VISA
A valid passport is required when visiting Nepal. UK visitors can purchase a Visa upon arrival at Tribhuvan International airport in Kathmandu.
Single-entry visas or two-month, multiple-entry visas are available upon arrival. Remember you will need to provide two passport photos and US $40.
PLEASE NOTE Visa's must be paid for in United States Dollars cash ONLY so ensure you change some money into US dollars before you depart UK and bring with you to avoid delays at immigration.
No UK travellers may obtain visas prior to travel please visit Embassy of Nepal web site for the most up to date visa information. You can also obtain entry and exit information from the Nepalese Department of Immigration.
There is also a departure tax which needs to be paid when leaving from Tribhuvan International Airport, however this is a minimal amount (approx US $10 based on last year). All foreigners must pay an airport exit tax, regardless of the length of their stay.
150 days is the maximum amount of time a tourist can stay in Nepal in a calendar year.
MONEY
We would strongly recommend bringing $150 / $200 USD in cash, as an emergency fund on top of your budgeted spending money. Cash points are available at the airport and in Kathmandu but electricity can be temperamental in Nepal as can the cash machines. UK banks are also likely to put a 'stop' on your card if attempting a cash machine withdrawal at a small local bank, therfore advising your bank / credit card company of your trip before departure is a good idea. The local currency is the Nepalese Rupee and is controlled by the government, it can not be bought in or taken out of the country so do change your Rupees back to USD before departing Nepal.
MEDICAL
Before coming to Nepal you will need to make sure all your standard UK vaccinations are up to date Typhoid, Polio, Meningitis and Tetanus. Hepatitis, Rabies and Malaria are optional, please consult your GP for further advice.
It can take some time to have these vaccinations done properly so give yourself plenty of leeway before you come to Nepal. Make sure your tetanus shots are current too. Try to make a GP appointment 6 / 8 weeks before you travel.
There are still some cases of Malaria in Nepal but it is only down in the Terai ( flat lands of Nepal ). It is your personal choice whether to take malaria tablets but note that sometimes the side effects are quite strong. If you are visiting Bardia National Park or Chitwan it may be an idea to take this medication however the best prevention is to be protected against the mosquitoes, wear long sleeve clothing and use repellent that you bring from home.
It is a good idea to have a full dental check before arriving in Nepal as the dentists in Nepal may not be quite as reliable as your own.
It is important to be mindful of your hygiene and be careful what you eat. For example make sure you always eat cooked food when you are eating anything from street sellers. All our trips have the highest quality of sanitation and all the water is iodized. One of the ailments that travelers sometimes get in Nepal are dysentery either amoebic or bacterial and most of the time it is from eating something dodgy in town and is almost always contracted in Kathmandu before getting to the river.
Whilst on the river trips you may suffer from an upset tummy or incur a few minor war wounds but do not worry the guides and trip leader will be carrying a comprehensive medical first aid kit including sanitisation, bandages, creams and all kinds of tablets to ease pain or upset tummies.
INSURANCE
You will need to provide your own travel insurance. We recommend using Dare Direct Insurance Search for Rafting - Grade 4&5 - Zone 2
Please note; further advice on all of the above matters will be explained comprehensively within the trip itinerary once your place has been confirmed and we are on hand to answer any questions or concerns you may have relating to the trip.