10 Practical Tips for Traveling in Nepal: Altitude Sickness, Cash, and Trekking Insurance
From altitude sickness to cash preparation, trekking permits to travel insurance—these details affect your health, safety, and wallet while traveling in Nepal.
- Prepare Landing Visa Documents: You’ll need to fill out a form and submit a photo for the on-arrival visa. Carrying US dollars in cash will make things easier, or you can apply for an e-visa online in advance to save time queuing.
- Don’t Forget Your Trekking Permits: A TIMS card and protected area permit are mandatory. Be sure to obtain them in Kathmandu or Pokhara before your trip; lacking these may result in fines or being stopped at checkpoints.
- Allow Time for Acclimatization: When trekking, ascend gradually and avoid rapid elevation gains. If you experience headaches or insomnia, descend immediately. Bring preventive medication in advance.
- Get the Right Travel Insurance: Choose a policy that includes high-altitude rescue and helicopter evacuation for trekking, and confirm that the covered altitude matches your actual route.
- Carry Enough Cash: Cash is king in the mountains. Exchange enough Nepali rupee small bills in Kathmandu or Pokhara before heading in, as prices get higher the higher you go.
- Avoid Indian High-Denomination Notes: Indian Rupee notes of 500 and 2,000 denominations are not accepted in Nepal. Do not bring them into the country for use.
- Drink Water Carefully: Tap water isn’t safe to drink. Use water purification tablets or buy sealed bottled water, and carry stomach medication.
- Protect Against Dust and Sun: Valley areas have heavy dust and vehicle exhaust—wear a mask if needed. At high altitudes, UV rays are intense, so pack sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Respect Religious Customs: Remove shoes before entering temples, walk around stupas clockwise, ask for permission before photographing locals, and avoid loud behavior inside religious sites.
- Emergency Numbers: Police (100), Ambulance (102), and Tourist Police (1144). Save these numbers in advance and inform your family of your travel plans.
Many issues in Nepal stem from lack of preparation rather than the country itself. Get your permits, insurance, cash, and altitude acclimatization sorted in advance, and allow some buffer for weather and flight delays—and your trip will go much more smoothly, leaving you more energy to enjoy the mountains and ancient cities.