Nepal

Nepal is a compact country with huge variety: from chaotic city streets to quiet Himalayan trails, all within a day’s travel. Most trips start in Kathmandu, where you’ll find the international airport and classic sights like Durbar Square, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), and Boudhanath Stupa. Give yourself at least a couple of days here to adjust to the altitude and pace before heading to Pokhara, Chitwan, or the mountains.

For a smooth arrival, organize your itinerary in advance so you’re not juggling bookings on patchy airport Wi‑Fi. A trip planning feature in an app like Hello helps you keep flights, hotel reservations, trekking permits, and bus tickets in one place, which is especially handy when plans change. Build in buffer days: landslides, strikes, or bad weather can delay buses and flights.

Visa-on-arrival is common, but check the latest requirements before you fly. ATMs are widely available in major towns, but they can be unreliable in smaller places, so withdraw cash when you can. When mapping out your route, think in weeks, not days: 7–10 days for Kathmandu and Pokhara, 2–3 weeks if you’re adding a trek like Annapurna Base Camp or Langtang.

Transport in Nepal is part of the adventure. In cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara, you’ll mostly use taxis, ride-hailing apps, and occasionally microbuses. Taxis rarely use meters, so agree on a fare beforehand; typical short hops in Kathmandu cost around NPR 300–600 (about USD 2.50–5). For longer journeys, tourist buses connect Kathmandu–Pokhara–Chitwan, offering more comfort than crowded local buses.

Domestic flights are popular for saving time on routes like Kathmandu–Lukla or Kathmandu–Pokhara, but they can be delayed or cancelled due to weather. Always keep an eye on flight updates; staying connected with a Hello eSIM means you can check schedules and contact your guesthouse without worrying about roaming charges.

When you’re on the road:

• Book morning buses and flights; roads and weather are usually better earlier in the day.
• Carry snacks and water; journeys often take longer than advertised.
• Use maps offline, but verify routes with locals – shortcuts can be rough.

If you’re traveling with others, shared taxi and jeep fares can add up. Expense splitting tools in Hello make it simple to divide costs fairly at the end of each day.

Nepal’s food scene is hearty, comforting, and surprisingly varied. The national staple is dal bhat – steamed rice, lentil soup, curry, and pickles, often with endless refills. It’s filling, perfect for trekkers, and usually costs around NPR 250–600 (USD 2–5) depending on where you eat. In the cities, explore Newari cuisine: try yomari (sweet rice dumplings), chatamari (rice crepes), and bara (lentil patties).

In tourist areas like Thamel (Kathmandu) and Lakeside (Pokhara), you’ll find everything from momos (dumplings) to wood‑fired pizza and vegan cafés. For street food, pick busy stalls, watch how food is handled, and start with cooked‑to‑order items. Avoid drinking tap water; stick to bottled, filtered, or boiled water. Many guesthouses provide refills if you bring a reusable bottle.

To keep dining costs under control:

• Set a daily food budget and track it in local currency (NPR) with budget tools in Hello.
• Mix local eateries with one or two “treat yourself” meals per day.
• On treks, expect prices to rise with altitude – factor this into your planning.

If you’re traveling with friends, you’ll often share big plates of momos or thali. An expense splitting feature makes it easy to divide the bill without awkward math at the table.

Nepal primarily uses cash. Cards are accepted at some hotels, trekking agencies, and higher‑end restaurants, but many local spots are cash‑only. ATMs are common in Kathmandu and Pokhara, less so in smaller towns and on trekking routes. Withdraw larger amounts when you’re in major hubs and keep a mix of small bills for taxis, temples, and tea houses.

To avoid surprise fees, track what you’re spending in Nepalese Rupees (NPR). A budget tracking feature in Hello helps you log expenses per category—food, transport, accommodation—so you can see quickly if you’re overrunning your trekking or city budget.

Staying online is incredibly helpful for checking weather, trail conditions, and bus schedules. Local SIM card queues at the airport can be slow, and you may need passport photos and forms. Instead, set up Hello eSIM before you land, so you can activate data as soon as you switch off airplane mode and navigate directly to your hotel or homestay.

Power cuts still happen, especially outside major cities, so carry a power bank and don’t rely on charging only at night. On treks, charging electronics often comes with a fee, so plan which devices matter most: phone, headlamp, and camera usually top the list.