The conference will be held from the 12th to the 16th. The welcome reception will take place in the evening of the 11th.

The currency is Nepali rupee. The current average exchange rate is about 153 NPR per USD and 178 NPR per EURO. There are numerous exchange counters in town (mostly in Thamel, the tourist area where the conference hotel is located) which also exchange other major currencies. Be careful with the rate offered by your hotel, it may be much worse. You can also change money at the airport. Indian rupees are accepted in most places (except high mountains) at a fixed rate of 1.6 NPR per INR, but 500 INR bills are not accepted. In many places you can pay in USD or EURO. There are many ATMs connected to international networks in Thamel, where you can use, e.g., your bank card.

We strongly recommend booking flights to Kathmandu early, as prices are expected to rise significantly the months just before the conference. ​Despite the current international situation, ​flights have been operating smoothly​ on a daily basis between Kathmandu (KTM) and Delh​i​, as well as with the Middle East (e.g., Dubai, Doha, ​Abu ​Dhabi).

Do not use or carry illegal drugs. Penalties for drug offences are severe, including for possessing small amounts.

Do not participate in public protests as it would breach your visa conditions and you could be arrested and/or deported.

Be careful when taking photos. It is illegal to photograph army barracks, checkpoints, and military personnel.

Same-sex relations are legal, but the society is conservative. LGBTQIA+ travellers have reported harassment and discrimination, so we advise you to avoid public displays of affection.

Citizens of almost all countries NEED a visa to enter Nepal, see here. While it is possible in theory to obtain a visa upon arrival, we advise you to apply for a visa on the official website here. The application process takes only a few minutes, and one can either pay online or get a print of the application and pay in cash upon arrival. This should be done less than 15 days before the entry date. The current prices are: 30 USD for 15 days; 50 USD for 30 days; 125 USD for 90 days, though some nationalities (SAARC citizens, Chinese nationals) and children under the age of 10 get their visa free of charge.

Your passport should be valid at least 6 month after the entry date.

Note, however, that some nationalities do need to follow different procedures, which require contacting the Nepali consulate in advance, and/or showing a Letter of Invitation when applying for the visa. Such letter will be provided upon request.

The temperature in Kathmandu will be about 25-30°C during daytime and 15-20°C during the night. It should be quite sunny but occasional rain is possible. If you are going to the mountains after the conference, the temperature there can eventually drop below 0°C. If you go above 4500m altitude sea level, snow is possible even if unlikely. Do not forget your sunscreen.

Tap water in Kathmandu contains high levels of minerals and is not recommended to drink it. The hotel will provide bottled water, which is completely safe and up to WHO standards. Bottled water is also available in local shops.

Tourists can choose between Nepal's two major mobile network providers: Ncell and Nepal Telecom (NTC/Namaste). Both offer prepaid SIM cards that can be purchased at Tribhuvan International Airport.

One can also use eSims as most recent phones allow to keep one's physical sim card in addition to the eSim. I (Greg) have never used an eSim in Nepal, but I have used eSims (Airalo, AloSim, and Holafly) in many other countries and have never had issues. eSims are also sold directly at the airport.

(credits: Yogesh Maharjan)

Kathmandu is a big city, and we advise you to use ride-sharing apps to move around. The following apps are widely used in Kathmandu for both two-wheelers (motorbike rides) and four-wheelers (cars):

InDrive – Popular for its fare negotiation feature and generally the most affordable option.

Yango – Reliable app offering both car and bike rides with transparent pricing.

Pathao – One of Nepal's most popular platforms for bike and car rides, known for its wide availability.

Uber – Available in Kathmandu with limited coverage compared to local ride-sharing services. Launched only a few months ago.

(credits: Yogesh Maharjan)

Nepal is a very unique country, with the greatest altitude range on Earth, between Terai (including, e.g., the Royal Chitwan National Park) around 100m above sea level, and Mt. Everest, about 8850m. One of the great attractions of Nepal is trekking. From Kathmandu, one can take a flight to Lukla (2800m above see level), and about 10 days of relaxed walking gets you to Kala Pattar at 5545m, just next to Mt Everest (shorter treks are possible, and very nice as well). On the way, there are lodges with quite reasonable food, so you need to take along only clothes and a sleeping bag (no need for a tent or a sleeping mat).

For affordable trekking gear and clothing, a good option is Kalapatthar Trekking Store (https://maps.app.goo.gl/NNcrkWtL39JxrwX19). The store offers a wide selection of jackets, trekking pants, backpacks, sleeping bags, hiking boots, trekking poles, and other essentials at reasonable prices. Bargaining is common, and many trekkers recommend asking for discounts. If you do not plan to keep your trekking equipment after your trip, you can ask the store whether they are willing to buy back (resell) selected items after your trek. Buy-back arrangements are not guaranteed and depend on the condition of the gear and the store's policy, but it is worth asking before making your purchase.

You can find a lot of useful information and possible trekking routes in many guide books and in many different websites (e.g., here). In Kathmandu there are a lot of trekking agencies that can help you in organizing a trip. As of time of writing these lines (dec. 2025), the Nepalese government has opened most trekking routes to independent hikers, though a few restricted areas still require a guide (e.g., Upper Mustang, Manaslu, and Nar Phu). Popular trails like the Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, and Langtang Valley can be explored solo. However, there are certain trekking regions known as 'Restricted Areas' that are highly regulated by the Government of Nepal and hence Free Individual Trekker (FITs) are strictly forbidden. Trekking in these areas is allowed only upon acquiring permit from the Department of Immigration. Note that in some places (such as Annapurna Conservation Area) the fees are twice as expensive at the entrance to the park than buying in advance in Kathmandu. You may also need a photo to get a permission. The organizers can provide some detailed information upon request. In our private opinion having a Nepalis porter or guide helps the local economy and the knowledge of the Nepalis people.

(credits: Andrzej Zdziarski, Yogesh Maharjan)

Champadevi Hill

Champadevi is one of the most popular one-day hikes near Kathmandu. The trail passes through peaceful forests and offers panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley and, on clear days, the Himalayan mountain range. The hike is moderately challenging and suitable for most visitors.

Distance from Aloft Hotel: Approximately 18 km to the trailhead (30–45 minutes by taxi)
Hiking Time: 4–6 hours round trip
Entrance Fee: Free

Chandragiri Hills

Chandragiri Hills offers spectacular views of the Himalayas, including Mt. Everest on exceptionally clear days. Visitors can either hike to the summit for free or take the cable car (ticket required). At the top are the Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple, scenic viewpoints, restaurants, and cafés.

Distance from Aloft Hotel: Approximately 16 km to the trailhead (30–40 minutes by taxi)
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours round trip
Entrance Fee: Free for hikers (Cable car charges apply if used)

(credits: Yogesh Maharjan)

Thamel -- walking distance from Aloft Hotel (~ 0–5 minutes) 

Thamel is famous for its lively streets filled with cafés, restaurants, rooftop bars, souvenir shops, trekking gear stores, and live music venues. It's the perfect place to experience Kathmandu's nightlife and local culture

Kathmandu Durbar Square (Basantapur) -- approx. 2km distance (~ 20–30 minutes walk) 

A UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing Nepal's royal history through centuries-old palaces, temples, courtyards, and intricate Newari architecture. Highlights include Kumari Ghar (Home of the Living Goddess), Hanuman Dhoka Palace, and Taleju Temple.

Swayambhu Stupa (Monkey Temple) -- approx. 2.5 km (~ 10–15 minutes by taxi/two-wheeler or 35–40 minutes walk)

One of Nepal's oldest and most sacred Buddhist stupas, Swayambhu Stupa sits atop a hill overlooking Kathmandu Valley. Visitors enjoy panoramic city views, colorful prayer flags, Buddhist shrines, monkeys, and spectacular sunrise or sunset scenery.

Bouddha Stupa -- approx. 7 km (~ 25–35 minutes by taxi/two-wheeler)

One of the world's largest Buddhist stupas and a major pilgrimage destination. Visitors can walk the peaceful kora (circumambulation), observe Tibetan Buddhist rituals, browse monasteries, and enjoy cafés overlooking the magnificent stupa. Most preferable during evening time.

Patan Durbar Square -- approx. 6 km (~ 20–30 minutes by taxi/two-wheeler)

Located in the historic city of Lalitpur, Patan Durbar Square is renowned for its beautifully preserved temples, royal palace, museums, bronze craftsmanship, and traditional Newari architecture. A paradise for history and art enthusiasts.

Kirtipur -- approx. 8 km (~ 25–30 minutes by taxi/two-wheeler)

A charming hilltop town offering authentic Newari culture, ancient temples, narrow brick-paved streets, and stunning panoramic views of Kathmandu Valley. It's also an excellent place to experience traditional Newari cuisine in a peaceful local setting. Visiting here is free of charge for all tourists.

Chobhar -- approx. 9 km (~ 30 minutes by taxi/two-wheeler)

A scenic destination known for the dramatic Chobhar, the hilltop Adinath Temple, and sweeping views of Kathmandu Valley. The area is popular for photography, short hikes, and enjoying local food with a tranquil atmosphere. Visiting here is free of charge for all tourists.

Pashupatinath Temple -- approx. 6 km (~ 20–30 minutes by taxi/two-wheeler)

One of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. The temple complex features centuries-old pagoda-style architecture, numerous shrines, and the revered Arya Ghat, where traditional Hindu cremation ceremonies take place. Visitors can experience the spiritual atmosphere, observe evening Bagmati Aarati (prayer ceremony), and encounter resident sadhus (Hindu holy men). While only Hindus may enter the main temple sanctum, all visitors can explore the surrounding temple complex and riverfront. Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon or evening to witness the beautiful Bagmati Aarati ceremony, or early morning for a peaceful spiritual experience.

(credits: Yogesh Maharjan)