One of the most common questions we get before a trek is a simple one: will my phone work? The answer is yes, in more places than most people expect. You can video-call home from Namche Bazaar, post photos from Annapurna Base Camp and check the weather forecast in Manang. But coverage is patchy in the remote valleys, and knowing which network to use and when to rely on lodge Wi-Fi makes life a lot easier.
This guide explains how to get a local SIM card, which of the two networks to choose, what to expect on the main trekking routes, and how to keep your devices charged in the mountains.
Quick answer: Nepal has two main mobile networks, Nepal Telecom (NTC) and Ncell. Buy a tourist SIM at the counters in the arrivals hall of Kathmandu airport or at an official shop in town; you need your passport and sometimes a photo. Data is cheap. In general, NTC has better coverage in remote mountain areas, while Ncell is good in cities and on the main trails. On most popular treks, lodges also sell Wi-Fi, and in the Everest region there is Everest Link, a paid Wi-Fi network. Expect little or no signal in remote areas like Dolpo, upper Manaslu and parts of Kanchenjunga.
The two networks
| Nepal Telecom (NTC) | Ncell | |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | State-owned | Private |
| Brand on the SIM | Namaste / NT | Ncell |
| Cities | Good | Good |
| Remote mountain areas | Generally better | Good on main trails, patchier off them |
| Airport counter | Yes | Yes |
| Data packs | Cheap, wide choice | Cheap, wide choice |
Both networks are fine in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and the other main towns. The difference shows up in the hills. Nepal Telecom, as the state operator, has built towers in many remote districts where there isn't much commercial reason to go, so it tends to keep a signal longer as you head up a valley. Many of our guides carry SIMs from both networks for exactly this reason. If you plan to trek, and especially if you are going somewhere off the main routes, we suggest NTC, or both if you want to be sure.
How to buy a SIM card
At the airport
The easiest place is the arrivals hall at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. After immigration and baggage, you'll find counters for both NTC and Ncell. Staff speak English and will set the SIM up for you, register it and load a data pack, which takes about 10–15 minutes. Queues can be long when several international flights land at once, but it saves you a trip later.
In town
You can also buy a SIM at the official NTC and Ncell service centres in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and at many authorised dealers. In Thamel and Lakeside, plenty of small shops sell SIMs and top-ups. Make sure the SIM is registered in your name with your passport. Unregistered SIMs can be blocked.
What you need
- Your passport, with your Nepal visa.
- Sometimes a passport photo, although many counters now just take a photo with a webcam.
- A phone that is unlocked. Check before you leave home.
- Cash in Nepali rupees, although some counters accept cards.
Data and costs
Mobile data in Nepal is cheap by international standards. Both networks sell packs by data allowance and validity (for example, a few gigabytes for a week, or a larger pack for a month). Prices change regularly, but a month of reasonable data use typically costs less than a meal in a tourist restaurant at home. Top-up cards are sold everywhere, from city shops to lodges in the mountains, and you can also top up through the operators' apps or online wallets.
A few tips:
- Buy a data pack rather than paying per megabyte, which is much more expensive.
- Check how to see your remaining balance; the staff at the counter will show you the code.
- If you are trekking, buy more data than you think you need, as topping up in the mountains is possible but harder.
- Turn off automatic app updates and photo backups before you head into the mountains, or your data will vanish in an afternoon.
What about eSIMs?
International eSIM services sell data plans for Nepal that you can install before you leave home, which is convenient if your phone supports eSIM. They work through one of the local networks, so coverage is the same as that network's. Check which local partner an eSIM uses before you buy; in remote mountain areas this makes a real difference. They are usually more expensive than a local SIM, but they mean you have data from the moment you land. The local operators have also started rolling out eSIM options. Ask at the counter if you would rather keep your home SIM in the phone.
Your home SIM will roam in Nepal, but international roaming charges can be very high, so check with your provider before you rely on it.
Coverage on the main treks
Coverage in the mountains changes every year as new towers go up, so treat this as a general picture.
| Trek | Mobile signal | Lodge Wi-Fi |
|---|---|---|
| Everest Base Camp | Good to Namche; patchy above, with signal in some villages higher up | Everest Link Wi-Fi cards in most villages |
| Annapurna Base Camp | Good in lower villages, patchy in the sanctuary | Available in most lodges |
| Poon Hill | Good most of the way | Widely available |
| Annapurna Circuit | Good in most villages, gaps near Thorong La | Widely available |
| Langtang Valley | Reasonable; patchy in places | Available in most lodges |
| Manaslu Circuit | Limited, gaps for several days | Available in some lodges, often slow |
| Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Dolpo | Little or none for long stretches | Rare |
Everest Link
In the Khumbu, the main way to get online above Namche is Everest Link, a Wi-Fi network that covers many villages along the EBC, Gokyo and Three Passes routes. You buy a prepaid card with a data allowance at lodges, and it works across all the villages on the network. It is more expensive than mobile data and can be slow when lots of trekkers are using it in the evening, but it is reliable enough for messages and the occasional video call.
Lodge Wi-Fi
On the Annapurna and Langtang trails, most lodges have Wi-Fi, sometimes free, often for a small fee. The connection usually comes via a mobile network or satellite, so speeds vary. Upload photos at night when fewer people are online, and don't plan on streaming. Our teahouse trekking guide explains what else to expect in the lodges.
Charging your devices
Electricity in the mountains comes from small hydro plants or solar panels. Lodges charge a fee for charging, which rises with altitude, and in some places the only sockets are in the dining room. A few tips:
- Bring a power bank of 10,000–20,000 mAh. It is the single most useful gadget on a trek.
- Keep batteries warm. Cold drains them fast, so sleep with your phone and power bank inside your sleeping bag.
- Turn on airplane mode when you have no signal. A phone searching for a network uses a lot of battery.
- Nepal uses Type C, D and M sockets at 230 V. A universal adaptor covers them.
- A small solar panel is useful on camping treks with no lodges, such as the Dhaulagiri Circuit.
Staying in touch in an emergency
Your phone is not your only safety net. On every trek, our guides carry a local phone with SIMs from both networks and stay in contact with our office in Kathmandu whenever there is signal. On remote routes, we also carry a satellite communicator. If you are trekking in the backcountry, consider carrying your own personal locator beacon or satellite messenger as well. Make sure your travel insurance covers helicopter evacuation; see our insurance guide.
Before you set off, share your itinerary with family at home and explain that there may be days with no contact. A message like "No signal from Tuesday to Friday, will be in touch from Jomsom" saves a lot of worry.
Useful apps
- Offline maps such as Maps.me or offline areas in Google Maps. Download them in Kathmandu.
- Messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Viber are widely used in Nepal. Your guide and our office will probably use them.
- A weather app that covers the mountains, such as mountain-forecast services, for pass days.
- Ride-hailing apps like Pathao and inDrive work in Kathmandu and Pokhara and save you haggling with taxis.
- A translation app with Nepali downloaded for offline use.
Should you go offline?
It is worth saying: part of the magic of trekking in Nepal is the time away from screens. Evenings in a lodge, with a stove, a card game and people from a dozen countries, are much better when everyone isn't staring at a phone. Many of our trekkers say their best days were the ones without signal. So get a SIM for practical reasons and safety, then give yourself permission to switch off for a while.
Summary
Buy a local SIM at Kathmandu airport, choose NTC if you are heading into the mountains (or carry both), load a decent data pack, and bring a power bank. On the popular trails you'll be connected most evenings through lodge Wi-Fi or Everest Link, and in the remote valleys you'll get a break from it all. If you have questions about connectivity on a particular trek, ask us. Our guides will know the latest situation.