Asia and Oceania

Nepal
Still current at: 22 November 2009 Updated: 17 November 2009

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the General section (Indian Currency in Nepal). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

Travel advice for this country

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for activities you want to undertake. If you are intending to travel at altitude in Nepal, please check that your insurance policy provides cover. Many policies do not provide cover over 2,500 metres. See Travel Insurance for more details.

You should take out full insurance cover for medical treatment, accidents and evacuation by helicopter (presently costing between 1,500 US Dollars and 2,500 US Dollars per flying hour). It is advisable to have cover for unexpected losses such as cancelled flights, stolen or lost cash, cards, passport, luggage and any loss damage or liability resulting from terrorist action.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is how we can help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Precautions

To make your trip as smooth and as safe as possible, the British Embassy recommends that you take the following precautions.

Register with the British Embassy. This can be done online by clicking the Consular icon above and following the links for online registration. Alternatively, please register in person with the Embassy on arrival.
Carry your passport with you at all times.
Leave a photocopy of your passport and your itinerary with a contact in the UK.
Enter next of kin details into the back of your passport.
Do not enter 'Restricted' areas. Strict terms and conditions apply. Check with a reputable trekking company.
Remember: altitude can and does kill. To avoid acute mountain sickness ascend slowly and acclimatise fully. Take professional advice.
Reconfirm your flights (both internal and international) before departure as they are often cancelled with very little advance warning, particularly during adverse weather conditions.

Poste Restante

For security reasons, the British Embassy in Kathmandu does not operate a Poste Restante facility. British Nationals should ensure that any private correspondence is addressed to the Central Post Office, Kathmandu or sent directly to them via a courier company. Any mail received at the British Embassy will be returned to sender.

Money

ATMs are available in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Credit cards are also useful in most major hotels, restaurants and shops. However, it is always prudent to check first that a particular card is acceptable. Both Euro and US Dollar travellers’ cheques can be cashed relatively easily in most banks and major hotels throughout the country.

Indian Currency in Nepal

Following Reserve Bank of India guidelines and to prevent the growing counterfeiting of Indian currency in the region the Government of Nepal has banned the use, import or export of 1,000 Indian rupee and 500 Indian rupee notes. British Nationals should ensure that they do not enter or leave Nepal with either 1,000 or 500 Indian rupee notes. The Revenue Investigation Department will confiscate any notes and also impose a fine of the amount seized, payable in local currency. Lower denomination notes from India are accepted in Nepal.

Import to Nepal

If you wish to import goods to Nepal please contact the Nepalese Embassy in London for initial guidance.

Further details can be sought from:

Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal,
Ministry of Finance,
Department of Customs,
Tripureshwor,
Kathmandu,
Nepal

Phone No: 00-977-1-4266984
00-977-1-4211168

www.customs.gov.np
mailto:it@customs.gov.np