Nepal

The standard voltage of electricity in Nepal is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The power plugs and sockets used in Nepal are of type C, D, and M.

Tap water in Nepal is not adequate for drinking. We recommend to drink from bottled water, other options can be boiled water or purified water by adding purification tablets. 

Generally speaking, Nepal is very safe for tourist and locals are very friendly both in the rural countryside as well as in larger cities. While many national governments provide a regularly updated advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government’s advice for their latest travel information before departure.

Pickpockets and bag snatchers can be found in crowded marketplaces. Be wise and keep your possessions hidden under your top layer of clothing to prevent anything from being stolen. We strongly recommend to leave your valuable jewellery at home – you won’t need it while travelling. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.

Credit cards are generally accepted in some restaurants. Smaller venues take cash only.

If you plan to rely on cash, please bring foreign currency (Euro, British Pound, USD) while the easiest foreign currency to exchange for local currency is $US. However please note that mostly any US notes that are older than year 2006 may not be accepted. Money exchange bureaus usually offer the best exchange rates, and larger bills like $50, $100 gets better exchange rate.

Avoid changing money from small money exchange offices that put a higher rate than usual, they are mostly scams.

Tipping isn’t compulsory in Nepal, but it’s considered polite to leave service workers in restaurants and cafes a 5-10% tip over the bill. You can tip in Nepaleese Rupes or US Dollars

It is always best to avoid tipping with coins, very small denomination notes, or dirty and ripped notes, as this can be regarded as an insult rather than the goodwill gesture it is intended to be.

There’s no fixed tipping rate for guided tours or treks in Nepal. Nevertheless, tipping is expected—if the service merits it—and it’s a nice way to show your appreciation. After all, the guides and porters have ushered you and your belongings across mountain passes and have been your only lifeline  in remote areas. 

The amount you tip is entirely a personal preference; however, the following amounts are our recommendations based on our previous travels: 

• City Tour Guide: US$10-15 per person, per day
• City tour Drivers: US$5-10 per person per day.
• Hiking Guide: US$10-15 per person, per day.
• Hiking Assistant guide:US$5-10 per person, per day.
• Activity Guide (rafting, Canyoning, etc): US$5-10 per person, per day.
• Mountain Porter: US$5-10 per person per day.
• Hotel bellboy/ room service: 50 cents-1$

 Of course, you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

Tips are generally given on the last night of the trek after dinner. If you’re traveling with a group, you should all chip in money to give to the entire team, and then each trekker can separately give a little extra to their own porter and/or guide, especially if a special connection was forged.