Visa & entry
Most nationalities can get a Nepal tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, or at major land border crossings — you generally don't need to visit an embassy in advance. Indian nationals don't need a visa at all. Citizens of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka get a free 30-day visa on arrival once per calendar year.
- Your passport needs at least 6 months' validity and a blank visa page
- Visas on arrival are issued for 15, 30 or 90 days and are multiple-entry
- You can pre-fill the arrival form online at the Department of Immigration's portal to save time at the airport
- Tourist visas can be extended up to a total of 150 days per calendar year at the Immigration office in Kathmandu or Pokhara
Money & currency
Nepal's currency is the Nepali Rupee (NPR). ATMs are common in Kathmandu, Pokhara and other larger towns, and most mid-range and upscale hotels and restaurants accept cards. Once you're on a trek, that changes fast.
- Carry enough cash for your entire trek — ATMs and card machines are rare to nonexistent above the last major town on most routes
- Small notes are more useful than large ones in villages and markets
- Bring clean, undamaged USD notes as a backup — useful for visa fees and occasionally accepted directly
- TravelMate Nepal bookings on this platform can be paid via eSewa or bank transfer
Getting there & around
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu is Nepal's main international gateway. From there, how you move depends on where you're headed.
- Short domestic flights connect Kathmandu to Pokhara, Lukla (for Everest region treks) and other regional airstrips — weather can delay mountain flights, so build in a buffer day
- Metered taxis, ride-hailing apps and hotel transfers cover Kathmandu and Pokhara comfortably
- Tourist buses and private vehicles are the common way to reach Pokhara or Chitwan by road
- Beyond the trailhead, it's on foot — that's the trek itself
Health, safety & altitude
Nepal is consistently rated as a welcoming, safe destination for travellers, including solo travellers. The main health consideration for most visitors isn't crime — it's altitude, if your trip includes trekking above roughly 3,000m.
- Ascend gradually and follow your guide's pacing — acclimatisation days in an itinerary exist for a reason
- Know the early signs of altitude sickness (headache, nausea, dizziness) and say something if you feel them — don't push through
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol at altitude
- Travel insurance with high-altitude emergency evacuation cover is strongly recommended for any trek above 3,000m — check the policy explicitly covers your planned altitude
- Routine travel vaccinations are worth discussing with a doctor or travel clinic 4–6 weeks before departure
SIM cards & connectivity
Local SIM cards (Ncell and NTC/Namaste are the two main providers) are sold at counters right inside Tribhuvan International Airport, and are the easiest way to get affordable data in Nepal.
- Bring your passport and a passport photo — both are usually required to register a SIM
- WiFi is widely available in Kathmandu and Pokhara hotels and cafes
- On trek, connectivity gets progressively slower, pricier and less reliable the higher you go — some teahouses charge per hour for WiFi or offer none at all
- Don't rely on constant connectivity in the mountains — let people at home know in advance
Culture & etiquette
Nepal is religiously diverse, predominantly Hindu and Buddhist, with a strong tradition of hospitality. A little awareness goes a long way.
- Dress modestly at temples and monasteries — shoulders and knees covered
- Remove your shoes before entering homes and most religious buildings
- Walk clockwise around Buddhist stupas and mani walls
- Ask before photographing people, especially in villages
- Use your right hand (or both hands) to give and receive things, including money and food
- Public displays of anger are considered impolite — a calm, patient approach gets better results in most situations
Weather & timing
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the clearest mountain views and most stable trekking weather, and are Nepal's busiest tourist seasons as a result. Monsoon (June–August) brings heavy rain to most of the country, and winter (December–February) brings cold, clear high-altitude conditions with some passes and routes closing.
Emergency numbers
Nepal's tourist police are specifically trained to assist foreign visitors and generally speak good English — for most tourist situations (lost documents, disputes, harassment), they're a better first call than the general police line.