Nepal Travel Tips

Nepal, a landlocked developing country and home to the Himalayas, is a delightful country for trekking and mountain expeditions. So, numerous travelers who see it for religious and adventure purposes select this magnificent and thrilling country on their traveling bucket lists.

The country Nepal for some fresher travelers may be hesitant or careful about traveling to the new destination because previously they did not enter and believed locals did not speak international languages like English, and Spanish.

Due to this cause, Mission Himalayas Treks, a local travel agent or company make ready the Nepal Travel Tips and things to know before visiting Nepal. This profound information enlisted on this Nepal Travel blog positively supports Nepal travelers throughout their holidays.

Please read this post to know some vital Nepal Travel tips and some helpful facts that all trekkers and visitors require to have before visiting Nepal, a religious country. Knowledge of the Nepal tours and Nepal Trip tips aids a lot in making your adventure tours in Nepal a lifetime experience in Nepal.

Best tips for Nepal traveler

Entering the Kingdom of Himalayas offers a variety of trails to different routes to the eye-popping beautiful Himalayan panorama. Not only the Himalayas but also stunning UNESCO World heritage sites i.e Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square , Lumbini, Chitwan National Park, and Sagarmatha National Park. Nepal travelers can enjoy the Nepalese culture, traditions, rituals, styles, and many more unique things.

Before starting your vacation in breathtaking and attractive Nepal, we recommend you read these best tips for a redolent Nepal Trip. Nepal travelers should know and research things about their destination to avoid confusion in advance. So, it will be helpful for you to know what to expect in Nepal and what to do and not to do on vacation in Nepal.

Top Nepal Travel Tips:

Kindly read this article titled "Nepal Travel Tips" for your safe journey to Nepal and for an astonishing adventure holiday in your lifetime. If you are planning a trip to Nepal, memorize the below-mentioned essentially acceptable travel tips to Nepal details.

1. Keep away from Hiking alone

The supreme trekking safety or Nepal travel safety tip is not to trek alone in the higher Himalayas. Please ensure that you will trek with a local guide or porter from a reputed company.

Alternatively, trek along with other trekkers who will accompany the same trekking destination. Because Nepal immigration has few records of trekkers who get lost or died in trekking in the latest period. So if you do not like to trek with a Nepal Travel guide or porter you can join other similar trekkers same like you who recently visit Nepal for trekking and match your time according to their time.

We, Mission Himalaya Treks Team suggest you take 1 Nepali local staff if your requirements and budget meet. We have a few groups joining treks for popular trekking routes of Nepal. Otherwise, you need to search for your hiking partners from a few forums. So avoiding solo travel in Nepal is the chief Nepal travel tip that most travelers think is a high priority. For any kind of traveler, we suggest bringing travel insurance.

2. Be careful with tricky Taxi:

Some taxi drivers do scams or fraud when travelers day tour around Kathmandu or other cities whether you are local or tourists. Only a few taxi drivers drive according to their meter so you politely bid with them before you enter inside that kind of vehicle. After you get in you can ask to open the meter of the taxi or ask for the fare rate of the destination you will go to and reconfirm the price before you get in.

Few drivers who drive taxis, especially at night charge triple the normal rate. So please use meters or ask them the normal price if you know before. But be sure that after 9 Pm in Nepal the fare of the taxi doubles the cost which is very common and reasonable in Nepal Kathmandu.

3. It’s Illegal to hike without permits.

You will go hiking in some National park, Conservation area, or special region named restricted regions in Nepal? Surely if you traveling alone or with a guide, it’s essential to trek with a TIMS permit card issued by the trekking agents association of Nepal(TAAN).

Secondly Hiking in a conservation area with a guide or solo needs to apply for permits prior then your trek which needs two passport photos and a passport copy for around US$ 30.

Thirdly if you will travel to restricted regions like Dolpo, Upper Mustang, and Manaslu you must travel with locals and Immigration permits which can issue with your original passport copy and valid Visa. That you need to apply with a local trekking company after your arrival in Nepal except for the days of government holiday in Nepal.

Remember that many national park routes you can buy permits during your trekking like Langtang National park and Everest national park.

If you will trek without permits you will punish or double penalty according to government rules and regulations.

be noted that restricted regions like Kanchenjunga, Manaslu, Dolpo, and upper mustang can trek just two foreign people. Do not count local Nepali staff.

4. Confirm your holiday to Nepal in a reasonable period?

Before visiting Nepal please be sure your holiday is the Best Time? Nepal trekking and mountain weather and climate are not stable and the weather forecast is not appropriate. Especially Monsoon period or summer season the climate dramatically changes from time to time instantly.

For the alpine Himalayan trekkers, we suggest trek during pre and post Monsoon. Because for the travel photography that is the best time to trek in Nepal due to the clear sky and stable weather. Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek, Poon Hill Trek, and Annapurna circuit trek can be very crowded in this season.

If your holiday does not match that period you can choose the right destination for monsoon-like Dolpo, Upper Mustang. they are summer trekking routes of Nepal. Nepal has various trekking destination which matches all kinds and seasonal trekkers.

Hikers who like to hike quiet can choose winter but beware to choose the routes of trekking. Like many high passes treks of Nepal are closed during winter due to heavy snow cover and no visible trails.

Be noted that for waterfall and farmland lovers the summer season is appropriate for trekking and tour in Nepal. For Kathmandu and Pokhara and other cities, all travelers can visit all year around.

5. Altitude Can Kill:

If you have already traveled the alpine Himalayas more than 3000meter before maybe you have some information on Altitude sickness of the Himalayas like Elbrus, Nepal or Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

For all trekkers who did not get the best information, they can read our Nepal travel blog altitude sickness of Nepal . Because with High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and High-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) make some liquid or blood inside your lungs and can be dead or fluid or water in the brain respectively.

In that two cases, you must back to the lower altitude quickly when starting some normal symptoms because holidays can come in the future but not life. If you travel through the reputed company and guide they must evacuate you instantly.

Before starting, your trekking journey of high altitude Himnalays consults your doctor and trekking guide about Diamox and mountain accidents information pretty advance. They give your best information about gaining elevation in the Himalayas pretty nicely.

Dot does not allow to your body lose appetite, drinks a lot of fluid and water, trek slowly, and if symptoms are seen stopped in the same place and when disappear symptoms start again is the suitable and appropriate idea of high altitude trekking otherwise altitude can be your cause of death beware.

6. Local currency can be exchangeable with foreign currency only inside Nepal:

Travelers cannot take away Nepal currency(Nepalese Rupees) from Nepal. Noted that when you will enter Nepal to convert your money to local Nepali currency is totally ok but do not forget re-exchange if some local Nepali Money is left after your traveling complete in Nepal. That currency you cannot exchange all over the world. Nepali Rupees are not accepted all over the earth. It’s actually unauthorized to bring rupees outside the country.

7. Tips are mandatory!

In the capital of Nepal Kathmandu and the surrounding city tipping is mandatory its a part of welcoming. In official rules and regulations, the tips are not mandatory but not expected in cities due to many places charge service charge 10% over the prices.

There are no hard and fast rules or laws to tips must. Some local transportations you can tipping few like if the bill 190 you can give of its round figure 200.

In terms of Trekking, Tours, adventure activities, and expeditions normally trekkers give 15% to 25% tips of the total payments for the guide and porter. Tourists really appreciated the amazing hospitality of the Nepali staffs job.

Read this article: Tipping in Nepal

8. Dressup properly in religious places:

In Nepal, dressing is an extremely essential part of the community culture of Hinduism and Buddhism religion. The local characteristic is a traditional way of wearing always suitable dress, especially in monasteries, temples, Stupas, and Museums. Please dress up wisely.

Make sure to cover your knees and shoulders while entering the religious shrines. Never walk naked anywhere outside. Even if you are alone somewhere outside in the Himalayas don’t do this stupidity. Nepali people strongly believe that God lives in the Himalayas so wandering around there naked is considered a sin.

Things to Know Before Traveling to Nepal

9. Getting Visa and entry requirements upon arrival:

You need visa and entry requirements upon arriving at the only international airport in Nepal. Single-entry Nepal visa costs US$25 for 15 days, US$40 for 30 days, and US$100 for 90days which can be issued on visas on arrival. You must pay in cash to get a Nepal visa and all your necessary documents are required. Also, you need to have a passport size photo or you can take it at the airport booth.

10. Language

In Nepal, the commonly used language is Nepali which is a bit similar to the Indian language. English is used as a secondary language in Nepal. You can easily communicate with most of the people in the Kathmandu area. Some of them understand English but are unable to reply. Targeting the point, if you feel you can’t explain them, you can explain with hand language or you can show pictures.

If you want any help simply, join your two palms together and say ‘NAMASTE’ with a smile. It is the style of greeting in Nepal and they will help you anyway.

11. Drinking water in Nepal

Nepal is the second richest country in water resources in the whole world. Though, we recommend you not to drink direct tap water. Yes, it is also consumed after boiling and filtering. Don’t eat pre-cut fruits and veggies that are clean with direct tap water. It may not suit your health and you might fall sick. In Nepal, tap water is used for different purposes like cleaning vegetables, cleaning dishes, toilets, and washing clothes.

Consume sealed water bottles which are not opened. It is easily available in every market and inexpensive.

12. Squat toilets just in mountains trekking

Nepal travelers might not be used to going to squat toilets. But while traveling in Nepal some toilets may require squatting. You have to do your business keeping your feet at a distance. It is not that hard but some of them feel uncomfortable and uneasy.

We recommend you carry hand sanitizers and tissue paper all the time while going to the toilets.

13. Roads, Dust, and face masks

The roads in Nepal are not in good condition, the roads are bumpy and dusty. As a result, there will be a problem of air pollution.

While roaming outside the hotel you should wear a face mask. If you are strolling inside the sub-roads then it will be less dusty. But while walking on the ring road you will see a lot of dust while vehicles are moving. So, wear a face mask and scarf while strolling around.

14. Traveling by Vehicles

Nepal travelers might feel harder while hooking up the bus. The station name is written in Devanagari so it will be a bit tricky where the route is going. But, the cash collector will shout out in a loud voice where the bus is going.

There are two main bus stations: Gongabu Bus Station and Ratna Park Bus Station. Pay the fee when the cash collector approaches you and informs him to drop you at your destination. The fee will be charged for the distance you travel. In addition, stay alert for pickpockets while traveling in public vehicles.

15. Remove Footwear

Always remove footwear before entering others’ houses and while visiting temples. The roads are not clean and the footwear will be obviously dirty. So, if you don’t remove streetwear then people feel like you are disrespecting others.

You must be sure that you are following and respecting their religion and culture. In addition, you must take permission before entering the temples.

16. Use your right hand

Every time while paying bills and gifting gifts to people, use your right hand. It is a way of respecting others. Those who use their left hand to gift, pay, and return things are considered rude behavior.

Most people don’t accept the things that are given with their left hand.

17. Please check Street Food before eating!

Nepal travelers should try street food. Though the street foods are unhygienic, people prefer to eat them because of their unique taste. You might get suffer from stomach aches or diarrhea if you eat at an unmanaged stall.

Find one of the busy and well-managed clean street stalls and enjoy the food. We ensure that you will definitely love them.

18. Eating Buff

In each and every non-veg restaurant you can get to see buff items on the menu. The buff momo, buff sausage, buff syavale, buff burger, and other items are listed there. But in Nepal, there is illegal to eat cow meat because they treat cows as a god.

19. Blackout

In the earlier period, Nepal had faced the blackout problem day and night. People have to use generators, power backup, and kerosene lamps. They have faced around 16/17 hr load shedding per day.

Now, in most places Nepalese are staying under the light. They don’t have to face dark problems. But some places of Nepal, are still facing blackout problems. While trekking and traveling to remote areas of Nepal carry a headlamp and flashlight. Keep your mobile full charge before you head to remote places.

20. Nepalese SIM

If you want to enjoy internet facilities throughout Nepal then buy one Nepalese SIM. Ask your guide or buy SIM at the airport so that you can stay in touch with your friends and family. If you buy SIM at the airport then you need a photocopy of your passport.

21. Not only Mountain much more to see

Most Nepal travelers come to Nepal to go trekking in the Himalayan region but there are many more to see and enjoy. You can visit the worldwide famous birthplace of Gautam Buddha at Lumbini, Kathmandu sightseeing, Pokhara sightseeing, and Chitwan safari.

22. Daal, Bhat, and Vegetables

Most of the restaurants and hotels serve Dal, Bhat, and vegetables because it is good for health and also it gives 24-hour power. Nepalese eat Daal, Bhat, and vegetables two times a day.

If you are a trekker then eat Daal and Bhat at least one time a day. Especially, try Black daal, it is tastier.

23. Is Marijuana illegal?

In Nepal, Marijuana is illegal to buy and sell. You get in trouble if you carry weeds with you. You might see some of the people puffing but they are using it illegally. Stay away from that shot of activities.

For more travel tips information please read another article: what not to do in Nepal

24. Packing Tips:

Traveling Nepal for what purpose? Do not forget to ask your travel expert about packing tips and requirements according to season, trekking region, holiday types, and the destiny of your travel. According to the traveling period and activities, the Nepal travel clothing tips will be different.

Conclusion from This article:

From the above article, the holiday researcher understands that the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal is the best-loved country on the earth for all kinds of travelers.

The craft and heritage property of Unesco to the earth’s highest altitude Himalayas which is famous for adventure expedition activities lies in this small country. The tasty delicious local food served with the best hospitality makes visitors love this attractive country a lot.

From the above Nepal travel tips we will try to give the best clew of the sightseeing ideas, lodging, food and drink ideas, traveling solo or grouping ideas, visas and permits information, what the best things to see and do here for the responsible way of traveling.

Please read the ultimate Nepal Travel Guide article before making Nepal in your journey selection.