WHY NEPAL ?
We as riders are very fond of mountains, lakes, rivers and anything associated with nature. More than that, we riders love adventure. Being an adventure rider, I love mountains, not only because they are beautiful but, the adventure and thrill they offer.
With Government of India, extending national highways to Ladakh and North east, there are very few off-road and thrilling difficult roads available in India. Also, most of us have been to Ladakh countless times. We are always on the lookout for new off-roads, new mountains, difficult terrains and what if we can also get to expereince all this with a tag of International traveller.
Nepal is beautiful and adventurous but, most important it is international. Who doesn’t want to experience international. Ofcourse, there is Bangladesh, Pakistan, Srilanka, Bhutan and even China but, either it is difficult, unsafe or costly to visit these countries. Example Bhutan is charging a lot of money if one wants to travel Bhutan over their own bike.
Pakistan, Bangladesh are unsafe. Whereas as Sea is blocking us to visit Srilanka over a bike. The most welcoming, cost effective option is Nepal.
Things required to enter Nepal via road on personal bike
- Motorcycle – If you are travelling with a motorcycle or by a car in both cases, you require to carry a registeration certificate of your vehicle. It does not matter whether vehicle is registered with your name or not. But, you must have an Indian RC of the your vehicle.
- Nationality Proof – Passport or an Aadhaar card is required to prove your identity on the border. Yes, an original is required and a copy would not work. Nepal government would not keep it with them, they will return it after issuing necessary travel documents.
- Photographs – Passport size pictures are not required unless you are travelling to any nature conserve area like Anapurna conservation area and or an area which requires a special permit issued by Nepal government.
- Money – Nepally currency is required after entering in to Nepal. You can get INR to NPR converted on the border. There are many forex agents available, depending on the border you enter, example Sanauli border has it. Indian currency does work at some places but, balance will mostly be returned in NPR so, it is better to change INR to NPR.
- SIM Card – Indian SIM does work in Nepal but, you have to put that on international roaming and that is going to cost you a lot. A better option is to buy a prepaid Nepal sim with an unlimited data plan of 7 days. In case, you plan to stay longer than that then same can be recharged for further 7 days and so on. Roughly, a 7 day unlimited data plan, will cost NPR 600 and a NPR 200 recharge for next 7 days.
Documents issued by Nepal government on border FOR YOUR VEHICLE
Once, you enter Nepal, you must visit Bhansar office. It is on the border. A Bhansar office provides following documents, which you must carry along with you while travelling with your vehicle.
- Bhansar – A bhansar is a type of vehicle import documents, which contains information about your vehicle, permission start date, permission end date. It is an official document which states that you are importing particular vehicle to Nepal for travelling with mentioned dates. It is mandatory to carry this document everytime you are on your motorcycle. Anybody, traffic police or general police or any other transport personnel can check and verify this while you are in Nepal.
- Road tax – It is issues along with Bhansar, and is valid for same duration. You must carry this along with Bhansar.
- Tax payment receipt – A payment receipt will be provided along with the documents. Bhansar and road tax tariffs keeps on changing therefore, it is better to check and carry enough money for your travel.
Important TipS
Safety of travel documents – Always, keep Bhansar and road tax document safely in a water proof pouch as, Nepal is a mountanious region and it rains a lot in some regions, a damaged Bhansar or road tax would be a costly affair. In case, you loose it then you will be heavily fined as well as need to travel back to bo rder to get it re-issued. There is no other place from where you can get it.
Agents – It is always better to contact and agent on the border to get it done for you for a nominal fee, as there could be long queque. It will definitely save your time otherwise ready to spend at least half day. You can hire an agent for aroung NPR 200. Meanwhile you can buy a sim and get currency exchanged.
Buffer days – It is always recommended to issue bhansar for some buffer days as, it cannot be issued anywhere except border. If you are planning for 7 days then keep 1-2 days buffer. No, you will not get refund for early leaving Nepal but, you will definitely be charged fine in case, you are still in Nepal after expiry of your Bhansar and road tax.
Road discipline – People in Nepal are highly road disciplined, they keep lights on low beam, while on a single lane road, they provide proper signals, they do not honk un-necessarily, there will be no one in the left lane unless they have to turn left and same for the right lane. In short, people in Nepal are road disciplined and expect you to be the same. Police may allow you a few mistakes without any fine, but, try not to break this discipline. Fog lights are not allowed and are required to be covered, you will be warned. You are expected to turn off engine on a signal. Stop well before, zebra crossing else you will be fined. Police is also very disciplined and always in full uniform.
Fuel Pumps – Some of the fuel pumps are small and look like shops and can be easily not seen while on the road, therefore, focus more while looking for one.
DO I NEED A PERMIT ?
Do not get confused with a Bhansar and a permit, they are all together seperate documents.
- Bhansar office does not issue any permit.
- Permits are issued by Nepal immigration office available in all major cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara and so on.
- Permit is required to travel to a nature conservation area like Anapurna conservation area, Mustang, Upper mustang etc
- A seperate fee is charged for the permit. It depends on the area like Mustang has a fee of NPR 1000 whereas Upper mustang fee is USD 500
- A permit allows entry only once. A new permit is required for every frequent visit.
- Always carry permit while visiting to designated place as it will be checked and stamped. A missing permit means no entry, if caught then will be heavily fined.
- You require 2 photographs for each permit, so carry pictures accordingly.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
There is a significance different in Nepal and India. Nepal is our friendly neighbour, and people are very supportive. I am sure, we would like to keep it that way, so be gentle, do not litter and always travel like a responsible citizen, this will help keep Indians in Nepal’s good books. Always travel responsibly, keep it clean and help other. You never know, when it’s your turn.
