Travel and transport agencies Kathmandu

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!

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.

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.

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.

This is undoubtedly the most reliable address: 20 computers all connected and operating even if electricity breaks…. (but less quickly).

Evergreen Tours launched its first tour in 1993 and now offers several trips to the Himalayas, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and China. A team of dedicated professionals dedicated to helping travel enthusiasts make their dreams come true. The agency offers a wide range of treks and hikes in high or medium mountains as well as sightseeing or cultural visits such as the visit of Bhaktapur or Chitwan Park.

It's very easy to hail a cab on the street, when it's not honking at you! They're easily recognizable, white with a yellow roof, and there's no risk of taking just any taxi. You can hop on with complete peace of mind, having negotiated the fare and made sure you've got the change nonetheless. Simpler and much cheaper, the Pathao cab app - a kind of local Uber, but with ordinary cars that are not always in perfect condition - allows you to find a cab in just a few minutes, provided you have a local sim card.

This is an agency set up and run by women, who have come together to create professional opportunities for women in the still male-dominated Himalayan trekking sector. More broadly, they intend to contribute to the empowerment of Nepalese women. The agency employs only women guides, and organizes trekking trips all over the country, as well as other organized trips and activities (helicopter tours, etc.). Quality and activism.

It is the best Nepalese airline, offering the most flights to domestic airports throughout the country, both in terms of frequency and number of destinations, at least for tourists. Buddha Air is also the safest to travel with, and slightly more expensive than its competitor Yeri Airlines. Nevertheless, here the baggage allowance is fixed and does not vary according to the price of the ticket: 25 kg in the hold and 5 kg in hand baggage. From Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bharatpur (Chitwan) and Nepalganj (Bardia) are well served.

Ambition Himalaya Treks & Expeditions specializes in trekking and leisure travel in Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan, all countries steeped in Buddhist culture, and offers a wide range of treks in order of difficulty. There are easy treks (e.g. Buddhist Culture, 6 days), moderate treks (e.g. Everest Base Camp Trek, 15 days) and difficult treks (e.g. Annapurna Circuit Trek, 20 days). A unique experience at high altitude. The website is in English, but the photos speak for themselves!

It is the bus station from where buses leave for all destinations in the Kathmandu valley with sometimes connections via Patan or Bhaktapur. Here you will come across a lot of old buses (and a lot of pollution at the same time) and a merry bazaar. Buses are cheap, but often slow and crowded. When you arrive at the station, buy your ticket at a ticket office, and shout out your destination so that you are directed to the right bus. Be aware, however, that buses only leave once they are full: bring a good book!

It is located to the north of the city center. It is from here, from the Kathmandu bus terminal, that all long-distance buses leave for Pokhara and Chitwan, for example. We advise you to book the day before to be sure of your departure, but above all because you may feel a little disoriented in this crowded station where the signs are not necessarily very clear (and generally in Nepali). You can book at a ticket office or through an agency in Thamel (for a fee). Some bus companies also leave from Thamel.

This agency with a golden reputation is run by Alexandre, a Frenchman who has spent over 10 years in Nepal, and his two Nepalese associates, Babulal and Haribo. Tribeni has built up an excellent reputation, especially for tailor-made, off-the-beaten-track itineraries. Even if you want to embark on a classic trek, the agency will suggest alternatives to avoid the crowds on the trails in high season. They also offer mountain bike tours (in Nepal and Tibet) and motorcycle tours. A great French-speaking agency that we warmly recommend.