clothes – remember to carry clothing as per the season and temperature in nepal during the time of travel. also remember to carry hiking shoes.

 

currency – indian travelers can carry indian currency in inr 100 denominations or smaller notes into nepal. denominations of rs 500 and above are legally banned in nepal. please note that 1 indian rupee = 1.6 nepalese rupee. indian rupee is widely accepted in nepal.

 

electrical plugs – all major towns are well connected with electricity that runs on 220/240 volts with round hole two-pin and three-pin power outlets. it is recommended that you bring flat-to-round pin converters for your electronics if necessary, however, most hotels offer multi plug sockets

 

personal belongings – nepal is a very safe place. your belongings are safe in hotel/car but on a bad day, anything could go wrong so we always suggest you to carry your camera, wallet, passport and your valuable goods with you all the time

 

telephone connections – international roaming in nepal is expensive. please check with your mobile service provider for charges related to nepal. if you need, its best to use a local sim. tourists can easily get the tourists sim in nepal. in order to get the connection they have to submit the copy of the voter i card or the passport together with 2 passport size photographs to the vendor.

 

timing difference – nepal is 15 minutes ahead of indian standard time.

 

twin bedded rooms – most of the hotels in nepal have twin beds. we will try to give king/queen beds in case of availability. if we are unable to provide king/queen beds, than the guests will have to stay in twin bedded rooms only.

 

using your right hands – since the large majority of inhabitants are hindu, you should be aware that your left hands are used washroom and your right is for everything else like eating with your right hand, washing your hands before and after meals, and avoiding touching water containers or others’ food when eating in a group and avoid touching others with your left hand. this is also important when you have money in hands, whether paying or receiving. as a mark of extra courtesy, touch your left hand to your right elbow.

 

drinking water – due to safety reasons, always drink boiled or bottled water and ensure that food is fresh and thoroughly cooked. you may even consider bringing your own boiling kettle. remember to always wash fruits with fresh water and do not drink soft drinks with ice in them, as the ice may have been made from tap water. always carry bottled water when in the country.

 

toilet papers – always carry your own toilet paper as the hotel where you stay may not have it.

 

air pollution – if you have asthama or any other respiratory or lung problem, consider carrying sanitary masks

 

tips – while tipping is not compulsory in nepal guides and drivers only have work for around half of the year and therefore tips are valuable for making up their income. the tipping of your guide and driver is purely a personal matter. it acts as a reward for good work. don’t tip for short taxi rides in town or any service person you’ve bargain with. its an acceptable practice to tip 10% of the final bill.

 

artifacts and antiques – it is illegal to export anything older than 100 years. please refrain from taking any religious objects like prayer stones, statues, temple ritual objects, prayer flags, etc. from sacred sites and also discourage others.

 

taking photos – most people in nepal do not mind being photographed. however it is always courteous to ask permission before taking the photographs

 

custom allowance – some of important custom allowance is given below:

• 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars and 20g of tobacco
• 15 litres of spirits or wine or 12 cans of beer
• all baggage must be declared on arrival and departure. certain goods including cameras, videos and electronic goods may only be imported duty-free if they are exported on departure. they may not be left in nepal.
• the following are banned from being imported into the country: narcotics, beef and plastic bags less than 20 microns thick. restricted items include firearms and ammunition, radio equipment and poppy seeds.

 

some nepalese etiquette & conventions:

• please do not touch anyone else’s food in nepal it is bad manners.
• use both hands together rather than one when giving or receiving something, even money. it shows appreciation and respect
• please remember not to point with a single finger at a sacred object or place. it is considered being disrespectful. use your palm to show something.
• don’t eat with your left hand and nor eat beef among hindus.
• always take off your shoes before entering a temple.
• do not speak loudly when visiting temples and other religious places
• please do not walk over any clothes, books, hearth or materials left open in religious sites. it is considered disrespectful. if needed walk around it.
• please throw rubbish only in designated areas and do not litter.
• avoid smoking and wearing scant dress in religious settings.
• neither offer food from your plate, nor eat from a common pot. avoid touching your lips to a shared drinking vessel.