How to Plan Holidays to Nepal from the UK

Planning a trip to Nepal is not actually as hard as many people think it might be, since Nepal’s primary industry is tourism, and the Nepalese government makes it as easy as possible for tourists to enter the country.

Here is our ultimate guide on how to plan a Nepal tour from the UK. Read on to get insider tips for preparing for your Nepal trip.

Covid-19 Entry Requirements in Nepal

Nepal now is open for travel under certain restrictions. According to the travel advisory, all foreign nationals who have completed COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days prior to entry to Nepal can get visas on arrival (you should bring proof of vaccination).

Unvaccinated travelers to Nepal are required to present negative RT-PCR test results, completed no more than 72 hours before the flight of first departure. Children aged 5 years and under do not require to be vaccinated or tested when arriving in Nepal. 

Nepal is now open for travel.

Getting Nepal Visa for UK Citizens

Nepal has some of the world’s most lax visa requirements, and the Nepalese government has made it easy to obtain a visa to promote their largest industry, tourism. While citizens of India do not need a visa, for all others, a visa is required.

For British passport holders, the visa on arrival service is available at the Tribhuvan International Airport or other border crossing points with India or China, and requires a passport with at least six month’s validity at the time of entry, two passport photos, and the visa fee.

On your arrival at the airport, or beforehand through the website of the Department of Immigration, you will need to fill in the Tourist Visa Form. If you have done it through the website, you will be given a barcode receipt to print and produce to the immigration officials within 15 days of issue. If you have not used the website, there are kiosks available in the airport for filling in the form, which then print a small slip to present to immigration.

Once complete, you will need to make the payment for the visa at the counter at the airport for payments. Visa fees vary depending on the length of the visa, and the costs are: 15 Days - 30 US dollars, 30 Days - 50 US dollars, and 90 Days - 125 US dollars. The fee is usually required to be paid in US dollars, although they do accept Sterling and Euros at the airport counters.

Once you have made the payment and have the receipt, you can proceed to the immigration desk to obtain your visa. Hand over all the documents, passport, and photos to the immigration officers, who will make the necessary checks before processing your visa.

It is a good idea to stay nearby while waiting, as the immigration officials sometimes have problems pronouncing foreign names, and will often just hold up the passport with the photo page facing outwards to call the passport holder to collect their visa.

When is the Best Time to Visit Nepal

The climate in Nepal varies depending on the region and topography, which ranges from sub-tropical to arctic. Nepal has a four-season climate across the country, which is affected by the summer monsoons.

The temperature in spring (March to May) is warm in the lowlands and mild in the mountains, and is one of the best times of the year for hiking and mountaineering, with April and May being the prime window for climbing Everest. It is also the time when the rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal, blossoms across the country.

Spring is one of the best time for climbing Everest in Nepal.

Summer is the monsoon season, and the weather is hot and wet at the same time. It rains almost every day, though usually in the afternoon or evening, with the occasional thunderstorms in the evenings. As the elevation gets higher, the rain becomes less frequent, and there are some areas where it hardly rains at all.

Autumn is another great time for trekking and adventure holidays, with its warm weather and clear skies. The monsoon rains are over, and the vegetation is still lush and green, making it a great time to explore the lowland regions and head out on a jungle safari. Autumn is also the peak season for trekking, and the trails around Everest and Annapurna get a little crowded.

Winter in Nepal is cool and mild in the lowland regions, with snow in the mountains. Trekking is still a popular activity in the lower hills in winter, and in December it is still possible to make the trek to Everest Base Camp, which has fewer visitors at this time of year.

January can get very cold in the Himalayas, and trekking is out, although the lowland regions are still mild, and there are plenty of activities that can be arranged, all without the crowds of the high season for tourism.

How to Get to Nepal from UK

By Air

There are no direct flights to Kathmandu from the UK, and all connecting flights will be via airports in either the Middle East or India. The flight time varies depending on the connection airport, and can be anywhere from 12 hours to 18 hours, with waiting times for connections.

There are multiple airlines that offer connecting flights to India, Turkey, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Muscat, from where the connecting flight is direct to Nepal. Costs for the flights vary depending on the airlines and routes used. It is best to book online through the comparison websites, as they will be able to find the best price, and booking around 6 weeks in advance can get you a much lower price.

By Overland

Traveling overland to Nepal is not advised unless you are experienced in using the Indian rail network, or are traveling through Tibet to Nepal. Traveling through Tibet requires a pre-arranged tour with a registered tour operator and several permits including Tibet Travel Permit and Chinese Entry Visa. And like entry via the airport, you can get Nepal Visa on arrival when crossing the Gyirong Port.

Entry from India has the same requirements, and there are eight entry points you can choose from along the Nepal-Indian border. However, the Indian railway network can be confusing for first-time travelers to India, and it is not recommended for your first trip to Nepal.

Currency and Money Exchange in Nepal

The local currency in Nepal is the Nepalese rupee, which is similar in value to the Indian rupee. However, US dollars are widely accepted throughout the country, and are usually required to pay for the visa on arrival at the airport. Indian rupees are also widely acceptable in Nepal.

Nepalese rupee is the local currency.

If you wish to change your dollars or other currency for Nepalese rupees, then there are plenty of places to do so, from the airport exchange desks to the small local shops and money changers. The money changers can be found all over the country, and on almost every street corner in Kathmandu.

However, make sure that you have used all your Nepalese rupees before exiting the country, or have changed them back to dollars, as you are not permitted to take the currency out of the country, and any currency you attempt to remove will be confiscated.

Conclusion

There are several major things to consider when organize a Nepal tour from UK. While as long as you figure them out, you can make you own arrangement easily. And to make it more convenient and guaranteed, you can book a pre-arranged tour through travel agents in the UK, or one of the local tour operators such as Tibet Vista. For more question, please feel free to contact us or leave your comments below.