Nepal
Phone Code
+977
Capital
Kathmandu
Population
30 Million
Native Name
नपल
Region
Asia
Southern Asia
Timezone
Nepal Time
UTC+05:45
On This Page
Nepal is the world's premier trekking destination — a landlocked Himalayan country that contains eight of the ten highest mountains on earth, including Everest (8,849 m). The geographical diversity is staggering: from the tropical Terai lowlands at 60 m elevation to the summit of Everest — the greatest altitude range on earth over such a short distance. Kathmandu Valley alone holds seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the medieval Durbar Squares, Boudhanath's great stupa, Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple), the Hindu cremation ghats of Pashupatinath, and Changu Narayan. Pokhara sits beneath the Annapurna massif with Phewa Lake reflecting the peaks, paragliding over the valley, and the start of the Annapurna treks. Chitwan National Park in the southern lowlands delivers one-horned rhinos, Bengal tigers and elephant encounters in tropical jungle. And Lumbini — the birthplace of the Buddha (563 BCE) — is one of the world's great pilgrimage sites. Nepal offers visa on arrival for most nationalities: 15 days (USD 30), 30 days (USD 50) or 90 days (USD 125), with extensions possible up to 150 days per visa year. Passport must be valid 6 months with one blank page. Indian citizens enter free under the open-border agreement. Trekking permits (TIMS card, national park permits) are separate from the visa.
Nepal Visa & Entry System
Nepal offers visa on arrival for citizens of most countries at Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu) and land borders with India and Tibet/China. Very few nationalities require advance visas. The process is straightforward: fill out the form (online pre-registration at nepaliport.immigration.gov.np recommended to speed entry), pay the fee in USD cash or credit card, and receive a 15, 30 or 90-day multiple-entry visa. Costs: 15 days USD 30, 30 days USD 50, 90 days USD 125. Passport must be valid 6 months beyond intended stay with one blank page. Indian citizens enter free under the reciprocal open-border agreement — no visa required, unlimited stay. Chinese citizens need an advance visa. Visas can be extended in Kathmandu or Pokhara up to 150 days total per visa year (mid-January to mid-January) at USD 3/day for the first 30 days, then approximately USD 40-50 per month — making Nepal popular with long-term travellers. Trekking permits (TIMS card, conservation area permits, national park permits) are separate from the visa and arranged through trekking agencies or tourism offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Common Visa Types
Visa on Arrival
For tourism, trekking, visiting and business. Available to most nationalities at Kathmandu airport and land borders. Online pre-registration recommended at nepaliport.immigration.gov.np. Payment in USD cash or credit card. Passport photo required. Simple process, typically 15-30 minutes at the airport.
Visa Extension
For travellers extending their stay for trekking, study or extended travel. Apply at the Immigration Office in Kathmandu (Kalikasthan) or Pokhara. Requires passport, fee, passport photo. Popular with trekkers doing multiple routes.
Free Entry (Indian Citizens)
Reciprocal open-border agreement between India and Nepal. No visa required, no fee, unlimited stay. Open border with free movement. Indian citizens can live and work in Nepal and vice versa.
Trekking Permits (separate from visa)
Required for trekking in national parks and conservation areas. TIMS card (USD 20) for most treks, ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area, USD 30), Sagarmatha/Everest National Park (USD 30). Restricted areas (Upper Mustang USD 500, Upper Dolpo USD 500) cost significantly more. Arranged through agencies or tourism offices in Kathmandu/Pokhara.
Essential Information for Nepal Travellers
Travel Guide
Nepal is where the Himalayas meet the traveller. The Everest Base Camp trek (12-14 days, reaching 5,364 m) passes through Sherpa villages, crosses suspension bridges over glacial rivers, and culminates with the Khumbu Icefall and Everest's south face filling the sky — a bucket-list journey that lives up to every expectation. The Annapurna Circuit (15-21 days, crossing Thorong La Pass at 5,416 m) traverses rice paddies, subtropical forests, arid Tibetan-Buddhist landscapes and high-altitude desert in a single trek of extraordinary diversity. Annapurna Base Camp (7-10 days) offers the amphitheatre of 8,000 m peaks without the extreme altitude. Langtang Valley (7 days from Kathmandu) is less crowded and deeply rewarding. Kathmandu itself is a sensory overload: the narrow alleys of Thamel, the medieval splendour of Patan and Bhaktapur's Durbar Squares, Boudhanath's enormous stupa circled by Tibetan refugees turning prayer wheels, and Pashupatinath where Hindu cremation pyres burn on the ghats of the Bagmati River. Pokhara is the adventure capital: paragliding over Phewa Lake with the Annapurna range as backdrop (USD 80-100), the start of the Annapurna treks, and a lakeside traveller scene far more relaxed than Kathmandu. Chitwan National Park in the steaming southern lowlands delivers rhino tracking on elephant back, Bengal tiger territory, and crocodile-inhabited rivers — a complete contrast to the mountains. And all of this at prices that make Nepal one of the world's most affordable destinations: a teahouse trek costs USD 25-40 per day including food and accommodation.
Ways to Experience This Destination
Everest Base Camp (12-14 days, 5,364 m), Annapurna Circuit (15-21 days, Thorong La 5,416 m), Annapurna Base Camp (7-10 days), Langtang Valley (7 days), Manaslu Circuit (14-18 days), Upper Mustang (restricted, Tibetan culture). Nepal has the world's greatest concentration of high-altitude trekking routes. Peak seasons: March-May (spring, rhododendrons) and October-November (clearest views).
Kathmandu Valley's seven UNESCO sites: Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur (medieval palaces and temples), Boudhanath stupa (Tibetan Buddhist centre), Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath (Hindu cremation ghats), Changu Narayan (4th century temple). Bhaktapur is the best-preserved medieval city. Many sites still undergoing restoration after the 2015 earthquake.
Paragliding over Pokhara with Annapurna views (USD 80-100), white-water rafting on the Trisuli and Bhote Koshi rivers, bungee jumping near the Tibet border (160 m), ultralight flights over the Himalayas, zip-lining, mountain biking, and canyoning. Pokhara is the adventure hub. All at a fraction of European prices.
Chitwan National Park: one-horned rhinos (population recovered to 700+), Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, gharial crocodiles, sloth bears. Jeep safaris, canoe rides, jungle walks with naturalist guides. Bardia National Park in the far west is wilder and less visited. Both are tropical lowland parks — hot, humid, a complete world away from the mountains.
Lumbini — birthplace of the Buddha (563 BCE), UNESCO World Heritage, with Maya Devi Temple, Ashoka Pillar (249 BCE), sacred garden and monastery zone with temples from Buddhist nations worldwide. Boudhanath in Kathmandu as the heart of Tibetan Buddhism in exile. Pashupatinath as one of the holiest Hindu sites. Meditation retreats in Kopan and Boudhanath monasteries.
Nepal is one of the world's most affordable destinations. Dal bhat (the national dish of lentils and rice) for USD 2-3, guesthouses for USD 3-10, teahouse trekking for USD 25-40/day all-inclusive. Visa extensions up to 150 days per year make long stays practical. Kathmandu and Pokhara have established backpacker infrastructure. Comfortable travel on USD 25-50 per day.
Money & Currency
Nepalese Rupee (NPR)
Currency code: NPR
Practical Money Tips
Carry Enough Cash for Your Entire Trek
ATMs do not exist on trekking routes. Once you leave Kathmandu or Pokhara for a trek, you are entirely reliant on the cash you carry. Estimate your daily spending (teahouse accommodation, meals, hot showers, charging devices, bottled water, snacks) at NPR 3,000-6,000 per day, add a generous buffer for emergencies, and withdraw or exchange everything before departure. Some teahouses on popular routes (Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit) may accept USD for larger purchases, but don't count on it.
ATMs Work in Kathmandu and Pokhara — Nowhere Else That Matters
ATMs from Nabil Bank, Standard Chartered, Himalayan Bank and NIC Asia are found in Kathmandu (Thamel has dozens) and Pokhara (Lakeside). Most accept Visa and Mastercard. Withdrawal limits vary — typically NPR 25,000-50,000 per transaction, with daily limits that differ by bank. ATMs occasionally run out of cash, especially during festival seasons. Make multiple withdrawals over several days before your trek rather than relying on a single large withdrawal on departure day.
Cards Only at Upmarket Hotels — Everything Else Is Cash
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at international-standard hotels, some upscale restaurants in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and airline offices. Contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) work at a very small number of modern terminals in Kathmandu's premium hotels — do not rely on them. Everywhere else — teahouses, local restaurants, transport, trekking permit offices, shops, taxis — is cash only. Nepal is fundamentally a cash economy for travellers.
Exchange USD or EUR in Kathmandu — Not at Home
Exchange offices in Thamel (Kathmandu's tourist district) offer competitive rates for USD and EUR. Exchange at home is far worse. Bring clean US dollar bills for the best rates — NPR is pegged to the Indian Rupee, which in turn floats against the dollar. The Indian Rupee (INR) is also accepted in Nepal at a fixed rate (1 INR = 1.6 NPR), but large Indian notes (500, 2000 INR) are not accepted. Licensed exchange offices display rates openly; compare two or three before exchanging.
Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.
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