Get here all the practical information to prepare for your trip to Nepal

Good preparation is the secret of a successful and smooth trip. Click on any of the points below for more information.

Arriving in Nepal

Nepal is a sovereign state, with its capital Kathmandu and with its own currency. It is supplied by a range of international airlines. Please check with your travel agent for the best way to get here.

Arrival
After disembarking you will enter the immigration section, where you apply for your visa. If you already have a visa, look for the appropriate queue. Please bring a passport photo and cash for your visa to speed up the process. 

For easy cash on arrival, there is a bank counter just after the immigration hall. It is open for flight arrivals and has reasonable exchange. There is also an ATM machine in the arrival hall.

A hotel reservation counter and Prepaid Taxi counter is on your right-hand side as you leave the customs section at the airport.

Departure
When departing on an international flight, arrive three hours before departurey. You need to show your ticket as you enter the departure hall - so make sure to print it out before you go to the airport. Departure tax is no longer charged by the government.  Go to Top

How to get to Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery

Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery is situated on the outskirts of Kathmandu, near Boudhanath (also called Boudha). It is about 15 km from the city and about 5 km from the airport. The road to the monastery is accessible all year round.

The gate of the nunnery is closed from 5 pm onward. Please schedule your arrival to coincide with the opening hours of the office (9 am -11.30 am, 1 pm-4.30 pm).

If your flight arrives after 5 pm, we recommend that you stay overnight in a hotel and come to Kopan the next morning. You can google:  Boudhanath Guesthouse Nepal to find a place to stay.

Coming From the Airport

Take a taxi to Kopan, which is near Boudhanath. Ask for Kopan Nunnery. Best to book a taxi from the Prepaid Counter just outside the arrival hall. The cost from the airport is approximately 1000 rupees. (http://prepaidtaxinepal.com/index.php/location). You can also take any taxi outside the arrival hall if you don't mind bargaining for the price. Make sure the driver knows where you want to go

Coming from Kathmandu 

You can take a taxi all the way up to Kopan - ask for Kopan Nunnery. From Thamel, the cost is around 500 rupees. You can try to bargain for lower prices. Taxis are plentiful in Kathmandu. There are public buses going from Ratna Park directly to Kapan village. From there it is a 10-minute walk to the nunnery, all the way down..

Coming from Boudhanath 

You can walk from Boudhanath, a 30-minute walk approximately. There are no signposts, but you will be able to get directions by asking for Kopan Ani Gompa.  A taxi from Boudhanath will be around 300 - 350 rupees. Go to Top

Visa

You will need a valid visa to enter Nepal.

A tourist visa is available for a maximum of five months in any calendar year (150 days) for most nationalities. Please check with the nearest Nepal Embassy for special regulations applicable to your country of origin.

You can get a visa in your home country for up to three months from any Nepal embassy or consulate. The process takes around 2 weeks (check with your local travel agent).

The visa is also available at the airport, or at the overland borders (if you come to Nepal by bus), for a stay of up to three months. It can be extended for up to five months within one calendar year. The visa needs to be paid in cash US$ (or other currency) on arrival at the airport. You will need 1 passport size photo, and foreign currency in cash for this purpose.

Check the Nepal government immigration website for more information on visas.   Go to Top

Money

The currency in Nepal is the Nepali Rupee. The current exchange rate fluctuates lot. It is approximately 117 Rs to 1 US$. Please check foreign exchange rates for the most up to date information. The Nepal Rupee is non-convertible and only available in Nepal itself.  You can change your remaining Nepal rupees at the airport when leaving.

Credit cards

Credit Cards are accepted by most businesses. There are many ATM machines in Kathmandu. Look for one close to a bank for the best value. Cash withdrawals are usually limited, and your account will be charged 500 Rs per withdrawal.

The Nunnery now accepts credit card payments (Visa, Master Card) as payment for your stay. A charge of 3% (local bank charge) will be applied to all credit card payments. Please note that Traveler cheques are no longer accepted in Nepal.

More information on bank services here  www.tourismthamel.com/visitors_service/banks)  Go to Top

The Weather 

Nepal is a subtropical country, with only the mountain areas experiencing the usual season. The main travel seasons are from late September right through to December, and then again from April to early June.

The monsoon lasts between 4-5 months. In the Kathmandu valley is usually not as intensive as in other areas of the country. During monsoon the valleys are green, the rice fields are beautiful, and there are less tourists here, a perfect time for a quiet time or a retreat at our nunnery. Find more information with details on temperatures here http://www.lonelyplanet.com/nepal/weather)  Go to Top

What to bring

Bedding: Most rooms have blankets and all linen is supplied. You might find a warm sleeping bag useful during the winter months. We recommend that you bring your own towel.

Clothes: From November to about March you need warm clothes; for the rest of the year light clothes are recommended with a couple of light sweaters or shawls for cool evenings. Keep your clothes simple, lightweight, modest and easy to wash. A sun hat is advisable.

A pair of good walking shoes are recommended, as well as a pair of slippers – a no-shoes- rule applies to all meditation halls and rooms, and slippers make getting in and out easy. Plastic flip flops are available in the most shops. (See our dress guidelines here)

Other Essentials:

Bring only basic toiletries and other necessities – most of it will be available in local shops. 

A pair of good sunglasses, sunscreen, a sun hat – the sun can be very strong.

A Swiss-style army knife is a useful thing to bring - make sure to put it in your check-in luggage.

A torch (flashlight) for blackouts is handy – Kathmandu experiences regular blackouts, especially in the winter months.

Earplugs (and spares) for a peaceful sleep. The dogs in the valley can be very noisy at night.

A cup for your morning tea - you can also buy one in the shop. 

A small alarm clock - better not to use the mobile for this.

Folding umbrella, rain gear, and insect repellent are essential during the summer months, especially if traveling during the monsoon (mid-June to late September.).

What to leave behind

Leave your valuable jewelry, expensive watch, and fancy gadgets behind – Nepal is a poor country and attracting attention through expensive clothing or accessories is not recommended. Please take note: The nunnery does not allow musical instruments. You will have to check them into the storeroom. Please do not bring pets of any kind. Go to Top

What to wear

Khachoe Ghakyl Ling residents observe a monastic lifestyle all year round. Part of the monastic lifestyle is modest behavior and dress. We request you to dress appropriately for this environment.Wear non-revealing clothing at all times while staying at the nunnery. Simple, modest clothing that is easy to wash is best.

Appropriate: Long or short sleeve shirts covering the upper body and shoulders, and pants, long shorts, or dresses that are roughly knee-length, sweat pants and tops, blouses or dresses that cover the shoulders. In the meditation hall, please wear a proper shirt or T-shirt, long pants, or in summer long shorts or a calf-length skirt.

Inappropriate: Attire that is see-through, skin-tight, T-shirts with obscene language and inappropriate messages. For women, no spaghetti straps, shoulder free dresses, miniskirts, low cut pants or tights without a skirt. For men, please no singlets, short shorts (shorts should reach below the knee), or low cut pants.

We thank you for your cooperation.  Go to Top

Staying Healthy - Medical Care - Insurance

Basic precautions will help you to enjoy your holiday.

Clean Drinking Water 

 Do not drink tap water anywhere, and use filtered water also to brush your teeth. Make sure to drink enough - Nepal is a hot and dusty country.

All drinking water provided at the nunnery is boiled and filtered. Filtered water is available in the dining room, bottled water is available in the shop. To save the environment please bring your own water bottle and refill it in the dining room. 

Eating out

When eating out,  avoid food stalls. Be careful with ice-cream, salads and deep-fried foods (these should only be consumed in reputable restaurants). Avoid excess milky tea, and oily food, which can cause stomach upsets.

Always wash your hands after using public toilets. Most people now bring hand cleaning lotion with them for this purpose. 

Medical Services

The most common medical problems are stomach upsets (which can be bacterial from bad food, or viral), and chest infections/flu. (Due to the pollution in Kathmandu, chest infections can set in easily. It is advisable to wear face masks when traveling around.)

Medical facilities in Kathmandu Valley are good and widely available. You can  buy all kinds of medicines, including those imported from overseas. Kathmandu Valley offers the services of major general hospitals and private clinics. If you get sick, it is best to look for medical assistance in one of the widely available Travelers Clinics (they are expensive and advisable for those who have travel insurance) You can also go to one of the local hospitals; most of them are of a very good standard and considerably cheaper.

Health posts have been set up by the government in different parts of rural Nepal and you can use them for emergencies.

Travel Insurance

We highly recommend that you take travel insurance that covers all medical and other expenses.

Kathmandu now offers a number of  good hospitals. There are also private clinics that take special care of travelers needs. All these are costly, and some of them charge US prices. A travel insurance is highly advised.  Choose one that includes all expenses, covering you for medical emergencies as well as accidents and repatriation cost. If you are planning to go trekking, it is useful to make sure that any rescue costs are included.

Your Medical Kit

Prescription Medication:  Bring enough of your prescription medicine to last during your trip, as well as a copy of the prescription(s) or letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you.  Always carry medications in their original containers, in your carry-on luggage.

Bring a small  First Aid Kit: Be sure to bring along over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medication (e.g., bismuth subsalicylate, loperamide) and an antibiotic prescribed by your doctor to self-treat moderate to severe diarrhea, and light chest infections. Find more information on healthcare in Nepal in the FAQ section on travel and health care. For commonly occurring problems, such simple colds, stomach problems, flu, the Kopan Clinic staff is available. 

Vaccinations are not essential for Nepal. However, vaccination for rabies, typhoid and hepatitis are strongly recommended.

If you are going trekking, or if you plan to go to the southern part of Nepal, as a precautionary measure, vaccinations for cholera, meningitis, tetanus, and diphtheria, typhoid should be considered.  Go to top

 Communication

Nepal has an extensive mobile phone network. Sim cards for your mobile phone are available at the airport and through the local shops. You need your passport to register.

There is no public wireless available at Kopan. Our Cyber Café is open to all visitors for emails, photocopies, and international phone through the internet. Go to Top

Laundry and Electricity Supply

Laundry

Please check with Housekeeping about laundry services. Bring easy to wash& wear clothes. There is no ironing service, and the washing is in cold water only.

Electrical supply

The local power supply is 220 V. It is advisable to bring an international adaptor and a multi-plug for your electrical appliances.  Go to Top

Making the payment for your stay

We might ask you to make an advance payment for the first three days of your stay. Go to Top

Terms and Conditions

The Nunnery expects its guests to follow the rules and guidelines as outlined in the visitor's guide. By completing the registration form, you agree to abide by these rules. The nunnery reserves the right to ask visitors to leave if they do not follow the guest rules. Go to Top