Nepal Travel Guide

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Shopping

Popular buys include locally made clothes and textiles. These include 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).

Also find 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. Thamel is also full of outlets selling trekking gear - not always the make it claims to be, but most of it is relatvely good quality.

Shopping hours: Daily, 1000-2000 in tourist areas.

Currency

Nepalese 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 Exchange

It 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 Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

American Express is widely accepted, with MasterCard and Visa in tourist shops, hotels, restaurants and agencies. ATMs are widely available in Nepal, however, it is not possible to withdraw cash in the mountains. Those embarking on treks should take enough cash for the duration of their trek.

Travelers Checks

Accepted 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 traveler's checks in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Currency Restrictions

The import of US$5,000 or more, or the equivalent amount in any other currency, must be declared on arrival. The export of local and foreign currency must be declared.

Banking Hours

Banks 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