Welcome to Nepal !

Health & Safety: Nepal's Himalayan treks can take you from low valleys to altitudes above 4,000 metres, with some high mountain passes and trekking routes going considerably higher. Altitude affects every traveller differently, and being physically fit does not guarantee that you will not experience altitude-related symptoms.

A properly planned trek should allow your body time to acclimatise gradually. Avoid rushing the itinerary, stay hydrated, follow the advice of your trekking guide and communicate honestly if you begin to feel unwell. In the mountains, listening to your body and allowing sufficient time for acclimatisation is an important part of safe trekking.

Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is strongly recommended for travel to Nepal. For trekking, do not assume that standard travel insurance automatically covers high-altitude activities. Check the maximum altitude covered by your policy and ensure that it includes the activities in your itinerary.

Your insurance should be checked for:

• High-altitude trekking coverage

• Emergency medical treatment

• Helicopter evacuation and rescue, where applicable

• Search and rescue costs

• Trip interruption or cancellation

• Personal baggage and trekking equipment

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises Singaporeans travelling to Nepal to purchase comprehensive travel and medical insurance and to understand their policy's coverage.

Money: The official currency of Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). ATMs, money exchange services and card payments are available in Kathmandu, Pokhara and many major tourist areas. However, cash remains important, particularly when travelling to smaller towns and remote trekking regions.

During a trek, ATM access and card payments may become limited or unavailable. Carry enough Nepalese Rupees for personal expenses that are not included in your package, such as snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, charging, hot showers and souvenirs.

It is also wise to avoid relying entirely on one payment method. Carry a combination of cards and cash, and keep some smaller notes for local purchases.

Practical money advice:

• Carry Nepalese Rupees for smaller daily expenses

• Keep a backup payment card

• Withdraw sufficient cash before beginning a remote trek

• Carry smaller notes for villages and local purchases

• Use authorised money exchange services

• Do not depend entirely on card payments outside major cities

Nepal's official immigration information currently accepts multiple payment methods for visa fees, while Singapore's MFA advises travellers that credit card payment should not be relied upon as the only option. Carrying an alternative payment method is recommended.

Transport: Travel in Nepal often takes longer than travellers from Singapore expect. A short distance on a map may involve mountain roads, traffic, changing weather or slower local conditions. It is important to allow flexibility in your itinerary, particularly when travelling between major destinations or returning from remote Himalayan regions.

Depending on your destination, you may travel by private vehicle, tourist bus, domestic flight, jeep or helicopter. Private vehicles provide greater flexibility for sightseeing, while domestic flights can significantly reduce travel time to selected mountain regions. Jeeps are commonly used for mountain roads, while helicopter transfers are available for selected trekking and tour itineraries.

Weather can occasionally affect domestic flights and mountain travel. For this reason, travellers completing a remote trek should avoid scheduling an international departure immediately after their expected return to Kathmandu.

Common transport options include:

• Private tourist vehicles

• Tourist buses

• Domestic flights

• Jeep transfers

• Helicopter transfers on selected routes

• Walking and trekking in mountain regions

Allowing an extra buffer day before an important international flight is particularly useful after remote or weather-dependent travel.