Travel tips for Nepal - what to prepare in advance and what to obey

1. Don’t be surprised if there is suddenly no electrical power. Such things happen because the country’s electricity supply doesn’t cover its needs. Blackouts become particularly frequent when rivers dry because all electricity in Nepal is generated at electrical power plants.

2. In Kathmandu, there is a schedule for the power outage in different parts of the capital. As a rule, blackouts happen at night.

3. When visiting historic attractions, it is important to stay attentive and alert. There are many monkeys in Nepal. These animals can do whatever they can, and so they can easily steal the items that you are holding. This is particularly true about food.

4. Do not try to enter a temple without getting yourself familiar with its rules first. Foreigners and people of other religions are not allowed to enter Hindu temples. If visitors can enter a shrine, there can be a set of rules such as everyone needs to take off their shoes or people with leather items (shoes, bags) can be prohibited to enter.

5. There is no need to obtain a tourist visa beforehand. You can get it upon arrival in the country. The transit visa for one day costs 5 U.S. dollars, for 90 days – 100 U.S. dollars. Visa can be prolonged in the immigration office in Kathmandu.

6. If you plan to leave settlements, don’t forget to take drinking water.

7. Do not drink tap water unless it is boiled. Bottled water is generally recommended for travelers. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

8. If you plan to make a trekking excursion, always take water purifying tablets with you.

9. Tourists, who plan to go in the mountains, especially at the altitudes above 3,000m, need to read about symptoms of the height disease. As height can increase slowly as you climb up, pay your attention to symptoms like tiredness, headache, and bad appetite.

10. It is not common to raise voice or shout in Nepal. Always calmly talk to others.

11. Sunbathing is considered vulgar and even offensive. No one sunbathes here.

12. Do not take photographs of military objects as this is prohibited.

13. Wash your hands before eating – this is not just a rule but a tradition that cannot be broken in Nepal. Tourists should also respect it.

14. Always wash fruit and vegetables right before eating them.

15. Do not touch other people’s food when you eat. This is also an old tradition.

16. Tips (5%-10% of the total) are highly welcome at tourist objects like hotels and restaurants.

17. It is not common to tip taxi drivers in Nepal. Round up the total instead.

18. If you plan to climb up a mountain, always hire a local guide, better a Sherpa person. These people are famous for their excellent alpinism skills and knowledge of the mountains.

19. Always take a face cover with you wherever you go. It is useful in protecting from dust.