Traveling to Nepal?

Pokhara

Pokhara is a city in Nepal frequented by tourists who want to get their blood pumping. Pokhara offers many extreme activities like bungee jumping, paragliding, mountain biking, and river rafting that will surely leave you breathless and wanting for more. Pokhara is also home to famous trails that leads to Mount Everest, often making the city the starting point for hikers.

Although Pokhara is known for extreme activities, the city also offers more laid-back and scenic activities. You can enjoy a guided paddle boat tour on Pokhara’s Phewa Lake or watch the beautiful sunrise from Sarangkot Viewpoint. If you want to go on a more easy-going hike, you can go a 3-day hike on Poon Hill Ghorepani Trek. This trail stretches up to 3,200 m and passes through little villages and jungles, giving you the perfect uninterrupted view of the Himalayan Mountains.

Visit Pokhara during autumn, from September to November for pleasant weather conditions.

Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath Temple is the oldest and largest Hindu temple complex in Nepal and is one of the most important sites for devotees of Shiva. Pashupatinath Temple plays an important role in Nepal’s culture, with hundreds of rituals being performed every day. In some of the rituals performed, tourists are allowed to participate, giving you the chance to be part of Nepal’s culture.

Pashupatinath Temple is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage list and comprises 518 temples inside the complex. There you can see not only the magnificent temples but traditional paintings and sculptures as well. Of course, despite being a tourist attraction, Pashupatinath Temple is still a sacred place for the Hindus. Certain areas are restricted to non-Hindus and Hindus of Western descent. Visit the temple from September to November, to experience clear skies and plenty of cultural events.

Mount Everest

Most travelers go to Nepal to climb the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest. Reaching 29,029 feet, Mount Everest is the ultimate climb for seasoned mountain climbers and trekkers. Be warned, climbing Mount Everest is not an easy feat and should be done with caution. It would take days before you will reach the summit, with you being exposed to the harsh cold and altitude.

While you are busy climbing, be on the lookout for wild animals roaming the surroundings like the cute red panda, wolves, and bears. It is also said that the abominable snowman or Yeti roam the Himalayas. Although no one has seen the Yeti clearly, it said that you can sometimes find its footprints littering the area. Climb the mountain from April to May to better enjoy its peak.

To get to Mount Everest Base Camp, you have the option to fly to Lukla city or drive to the town of Jiri. The difference would be the acclimatization days, when flying to Lukla, your chance of acclimatization would be shorter, making you more prone to altitude sickness.

Flying to Lukla

• From Kathmandu Airport, fly to Lukla
• From Lukla, trek to the Mount Everest Base Camp for 11 to 14 days

Driving from Jiri

• From the airport, follow Araniko Highway
• Follow Araniko Highway until you reach Lamosangu-Ramechhap Highway
• Continue to follow Lamosangu-Ramecchap Highway until you reach Jiri
• From Jiri, trek. To the Mount Everest Base Camp for 24 days

When you are about to join a group trek to Mount Everest, they will ask for your documents, such as your trekking permit and proper identification. International Driving Permits can be used as a form of identification as they're considered a supplementary document. To keep your physical International Driving Permit safe from the harsh conditions, the International Drivers Association also offers International Driving Permits for Nepal in PDF form for your convenience.

Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park is home to some of Nepal’s most beautiful, endangered, and rare wildlife. Here, you can also see the peak of Mount Everest while you navigate on different terrains like gorges, glaciers, and rocky trails. Keep an eye out on the variety of wildlife present like musk deers, wolves, Himalayan black bears, and 118 types of birds.

Sagarmatha National Park is also home to the red panda, snow leopard, and marmots. The best time to visit this national park is during autumn, between October and November. As another place in Nepal that’s part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List, Sagarmatha National Park will not disappoint you.

Patan

Step back in time and visit Patan, one of Nepal’s cities. Patan is known for keeping its old-city charm through its architecture, arts, and customs. Also known as the Handicraft City, Patan is home to Nepal’s best craftsmen and artists. Here you can take short wood carving, pottery, and even painting classes. Even the monasteries and temples are filled with art, both traditional and modern, making the city a must-visit site for art historians and connoisseurs.

Your trip to Patan would not be complete if you don’t visit Patan Durbar Square, another place that is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Here you can see the old palace, with its original throne, art, and carvings being preserved and protected. While you are at Durbar Square, don’t forget to drop by Krishna Temple, a Hindu temple made completely out of stone. Visit Patan from October to April to experience pleasant weather.

Carry your driver’s license and IDP at all times

Your International Driving License in Nepal and your valid national driver license are some of the most important documents you need during your trip. Local authorities will look for these documents – especially your IDP which they sometimes refer to as international Driving Licence Nepal – during checkpoints and random inspections. Be sure to keep these documents on hand, along with your passport, as they are requirements for you to drive around the country.

If you are renting a car in Nepal, foreign nationals need to present their car rental documents to the authorities during inspections. For you to rent a vehicle in Nepal, you would need to present your International Driver's Permit for Nepal, your valid national driver’s license, passport, and your credit/debit card to the car rental company.

Wear your seatbelt at all times

Nepal authorities are strict in the implementation of this law. You need to wear your seatbelt at all times to avoid unwanted road traffic accidents. Both the driver and the passengers are required to wear a seatbelt at all times. If you are caught by the authorities not wearing a seatbelt, you will be fined.

Do Not Drink and Drive

Nepali authorities conduct random inspections at any location throughout Nepal to detect drivers who do not follow the blood alcohol limit. The authorities may ask you to perform a breath-analyzer test where they impose a 0.00% blood alcohol limit. When Nepal’s drunk driving road traffic incident statistics rose, they imposed this law more strictly to prevent more accidents from happening. If you are caught drinking and driving, you will be fined by the traffic authorities.

Children should be seated at the rear

In Nepal, children are prohibited from riding at the passenger side of the car and the back of the rear seat. It is mandated that children are supposed to sit on a child seat at the rear seat of the car, and they should be buckled up properly. That way, injuries are prevented should they encounter any road traffic accidents. The only time a child is allowed to sit on the car seat instead of the child seat is when he or she is big enough. The child safety door lock should also be used at the side where the child is sitting.

Applying for an IDP

An International Driver's Permit or International Driving Licence is one of the main requirements for you to drive in Nepal. However, note that you should be of legal driving age to be a driver in Nepal, so beware of the minimum driving age required before planning to drive in the country. Authorities in Nepal will constantly look for your International Driving Licence during checkpoints and random inspections, so have it prepared and on hand at all times. Below is a short guide on International Driving Licence for Nepal application.

International Driver's Permit Nepal Online Application

For a more convenient experience, you can do your International Driving Permit online application through International Drivers Association. The International Driver's Permit Nepal requirements consist of the online application form and two recent passport-sized photos. All you need to do now is pay for your application and wait for confirmation.

The online application form will ask for your details, such as your valid national driver’s license class, country of residence, home address, and zip code. Be sure that the details on the application form are written exactly as those on your local driver’s license, ensure the validity of your International Driver's Permit Nepal. Also, beware of the minimum driving age rules implemented in the country.

International Driver's Permit Nepal Update

You may check the International Drivers Association website again after two hours to see your international driver’s license Nepal update. The verification of the International Driver’s License will be announced shortly after. A physical copy will be sent to your address in 7-10 days if you are from the U.S. and 30 days for those in other countries. In the meantime, you can have a copy of your International Driver’s License for Nepal in PDF.

Nepal may be known because of Mount Everest, but its wonders don’t stop there. There are more tourist attractions that you can visit, and the best way to experience them is by driving to the tourist destinations. Don’t forget to apply for an International Driver’s Permit in Nepal before your trip.