Banking and money matter

How much should I expect to spend during my trip to Nepal?
The amount of money you bring on a trek depends on you. Cold drinks during the day and an occasional beer after a long day of hiking can be awfully nice. These along with any souvenirs and film are personal expenses. We have a safe in our office where plane tickets and money can be kept.

You can always choose to make your trip expensive by staying at fancy luxury hotels and dining in their restaurants. But then you may as well be in New York.

How should I bring money to Nepal to pay for my travel expenses?
Credit Cards and Traveler's checks are the best and safest option. US dollars are the most widely accepted form of money, but banks also accept other major international currencies.

Where and how do I exchange my money into Nepalese rupee?
All major banks in Nepal exchange convertible hard currencies into Nepalese rupees. There is an exchange counter in the Kathmandu airport for you to start off. The US dollar is the most widely accepted currency.

Besides banks, there are licensed money exchangers in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Sunauli. These money exchangers have rates marginally better than banks, but the commissions are higher. So check before you exchange your money. The advantages of having these money exchangers to banks are they open for long hours, typically from 9am to 7pm. except above you can use ATM facilities in Kathmandu.

What is the exchange rate between the Nepalese Rupee and other international currencies?
The Nepalese rupee tends to devalue steadily every couple months against other hard currencies. To get the most recent rates check the exchange rate section of The Kathmandu Post.

Can I use my credit card?
Yes, Visa and MasterCard will be accepted in most places. Remember that usage of credit cards in Nepal can cost you an extra three to five percent in transaction costs.

Are there ATM machines where I can draw funds from my home country bank using my ATM card?
Commercial Banks such as Himalayan Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and Nabil Bank have installed ATM machines in some places of.

If I get strapped with money, how do I get access to more funds?
You can draw funds against your American Express, MasterCard or Visa cards in Kathmandu. The service premium for doing this, however, is pretty steep. You can also have money wired directly to Kathmandu through any major bank within two to three working days.