Touchdown Nepal: Important Reminders

It has always been disorienting for me to travel in different time zones especially when my phone doesn’t automatically update the clock settings! 

Anyway, I couldn’t care much about the time anyway.  It sort of stopped for me right when I saw Mt. Everest by the plane!

The Himalayas and Mt. Everest view from AirAsia X plane

Good thing I decided to bring my 70-300 zoom lens I got to zoom in!

About to land in Kathmandu Airport

Touchdown Tribhuvan International Airport

Forgot to take a picture with my seatmate Ron!

I only have this photo of him:

Ron of fliptravels.com

We were riding car rental of well known travel agency in Nepal Himalayan Enounters.  If you can afford, and especially if you are traveling with a group, it is best to book your activities with trusted travel or tourist agencies in Nepal.  Going around the different tourist attractions in Nepal would mean city transfers from time to time.  Booking with an agency will save you much time in traveling around since they can take care of your land service or air flights to any other parts of Nepal.  Kathmandu is a nice city, but going around Pokhara, Lumbini, Chitwan, Damal and other towns is also one sight to see!  They don’t have trains and bus stations might be a headache logistic wise as a tourist… possible, but it would take much of your precious time.  Also, don’t forget to take safety precautions when going around Nepal.  Book with trusted and registered Nepal travel agencies.

Traveling Alone in Nepal

A lot of tourists go and travel alone in Nepal.  Like any other places you usually visit around the world, it is generally safe but you should take safety precautions as a tourist all the time.  That’s the general rule wherever you go.  I’ve heard stories of people being afraid of traveling to Nepal, but upon touchdown and going around the city, I felt safe.  The people of Nepal are very friendly and helpful.  I don’t know if traveling via an agency gave me more of that safety feel, but like I said just be generally cautious.  When I travel alone wherever I am, I usually don’t go out at night anymore since I’m a girl. 

Is it safe for lone women to travel in Nepal?

Now that I’m here, I could say YES! PROVIDED you follow safety and common precautions! (like when you travel any other country)

I have been asking this question myself because I was planning to go solo for this trip.  But luckily, I have accompany with me so I didn’t have to worry.  But to those traveling alone, I say just be prepared and do your research well.  I was with a girl on the same flight.  She’s Singaporean and she’s traveling around Nepal alone.  She’s very nice because she offered to lend me Singapore Dollars because Nepal Visa application doesn’t accept Philippine Peso nor Nepalese money.  (I will list more reminders in bullet points below). 

I did my research about this as well because there are fears about going around as a lady.  I’ve read forums about girls traveling alone and they feel safe going around Nepal.  However, just be mindful of getting tour guides.  They recommend you book through trusted and registered travel agencies.  If you can, book lady tour guides.

Again, I recommend Himalayan Enounters because I have traveled with them and I am very satisfied with their service.

Don’t trek alone.

Unless you join a group of other tourists.  Usually, you can contact travel agencies again and ask to join a trip.

Dress appropriately.

I couldn’t stress this part well enough.  Avoid showing skin.  Wear jeans and loose shirt. If you’re wearing leggins or “jeggings” or yoga pants type of thing, make sure to wear a long top to cover your curves.  Dress conservatively!  Especially when you visit temples as well.

Don’t go out at night.  Just use your common sense   It would help a lot.

Reminders in Preparing Documents for VISA on Arrival in Nepal

Tips apply to all tourists around the world.

1.  Make sure to call your local Nepal Embassy and ask for requirements.

The visa requirements in any country change from time to time.  Even if you think you know the requirements, just make sure and call the local Nepal Embassy and ask.  If you don’t have any Nepal Embassy in your country, this website gives you an email address you can contact with.

For the Philippines.

We used to have Nepal Embassy in Makati, but we don’t have one anymore.  The nearest Nepal Embassy is in Malaysia.  But don’t worry.  Nepal issues VISA on arrival.  Just make sure you have the following requirements (as applies to all)

Nepal Visa on arrival requirements

• VISA fee. Depends on how long you stay. (might change from time to time but I got my 15-day pass for USD25)
• Original Passport
• Photocopy of passport (sometimes not needed but provide one just to be sure)
• Passport size ID with white or blue background
• Application form (provided in the plane or upon arrival)

All foreign nationals, except Indians, need visas to enter Nepal. Multiple entry visas for 15 days (US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency), 30 days (US$ 40) or 90 days (US$ 100) can be obtained from any Nepalese embassy or consulate. You can also get a visa on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport , Kathmandu or at the Immigration Office at the entry points of Nepal.

Tourist visas can be extended for a period of 120 days at the Immigration Department in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

However, nationals of the following countries will not get visa on arrival at the immigration entry points of Nepal: Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Palestine, Somalia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. They need to obtain visas from Nepalese embassies or diplomatic missions in their respective countries prior to their arrival in Nepal.

Gratis (Free) Visa for 30 days is available only for nationals of South Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka for the first visit in one visa year (January to December). However, a visa fee is required for its extension beyond the 30 days.

Indian nationals do not require a visa to enter Nepal.

(For more information, please, contact Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu,
Tel: 00977-1-4433934 / 4429660 / 4438862 / 4438868,
Email : [email protected] ;
Web: www.immi.gov.np)

*source: http://welcomenepal.com/promotional/faq/

2.  Nepal Immigration for VISA on arrival only accepts a few currencies. 

They don’t accept Nepalese Rupee for Visa on arrival.  Weird but they don’t.

They only accept USD, Australian Dollars, SGD, MYR, Japanese Yen and other major currencies.

NEPAL IMMIGRATION doesn’t accept PESO!

It is best, to bring US Dollars to be sure

3.  Don’t bring Philippine PESO!

You can’t exchange your peso for NPR anywhere in the city! Not even at the airport!

So you need to have it exchanged to USD first.

How to book budget flights to Kathmandu: AirAsia offers flights to Kathmandu twice a week from Kuala Lumpur

Otherwise, there are also premiere airlines if you decide to travel lavishly.

Book your hotels to Kathmandu conveniently with my favorite and trusted online accommodation booking facility Agoda.com They have all the hotel listings you need from budget to luxury!

Signing off for now, as I want to enjoy my hotel here in Kathmandu

The 5 star Boutique Heritage Hotel Dwarika’s

I will share more about the rich features and story of this hotel soon!

Read more about Nepal

Nepal Visa on Arrival Requirements and Application

Touchdown Nepal: Important Reminders

Boudha Stupa Kathmandu Nepal

Dwarika’s Hotel in Kathmandu, Nepal – Indulging in the Nepali Culture

Insights in Nepal