Recommended vaccinations for travel to Nepal:
universal vaccines (DTPP, hepatitis B) ;
hepatitis A and typhoid ;
for the Terai during the monsoon season: Japanese encephalitis;
for longer periods and/or treks with accommodation in camps or refuges: meningitis and rabies;
for the most remote regions of the Nepalese Terai: malaria treatment essential.
All these vaccinations are strongly recommended.
Best season: October to April (dry season).
– Average direct flight time: 17h30 with stopover.
– Time difference: + 3h45 in summer, + 4h45 in winter.
Entry formalities
Visa
A visa is required, and the passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the return (or after the date of application or entry into the country, official Nepalese government website HERE, depending on nationality).
see details HERE (legal documents)
Travelling with minors
Minors must carry their own identity papers. Each country has its own regulations for authorising children to leave the country if they are not accompanied by a parent.
For French minors, for example, a law that came into force in 2017 reinstated the requirement for authorisation to leave the country. To travel abroad, they must have proof of identity (identity card or passport), a form signed by one of the parents holding parental authority and a photocopy of the signing parent’s identity document.
Money
The national currency is the Nepalese rupee. Depending on the exchange rate, it is +/- €1=135NRps.
Carry euros in cash. Be careful! it is non-convertible, so you won’t be able to exchange it again until you return (well, almost up to 10% of the exchange made during your stay with official exchange slips) when you leave the country.
There are plenty of ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Pokhara and in all the major towns, even in the larger villages.
Remember to stock up on rupees before the treks, as extras (showers, drinking water, battery recharging, etc.) are common and can cost around ten euros (900 rupees) per person per day.
See also the section “What to pack” -ICI-.
Electricity
220 volts (generally). In most cases, you don’t need a plug adaptor, or you can easily find one on the spot.
There are frequent power cuts (torches are useful), although this is becoming less common.
In the mid-altitude lodges, there is electricity for recharging appliances.
The day of rest is Saturday in Nepal.
The post office
Average delivery time for a letter to Europe: between 10 and 15 days. You can buy your stamps in hotels and leave your mail with them, but the safest thing to do is drop it off at the post office yourself. Be careful, though, as it’s only as reliable as the local weather forecast…
Telephone
To call Nepal from France, dial ‘+ 977 + the city code without the 0 (for example, 1 for Kathmandu, or 61 for Pokhara) + the number of your correspondent. (If your correspondent’s number starts with 9… it’s a mobile, so don’t include the city code).
To call France from Nepal, dial ‘+ 33 + the 9-digit number of your correspondent (without the initial 0). Please note that it is impossible to make collect calls.
Internet
Cybercafés have decent connections, but they can be slow depending on the installation.
Mobile phones
GSM coverage is increasingly comprehensive, including in some mountain areas. However, we advise you to check with your operator about the conditions of access to the local network. If you want to make regular calls, a local SIM card is preferable, with NTC offering a better network in rural and mountain areas, and Ncell offering a better network in towns and at a lower price. 1 photo is necessary and subscription feasible at the airport and otherwise in many shop in KTM.
Talking about altitude with the MAM,
–see our specific section on this subject HERE– let’s talk about precautions:
Drinking alcohol and eating heavily will do you harm, pumping your heart frantically. Be an ascetic and you’ll live better in the highlands.
Take all your highly polluting rubbish back to France.
Washing your hands often is essential, especially since Covid (a bottle of antibacterial spray widely available locally).
The usual medicines for digestive problems (not so likely) should be put in your pocket, not in your suitcase. They are also available locally, but make sure you know what your specific needs are.
Travel insurance
It is essential to take out medical repatriation insurance covering search costs and guaranteeing the possible use of a helicopter in the event of an accident in the mountains. Hikers and mountaineers are advised to check the amounts covered by their insurance policy (the cost of a helicopter evacuation is a minimum of 3,000 US dollars, whereas the ceiling for costs covered by insurance that goes with the use of a bank card is generally lower) and to ensure that the policy does not include any restrictive clauses above a certain altitude. If you leave the hiking trails, pay close attention to the distinction made in contracts between actual rescue and search operations.
Practical information
Medical facilities are precarious, even if there are good hospitals in KMT – you need the right doctors! In the event of a serious problem, you should contact your assistance company and the French embassy in Kathmandu or Delhi.
