The Kathmandu Valley

It's not currently possible to fly directly from the UK to Nepal. There are a range of alternative options, flying with airlines including British Airways, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic and Qatar Airlines from Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester. The most common connecting flights to Nepal with these carriers are Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Delhi.

The average flight times between the UK and Tribhuvan International Airport, located six kilometres outside of Kathmandu, is 12 hours, although this depends on the length of your stopover.

Nepal is +5¾ hours ahead of GMT.

Visitors can obtain a 15, 30 or 90 day single-entry tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport and at some land borders. Visas can be paid for by card but it is advisable to carry cash as this is preferred. Check the exact cost before you travel as it is subject to change. You will need to fill in an arrival card and application form on arrival as well as provide a passport photograph. Visas, including multiple-entry visas, can also be obtained in advance from the Nepalese Embassy in London.

When visiting temples and other holy places, you should dress respectfully. Women are advised not to wear shorts or sleeveless tops when visiting these sites.

Do ask permission before taking photographs, particularly of older people and parades or ceremonies.

Always remove your shoes before entering someone’s home, a monastery or temple. You should also remove all leather items before entering a Hindu temple.

When eating, only the right hand should be used. Nepalese culture considers the left hand to be unclean.

The currency of Nepal is the Nepali Rupee (Rs), with denominations of one, two, five and ten rupees available as both coins and notes. Notes are also available in 20, 50, 10, 500 and 1,000 rupee denominations. Since the abolition of the monarchy in 2008, all notes are printed with an image of Mount Everest. Be aware that may be difficult to change 1,000 rupee notes with smaller traders, including rickshaw drivers, or in rural areas so it is always advisable to carry smaller denomination notes.

Tips are generally accepted in Nepal to recognise good levels of service. It’s not necessary to tip for short taxi rides. A guideline for tipping drivers and guides will be advised prior to travel.

Nepal’s cuisine is a fantastic blend of the flavours of its neighbouring countries. Generally, Nepalese food is considered to be healthier than other South Asian cuisines as it focuses less on cooking with oils and fats and instead uses chunky vegetables, meats and pickled dishes. Lentils, potatoes and yoghurt are common staples across Nepal, along with a wide variety of spices which give the dishes a complex, subtle flavour. Considered Nepal’s national dish, Dal Bhat is a must-try. Expect to receive a variety of side dishes around a rice, roti or mixed-grain centre. These side dishes can include curries, fish dishes, chutneys and pickles, with an almost unlimited amount of combinations possible. For something more hearty and warming, why not try some Gorkhall lamb? This delicious dish combines slow-cooked lamb with chunky onions, potatoes and an array of spices to create an intense curry that is best served with roti or rice.

Hotels in Nepal tend to be smaller rather than larger and most have a noticeable Nepali character. Accommodation in the capital Kathmandu is varied but, on whole properties are larger in size and more modern than elsewhere in the country. There are a few international hotels in Kathmandu too. In keeping with Nepal’s well-earned reputation as a leading wildlife destination lodges, especially at Chitwan and Bardia, are authentic, comfortable and in keeping with their natural surroundings. Hotels in Pokhara are mostly located in the area surrounding the town and take full advantage of the region’s spectacular mountain backdrop. If on a lodge trek, Kerr & Downey’s properties are of a high standard but accommodation on alternative treks is likely to be simpler. The small town of Bandipur also offers the unique chance to stay in restored Newari homes.

Visitors can pick up many unique items including clothing and textiles, jewellery, tea and incense. Singing bowls are also a popular souvenir. These metal bowls are rubbed in a circular motion to produce sound, with the vibrations said to have healing powers.

For a good introduction to visiting Nepal, you cannot go wrong with a Footprint or Rough Guide. ‘Traveller's Tales Nepal: True Stories of Life on the Road’ by Rajendra Khadka contains some fascinating true accounts of traveller’s experiences in Nepal. Other interesting personal accounts include ‘Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt Everest Disaster’ by Jon Krakauer and ‘The Strict Economy of Fire’ by Ava Leavell Haymon. If you are looking for novels set in Nepal, there are plenty to choose from including Holly Robinson’s ‘Sleeping Tigers’ on one woman’s journey to Nepal or the action-packed ‘Kathmandu’ by Gerry Virtue.

Your doctor is the best person to advise you on staying healthy whilst abroad but current recommended vaccinations are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria. Yellow Fever is compulsory, but only if you have visited an affected Yellow Fever area within 5 days prior to your arrival. In some instances anti-malarial tablets may also be needed. For current information on health advice you may wish to visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website Travel Health Pro on https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/. The Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) website (www.masta.org) is also a useful resource.

For current information on Nepal the best resource is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) which is a comprehensive resource and updated regularly. We would also recommend visiting the Safer Tourism Foundation website (safertourism.org.uk) before you travel and will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.