Essential Tips for Traveling to Nepal: What You Need to Know
Since ancient times, Nepal has been attracting tourists with its diverse landscape and culture. Be it mountains, ancient temples, or a calm lake whatever you want to see, you will find it all in Nepal. Because of its geographical location, Nepal’s landscape is captivating! From the Terai plains to the majestic Himalayas, Nepal’s diverse natural beauty awaits you at every turn. Along with this, you can see ancient remnants of both Buddhist and Hindu civilizations. To travel without hindrance, you must have a foreknowledge of the country’s people, travel destinations, culture, transportation system, and so on. Here are a few things you should consider before traveling to Nepal
Avoid Solo Exploring
The most essential safety tip in Nepal is never to travel alone. In recent years, several reports have surfaced about tourists going missing trekking alone in Nepal. So, always stay with a group and have a tour guide while trekking. If you are unable to find a group, there are many websites and online platforms to help. You can use these to find trekking partners and travel groups. With them, you can travel to Nepal with ease.
Keep altitude in mind
Nepal is at the foothills of the Himalayas, so keep in mind the elevation of 10,712 feet above sea level before traveling. The oxygen level is low at this height, so it is a little inconvenient for people to come from the lowlands. Whether you go trekking in annapurna or visit a monastery high up in the mountains, keep this oxygen deficiency in mind. Altitude sickness isn’t just a fluke; it can even cause your nose to bleed! So increase the height gradually, and don’t be in a rush. In that case, climb high with lightweight bags, or you will easily get short of breath.
Watch out for unpredictable weather
The weather is erratic in Nepal, as it is a mountainous region. One minute, you may see the sun shining all around, and the next minute, you may experience a cloudy fog. Dressing in layers can be an excellent idea to cope with this unpredictable weather. Take light jackets, thin sweaters, and sweat-wicking cotton clothes when traveling in Nepal. This strategy will cover both Pokhara’s summery heat and Kanchenjunga’s chilly breeze.
Delicious cuisine—damn spicy!
Nepalese food is delicious, and items like Dal Bhat (lentil soup and rice) are available. You can also eat flavorful Momos served with different kinds of sauces and mayonnaise, Dhindho eaten with butter, vegetable curries, and pickles, and Choila made with water buffalo meat. Although most Nepali food is spicy, you can cool your palette with Nepali sweets such as Juju Dhau and Yomari. Do not forget to try the Nepali drink Tongba, also known as Tibetan hot beer.
Respect Nepalese culture and traditions
Nepalis live their daily lives based on their deep-rooted tradition. Have a good understanding of Nepali culture and traditions before traveling, or you may unknowingly offend them. From the busy streets of Kathmandu to the remote village of Samagaun, you can see ancient temples, monasteries, and stupas everywhere. These ancient places are sacred to Nepalese. Take off your shoes before entering, and be as quiet as possible. Never touch religious idols, this is seen as disrespect. Your smiling face and a small Namaste are enough to show respect to the Nepalese!
Don't just rely on cards; carry cash
Travelers to Nepal must carry cash. ATM booths are not available in rural areas. So, don’t just rely on credit cards or debit cards. Also, check the validity of your credit card before the trip. You can likewise make payments with Indian rupees (50 and 100 rupees are generally accepted!). To ensure smoother transactions, convert your currency to Nepali rupees before starting your journey.
Whatever you buy, make sure to bargain
Shopping in Nepal is quite fun. Even if you don’t come across international brand shops, you can easily find local products in Thamel. You can buy local products at cheap rates in Kathmandu and Pokhara. To purchase precious artifacts like Pashmina Shawls, Singing Bowls, Nepali Kukri, and Thangka Paintings, run errands at Thamel, Durbar Margin, and Bhaktapur market. There are few fixed-price shops in Nepal, so bargaining is not an issue. And it’s better to bargain to get the best price!
Taxi scammers are a thing!
In Nepal, taxi drivers often scam passengers by charging two to three times the actual fare. Being careful brings no harm, and insists on meter usage. Clear the matter before getting into a taxi. Besides, it is customary to double the taxi fare in Nepal after ten o’clock. It’s widely accepted by both tourists and locals. So, if you don’t want to pay more fare, return to your hotel early.
Power cuts and slow Wi-Fi – a regular occurrence
Although hotels and restaurants advertise free WiFi, in reality, don’t expect a fast or reliable speed. It is better to buy mobile service providers. However, due to the challenging climate and terrain in Nepal, the phone network in the mountains can be quite unsteady. Also, Nepal experiences regular power outages (load-shedding), especially during the dry season. Almost all residences here use solar power. So, keeping these things in mind, come prepared.