari is only point where you can get the visa.

---

Nepal Tourist Visa Information:

Foreigner who intends to visit Nepal must hold valid passport (with at least 6 months validity from the expected date of arrival in Nepal) or any travel document equivalent to passport issued by their respective government.

(a) Entry

No foreigner is entitled to enter into and stay in Nepal without valid visa.
Tourist entry visa can be obtained from Nepal Embassy/ Consulate or Mission offices abroad, or at the following immigration offices/points in Nepal:

1. Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
2. Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)
3. Birganj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
4. Kodari, Sindhupalchowk, (Northern Border)
5. Kerung (Northern border)
6. Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal)
7. Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal)
8. Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal)
9. Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal)

(b) Visa fee:

  Visa Facility         Duration       Fee
  Multiple entry      15 days        US$ 30 or equivalent convertible currency
  Multiple entry      30 days       US$ 50 or equivalent convertible currency
  Multiple entry      90 days       US$ 125 or equivalent convertible currency                 

(c) Tourist Visa Extension:

1.  Visa extension fee for 15 days or less is US$ 45 or equivalent convertible currency and visa extension fee for more than 15 days is US$ 3 per day.
2. Tourist visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a single visa year (January – December).
3. In the case of delay less than 150 days additional US$ 5 per day as late fine.
   

(d) Transit Visa:

 Transit Visa for one day can be obtained from Nepal’s immigration offices at the entry points upon the production of departure flight ticket via Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal, by paying US$5 or equivalent convertible currency.

(e) Step by Step On-Arrival Visa Process:

Before you start the visa process, please be sure to have following documents with you:

• Passport (with at least 6 months validity from the expected date of arrival in Nepal)
• Two Photographs (1.5” * 1.5”)
• Cash to pay visa fees (in US Dollars or equivalent convertible currency) Note: Credit Card, Indian Currency and Nepali Currency are not accepted as payment of visa fee.
• A completed Online Tourist Visa form which is available at https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/online . You can also fill it at the airport on your arrival.

      1. First Step
       Fill in ' Arrival Card' on your arrival at the airport/immigration points
       A completed Online ‘Tourist Visa‘ form

     2. Second Step
       Make payment at the bank according to your visa requirement ( 15/30/90 Days) and get receipt. You are advised to carry some cash for making the payment (Cash could be in US Dollars or equivalent convertible currency)

     3. Third Step
        Hand in your form at Immigration Desk along with your receipt and passport

(f) Gratis Visa (Free Visa):

Gratis Visa is issued free of cost for following foreign applicants:

1. Children below 10 years from SAARC region
   Children who are below 10 years and from SAARC region (except Afghanistan)  are offered free visa for up to 30 days provided they are visiting Nepal for the first time in a given visa Year.  Afghan citizen are eligible for Gratis Visa on-arrival only upon the recommendation of Department of Immigration.
2. Non Residential Nepalese(NRN) card holder ( issued by MoFA /Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad)
3. Chinese Nationals
   Chinese nationals can get free visas from the Nepal Embassy in Beijing, and the Nepal Consulate Office in Lhasa, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Chinese citizens can also get free on-arrival visa at Tribhuvan International Airport as well as at all the immigration points.
   

(g) Won't get On-arrival Visa:

Nationals from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan do not get On-arrival visa at the immigration entry points of Nepal. They will need to obtain visa from Nepal embassies or Diplomatic mission from their respective countries.

For further information, please look at the following link:
https://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/page/tourist-visa

---

Currency Exchange:

Payment in hotels, trekking/travel agencies, and airlines are made in foreign exchange. Most of the International Cards  including Visa Card, Master Card, JCB, Maestro, Americal Express etc. are widely accepted by hotels, restaurants and leading travel/trekking agents. The receipts may be needed to change left-over Nepalese Rupees into hard currency before leaving the country. However, only 10 percent of the total amount may be converted by the bank. ATM and Debit cards are widely in use in major cities such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini etc.
 
Nepalese Rupees are found in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. One rupee equals 100 paisa. The rate regularly fluctuates and is fixed and published by Nepal Rastra Bank every other day.
 
For Current Exchange rate, Please click here  (Official link).

---

Choosing and Planning a Trip:

Tour as opposed to trekking doesn’t involve walking or hiking in the Himalayas. Tours is about visiting different destinations and places that are within an easy reach and are well connected with roads. Most often that not, on tours, tourists travel on vehicles or four wheel drives, airplanes or helicopters and shuttle between different destinations.
 
Tours is a pleasurable and relaxing journey, especially targeted for those who want to see places and meet people quickly while travelling in the comfort of vehicles or aircraft.
 
There are different types of tours depending on what your interests. Pilgrimage tours, World Heritage site tours, jungle safari, city sightseeing are all one or other forms of tours. Tours are often of shorter duration than trekking and often involve larger number of people at one time.  
 
Nepal has variety of tours on offer. You can visit world heritages sites, or Buddhist monastery, Hindu shrines, museums, or indulge in city sightseeing or go for nature tours. Cultural and natural tours are mainstay of Nepal’s tourism industry. Chitwan National Park, Everest National Park, Tharu Culture, Sherpa Culture are some of the famous attractions of Nepal.
 
Tours can range from a single day visit to weeklong programs. The size of the tour groups range from a single tourist up to 20-25 tourists per group. All of this depends upon your interests and time frame that you have in your hand.

---

Travel Insurance:

Adequate and valid travel insurance is compulsory for all Nepal Environmental Treks & Expedition (P) Ltd travelers. Your travel insurance must cover accidents, injury, illness and death medical expenses, including any pre-existing medical conditions, emergency repatriation (including helicopter rescue and air ambulance where applicable) and personal liability.
 
Nepal Environmental Treks & Expedition (P) Ltd also recommends that your insurance shall cover cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal belongings. You must carry proof of insurance with you and produce it if requested by Nepal Environmental Treks & Expedition’s employees. Nepal Environmental Treks $Expedition (P) Ltd reserves the right to cancel or suspend your participation of a trip or, at any time, including after the commencement of your tour, with no right of refund, if you are unable to provide proof of insurance when requested.

---

Permit & Entrance Fees:

There are various permits such as trekking permits, national park permits, conservation area permits required for trekkers and tourists.

TIMS

TIMs is an abbreviation of ‘Trekkers’ Information Management Systems’. TIMs is kind of a permit card issued by Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Nepal Tourism Board. TIMs is mandatory for entering all normal trekking areas in Nepal.
 
In the TIMS Card, you will have to fill in information about the dates of your trip, the itinerary, and a contact number. These data will be inserted in the visitors’ database, where they can be accessed for park management purposes or for rescue missions in case of accidents and/or natural calamities.
 
Trekkers and tourists can avail the card at specific counters designated by TAAN and NTB including their own head offices in Kathmandu.

There are two types of TIM Cards:

(a) Individual (Green coloured) TIMS

Free Individual Trekker (FIT) or Single trekkers who are planning to trek without the help of assistants (guides or porters) are required to obtain Green TIMS card. Green TIMS card can be obtained by paying Nepali currency equivalent to US$20 per person. The form can be filled out by the trekkers themselves by visiting the nearest TIMS Center. Such FIT trekkers will have to take full responsibility of the possible risks while trekking.
 
(b) Group (Blue coloured) TIMS

Blue TIMS card is for those trekkers who are travelling in groups accompanied by assistants (guides and/or porters). Such groups of trekkers will be taking the service of government-authorized trekking agencies. The trekking agencies will help the groups to obtain Blue TIMS card by paying Nepali currency equivalent of US$20 per person.
 
Please note: Citizens of SAARC countries will have to pay NRs. 200. Nepali currency equivalent of US$ 10 per person

---

Restricted or Controlled Area permits:

There are many remote and cultural and naturally sensitive areas in Nepal which are not fully opened for tourism. The government of Nepal has designated certain areas as ‘Restricted or Controlled Area’ to preserve the unique culture and nature of the area from the negative impact of mass tourism.
 
Dolpa, Taplejung, Upper Mustaing, Manaslu, Gauri Shankar, Humla, Rasuwa and Sankhuwasabha are some of the Restricted areas in Nepal.
 
‘Restricted or Controlled Area’ in trekking parlance means those areas where limited number of trekkers is allowed every year. Anyone who wishes to trek in Restricted or Controlled Area will have to travel in groups of at least two people and only after paying certain royalties to the government.
 
Such trips are usually organized by government registered trekking companies. As said before, the group size should comprise a minimum of two members. In additions, while trekking in such areas will require trekkers to be accompanied by guides and porters.
 
Please find below a list of Restricted/Controlled Areas and the corresponding fees required to obtain Trekking permit:

S.No.	District/Areas	Season	Permit Fees
1.	Lower Dolpa Upper Dolpa	Throughout the year	US$10 per person per week. US$500 per person for first 10 days and afterwards US$50 per person per day.
2.	Kanchenjunga Region (Olangchungola, Lelep, Papung & Yamphudin)	Throughout the year	US$10 per person per week or equivalent convertible foreign currency
3.	Upper Mustang	Throughout the year	US$500 per person for first 10 days and afterwards US$50 per person per day
4.	Manaslu	Sep-Nov Dec-Aug	US$70 per person for first 7 days and afterwards US$10 per person per day US$50 per person for first 7 days and afterwards US$7 per person per day
5.	Chhekampar & Chunchet	Sep-Nov Dec-Aug	US$35 per person for first 8 days US$25 per person for first 8 days
6.	Dolakha District (Gauri Shankar & Lamabagar)		US$10 per person per week and afterwards US$7 per person per day
7.	Humla District (Simikot, Yari, Limi, Muchu, Darma)		US$50 per person for first 7 days and afterwards US$10 per person per week
8.	Rasuwa District (Thuman & Timure) and Sankhuwasabha District (Kimathanka, Chepuwa, Hatiya & Pewakhola)		US$10 per person per week for first 4 weeks and afterwards US$20 per person per week

---

National Park/Conservation Area permits:

Nepal has a total of 10 national parks, 3 wildlife reserves, 6 conservation areas and 1 hunting reserve. To enter into these protected areas, tourists/trekkers will be required to obtain government permit.

Below is the list of entrance Fees applicable to tourists visiting National Park/Conservation area .

The Filming (Documentary) fee in all Protected Areas of Nepal are as follows:

SAARC nationals: NRs. 25,000
Other foreign nationals: US $1,000 ( or Equivalent Nepali Rupees)
One liaison officer will be sent with each filming (documentary) team.
 
# Note: Prices are subject to change without any prior notice.

---

When and Where to Go:

Nepal basically has four seasons: Spring (March-May), Summer (June-August), Autumn (September-November) and Winter (December-February).
 
However, owing to its varied geography, weather conditions of Nepal vary from one place to another. The higher you give up north, it tends to be cooler whereas the deeper the south you go the hotter it is comparatively.
 
Nepal is best for trekking and tour activities during Spring (march-April-May) and Autumn (late September-October-November). During this season Nepal's forests come alive with greenery, colorful flowers and wildlife and you can easily get an obstructed views of the Himalayas. In the Himalayan, hilly and Terai regions, the temperature remains cool and balmy. That said Nepal can be travelleled to during all seasons as summer and winter also presents a great opportunity to see Nepal in a different perspective. 

---

Major Tourist Activities in Nepal:

Some of the major tourist activities in Nepal area as follows:
 
# Adventure Tours:
Mountaineering, Trekking, Rafting, Paragliding, Bungee Jumping, Rock Climbing, Canyoning, Canoeing, Sky Diving, Bicycling, Motor riding, Jungle Safari, Wildlife and nature excursions etc.
 
# City Tours:
City Sightseeing Tours, Mountain Fight, Meditation and Yoga, Photography Tour, Honeymoon Tour, Bird Watching Tour, Honey Hunting Tour etc
 
# Pilgrimage Tours:
Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour, Hindu Pilgrimage Tour

---

Safety Issues:

Traveling in Nepal is both safe and secure. Nepal as a country believes in peaceful co-existence and Nepalese government’s foreign policy is based on Panchasheel or the five pillars, namely peace, co-existence, non-alignment, non-violence and brotherhood.
 
It also aims to promote brotherhood, harmony and people-to-people contact through the promotion of tourism. There is a separate ministry for tourism that handles the overall promotion of tourism. Likewise Nepal Tourism Board has been set up to coordinate among private and government sector to further the cause of tourism promotion nationally and internationally. It has a strong networking of tourism committees, institutions and private sectors throughout the country and works closely with private tourism associations, tourist police and the related ministries.
 
Trekking and climbing in the remote regions of Nepal is safe as long as you follow simple precautions. For example, it is always advisable to take along experienced guides who have good knowledge about the routes and trails. Incidences of trekkers getting lost is quite common in the rural ramparts, however this can be easily avoided by getting help of registered trekking companies and guides.
 
At the same time you should be careful of what and where you are eating. Do not compromise on hygienic food and quality services. Moreover, contact medication centers while in Nepal for appropriate consultation regarding any immediate health concerns.
 
Rescue efforts are often carried out for tourists who are stranded or are in ill health in the mountains. Tourists are highly recommended to get insurance policies before traveling to Nepal for prompt rescue services. Altitude Mountain Sickness or AMS is one of the most common cases among trekkers while going to high altitude regions.

---

General Dos and Don't:

• Be quiet, friendly and respectful in your behavior.
• Do not take any objects away, only the memories.
• Do not purchase parts of plants and animals.
• Do not make open fire; reduce the use of fire woods.
• Do not litter. Burn or bury papers in a safe place. Carry away all the non-degradable garbage for proper disposal. Resist the graffiti art.
• Keep the water resource clean after using it. Do not use detergent or other pollutants in steams and springs.
• Some areas/temples/stupas/shrines may have entry fees. If you like to donate, donate it in odd numbers as it is considered to be auspicious.
• Do not give or pay attention to begging children.
• Nepalese people are particular about dress ups. Please put on proper dress, avoid nudity while taking bath in public places/open areas.
• Refrain from the public display of love/affection such as public kissing which is taken as unpleasant gesture by the locals.
• Consider all water as untreated and contaminated water and drink after properly iodizing or sterilizing it to avoid any potential illness.
• Change money with recognized dealers and do not forget to take formal receipts.
• Do not film in restricted areas or notified areas without permission which is strictly prohibited.
• Do not damage any plants, rather let them grow up in the natural environment.

---

Responsible Tourism:

Please be a responsible tourist. Like someone said, we request you to, “Leave only footprints, and take only photographs.”
 
Use designated routes, campsites and resting places to reduce trampling and other negative environmental impacts.
Respect local culture and traditions, use homestays, locally owned hotels/ lodges or campsites as much as possible to support the local livelihood.
 
Avoid/ minimize using firewood. Use common space for heating. Opt for alternatives to minimize deforestation.
Maintain cleanliness and hygiene. Use the litter box locally available. Carry back your own garbage while traveling through ecologically sensitive areas.
 
Encourage to place mobile toilets at a considerable distance from sources of water, river banks and springs while camping along the river sides.
 
Use the services of local guides and porters as much as possible to explore more about local environment and culture.
Money spent here will contribute directly to the local livelihood, women’s empowerment and environmental conservation.
 
Before you begin your journey we request you to abide by the above guidelines in order to safeguard the nature and culture of the area and be a responsible tourist.
 
Source: (Nepal Tourism Board)

---

Flights Connection:

Nepal is well connected with major international destinations including Delhi, Kolkatta, Varanasi, Dhaka, Thimpu, Islamabad, Lhasa, Shanghai, Hong Kong Bangkok, Korea, Osaka, UAE, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. Routine flights are operated by many international and private airlines to and from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.  

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is the state-owned airline of Nepal, which has been in operation since 1958. It currently flies to Delhi, Varanasi, Osaka, Shanghai, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.  Private airlines of Nepal namely Cosmic Air and Flyyeti ( a joint venture between Nepali Yeti Airlines and UAE-based Gulf Air) are flying to Delhi, Varanasi, Kuala Lumpur and UAE.

Currently, there are 18 international airlines connecting Nepal among which include Jet Airways, Jet Lite, Etihad and Thai.

Presently Indian Airlines is flying to Delhi, Varanasi and Kolkatta; China Southwest flies thrice a week flight between Kathmandu and Lhasa; GMG airlines of Bangladesh flies between Dhaka and Kathmandu; Air Arabia between Katmandu and UAE; Dragon Air connects Kathmandu and Thimpu; Silk Air flies three flights a week between Kathmandu and Singapore; Korean Air operates one flight per week between from Seoul; Air Arabia flies  four flights per week from Sharjah; China Southern operates three flights a week between Guangzhou and Kathmandu  Pakistan Air also connects Islamabad with Kathmandu.

Hong Kong based Dragon Air and Orient Airways operate between Hong Kong and Kathmandu. The Thai Airways has been operating seven days a week flights to Nepal. Similarly Gulf Air and Qatar Airways are connecting Doha, Qatar, Kuala Lumpur and UAE with Kathmandu.

When it comes to regional networking within Nepal, most of the touristic places like Lukla, Nepalgunj, Pokhara, Chitwan, Dunai, Biratnagar are well connected by private airlines like Buddha Air, Yeti Air, Cosmic Air among others as well as NAC.

---

Hotels and Accommodation:

Nepal offers many choices in accommodation standards to suit the tastes of varied tourists. From five-star hotels that cater to up-market clientele to lodges and guesthouses for average travelers, Nepal boasts of best standards and services in every category. The total number of star and non-star hotels in Nepal is over 24,000.

There are altogether seven five-star hotels in Kathmandu including internationally renowned brands like Hyatt, Radisson, Soaltee, Annapurna, Everest, Shangri La and Yak & Yeti. These hotels offer from deluxe suites to VIP rooms that have already served to clients like Hillary Clinton, Diana and Colin Powell.

Hyatt Hotel was recently ranked 7 in Asia and 22 worldwide in the category of Best Value Hotel by a premier travel magazine.

Fulbari Hotel, located in Pokhara, the gateway to Annapurna and other famous trekking destinations of Nepal, has also been awarded as one of the top ten spa hotels in South Asia. Star rated hotels are found in every big cities across Nepal. Some of the best lodges and guest houses in the world are also available in Nepal including the world famous Kathmandu Guest House (in Kathmandu) where icons like Ricky Martin stayed, Tiger Tops lodge (in Chitwan) where Mick Jagger spent quality time and Khumbu Lodge (in Everest region) where Jimmy Carter and his wife slept.

Trekking areas in Nepal have modest to well-facilitated lodges and hotels. Village tourism places like Sirubari, Bandipur and Ghalegaon have their own style of guest houses where tourists are invited to stay in local people’s houses and eat local food. This is a different and unique way of experiencing Nepal.