Visa Guide
Requirements by nationality, fees, e-Visa vs arrival, extension rules.
Packing Lists
Seasonal packing checklists for spring, autumn, winter, and monsoon.
Altitude Sickness
AMS symptoms, prevention strategies, Diamox guide, and when to descend.
Festival Calendar
2026–2027 festival dates, what to expect, best places to celebrate.
Budget Tips
How to save money without missing out — flights, food, accommodation hacks.
Health & Safety
Vaccinations, water safety, travel insurance, emergency contacts.
Practical Guide
Nepal Visa Guide 2026
Nepal offers a straightforward visa on arrival or e-Visa process for most nationalities. Here's everything you need to know before you fly.
💳 Nepal Tourist Visa Fees (2026)
15 days (single entry)$30Most popular for short trips
30 days (single entry)$50Standard tourist visa — recommended
90 days (multiple entry)$125Long stays or multi-entry
Visa Extension (per month)$30–50Available at Kathmandu Immigration
SAARC nationals (India excluded)FreeBangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Indian nationalsFreeNo visa required at all
🇮🇳 India
No Visa Required
Indian passport holders can enter Nepal freely without a visa. Valid passport or national identity card accepted.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Visa on Arrival
Available at Tribhuvan International Airport and land borders. Standard tourist visa.
$30 / $50 / $125
🇺🇸 USA
Visa on Arrival
US passport holders eligible for visa on arrival. Recommended to bring crisp USD bills.
$30 / $50 / $125
🇪🇺 EU Countries
Visa on Arrival
All EU passport holders eligible. Germany, France, Spain, Italy all confirmed.
$30 / $50 / $125
🇦🇺 Australia
e-Visa Available
Apply for e-Visa online before departure to avoid airport queues at peak times.
$30 / $50 / $125
🇨🇳 China
Visa on Arrival
Chinese nationals eligible for visa on arrival. Tibet/Nepal overland route status varies.
$30 / $50 / $125
Pro tip: Apply for e-Visa online at nepalimmigration.gov.np 2–3 weeks before travel to skip the VOA queue at Kathmandu airport. During October–November peak, VOA queues can be 1–2 hours long. The e-Visa costs exactly the same as VOA.
Important: Bring crisp, undamaged USD bills for visa fees. Nepal immigration may refuse creased or marked notes. Larger bills ($50, $100) are preferred. Credit cards are not accepted for visa fees at the airport.
What to bring: Passport valid for 6+ months beyond entry date · 1 passport photo (printed) · Completed arrival card (available on the plane and at the airport) · USD cash for visa fee · Return flight details.
Practical Guide
Nepal Packing Lists by Season
What you pack depends entirely on when you go and whether you're trekking. Use these checklists as your starting point — essentials marked in blue.
🌸 Spring Trekking (Mar–May)
Spring & Autumn Trek Pack
Essential Clothing
Moisture-wicking base layer (top & bottom)
Fleece mid-layer jacket
Waterproof hardshell jacket (Gore-Tex recommended)
Trekking trousers (zip-off convertible)
Wool hiking socks × 4 pairs (Merino)
Broken-in trekking boots (ankle support)
Down jacket (for 3,000m+ evenings)
Thermal long johns (for nights)
Sun hat + warm fleece hat
Light gloves + liner gloves
Essential Gear
35–40L trekking daypack (+ waterproof cover)
Trekking poles (collapsible)
Headlamp + spare batteries
Sunscreen SPF50+ (UV is intense at altitude)
Sunglasses (UV400, wraparound)
Water purification tablets or filter
1L water bottle × 2
Sleeping bag liner (optional — lodges have blankets)
Gaiters (for muddy/snow conditions)
Health & Toiletries
Diamox (acetazolamide) — consult doctor first
Blister plasters (Compeed)
Ibuprofen + paracetamol
Rehydration sachets (ORS)
Lip balm (altitude winds are brutal on lips)
Antiseptic cream + bandages
❄️ Winter (Dec–Feb)
Winter & Cold Weather Pack
Essential Clothing (Extra Layers)
Heavy down jacket (700+ fill power)
Thermal base layers × 2 sets
Insulated trekking trousers
Waterproof over-trousers
Balaclava or neck gaiter
Warm gloves (waterproof insulated)
Wool beanie hat
Hand warmers × 10 packs
Boot gaiters (for snow above 3,000m)
Extra Winter Gear
4-season sleeping bag (rated –10°C)
Microspikes for icy trails
Portable charger (batteries drain in cold)
Chemical hand warmers
Thermos flask for hot drinks
For Kathmandu City Visit
Smart-casual warm clothing (temples need modesty)
Light down jacket for evenings
Dust/pollution mask for Kathmandu streets
Comfortable walking shoes (cobblestones)
🌧️ Monsoon (Jun–Sep)
Monsoon & Wet Season Pack
Rain Protection (Critical)
Full waterproof jacket (seam-sealed)
Waterproof trousers
Waterproof pack cover (30L+)
Dry bags (electronics, passport, cash)
Gaiters (for leech protection)
Waterproof trekking sandals or quick-dry shoes
Umbrella (compact, for city days)
Leech Protection (Essential on Trails)
DEET insect repellent (40%+)
Long socks (tuck trousers inside)
Salt sachet (removes leeches)
Leech socks (specialist)
Health for Monsoon
Antifungal cream (humidity causes skin issues)
Oral rehydration salts × 20
Anti-diarrheal medication (Azithromycin)
Blister treatment (wet boots cause blisters faster)
📱 Any Season
Tech, Documents & Essentials
Documents (Non-Negotiable)
Passport (valid 6+ months)
2 passport photos (printed, for visa/permits)
Travel insurance policy (with emergency contact)
USD cash for visa ($50–125)
Credit card + some NPR (Nepali Rupees)
Copies of passport (in phone + email)
Tech Essentials
Portable power bank 20,000mAh+
Universal travel adapter
Camera (or good phone camera)
Nepal offline maps downloaded (Maps.me / Google)
Kindle/e-reader (long bus journeys)
Earphones with noise cancellation
Recommended Apps
Maps.me (best offline Nepal maps)
ViewRanger / AllTrails (trekking routes)
Google Translate (Nepali language)
XE Currency (exchange rates)
Buy gear in Kathmandu: Thamel has hundreds of trekking gear shops selling everything you need — branded kit (genuine and replica) at excellent prices. North Face jackets from ~$40, down sleeping bags from ~$30. Arrive with minimal kit and gear up in Kathmandu to save airline baggage costs.
Safety Guide
Altitude Sickness (AMS) Guide
Acute Mountain Sickness affects up to 50% of trekkers above 3,000m. Understanding symptoms and the golden rule — descend immediately if symptoms worsen — could save your life.
Mild AMS
Manageable — Rest
- Headache (most common sign)
- Mild dizziness / lightheadedness
- Fatigue and loss of appetite
- Slight nausea
- Difficulty sleeping
Moderate AMS
Warning — Do Not Ascend
- Severe persistent headache
- Vomiting (not just nausea)
- Extreme fatigue and weakness
- Coordination problems
- Shortness of breath at rest
Severe AMS / HACE / HAPE
Medical Emergency — Descend NOW
- Cannot walk straight (ataxia)
- Extreme confusion / disorientation
- Gurgling wet cough / pink froth
- Lips or fingernails turning blue
- Loss of consciousness
🪜 Acclimatisation Schedule — The Golden Rule
Up to 3,000m
Normal ascent pace. Most people feel fine. Stay hydrated. No rushing.Example: Namche Bazaar (3,440m) — spend 2 nights here before going higher
3,000–4,000m
Never gain more than 300–500m sleeping altitude per day. Take one rest day for every 1,000m gained above 3,000m.Example: Dingboche (4,410m) — 2 nights. Day hike higher but sleep lower.
4,000–5,000m
Follow "climb high, sleep low" strictly. Day hikes to higher altitude then return to lower camp. Maximum 300m gain per night.Drink 3–4L of water daily. Avoid alcohol and sleeping pills (suppress breathing).
5,000m+
High altitude. Expect reduced appetite, disturbed sleep, and shortness of breath as normal. Any neurological symptoms = descend immediately.EBC (5,364m) and Kala Patthar (5,644m) are the main trekking goals at this altitude.
Diamox (Acetazolamide): The most effective AMS prevention drug. Standard dose: 125–250mg twice daily, starting 24 hours before ascent above 2,500m. Consult your doctor before use. Common side effects: increased urination, tingling in fingers/toes, metallic taste. Do NOT use if allergic to sulpha drugs.
Helicopter rescue: Get travel insurance that explicitly covers high-altitude trekking helicopter evacuation. Cost without insurance: $3,000–$8,000. Recommended providers: World Nomads, True Traveller, Safety Wing. Many trekkers on EBC get evacuated — it's not rare. Your guide can call rescue from most trekking routes.
Cultural Guide
Nepal Festival Calendar 2026–2027
Nepal's festivals follow the Bikram Sambat lunar calendar — dates shift slightly each year. These are estimated 2026 dates. Timing your visit around a major festival is one of the best decisions you can make.
January
Maghe Sankranti
Winter solstice harvest festival. Families gather, eat sesame sweets and yam. Sacred bathing at river confluences. Mostly local significance.
February
Losar (Tibetan New Year) — Feb 17, 2026
Tibetan Buddhist New Year — spectacular at Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu and in highland Sherpa communities. Monks perform ritual dances. Two-week celebrations.
March
Holi — March 12, 2026 ⭐
Festival of Colours. Streets of Kathmandu and Pokhara erupt with coloured powder and water balloons. One of Nepal's most joyful and photogenic days. Wear clothes you don't mind ruining.
April
Nepali New Year (Baisakh 1) — April 14, 2026 ⭐
Nepal's official New Year (BS 2083). Major celebrations in Bhaktapur — streets fill with processions, masked dances, and Newari music from dawn. Also celebrated in Patan and Kathmandu Durbar Squares.
Bisket Jatra (Bhaktapur)
Bhaktapur's famous New Year chariot festival. Giant chariot pulled through narrow streets, tug-of-war between upper and lower city communities. Spectacular chaos.
May
Buddha Jayanti — May 12, 2026 ⭐
Triple anniversary of Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death (parinirvana). Magnificent processions at Boudhanath and Swayambhunath. Thousands of monks and pilgrims from across Asia. The holiest day in Nepal's Buddhist calendar.
June
Tiji Festival (Upper Mustang) — June
Three-day Buddhist festival in Lo Manthang celebrating the defeat of a demon. Monks perform elaborate masked dances over three days. One of Nepal's most remote and exclusive festivals.
July
Guru Purnima (Full Moon Day)
Festival honouring spiritual teachers. Special ceremonies at Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and monasteries across Nepal. Pilgrimages to sacred sites.
August
Teej — August 27, 2026 ⭐
Nepal's Women's Festival. Women dress in red and gold saris and fast for the longevity of their husbands. Thousands of women dancing and singing around Pashupatinath. One of the most colourful and moving festivals to witness.
Krishna Janmashtami
Lord Krishna's birthday. All-night vigils and worship at Krishna Mandir in Patan's Durbar Square. Atmospheric midnight celebrations.
September
Indra Jatra — September 2026
Kathmandu's grand street festival. Eight-day celebration with giant bamboo poles, masks of Indra, and the extraordinary Living Goddess (Kumari) procession through the old city streets. The Kumari blesses the head of state.
October
Dashain — October 2–12, 2026 ⭐⭐
Nepal's BIGGEST festival — 15 days of family celebrations, kite-flying, new clothes, card games, and ritual tika blessings. Villages and cities transform with marigold garlands. The 10th day (Vijaya Dashami) is the most sacred — families gather for blessings. Book accommodation 3 months ahead. An unmissable cultural immersion.
October–November
Tihar (Festival of Lights) — Oct 20–24, 2026 ⭐⭐
Nepal's answer to Diwali — five days of oil lamp lighting, flower mandalas, and worshipping crows (Day 1), dogs (Day 2), cows and Laxmi (Day 3), and brothers and sisters (Day 5). Kathmandu and Pokhara glow with millions of tiny lights at night. Incredibly beautiful and spiritual.
November
Mani Rimdu — November 2026
Sherpa Buddhist festival at Tengboche Monastery (3,867m) on the Everest trek. Monks perform ancient masked dances (cham) over three days. Only accessible by trekking in — making it one of the world's most exclusive festival experiences.
December
Yomari Punhi
Newari harvest festival celebrating the rice harvest with yomari — sweet rice-flour dumplings filled with molasses and sesame. Best experienced in Bhaktapur and traditional Newari villages. Intimate, local, and charming.
Festival travel tip: During Dashain (October) and Tihar (October–November), Nepali families return to their home villages — buses, domestic flights, and hotels fill weeks in advance. Book everything 6–8 weeks ahead for October travel. Some businesses close for Dashain holidays (typically 3–5 days).
Money Guide
Nepal Budget Tips 2026
Nepal can be extremely affordable if you know the tricks — or surprisingly expensive if you fall into tourist traps. Here's how to spend your money wisely.
✈️ Flights — How to Save
- Book 3–4 months ahead for Oct–Nov peak season — prices double in the final month
- Fly via the Gulf (Emirates, Qatar, Oman Air) for best UK/EU/US prices — typically $200–$400 cheaper than direct
- Consider flying into Delhi or Mumbai and taking an Air India or IndiGo connecting flight to Kathmandu ($40–80)
- Skyscanner flexible date view shows cheapest travel windows
- Check Biman Bangladesh for competitive prices from UK via Dhaka
🏨 Accommodation — Where to Save
- In Thamel: dorm beds from $5/night, private rooms from $15. Budget guesthouses are perfectly clean and comfortable
- On trek: tea house accommodation is essentially free if you eat all meals there ($5–15/night room only)
- Book Booking.com/Agoda for city hotels — avoid walk-in rack rates in peak season
- Pokhara Lakeside has better value than Thamel for equivalent quality
- Shoulder months (Feb, Sep) offer 20–30% lower rates than peak
🍜 Food — Eat Like a Local
- Dal Bhat (rice + lentil soup + vegetable curry) at local restaurants: $2–4. Includes unlimited refills — the best trekking value in Nepal
- Street momos (dumplings): $1–2 for a plate of 10. Best quick meal in Kathmandu
- Set meals at local restaurants outside Thamel: $3–5 vs $8–15 in tourist restaurants
- Western food in Thamel is surprisingly cheap — pizza, pasta, burgers $5–8
- Budget $15–25/day for food on trek (tea house menus get pricier at altitude)
🚌 Transport — Getting Around Cheap
- Kathmandu–Pokhara: Tourist bus $10–12 (8hrs) vs plane $80–100 (30min). Bus is perfectly fine with good views
- Kathmandu–Chitwan: Tourist bus $8–10 (5–6hrs) or fly $60
- Local city buses: $0.25–0.50. Taxis: always negotiate or use InDriver/Pathao apps for fixed prices
- Lukla flight (for EBC): $180–250 return — booked early for best prices
- Hire motorbike in Pokhara for half-day valley exploration: $8–12
💳 Money & ATMs
- Bring some USD cash — useful for visa, permits, and if ATMs run dry
- ATMs in Kathmandu and Pokhara are abundant. Most accept Visa/Mastercard. Withdrawal limit typically NPR 35,000 (~$260)
- Best exchange: Thamel forex offices give better rates than hotels or airports
- Wise prepaid card offers excellent mid-market exchange rates — highly recommended
- No ATMs on most treks above Namche Bazaar — carry enough cash for entire trek
📱 Sim Cards & Internet
- Buy Ncell or NTC SIM at Kathmandu airport arrivals: ~$5 for 10GB data
- Ncell has better coverage on Annapurna routes. NTC better on Everest routes
- Data tops up at mobile shops everywhere in cities
- WiFi in tea houses: free but slow. Better at lower altitudes. Expect no signal above 4,500m
- Download offline maps (Maps.me) before leaving Kathmandu — critical for trekking
2026 Daily Budgets at a Glance: Backpacker (dorm + local food + bus): $25–35/day · Mid-range (private room + decent restaurants + some tours): $60–100/day · Comfort (boutique hotel + good food + taxis + guides): $150–250+/day. Trekking costs are additional and depend heavily on which route and guide/porter you choose.
Health & Safety
Health, Safety & Emergency Info
Nepal is generally very safe for travellers, but a few health precautions and knowing who to call in an emergency will ensure a smooth trip.
💉 Recommended Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A (essential — transmitted via food/water)
- Hepatitis B (recommended for stays 4+ weeks)
- Typhoid (essential — food/water borne)
- Tetanus + Diphtheria + Polio boosters
- Rabies (recommended if trekking or close animal contact)
- Japanese Encephalitis (if visiting Chitwan/Terai in summer)
- Malaria prophylaxis (Terai lowlands only — not Kathmandu/mountains)
🚰 Water & Food Safety
- Never drink tap water — use purification tablets, SteriPen, or buy bottled
- Iodine tablets or Aquatabs are cheapest purification solution
- On trek: tea house boiled water is generally safe. Ask for "boiled water" (उमालेको पानी)
- Avoid street food from unhygienic-looking stalls (though momos are generally safe)
- Always wash hands before eating — hand sanitiser is essential on trek
- Common stomach illness: usually resolves in 24–48hrs. Oral rehydration essential
🛡️ Travel Insurance (Essential)
- Must cover high-altitude trekking (state altitude explicitly in policy)
- Must include helicopter evacuation — minimum $100,000 medical cover
- Must include trip cancellation (flights are expensive)
- Recommended providers: World Nomads, True Traveller, Safety Wing
- Check your credit card — many premium cards include basic travel insurance
- Never trek without rescue coverage — helicopter costs $4,000–$10,000
📞 Emergency Contacts Nepal 2026
- Nepal Police Emergency: 100
- Nepal Ambulance: 102
- Tourist Police (Kathmandu): +977-1-4247041
- CIWEC Hospital Kathmandu: +977-1-4435232
- RESCUEME (Emergency App): Download before trekking
- Nepal Mountain Rescue: +977-1-4413520
- British Embassy KTM: +977-1-4237100
⚠️ General Safety Tips
- Nepal is very safe — petty theft rare, violent crime towards tourists extremely rare
- Earthquake risk exists — learn your hotel's emergency exit
- Road safety: hire reputable drivers, avoid night bus journeys on mountain roads
- Don't trek solo above 3,000m — buddy system or guide is essential
- Register your trek with TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System)
- Carry a photocopy of your passport — original secure in hotel safe
🦟 Insects & Wildlife
- Mosquitoes in Terai (Chitwan/Lumbini): use DEET repellent and sleep under nets
- Leeches on monsoon trails: gaiters + DEET + salt removes them if attached
- Monkeys at Swayambhunath: never feed. They can scratch and bite
- Stray dogs: avoid approaching. If bitten, seek immediate medical attention (rabies risk)
- Wild elephants in Chitwan: never approach on foot. Follow your guide at all times
Ready to Plan Your Nepal Trip?
Use our free trip calculator for a personalised budget breakdown and matching trek recommendations based on your travel dates and experience level.
🧮 Use Trip Planner 📅 Check Best Season