Thousands of trekkers visit Nepal every year to do trekking in various trekking regions among which Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit appeal most to the tourists. However, not everyone has a good experience in Nepal, trekkers stumble upon various unexpected challenges that affect their good experience in Nepal. From Possible scams, starting from the Airport to altitude sickness on the trekking route, being prepared for such things will make your trip better.
According to the Department of Immigration of Nepal, more than 80% of tourist visited Nepal for adventure tourism like trekking and peak climbing. With such a growing number of visitors every year, tourists' grievances have also increased
Nepal is a small country between two powerhouses, China and India, that attracts massive numbers of travelers worldwide. However, for adventure seekers, Nepal is a must-visit country. As I have been in this industry for many years, I have heard from many travelers who wish they had known certain things before.
So, for those who want to visit Nepal, I have listed here some important things a tourist should know before visiting Nepal:
Nepal provides visas to almost all countries, excluding Nationals of Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Liberia, Ethiopia, Palestine, Iraq, Somalia, Syria, Cameroon, and Afghanistan, who are not eligible for visas on arrival and have to apply through the Nepali embassy or another means.
If you are trekking at high altitudes, especially in a place like Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, and Manaslu Circuit which are above 5000m, you have to be aware of altitude sickness.
Plan a proper acclimatization day for you to cope with higher altitudes. Spend an extra day acclimatizing if you are not sure, be well hydrated, and avoid alcohol and coffee in high altitudes. If you don't have an acclimatization day for high-altitude trekking we highly recommend you add it.
If symptoms worsen then descend to a lower altitude immediately. If worse comes you can contact your tour operator for Emergency Evacuation. Click here to inquire.
Nepal also has scammers just like any other country. Being alert is the best way to stay away from possible scams. Traveling through a government-registered reputed travel agency with a certain period of experience is the best way for tourists visiting Nepal. Some of the possible scams that might occur are:
Most tourists get scammed in airports that haven’t booked with a reputable travel agency. Drivers would charge high prices to innocent tourists who do not know the price beforehand. It would be best if you had a rough idea of fares from your booked hotel or internet.
There would be many people wanting to talk to tourists when they are walking on the road, and people might come to talk in a friendly way offering you various treks and tours at a low price but after the trek is completed they might ask for an unreasonable tip. And also they might take you to a shop and persuade you to buy an item from which they will earn a huge commission from a shopkeeper. They might also take you to one of their friends to sign you up for an overpriced tour.
There are many unauthorized travel agencies in Kathmandu. Traveling with such an agency might turn out to be difficult if things go south during the trek. They might also disappear overnight after collecting a large sum of money from the tourists. So, check their official documents or reviews online before booking a trek or tour with them.
You might get sick in a high-altitude country like Nepal and some underhanded tour operators use this chance to persuade you to do helicopter rescue even though you are not that ill. They might tell you a life-threatening scenario so you would sign up for a rescue mission from which operators get a huge commission from the hospital and helicopter.
These are some of the possible scams that you need to be aware of more, however, you would need to be careful of other things also like over-friendly people in the streets, children beggars, fake brand shopkeepers, etc. Click here to inquire and save youself from such scams.
While Nepal offers an incredible experience for its travelers, coming here can be very expensive, especially depending on where you are flying from. Flight costs to Nepal depend on which month you are flying to Nepal higher during Nepali festive seasons and trekking seasons. Flight costs change every day, so it's better to be updated. Here are a few average prices for people to keep in mind;
From North America: Flight from the US or Canada to Kathmandu typically ranges from USD 800 to USD 1,500 for economy class, depending on the month of travel. Direct flights are very rare, so tourists can expect some layovers or transit in different countries.
From Europe: Flights from major European cities like Rome, London, Frankfurt, or Paris to Kathmandu can cost between 600 euros to 1,200 euros.
From Australia/New Zealand: Travelers from Australia and New Zealand can expect to pay around USD 700 to $1300, depending on the month of visit.
From Asia or nearby countries: If you are flying from nearby countries, flight costs are typically low compared to others. It can cost around $100 to USD 400 for a round trip.
Though flights to Nepal can be expensive, being flexible with dates, booking in advance, and choosing the right airlines will help travelers decrease their overall expenses. After you arrive in Nepal, food, accommodation, and transportation are relatively affordable.
Nepal is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-cultural country that has a very diverse cultural heritage however, with more than 80% of the population being Hindu. Some of the cultural values that tourists should keep while traveling in Nepal are;
The local currency of Nepal is the Nepali Rupee (NPR). You can exchange your currency for the Nepali rupee in the city before going for a trek. Most of the money exchange shops are only in a city so it's better to exchange the required amount in the city.
ATMs are available in cities for tourists to withdraw cash, and ATMs allow tourists to withdraw 20 to 30 thousand Rupees per transaction. You can withdraw three times per day from ATMs. Some of the ATMs might not work, so it would be better to have a backup plan.
If you are planning to pay by card to your tour operator, the bank will charge them an extra 4% of the amount per transaction so tour operators might add that 4% from tourists, so if it's not a big amount to worry about, you can pay through cash.
Mineral water is not found in rural areas of Nepal, so while trekking, it's better to buy water purifying tablets that will last for your whole trek. For 1 liter of water, 1 tablet would be enough but you have to wait 30 minutes after putting in the purifying tablet to drink it.
Tourists can enjoy local cuisines like Dhal Bhat, Newari, and Thakali foods, but beware of street food, which might give you food poisoning. So, check the cleanliness of the place and food before enjoying it.
Nepal is a developing country so transportation facilities might not be as good as Western countries. And because of the Nepal landscape,e traveling by road may take much more time. For example, Kathmandu to Pokhara, which is 200 km in distance,e would take 7-8 hours minimum because of road conditions. So, we suggest you keep extra days for trekking and touring in Nepal, just in case there is a delay due to transportation.
Flights to places like Lukla (Gateway to Everest) are mostly weather-dependent and can be delayed or even canceled. So many people visit Nepal in trekking seasons like September to December and March to May, which are the best times to visit Nepal.
Nepal is a safe country, but you might run into some scams and pickpockets in tourist areas if you are not careful. Most tourists have a hard time in Nepal because of not carry essential gear, for which you can consult with your tour operators; they will tell you which gear would be appropriate for you, depending on your trek or tour. Respect Local customs and Traditions. Accidents might occur in high-altitude countries like Nepal, so it's better to have travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking. Contact Us if there is anything we can help with.
There are rules and regulations that tourists have to follow while visiting Nepal.
If you plan to extend your stay in Nepal without extending your visa you will have to pay a fine and there could be other legal issues. So don't overstay your visa.
Nepal has significantly more to offer in adventure tourism than any other country through its majestic high-peak mountains and cultural diversity. By being aware of these essential tips you might be able to make your stay in Nepal both safe and memorable.
For more tips and guided trek and tour visit Beyond the Limits Treks and Expedition or contact us for expert advice on planning your next adventure in Nepal.
Yes, most nationalities require a visa to enter Nepal. You can get a visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport after you land or at most land border points. However, people from some countries have to apply for visas in advance through the Nepali Embassy. Countries like (Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, etc) are the exception of visas on arrival in Nepal.
Altitude Sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness, occurs when a person ascends to a higher altitude quickly without proper acclimatization, making his/her body unable to adjust to lower oxygen levels at higher altitudes. Symptoms include headache, nausea, and dizziness. You can avoid altitude sickness by acclimating your body to certain altitudes, staying hydrated, and avoiding coffee and alcohol.
The most trustworthy way to avoid getting scammed in Nepal is to book your tour or trek with reputable travel agencies with government-registered licenses and proper tax-paid documents. Be cautious of unauthorized guides and companies. Also, check reviews and credentials before booking tours.
The best time to visit Nepal for trekking is during the Spring and Autumn seasons when the weather is clear and you would get the most out of your visit to Nepal. However, you have to know that flights to trekking regions like Everest are very weather-dependent.
Though it might not be a problem for locals, many tourists have difficulty digesting tap water in Nepal. So it's better to use water purifying tablets while trekking which you can buy in Kathmandu. Use 1 tablet for 1 liter of water and wait 1 hour before drinking that water.
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