Currency and cash
Nepal's currency is the Nepali rupee (NPR). Carry enough rupees for the whole trek, and a bit extra for delays. Teahouses almost never take cards, and US dollars are only useful for larger payments in towns. Keep small notes (NPR 100–500), because lodges often can't change NPR 1,000 notes higher up.
How much cash to carry
Multiply your daily teahouse budget by the number of trek days, then add 20% for showers, charging, snacks and emergencies. For a 7-day ABC trek, that's roughly NPR 40,000–60,000 per person.
ATMs and cards
| Place | ATMs? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu (Thamel), Pokhara (Lakeside) | Many | Limits commonly NPR 10,000–35,000 per withdrawal, plus a fee of around NPR 500 |
| Poon Hill / ABC / Mardi trails | None on the trail | Draw cash in Pokhara |
| Annapurna Circuit | Besisahar; a few in Chame, Manang, Jomsom | Unreliable; don't depend on them |
| Everest | Lukla, Namche Bazaar | Often out of cash in peak season |
| Upper Mustang, Manaslu, Nar Phu | None in the restricted areas | Bring everything with you |
Tell your bank you're travelling, and bring two cards on different networks (Visa and Mastercard). Hotels, agencies and larger restaurants in Pokhara and Kathmandu accept cards, often with a 3–4% surcharge.
SIM cards: NTC vs Ncell
| NTC (Nepal Telecom) | Ncell | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage on treks | Generally wider in the mountains | Good in cities and lower valleys, patchier higher up |
| Where to buy | Kathmandu airport arrivals, NTC centres in Pokhara | Kathmandu airport arrivals, Ncell centres and shops in Pokhara |
| What you need | Passport, a photo (or taken in store) | Passport, a photo (or taken in store) |
| Data | Tourist packs with several GB for 15–30 days | Tourist packs with several GB for 15–30 days |
Many trekkers buy an NTC SIM for the mountains, and some carry both on a dual-SIM phone. If you'd rather not swap SIMs, international travel eSIMs sell Nepal data plans. Check which local network they use, because coverage on the trail depends on it.
Coverage by region
| Region | Mobile data | Wi-Fi |
|---|---|---|
| Poon Hill / Ghandruk | Good in most villages | Most lodges |
| Annapurna Base Camp | Patchy above Chhomrong; some signal at ABC | Paid lodge Wi-Fi |
| Mardi Himal | Patchy, better on the ridge | Some lodges |
| Annapurna Circuit | Good in larger villages | Most lodges; paid higher up |
| Everest | NTC in many villages; gaps | Everest Link prepaid cards |
| Manaslu / Nar Phu / Upper Mustang | Limited or none for days | Occasional, slow, paid |
No signal is normal
Tell people at home you may be out of contact for one to three days at a time, especially in restricted areas, so they don't panic.
Power and charging
- Bring a 10,000–20,000 mAh power bank. Charging costs USD 1–5 per device above the lower villages.
- Nepal uses 230 V with type C, D and M sockets. A universal adapter covers all three.
- Many high lodges run on solar power, so charging may be limited on cloudy days.
- Cold drains batteries, so sleep with your phone and power bank in your sleeping bag.
- Switch to airplane mode and use offline maps to save battery.
Frequently asked questions
Are there ATMs on the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
No, not on the trail. Withdraw all the rupees you need in Pokhara before you leave. Teahouses only take cash.
Which SIM card is best for trekking in Nepal?
NTC (Nepal Telecom) usually has wider coverage in the mountains, while Ncell is strong in cities and lower valleys. Both sell tourist SIMs at Kathmandu airport and in Pokhara, with your passport and a photo.
Can I use an eSIM in Nepal?
Yes. International travel eSIM providers sell Nepal data plans that run on local networks. Check which network the plan uses, because coverage on the trail depends on it.
Can I pay by card in teahouses?
Almost never. Carry enough Nepali rupees for the whole trek plus a 20% buffer, in small notes.
Is there mobile signal at Everest Base Camp?
There is often some NTC signal around Gorak Shep and base camp, but it's unreliable. Everest Link Wi-Fi cards are the most dependable way to get online in the Khumbu.
Treks to read next
Annapurna · from Pokhara
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
6–12 days · Moderate · max 4,130 m
Everest
Everest Base Camp Trek
11–16 days · Challenging · max 5,545 m
Annapurna · from Pokhara
Annapurna Circuit Trek
10–18 days · Challenging · max 5,416 m
Mustang · from Pokhara
Upper Mustang Trek
9–16 days · Challenging · max 4,230 m
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