Your bags are almost packed. Nepal is getting closer. And we’re looking forward to welcoming you.

Before you head to the airport, a few simple checks will help your journey begin smoothly. Get these little things sorted, send us one last photograph, and then settle into your seat. We’ll be here when you land.

Check your gear against your trip

Have one final look at the packing information we’ve sent you. What you need depends on where you’re going, the season and what you’ll be doing. A few days exploring Kathmandu calls for a different bag from a trek in the mountains.

Comfortable shoes, useful layers, sun protection and a reusable water bottle are a good starting point. If you’re trekking, check your trip’s specific equipment list and make sure those walking boots have already had a few outings.

Unsure whether to bring something or arrange it locally? Ask us before squeezing it into your suitcase.

Passport? Visa? ETA?

First, the obvious one: make sure your passport is actually coming with you. Check that it has at least six months’ validity from your arrival date, and keep it somewhere accessible in your hand luggage.

Then check your entry arrangements. Depending on your nationality and circumstances, you may have a visa arranged in advance, an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), or plans to obtain a visa on arrival.

There are several options, but they aren’t interchangeable. Check what your application or approval actually covers, and bring the relevant confirmation and any payment receipt. Completing an online visa-on-arrival form does not, by itself, mean you already hold a visa.

Visa on arrival is available to many nationalities, though some travellers must arrange entry permission before travelling. Check the current instructions through Nepal’s Department of Immigration or your nearest Nepali embassy.

Keep printed copies and offline copies of your documents, along with your first hotel’s name and address. If you’ll be paying for a visa at the airport, carry cash as a backup; US dollars are the preferred currency. See the current entry guidance before departure.

Give your bank a heads-up

Check that your credit and debit cards are enabled for use in Nepal, including purchases and cash withdrawals. If your bank accepts travel notifications, let it know your dates.

An unexpected transaction abroad can trigger a fraud check. That’s reassuring at home, but less convenient when you’ve just landed and would quite like to pay for something.

Know your PIN, make sure you can access your banking app, and check how you’ll receive any verification messages while abroad. A second card, kept separately, is a useful backup.

Bring a little backup cash

Even with your cards ready, bring some cash in a readily exchangeable currency, such as US dollars or euros. Think of it as a cushion for a declined card, an uncooperative ATM or those first arrival expenses.

Nepal remains largely a cash-based economy, especially beyond the bigger hotels, shops and restaurants. You can exchange foreign currency for Nepali rupees through authorised banks or money changers. The Nepal Tourism Board’s practical information is a useful reference.

Do the phone, charger and adapter check

Phone packed? Now check the things that keep it working:

• Charging cables and wall chargers.

• A charged power bank.

• A suitable travel adapter.

• Our contact details, your itinerary and arrival instructions saved offline.

European-style two-round-pin plugs commonly fit sockets here, but socket fittings vary. A universal travel adapter is a useful companion. Nepal’s electricity supply is around 220 volts, so check your charger’s voltage label too; an adapter changes the plug shape, not the voltage. The Nepal Tourism Board provides electricity information.

Keep your power bank in your hand luggage and check your airline’s current battery limits and onboard rules before flying.

Before boarding, send us today’s you

Here’s our favourite last-minute preparation: send us a quick photo of how you look today, ideally in the clothes you’re travelling in.

Your booking tells us your name. A fresh photo helps us recognise the person walking towards us after a long flight. A bright jacket, a new haircut or a particularly memorable hat can make all the difference.

Kathmandu’s international arrivals meeting area is relatively compact, but it can still feel busy when you’re tired and finding your bearings. Follow the meeting instructions we’ve sent you, and help us spot you with that quick picture. Make sure we have your latest flight details too, and let us know if anything changes.

Now, sit back and relax

Passport, entry paperwork, gear, money, chargers—and one photo sent to us.

That’s your final check done. Settle into your seat and enjoy the feeling of being on your way. We’ll take care of the welcome and the arrangements we’ve made together.

See you in Nepal.

The socialtours team