Quick Facts About Nepal
General Information
- • Capital: Kathmandu
- • Currency: Nepalese Rupee (NPR)
- • Languages: Nepali, English
- • Population: 30 million
- • Area: 147,516 km²
- • Time Zone: NPT (UTC+5:45)
Travel Information
- • Best Time: Oct-Dec, Mar-May
- • Power Plug: Type C/D/M (230V)
- • Emergency: 100 (Police)
- • Calling Code: +977
- • Visa: On arrival for most
- • Main Airport: KTM (Tribhuvan)
Benefits of eSIM for Nepal Travel
eSIM vs Traditional SIM Comparison
✅ eSIM Advantages
- • Instant activation at KTM airport
- • No passport photocopies needed
- • Works on trekking routes
- • Keep your WhatsApp number
- • Easy top-up from mountains
- • Multiple network support
❌ Traditional SIM Issues
- • Long queues at airport
- • Passport copy required
- • Form filling hassle
- • Limited shop hours
- • Language barriers
- • May not work in mountains
Key Benefits for Nepal
Trekking Essential
Stay connected on Everest Base Camp and Annapurna trails
Emergency Ready
Crucial for altitude sickness or rescue situations
Temple Navigation
Find your way around Kathmandu's complex streets
Weather Updates
Essential mountain weather for safe trekking
Lodge Bookings
Book tea houses on popular trekking routes
Festival Updates
Stay informed about local festivals and closures
Nepal eSIM Pricing & Plans
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Installation Guide
Pro Tip: Install your eSIM at Kathmandu airport or hotel before heading to mountains. Coverage can be limited on trekking routes, so activate while you have strong signal!
📱 iPhone Installation
- 1.Go to Settings → Cellular → Add Cellular Plan
- 2.Scan the QR code from your eSIM purchase
- 3.Label your plan (e.g., "Nepal Trek")
- 4.Set as your default data line
- 5.Turn on Data Roaming (required for eSIM)
🤖 Android Installation
- 1.Go to Settings → Network & Internet
- 2.Tap "+" next to Mobile Network
- 3.Select "Download a SIM instead?"
- 4.Scan QR code and follow prompts
- 5.Enable the new eSIM profile
Network Coverage Details
Coverage by Region
Excellent Coverage
- • Kathmandu Valley
- • Pokhara & Lakeside
- • Major cities & towns
- • Main highways
- • Popular trekking villages
- • Lukla & Namche Bazaar
Limited/No Coverage
- • High altitude areas (>4000m)
- • Remote trekking sections
- • Deep valleys
- • Between villages on trails
- • Restricted areas
- • Some border regions
Trekking Coverage
Most tea houses on popular routes (EBC, Annapurna) have WiFi. Mobile coverage exists in major villages but drops between settlements. Download offline maps and emergency info. Satellite phones recommended for remote treks.
Travel Recommendations
Choose your travel style below to see personalized eSIM recommendations for your Nepal adventure:
Trekker & Mountaineer
Heading to EBC, Annapurna Circuit, or other high-altitude adventures
Data Needs
Low-Moderate (2-5GB)
Recommendation
Essential for weather updates and emergency contact. Most usage will be at tea houses with WiFi.
Essential Tips:
- ✓Download offline maps in Kathmandu
- ✓Get weather apps that work offline
- ✓Save emergency contacts offline
- ✓Top up data before leaving Namche/Pokhara
- ✓Consider satellite phone for remote treks
Cultural Explorer
Visiting temples, UNESCO sites, and experiencing festivals
Data Needs
Moderate (5-10GB)
Recommendation
Perfect for navigation in complex old cities and translating signs. Great for sharing temple photos.
Essential Tips:
- ✓Download Google Translate offline
- ✓Use Maps.me for detailed city navigation
- ✓Research temple etiquette beforehand
- ✓Book guided tours online to save time
- ✓Check festival dates and closures
Adventure Photographer
Capturing Himalayan landscapes, wildlife, and cultural moments
Data Needs
High (10-20GB)
Recommendation
Cloud backup essential for precious photos. Use tea house WiFi for large uploads when trekking.
Essential Tips:
- ✓Upload photos at city hotels
- ✓Use compression apps for sharing
- ✓Save RAW file uploads for WiFi
- ✓Research sunrise/sunset times offline
- ✓Join photography groups for location tips
Spiritual Seeker
Meditation retreats, yoga courses, and monastery visits
Data Needs
Low (2-5GB)
Recommendation
Minimal data needs at retreat centers. Use for essential communication and booking onward travel.
Essential Tips:
- ✓Most retreats have limited connectivity
- ✓Download meditation apps beforehand
- ✓Use data for emergency contact only
- ✓Research monastery rules offline
- ✓Book retreats before arriving
Budget Backpacker
Exploring Nepal on a shoestring, staying in hostels
Data Needs
Moderate (5-10GB)
Recommendation
Use hostel WiFi when possible. Data essential for finding accommodations and local transport.
Essential Tips:
- ✓Download Hostelworld offline
- ✓Use local bus apps for routes
- ✓Join backpacker WhatsApp groups
- ✓Find free WiFi at cafes in Thamel
- ✓Book buses online for better prices
Luxury Traveler
Staying at premium hotels, helicopter tours, and exclusive experiences
Data Needs
High (15-25GB)
Recommendation
Seamless connectivity for bookings and coordination. Hotels have excellent WiFi as backup.
Essential Tips:
- ✓Book helicopter tours with connectivity
- ✓Use data for real-time flight tracking
- ✓Coordinate with luxury tour operators
- ✓Stream content during long transfers
- ✓Video call from Everest View Hotel
🏔️ Altitude & Connectivity Guide
- • Below 3,000m: Excellent 4G coverage in towns and villages
- • 3,000-4,000m: Good coverage in main settlements, patchy between
- • 4,000-5,000m: Limited to major stops like Namche, Dingboche
- • Above 5,000m: Very limited, only at some tea houses
- • Tea House WiFi: Available but slow (NPR 300-500/hour)
📱 Essential Apps for Nepal Travel
- • Maps.me: Detailed offline maps with trails
- • Google Translate: Download Nepali offline
- • Himalayan Database: Peak information
- • Pathao: Ride-hailing in Kathmandu
- • eSewa: Digital payments
- • Hamro Patro: Nepali calendar & events
- • Yeti Airlines: Domestic flight booking
- • ACAP/TIMS: Permit information
Must-Visit Places in Nepal
🏔️ Trekking Destinations
- • Everest Base Camp: World's highest trek
- • Annapurna Circuit: Classic mountain loop
- • Langtang Valley: Accessible from KTM
- • Manaslu Circuit: Remote alternative
- • Upper Mustang: Tibetan culture
- • Gokyo Lakes: Turquoise glacial lakes
🏛️ Cultural Sites
- • Pashupatinath: Sacred Hindu temple
- • Boudhanath: Buddhist stupa
- • Durbar Squares: Royal palaces
- • Swayambhunath: Monkey temple
- • Lumbini: Buddha's birthplace
- • Chitwan Park: Wildlife safari
Network Providers in Nepal
Ncell
- • Largest network
- • Best trekking coverage
- • 4G widely available
- • Tourist friendly
Nepal Telecom
- • Government owned
- • Good remote coverage
- • Reliable in mountains
- • Expanding 4G
Smart Cell
- • Urban focused
- • Limited coverage
- • Competitive rates
- • Growing network
Troubleshooting Common Issues
🏔️ No Signal in Mountains
Normal above 4000m and between villages. Most tea houses have WiFi (paid). Download offline maps and weather before leaving villages. Consider satellite phone for emergencies on remote treks.
📱 Slow Data Speeds
Common in tourist areas due to congestion. Try early morning or late evening. Use WiFi at hotels/cafes for heavy downloads. 3G is often more stable than overloaded 4G in busy areas.
⚡ Power Outages
Load shedding affects mobile towers. Keep devices charged. Carry power banks. Some areas may lose coverage during extended outages. Tea houses charge for device charging on treks.
Emergency Contacts
🚨 Emergency Numbers
- • Police: 100
- • Tourist Police: 1144
- • Ambulance: 102
- • Fire: 101
- • CIWEC Hospital: 01-4424111
- • Himalayan Rescue: 01-4440525
🚁 Helicopter Rescue
- • Simrik Air: 01-4465888
- • Fishtail Air: 01-4465876
- • Summit Air: 01-5547458
- • Insurance Required: Verify coverage
Cultural Guide & Etiquette
Do's ✅
- • Use "Namaste" greeting with hands together
- • Remove shoes before entering homes/temples
- • Walk clockwise around temples/stupas
- • Use right hand for eating/giving
- • Dress modestly, cover shoulders/knees
- • Ask permission before photographing people
Don'ts ❌
- • Don't touch anyone's head
- • Avoid pointing with single finger
- • Don't step over people or food
- • Never throw items into fire
- • Avoid public displays of affection
- • Don't give money to begging children
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my eSIM work on Everest Base Camp trek?
Yes, but with limitations. Coverage exists in major villages like Lukla, Namche, and Gorak Shep, but not between settlements. Most tea houses offer WiFi (paid). Download offline content in Namche.
How much data for a 2-week Nepal trip?
For city/cultural tours: 5-10GB. For trekking: 2-5GB (limited usage in mountains). Most data use will be in Kathmandu/Pokhara. Tea house WiFi supplements mountain needs.
Can I top up my eSIM from the mountains?
Yes, if you have internet connection via tea house WiFi. Always top up before leaving major towns as a precaution. Keep some backup credit for emergencies.
Best network for trekking?
Ncell generally has the best mountain coverage, followed by Nepal Telecom. Many eSIMs automatically select the strongest available network. Both work well in cities.
Ready for Your Himalayan Adventure?
Get connected from Kathmandu temples to Everest Base Camp
Compare Nepal eSIM Plans