Power & Connectivity (SIM)

Nepal runs on 230V at 50Hz, and sockets are types C, D and M, so bring a universal adapter, especially for the round-pin D and M types. Check your devices support 230V, as most phone and laptop chargers do. Power supply has improved in cities but outages still happen, particularly in rural and mountain areas, so charge whenever you can, pack a power bank, and consider a solar charger for longer treks.

Local SIM cards from Ncell and Nepal Telecom (NTC) are cheap and easy to buy at the airport, official stores and many shops. You need your passport and a passport photo for registration, and an unlocked phone. Tourist data packages are good value; coverage is solid in cities and along popular trekking routes but drops in high, remote areas. A local SIM is usually cheaper than roaming.

If your phone supports eSIM, travel eSIM providers offer Nepal or regional Asia data plans you can buy online and activate before or on arrival, handy for staying connected from the moment you land without queuing for a local SIM. They are convenient but often pricier than a local physical SIM and coverage still fades in high mountains. Check that your specific phone model supports eSIM and confirm coverage where you plan to trek.

Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, guesthouses, cafes and restaurants in Kathmandu, Pokhara and tourist areas, usually free for guests. Speeds are fine for messaging, maps and browsing but can be slow for video. On treks, many tea houses offer Wi-Fi for a fee, though it is slow and unreliable at altitude. For dependable data on the move a local SIM is the safer bet, and download offline maps for remote sections.

The internet in Nepal is generally open and popular apps and international websites work, with messaging tools like WhatsApp, Messenger and video calls widely used. Occasionally the government restricts specific apps or platforms, and rules can change, so check current status before relying on one service. Treat public Wi-Fi as insecure, use reputable apps for calls, and keep social media respectful of local sensitivities.

A few apps make travel in Nepal smoother. Use Google Maps or Maps.me with offline maps downloaded, and Maps.me is popular with trekkers for offline trails. Use WhatsApp and Messenger to reach guesthouses and agencies, ride-hailing apps like Pathao and InDrive in Kathmandu, and a translation app for Nepali. A currency converter helps too. Download what you need on Wi-Fi before heading to areas with weak signal.

The country calling code for Nepal is +977. To call abroad from Nepal, dial the international prefix followed by the country code, or simply use internet calls over Wi-Fi or mobile data, which are cheap and popular. For local numbers, a Nepali SIM makes calls and texts easy. Save your accommodation, trekking agency and embassy numbers, and remember that mountain areas can have weak signal, so a satellite messenger is worth considering on remote treks.