Electricity, Internet & Infrastructure
Power Outages (Load Shedding)
Nepal had a massive power problem for years with daily, hours-long outages. Since the expansion of hydropower plants (2018+), the situation in cities has significantly improved, but occasional outages still occur — especially in the dry season (February–April) when rivers carry little water. On the trek: Power in tea houses usually comes from solar panels — sockets are worth their weight in gold and charging costs 200–500 NPR per device!
- Bring a power bank! At least 20,000 mAh for the trek, better 30,000 mAh. Available in Kathmandu from 2,000 NPR
- Universal adapter: Nepal uses various plug types (C, D, M) — often adventurous combinations. A universal adapter is the simplest solution
- 230V, 50Hz — like in Europe, but the voltage fluctuates (200–240V). Use a voltage protector for sensitive devices if necessary
Internet & SIM Card
- SIM card: Buy at Kathmandu Airport or in Thamel. Ncell (best network coverage, also lasts longest on the trek) or NTC (state-owned, slightly cheaper). Price: 200–500 NPR + data package (e.g., 5 GB for 500 NPR, 30 GB for 1,000 NPR). Passport + passport photo required!
- Network coverage: 4G in Kathmandu and Pokhara. On the trek: Up to Namche Bazaar (EBC) and Manang (Annapurna) mostly 3G/4G reception, beyond that often nothing. On Poon Hill: surprisingly good reception (3G)
- Wi-Fi: Available in hotels and restaurants in cities (free or ask for password). On the trek: Wi-Fi available in tea houses (200–500 NPR), but slow and unreliable — do not expect to stream Netflix. WhatsApp messages and photos usually work
Roads & Transport Infrastructure
Nepal's roads are... an adventure. The main connections (Kathmandu–Pokhara, Kathmandu–Chitwan) are paved and in acceptable condition. The new Pokhara-Kathmandu Expressway (under construction) is expected to reduce travel time from 7 to 3.5 hours. Off the main roads: unpaved tracks, landslides in monsoon, hours of waiting at construction sites.
Important to know: Nepal has no railway (a short stretch in the Terai exists but is hardly usable). There is only one international airport (Tribhuvan, Kathmandu) — the new Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa and the Pokhara International Airport are completed but have hardly any international connections yet.
