Money & ATMs
Currency, cards, cash and how to manage money across Nepal.
The currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). ATMs are widely available in Kathmandu, Pokhara and larger towns, but can be unreliable or run dry — carry a cash buffer, especially before heading into the mountains.
Cards are accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops in cities, but cash is king in rural areas and on trekking routes. Above Namche, Kyanjin or Lo Manthang, plan to pay in cash and expect higher prices for everything carried in by porter.
Bring some USD or EUR as an emergency reserve; they're widely exchangeable. Exchange money at banks or licensed exchange counters in Kathmandu and Pokhara for the best rates.
Keep small bills — large notes are hard to break in villages. Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory; for guides and porters, a fair tip at the end of a trek is the norm.