# Nepal Power Plugs, Voltage and Charging on Treks _Published 27 September 2026_ Before you pack, make sure your devices will work in Nepal and that you can keep them charged on the trail. **Quick answer:** Nepal uses **230 V, 50 Hz** electricity. Plugs are **types C, D and M**, with type C (the two round pins used in much of Europe) the most common. Bring a **universal adapter**. On treks, charging costs extra in lodges, so bring a **power bank**. ## Plugs and sockets - **Type C:** two round pins, the most common. - **Type D:** three large round pins in a triangle (Indian style). - **Type M:** larger three-pin version of type D. Many sockets in hotels are "universal" and accept several plug types, but a universal adapter is the safest choice. ## Voltage At 230 V, most phone, laptop and camera chargers (rated 100–240 V) work without a converter. Check before plugging in hair dryers or other appliances from 110 V countries. ## Power cuts Long scheduled power cuts are largely a thing of the past in cities, but short cuts still happen. Most hotels have backup power. ## Charging on treks - Lodges charge a fee per device, which rises with altitude. - Higher villages may rely on solar power, so charging can be slow. - Bring a power bank and keep batteries warm at night; cold drains them quickly. - A small solar panel can help on long treks. See also [SIM cards and internet in Nepal](/blog/sim-card-and-internet-in-nepal) and our [packing list](/blog/nepal-trekking-packing-list). ## Plug types at a glance TypeDescriptionHow common in NepalFits plugs fromCTwo round pinsVery commonMost of continental EuropeDThree large round pins in a triangleCommon in older buildingsIndiaMThree larger round pinsLess common, for heavier appliancesSouth Africa, IndiaUK (type G), US (type A and B) and Australian (type I) plugs need an adapter. Many hotels have universal sockets, but they are often loose; a good-quality universal adapter is worth bringing. ## Charging costs on popular treks Trek / placeTypical chargingKathmandu and Pokhara hotelsFree in roomsLower villages (Phakding, Ghandruk, Chame)Often free in rooms or a small feeMid-altitude villages (Namche, Manang)Usually free or a small fee; sockets sometimes in the dining room onlyHigh villages (Lobuche, Gorak Shep, Thorong Phedi)A fee per device or per hour, sometimes several hundred rupeesPrices vary by lodge and season. Your trekking company may include some charging, so ask. ## Power banks and flights Power banks must go in your hand luggage on international and domestic flights, never in checked bags. Airlines usually allow power banks up to 100 Wh without approval, and between 100 and 160 Wh with approval; larger ones are not allowed. Lithium batteries must be protected from short circuits. On small domestic planes to Lukla or Jomsom, staff check bags carefully, so keep power banks easy to show. Rules change, so check with your airline. ## Keeping devices charged on a trek - Bring a power bank of 10,000–20,000 mAh, and charge it whenever you can. - Keep phones on airplane mode when you don't need a signal. - Reduce screen brightness and close apps. - Sleep with batteries and your phone inside your sleeping bag in cold places. - Carry a short cable and a multi-port USB charger to charge several devices from one socket. - A small solar panel works well in sunny weather, especially in autumn and spring. - Bring spare camera batteries; they drain fast in the cold. ## Electricity in Nepal today Until the mid-2010s, Nepal suffered long daily power cuts ("load-shedding"), sometimes for 12 hours or more in the dry season. Thanks to new hydropower and better management, these cuts largely ended around 2017–2018, and Nepal now exports electricity to India in the wet season. Short, unscheduled cuts still happen, especially during storms. Most hotels and many restaurants have backup generators or inverters. In remote mountain areas, villages rely on micro-hydro schemes and solar panels, so power can be limited at night or in cloudy weather. ## Internet and mobile data Mobile networks from Nepal Telecom (NTC) and Ncell cover cities and many trekking routes, though coverage is patchy in deep valleys and high areas. Lodges on popular treks often sell Wi-Fi, and the Everest region has a commercial Wi-Fi network sold by data card. In Kathmandu and Pokhara, Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafés. See [SIM cards and internet](/blog/sim-card-and-internet-in-nepal). ## Appliances from 110 V countries If you come from the US, Canada or Japan, check every device's label. Phone, laptop and camera chargers usually say "100–240 V" and work with just a plug adapter. Hair dryers, straighteners, electric razors and kettles may be 110–120 V only and need a voltage converter, or they will burn out. It is usually easier to leave these at home or buy cheap local versions in Kathmandu. ## A packing checklist for power - A universal travel adapter (ideally with USB ports). - A power bank of 10,000–20,000 mAh, in your hand luggage. - Charging cables for every device, plus a spare. - A multi-port USB charger. - Spare camera batteries. - A headtorch with spare or rechargeable batteries. - Optional: a small foldable solar panel for long treks. - Optional: a short extension lead or multi-socket adapter for hotel rooms with few sockets. ## Electricity safety Wiring in older buildings and remote lodges can be basic. Don't overload sockets with several adapters, unplug devices during thunderstorms if possible, and avoid charging devices on your bed or under a pillow. If a socket sparks or feels hot, stop using it and tell the owner. Voltage spikes can occur when power returns after a cut, so a good-quality charger, or a plug with surge protection, is worth having for laptops and cameras. ## Charging cameras and drones Photographers and drone pilots need more power than most trekkers. Charge all batteries fully in Kathmandu or Pokhara before the trek, and plan charging stops in larger villages such as Namche or Manang, where power is more reliable. Remember that flying drones in Nepal requires permission, and drones are not allowed in many protected areas without permits. ## Lighting A headtorch is essential on a trek: for early starts, night-time trips to the toilet, and lodges where lights are dim or power is off. In cities, a small torch helps during power cuts and on unlit streets at night. Choose a headtorch with a red-light mode so you don't dazzle your room-mates. ## Charging in Kathmandu and Pokhara In city hotels, rooms usually have at least two or three sockets, often of the universal type, and many now include USB ports. Cafés in Thamel and Lakeside are happy for customers to charge phones and laptops. Co-working spaces in Kathmandu and Pokhara offer reliable power and fast Wi-Fi for remote workers. If you need to work online during your trip, choose a hotel with backup power and check reviews for internet speed. ## Charging on camping treks On camping treks in remote areas such as Upper Dolpo or Kanchenjunga, there may be no electricity for days. Your trekking crew may carry a solar panel, but plan to be self-sufficient with power banks and spare batteries, and use devices sparingly. ## Cold weather and batteries Lithium batteries lose capacity quickly in the cold. At −10 °C, a phone can drop from 50% to zero in minutes. Keep your phone in an inside pocket while walking, store batteries in a warm place at night, ideally in your sleeping bag, and warm a "dead" battery in your hands or pocket before giving up on it; it often comes back to life. ## Frequently asked questions ### What plug type does Nepal use? Types **C, D and M**; type C is the most common. ### What is the voltage in Nepal? **230 V, 50 Hz**. ### Do I need a converter? Not for most phone and laptop chargers rated 100–240 V. ### Can I charge on a trek? Yes, in lodges for a fee; bring a power bank. ### Can I take a power bank on a flight to Lukla? Yes, in your hand luggage only, never in checked bags; keep it easy to show at security. ### Does Nepal still have power cuts? Long scheduled cuts ended around 2017–2018; short unscheduled cuts still happen. ### Do I need a UK plug adapter? Yes. UK plugs (type G) need an adapter in Nepal. ### How much does charging cost on a trek? Often free or cheap lower down, and several hundred rupees per device at high villages. ### Do I need a headtorch? Yes, for early starts, night-time toilet trips and lodges with dim lighting. ### Can I fly a drone in Nepal? Only with permission; drones are not allowed in many protected areas without permits. ### Can I work remotely from Nepal? Yes, in Kathmandu and Pokhara, where cafés and co-working spaces have reliable power and Wi-Fi. ### Why does my phone die in the cold? Lithium batteries lose capacity in the cold; keep them warm in an inside pocket or your sleeping bag. ### What size power bank should I bring? About 10,000–20,000 mAh is enough for most treks, carried in your hand luggage. ### Do Nepali hotels have USB sockets? Many newer city hotels do, but bring a multi-port USB charger to be safe. ### Is there electricity at Everest Base Camp lodges? Lodges at Gorak Shep have power, mainly from solar, and charge a fee per device; supply can be limited. Web page: https://himalayanhiking.com/blog/nepal-power-plugs-and-electricity