The currency is Nepali rupee. The current average exchange rate is about 144 NPR per USD and 169 NPR per EURO. There are numerous exchange counters in town (mostly in Thamel, the tourist area) 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.

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

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

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

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.

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).

You can find a lot of useful information and possible trekking routes in many guide books and in many different web sites (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.

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.

The temperature in Kathmandu is 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.