Nepal for First-Time Visitors: 10 Things You Must Know

Nepal is an incredible country for first-time visitors — but it is also overwhelming, chaotic, and full of cultural differences that can catch you off guard. Here are the 10 things I wish I had known before my first Nepal trip in 2019.

1. Get Your Visa on Arrival (It's Easy)

Most nationalities can get a Nepal visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport. Cost: $30 (15 days), $50 (30 days), $125 (90 days). Pre-apply online at online.nepalimmigration.gov.np to save time. See our complete Nepal visa guide.

2. Bring Cash — ATMs Are Unreliable

ATMs in Nepal frequently run out of cash, particularly in trekking areas. Bring $200–$500 in USD cash as backup. Credit cards are accepted at mid-range and upscale hotels and restaurants (3–5% surcharge). See our Nepal travel budget guide.

3. The Altitude Is Real

Kathmandu is at 1,400 m, Pokhara at 820 m. Trekking takes you above 3,000 m, where altitude sickness is a real risk. Acclimatize slowly, drink plenty of water, and descend if you have symptoms. See our altitude sickness guide.

4. Don't Drink the Tap Water

Tap water in Nepal is not safe to drink. Drink bottled water, or use water purification tablets or a filter (better for the environment). See our water purification guide. Avoid ice in drinks — made from tap water.

5. Eat at Busy Local Restaurants

The best (and cheapest) food in Nepal is at local 'khaja ghars' (Nepali diners) where Nepali workers eat. Look for busy places — high turnover means fresh food. Dal bhat is the national dish — lentil soup with rice, vegetable curry, and unlimited refills. NPR 150–400 ($1–$3). See our Nepali food guide.

6. Hire a Guide for Trekking (Don't Trek Solo)

Solo trekking has been technically illegal in Nepal's national parks since 2023. Even where loosely enforced, hiring a porter-guide ($25–$30/day) is safer, supports the local economy, and gives you a richer cultural experience. See our solo trekking guide and our how to hire a porter guide.

7. Buy Proper Trekking Insurance

Helicopter rescue from Everest Base Camp costs $5,000–$10,000. Standard travel insurance does not cover trekking above 4,000 m. Buy specialized trekking insurance — $200–$350 for a 14-day trek. See our insurance guide.

8. Dress Modestly

Nepal is a conservative, mostly Hindu and Buddhist country. Cover shoulders and knees, particularly in villages, temples and monasteries. A light scarf is useful for covering up. See our female solo trekking guide for women-specific advice.

9. Learn Basic Nepali Greetings

A few words of Nepali go a long way:

• Namaste — Hello / Greetings (hands together, slight bow)
• Dhanyabad — Thank you
• Kripaya — Please
• Hoina — No
• Ho — Yes
• Mittha chha — It's delicious
• Pairoo — More (when asking for dal bhat refills)

10. Don't Try to Do Too Much

Nepal is bigger and slower than you think. Roads are slow, flights get cancelled, mountains require acclimatization. A realistic 14-day itinerary includes 1 trek (7–10 days) plus 3–4 days in Kathmandu/Pokhara. Trying to fit EBC + Annapurna + Chitwan + Lumbini into 2 weeks is a recipe for exhaustion. See our 10-day Nepal itinerary.

Bonus Tips

• Bring a headlamp — power cuts are common
• Bring toilet paper — most public toilets don't provide it
• Bring hand sanitizer — soap is rare in public toilets
• Bring earplugs — Kathmandu is noisy (dogs, traffic, roosters)
• Bring a power bank — charging is unreliable on treks
• Download offline maps before you go — see our best trekking apps guide.
• Get a Nepal SIM card at the airport — NTC has the best coverage. See our SIM card guide.
• Bring a copy of your passport — keep it separate from the original

Nepal is one of the most rewarding travel destinations in the world — but it takes some getting used to. Follow these 10 tips, take it slow, and you will have the trip of a lifetime. For more on planning, see our best time to visit Nepal guide and our Nepal travel budget guide.