Travel tips
Practical know-how: visas, money, SIM cards, transport, tipping and staying connected.
37 guidesNepal for Vegetarians and Vegans
Nepal is easy for vegetarians and manageable for vegans. Vegetarian Nepali dishes, what to watch out for (ghee, curd, butter tea), and eating on treks.
· 6 min read Read guide 02What to Wear in Nepal: Clothing for Cities, Temples and Treks
What to wear in Nepal: modest clothing for cities and temples, what women should wear, layers for trekking, and what to pack for each season.
· 6 min read Read guide 03Nepal Power Plugs, Voltage and Charging on Treks
Nepal uses 230 V, 50 Hz electricity with plug types C, D and M. Which adapter to bring, power cuts, and how to charge phones and cameras on treks.
· 6 min read Read guide 04Kathmandu to Pokhara: Bus, Flight or Private Car? An Honest Comparison
How to get from Kathmandu to Pokhara: tourist bus vs flight vs private car and jeep, journey times, rough costs, where buses leave from, the new Pokhara airport...
· 7 min read Read guide 05Can You See Everest from Kathmandu?
You usually cannot see Everest from Kathmandu city, but you can glimpse it on very clear days from viewpoints on the valley rim, and see it close up on an Evere...
· 6 min read Read guide 06Is Nepal Part of India? Nepal and India Explained
Nepal is not part of India. It is an independent, sovereign country that was never colonised. How Nepal and India are connected: the open border, culture, curre...
· 6 min read Read guide 07Why Is Nepal's Time Zone UTC+5:45?
Nepal Standard Time is UTC+5:45, 15 minutes ahead of India. It is based on the meridian at 86°15' east, near the peak of Gauri Shankar, and has been in use sinc...
· 6 min read Read guide 0825 Interesting Facts About Nepal You Probably Didn't Know
Fascinating facts about Nepal: a 45-minute time zone, a calendar about 56 years ahead, the only non-rectangular flag, eight of the 14 highest peaks, more than 1...
· 6 min read Read guide 09What Is Nepal Famous For? 15 Things the Country Is Known For
What is Nepal famous for? Mount Everest and eight of the world's 14 highest peaks, the birthplace of the Buddha, Sherpas and Gurkhas, its unique flag, momos, ti...
· 6 min read Read guide 10Domestic Flights in Nepal: Routes, Airlines and Tips
A guide to Nepal's domestic flights: main routes from Kathmandu, mountain airstrips such as Lukla and Jomsom, baggage limits, weather delays and safety tips.
· 5 min read Read guide 11Getting Around Kathmandu: Taxis, Ride-Hailing, Buses and Walking
How to get around Kathmandu: taxis and agreeing fares, ride-hailing apps such as Pathao and inDrive, local buses and microbuses, walking, and private cars with...
· 5 min read Read guide 12Is English Spoken in Nepal?
English is widely spoken in Nepal's tourist areas, hotels and trekking lodges. Nepal's languages, where English is less common, and useful Nepali words for trav...
· 5 min read Read guide 13Best Photo Spots in Kathmandu
The most photogenic places in the Kathmandu Valley: Swayambhunath at sunrise, Boudhanath at dusk, the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, Pashupat...
· 5 min read Read guide 14India to Nepal by Road: Border Crossings Explained
The main land border crossings between India and Nepal: Sunauli–Bhairahawa, Raxaul–Birgunj, Panitanki–Kakarbhitta, Rupaidiha–Nepalgunj and Banbasa–Mahendranagar...
· 6 min read Read guide 15Nepal Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors: Visa, Money, Safety and Tips
Planning your first trip to Nepal? Everything first-time visitors need to know: visa on arrival, money and ATMs, SIM cards, getting around, food and water, cult...
· 14 min read Read guide 16How to Get to Chitwan from Kathmandu and Pokhara
How to reach Chitwan National Park and Sauraha: tourist buses and private cars from Kathmandu (about 5–6 hours) and Pokhara, and flights to Bharatpur.
· 5 min read Read guide 1725 Best Things to Do in Nepal: Treks, Temples, Safaris and Adventures
The 25 best things to do in Nepal: Everest Base Camp, Annapurna treks, Kathmandu temples, Pokhara, Chitwan safaris, Lumbini, paragliding, rafting, mountain flig...
· 14 min read Read guide 18Bargaining in Nepal: How to Haggle Politely
Bargaining is normal in Nepal's souvenir shops and markets, but not in restaurants, supermarkets or fixed-price shops. How to haggle politely and fairly.
· 5 min read Read guide 19Is Marijuana Legal in Nepal?
Cannabis has been illegal in Nepal since the Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act of 1976, despite its long cultural history and the hippie era of the 1960s. What trave...
· 5 min read Read guide 20Drone Rules in Nepal: Can You Fly a Drone?
Flying a drone in Nepal requires registration with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and permissions from other authorities. No-fly zones near airports and...
· 5 min read Read guide 21Toilets, Showers and Hygiene on Treks in Nepal
What toilets and showers are like in Nepal's trekking lodges, how to stay clean and healthy on the trail, and what hygiene items to pack.
· 5 min read Read guide 22The 10 Questions Trekkers Ask Our Guides Most
The questions our Kathmandu guides hear most, answered: safety, best months, tipping, altitude sickness, charging, Wi-Fi, sleeping bags, food, flight delays and...
· 2 min read Read guide 2315 Things Nobody Tells You Before Trekking in Nepal
The small surprises of a first Nepal trek: early nights, cold rooms, charging fees, porters who overtake you, dal bhat refills, flight delays and more, from our...
· 2 min read Read guide 24Charging Phones and Cameras on Treks in Nepal
How to keep phones and cameras charged on a Nepal trek: teahouse charging fees, power banks, solar panels, cold batteries and Wi-Fi on the trail.
· 2 min read Read guide 25Kathmandu Layover: What to Do with a Few Hours or One Day
Have a layover in Kathmandu? What you can see in six hours, half a day or a full day, from Boudhanath and Pashupatinath near the airport to the Durbar Squares a...
· 5 min read Read guide 26Nepal with Kids: A Family Travel Guide to Treks, Safaris and Culture
Planning a family trip to Nepal? Best family treks, Chitwan safaris, Pokhara and Kathmandu with children, altitude and health advice, food, packing, sample itin...
· 14 min read Read guide 27Nepal Visa Guide: Visa on Arrival, Fees, Online Form and Extensions
Everything you need to know about the Nepal tourist visa: visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport and land borders, 15/30/90-day fees, the online application form,...
· 14 min read Read guide 28Money in Nepal: Currency, ATMs, Cards, Tipping and Daily Budgets
A practical guide to money in Nepal: the Nepali rupee, exchange rates, ATMs and withdrawal limits, card payments, cash on treks, tipping guides and porters, bar...
· 14 min read Read guide 29Women Trekking in Nepal: Safety, Female Guides, Solo Travel and Practical Tips
A practical guide for women trekking in Nepal: is Nepal safe for solo female travellers, hiring female guides and porters, what to wear, periods at altitude, hy...
· 14 min read Read guide 30Responsible Trekking in Nepal: Leave No Trace, Porter Welfare and Cultural Respect
How to trek responsibly in Nepal: reduce plastic and waste, leave no trace, treat porters fairly, choose ethical agencies, respect local culture and religion, s...
· 14 min read Read guide 31SIM Cards, Mobile Data and Wi-Fi in Nepal: Staying Connected on Your Trip and Trek
How to stay connected in Nepal: buying a tourist SIM at Kathmandu airport, Ncell vs Nepal Telecom, data packs, eSIMs, mobile coverage on the Everest, Annapurna...
· 7 min read Read guide 32Nightlife in Nepal: What to Do After Dark, from Kathmandu Bars to Lakeside Live Music
A guide to nightlife in Nepal: live music and bars in Thamel, rooftop dinners in Patan, dohori folk bars, cultural dinner shows, evening aarati at Pashupatinath...
· 9 min read Read guide 33Tipping in Nepal: How Much to Tip Trekking Guides, Porters, Drivers and Restaurants
A clear, honest guide to tipping in Nepal: how much to tip trekking guides and porters, how to do it fairly at the end of a trek, plus tipping drivers, tour gui...
· 8 min read Read guide 34Shopping in Nepal: What to Buy, Where to Find It and How to Bargain
A practical guide to shopping in Nepal: the best souvenirs (pashmina, singing bowls, thangka, Dhaka, tea, khukuri), where to buy in Thamel, Patan, Bhaktapur and...
· 7 min read Read guide 35Arriving at Kathmandu Airport: Visa on Arrival, SIM Cards and Getting to Thamel
A step-by-step guide to arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu: visa on arrival (US$30, US$50 or US$125), the online form, immigration, baggage,...
· 6 min read Read guide 36Nepal on a Budget: How to Travel and Trek Without Overspending
How to travel Nepal on a budget: realistic daily costs for backpackers and mid-range travellers, cheap accommodation and food, budget transport, affordable trek...
· 6 min read Read guide 37Photographing the Himalaya: Practical Tips for Trekkers
Practical photography tips for trekking in Nepal: what camera gear to bring, best light and viewpoints, protecting batteries from the cold, charging on the trai...
· 6 min read Read guideFrequently asked questions
Answers to the questions we hear most. Can’t find what you need? Our team in Kathmandu is happy to help.
Our articles cover trekking routes, seasons and weather, permits and regulations, altitude and fitness, packing, costs, culture and festivals, and travel in Tibet and Bhutan.
Our articles are written by the Himalayan Hiking team in Kathmandu, including trip planners and guides who work in the mountains every season.
We review our articles regularly, but rules, fees and conditions in Nepal can change. Always check the latest requirements before you travel, or contact us for current advice.
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