Pre Trip: We recommend team members obtain a Nepal Visa prior to leaving, although this can be handled at the airport. Fill in your purpose as a “tourist”.
Arrival in Kathmandu:
The Kathmandu airport is pretty straight forward, one long runway, two terminals, International and Domestic. The conditions have continually improved and no one should have any anxieties about arriving here.
After landing next to the International Terminal which is a low squat red brick building on the runway side everyone will deplane down steps to the tarmac. They to not have a jetway. There will be someone at the door of the building and it will be obvious where to go and everyone will be streaming inside.
Immigration:
Once inside follow the signs or line up to the immigration area. There are separate counters here for those with Visa’s and for those applying upon arrival. Most everyone here is experiencing that initial adrenaline rush of arriving, so the atmosphere might seem a bit chaotic.
If you don’t have a Visa, take your completed Visa application (downloaded from internet at home before the flight), Photo, Passport and either $25 or $40 to the counter and queue up for processing. Exact payment, clean currency only accepted.
If you have your Visa or when you have obtained it go to the counters by the doors, present your passport and immigration card, process through and continue on to claim you baggage.
There is a Forex currency exchange located at both arrival and departure that can be used. Exchange rate at the airport is not the best, it's better in town.
Baggage Claim:
With immigration completed go down the steps to re claim your luggage. There are moving carousels and also monitors indicating what belt your luggage should be on based on your flight. Be patient and your bag should in time appear, retrieve your bags and proceed towards the door.
At the door be prepared with your check luggage tags so they can be compared by the door agent and you allowed to leave the terminal. Depending on arrivals this will be an orderly queue or a wedge shape group trying to exit, all at the same time.
Nepal requires that people meeting arrivals maintain a set distance from the exit doors. Look for the HFH signs before moving out. Hold firmly to your bags as there are many touts who will grab them trying to lead you to a cab or gain a tip.
Late or Lost baggage situations:
Go to the baggage service Counter and file your claim. Nancy had this happen in 2010, coming through Mumbai after a long layover of 12 hours. She was directed to return the next day by cab. When she came back her bag was there. If you have travel insurance save the receipts from the cab, as this will most likely be reimbursed by travel insurance company.
