Popular buys include locally made clothes such as lopsided
topis (caps), knitted mittens and socks, Tibetan dresses, woven shawls, Tibetan multicolored jackets and men’s diagonally fastened shirts; and pashmina (fine goat’s-wool blankets),
khukri (the national knife),
saranghi (a small, four-stringed viola played with a horse-hair bow), Tibetan tea bowls, papier mâché dance masks, Buddhist statuettes and filigree ornaments, bamboo flutes and other folk objects. Find copies and good-quality seconds of walking and climbing gear in Thamel.
Shopping hours Daily, 1000-2000
in tourist areas.
Currency Information:CurrencyNepalese Rupee (NPR; symbol Rs) = 100 paisa. Notes are in denominations of Rs1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 25 and 10 paisa.
Note: (a) Visitors should bear in mind that foreign visitors other than Indian nationals are required to pay their airline tickets, trekking permits and hotel bills in foreign currency. (b) The import of local and Indian currency is prohibited, except for nationals of Nepal and India.
Currency ExchangeIt is illegal to exchange currency with persons other than authorized dealers in foreign exchange (banks, hotels and licensed money changers). Visitors should obtain Foreign Exchange Encashment Receipts when changing currency and keep them, as these will help in many transactions, including getting visa extensions and trekking permits.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMsAmerican Express is widely accepted, with MasterCard and Visa in tourist shops, hotels, restaurants and agencies. ATMs are widely available in Nepal.
Traveller's ChequesAccepted at banks and major hotels. If trekking, it is important to bear in mind that cash is necessary. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Banking HoursBanks in the Kathmandu valley are open Mon-Fri 0900-1530. In other areas, opening hours are usually Sun-Thurs 1000-1500 and Fri 1000-1200. Licensed money changers are open 12 hours per day.
Exchange Rate Indicators| Date | Jan 09 |
| £1.00= | Rs113.88 |
| $1.00= | Rs77.18 |
| €1.00= | Rs103.80 |
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