# SIM Cards, Mobile Data and Wi-Fi in Nepal: Staying Connected on Your Trip and Trek

_Published 4 December 2025_

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)NcellOwnershipState-ownedPrivateBrand on the SIMNamaste / NTNcellCitiesGoodGoodRemote mountain areasGenerally betterGood on main trails, patchier off themAirport counterYesYesData packsCheap, wide choiceCheap, wide choiceBoth 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.

TrekMobile signalLodge Wi-Fi[Everest Base Camp](/everest-base-camp-trek)Good to Namche; patchy above, with signal in some villages higher upEverest Link Wi-Fi cards in most villages[Annapurna Base Camp](/annapurna-base-camp-trek)Good in lower villages, patchy in the sanctuaryAvailable in most lodges[Poon Hill](/ghorepani-poon-hill-trek)Good most of the wayWidely available[Annapurna Circuit](/annapurna-circuit-trek)Good in most villages, gaps near Thorong LaWidely available[Langtang Valley](/langtang-valley-trek)Reasonable; patchy in placesAvailable in most lodges[Manaslu Circuit](/manaslu-circuit-trek)Limited, gaps for several daysAvailable in some lodges, often slowKanchenjunga, Makalu, DolpoLittle or none for long stretchesRare### 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](/blog/teahouse-trekking-in-nepal) 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](/blog/dhaulagiri-circuit-trek-guide).

## 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](/blog/travel-insurance-for-nepal-trekking).

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](/contact-us). Our guides will know the latest situation.

## Frequently asked questions
### Which SIM card is best for Nepal?
**Nepal Telecom (NTC)** generally has better coverage in the mountains; **Ncell** is good in cities and on main trails. Many trekkers carry both.

### Where can I buy a SIM card in Nepal?
At the NTC and Ncell counters in the **arrivals hall of Kathmandu airport**, or at official shops in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

### What do I need to buy a SIM?
Your **passport** with visa, sometimes a passport photo, and an unlocked phone.

### Is mobile data expensive in Nepal?
No. Data packs are cheap compared with most countries.

### Is there phone signal on the Everest Base Camp trek?
Good up to Namche, patchy higher up. **Everest Link** Wi-Fi covers many villages.

### Is there Wi-Fi on the Annapurna treks?
Yes, most lodges on the ABC, Poon Hill and Annapurna Circuit routes offer Wi-Fi, often for a small fee.

### What is Everest Link?
A paid Wi-Fi network in the Everest region. You buy a prepaid card at lodges that works across many villages.

### Can I use an eSIM in Nepal?
Yes. International eSIMs work through local networks; check which network they use if you are trekking.

### Will my home SIM work in Nepal?
Probably, through roaming, but charges can be very high. Check with your provider.

### How do I charge my phone on a trek?
Lodges charge a small fee for charging. Bring a **power bank** and keep it warm at night.

### What plug sockets does Nepal use?
**Type C, D and M**, at 230 V.

### Which treks have no signal?
Long stretches of **Dolpo**, **Kanchenjunga**, **Makalu** and upper **Manaslu** have little or no signal.


Web page: https://himalayanhiking.com/blog/sim-card-and-internet-in-nepal