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Prep Before Travel

Everything a first-time visitor needs to know — seasons, culture, health, money, and what to expect on the ground.

Sources: Nepal Trekking Planner Everywhere She Travels Discovery World Trekking
Best Seasons
Oct–Nov
& Mar–May (Spring)
Currency
NPR
Nepali Rupee · USD widely accepted
Languages
Nepali
+ 92 others · English in tourist areas
Tourist Police
1144
24/7 emergency line

When to Visit

Autumn
Oct — Nov
Crystal-clear skies, ideal trekking weather, peak mountain views. Most popular season.
Spring
Mar — May
Rhododendrons in bloom, warm valleys, good visibility. Second-best for trekking.
Monsoon
Jun — Aug
Heavy rain, leeches on trails, landslide risk on mountain roads. Budget travel possible but trekking is difficult.
Winter
Dec — Feb
Cold in the mountains, high passes may close. Great for lower-altitude cultural tours and Chitwan wildlife.

Nepal has five distinct climate zones from subtropical lowlands (Terai) to arctic high peaks — always check conditions for your specific destination elevation.

Money & Payments

  • Currency: Nepali Rupee (NPR). USD, EUR, GBP can be exchanged at Tribhuvan Airport or authorised money changers — rates in Thamel are often better than the airport.
  • ATMs: Available in cities and tourist towns. Standard limit ~NPR 35,000 per transaction. Carry cash when heading to remote areas — ATMs are scarce.
  • Credit cards: Accepted at upscale hotels and restaurants. Most tea houses, local shops, and trekking lodges are cash-only.
  • Bargaining: Expected at markets and souvenir shops. Expect 15–20% markup on first quotes. Be friendly but firm — vague responses invite persistence. Prices at restaurants and official ticketing counters are fixed.
  • Tipping: Not mandatory but appreciated. 10% at restaurants is generous. Tip trekking guides and porters separately — it is their primary income source.

Getting Around

  • Kathmandu city: Traffic is chaotic. Use rideshare apps Pathao or Tootle for metered, fair fares. Taxis are plentiful but always agree on a price before getting in. Tuk-tuks are fun for short trips.
  • Domestic flights: Essential for remote areas. Lukla airport is the gateway to Everest treks. Mountain weather causes delays — build buffer days into your itinerary.
  • Long-distance buses: Cheap but slow. Tourist buses (Kathmandu–Pokhara) are more comfortable than local buses and take 6–7 hours. Night buses save a day but are bumpy on mountain roads.
  • Offline maps: Download Maps.me or Google Maps offline before leaving Wi-Fi — signal is unreliable outside cities. Physical maps are helpful for trekking.

Health & Altitude

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    Vaccinations: Consult your doctor 4–6 weeks before travel. Recommended: Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus, and Rabies (if trekking remotely). Yellow fever required if arriving from endemic countries.
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    Travel insurance: Essential — must cover helicopter evacuation for trekkers. High-altitude rescues cost thousands of dollars.
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    Altitude sickness (AMS): Can affect anyone above 2,500m regardless of fitness. Acclimatise gradually — follow the "climb high, sleep low" rule. Ascend no more than 300–500m per day above base camp. Symptoms: headache, nausea, dizziness. Never ascend with symptoms.
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    Diamox (Acetazolamide): Ask your doctor about this altitude sickness medication. Start 1–2 days before ascending. Not a substitute for proper acclimatisation.
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    Water: Never drink tap water. Buy bottled, use purification tablets, or a filter bottle. On treks, tea houses sell boiled water. Avoiding plastic bottles: a filter bottle (e.g. LifeStraw) is eco-friendly and cost-effective.
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    First aid kit: Pack bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers, rehydration salts, blister plasters, and diarrhoea medication. Medical facilities are minimal outside Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Culture & Etiquette

Do

  • Greet with "Namaste" — palms pressed together at chest. It means "the divine in me bows to the divine in you."
  • Remove shoes before entering temples, monasteries, and local homes.
  • Walk clockwise around stupas, mani walls, and prayer wheels.
  • Use your right hand for eating, giving, and receiving — the left is considered unclean.
  • Dress modestly at religious sites — cover shoulders and knees. Carry a scarf or sarong.
  • Ask permission before photographing locals, especially monks and women.
  • Accept offerings and food with both hands or your right hand — a sign of respect.
  • Say "Dhanyabad" (thank you) — even a small effort to speak Nepali is warmly received.

Don't

  • Don't touch someone's head — it is considered the most sacred part of the body.
  • Don't point your feet at people, religious objects, or shrines.
  • Don't harm or kill cows — they are sacred in Hinduism and legally protected.
  • Don't enter Hindu temple inner sanctums if you are non-Hindu — look for signs.
  • Don't hand money or food directly into a bowl held by monks — place it respectfully.
  • Don't wear revealing clothing outside beach/resort areas — it offends local sensibilities.
  • Don't flush toilet paper — Nepal's plumbing cannot handle it. Use the bin provided.
  • Don't publicly display affection — kissing and embracing in public is frowned upon.

Food & Drink

Dish / DrinkWhat It IsWhere to Find
Dal BhatRice, lentil soup, curried vegetables. The national dish — unlimited refills are standard.Everywhere
MomosSteamed or fried dumplings filled with veg, chicken, or buff (buffalo). Nepal's favourite street snack.Everywhere
Chow MeinStir-fried noodles with veg or meat — a popular quick meal.Restaurants, tea houses
Sel RotiCrispy fried rice-flour ring, often eaten at festivals.Street stalls
ThukpaTibetan noodle soup — warming and filling, common in higher altitudes.Mountain tea houses
Butter Tea (Po Cha)Salted yak butter tea — an acquired taste, essential in cold mountain regions.Himalayan highlands
Chiya (Milk Tea)Spiced, sweet tea — the daily drink of Nepal. Shared everywhere.Everywhere
Tongba / AilaLocal alcoholic drinks: millet beer and grain spirit. Try responsibly — potency varies.Local restaurants

Eating style: Nepalis traditionally eat with the right hand. Cutlery is available in tourist restaurants. Try saying "mi-to cha" (delicious) — it delights locals. Avoid meat at remote high-altitude lodges where refrigeration is absent.

SIM Cards & Connectivity

  • Get a SIM on arrival: Ncell and Nepal Telecom (NTC) are the two main carriers. Available at the airport arrivals hall and shops in Thamel. You'll need your passport and a passport photo. Costs around NPR 100–200 for the SIM + data package.
  • Coverage: Good in cities and main trekking routes. Remote areas (upper Mustang, Dolpo, Kanchenjunga) have little to no signal. Download offline content before heading out.
  • Wi-Fi: Available at most hotels and cafés in tourist areas. Speed is adequate for messaging and maps. Tea houses on popular trekking routes often charge a small fee for Wi-Fi.

Packing Essentials

Documents

  • ✓ Passport (valid 6+ months)
  • ✓ Travel insurance docs
  • ✓ Passport-size photos (×4 for permits)
  • ✓ Emergency contacts written on paper
  • ✓ Copies of all documents (separate bag)

Clothing

  • ✓ Layers — temperatures change rapidly
  • ✓ Waterproof jacket (rain & wind)
  • ✓ Modest clothing (shoulders + knees covered)
  • ✓ Slip-on shoes (easy temple removal)
  • ✓ Warm hat, gloves (if trekking)

Health & Hygiene

  • ✓ Toilet paper & hand sanitiser
  • ✓ Water filter bottle or purification tablets
  • ✓ Sunscreen SPF 50+ (UV is intense at altitude)
  • ✓ Lip balm & moisturiser (dry mountain air)
  • ✓ Altitude sickness medication (Diamox)

Gear & Tech

  • ✓ Power bank (load-shedding occurs)
  • ✓ Universal adapter (Type C/D sockets)
  • ✓ Headlamp + extra batteries
  • ✓ Dry bags / zip-locks for electronics
  • ✓ Trekking poles (if hiking)

Safety

  • Generally very safe: Nepal has low violent crime rates. Nepalis are known for extraordinary hospitality — "Atithi Devo Bhava" (guest is god) is a deeply held value.
  • Solo travel: Safe for solo travellers including women. Common sense applies — avoid poorly lit streets at night, keep valuables in your hotel safe, and stay alert in crowded markets where pickpocketing occurs.
  • Trekking safety: Never trek alone in remote areas. Register your route with the Tourism Board. Hire a licensed guide — they are lifesavers in emergencies and share local knowledge money can't buy.
  • Road safety: Mountain roads are narrow and winding. Avoid night bus travel where possible. In cities, pedestrian crossings are often ignored — always look both ways and make eye contact with drivers.
  • Scams: Common ones include fake tour agencies, overpriced taxis (always use apps or agree on fare first), and "closed monastery" hustlers who redirect you to a shop. Book tours through registered agencies with TAAN/NTB certification.

Responsible Travel

Nepal's ecosystems are fragile. How you travel matters.

  • ✓ Carry out all your rubbish — leave no trace on trails and at campsites.
  • ✓ Use refillable water bottles to reduce single-use plastic waste, which is a growing crisis in the Himalayas.
  • ✓ Stay on marked trails to avoid damaging fragile high-altitude vegetation.
  • ✓ Hire local guides and porters — it supports communities directly and keeps traditional knowledge alive.
  • ✓ Don't buy products made from endangered wildlife (yak bone carvings, wildlife furs).
  • ✓ Respect "no photography" signs at sacred sites and private ceremonies.