Travel and transport agencies Nepal

Agency specialized in tailor-made travel throughout India. Directed by Marie-Chanel Gillier, a Frenchwoman living in India since 2004, Ekayana Travel offers authentic and personalized experiences according to your interests and desires: history, handicrafts, cuisine, sports, safari, trek, yoga, among other possibilities. The agency collaborates with a network of characterful hotels, friendly guest houses and passionate and responsible local partners. Marie-Chanel and her team ensure an efficient follow-up during the trip.

Local French-speaking agency, Nepal Authentic was founded by several high mountain guides. It offers a whole range of possibilities, from family trips to the most specialized treks. Dorjee and her team have a real professionalism, a know-how and a quality of reception which places Nepal Authentic Treks at the level of the best agencies in Nepal. From the pre-trip pick-up to the return trip, this remarkable agency makes tailor-made tours!

Nepatrek is a militant agency that conceals circuits off the beaten track, Nepatrek is the fruit of a beautiful story between Benoît and his Nepalese wife. Always on the lookout for novelties, the Franco-Nepalese duo and their team propose at least one new circuit per year. The Langtang region is one of their specialities. A wink also to their 15-day tour "Cultural Tour of Nepal" which offers a very nice overview of the country or the treks of a few days in the Kathmandu valley for those who don't have much time. To discover absolutely!

The Escursia agency offers personalized and authentic holidays, to discover the perfume of the end of the world embodied by Patagonia. In the company of nature and captivating characters, you can organize your trip for a weekend or a longer itinerary. The spirit common to all their trips is immersion, off the beaten track, in preserved natural sites, accompanied by passionate naturalist guides. The agency is also in partnership with organizations dedicated to maintaining and protecting biodiversity (such as the LPO).

Run by Jérôme and Rashmi, this friendly Franco-Nepalese agency specializes in à la carte treks departing from Kathmandu or even Lhasa. It is one of the few agencies to offer guaranteed departures on a selection of circuits. Serious and efficient, Base Camp organizes French- and English-speaking treks, trips and expeditions in Nepal, Tibet, India and Bhutan, as well as themed treks with activities such as yoga, meditation and painting.

Les Ateliers du Voyage is a specialist in tailor-made travel, taking you to the four corners of the world and discovering all five continents. The agency's travel consultants are true experts in their geographical area, and are on hand to help you build your dream holiday to the highest standards. The team will suggest the must-see sites as well as the latest trendy addresses. Our agents are always ready to listen and share their personal experiences.

Whether it is a cultural, tourist or trekking trip, departures are made on demand according to the interests of each person. Laurent and his colleagues will gladly guide you on routes they particularly like, less frequented by walkers: in the region of Helambu and Langtang, in certain regions of the Annapurna, or even nights in the homes of locals in small rural villages. They are recommended for their skill and kindness. French-speaking and dynamic welcome.

Travel as you imagine with Altiplano Voyage! This agency is specialized in tailor-made trips in Latin America, North America, Asia and Europe. The specialists know perfectly the proposed destinations. You can be inspired by the examples of 100% customizable itineraries proposed on the website and consult their signature experiences, activities and ethical and/or unusual accommodations chosen by their destination experts. A trusted address to travel to unexpected destinations with peace of mind.

Founded more than 20 years ago, this travel agency is an actor of solidarity tourism. Indeed, since its birth, it has been dedicated to the production and realization of trips for people who are curious to approach the political, economic and cultural realities of the countries they visit. The agency proposes to meet those who work for the development of their country: local associations, non-governmental organizations, creators of small businesses, teachers, doctors, artists...

"Nostalgia, when you hold us..." Well, when you hold us, you multiply yourself by two! You split yourself into Nostalasia and NostaLatina! NostalAsie, as its name suggests, works in Asia, and NostaLatina in Latin America. Both are travel agencies specializing in truly tailor-made trips. That's why they don't offer fixed or group departures. Whether you're an individual traveler or a group, the departure dates are yours, and either way, you get a private car, driver and guide, just for you! In Chile, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, on the theme of the Andes in Argentina, in the colorful Indian markets of Ecuador, in little-known regions such as Paraguay or Uruguay, in the footsteps of the Mayas and other pre-Columbian civilizations in Guatemala and Mexico: there's no end to the South American discoveries offered by NostaLatina! Eviva nuestra NostaLatina!

This team of Asian connoisseurs and enthusiasts presents a 9 or 11-day guided tour in Japan: "Splendours of Japan". A classic but well-crafted itinerary that will take you to Tōkyō, Hiroshima, Kyotō, Nara and Osaka. Visitors can also choose from a wide range of tailor-made stays with modules such as the one available at Tōkyō

Anapia Voyages, based in Aix-en-Provence and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, was created by Sylvia, a Peruvian living in France for more than thirty years. The richness of its programs, with a focus on culture and nature, is based on the experience of its employees. What's the best thing about Anapia Voyages? The handmade approach, which starts with an attentive listening of your desires and the precise follow-up of your trip, the mixture of unavoidable sites and improbable places; in short, a customized travel diary guided by your desires! The destinations have been tested by our team of specialists.

The airport is less than 10 km from the city centre.

Getting the visa

Upon arrival, you will have to go to one of the electronic visa machines (expect some waiting time): these will issue a visa number to be presented to the visa service for payment (just before the immigration counters), with a passport photo and the necessary amount in cash (15 days: 25 US$; 30 days: 40 US$; 45 days: 70 US$). To avoid waiting and queuing, we advise you to apply for a visa in advance at: online.nepalimmigration.gov.np, and print the receipt with the barcode. You will then just have to go directly to the visa payment counter. Attention: you must fill in this form only 15 days before your arrival in Nepal (the form is no longer valid afterwards, and you have to fill in a new one).

A currency exchange service is available next to the visa applications, as well as at the exit level. Visas are payable in all listed currencies (i.e. from the Euro to the Hong Kong dollar via the Japanese yen). The tourist visa allows a maximum stay of 3 months. An extension is possible (more info on nepalimmigration.gov.np). It allows you to travel everywhere. Nevertheless some areas will ask you to pay an access fee (Mustang) and a trek permit.

From the airport to the city centre (arrival)

Bus: Although there is a public bus service that connects the airport to the city, frequencies are irregular and inconvenient. We do not recommend it.

Taxi: Taxi is the most convenient way to reach the city centre. Depending on the traffic, it will take between 20 and 40 min to reach Thamel. At the exit of the airport, you will be accosted by taxi drivers and hotel drivers. We therefore advise you to go (exiting immediately on the right) to the counter of the prepaid taxis at a fixed price, which is safer: a round trip to Thamel will cost you Rs 700, for Patan Rs 800, and Rs 1,200 for Bhaktapur. Be aware that if you have booked your hotel from Europe, a driver will come and pick you up on request (and even if this service is not free, think about using it because it really changes your life...).

Hotel shuttle: Most hotels in the capital offer a shuttle service included (or not) depending on the price range of the establishment. It's easier on arrival because it saves you from having to negotiate hard, but it is a few dollars more expensive than a taxi.

At the time of departure, advice:

Come at least three hours before the departure of your return flight! Checks are long (interminable, one could say) and be prepared to undergo rather thorough searches! As much as possible, travel light with your carry-on baggage: no souvenirs too bulky or too precious (or remember to present the bills), no tea or incense or organic products. Also avoid bulky bottles of alcohol..

Kathmandu International Airport looks more like a huge train station than an airport... There aren't really any duty-free shops. So plan to do your shopping and gifts beforehand!

Airport taxes are no longer applicable, except for domestic flights (Rs 200).

To get there, take a taxi (even if you negotiate, it is difficult to find a route under Rs 600) and it should take at least 30 to 40 minutes (outside rush hour).

Daily flights from New Delhi.