Nepal

EXPLORE NEPAL Your Comprehensive Destination Guide At a Glance Total area: 147,516 km² (56,956 sq mi) Capital: Kathmandu Religion: Hinduism (~81%), followed by Buddhism (~9%) and Islam (~4%) Population: Approx. 30 million Language: Nepali; English is widely spoken in tourist areas Currency: Nepalese Rupee (NPR) Banking Hours: Sun–Fri, 10:00 am–4:00 pm  Telephone/Communication: The country code is +977. SIM cards (e.g., Ncell, Nepal Telecom) are cheap and easy to purchase with a passport. Wi-Fi is available in hotels and cafés; rural areas may have limited coverage Climate: Spring (Mar-May): Warm, rhododendron blooms, best for trekking Summer/Monsoon (Jun–Aug): Heavy rains, slippery trails, lush landscapes Autumn (Sep–Nov): Clear skies, the best time for trekking Winter (Dec–Feb): Cold, especially in the mountains; fewer crowds   VAT in Nepal   Eligibility Criteria To qualify for a VAT refund in Nepal, you must: Be a non-resident foreign tourist not employed in Nepal for six months. Depart Nepal via Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu. Make purchases totaling at least NPR 15,000 (excluding VAT) from VAT-registered shops that offer VAT refunds. Ensure that the goods are taken out of Nepal within 60 days from the date of purchase. How to Claim Your VAT Refund Shop at Participating Stores: Look for retailers displaying a “VAT Refund for Tourists” sign. Ensure each purchase is at least NPR 1,500 (excluding VAT). Obtain Necessary Documentation: At the time of purchase, present your passport and request a tax invoice along with the “Tourist Application for VAT Refund.”  Customs Clearance at TIA: Before checking in for your flight, present your purchases, VAT refund form, and original invoices to the customs officer for verification and stamping. Submit at the VAT Refund Counter: After clearing immigration, proceed to the VAT refund counter in the departure lounge. Submit the stamped VAT refund form and original purchase invoices. Refund Details Refund Method: Cash refunds are available for refund amounts up to NPR 20,000, subject to an NPR 500 processing fee. For amounts exceeding NPR 20,000, a bank draft will be issued, with applicable fees and commissions deducted. Time Limit: Refund claims must be made within 60 days of the purchase date. Travel Requirements   Visa Requirements Tourist Visa: Required for U.S. citizens. Visa on Arrival: Available at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and various land border crossings. Pre-Arrival Application: To expedite the process, travelers can complete the visa application online up to 15 days before arrival. Visa Fees: 15 days: $30 30 days: $50 90 days: $125 Passport Requirements Validity: The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the entry date. Blank Pages: At least one blank visa page is required. Health & COVID-19 Protocols COVID-19: As of May 26, 2023, travelers entering Nepal by air or land must no longer present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test. Vaccinations: No mandatory vaccinations are required for entry. However, it’s advisable to be up-to-date on routine immunizations.  Customs & Currency Regulations Currency: Travelers must declare amounts exceeding USD 5,000 upon entry and exit. Gold & Silver: Strict regulations apply. Female travelers can bring up to 50 grams of gold jewelry; male travelers can bring up to 25 grams. Silver jewelry is limited to 100 grams.  Additional Tips Trekking Permits: If you plan to trek, secure necessary permits, such as the Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card. Travel Insurance: Highly recommended, especially for trekking or adventure activities. Emergency Contacts: U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu: Phone: +977-1-423-4000 Email: consktm@state.gov Getting there from the US Main Airport: Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), Kathmandu No direct flights from the U.S. Common routes include layovers in Doha (Qatar Airways), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), or New Delhi (Air India, IndiGo) Flight Duration: From New York or L.A.: ~20–24 hours with layovers Travel Safety Tips Trekking & Altitude Safety Plan ahead: Always use registered trekking agencies and consider hiring a licensed guide or porter—especially for remote or high-altitude treks. Altitude sickness is a real risk in places like the Everest or Annapurna regions. Acclimatize slowly and stay hydrated. Register your trekking plans with the Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) and always inform someone of your route. Natural Hazards Nepal is in an earthquake-prone zone. Familiarize yourself with basic earthquake safety and follow local advisories. During the monsoon season (June–September), landslides and flooding can occur, especially in mountainous or rural areas. Check road and weather conditions before traveling. Urban Safety Kathmandu and Pokhara are generally safe, but petty crimes like pickpocketing can happen in tourist-heavy areas and busy markets. Keep your belongings secure. Avoid demonstrations or large gatherings—political protests can happen unexpectedly and may become tense. Transportation Caution There may be poor road conditions and loose adherence to traffic rules outside major cities. Use reputable taxi services or ride-hailing apps when available. Avoid riding motorbikes or scooters unless you’re experienced and insured. Health & Hygiene Drink bottled or filtered water—tap water is unsafe to drink. Carry basic medications, as rural areas may have limited medical supplies. Vaccinations like typhoid, hepatitis A/B, and tetanus are recommended before traveling. Money & Scams Use ATMs in major cities and avoid exchanging money with unauthorized dealers. Be cautious of overly friendly strangers offering “special tours” or deals—it’s okay to decline politely. Emergency Info Local emergency number: 100 (police) Tourist Police (Kathmandu): +977-1-4247041 or 1144 (hotline) Keep the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu’s contact info handy in politely declining an okay emergency. Fun Facts! Home to the World’s Highest Peak. Nepal is home to Mount Everest (8,848.86 meters/29,031.7 feet), the highest mountain on Earth. It’s known locally as Sagarmatha in Nepali and Chomolungma in Tibetan. Nepal is the only country with a Non-Rectangular Flag. Its national flag comprises two stacked triangles—the only non-rectangular flag in the world. It symbolizes the Himalayas and the two major religions: Hinduism and Buddhism. People speak over 120 languages. Nepal is incredibly diverse, with more than 120 languages spoken nationwide. Although Nepali is the official language, people also widely use regional and indigenous dialects. Birthplace of Lord Buddha. In southern Nepal, Lumbini is the birthplace