There may be only a few people in the world who would want to make it to Nepal’s Everest Base Camp in their lifetime
Bordering India and China, Nepal lies in the belt of the majestic Himalayas. The Himalayan country of Nepal is a dream place for adventure lovers. There are hundreds of tourist destinations that attract thousands of tourists every year.
There may be only a few people in the world who would want to make it to Nepal’s Everest Base Camp in their lifetime. Thus, if you are one of them, here are the things to consider while traveling to Nepal.
Understand Your Visa Status
Indians don’t need a visa to travel to Nepal. But, if you are a citizen of a country other than India, then you will need a visa to enter Nepal. Don’t worry, Nepal offers arrival visas. You can apply for a visa at Tribhuvan International Airport yourself and get a visa in a short time.
Besides, if you are a citizen of Afghanistan, Iraq, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Somalia, Ghana, Cameroon, Liberia, Nigeria, Switzerland, or Palestine, get a visa from the Nepal Embassy in the respective country.
Nepali Contact
Traveling to a new country is exciting as well as confusing. You might get into unique problems by not knowing the local laws and regulations. Though most people are friendly, some might have bad intentions for you. So, having a Nepali contact will help you get rid of distinct threats.
Always choose local trekking agencies rather than international travel companies. One better option would be Heaven Himalaya.
SIM Card, Internet, and Power
When you enter Nepal, the SIM cards you are using stop working. Henceforth, get a local SIM card, which is easily available at different local shops or the entry points themselves. It only costs you around 100 rupees.
The other benefit of having a local SIM card is that you can access the internet via 4G from any place inside the country. The popular SIMC card providers in Nepal are NTC and Ncell.
Almost all the houses and tourist destinations in Nepal have access to electricity. So, you need not worry about the electricity. However, do not forget to carry power banks. Nepal is a mountainous country, so there’s a high chance of electricity being cut off because of calamities, rain, or other unavoidable circumstances.
More often, you will find a universal power socket, i.e., the two or three-round pin socket. Therefore, don’t forget to carry a universal adapter with you while traveling in Nepal.
Getting insured first
Weather and temperatures are uncertain in high altitudes. The more you climb up, the less oxygen there will be in the air. You might suffer from altitude sickness.
So, if you are trekking in the high altitudes of Nepal, such as the Everest Base Camp Trek, then please make sure you are insured first.
Having travel insurance will be handy in difficult situations, providing medical coverage and emergency evacuations from the mountains.
Always carry a first aid kit
In Nepal, you can’t find hospitals and health care centers everywhere. There won’t be a problem in the cities and major tourist areas, but if you are trekking in the remote sections of Nepal, having a first aid kit will be very helpful.
Respect local culture and traditions
Most Nepalese are Hindus. They worship gods and goddesses. Henceforth, if you come from a different religion, don’t interfere with the local culture or values.
If you are visiting such temples and cultural heritage, always keep your shoes outside.
Carry Nepalese currency with you
Shopkeepers here don’t accept other currencies as a mode of payment. Although US dollars are accepted by some high-profile hotels and businesses, carrying Nepalese currency is far better.
More, Nepalese are not fond of digital payment methods. So, having hard cash with you will be helpful while you travel outside of the major cities in Nepal.
After you get into Nepal, you can easily exchange money at different money exchanges nearby you.
Learn Basic Nepali Words
Almost everyone in Nepal understands Hindi. Other than that, English is also widely spoken. However, if you do not speak one of these two languages, you may have difficulty communicating. So, learn a few common Nepali words like Namaste, Paani (Water), Paisa (Money), Khana (Food), etc.
Avoid trekking alone
Trekking solo is adventurous as well as daunting in Nepal. As the weather is unpredictable in the mountains, you may get into problems without prior notice. Thus, solo trekking is not recommended in areas above 2000 m in altitude.
