Tips on travelling responsibly and sustainably in Nepal
We believe that most travellers are inherently good people who want to help and not harm the country they visit, so we want to make it easy for you to travel through Nepal whilst making a positive impact.
Here are some guidelines and things to watch out for on your travels;
Pollution and Waste
Try to avoid single-use plastics where possible. Say no to plastic straws, and choose to drink from a can rather than a plastic bottle.
Consider investing in a refillable bottle and water filter before you travel. Plastic water bottles are one of the biggest problems facing our environment.
If you can, take your litter back to Kathmandu. Litter is often buried or burnt in rural areas.
Eat like the locals! Fresh fruit and street snacks are widely available and usually plastic-free, and eating local ingredients is simply better for the planet.
Finish your food! Aside from potentially offending your Nepali hosts, not finishing your meal takes its toll on a world with limited resources. Don’t order more than you can eat.
Try to bring eco-friendly toiletries with you.
People
Respect the Nepali culture – some things are different from what you’re used to at home, and seemingly innocent actions can cause offence. Read our Language, religion, and culture page for more info.
If you’d like a picture, please ask first!
Kind-hearted tourists often give money or presents to beggars, and whilst it may bring a little short-term happiness, it fuels a culture of dependence and dishonesty. If you would like to help, please contribute to a specialist charity that can make sure your money reaches the people most in need.
Haggling is part of Nepali culture and can be good fun, but don’t keep driving the price down just for the sake of ‘winning’. The amount you’re haggling over may be small change to you, but it’s important income for the seller. Settle on an amount that seems fair to both parties.
Porters
Book with a reputable tour company who treat their porters with respect and offers them fair pay, decent equipment, and health benefits. The trekking industry has a long history of overworking and underpaying these people. Ask the company for their Porter Policy before you book.
If you feel like your porter is overloaded or has inadequate clothing and footwear, you should raise it with your tour leader or the company you’ve booked with, and demand that action is taken.
Don’t ask your porter to carry extra things, even if you’re willing to pay them for it. The recommended maximum weight is 15kg per porter, which is already quite a lot, and heavier loads risk serious injury. An injured porter cannot work, and probably won’t receive any sick pay to help them support their family.
Be generous with your tips for porters – they rely on (and deserve!) this extra income.
Animals
Don’t feed wild animals. Food handouts can change their behaviour and cause problems.
Avoid animal performances and sports like elephant polo. These practices invariably involve a lot of suffering for the animals and shouldn’t be supported.
Don’t buy any souvenirs made from Chiru (a Tibetan antelope) as these creatures are now endangered due to overhunting.
You’re likely to see elephant riding offered in Chitwan National Park. It is an uncomfortable problem, as the income it generates is crucial to protecting vulnerable species like the one-horned rhino and the Bengal tiger, but the practice almost certainly involves suffering for the elephants. Our partners don’t offer elephant riding anymore, but it can be arranged locally. The more people choose not to take part, the more urgency there will be for change.
Accommodation
Try to book Nepali-owned accommodation where possible, so that your money stays in Nepal and supports local people. International chain hotels can be very appealing and also provide employment, but much of your payment will flow out of Nepal.
Look out for hotels with a sustainability accreditation, or at least hotels that seem to be making some effort to reduce their waste. Wherever you book your hotels nowadays, information should be available on the hotel’s environmental policy. This is especially true for any larger hotels in popular areas.
Don’t be afraid to give feedback if your hotel is operating irresponsibly and making little effort to be sustainable. The more owners see that their customers care, the more hotels will be motivated to change their practices
Think about spending a few nights of you holiday going super-local, and experience real Nepali life in a Community Homestay. As well as adding a truly unique element to your trip, it’s the best way to directly support local people and communities in Nepal.
Want to see this from a local perspective? Have a look at this article from Inside Himalayas.
As with many poorer countries around the world, tourism presents both solutions and problems for Nepal. It is the country’s biggest industry, employing thousands of people and helping to improve our infrastructure and quality of life.
However, the benefits of tourism are not always felt all across the country, and the side effects of years of bad practice and a lack of environmental education are plain to see. Pollution, waste, animal cruelty, and exploitation have become a heavy price for Nepal to pay.
The negative effects of tourism have often been ignored in the past, but local and international attitudes are slowly changing, and people have started to take action. Younger generations are becoming much more socially and environmentally aware, whilst tourism companies are shifting their focus towards sustainable tours and practices.
All is not lost!
Our Partners
We know, you’ve heard it all before, ‘sustainability’ has become a buzzword across the travel industry, but to us, it is much more than that. Sustainability shouldn’t be a trend or a marketing hook; it is simply the way things must be done from now on.
Our partners at Royal Mountain Travel are at the forefront of creating a more sustainable tourism industry in Nepal. They’ve embraced new technologies which reduce their environmental impact, made cultural shifts to promote equality, and created ground-breaking programmes like the Community Homestay Network, which brings the benefits of tourism to rural communities throughout Nepal.
They don’t just talk about sustainability; it is part of every decision they make.
All of the tours and hotels you’ll find links to on the website are operated in a way that causes minimal damage to the natural environment and local wildlife. The vehicles used are modern and eco-friendly (and soon to be electric!), guides are trained in sustainable practices, and hotels listed must meet Royal Mountain’s own environmental standards.
The guides, porters, and drivers you’ll encounter are fairly paid, fairly treated, and hired because of their ability and personality, regardless of their gender, sexuality, or ethnicity. Around 70% of the staff at Royal Mountain are female (this is still very unusual in Nepal).
During many of the tours listed, you’ll have the chance to meet, dine, and even stay with rural Nepali communities. As well as giving you a unique and authentic experience of Nepalese life, the communities are fairly paid for their hosting and can use the money to improve their quality of life.
Essentially, it means that you can travel with a little more peace of mind, knowing that things are being done in the right way in the background. You still need to play your part, though.
You should always check official advice for your nationality, but the majority of travellers will need a visa for Nepal.
Fortunately, the process is quite simple, and a Visa on Arrival can be issued at the airport and some land borders. You’ll need a passport valid for at least 6 months, two passport photos, the address of your hotel, and cash to pay the visa fee.
If you want to complete the application in advance or need a special visa (e.g., study visa, business visa), then you should do so through the official Department of Immigration website.
https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np
Fees should be paid in cash on arrival – USD is preferable, but other major currencies will be accepted. Fees are subject to change, but as of 2026, the standard Tourist Visa costs are as follows;
15 days – US$30
30 days – US$50
90 days – US$125
If you significantly overstay or tamper with your visa, then you can be fined or even jailed in extreme cases, so please respect the visa!
Visa extensions can be granted in the Kathmandu and Pokhara Immigration Offices, up to a maximum of 150 days per calendar year, and subject to a minimum fee of US$45.
NOTE: Citizens of the following countries are not currently eligible for an On Arrival Visa and will need to contact their nearest Nepal Embassy before travel.
As a landlocked country, most international visitors arrive in Nepal by air, primarily through Tribhuvan International Airport, which remains the busiest international gateway. Located in the capital, Kathmandu, it serves as the main entry point for travelers, many of whom spend a few days here to acclimatise and explore before heading to other destinations. From Kathmandu, a wide network of domestic flights connects regions like Pokhara, Lukla, and Bharatpur.
In recent years, Nepal has expanded its international air connectivity with the addition of Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara International Airport. Gautam Buddha International Airport, located near Lumbini—the birthplace of Lord Buddha—now handles regular international flights, especially from regional hubs. Similarly, Pokhara International Airport, opened in 2023, has begun welcoming international charters and is expected to expand scheduled international services gradually.
Several international airlines operate flights into Nepal, typically via transit hubs in the Middle East, India, or Southeast Asia. Carriers such as Qatar Airways, Flydubai, Air India, and Thai Airways offer regular connections, making Nepal increasingly accessible from around the world.
IMPORTANT:
If your flight transits through India, only Air India typically offers through-checked baggage to Kathmandu on a single ticket. When flying with most other Indian carriers, you may need to clear immigration (which requires a valid Indian visa), collect your luggage, and re-check it for your onward flight to Nepal. To avoid this inconvenience, it’s generally best to choose airlines that handle baggage through to your final destination.
Tribhuvan International Airport operates with a single runway, handling both domestic and international flights. While improvements have been made, delays during peak travel seasons and queues at immigration can still occur, so it’s wise to allow extra time in your travel plans.
After completing immigration formalities and collecting your baggage, you’ll exit through the arrivals area. The environment can feel busy and a bit overwhelming, with many drivers holding placards or offering taxi services.
If you withdraw local currency at the airport, you can arrange a taxi on arrival (typically around NPR 800–1200, depending on your destination). However, for a smoother experience, pre-booking an airport transfer is recommended. This ensures a hassle-free pickup—your driver will be waiting with your name on a placard and will track your flight in case of delays.
Arriving in Nepal by land
You can travel to Nepal by land from neighbouring India through major transit points such as Bhairahawa (Sunauli), Raxaul (Birgunj), Nepalgunj, Biratnagar, Kakarvitta, and Mahendranagar, along with several other official border crossings.
From the north, entry is possible from China (Tibet) via the Kerung (Rasuwagadhi) border, or via Hilsa as part of an organised trekking or tour group, as independent travel in this region is restricted and requires special permits.
These border crossings can be slow and chaotic at times, particularly at busy points. Most foreign nationals can obtain a visa on arrival at major land borders, although completing the online visa application in advance is recommended to speed up the process. Indian citizens, however, do not require a visa to enter Nepal.
Need a little help?
Our team is on hand to make your Nepal plans a reality Get in touch!
Safety, common scams, and advice for female and LGBTQ travellers
Is Nepal generally safe to travel to?
The vast majority of travellers visit Nepal without any problems at all. Crime rates in the country are relatively low, and serious crimes involving tourists are rare. However, you should stay aware and minimise your risks by sticking to safer areas – ask for some local advice at your hotel or from your guide if you’re ever unsure of where to go.
When trekking, weather conditions can change quickly, and tourists do sometimes run into problems, especially in the mountains, where altitude sickness can be a factor. You should consider booking in advance and enlisting a professional guide.
The roads in Nepal are not as safe as those in many wealthier countries, and accidents do happen. If you book with a trustworthy transport provider, then you can minimise your risk.
Common tourist scams
Nepal is not a wealthy country, and many Nepalis exist on very low incomes by Western standards. Whilst most Nepalis are honest and law-abiding, the temptation to make a quick buck from ‘rich’ tourists is perhaps understandable, and there are some pretty underhanded scams to watch out for.
Credit card scams. Sadly, this is now common all over the world. Don’t let your card out of your sight when making purchases, and be wary of ATMs that look like they may have been tampered with. Criminals can clone your card and make expensive purchases or cash withdrawals, so call your bank if you notice anything unusual.
Taxi scams. Either agree on a fee up front or insist on having the meter turned on to avoid being overcharged. If there’s no meter, then it may not be an official taxi. Taxi drivers may also pretend not to know where your hotel is so that they can take you to a different hotel and earn a commission – keep the hotel number handy and ask the driver to call them if unsure. If anyone else tries to jump into the taxi with you, it is usually to try to sell you something, and you should insist that they leave.
‘Free’ service scams. You’ll often be approached by seemingly kind people offering to give you a free tour or help you with your bags at the airport. Be aware that a tip is expected, and things can get heated if you refuse. It’s best to say ‘no’ before any service has been provided.
Begging scams. Many people in Nepal are in genuine need, but others treat begging as a business to exploit kind-hearted tourists. Look out for mothers asking you to buy baby formula from a nearby shop, as you’ll likely be grossly overcharged, and don’t accept invitations to visit someone’s home if you don’t know them. It could just be a way of pressuring you into giving money.
If you want to help, it is best to give to a recognised charity that will make sure your money goes to those who really need it.
Massage scams. A post-trek massage can be a real treat for aching muscles, but do your research beforehand and avoid massage ‘touts’. There are several unofficial massage parlours that will overcharge for a very amateur massage.
Thamel scams. Kathmandu’s tourist zone has a history of scams, and you should be very careful, especially at night. Stick with your group, never leave your drink unattended, and don’t sign up for any tours or activities with people who approach you in the street.
Drugs in Nepal
You may be offered drugs in Nepal, particularly in the Thamel neighbourhood of Kathmandu.
At the risk of sounding like an 80’s school video, JUST SAY NO!
Punishments for drug possession are very harsh in Nepal, even for softer drugs like hashish, so you’ll be taking a big risk even by getting into a conversation with a drug dealer. Following a dealer to a quiet place for any exchange will also make you vulnerable to other scams or robbery, so it’s best just to steer clear altogether
Is Nepal safe for female travellers?
In general, Nepal is a safe place for women to travel. Even solo female travellers are unlikely to encounter many issues, and are likely to find most Nepalese people to be respectful, friendly, and helpful.
However, as in every country, there are bad people around, and you should be aware of cultural differences. The portrayal of Western women in movies can create misconceptions, and unwanted advances do take place, most commonly at night and in bars. Fortunately, these instances are rare, but you should maintain your guard and stay in a group if possible.
It is a sad fact of life, but dressing more modestly will improve your chances of avoiding bother. Exposed shoulders and thighs can attract the wrong kind of attention, especially as this isn’t common in Nepalese culture.
If you need any further advice or would like to discuss arranging a female trekking guide for your trip, then feel free to get in touch with the Travel Nepal team.
Is Nepal safe for LGBTQ travellers?
Generally speaking, LGBTQ travellers are unlikely to encounter many problems in Nepal.
In fact, Nepal is the only country in the region that doesn’t criminalise same-sex relations and facilitates a ‘third gender’ in all official documents. This is a sign of an increasingly liberal attitude from the Nepalese government in recent years.
Things aren’t perfect, of course, and traditional attitudes are still held by many, especially in more rural areas. Whilst some Nepalis may disapprove of same-sex relationships, couples will rarely be harassed because of it. You’ll find most Nepalis to be open and accepting.
You can feel free to be somewhat affectionate and hold hands in public (this is common in Nepal, even between heterosexual men), but passionate kissing and touching are best saved for your hotel room. Nepal remains a relatively conservative country, and this advice applies to couples of any gender and sexuality.
(You can read our guide on Nepal LGBT travel here)
How to contact the Emergency Services in Nepal
If you book with a reputable company, you’ll usually be given an emergency contact number. However, if you find yourself in a position where you need to contact the Emergency Services directly, the relevant numbers are below.
Police: Dial 100
Fire: Dial 101
Ambulance: Dial 102
We recommend saving these numbers on your phone before travelling to Nepal.
Need a little help?
Get in touch with the TravelNepal team for planning and travel advice. Contact us!
One of the biggest joys of travel is experiencing a different culture, but it’s always a good idea to have some idea of what to expect before you head off. As with most countries, Nepal has its own unique customs and ways of behaving, some of which might seem strange to you at first.
Whilst Nepalis are unlikely to take offence to a minor faux pas, they’ll always appreciate when someone makes the effort to understand and respect their way of life.
What language is spoken in Nepal?
The national language is Nepalese, and all Nepalis can communicate with each other using this language. However, there are actually over 120 different languages spoken in Nepal, covering various regions, communities, and ethnic groups.
Do people speak English in Nepal?
English is the most commonly spoken international language in Nepal, and you’ll find that many younger Nepalis or those working in tourism will speak excellent English.
Amongst older generations and some rural communities, English is less common, and you may have to rely on smiles and hand gestures to communicate.
A nice smile will get you a long way in Nepal!
What is the religion of Nepal?
The majority of people in Nepal are Hindus, but Buddhism is also followed and has an important place in the country’s history and culture. Hinduism and Buddhism are closely connected, and it would take a lifetime to fully understand the complexities of Nepal’s religious life.
There are also minority groups who follow Islam, Kiratism, Sikhism, and Christianity in parts of the country.
Visiting temples and stupas
Religion is an integral part of Nepalese life, and you’ll see temples, shrines, and sacred artwork almost everywhere you go. You should show respect for the rules of their faith, especially when visiting temples and stupas.
Some sites may be prohibited for non-Hindus
Shoes should be removed at most temples and stupas
It is better to dress modestly and not show too much when visiting religious sites. Bare shoulders, backs, or midriffs will not be appreciated, and sleeveless tops, short skirts, and small shorts or pants are also likely to offend.
You should walk around clockwise when visiting temples or stupas
Don’t touch people or offerings on their way to a shrine
Cows are sacred in Nepal, so you should leave any leather products at home
Cultural Differences
From basic table manners to meeting and greeting people, every culture has its own quirks. Here are a few things to look out for;
If somebody says “Namaste” to you, you should return the favour – it is used as a friendly greeting in Nepal.
Nepalese women don’t normally shake hands, so don’t be offended if your handshake is refused! Usually, they’ll greet people by pressing palms together in a prayer-like gesture.
Nepalese table manners are likely to be quite different from what you’re used to. Often, you’ll see people eating only with their hands (sometimes with great enthusiasm!)
Knives, forks, and spoons are provided for guests, and you’ll not offend by using them.
If you do want to join in and eat with your hands, make sure you use your right hand!! In Nepalese culture, your left hand is reserved for bathroom matters…
It can cause great offence if you offer Nepali food which has already been touched, even if only by your cutlery
It is considered rude to touch an adult Nepali’s head, as it is considered the most sacred part of the body
Conversely, feet are considered unclean, so you should avoid putting your feet up on tables and chairs, and don’t point the soles of your shoes at anyone.
Staying out of trouble
Drug crimes carry heavy punishments in Nepal, so it’s best to avoid drugs altogether during your stay
Along with revealing clothes, public displays of affection are frowned upon in Nepal and will draw unwanted attention. Holding hands is very normal between Nepalese men, but less so between couples.
You’ll see stray dogs throughout Nepal. Most are friendly and mean no harm, but you should act confidently around them and avoid giving them food. They’ll probably follow you all the way home if you do!
Potholes are quite common in Nepalese roads and pavements, so watch your step, especially at night.
Sadly, you’ll come across many beggars in Nepal, and not all of them are honest. Please be wary of giving them anything, since it creates an unhelpful culture and could be a scam.
There are numerous homeless charities, such as ROKPA and Habitat, that do amazing work in our country. If you’d like to help, we’d recommend contributing to an organisation that’ll ensure that your money is wisely spent.
