Visa Information

Foreign Currency Exchange

Nepal Rastra Bank have listed the following currency for official transaction for the purpose of buying and selling: US Dollar, Euro, Pound Sterling, Swiss Franc, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Singapore Dollar, Japanese Yen and Chinese Yuan* . However the Nepal Rastra Bank has listed another five currencies for the purpose of buying only: Swedish Kroner, Danish Kroner, Hong Kong Dollar, Saudi Arab Riyal and Katari Riyal.

Please note that Chinese Yuan can be transacted only with Chinese tourists and Nepali exporters and importers. Indian currency is accepted in Nepal except the 500 and 1000 denomination notes. It is illegal and punishable offence to carry these notes within Nepal.

Credit Card like American Express, Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in tourist areas like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and in the Everest region.

For more information, click http://www.nrb.org.np

Getting Around

Visitors can go to different parts of Nepal either by road or by air. Among domestic airlines of Nepal the Royal Nepal Airlines (RA)http://www.royalnepal-airlines.com provides extensive network. Other domestic airlines more than 18 in operation provide regular and charter services to popular domestic destinations. Excepting weather conditions Nepal's domestic air service is known to be punctual and reliable.

Buses are available to different parts of the capital and the kingdom from the new bus park in Gongabu and the old bus park in Sundhara. Regular bus services operate within the three cities in Kathmandu Valley. Scheduled bus services for outside the Valley operate from the Gongabu Bus Terminal. There are tourist bus services to selected places offered by a few travel agencies. In addition, one can also hire private vehicles at nominal rates.

Airport bus carries passengers from the airport into the city. Getting around Kathmandu Valley is made easier by metered taxis that can be hailed off the streets and are easily recognizable by the taxi sign and their black number plates. No tip is expected. Night taxis are available for higher prices. Three wheeler scooters that are cheaper than taxis are also available. For cheaper rides buses and teeny vans called micro buses are available to different parts of the Valley. Battery run scooters also serve the same purpose.

Airport tax is applicable to Nepali and non-Nepali citizens who use airport facilities. The airport tax specified for different flights from Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) and other domestic airports are as follows:

1. International Sector TIA

a) Departing for SAARC Countries
Passenger Service Charge + VAT NRs. 791/- and Tourism Service Fee + VAT NRs. 565/- = NRs. 1356

b) Departing for Other Countries
Passenger Service Charge + VAT NRs. 1130/- and Tourism Service Fee + VAT NRs. 565/- = NRs.1695.

Domestic Sector
NRs.169.50/(including VAT)

Trekking Permit:
While permission is not required to trek to most areas, trekking permit is required for restricted areas. To get a group trekking permit an application form should be submitted through any registered trekking agency of Nepal. Some restricted areas are open only for group trekkers and trekking permit to these areas will not be issued to individual trekkers. For detail information about the permit log on to http://www.immi.gov.np official web site of Department of Immigration of Nepal.

Miscellaneous Fees:

a. Travel document is issued for US $ 20 in case of loss, damage, theft, expiry of the passport.

b. Entry visa is issued from the Department of Immigration at 25 percent additional fee along with regular entry visa fee.

c. Certification of arrival or departure stamps or replacement of trekking permit US $ 1.

Security for Visitors

Tourist Police was established in 1979 under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. The special unit has been designated the task of providing security to visitors. The team of Tourist Police consists of officers who can speak and understand English and Hindi. They register complaints, investigate matters, provide protection and safety to tourists. They also try to ensure hassle-free trip for visitors and assist tourists when necessary. There are three units of Tourist Police forces in Kathmandu. While the main office is at the Tourist Service Center in Bhrikuti Mandap(Phone: 4247041, 4247037), the other two are in tourist areas Thamel(Phone: 4429750) and Basantapur(Phone: 4268969).

Here are some tips on how visitors can remain safe:

1. Inform your whereabouts immediately upon arrival to the local police or concerned embassy or consulate.

2. Use the services of government registered travel and trekking agencies only.

3. Stay only at government registered hotels, resorts, guest houses and lodges.

4. Use only those porters who are authorized by your travel agency or hotel.

5. Exchange foreign currency only at authorized places.

6. Carry certified copies of documents and leave the originals and other valuables in the safe deposit box of your hotel.

7. Never leave these items unattended in your room.

8. Do not carry large sums of cash.

9. Carry travelers' cheques and limited amount of cash while on tour.

10. Never leave your luggage and other valuables unattended at any time, any place.

11. In case of theft or loss contact the nearest police station immediately.

Customs Formalities

Customs: All baggage must be declared and cleared through the customs on arrival at the entry. Personal effects are permitted free entry.Passengers arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) without any dutiable goods can proceed through the Green Channel for quick clearance without a baggage check. If you are carrying dutiable articles, you have to pass through the Red Channel for detailed customs clearance.

Import: Apart from used personal belongings, visitors are allowed to bring to Nepal free of duty cigarette (200) or cigars (50), distilled liquor (one 1.15 liter bottle), and film (15 rolls). You can also bring in the following articles free of duty on condition that you take them out with you when you leave: binocular, movie or video camera, still camera, laptop computer, and portable music system.

Export: The export of antiques require special certification from the Department of Archeology, National Archive Building, Ram Shah Path, Kathmandu. It is illegal to export objects over 100 years old like sacred images, paintings, manuscripts that are valued for culture and religious reasons. Visitors are advised not to purchase such items as they are Nepal's cultural heritage and belong here.

For more information on customs matters, contact the Chief Customs Administrator, TIA Customs Office (Phone: 4470110, 4472266).

  Trekking Permit

Entry Permit to Trek in Annapurna Conservation Area

• Conservation Area Entry Fee per person:

• For SAARC Nationals Nepali Rupees 200.

• For other Nationals (other than SAARC countries) Nepali Rupees 2,000.

Note:  

• Entrance fee not required for children under 10 years of age.

• This entry permit is valid for only one Conservation Area. Trekkers visiting both the Conservation Areas will require to obtain individual Entry Permits for each Conservation Area.

• Two passport size photographs are required while applying for each Entry Permit.

Terms and Conditions:

• This Entry Permit is valid for single entry only and is non refundable, non-transferable. The permit holder can enter the designated places within the Conservation Area.

• Person entering the Conservation Area shall abide by the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029 B.S. (1973, Nepal) and the Regulations made under this Act.

• This Entry Permit must be carried during the entire trip and should be shown if concerned personnel of the Conservation Area want to check it.

• Entry permits to Annapurna Conservation Area and Manaslu Conservation Area will only be issued from the following Entry Permit Counters listed below. Entry Permits will not be issued from any check posts along the trekking routes of the Conservation Areas. Therefore, all are requested to obtain an Entry Permit before entering the Conservation Areas. However, under special circumstances, Entry Permit may be issued from the check posts along the trekking route upon a payment of 100% additional charge.

Entry Permits available at the following locations:

• Kathmandu: Karmachari Sanchaya Kosh Building, Tridevi Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu (for Annapurna and Manaslu)

• Pokhara: Nepal Tourism Board's (NTB) Tourist Service Center building.

Opening hours:
Sunday to Friday except on public holidays, at the following times:

• 9 am – 5 pm (mid February to mid November)

• 9 am – 4 pm (mid November to mid February)

For further information please contact:

KMTNC/ACAP
P.O.Box: 183, Pokhara
Kaski, Nepal
Ph.no: 977-61-521102/528202
Fax: 977-61-528203
Email: info@kmtnc-acap.org.np
KMTNC, Kathmandu: info@kmtnc.org.np

Special Notice

BE A GUEST!

The Minimum Impact Code

Awareness and responsibility are the first thing to take on your trek. Your example affects the locals’ attitude toward their culture and environment. Therefore, please apply these rules not only to yourself, but also make them a condition of your trekking staff. Remind other visitors of the importance of respecting the environment.

CONSERVE THE FOREST

• Don't light campfires: Cook with kerosene, and take sufficient warn clothing.

• Choose lodges that use alternatives to wood for cooking and heating. To save fuel, order the same meal for all members of a group.

STOP POLLUTION

• Carry out what you carry in.

• Buy only what won't pollute, or carry it our. Purify water yourself instead of buying it bottled. Return batteries to your home country for proper disposal.

• Use toilets wherever possible. In the wild, stay at least 50m away from water sources, and bury your waste.

PROTECT WILDLIFE

• Don't disturb wildlife.

• Don't hurt or remove animals and plants.

• Don't buy items made from wildlife parts.

RESPECT PEOPLE AND CULTURE

• Adopt local custom: Speak Nepali and local language to the best of your ability. Don't wear revealing clothes. Save caresses for private moments.

• Respect privacy. Ask before photographing people or religious sites. Don't enter houses uninvited.

• Leave antiques where they belong.

• Discourage begging and encourage fair dealing.

Keep your eyes, ear and mind open: 

Not only to learn from your hosts, but also to encourage right behavior. Consult ACAP staff, brochures and guide book for more detail on how to be a good guest.