Indian citizens can travel to Nepal without a visa, which makes planning simpler than for most other nationalities. You still need proper identification, trek permits and a plan for money, and the details are worth checking before you leave.
Identification
Carry a valid passport. Nepal has also accepted a voter identity card from Indian nationals at the border and airports, but acceptance of other documents has varied, and airlines can have their own rules. The passport is the safest choice, and a photocopy and a photo on your phone are useful backups. Check the current requirement with your airline and Nepali immigration before you travel, and carry ID at all times on the trail, because permits and checkposts may ask for it.
Permits
You still need the entry permits for the Everest region, and a licensed guide with an agency-issued TIMS card is required on this route. The Nepal Tourism Board lists the TIMS card at NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals, which includes India, against NPR 2,000 for other nationalities, and the Sagarmatha National Park entry at NPR 1,500 for SAARC nationals against NPR 3,000. Rates can change, so confirm them with your agency. Keep paper copies in a waterproof sleeve.
Currency
The rules about which Indian rupee notes are accepted in Nepal have changed several times, and acceptance can depend on the shop, the denomination and the day. The safe approach is to exchange money into Nepali rupees in Kathmandu and carry enough cash for the whole trek, since the last reliable cash machines are around Namche. Do not rely on cards in the upper valley.
Insurance and health
Arrange travel and medical insurance that clearly covers trekking to the altitude you will reach and helicopter evacuation. Many standard Indian travel policies exclude high-altitude activities or cap the height, so read the exclusions.
Getting there
- Fly from major Indian cities to Kathmandu, or travel overland to Nepal through border crossings, then continue by road or air.
- Keep at least a day free in Kathmandu before and after the trek.
- Carry a few passport-size photographs for paperwork.
Mobile phones
Check your Indian operator's roaming arrangements for Nepal. A local SIM bought in Kathmandu often gives better data on the trail, and buying it requires your passport and a photograph.
What to carry in your document pouch
Keep your documents together in a waterproof pouch, easy to reach. Include your passport or voter identity card, passport-size photographs, printed copies of your insurance, the confirmation of your flights and bookings, and emergency contacts. Take photos of every document and save them in your phone and email. A copy in a different bag provides a back-up if something is lost.
Money matters
Indian rupee notes are accepted in many places in Nepal, but there are restrictions on the denominations and amounts that may be carried. Check the current rules before you travel and keep your receipts. On the trail, Nepali rupees are the most useful currency. It is easier to exchange in Kathmandu than on the way, and you should carry enough small notes for tea, snacks and charging. Cards and digital payments rarely work above the lower villages.
Phones and data
Indian mobile numbers may roam in Nepal, but charges can be high, and signal quality changes with altitude. Many visitors buy a local SIM card in Kathmandu, which is cheaper, but it requires identification and a form. Ask your operator or hotel for advice. Download maps and keep a list of important numbers on paper in case your phone fails.
Final checks before leaving India
- Confirm which identity document your airline accepts for the flight to Nepal.
- Ask your operator which permit rates apply to Indian citizens and what is included in your price.
- Arrange travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation.
- Tell your bank that you will be abroad so that cards are not blocked.
What our guests say
Excerpts from guest reviews of Himalayan Wonders, our parent company, on Tripadvisor.
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