Nepal Travel Guide

Health information

Nepal does not require any immunizations for entry into the country, but the further off the beaten path one goes the more necessary it becomes to take required precautions. Travelers who come from yellow fever infected areas should be vaccinated and carry a certificate of vaccination. Vaccinations against Japanese B encephalitis, meningococcal meningitis, tuberculosis and hepatitis B are sometimes recommended as well. 

The best, well equipped and most convenient hospital for tourist care is Patan Hospital in Lagankhel. Other hospitals include the Western Regional Hospital, Manipal Hospital in Pokhara and the Mission Hospital in Tansen. Pharmacies in Kathmandu offer a wide range of Western drugs at low prices. In Kathmandu, you can get certain vaccinations free at the Infectious Diseases Clinic. Full medical insurance is essential for this. 

Note that Nepal’s average elevation is 830m to 2175m, and altitude sickness can occur at higher elevations. It is recommended that you avoid over-exerting yourself, especially in high altitude regions such as Nagarkot, Kathmandu and Pokhara. After you arrive, you should relax so that your body can adapt to the altitude over the next 1-2 days. Lie down, drink plenty of water, eat light and avoid alcohol. You should also carry your medication when flying into Nepal, and avoid high altitude tours and hikes.

Altitude sickness is also a hazard for trekkers – it is important to gain altitude gradually, and come down to a lower altitude immediately if experiencing headaches, nausea or dizziness. Obtain further advice from the Himalayan Rescue Association.

Language and communication

The official language in the country is Nepali, also called Nepalese. English is confined to a small population of elite or educated and in the urban areas only. Most people in the tourist places speak and understand English however, they further you travel to the interiors the lesser your chances of encountering English-speaking locals.

Nearly all top hotels provide an Internet facility to their guests. Few hotels offer complimentary WiFi Most provide internet on a chargeable basis. You will find government as well as private owned internet cafes in nearly every Nepalese town.

There are phone kiosks in Nepal with both STD and ISD facilities. Local calls are cheap but international and national calls can be costly compared to the rates prevailing in other South Asian countries.

Nepal is not yet modernized and not as per international standards but is good enough in comparison to most of the countries in Central Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Mobile connectivity is good and generally congestion-free. It is recommended to make use of landlines or even better and economical internet phones when trying to make calls.

Currency and cards

American Express is widely accepted along with MasterCard and Visa in tourist shops, hotels, restaurants and agencies.  ATMs are widely available however, it is not wise to depend on the usage of Credit cards because of the difficulty in withdrawing cash in the mountains. Those embarking on treks should take enough cash for the duration of their trek. Nepalese Commercial Banks such as Himalayan Bank and Nabil Bank have installed ATM machines in some within Kathmandu but you may or may not be able to draw money from these machines depending upon the banks supported.

International transfers can be received via moneychangers affiliated with Money Transfer or Western Union. Travelers’ checks are easily exchangeable in Kathmandu and Pokhara. You might be able to exchange them in other large towns that usually fall on trekking trails. Eg: Namche Bazaar, Manang and Jomsom. Although it is best advised to exchange bulk money in Kathmandu as the rate of exchange here is a lot better.

Getting around

Tribhuvan International Airport is the only international airport in Nepal. Please reach out to your Travel Consultant and they will keep you updated on some of the vetted airlines you could consider when booking your journey of a lifetime to Nepal.

Nepalese roads in general are well-maintained and connected to most of destinations in the country. There are taxi and auto rickshaws (three wheelers) with fare meters in Kathmandu. Bicycles and rickshaws are also available. However the mountainous terrain and winding roads restrict the average driving speed of vehicle to about 35 km / hour. Railways also operate in the Eastern areas. Nepal is also connected to India by road.

Religion and everyday etiquette

Although Nepal is famous as the world’s only Hindu Kingdom, it is an intricate mix of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and other beliefs. Taking photographs inside most temples is considered illegal. The Nepalese tend to be devout in their choice of worship. It’s best to use the right or both hands when passing something to a local, and ensure that you don’t point at people.

Politically, Nepal is marked by two conflicts, the Maoist insurgency and the decline of the democratic system that was introduced in 1990. Nepal has experienced significant political violence in the past and, although there have been fewer major disturbances in recent months, political tensions remain. Protests, demonstrations, and disruptions continue to occur, often without notice.

Shopping in Nepal

You can buy nearly everything in Nepal – from locally made handicrafts to cheap Chinese and Japanese electronic items. Among the handicraft items you can buy are clothing such as Kashmiri Shawls and Wrap-around, as well as Tibetan Robes and Kurtas. Women can go for beautifully embroidered and comfortable to wear Kaftans. These items are quite inexpensive but you have to learn the art of bargaining before you venture to Nepal. Kathmandu also offers you handicraft items such as miniature paintings, stone idols, bronze busts and junk jewelry.

If you are buying antiques in Nepal, you need to get special permission from the Department of Archaeology to take the antiques out of the country. Customs in Nepal are extremely thorough when it comes to inspecting the baggage of those leaving the country.  For this reason, it is essential that you get receipts for any items when shopping which appear to be antique. Ensure not to buy anything when you are shopping which looks as though it is a black market antiquity as this could put you in a very difficult position if you are caught with the item in your baggage.  

The export of antiques, religious objects, manuscripts, images and anthropological materials is strictly prohibited (regarded as those 100 years or older) and closely monitored by the authorities. Restricted goods (goods whose imports and exports are restricted by law and require a permit from the related government agencies).