Language

Nepal is a country of high linguistic diversity. 123 different primary languages were reported in Nepal’s 2011 national census—including Nepali (official) 44.6%, Maithali 11.7%, Bhojpuri 6%, Tharu 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.2%, Magar 3%, Bajjika 3%, Urdu 2.6%, Avadhi 1.9%, Limbu 1.3%, Gurung 1.2%, other 10.4%, unspecified 0.2%

Nepali is Nepal’s official language and also its lingua franca, understood by most in Nepal, and spoken by many living in Bhutan, India and further abroad

Newar (aka Nepal Bhasa; not to be confused with Nepali) is the native language of the Newar people and was Nepal’s official administrative language from the 14th to late 18th centuries, but is now considered by UNESCO to be an endangered language.

English is spoken by many in government, business and tourism sectors, and is part of the core curriculum of Nepal’s education system

Currency

In Nepali the local currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). The Nepalese Rupee is different to the Indian Rupee, and the Government of Nepal has banned the import, export and use of 500 and 1000 Indian Rupees notes in Nepal.

It is difficult to convert your NPR back to foreign currency, and you will not be able to exchange NPR once back in your own country. There are many money change shops in Thamel and around Kathmandu where you will also be able to change money, however, note that many places will not allow you to change currency back.

There are also ATM’s available for use in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Nepalese traders do not like TORN notes. Most people will not accept them so ensure you check your notes when exchanging and refuse to accept any torn notes

International Dialing Code

+977

Electricity

Electricity in Nepal is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is C (two round prong).

Electricity is becoming more widely available throughout Nepal though generally speaking the further you venture from the trailhead the less reliable it becomes. More populous areas are serviced by the grid or small scale hydro-electric projects. In more remote areas solar energy is harnessed for electricity production and as such can be unreliable and in short supply.

Many of our camps and eco-lodges provide charging facilities for small electronic devices such as phones, cameras and battery packs. In some cases this is provided free of charge however in most cases there is a fee associated with the use of such amenities. This can range from NPR100 – NPR500 (US$1 - $5) per device charged, depending on how far you are from the power grid.

We recommend you consider purchasing portable power banks or solar chargers for phone charging and at least one spare camera battery.

Visas

All nationalities require a visa for Nepal. For nationals of most countries, multiple entry Nepal tourist visas can be obtained on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu), however, to speed up arrival processes, it is easier to obtain your visa prior to departure. The details for the various options available to you are outlined below:

Visa issued by a Nepalese Diplomatic Mission prior to your departure from home

Queues are common during peak tourist arrival times, especially at the visa application counters. In order to skip the bulk of the queues you are able in many cases to apply for your visa at your nearest Nepalese diplomatic mission. The location and contact details of your nearest mission can be found at https://nepalembassy.gov.np. Visa fees are often comparable to that paid on arrival. Please note that THE VISA IS ONLY VALID FOR 6 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE, ie. you must enter and depart Nepal within six months of the date of issue of the visa. There is an online form for completion which is then printed and presented with a copy your passport and payment to the relevant mission for visa issuance. The online form can be sourced at https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/onlinevisa-mission/application and there is a handy user manual which can be downloaded from the site to guide you through the process.

Visa Application submitted Pre-arrival, with visa issued on arrival -

There is an official online application portal (https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/) that allows you to submit and print your application prior to arrival (note this can only be completed a maximum 15 days prior) which removes the need to carry passport photographs as the electronic versions of your image are supplied as part of the process. Once you’ve applied, the form can be printed for use on arrival and payment made as outlined below.

Visa Application submitted on arrival -

If you opt to obtain your visa on arrival and have not prefilled the online form as noted above, join the queues to a row of computers and fill out the online form. Unfortunately, at time of writing, there are no printers attached to the computers so make sure to take screenshot of your final application, then join the queue to pay for your visa (officials will need to sight the screenshot of your application). You will need to pay the application fee for which cash is recommended and will be issued with a receipt. The preferred payment is USD however AUD, CAD and GBP will also be accepted at the exchange rate of the day.

Visa costs are:

US$30 – 15 days

US$50 – 30 days

US$125 – 90 days

Proceed to the immigration desk with your screenshot of the online application, receipt, two passport sized photographs if you are applying on arrival (note when using the pre-arrival service, e-versions are used however carrying a few passport photos is always advisable) and passport for processing and visa issuance.

Safety

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.