Great news for those who have waited patiently for the last 18 months to be able to go trekking in the Himalayas, Nepal is now open once again! Like in pre-COVID times, tourists can get a VISA on arrival at the airport before heading out, quarantine free, into Kathmandu and off onto the trails of the Himalayas.

The only additional conditions of gaining your VISA, is that you have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days before you arrive and have tested negative to COVID within 72 hours of boarding your flight to Kathmandu. You will be required to show proof of this by means of a Vaccination Certificate and negative COVID-19 test report.

As usual, you will also need to complete a printed Arrival Form, available at www.ccmc.gov.np, show your hotel booking and pay the appropriate VISA fee at the airport before clearing immigration.

The current VISA on Arrival fees are:

15 Days – 30 USD
30 Days – 50 USD
90 Days – 125 USD

Once you are in Kathmandu, you will be free to travel anywhere in the country from Chitwan National Park to Everest Base Camp. There are currently no COVID lockdowns in Nepal and everyone is simply required to socially distance and wear a mask in public.

If you are worried about how your travel might affect the communities living high in the Himalayas, you can rest easy. Nepal has already vaccinated over half of its eligible population for COVID-19 and almost all of those who live in the trekking regions or who work in the tourism sector.

In fact, your visit will dramatically help and improve the lives of the porters, guides, restaurant and guesthouse staff who rely on trekking groups for their livelihoods. Tourism is one of the most important industries in Nepal and after almost two years of lockdowns and border closures, foreign tourists will be vital in helping the country get back on its feet.

While helping Nepal recover from the pandemic, you will also be rewarded with quiet and peaceful trails, before the crowds inevitably return to enjoy the stunning scenery.

If you’re from a country where international travel is currently not possible, you can at least start thinking about which of Nepal’s many spectacular trails you want to explore. With a bit of luck, by the start of the spring season in March 2022 most international borders will be open and you too will be able to come and experience trekking in Nepal.

Nepal is Open!