General FAQS

Q. Do I need a Visa?

Yes, you have two choices to acquire a visa for Nepal:

You can fly to Nepal and fill out a visa form and pay US $40.00 for your visa when you land at the airport in Kathmandu. You will need to have your passport and 2 passport photos if you opt to get your single entry visa upon arrival in Kathmandu. This is straightforward and easy but the drawback is that you may have to wait in queue for up to 30 min. or more as most people who come to Nepal also get their visas upon arrival. Or you can get visa from your own country in Nepalese Embassy.

Q. What currency to bring?

Most widely used currency in Nepal is US dollars but other major currencies are also accepted. Credit Cards and Traveller's cheques are most practical and reasonably safe in Nepal. Traveller's cheques can be exchanged in money changers or banks easily and too are accepted as payment practically in most shops, hotels, tour operators, airlines and your money will be refunded in case of loss or theft. Major credit cards are accepted in hotels and restaurants and can be used to obtain cash in most banks, but expect to pay extra fees. There are a number of ATM machines in and around Kathmandu open 24 hours a day. But cash is the easiest and can be used any where.

The approximate Exchange Rate: US 1 = Rs. 75 and Euro 1 = Rs. 110 (This rate is for 9th Nov 09 and it may go up or down any time).

Nepalese currency (rupee) is divided into 100 Paisa. Bank notes come in denominations of 1000, 500, 250,100, 50, 25, 20, 10, (5, 2 and 1 rupees slowly being replaced by coins).

How to get to Nepal?

Please note that Nepal is 5 hours and 45 minutes ahead of GMT

By Air: To Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu

International Airlines serving Nepal:

• Thai Airways
• Silk Air
• Nepal Airlines
• Indian Airlines
• Air India
• Bangladesh Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Gulf Air
• Sahara Air
• Dragon Air
• Etihad
• Air China

• Kakarvitta, Jhapa ( Eastern Nepal )
• Birgunj, Parsa (central Nepal )
• Kodari, (Northern Border) Tibet Border
• Belahiya, Bhairahawa (western Nepal )
• Jamunaha, Nepalgunj (Mid western Nepal )
• Gadda Chauki, Mahendranagar (Far western Nepal )
• Kodari (for entry from China)

Do we need to have Insurance?
Yes, it is advisable to get travel insurance. We do not sell insurances so you have to buy from your own country. Insurance cover is not automatic and insurance is not included in the trip cost. Make sure your insurance covers accidental, evacuation, medicals etc.

What other information we might need?

Restaurants & food
All varieties of food are available; representing food from many parts of the world, in particular Chinese, Indian, Continental, Japanese, and Tibetan. Restaurants range from simple and local to five star services with a lot of choice for good food in between.

Foreign exchange
Foreign currencies must be exchanged through the banks or authorized foreign exchange counters and Hotels. The rate of exchange is determined by Nepal Rastra Bank and is announced in the press daily.

English Language Newspapers
You can read national and international news on Daily News Papers - The Himalayan Times, The Kathmandu post, The Rising Nepal and Weekly News paper - The Nepali Times.

Official Holiday
Saturday is the weekend holidays in Nepal for government departments. Many other businesses are open 7 days a week. Nepal is renowned for its festivals which in turn means holidays!

Working hours
Government and private offices open generally from 10:00 to 17:00 hrs.

Internet Access
Cyber Cafes for internet access can be found widely in all major cities and tourist places. And international net phones are also available in cheap rates.