Do You Tip in Nepal?

Do you tip in Nepal?

Tipping in Nepal is increasingly common and appreciated, particularly in tourism. In restaurants, leaving around 10 percent for good service is customary, though some places add a service charge, so check the bill. Tipping is especially important for trekking: guides and porters, who work hard carrying loads and guiding you through the mountains, are customarily tipped meaningful amounts at the end of a trek, often a significant part of their income, so budget for this. Hotel staff, drivers, and guides in cities are also tipped small amounts. Tipping in cash, in rupees, is best. So plan to tip around 10 percent in restaurants and to give generous, customary tips to trekking guides and porters, which are an important part of travel in Nepal.

What currency is used in Nepal?

The currency in Nepal is the Nepalese rupee, abbreviated NPR. Nepal is largely a cash economy: cards are accepted at some hotels and larger establishments in Kathmandu and Pokhara, but cash is essential for most purchases, markets, small shops, and especially trekking, where card facilities do not exist on the trails, so carry plenty of rupees. ATMs are available in cities for withdrawing rupees, often with fees and limits. When paying by card, choose to be charged in rupees, and use a card with no foreign transaction fees. Before a trek, withdraw enough cash for the whole journey, as you cannot rely on cards or ATMs in the mountains of Nepal.

What power plugs are used in Nepal?

Nepal uses type C, type D, and type M electrical plugs, including European round-pin and larger Indian-style round-pin types, and the supply is 230 volts at 50 hertz. Because several types appear, a universal travel adapter is the safest choice to ensure you can charge your devices. Since Nepal runs on 230 volts, also confirm your devices are dual voltage, marked around 100 to 240 volts on the charger, which most modern electronics are, or bring a voltage converter for any single-voltage appliance. Note that power outages are common in Nepal, and on treks electricity may be limited or charged for, so bring a power bank and charge devices whenever you can.

Can you drink the tap water in Nepal?

The tap water in Nepal is not safe for tourists to drink, so you should rely on bottled, boiled, or properly treated and filtered water throughout your trip, including on treks. Tap water can carry bacteria and parasites that cause serious stomach illness. Drink sealed bottled water in cities, check the seal, and use it for brushing teeth. On treks, use water purification tablets, a filter, or boiled water, since bottled water is less available and creates plastic waste at altitude. Avoid ice and raw foods washed in tap water. Treating your water is essential in Nepal, especially while trekking, to avoid illness that could disrupt or end your journey in the mountains.