Nepal
Payments in hotels, travel agencies, and airlines are made in foreign exchange. Credit card like American Express, Master card and visa are widely accepted at major bank, shops and restaurants. Remember to keep your foreign Exchange Encashment Receipt while making foreign exchange payments or transferring foreign currency into Nepalese rupees. The receipts may be needed to change left over Nepalese rupees into hard currency before leaving the country. However only 10 percent of the total amount may be concerted by the bank. ATMS is widely in use in kathmandu, Pokhara, Bhairahawa and other major cities.

Major Banks and hotels and the exchange counters at TIA provide service for exchanging foreign currency.

Exchange rates are published in English dailies such as The Rising Nepal. Kathmandu Post and the Himalayan Times. Nepalese Rupees are found in denomination of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. coins are found in denominations of 10, 25, and 50 paisa. One rupee equals 100 paisa.

Tibet
Visitors to Tibet are recommended to use Travellers Cheques and/or American dollars. Travellers cheques can be exchanged at the airport or in Kathmandu. In some of the areas we visit it is not possible to exchange Travellers Cheques once we leave Kathmandu. It is therefore also useful to have Yuan in Tibet, especially in the mountains where many of the locals will prefer these.

If there is any further information you require, please do not hesitate to telephone us on ……

Emergency Funds
Please also make sure you have access to an additional USD$400, to be used when unforeseen incidents or circumstances outside our control (e.g. a natural disaster) necessitate a change to our planned route. This change may have to be decided prior to departure. This is a rare occurrence but it is well worth being prepared!

Spending Money
Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping, participating in optional activities and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

Any tip that you wish to give your local guides or leader in recognition of excellent service is always appreciated.