Nepal is an extraordinarily rewarding country to visit, and the practical logistics of getting there, moving around, and staying comfortable and safe are not particularly difficult - but they are different enough from the Western European and North American norms that first-time visitors benefit from specific, accurate practical information before arrival. This guide covers currency, health, communications, transport, safety, and the specific practical considerations for trekking and expedition visitors.
Currency - Nepal Rupee (NPR)
Nepal's currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR), currently exchanging at approximately NPR 130-135 per USD 1 (check the current rate before travel - it fluctuates). Currency exchange is available at Tribhuvan International Airport on arrival, at authorised money changers throughout Kathmandu's Thamel district and Pokhara Lakeside, and at banks. The best exchange rates are typically at the private money changers in Thamel and Lakeside - significantly better than the airport counter and marginally better than the banks. Carry your original passport to exchange currency - it is legally required by authorised changers and banks. Keep your exchange receipts: you will need them if you re-exchange remaining NPR to USD on departure (only reconversion of up to 15% of your total exchanged amount is permitted).
ATMs: Standard bank ATMs (Himalayan Bank, Nabil Bank, Standard Chartered Nepal, Nepal Investment Bank) are widely available in Kathmandu and Pokhara Lakeside. Most accept Visa, Mastercard, and Cirrus. Daily withdrawal limits are typically NPR 35,000-40,000 per transaction and per day. ATM access diminishes rapidly outside the main cities and is not available on most trekking routes above the roadhead - carry sufficient NPR cash for the full duration of your trek before departing Kathmandu or Pokhara. A rough guide: budget NPR 500-1,000 per day for personal expenses (hot showers, extra food, drinks) on tea house treks, with meal costs included in your package.
Credit cards: Accepted at hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, at some larger trekking equipment shops in Thamel, and at some restaurants. Not accepted on trekking routes, at tea houses, or at permit offices. Do not rely on credit cards for Nepal travel - cash (NPR) is the operating currency of 90% of the transactions you will conduct.
Health and Vaccinations
Nepal does not require proof of vaccination for entry (as of 2025) except for yellow fever vaccine if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country. However, the following vaccinations are recommended by most international travel health clinics for Nepal travel:
- Hepatitis A - strongly recommended; transmission via contaminated food and water is the most common illness risk for Nepal travellers
- Typhoid - recommended; same transmission route as hepatitis A
- Tetanus, diphtheria, polio (Td/IPV): standard adult boosters, ensure up to date
- Hepatitis B - recommended for longer stays or those who may receive medical treatment
- Japanese Encephalitis - recommended for stays in the Terai (jungle lowlands) during June-October mosquito season
- Rabies - recommended for extended stays, trekking, or wildlife work; Nepal has a significant stray dog and monkey population
Malaria: Low risk in Kathmandu and Pokhara and on most mountain trekking routes. Higher risk in the Terai (Chitwan, Bardia) during and after the monsoon. Most trekkers and mountaineers do not require malaria prophylaxis unless their itinerary includes Terai stays in the monsoon season.
Water and food safety: Do not drink tap water anywhere in Nepal. Bottled water is widely available; we recommend reusable bottles with filters or purification tablets (see our Gear List). Eat at busy, popular restaurants - food turnover is faster and fresher. Avoid raw salads, ice cubes, and cut fruit from street stalls. Peel all fruit yourself. The most common Nepal traveller illness is giardia (a waterborne intestinal parasite) - carry tinidazole or metronidazole in your medical kit.
Communication - SIM Cards and Internet
A Nepal SIM card is one of the best investments a visitor can make - local SIM data is very affordable and works throughout Kathmandu, Pokhara, and along the main trekking routes to surprisingly high elevations. Ncell and Nepal Telecom (NTC) are the two primary operators. Ncell has better data coverage in urban areas and on the main highway corridors; NTC has better coverage on some remote trekking routes (particularly in the Khumbu, where NTC's 4G network reaches Namche Bazaar and beyond). SIM cards are purchased at the airport on arrival (Ncell counter in the arrivals hall), at Ncell and NTC retail shops in Thamel and Lakeside, and at most convenience shops in tourist areas. Required: passport copy and one passport photo. A SIM with 15 GB of data costs approximately NPR 500-700.
Internet connectivity on trekking routes: Wi-Fi is available at most tea houses on the major routes (Khumbu, Annapurna, Langtang) but is variable in speed and reliability. Above Namche Bazaar, internet is available at some lodges via satellite or limited 3G/4G. On remote routes (Dolpo, Kangchenjunga, Humla), no reliable internet is available - a satellite messenger (Garmin inReach or SPOT) is the appropriate communication tool for emergency contact on these routes, and is required for all Adventure Peaks Nepal remote trekking expeditions.
Electricity
Nepal uses 230V, 50Hz electricity with a mix of plug types: the most common is the Type C (European two round-pin) and Type D (Indian three round-pin). Bring a universal travel adaptor if your home plugs are different. Power cuts (load shedding) were a significant issue in Nepal through 2017 but have largely been resolved since the completion of the Trishuli hydropower projects - Kathmandu and Pokhara now have reliable 24-hour power in most areas. Remote areas and trekking routes have intermittent power from solar panels (providing 1-2 hours of charging time per night in good weather). Bring a power bank for trekking - do not rely on tea house charging above Namche or Chomrong.
Transportation in Nepal
Domestic flights: Nepal's domestic aviation network connects Kathmandu to Pokhara (30 min), Lukla (35 min, the gateway to the Khumbu), Bhadrapur (east Nepal, for Kangchenjunga), Nepalgunj (for Dolpo and Humla), Bharatpur (for Chitwan), and a dozen other destinations. Nepal Airlines, Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, and Tara Air operate these routes. Domestic flights are weather-dependent and frequently delayed or cancelled - particularly the Lukla flights, which are among the most disrupted in the world due to the mountain weather conditions. Build buffer days into your itinerary around Lukla flights. Do not book international onward connections with less than 2 days' buffer after the scheduled Lukla departure.
Road transport: The Prithvi Highway (Kathmandu-Pokhara, 6-7 hours), the Arniko Highway (Kathmandu-Tibet border, 3.5 hours to The Last Resort), and the Tribhuvan Highway (Kathmandu-Birgunj, India border) are Nepal's main paved corridors. Tourist buses (comfortable coaches) run between Kathmandu and Pokhara daily from the Kantipath bus park. Taxis are widely available in Kathmandu and Pokhara - negotiate the fare before departing or use a metered taxi. Ride-sharing apps (InDrive, Pathao) operate in Kathmandu and are reliable and reasonably priced.
Safety in Nepal
Nepal is one of South Asia's safer destinations for international travellers. The standard petty crime risks of tourist areas (pickpocketing, overcharging) apply in Thamel and on tourist transport routes and are manageable with standard vigilance. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The main safety concerns for trekking and expedition visitors are altitude illness (see our detailed guide), trail navigation on remote routes, and weather-related risks on high passes. Our guides manage all of these within the frameworks described in our safety protocols. Travel insurance with helicopter evacuation coverage is mandatory for all Adventure Peaks Nepal bookings - it is not an optional add-on.
Recent Posts
