We will be in the Khumbu in late October. Does anyone know if it is easy to exchange USD to rupees in Lukla and Namche? Does anyone know if the rate is better than at the airport? We fly in late one night and go directly to Lukla the next morning so no time to do in Kathmandu unless we do it at the airport. We do have enough rupees to get to Namche.
Any information or restrictions on how much? We need to change about $1000USD to rupees.
Thanks for your help.
Takes longer than ATM, but you can easily withdraw money from a credit card in the Namche bank. This also alleviates any withdrawal limits and fees. Bring your passport. Same thing also possible in the Lukla bank, I’ve done both.
https://goo.gl/maps/DrYC6s5jfE72
https://goo.gl/maps/aRWF4fBBQ762
The KTM airport exchange rate for USD is probably better than both Lukla and Namche. No restrictions on how much you can exchange, anywhere.
High-denomination, new banknotes give the best rate. The Siddhartha ATM in Namche gives out 10 000 NPR per transaction and has a normal withdrawal fee.
Hi,
As KarlEdvard writes you can change money in both Lukla and Namche but in the scenario you describe of arriving late and leaving early I would just change my money on arrival at Kathmandu Airport. Less hassle later on and probably a slightly better rate than in the mountains.
Eric
My Nepal Pages https://wanderingeric.org/category/nepal/
I would also contact the Hotel manager prior to arrival and ask what deal he/she can give you.
I also would suggest doing as KE's post 3. any good hotel, even a small one, should be able to arrange this - obviously check the likely exchange rate before hand.
My bet is airport much better than Lukla/Namche and probably better than hotel.
(Hope you are not arriving Kathmandu from Canada, then heading Lukla next morning. Jet lag will be terrible on the trail.)
The exchange counter before immigration used to be terrible, but apparently there are better exchange kiosks now past the customs, but not as good as Thamel and Boudanath. The exchange places in Thamel are open quite late, maybe 22:00 even? Exchange rates in Namche used to be about 7% worse than in Kathmandu.
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