🇳🇵

Asie · 2026

Nepal eSIM 2026: Everest, Annapurna, Kathmandu

📖 8 min•🏔️ Nepal•The Alosea team•Updated 2026-05-28

Planning a legendary trek to Everest Base Camp (5,364m, 12-14 days from Lukla), the Annapurna Circuit (15-20 days, Thorong La pass at 5,416m), a cultural tour of the Kathmandu Valley (3 ancient Newar royal cities, 7 UNESCO sites), a Chitwan safari to see one-horned rhinos, or a pilgrimage to Lumbini at the Buddha's birthplace? Nepal — squeezed between India and China, 147,516 km², ~30M inhabitants, Federal Democratic Republic since 2008 (after 240 years of Hindu monarchy), capital Kathmandu — concentrates 8 of the world's 14 peaks above 8,000m including Everest (8,848.86m, first climbed by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on 29 May 1953), a culture blending Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and shamanism, and 10 UNESCO sites. To manage your Lukla flight via Maya/Pathao, download Maps.me offline before heading into the mountains, confirm your Namche Bazaar tea house or simply send a photo of Machapuchare home, your phone is essential. HEADS-UP: Nepal is OUTSIDE the EU — non-EU roaming is expensive. An eSIM activated BEFORE boarding gets you online at Tribhuvan (KTM) on arrival, even before the visa queue.

› WHY AN eSIM

Why an eSIM for Nepal

Nepal is OUTSIDE the European Union. Non-EU roaming on home plans is expensive (often more than €10/MB without a travel add-on). An Alosea eSIM = a few euros to stay connected throughout, from Kathmandu's Garden of Dreams to the tea houses of the Khumbu. Your home number stays active in parallel to receive banking or airline 2FA SMS. Installation in 2 minutes via QR code, BEFORE leaving home, no airport queue. Ncell and NTC 4G covers all major towns (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini, Bhaktapur) and most lower-altitude trails — NTC even launched a 5G trial in Kathmandu in 2023. And concretely on arrival at Tribhuvan (KTM, Kathmandu)? You can buy a Ncell or NTC physical SIM at the Tourist SIM counter in arrivals, but expect to pay around €10 just for the SIM card itself — on top of the data plan, often with a passport copy + ID photo required and activation that can take 30 min to 2 hours. With an Alosea eSIM, you walk off the plane already connected to open Maya or Pathao (Nepal's ride apps), confirm your hotel in Thamel on Google Maps, or reassure family on WhatsApp before even meeting a taxi driver.

› HOW MUCH IT COSTS

Travel eSIM pricing

A Nepal travel eSIM sits in an accessible price range — well below non-EU roaming fees. The price depends on data volume (5 GB for a 3-5 day Kathmandu city break, 7-10 GB for a week with Pokhara, 15-20 GB for 2 weeks including an ABC or Mardi Himal trek), and validity (7, 15 or 30 days). On a long Annapurna Circuit or EBC trek, a 30-day unlimited plan is often the best choice since tea houses charge USD 2-5/day for Wi-Fi and it dies above 4,000m.

› DATA GUIDE

How many GB do you need?

City break 3-5 days (Kathmandu)

Maya/Pathao, Thamel Maps, Durbar Square photos

5 GB

1 week (Kathmandu + Pokhara)

Domestic flights, Lakeside hotels, WhatsApp home

7-10 GB

2 weeks (valley + ABC or Mardi trek)

Tea house trek, panorama photos, weather

15-20 GB

Long Annapurna Circuit / EBC trek 1 month

Offline maps, weather, safety, agency contact

Unlimited

› COVERAGE & OPERATORS

Network coverage and local carriers

Nepal has three national operators: Ncell (private, subsidiary of Malaysian Axiata Group, ~50 % urban market share, best 4G in the Kathmandu Valley and on the Annapurna), Nepal Telecom aka NTC (state operator, historical monopoly, best rural and Himalayan coverage, 5G trial launched in Kathmandu in 2023), and Smart Telecom (third operator, more limited presence). 4G covers Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini and most district capitals. On treks, signal becomes patchy above 3,500m: NTC remains the most reliable up to Namche Bazaar and Manang, Ncell is better in the lower valleys. At Everest Base Camp, coverage exists at times thanks to high-altitude relays installed since 2010, but you need to climb to a high point. An Alosea travel eSIM automatically picks the best available operator based on your location.

Local operators

› PRACTICAL TIPS

Practical travel tips

Visa & passport

Nepal is OUTSIDE the EU. For UK/EU/US/CA/AU passports: visa REQUIRED, but Visa on Arrival is very easy at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and at open land borders. Three durations: 15 days for USD 30, 30 days for USD 50, 90 days for USD 125 (multiple entry included). Payment in CASH, USD preferred (euros accepted at poor rate). Bring: passport valid 6 months, 1 ID photo (booths exist on site but it's faster to arrive with one), online form pre-filled at nepal.embassy.gov.np to save ~20 min queue. Extension possible at the Immigration Office in Kathmandu or Pokhara (USD 3/extra day beyond the initial visa). Trekking permits (TIMS + zone permit) bought separately in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Source ↗

Currency

Nepalese Rupee (NPR रू)

Time zone

GMT+5:45 year-round (Nepal Standard Time, NPT). One of only THREE TIME ZONES in the world offset by 45 minutes (with the Chatham Islands and a sliver of Australia). Nepal adopted this precise offset in 1986 to align with the meridian of Gauri Shankar peak. NO DST.

Power outlets

Plug types C (two round European pins — good news, EU equipment plugs in directly), D (three large round pins, Indian-British heritage) and M (three very large round pins, XL version of D). In practice, many sockets are multi-format. D/M adapter recommended for mid-range hotels and older tea houses. 230 V, 50 Hz — voltage compatible with Europe. Power cuts frequent in dry season (load shedding) — bring a 20,000 mAh power bank minimum for a trek.

Climate & best season

Huge altitudinal variation (60m in Terai to 8,848m at Everest). Ideal TREK season: October-November (post-monsoon, clearest skies of the year, spectacular Himalayan views, ~0 rain days at altitude — this is THE high season) and March-April (pre-monsoon, rhododendrons in bloom, warmer but afternoon haze). MONSOON June-September: daily rain, landslides, leeches, cancelled domestic flights — avoid except Mustang or Dolpo (rain shadow). WINTER December-February: bitter cold at altitude (-15°C at night at 4,000m), snowy passes, but clear skies in Kathmandu Valley (15°C day).

Health & vaccines

No mandatory vaccines on entry for European travellers. EHIC/GHIC NOT valid in Nepal — travel insurance ESSENTIAL with helicopter evacuation cover (a rescue from 4,500m costs USD 5,000-15,000). Recommended: hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies (worth considering for trekkers, stray dogs), Japanese encephalitis for long Terai stays, DTP booster. Antimalarials only in the south (Terai) for prolonged rural stays during monsoon. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) above 2,500m — bring prescription Diamox, ascend gradually, hydrate.

› CULTURE & ETIQUETTE

Culture and best practices

Greetings

« Namaste » (नमस्ते) palms joined at chest with slight bow — universal greeting that literally means « I bow to the divine in you ». « Namaskar » is the more formal/respectful version, used towards elders. In tourist English, « Hello » works. Touching someone's head is offensive (seat of the soul), pointing with the foot too (feet are impure). Give/receive with the RIGHT HAND or both hands, never the left alone (associated with personal hygiene). Before entering a temple or home, remove your shoes.

Tipping

Tipping (« bakshish ») appreciated but not mandatory. At tourist restaurants in Kathmandu or Pokhara: 10 % if service not included. Trekkers: tipping guide and porters at the end of the trek is an EXPECTED institution — about USD 10/day/guide and USD 5-7/day/porter (give in NPR or USD in hand, never by transfer). For taxi drivers, rounding up is enough. At the hotel, NPR 100-200 for the bag porter.

Dress code

MODEST dress recommended, especially for women: shoulders and knees covered in Hindu temples (Pashupatinath, Changu Narayan), Buddhist stupas (Boudhanath, Swayambhunath) and traditional villages. Strict Hindus forbid non-Hindus from entering inner sanctuaries (Pashupatinath for example — you visit the exterior from the opposite bank of the Bagmati). On trek, long trousers + long sleeves + hat (high-altitude sun is brutal, UV ×2 at 4,000m). No flip-flops in town — streets are dusty and muddy.

Religion

Hindus ~81 %, Buddhists ~9 % (with strong Tibetan Buddhist presence in the north and Kathmandu Valley, legacy of 1959 Tibetan refugees), Muslims ~4 %, Kirat ~3 % (indigenous animism of eastern ethnic groups), Christians ~1.4 %. Nepalese specialty: deep Hindu-Buddhist SYNCRETISM — many temples are worshipped by both religions (Swayambhunath, Muktinath), the Buddha is considered an avatar of Vishnu by Hindus, and the Kumari living goddess of Kathmandu is selected among Buddhist Shakya but venerated by all.

Languages

Nepali (नेपाली, official language, Indo-Aryan, devanagari script) · English (widely spoken in tourism and education) · Newari / Nepal Bhasa (Tibeto-Burman language of Kathmandu Valley) · Tibetan and Sherpa (Himalayan regions and Buddhist communities) · Maithili, Bhojpuri (Terai, close to Hindi)

Useful phrases

Namaste / Namaskar — Hello / Formal hello
Dhanyabad — Thank you
Mitho chha — It's delicious
Kati ho? — How much?
Bistarai — Slowly (trek mantra)

› MUST-SEE PLACES

Top iconic places

Mount Everest and EBC trek

Sagarmatha (« forehead of the sky » in Nepali) or Chomolungma (« mother goddess of the mountains » in Tibetan), 8,848.86m officially since the joint Sino-Nepalese remeasurement of December 2020 — the roof of the world. The trek to Base Camp (EBC, 5,364m) starts from the tiny Lukla airfield (2,860m, landing ranked among the world's most dangerous, 527m runway sloped at 12 % facing a cliff) after a 30-min Twin Otter flight from Kathmandu. 12-14 days round trip via Phakding, Namche Bazaar (2 acclimatisation nights), Tengboche (monastery), Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorak Shep and EBC, with ascent of Kala Patthar (5,643m) for the iconic Everest view. Tea houses every 3-4km, no tent needed.

Everest's summit was first reached on 29 May 1953 at 11:30 by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay — without artificial oxygen sharing, no GPS, in wool and cotton kit. Tenzing eventually revealed in 1955 (10 years later) that it was he who stepped first but that he and Hillary had sworn to keep the secret to honour the rope-team spirit. Since 1953, over 6,000 people have reached the summit, and over 330 have died there — most buried on site because bringing the body down is technically impossible and costs ~USD 70,000.

Wikipedia ↗

Annapurna Circuit and ABC

Annapurna massif (Annapurna I, 8,091m, world's 10th highest, FIRST 8,000m peak ever climbed by Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal on 3 June 1950). Two iconic treks: the ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT (15-20 days, classic « tour of the Annapurnas », crossing Thorong La pass at 5,416m — world's highest trekkable pass, scenery from subtropical rice paddies to Tibetan Mustang deserts), and the ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP (ABC, 7-10 days, more accessible, arrival in the glacier sanctuary at 4,130m surrounded by a cirque of 7,000-8,000m peaks). Departure from Pokhara, well-equipped tea houses. Poon Hill (3,210m, 4 days) is the short version to enjoy sunrise on Dhaulagiri and Annapurna.

Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal became on 3 June 1950 the FIRST HUMANS to reach an 8,000m peak — Annapurna I (8,091m) — THREE YEARS BEFORE Everest. Herzog's account in his book « Annapurna premier 8 000 » (1951) remained for 50 years the best-selling mountain book in the world (~15 million copies). But the feat came at high cost: Herzog lost all fingers and toes to frostbite, Lachenal all his toes. The photo films were lost, saved at the last minute by sherpa Ang Tharkay who went back down to fetch them in a storm.

Wikipedia ↗

Kathmandu Durbar Square (UNESCO 1979)

Royal square at the heart of the old city, former seat of power of the Malla and then Shah kings (until 2008). Concentrates dozens of carved-wood Newar temples from the 16th-18th centuries, the old Hanuman Dhoka palace, and notably the KUMARI GHAR: home of the living goddess Kumari, a pre-pubescent girl selected from the Shakya Buddhist caste and worshipped as the manifestation of goddess Taleju until her first menstruation. She appears briefly at the carved windows several times a day (no photos). Durbar Square is part of the 1979 UNESCO « Kathmandu Valley » ensemble grouping 7 sites. Entry for foreigners ~NPR 1,000.

The earthquake of 25 APRIL 2015 (magnitude 7.8 on the moment scale, epicentre at Gorkha, 9,000 dead nationwide) collapsed about fifteen Durbar Square temples, including the Maju Deval (1690), Trailokya Mohan (17th c.) and the Kasthamandap — wooden temple that GAVE THE CITY ITS NAME (« Kasthamandap » → « Kathmandu ») and was reputedly carved from a single tree. Restoration has been underway since 2016, funded by UNESCO, Japanese and Indian cooperation. The Kasthamandap was rebuilt identically and inaugurated in 2022.

Wikipedia ↗

Pashupatinath Temple (UNESCO 1979)

Most important Hindu temple in Nepal (and one of the 4 holiest Shiva sites in the world), on the sacred Bagmati river east of Kathmandu. Huge complex (~265 ha) with central gold-roofed shrine and Shiva lingam (forbidden to non-Hindus — visited from the opposite bank). Spectacular CREMATION GHATS: Nepalese Hindus cremate their dead in public 24/7, ashes scattered in the Bagmati which joins the Ganges in India — respectful visit mandatory (no photos of mourning families, keep distance, hushed voices). Aarti (fire and chant ceremony) every evening at sunset.

At Pashupatinath, for centuries, SADHUS have lived — Hindu ascetics who have renounced the world, clad in saffron or naked, body covered in ritual ashes, hair in dreadlocks (jata). Many come from India during the Maha Shivaratri festival (Feb-Mar, ~1 million pilgrims in 3 days). Some accept photos for a NPR 100-500 donation — BEWARE: there are also « fake sadhus » specialising in tourism, costumed and posted on photogenic steps. The real sadhus live retired in caves of the complex and approach no one.

Wikipedia ↗

Boudhanath Stupa (UNESCO 1979)

One of the LARGEST BUDDHIST STUPAS in the world: 36m-diameter white dome crowned with a gilded 13-tier tower (the 13 steps to Enlightenment) and four pairs of Buddha eyes painted large on the spire base, watching the four directions. Centre of Tibetan Buddhism outside Tibet since 1959 (wave of Tibetan exiles after Chinese occupation). The surrounding district is ringed by fifty Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug school monasteries, shops of thangkas (Buddhist paintings), singing bowls and Tibetan turquoise. Tradition: walk around the stupa CLOCKWISE (kora) spinning prayer wheels.

Boudhanath stupa was SEVERELY DAMAGED by the 2015 earthquake — the golden tower cracked. The reconstruction (~USD 2 million) was ENTIRELY FUNDED by spontaneous donations from Tibetan and Nepalese Buddhists, with a reconsecration ceremony in November 2016. The inner structure reportedly contains relics of Kassapa Buddha (the buddha preceding the historical Siddhartha). Magic moment: being there at sunset when hundreds of monks in maroon robes begin their kora and the guttural chants of prayer wheels fill the air.

Wikipedia ↗

Bhaktapur (UNESCO 1979)

Best-preserved medieval Newar city in the Kathmandu Valley, 13km east of the capital, founded in the 9th century, former royal capital (12th-15th c.) before the valley split into three kingdoms (Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur). Three main squares: Durbar Square (carved-wood 55-window palace, Lion Gate, gilded statue of King Bhupatindra Malla on his column), Taumadhi Square (Nyatapola, Nepal's TALLEST temple with 5 stacked roofs, 30m, completed 1702, intact in 2015) and Pottery Square (artisans turning clay wheels in the open). No cars in the centre. Entry NPR 1,800 (~€13) for foreigners — pricey but funds post-2015 restoration.

Bhaktapur's NYATAPOLA TEMPLE (1702) is an architectural UFO: 5 stacked roofs (5 symbolises the 5 elements), a 5-tier decreasing platform with 5 pairs of stone guardians each meant to be 10× stronger than the previous (two wrestlers at the foot, two elephants, two lions, two griffons, two tantric goddesses at the top). Built in just 7 months by King Bhupatindra Malla to appease goddess Siddhi Lakshmi, it SURVIVED INTACT both the devastating 1934 earthquake (8.0) AND the 2015 one — a physical challenge to modern engineers who cannot reproduce its stability.

Wikipedia ↗

Lumbini, birthplace of the Buddha (UNESCO 1997)

In the south of the country in the Terai, 27km from the Indian border, sacred garden where Siddhartha Gautama was reportedly born in 563 BC according to Buddhist tradition. The site includes the MAYA DEVI TEMPLE (which houses the exact « birth stone », marked by a round engraved pebble), the Ashoka pillar (erected by the Indian emperor in 249 BC, the first epigraphic mention of the Buddha's birthplace), a sacred pond and a large monastic park where each Buddhist country has built its own national monastery (Japan, Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, Germany, France…). Meditative atmosphere, opposite of Kathmandu's bustle. Access by bus or domestic flight to Bhairahawa, then 22km by taxi.

Lumbini's identification as the Buddha's birthplace was ARCHAEOLOGICALLY PROVEN in 1896 by German archaeologist Alois Anton Führer who unearthed the Ashoka pillar buried under 3m of earth, with its Pali inscription (« Here the Buddha was born »). This confirmation relaunched global Buddhist pilgrimage to the site, abandoned since the 14th century. Today ~1.5 million pilgrims/tourists per year. More recently, in 2013, excavations under the Maya Devi temple revealed remains of a wooden shrine dated to the 6th century BC — fitting perfectly with traditional Buddha birth dates.

Wikipedia ↗

› OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH

Unique experiences to live

Take an « Everest Scenic Flight » at sunrise from Kathmandu (1h, ~USD 200-250, Buddha Air or Yeti Airlines) — right-side seat on the way out, left on return, guaranteed Everest view. Ideal if you don't have time or fitness for the EBC trek.
Trek « tea house » style: nights in basic lodges every 3-4km along EBC, ABC, Annapurna Circuit, Manaslu trails — room NPR 200-500/night, dal bhat dinner NPR 400-800, hot shower NPR 200-400. No tent or stove needed, just a warm sleeping bag.
Bungee jump at The Last Resort on the Bhote Koshi bridge (160m above the gorge, near the Chinese border — since 1999, it was the FIRST commercial bungee in Asia): adrenaline guaranteed, ~USD 115 per jump.
Tandem paragliding from Sarangkot above Pokhara at sunrise (~USD 90 for 30 min) — view of the entire Annapurna range + Machapuchare reflected in Phewa Lake.
Jeep safari in Chitwan National Park (UNESCO 1984, subtropical Terai): one-horned rhinos (~600 individuals, one of the largest populations worldwide), Bengal tigers (rare but present, ~90), gharial crocodiles and wild elephants. Elephant-back rides possible (best avoided ethically, prefer jeep or canoe).

› GASTRONOMY

Traditional dishes to try

Dal Bhat (दाल भात)

Absolute NATIONAL dish, eaten twice daily (lunch and dinner) by most Nepalese and all trekkers: yellow lentils (dal) + white rice (bhat) + vegetable curry (tarkari) + spicy condiment (achar) + sometimes meat (chicken curry). Served on a large metal plate, ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT REFILLS (« dal bhat power 24 hour » says the trekker T-shirt). NPR 250-500 at local restaurants, NPR 500-900 at trek tea houses.

Wikipedia ↗

Momos (मम)

Tibetan/Newar-tradition dumplings, now ubiquitous — thin dough filled with minced buffalo (beef is forbidden, sacred cow), chicken, cheese or vegetables. Steamed (steamed momo) or fried (kothey/fried momo), served with a spicy sesame or tomato sauce (achar). 10 pieces for NPR 100-200. Best momos in Kathmandu: Yangling Tibetan, OR2K, Bota Momo.

Wikipedia ↗

Thukpa (थुक्पा)

Tibetan noodle soup, perfect in cold mountain weather: clear spicy broth, fresh noodles, vegetables, meat (chicken or buffalo), egg. Instantly warms after a day at 4,000m. ~NPR 300-500 in tea house. Variants: thenthuk (hand-torn noodles), gyathuk (with beaten egg).

Wikipedia ↗

Sel roti (सेल रोटी)

Ring-shaped doughnut, made from rice flour, sugar, milk and a touch of cardamom — fried in ghee. Crispy outside, soft inside. Essential specialty of Hindu festivals (Dashain, Tihar) and weddings. Traditional breakfast with milky tea. NPR 20-50 each on the street.

Wikipedia ↗

Newari sukuti and choila

Newar cuisine of the Kathmandu Valley. SUKUTI: sun-dried buffalo meat then fried, served as an aperitif with beer. CHOILA: grilled meat flambéed then mixed with spices, ginger, coriander and hot mustard. Best enjoyed in bhattis (Newar taverns) of Patan or Bhaktapur, paired with rice beer (chyang) or homemade spirit (raksi).

Wikipedia ↗

Yak cheese and butter tea

Altitude specialties (Khumbu, Mustang, Manang). YAK CHEESE is hard, dry, very protein-rich, perfect for the trek (keeps without a fridge, long-lasting energy). RANCID YAK BUTTER is the key ingredient in traditional Tibetan butter tea (po cha): yak butter + salt + black tea + boiling water, whisked together — strange at first sip but incredibly nourishing and hydrating at altitude.

Wikipedia ↗

Nepali chiya (chai)

Spiced milk tea, served everywhere all the time (shop, bus station, lodge, monastery, taxi). Water + milk + Indian black tea + sugar + often cardamom, ginger, clove, cinnamon. NPR 20-50 a glass on the street, NPR 100-200 at tourist restaurants. The chiya break is a Nepali social RITUAL — refusing an offered chiya can be seen as disrespectful.

Wikipedia ↗

› INSTALLATION

How to install your eSIM

On iPhone

1.Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM
2.Scan Alosea QR received by email
3.Label (« Nepal »)
4.On arrival at KTM, switch data to the Nepal line and enable roaming

On Android

1.Settings → Connections → SIM Manager → Add mobile plan
2.Scan Alosea QR
3.Confirm and switch to the Nepal line
4.Enable data roaming

Troubleshooting

No signal at KTM, Pokhara or on the trail? Check data roaming is ON, manually select « Ncell » or « NTC » in network mode. At altitude (> 3,500m), climb to a high point. A restart fixes 90 % of cases. Otherwise, Alosea support (7 languages) via in-app chat.

› OUR TIPS

Tips for Nepal

Nepal is OUTSIDE the EU — CHECK your home plan first: without a world add-on, fees can exceed €10/MB

Activate your eSIM BEFORE boarding to be online on landing at KTM (even before the visa queue)

Visa on Arrival required: USD 30 (15 d), USD 50 (30 d), USD 125 (90 d) — USD cash preferred, pre-fill the form at nepal.embassy.gov.np

UNIQUE time offset: GMT+5:45 year-round, one of only 3 zones offset by 45 min — set your watch on the plane

Type C plugs (European) work directly, but also D and M — bring a universal adapter + power strip for tea houses

Trek: get prescription Diamox for altitude sickness, climb BISTARAI (« slowly » in Nepali) — no more than 500m of altitude gain/day above 3,000m

Travel insurance with HELICOPTER EVACUATION cover essential for any trek (USD 5,000-15,000 per rescue)

Indian rupee (INR) is ACCEPTED at rate 1 INR ≈ 1.6 NPR — but INR 500 and 2,000 notes are banned in Nepal since 2018

ATMs in all cities (fee ~NPR 500 per withdrawal, max NPR 35,000 per operation) — on trek, no ATM beyond Lukla or Jomsom, plan cash ahead

Tea house Wi-Fi USD 2-5/day above 3,000m, slow and frequently cut — an Ncell/NTC eSIM often more reliable up to ~4,500m

🇳🇵

Your eSIM Nepal

Active in 2 min · no contract · 200+ countries

See Nepal plans →

› FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Nepal FAQ

Is Nepal in the EU?+

NO. Himalayan South Asian country, fully outside EU for roaming.

Do I need a visa?+

YES, but Visa on Arrival is very easy at Tribhuvan (KTM) or open land borders. USD 30/50/125 for 15/30/90 days.

Does eSIM work well in Nepal?+

Yes in all cities (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini, Bhaktapur) and most lower-altitude trails. In the mountains, signal up to ~4,500m depending on location.

Which carrier does Alosea use?+

Mainly Ncell and NTC — automatic selection based on the best available signal at your location.

How much data for 2 weeks with a trek?+

15-20 GB: offline maps, photos, weather, WhatsApp family, navigation to tea houses.

Time difference?+

GMT+5:45 year-round. No DST. One of the world's 3 only 45-minute offsets.

Which plugs?+

Types C (European, direct compatible), D and M (Indo-British heritage). D/M adapter useful for old hotels.

Is my iPhone eSIM-compatible?+

iPhone XR (2018) and newer. Android: Pixel 3+, Samsung S20+, Xiaomi 13+.

› IN SHORT

Wrapping up

Nepal OUTSIDE EU — without an eSIM, home-plan roaming is expensive
Visa on Arrival required at KTM (USD 30/50/125 for 15/30/90 days)
An Alosea eSIM activates in 2 min, Ncell/NTC covers cities and treks up to ~4,500m

Get your Nepal eSIM now — ready in 2 minutes

› SOURCES