Travel Essentials › Nepal
Travel Essentials
Plugs: Types C, D and M, 230 V. Emergency: Police 100, Ambulance 102, Fire 101. Tipping: About 10% in restaurants; trekking guides and porters expect a tip at the end of a trek. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water.
Types C, D and M, 230 V
| Police | 100 |
| Ambulance | 102 |
| Fire | 101 |
About 10% in restaurants; trekking guides and porters expect a tip at the end of a trek.
Greetings. Greet with 'Namaste' (palms together, slight bow) rather than a handshake, especially with elders or in rural areas.
Remove shoes and dress modestly at temples. Remove shoes before entering homes and temples; dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees) at religious sites and avoid leather items at some Hindu temples.
Use the right hand. Give and receive items, and eat, with the right hand; the left hand is considered unclean.
Nepal is generally safe for tourists, including trekkers, though altitude sickness, road conditions and occasional petty crime are the main practical risks rather than violent crime.
Unlicensed trekking guides/porters. Some unlicensed operators offer cut-rate treks with inadequate safety support; book through a registered trekking agency.
Overcharging in Thamel. Tourist-district shops and restaurants may inflate prices; compare prices and bargain respectfully in markets.
Fake charity/orphanage tourism. Some 'orphanages' soliciting donations or volunteers are unregulated or exploitative; donate through vetted, registered organizations only.
Women travelers. Solo women travelers generally report Nepal as welcoming, though modest dress and caution in isolated areas (including some trekking trails) are advised.
Legal · Mostly Safe
Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 2007, a third gender is officially recognized, and the Supreme Court ordered marriage equality in June 2026, making Nepal one of the most progressive countries in Asia on this issue, though social acceptance and family pressure to conform still create challenges outside major cities.
| Coffee (café) | NPR 250 | $1.90 |
| Local bus or metro ride | NPR 30-60 | $0.20-0.45 |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | NPR 700-1,300 | $5-10 |
| Hostel bed / budget room (night) | NPR 650-1,600 | $5-12 |
| Mid-range hotel (night) | NPR 2,600-6,500 | $20-50 |
| Daily budget, mid-range traveler | NPR 6,500-13,000 | $50-100 |
2026-09
Autumn (late September to December) is best for clear skies and easy trekking, with spring (late February to mid-April) a close second; the June-September monsoon brings heavy rain and makes high-altitude trekking dangerous.
Basic Nepali phrases · Basic Bhojpuri phrases · Basic Maithili phrases · Basic Awadhi phrases