North India and Beach Tour

Travelling to Nepal: Insurance and Visa

Travel insurance

Travel Insurance is highly recommended for all of our clients who are travelling to Nepal in the near future. Before you buy Travel Insurance for Nepal, you should make sure that the Insurance policy covers the cost of a rescue helicopter from mountainous or remote regions of the country and covers all extreme activities for your trip such as rafting, expedition, trekking, canyoning etc. If you fall ill or have an accident during your trip in Nepal, the cost can become exorbitant if you lack travel insurance.

Many insurance companies from all over the world are providing travel insurance services at a reasonable cost and if you are travlling in a group, you may be able to get further discounts.
Finally, please always have a printed copy of your insurance policy handy while travelling in Nepal and also, save an e-copy online. If you need more information about travel insurance, please feel free to contact us.

Nepal Visa

Tourist who intends to visit Nepal must hold a valid passport and visa.

You may get your tourist visa in your home country or on arrival. We recommend you to get your tourist visa on arrival as it is very easy. To get your visa on arrival, you must have a valid passport and one passport sized photo with a light background.

Tourist Visa fee for visitors who enter Nepal for the first time in a visa year, from January to December:

• Multiple entry visa for 15 days US$ 25
• Multiple entry visa for 30 days US$ 40
• Multiple entry visa for 90 days US$ 100

You may pay in Euro, Swiss Franc, Pound Sterling, US Dollar, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Hong Kong Dollar, Singapore Dollar and Japanese Yen. Credit card, Indian currency and Nepali currency are not accepted as payment of visa fee.

Tourist visa extension facility:

• Visa extension fee for the period of 15 days us US$ 30
• Visa extension fee for the period of more than 15 days US$ 2 per day.
• Visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a visa year (January - December) at the Department of Immigration.

No visa required for:

• Children below 10 yrs.
• Any foreigner, who has stayed in Nepal up to fifteen (15) days continuously and re-enters Nepal during the same visa year.
• Any tourist who is entering Nepal for three days or less.

Dos and Donts:

• A tourist may stay in Nepal up to 150 days in a visa year.
• A tourist must extend his/her visa before expiry of the visa validity period. A tourist who does not comply with these regulations may be liable of fine and other prosecution as provided in Immigration Act and Rules.
• A foreigner having obtained tourist visa shall not be allowed to work with or without receiving remuneration.
• A foreigner shall not be allowed to carry out any work other than that for which purpose s/he has obtained the visa.

Should you have any question regarding visas, please contact us.

Personal First Aid Kit

Although every guide on your trip carries a comprehensive medical kit, it is advisable to bring a small supply of first aid items for your own personal use. Base your kit on the following list, plus any special medications you may require:

1. Insect repellent.
2. Antiseptic cream.
3. Sun/face cream and lip screen.
4. Throat lozenges or hard candies.
5. Anti-diarrhoeal drug
6. Anti-protozoan. (Flagyl). Ask your doctor.
7. Antibiotics. A broad-spectrum antibiotic. Please ask your doctor.
8. Analgesics. Aspirin, Advil or Tylenol - for headaches etc.
9. Moleskin or Second Skin for blisters.
10. Diamox. Already discussed.
11. Re-hydration salts. A small tub of Gatorade powder mix is a good idea.
12. Multi-vitamin tablets are a good idea.
13. Iodine-based water purification tablets.

Entrance fees for Heritage Sites / Museums / Zoo

Entrance fees must be paid before touring heritage sites around Kathmandu Valley like Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bauddhanath, Swayambhunath and Changu Narayan Temple. Entrance fees must be paid before touring Lumbini Gardens, the sanctuary of the Mayadevi Temple, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, in Lumbini, Rupandehi. Entrance fees must be paid before touring the Central Zoo in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, and museums in Kathmandu Valley. Entrance fees must also be paid before touring local museums in different parts of Nepal.

General Health & Medicine Advice

You should make an appointment to get a check-up with your family doctor and dentist before embarking on your trip. Below is a quick list of frequently needed immunizations. This is only a basic guide and we strongly recommend that you follow the advice given by your doctor.

• Tetanus: An updated booster shot every 10 years is recommended.
• Typhoid: This series is now available in pill form and provides 5 years of coverage.
• Hepatitis (A): The Hepatitis A Vaccine (commonly called Havrix) is highly effective and provides 10 years coverage.
• Hepatitis (B): The Hepatitis B Vaccine is recommended for long term travelers and those in the health care profession. Twinrix is a combined Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccine.
• Meningitis A+C: This vaccination is now recommended for Nepal. Each shot provides three years of coverage.
• Rabies Vaccine: Recommended for long term travelers but optional for tourists.
• Cholera: The risk of cholera to the foreign traveler or resident in Nepal is still minimal.
• Yellow Fever: Yellow fever is not a disease risk in Nepal and is only required if arriving from a country where yellow fever is present.
• Diamox: A number of studies have consistently shown that the controlled taking of Diamox (Acetazolamide) can be effective in reducing some of the symptoms of AMS (acute mountain sickness). We would recommend that you ask your doctor to provide you with a small supply of Diamox (12 x 250mg tablets).

Given enough notice, your doctor or local health clinic should be able to administer all the above. Two excellent sources of up to date medical advice are: The CIWEC CLINC in Kathmandu, Nepal and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Equipment list

Equipment list for day tours

Usually you should need these things while you are in Nepal with you for a cultural day tours, day hiking or short village tours around Kathmandu or Pokhara.

• Day back pack
• Nepalese Money
• Passport
• Address book
• Walking Boots
• T shirts
• Fleece 
• Sun-hat
• Walking Trousers
• Towel 
• Wash Gear (compact) 
• Sun Block
• Sandals 
• Shorts 
• First Aid pack + any extra medication
• Glasses
• Sun Glasses
• Digital Camera + extra batteries + charger & leads 
• Mobile Phone (Buy Local SIM card) 
• Battery chargers for above
• Small Padlock
• Water Bottle
• Water Purifier 
• Pocket knife
• Head Torch
• Trekking Pole(s)
• Guidebook / Maps
• Snacks
• Waterproof / Windproof Jacket
• An Umbrella 
• Insect repellent cream
• Personal toiletries
• Hand sanitizer
• Personal toiletries