How much should
I expect to spend during my trip to Nepal?
The amount of money you bring on a trek depends
on you. Cold drinks during the day and an occasional
beer after a long day of hiking can be awfully
nice. These along with any souvenirs and film
are personal expenses. We have a safe in our office
where plane tickets and money can be kept.
You can always choose to make your trip expensive
by staying at fancy luxury hotels and dining
in their restaurants. But then you may as well
be in New York.
How should I bring money to Nepal to pay for
my travel expenses?
Credit Cards and Traveler's checks are the best
and safest option. US dollars are the most widely
accepted form of money, but banks also accept
other major international currencies.
Where and how do I exchange my money into Nepalese
rupee?
All major banks in Nepal exchange convertible
hard currencies into Nepalese rupees. There
is an exchange counter in the Kathmandu airport
for you to start off. The US dollar is the most
widely accepted currency.
Besides banks, there are licensed money exchangers
in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Sunauli. These money
exchangers have rates marginally better than
banks, but the commissions are higher. So check
before you exchange your money. The advantages
of having these money exchangers to banks are
they open for long hours, typically from 9am
to 7pm. except above you can use ATM facilities
in Kathmandu.
What is the exchange rate between the Nepalese
Rupee and other international currencies?
The Nepalese rupee tends to devalue steadily
every couple months against other hard currencies.
To get the most recent rates check the exchange
rate section of The Kathmandu Post.
Can I use my credit card?
Yes, Visa and MasterCard will be accepted in
most places. Remember that usage of credit cards
in Nepal can cost you an extra three to five
percent in transaction costs.
Are there ATM machines where I can draw funds
from my home country bank using my ATM card?
Commercial Banks such as Himalayan Bank, Standard
Chartered Bank and Nabil Bank have installed
ATM machines in some places of.
If I get strapped with money, how do I get
access to more funds?
You can draw funds against your American Express,
MasterCard or Visa cards in Kathmandu. The service
premium for doing this, however, is pretty steep.
You can also have money wired directly to Kathmandu
through any major bank within two to three working
days.