Language: Nepali is the official language. English is spoken in all major tourist areas.
Currency: The official currency is Nepali Rupee (
NPR), which is divided into 100 paisa. As change can be a problem it is recommended that visitors have a supply of small notes handy. Tourist activities are often quoted in US Dollars and it is advisable to carry new dollar bills in varied denominations. Both Euro and US dollar travelers cheques are widely accepted in tourist areas and can be cashed easily in most banks and major hotels throughout the country. There are ATMs in Kathmandu
and
Pokhara. Visa,
MasterCard and
American Express credit cards are accepted in many tourist hotels, shops, restaurants and travel agencies. Banks and moneychangers are present in all tourist places and in the major cities; all receipts from foreign exchange transactions should be kept so rupees can be exchanged back into foreign currencies on departure. Cash is needed when trekking.
Time: Local time is GMT +5.45.
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two- and three-pin plugs are used.
Communications: The country code for
Nepal is +977, and the outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the
UK). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)1 for
Kathmandu and (0)41 for Pokhara. Two mobile phone operators provide GSM 900 network coverage in the main cities and towns, but this does not extend to the summit of
Mount Everest! In the main tourist centers of Kathmandu and Pokhara there are Internet cafes on every corner.
Duty Free: Travelers to Nepal do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or the equivalent in other tobacco products; 1 liter of alcohol and perfume for personal use. It is illegal to export goods that are over 100 years old.
Tourist OfficeNepal
Tourist Office, Kathmandu: +977 (0)1 4256910 or www.welcomenepal.com
EmergencyEmergencies:100 (Police); 228094 (Ambulance)
Embassies
Royal
Nepalese Embassy,
Washington DC,
United States (also responsible for
Canada): +1 202 667 4550.
Royal Nepalese Embassy,
London, United Kingdom (also responsible for
Ireland): +44 (0)20 7229 1594/6231.
Royal Nepalese Embassy,
Canberra,
Australia: +61 (0)2 6162 1554.
Royal Nepalese Embassy,
Cairo, Egypt (also responsible for
South Africa): +20 (0)2 361 6590.
Royal Nepalese Consulate-General,
Auckland: +64 9 520 3169.
United States Embassy, Kathmandu: +977 (0)1 400 7200.
British Embassy, Kathmandu: +977 (0)1 441 0583.
Canadian
High Commission,
New Delhi,
India (also responsible for Nepal): +91 (11) 4178 2000.
Australian Embassy, Kathmandu: +977 (0)1 4371 678.
South African High Commission,
Colombo,
Sri Lanka (also responsible for Nepal): + 94 11 5635 966.
Irish Embassy, New Delhi, India (also responsible for Nepal): +91 (0)11 2462 6733.
New
Zealand Consulate, New Delhi, India (also responsible for Nepal): +91 11 2688 3170.
