Indian citizens do not need a visa to enter Nepal, and travel from India is simple, with direct flights and land borders. For a long and remote trek like the Three Passes, good paperwork and cash planning matter more than the entry rules, so prepare carefully before you leave.
Identity documents
Carry a valid passport, or the photo ID your operator confirms is accepted for Indian citizens at the time of travel. Keep the original in a waterproof pouch and carry photocopies and phone photos. Registration and permit offices ask for identity details, so your operator will need a clear copy in advance.
Permits and registration
Your operator arranges the Sagarmatha National Park and Khumbu local permits and the trekking registration. Fees for Indian citizens may differ from those for other foreigners, and they can change, so confirm the current figure when you book. Bring passport-size photographs.
Money
- Nepali rupees are used on the trail. Indian rupees are accepted in some places, but rules on notes can change, so confirm with your operator what is allowed and carry mainly Nepali rupees.
- Withdraw or exchange enough money in Kathmandu or Lukla, since ATMs above Namche are unreliable.
- Carry small notes for tea, showers and charging.
Insurance
Buy travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking up to 5,500 m and helicopter evacuation, and check whether it works for a trip in Nepal. Keep a copy of the policy number and emergency contact with you.
Getting to Kathmandu
You can fly from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and other cities, or travel by road through border crossings. Allow at least one night in Kathmandu before the trek for a briefing, gear check and permits, and an extra night at the end for flight delays from Lukla.
Food
Vegetarian meals are easy to find, and lodges understand requests for no onion and garlic or other simple diets. Tell your operator in advance and carry some familiar snacks.
