General Information

Weather
The months of March to May are a good time to visit Nepal due to the warm weather and plenty of sunshine. This period is particularly ideal for treks due to the long days and good visibility. It may be slightly chilly in the evenings and mornings, so it is advisable to pack some warm clothes. The average daytime temperature is usually around a pleasant 24°C (79°F), while the average minimum temperature is around 5°C (41°F). Please check – https://www.accuweather.com/en/np/kathmandu/241809/march-weather/241809?year=2023

Currency and Exchange rates
The official currency of Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR), which comes in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1. The central bank of Nepal, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), publishes the exchange rates every day. Please note that the exchange rates published by NRB may not be the same as the rates you will receive when exchanging money, as banks typically charge a commission.

Local Time, Business hours, and Holidays
Nepal is five hours forty-five minutes (+05.45) ahead of GMT. Most organizations and government offices are open from 10 AM to 5 PM. Saturday is a public holiday.

Tax
Value-added tax (VAT) is applied to a majority of goods and services at a rate of 13% and is included in the retail price. In hotels, there is an extra 10% service charge that is added to the price of meals and other services and is clearly stated in the bill.

Tipping
Tipping is a way to show appreciation for good customer service and is not required, but it is common in the Nepalese tourism industry. In many hotels and restaurants, a 10% service charge is already added to the bill, in which case tipping is up to your discretion. Smaller restaurants may not include a service charge, and a tip of 5% – 10% of the bill is usually appreciated. If there is a tipping box available, it is advisable to use it so that the tip can be divided among all hotel staff.

Electricity and Travel Adaptor
The electricity supply in Nepal is 230 Volts at 50 Hz. Appliances with a voltage of 120V will require a transformer. Sockets in Nepal usually accept plugs with two round pins (Type C) or three round pins (Type D and M). Some hotels have 120V output sockets that are clearly labeled. It is important to double-check the voltage and type of socket before using your appliance. For advice on using electrical appliances and finding the appropriate travel adaptor for Nepal, please see this webpage: https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/advice-for-you/when-travelling/travel-adaptor-for-nepal/

Useful Nepali Phrases