Nepal Travel Information

Nepal Visa

All travelers visiting Nepal require a Visa. Choice 1: Visa can be obtained at any Nepalese Embassy, Consul, or Honorary Consul outside Nepal Choice 2: Visa can be obtained on arrival at Kathmandu Airport Immigration (or at the India or China border crossing if you are traveling overland).

A single entry visa for 60 days can be obtained from any Royal Nepalese Embassy or Consulate upon payment of US $ 30.- You can also get a visa at the point of entry upon arrival. Visitors who require single, double or multiple re-entry visas can get them by paying an additional US $ 25, 40 and 60 respectively. For extension of Visas once you are in Nepal, the Department of Immigration charges US $ 50 for each additional month. Children under 10 years are not charged any visa fees.

Government of Nepal has announced a new policy of waiving visa fee for any tourist visiting the country for a period of 72 hrs. Likewise arrangements have been made to provide free visa for any national for re-entry to Nepal provided those tourists have stayed at least for 15 days in the country in a visa year (Jan-Dec). Similarly tourists coming from South Asian countries (SAARC) as well as neighboring People's Republic of China will also get free visa to Nepal. However, these visa rules are subject to change any time. For further information please visit the Nepal Immigration website.

Obtaining a Transit Visa for Nepal

A transit visa can be obtained from Airport Immigration for a period of 48 hrs. on the presentation of airline ticket.

Fee for Transit Visa
US$ 5.00

Requirements

1. A valid Passport and two Passport size photographs.
2. Completely filled up immigration form.
3. Visa fee according to period you would like to stay (i.e. for 1 Month fee of US $30, for 2 Months US $60).
4. Visa extensions (up to 2 months) are easy to obtain at the city Immigration office in Kathmandu or in Pokhara.

When to Visit

Clothing: You are advised to bring sufficiently modest, comfortable and casual clothes which are easy to wash and dry. The season and where you’re headed to mostly dictate the type of clothes you pack for the trip. Medium weight cottons are a good choice for the year round and short or long sleeved shirts are good for spring and fall. You may even add a jacket or sweater for chilly evenings. From Nov-Feb in the valley you’ll need a warm sweater and a jacket or down vest for chilly mornings and evenings. Since only the expensive hotels have heating systems, you may also need a warm down sleeping bag.

Currency Exchange

Foreign currencies must be exchanged only through the banks or authorized foreign exchange dealers. The receipts from such transaction are to be obtained and retained. Credit Cards like the American Express, Visa and Master Card are accepted. Also now you can find ATM machine in different places in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Convertible currencies are as follows
Dollar – US, Australian, Hong Kong, Canadian, Singapore; Franc – Swiss, French, Belgium; Kroner; Danish, Swedish; Sterling Pound, Netherlands Guilder, German Mark, Japanese Yen, Italian Lira, Euro and Austrian Shilling. From Indian citizens, Indian currency (except Rs. 500 notes) is accepted in Nepal.

Please retain your encashment slip for changing back local currency to foreign currency on departure at the exit points or at Tribhuvan International Airport departure lounge.

Exchange rates
US$ 1.00 = NPR 63.05;
Euro 1.00 = NPR 92.90,
Pound Sterling 1.00 = NPR 129.83 (November 2007).

Banks

Banks are normally open between 10 am to 02.30 pm from Sunday to Thursday whereas on Fridays they are open only till 01 PM. Saturday is an official holiday.

Official Holidays

Apart from Public Holidays, Saturdays are weekend holidays in the Kathmandu Valley when most Government offices are closed. Most businesses are closed only on Saturdays.

Working Hours

Government offices through out Nepal have their working hours from 10.00 am to 05 pm in summer and from 10.00 am till 04.00 pm in winter.

Hospitals and Drug Stores

Most of the medicines and drugs are available in the hospitals, drug stores, dispensaries and pharmaceutical shops of Kathmandu, including those imported from overseas. There are many reputable general hospitals and private clinics in Kathmandu. Kathmandu’s CIWEC Clinic - Phone: 4424111/4440100; www.ciwec-clinic.com, has a very useful website providing medical advice relating specifically to travel in Nepal.

Other useful telephone numbers are: Ambulance: 4228094, Blood Bank : 4225344, Nepal International Clinic 4434642, NORVIC Hospital 4258554 www.norvichospital.com Patan Hospital: 5522266 and Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital: 4412808, 4412363.