Question 1

Do Indian citizens need a passport to enter Nepal?

Accepted Answer

Indian citizens do **not** require a passport to enter Nepal. The following documents are accepted:

- **Valid Indian Passport** (recommended for ease of travel)
- **Voter ID Card** (with photo and address, issued by Election Commission of India)
- **Aadhaar Card** — accepted at some crossings but not all

Children under 15 travelling with parents can be included on their parent's documents but should ideally carry their own school ID or birth certificate.

**Important:** Driving licences are **not** accepted as travel documents for entry into Nepal.

Question 2

Do Indian citizens need a visa for Nepal?

Accepted Answer

**No visa is required.** Indian citizens enjoy free movement between India and Nepal under the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship. There is no formal immigration process at land borders — Indians walk through the border checkposts with valid ID.

At the airport (Tribhuvan International, Kathmandu), Indian passport holders proceed through a dedicated lane and are not required to obtain a visa on arrival.

**Duration of stay:** There is no fixed limit for Indian nationals. You may stay as long as you wish.

Question 3

What documents do Indian citizens need to carry when entering Nepal?

Accepted Answer

The minimum requirement is one of the following government-issued photo IDs:

1. Indian passport (valid or expired within 10 years — check current rules)
2. Voter ID card
3. Government-issued photo ID

**Recommended to carry:**
- Return bus/flight ticket (not mandatory but helpful)
- Hotel confirmation for first night
- Sufficient INR or USD cash — Indian Rupee notes of ₹100, ₹200, ₹500 denominations are accepted in Nepal (₹2,000 notes are **not** accepted)

**Note:** Indian ₹2,000 notes have been demonetised in Nepal and are not accepted anywhere.

Question 4

How do I travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara?

Accepted Answer

You have two main options:

**By Tourist Bus (most popular)**
- Duration: 6–7 hours
- Cost: ₹500–1,200 (approximately NPR 800–2,000)
- Departure: Daily from Kathmandu Thamel, 7–8 AM
- Route: Prithvi Highway via Mugling and Abu Khaireni
- Book through any Thamel travel agent or online

**By Domestic Flight (fastest)**
- Duration: 25 minutes
- Cost: NPR 6,000–12,000 (USD 45–90)
- Airlines: Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Shree Airlines
- Multiple flights daily, morning departures recommended
- Book online or at airport

**By Private Car/Taxi**
- Duration: 5–6 hours
- Cost: NPR 10,000–15,000
- Flexible departure and stops

The highway route through the Trisuli River valley is scenic. Avoid travelling at night due to winding mountain roads.

Question 5

What is the best way to travel from Raxaul to Kathmandu?

Accepted Answer

The Raxaul–Birgunj border is the most common entry point for Indian overland travelers.

**Step 1: Cross the border**
Walk or take a cycle-rickshaw/auto-rickshaw from Raxaul to the Nepal immigration gate at Birgunj (10–15 min, ₹20–50). No immigration formalities for Indians.

**Step 2: Birgunj to Kathmandu**
- **Tourist Bus:** Multiple departures from Birgunj bus park throughout the morning. Journey 4–5 hours. Cost NPR 500–800.
- **Local Bus:** Slightly cheaper but slower and less comfortable.
- **Private Taxi:** NPR 6,000–8,000 for the whole car, 3.5–4 hours.

**Total journey from Raxaul to Kathmandu:** 5–6 hours door-to-door.

**Tip:** Arrive at Raxaul before 10 AM to ensure you reach Kathmandu before dark. The highway passes through scenic Hetauda hills.

Question 6

Is Nepal safe for Indian tourists?

Accepted Answer

**Nepal is generally very safe for Indian tourists.** Indians are warmly welcomed and the cultural familiarity — shared religion, language (Hindi is understood in most tourist areas), and cuisine — makes Nepal feel comfortable and accessible.

**Standard precautions:**
- Use authorised taxis or ride-hailing apps (Pathao) in Kathmandu
- Keep photocopies of your ID documents (separate from originals)
- Avoid poorly lit areas in cities late at night
- Use licensed trekking guides for high-altitude treks
- Do not trek alone — always with a registered guide or group
- Altitude sickness is a real risk above 3,000 metres — ascend slowly and acclimatise properly

**Emergency Numbers:**
- Nepal Police: 100
- Tourist Police: 01-4247041
- Ambulance: 102
- Indian Embassy Kathmandu: +977-1-4410900

Question 7

What are the altitude sickness risks for trekkers?

Accepted Answer

**Altitude sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness / AMS) is a serious risk** above 2,500 metres and must be taken seriously.

**Symptoms of AMS:**
- Headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue
- Loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping
- Shortness of breath at rest

**Danger signs (descend immediately):**
- Confusion or disorientation
- Severe headache not relieved by paracetamol
- Inability to walk in a straight line
- Blue lips or fingernails
- Persistent cough with pink/frothy sputum

**Prevention:**
- Ascend no more than 300–500m per day above 3,000m
- Take a rest day every 3 days of ascent
- Drink 3–4 litres of water daily
- Avoid alcohol and sleeping pills above 3,000m

**Medication:** Diamox (Acetazolamide) is commonly used — consult your doctor before travel. Available at Kathmandu pharmacies.

**Himalayan Rescue Association clinics** operate at Manang (Annapurna Circuit) and Pheriche (Everest region) during trekking season.

Question 8

Can I use Indian Rupees in Nepal?

Accepted Answer

**Yes, Indian Rupees are widely accepted** across Nepal, particularly at hotels, restaurants, tourist shops, and at the border regions.

**Important restrictions:**
- ₹2,000 notes are **not accepted** anywhere in Nepal
- ₹100, ₹200, and ₹500 notes are accepted
- Coins are generally not accepted

**Exchange rate:** 1 Indian Rupee ≈ 1.6 Nepali Rupees (the rate is fixed at NPR 1.60 per INR 1.00 — it does not fluctuate significantly).

**ATMs:** Widely available in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and tourist areas. Most accept Visa, Mastercard, and international debit cards. Daily withdrawal limits vary (usually NPR 20,000–35,000 per transaction). Inform your Indian bank before travel.

**UPI/Digital payments:** Not widely accepted yet outside major cities. Carry sufficient cash.

Question 9

How much Nepali currency can I bring back to India?

Accepted Answer

Indian travelers returning from Nepal may carry a maximum of **NPR 25,000** (Nepali Rupees) back to India as per the Nepal Rastra Bank regulations.

Excess Nepali currency should be exchanged back before crossing the border. Exchange counters are available at Tribhuvan Airport and at major border crossings (Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Kakarbhitta).

**Unused INR:** You may carry unlimited Indian Rupees back to India as per the Reserve Bank of India's general framework, subject to normal customs declaration rules for amounts above ₹25,000.

Question 10

Do I need vaccinations before visiting Nepal?

Accepted Answer

**No mandatory vaccinations** are required for Indian nationals entering Nepal.

**Recommended vaccinations** (consult your doctor 4–6 weeks before travel):
- **Hepatitis A** — strongly recommended (waterborne illness risk)
- **Typhoid** — recommended, especially for longer stays
- **Hepatitis B** — recommended for extended stays
- **Rabies** — consider if visiting wildlife areas or trekking
- **Japanese Encephalitis** — if visiting rural Terai areas June–October
- **Tetanus, Diphtheria** — ensure up to date

**Malaria:** Risk in Terai lowlands (Chitwan, Bardia, Lumbini) June–September. Consult doctor about prophylaxis.

**Water safety:** Drink only bottled or filtered water. Avoid ice in drinks outside reputable hotels. Stomach upsets are common — carry oral rehydration salts (ORS) and basic diarrhoea medication.

**Travel insurance** covering medical evacuation is strongly recommended for trekkers.

Question 11

What is the best time to visit Nepal?

Accepted Answer

Nepal has two main trekking and travel seasons:

**Best Season 1: Autumn (October–November)**
- Clear skies, excellent mountain visibility
- Warm days, cool nights
- Ideal for all trekking routes and wildlife safaris
- Busy season — book accommodation in advance

**Best Season 2: Spring (March–May)**
- Rhododendrons bloom on trekking trails (March–April)
- Good mountain views, especially in April
- Warmer at lower elevations
- Slightly more haze than autumn

**Avoid: Monsoon (June–September)**
- Heavy rainfall, landslides, leech-infested trails
- Mountain views obscured by cloud
- Some roads impassable
- **Exception:** Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo are rain-shadow areas — excellent during monsoon

**Winter (December–February)**
- Suitable for Terai / lowlands (Chitwan, Lumbini, Janakpur)
- Kathmandu Valley is cold but clear
- High passes and upper elevations snow-blocked
- Low season = better prices and fewer crowds

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions? Talk to someone who knows Nepal.