Planning a trip to Nepal is not as easy as planning a vacation in Hawaii or Europe. Nepal is one of the most remote destinations on Earth if you are starting your trip from North America, and it takes almost 2 days just to get there. A trip to this Himalayan kingdom requires a great deal of advance planning. You should set aside plenty of time to make all the essential arrangements to ensure your journey is as enjoyable as possible.
When should I go? How do I get there? What do I need to pack? Where should I stay? What kind of restaurants are there? What should I see? These are some of the questions that this section will answer.
The single-most-important thing to know about flying to Nepal is that with relatively few flights into the country, seats book up months in advance during the peak trekking seasons. Try to make reservations at least 6 months in advance, especially if you want to fly on Thai Airways or Singapore Airlines. By July or August, you'll find that nearly every flight into the country during this period is wait-listed. Royal Nepal Airlines, which is infamously unreliable, is usually the last airline to fill up.
There are no direct flights from the United States and from Europe to Nepal, so unless you fly Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, or Qatar Airlines you're going to have to change airlines somewhere en route, usually in London or Delhi if you are eastbound or in Bangkok or Singapore if you are westbound. You'll also have to spend a night somewhere en route-Bangkok, Singapore and Delhi are the usual overnight stops.
If you are traveling through Delhi, it's a good idea to have an Indian visa, even if you aren't planning to leave the airport.
Security.
Nepal is generally very safe with one of the lowest crime rates of all countries. Travel with children in Nepal, yet with a bit of planning it is remarkably hassle free
Shopping.
Despite Nepal's lack of raw materials, shopping here is quite advanced. Curio arts Garment, Thankas and Carpets are head the export list. Nepal's carpet industries are world renowned.
Currency.
The unit of the Nepalese Currency is the Rupee. Nepali Rupee notes come in Rs. 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 denominations.
Banks.
Banks are open between 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P M. from Sunday to Friday. They are closed on Saturdays and other holidays.
Credit Cards.
Major credit cards are widely accepted in Kathmandu and Pokhara hotels, restaurants, Travel/Trekking office and shops.
Currency Exchange.
There are plenty of Currency Exchange Counters in Kathmandu and Pokhara
ATM’s.
Visitors can withdraw money through Visa /Master Card from the different ATM machines at several locations in Kathmandu and Pohkara.
