For an Indian National to visit Nepal, a visa is not required. However, it is important to note that this exemption is only intended for Indian citizens and other nationals who need to obtain a visa to enter Nepal.

For NRIs (Non-Residential Indians), a visa is required to enter the country. Visas can be obtained on arrival at the point of entry (at the Airport), apply online, or visit the consular or embassy of Nepal in the respective country.

Procedures to Apply for Visa for People Other than Indian Citizens (Source: Embassy of Nepal, New Delhi)

All individuals intending to travel to Nepal need to submit an online application for a visa in the portal of the Department of Nepal Immigration.

1. For online application from Nepali Missions abroad, please go through the following link: https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/onlinevisa-mission/application

2. For online application before arriving in Nepal from Nepal Immigration, please go through the following link: https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/online and for online application after arriving in Nepal from Nepal Immigration, please go through the following link: https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/ and apply at the Visa-On-Arrival section. 

3. The printed copy of the visa form generated online needs to be submitted at the Embassy along with the hard copy of the passport and its photocopy, visa copy of India/copy of the relevant document.

4. The required fee should be paid in local currency at the Embassy.

5. After following the due procedures, the Embassy will issue the appropriate visa to the applicant. For tracking the status of the visa application, follow the link: https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/visa-application-track

6. Please go through the following link for more information on Nepali tourist visa: https://in.nepalembassy.gov.np/visa/

7. Please go through the following link for further information on Nepali immigration: https://www.immigration.gov.np/

8. For any queries on the issues related to Nepali visa, please kindly contact the Consular Section of the Embassy at phone no. 01123476212, +232, +221.

Nepal Tourist Visa Fee:

Though there is an exemption on visas for an Indian citizen to visit Nepal, some documents are required for verification and the immigration process. This is applied to the Indian nationals travelling to Nepal having their legal status as a citizen of India.

Effective from 1st October 2000 an Indian citizen over the age of 18 years travelling between India and Nepal by air would have to keep in his/her possession any of the following documents to establish his/her identity as an Indian citizen.

Since the pandemic has hit most of the world now, the post-COVID travel scene is different as per the country. This has forced the travel industry to adapt to the new set of regulations. As per the regulations set by the government of Nepal, if you are traveling from India to Nepal, you are required to have a vaccination certificate or a negative PCR certificate tested within 24 hours of departure. An International Traveler Form as provided by CCMC should be filled out before departing from India.

This information is as per the present scene and in the future, the regulation may change or be modified according to the decision of the Ministry of Health, Covid Control Management Committee, Nepal.

International Airport Arrival Procedures

Indian Nationals who are visiting Nepal, need to go through Immigration at the International Airport of Nepal. After fulfilling the immigration requirements, proceed towards the baggage collection and Arrival exit.

The airport arrival process is easy for Indian citizens as there is no need to obtain a visa, considering the person entering the country is carrying either a Valid Indian Passport, Voter ID, or emergency certificate issued by the Embassy of India in Nepal.

If the person is traveling to Nepal, having their arrangements made by Holidays to Nepal Pvt. Ltd., a representative from the company will be at the main exit gate, displaying the name as discussed prior to arrival. This will make the pick-up process easy and the swift arrangements will come into effect after the arrival of the traveler. The rest of the domestic travel process can be discussed at the accommodation facility of the tourist.

Upon arrival, you can connect to the available wifi at the airport and contact us to update your situation on the arrival process. We can inform our representatives and ask him/her to prepare accordingly.

As of now, there isn’t any duty-free facility at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal. In the near future, we can expect to have a duty-free service at the airport. However, there are Duty Paid shops with limited capacity in the Departure terminal to serve travelers.

Currency/Payments

The Nepalese Rupee (Nepali: रुपैयाँ; symbol: रु; code: NPR) is the official currency of Nepal. The currency of Nepal is pegged with the Indian currency (INR) at the rate of 1.6. (i.e. INR 1= NPR 1.60).

It is also important to note that as per the circular issued by the Reserve Bank of Nepal, Indian currency having a denomination of 100 or less is accepted all over the country. But if you are traveling to Nepal, you do not have to worry about currency issues or having to carry a hefty sum of 100 rupees. The local money exchange or travel companies can easily exchange your money with any denomination to NPR.

“If you are worried about paying the travel company, we accept Indian currency and also if you need any exchange facility, we can help you do that.”

For the Payment process, you can transfer the amount to the SBI Bank of Nepal from the SBI Bank of India. Or you can transfer the amount to our Indian bank accounts. The account details will be provided in private mail.

The vehicle and transportation for Indian tourists are governed by the tourist vehicle association and provided by travel companies. The vehicle charges differ according to the type of vehicle required. In Nepal, the charge of the vehicle is not determined on a mile basis, instead, it's on the basis of sightseeing and places you visit.

Mostly, we organize private trips. So we only provide vehicles on a private basis. However, SIC transfers between some prominent cities of Nepal are available for people who want to explore Nepal in a sufficient time period.

We provide vehicle services to tourists visiting Nepal. In most cases, the vehicle is included in the tour cost. However, if you have requested vehicle-only service, the cost as per the itinerary will be provided. The disclosure on a lump-sum basis will not be entertained as there are varied determinants that decide the cost of the vehicle. However, for the add-on plans set during the trip, pro-rata charges according to the places you visit will be applicable.

Most of Nepal is untouched by the railway facility. Only one railway service is available in Nepal and that too is in the lowlands of Janakpur. It connects the Nepal and India border. To visit most of the country, you either have to take flights, a helicopter, or the drive option. But if you are planning to reach the remote mountains of Nepal, you may have only the option to trek in the mountains.

Most of Nepal is connected by domestic flights. So, you may have to reach some of the places, depending upon the itinerary tailored, by flight. In such cases, we provide airport transfers. Some of the major tourist places such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Janakpur, Lumbini, Mustang, Lukla, etc. have flight accessibility. However, in the case of Lukla, a flight is the only option to reach there.

During the boarding process of a domestic flight, any of the aforementioned travel documents are required for the passenger verification process.

There are some remote mountain areas, where only small aircraft such as twin otters or STOL aircraft provide flight services. In such fleets, there are chances of cancellations and delays due to rapidly changing weather conditions. In such cases, if the vehicle transportation is accessible, you will be escorted via vehicle. But if that’s not also the case, you will have to wait until the flight becomes functional. This is mostly applicable for the flights to Lukla and Jomsom.

Entrance fees are collected for the welfare and development of the place. In most tourist places, entrance fees are applicable. However, for Indian nationals, entrance fees are exempted in some places, and in some places the fees are lower than the foreigners. This is mainly due to the neighboring bond and bilateral relations between the two countries.

For instance, in Pashupatinath temple, Indian nationals do not have to pay entrance fees. These charges are mostly excluded from our trips. And travelers are required to pay the entry charges at the point of entrance fee collection. This makes the due process convenient for the travelers as well as the company.

Nepal is a country of multi-ethnicity and cultural attributes. This country, ever since the beginning of civilization, has been ranked as a culturally enriched and diverse place. In such a small territory, there are diverse cultural groups with their own food and beverages.

In most of the places you visit, you can get Dal Bhat Tarkari. In the eateries of Kathmandu, Pokhara and other urban tourist cities, you can easily get other continental and fusion food items. However, during trekking time in the remote mountains, eating what’s there may be the only choice.

For vegetarian Indian citizens, there are so many Indian vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Kathmandu and Pokhara. In every place, if you are a vegetarian, you can request a veg food item. Hotels also provide vegetarian food as per the choice of the traveler.

If you are fond of beverages, you can get local and international beverage items in the urban cities of Nepal. In remote places, that may not be an affordable luxury.

The weather condition is also an important factor to understand in Nepal. If you are traveling to Nepal in Spring and Autumn, the weather and climate are moderate. The visibility is clear and the temperature is moderate with a pleasant atmosphere. In these months, the chances of flight delay and cancellation are also low.

During peak monsoons, during the months of June and July, traveling can be difficult due to frequent rainfall and flight delay. However, if you are traveling via the drive option, it is still possible and quite safe to visit some of the places in Nepal.

The Winter season is also a good time in terms of the places you visit. However, if you are traveling to explore mountains, you might not get clear visibility. But for pilgrimage and leisure purposes, every month in Nepal is enjoyable and offers a wonderful experience in the incredible Nepali hospitality.

Spring, Summer, and Autumn have moderate temperatures. A light jacket and summer cloth will do in most places. However, if you are planning to visit the higher mountain areas of Nepal, depending upon the weather, you may have to carry winter jackets and clothes. Winter clothes are important during the winter season. In the outskirts of the valleys and higher elevations, there are chances of snowfall and light rain. So, carrying appropriate clothes to stay safe from frostbite and cold is important.

Health and Safety is also major concern when visiting a foreign land. If any health issues are encountered during the trip, there are many well-equipped hospitals in Nepal for your medical assistance. If you are worried about safety issues, Nepal is one of the safest countries for visitors.

The people in Nepal are hospitable. The guests in Nepal are treated with the utmost respect and given value. However, if you have encountered any issues and something doesn’t feel right during your trip, you can always get emergency support from the security personnel and even your associated travel company can assist you in the process.

Some Health and Safety Tips for Your Nepal Trip:-

• Don’t use tap water in Nepal. It’s best to use mineral water.

• Always eat at a good restaurant and eatery where hygiene is maintained.

• If you are travelling to high elevations in the mountains of Nepal, it is best to avoid cigarettes and alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverages sometimes trigger altitude sickness. 

• Eat healthy foods.

• If you are visiting Muktinath temple and other high elevation areas, there are chances of High Altitude Sickness. So, it’s important to remain hydrated and energised.

• If you have any health issues or previous medical history, it's better to consult your physician before travelling to the higher elevations and inform your travel agent of the same.

• While hiking in the mountains, stay on the uphill side of the trail to let the Donkeys and Mules pass.

• During hiking, stay on the trail to avoid leeches. Use salt to get rid of them and be extra careful during the monsoon season.

• In case you are lost, try to contact your operator. If that’s not accessible, try returning the same way you came and get support from the locals. If you are in a difficult situation and not able to find your way back, contact your tour operator and tourist police.

• It is always safe to trek or hike with a local companion or a guide.

• Wear sunglasses if you are in exposure to bright sunlight, especially in the snow.

You can experience so many available adventurous things in Nepal beyond a scheduled itinerary. Some adventure to the trip gives a wonderful touch to the experience. Everest Mountain Flight, Paragliding, Mountain Biking, Bungee Jumping, Canyoning, Jungle Safari in Chitwan, hiking, etc. are some of the options to explore in Nepal.

If you are keen to explore adventure activities in Nepal, visit Things to Do in Nepal. These optional activities are a part of add-on plans. And are not by default included in the package. So, if you want to do any of these activities, the cost will be raised separately.

Nepal is shaped by nature and culture. It has been one of the incredible places to explore due to its varied lifestyle, customs and geography. If you are traveling to Nepal, there are several things that you should know to maintain a healthy bond among the people of the places you visit.

• Namaste is a welcoming act. You should always respond by saying the same. Putting palms together to show integrity and respect is something Nepalese people do to welcome their guests.

• Do not enter temples and monasteries by wearing shoes. Leather jackets and shoes are also not appropriate clothing while visiting religious places.

• Respect people around. No matter how they look, where they are, or what they do, giving respect always helps to maintain a healthy atmosphere and hospitable environment. It is not a travel etiquette but a dire need for humanity.

• While staying in a hotel, if you have any complaints, you can politely ask the front desk personnel to make the necessary arrangements. If the problem is still not solved, asking your tour operator is a convenient way to sort the issue out.

• Don’t hurt the sentiment of other people by sabotaging somebody’s character, ethics or morale. Nepal is mostly a Hindu country, so Hindu sentiments are widespread around.

• Don’t take photographs in the ‘No Photo’ zone.

• Do not litter.

• Public display of affection is considered indecent in Nepal.

Market and Shopping

If you are traveling to Nepal, you can buy some souvenirs or necessary items in the Nepalese market. Thamel, Lakeside, Patan, and Durbarmarg are some popular areas to get clothes, handicrafts, footwear, and several other items. There are a lot of shops around.

In every tourist place you visit, there’s something you can buy. The local items carry a memoir of the visit and are a symbol of the travel spirit. In the evening, you can explore the nightlife in Thamel and Durbarmarg.