Nepal Travel Advisory
General information about Nepal
- Time zone: Nepal Time (NPT). UTC +5:45
- Prefix: +977
- Voltage: common voltage in Nepal is 230 V with a frequency of 50 Hz.
- Capital: Kathmandu
- Official language: Nepali
- Plug type: plug sockets are of the type C / D / M.
Currency of Nepal
The currency of Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). The coins in Nepal are denominated in units of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, and 50 paisa. The banknotes of Nepal are denominated in units of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1.000 rupees.
The most common way of getting the currency of Nepal is through Nepal’s network of banks. You must have cash with you at all times, ATMs are not reliable and extended outside main tourist sites.
Customs rules: regulated imports and exports in Nepal
Some rules regarding imports are:
- You can carry gold ornaments up to 50 grams and silver ornaments up to 100 grams.
- When you arrive in Nepal, you must declare any amount above the value of 5,000 US dollars in banknotes or 10,000 dollars in notes and travellers cheques combined.
- Tobacco not exceeding 250 grams (equiv. to 250 cigarettes), whisky/wine not exceeding 1.15 liters or beer up to 12 cans, medicine not exceeding NPR 1000 and fruits or canned food not exceeding NPR 1000.
Some rules regarding exports:
- You will need to convert all your Nepali currency before you leave Nepal, and the bank or exchange counter at the airport may ask you for the declaration.
- If you want to export antiquities, it is advised to consult the Curator of the Nepal Museum in Kathmandu whether or not exporting is allowed. With a special certificate you can bring home some antiques not older than a hundred years.
Prohibited items
- Nepal’s national currency is not allowed to be taken outside Nepal. Exchange the Nepalese rupee before you want to go back home. Additionally, you can exchange back no more than 15% of the amount you exchanged for local currency when you entered the country. So don’t forget to take a receipt when you change money upon entry.
- Exporting or importing narcotic drugs such as opium and morphine; and liquor containing more than 60% alcohol. Penalties for drug related offenses can lead to imprisonment for over 5 years.
- Having with you some skincare products and e-cigarette refills that may contain ingredients that are illegal in Nepal such as CBD.
- Exporting or importing arms and ammunition.
- Exporting or importing communications equipment: wireless walkie-talkies and other similar audio communication equipment.
- Importing beef and beef products.
- Exporting precious metals and stones.
- Exporting wild local animals and products made of their skins, fur, claws, etc.
Contact Nepalese Customs authorities directly if you want further information. The address is:
Department Of Customs
Tripureshwar
Kathmandu
Nepal
Telephone: +977014259793
You can check more information on customs rules here
Climate of Nepal
Nepal has different climates due to the different altitudes that are present in the country. There is the sub-tropical climate in the southern flat strip, the temperate climate in the low mountains and the cold mountain climate in the Himalayas.
In the north, summers are cool and winters severely cold, while in the south, summers are super hot and winters are mild. In the mountains, temperatures are low all year round, but more severely in the winter. You can say that temperatures drop 6°C for every 1,000 m you gain in altitude.
Although Nepal is a year-round destination, it is believed that the best time to travel to Nepal is in spring (March and April) and autumn (October and November). In Nepal, there is a monsoon season, which goes from June to mid-September approximately. This is probably not the most recommended time to travel to the country since there are high temperatures, humidity and rain.
Cultural rules in Nepal
When you visit any foreign country, you must be aware of its cultural rules and its traditions. One of the main aspects of Nepalese culture is religion. Religion is diverse and crucial with Hinduism being the main religion in Nepal, but there are also Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, etc.
Some of the tips to keep in mind in Nepal are:
- Don’t use the left hand to address people since it is the one believed to be used to wipe after going to the toilet. You should use the right one to shake hands or eat.
- You should not wear sleeveless tops and short skirts when you visit holy sites and temples. Remember, leather articles are prohibited in most Hindu temples. You should also navigate it clockwise and remove your shoes.
- Don’t point the bottom of your feet towards people. It is considered an offense.
- You should greet and farewell people by saying namaste and placing the palms together and bowing slightly. With this gesture, you will show respect.
- You can receive a Tika. The Tika is a small mark made on the front using a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion powder. This is to symbolize good luck and can be given during festivals.
- Although Nepal is open and tolerant to LGBTQ+ and same-sex relations are not illegal, you should avoid public displays of affection of any sort.
Cultural rules in Nepal
When you visit any foreign country, you must be aware of its cultural rules and its traditions. One of the main aspects of Nepalese culture is religion. Religion is diverse and crucial with Hinduism being the main religion in Nepal, but there are also Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, etc.
Some of the tips to keep in mind in Nepal are:
- Don’t use the left hand to address people since it is the one believed to be used to wipe after going to the toilet. You should use the right one to shake hands or eat.
- You should not wear sleeveless tops and short skirts when you visit holy sites and temples. Remember, leather articles are prohibited in most Hindu temples. You should also navigate it clockwise and remove your shoes.
- Don’t point the bottom of your feet towards people. It is considered an offense.
- You should greet and farewell people by saying namaste and placing the palms together and bowing slightly. With this gesture, you will show respect.
- You can receive a Tika. The Tika is a small mark made on the front using a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion powder. This is to symbolize good luck and can be given during festivals.
- Although Nepal is open and tolerant to LGBTQ+ and same-sex relations are not illegal, you should avoid public displays of affection of any sort.
Safety and security in Nepal
Safety in Nepal is not much of a problem. It is a generally safe country, but you must take some precautions. It is always recommended to follow some safety measures and travel with insurance. Here are some safety and security in Nepal guidelines:
- Be careful with your belongings because of pickpocketing and bag-snatching. You can also try to avoid walking by yourself and do not carry large sums of cash.
- Women should be more vigilant if they are alone after dark and avoid accepting drinks from strangers at all costs.
- There can be small cases of scams in the more touristy areas. These are commonly done as unauthorized service charges to your credit card. There have also been cases of some trekking guides taking inexperienced trekkers to high altitudes and then calling in expensive helicopters from which the guides take a cut. Don’t trust trekking deals that are too cheap and always use a reputable trekking agency or guide.
- Be prepared for small earthquakes, Nepal is in an area of high seismic activity.
- You should know that accidents on the road are common. The best safety measure is to avoid travelling at night and using vehicles that are not in good condition.
- If you are going trekking, don’t trek alone, wear sunscreen and sunglasses and be aware of hazards all year round, especially above 3,000m like potential storms, avalanches, rockfalls and flooding and altitude sickness.
- In Nepal there can be political protests, demonstrations and strikes. You should avoid them, check local media for updates and follow what local authorities say.
If you were to need any help in Nepal, here are some important telephone numbers: police 100, Tourist police in English 1144, fire 101 and ambulance 102
Safety and security in Nepal
Safety in Nepal is not much of a problem. It is a generally safe country, but you must take some precautions. It is always recommended to follow some safety measures and travel with insurance. Here are some safety and security in Nepal guidelines:
- Be careful with your belongings because of pickpocketing and bag-snatching. You can also try to avoid walking by yourself and do not carry large sums of cash.
- Women should be more vigilant if they are alone after dark and avoid accepting drinks from strangers at all costs.
- There can be small cases of scams in the more touristy areas. These are commonly done as unauthorized service charges to your credit card. There have also been cases of some trekking guides taking inexperienced trekkers to high altitudes and then calling in expensive helicopters from which the guides take a cut. Don’t trust trekking deals that are too cheap and always use a reputable trekking agency or guide.
- Be prepared for small earthquakes, Nepal is in an area of high seismic activity.
- You should know that accidents on the road are common. The best safety measure is to avoid travelling at night and using vehicles that are not in good condition.
- If you are going trekking, don’t trek alone, wear sunscreen and sunglasses and be aware of hazards all year round, especially above 3,000m like potential storms, avalanches, rockfalls and flooding and altitude sickness.
- In Nepal there can be political protests, demonstrations and strikes. You should avoid them, check local media for updates and follow what local authorities say.
If you were to need any help in Nepal, here are some important telephone numbers: police 100, Tourist police in English 1144, fire 101 and ambulance 102.
Health in Nepal
The best tip to travel to Nepal regarding healthcare is to get insurance. Healthcare is poor except in the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara and if you want to receive somewhat of a good medical treatment, you can expect it to be expensive. You should definitely think of getting travel health insurance that covers large sums of medical treatment, repatriation and evacuation by helicopter before traveling to Nepal because:
- Dengue Fever and Japanese encephalitis are present in some areas of the country. One of the best things to do is to always avoid mosquito bites with insect repellent and other products of such nature. Make sure to check specific recommendations for the area you are going to.
- Avoid touching dogs or other animals since they can have Rabies.
- Be more cautious if you are traveling during the Monsoon season. Storms and floods are a real possibility.
- There is no public ambulance service. If you have an emergency and need an ambulance, there are some private providers, but we recommend to directly call the local hospital first.
- Tap water and ice in drinks are dangerous. You should always drink bottled water and avoid drinking tap water and taking ice in drinks.
- Be cautious with local milk products like cheese since they are often made from unpasteurised milk. Anti-diarrhoea tablets and antacids are a must.
- There have been multiple cases of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) during trekking. Be prepared if you are going to high altitudes and take your time to proper acclimatize to the altitude. If the symptoms persist, you should descend.
- When you are in higher altitudes, it is very easy to get sunburn. You must apply sunscreen and wear sunglasses.