Passport, visa and customs
The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the return journey and contain 2 unstamped pages. Your passport must not be cracked or otherwise broken. Visa required for Nepal. Visas to Nepal are issued on site upon arrival in Kathmandu. Upon arrival, the traveler must hand over 2 passport photographs. The visa is valid for 15 days and costs USD 25 in cash. Cameras, telephones, computers and other electronics must be declared on arrival and must also be shown on departure. To bring out antiques, plants or animal products, you must first obtain a special permit from the Nepal Museum in Kathmandu to show at customs upon departure. Ask the local guide for further information on how you should proceed.
Vaccinations and health
No vaccinations are mandatory for entry into Nepal, but the Nepalese authorities require a certificate showing that you have been vaccinated against yellow fever if you have recently visited countries in Africa and South America where there is a risk of the disease. Consult the vaccination center or your local health center for advice well in advance of departure about which vaccinations may be relevant to you. Make sure you have insurance that covers health care in Nepal and what it may cover in addition. For example, home transport in the event of a more serious accident / illness can otherwise be expensive. Bring your insurance documents.
The bacterial culture differs a lot from the one we are used to and it can be a good idea to eat lactic acid tablets for preventive purposes before departure. Do not drink tap water and use bottled water when brushing teeth. Avoid raw vegetables, ice cream and ice cubes. Most toilets do not have toilet paper, so bring your own.
Weather and clothing:
The rainy season in Nepal falls in mid-June and lasts until September. Winters are cold, especially at higher altitudes. From October to November and from March to May, the weather is usually clear and the temperature is reasonable, which is why Nepal is particularly suitable for visiting the country during these autumn and spring months.
Bring comfortable walking shoes and a warm sweater for cool evenings. Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen will also come in handy during a trip to Nepal. When visiting temples and other holy places, one should not show too much bare skin, which applies to both women and men. Therefore, wear trousers or a skirt that covers the legs up to the ankles, as well as a long-sleeved shirt, jacket or blouse.
Climate table for Kathmandu:
Kathmandu | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Christmas | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Max ° C | 19 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 24 | 20 |
Min ° C | 2 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 13 | 8 | 4 |
Precipitation etc. | 18 | 17 | 39 | 48 | 90 | 245 | 380 | 258 | 178 | 78 | 18 | 1 |
Currency and exchange rate:
Nepal’s currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). At present, it is not possible to switch to Nepalese rupees in Sweden. Bring USD to exchange on site. There are exchange offices at the airport and you can also exchange at the bank and at a slightly lower rate also at some hotels. Save the receipt to exchange any currency before returning home. USD also works as a payment almost everywhere in Nepal, but you often get a bad exchange rate if you pay in dollars. It is also walkable with Indian rupees in many places in the country. Standard Chartered Bank has ATMs in Kathmandu and Pokhara where you can withdraw cash with Visa or MasterCard. Credit cards such as American Express and Visa are accepted in a few shops and better restaurants and hotels. Otherwise, only cash applies.
Transport and communications:
During our travels in Nepal, we travel with tourist buses of a good standard. There are otherwise two different types of taxis in Nepal. One is called “private” which works like a regular taxi. The other is called “10 rupees” and is a kind of common taxi where several travelers share the same car. These taxis do not drive until they are completely full. Traffic in Kathmandu can be very intense and traffic jams are something to be reckoned with. If you want to use your mobile phone, it may be worth buying a SIM card on the spot. There are plenty of internet cafes in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Food and drinks:
In Nepal, there are many ethnic minorities with their own food cultures. In Nepalese cuisine, in any case, wonderfully fragrant spices such as cardamom, cumin, ginger and turmeric are often used. Nepalese cuisine is somewhat similar to Indian, but the dishes are usually not as spicy. Just like in India, people do not usually eat beef because the cow is considered sacred in Hinduism. Feel free to try Nepal’s national dish Dal Bath which is available in a variety of varieties! Tea is very popular in Nepal. Here you will find everything from green tea, black tea and chai tea to Tibetan butter. The capital Kathmandu has a range of international restaurants.
Shopping – gifts:
Bargaining is common in shops, markets and when settling the price before a taxi ride. Examples of popular souvenirs are pashmina shawls, silk, colored fabrics, knitted jackets, handicrafts, Nepalese and Tibetan jewelry, handmade locomotive paper, masks, silverware and Nepalese teas.
Other information:
Local time: Nepal is 4 hours and 45 minutes before Swedish winter time.
Electricity: 220 volts, 50 Hz. Adapter recommended. Flashlight can be put to good use in the event of a power failure.
Tips: Wages in Nepal are low and all people working in the service professions expect tips for the services they perform. Examples of tips are 10-15% of the bill at a restaurant.
Languages: Many languages are spoken in Nepal. The official national language, however, is Nepali, but people with some form of formal education also speak English, especially in Kathmandu or in tourist-dense areas.
Luggage: Pack important medicines with a certificate from your doctor in hand luggage. The same goes for valuables. Label all your luggage carefully with the luggage tags you receive with the tickets.
Photography: Photography or filming in temples or shrines is not always allowed. Ask the guide if you are unsure. It is also advisable to ask the locals for permission before photographing them.
Travel insurance: Can be purchased through Phoenix travel. First check what your home insurance or card insurance covers when traveling in Nepal.