SIM Cards, WiFi and Charging on Nepal Treks

SIM Cards, WiFi and Charging on Nepal Treks

“Will I have internet on the trek?” It’s one of the first questions trekkers ask me. The honest answer: more often than you might expect, but not always, and not everywhere.

I’m Rujan, a licensed trekking guide in Nepal. In this guide I explain which SIM card to buy, how WiFi works in teahouses, how to keep your devices charged in the cold, and why a few days without signal might be one of the best gifts of your trek.

Which SIM Card? My Recommendation: NTC

Nepal has two main mobile networks: Nepal Telecom (NTC) and Ncell.

For trekking, I recommend an NTC SIM card. NTC is the government-owned network, and it has the best coverage in the mountains and remote areas, including many high villages and quiet valleys where other signals disappear. If you buy only one SIM for your trek, make it NTC.

Ncell is an option if you want a second SIM. It works well in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara, and in some busy trekking areas. Some trekkers with dual-SIM phones carry an Ncell SIM as a backup, but it’s not necessary for most treks.

How to Buy an NTC SIM Card

At Kathmandu airport: NTC has a counter in the arrivals hall. This is the easiest option. You can have a working SIM before you leave the airport.

In Kathmandu or Pokhara: You can also buy a SIM at official NTC stores. Buy only from official stores, not street sellers.

What you need:

• your passport (they will photograph or copy it)
• your Nepal visa
• sometimes a passport-size photo, so bring one just in case
• cash to pay for the SIM and data package

The process usually takes about ten minutes. Choose a data package at the same time. Tourist packages with a good amount of data are available.

eSIM Options

If your phone supports eSIM, you have two choices:

• A local NTC eSIM, which you can request at the NTC counter
• An international travel eSIM, bought online before you fly, so you’re connected as soon as you land

International eSIMs are convenient, but they’re usually more expensive per gigabyte than a local SIM, and they may not use the network with the best mountain coverage. For trekking, a local NTC SIM or eSIM is the better choice.

Tip: Keep your home SIM in your phone too, if it has space, so you can receive bank verification codes. Turn off data roaming to avoid big bills from your home network.

Mobile Signal on the Trekking Trails

• Popular routes like Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp and Langtang now have NTC signal in many villages, although it’s often weaker and patchier the higher you go.
• Remote routes like Manaslu, Tsum Valley, Upper Mustang, Dolpo and Kanchenjunga have much less coverage. NTC gives you the best chance of signal there, but still expect days without any connection.
• Weather, crowds and power cuts can all make the signal slow or unavailable, even in places where it usually works.

Plan as if you’ll be offline for part of your trek, and treat a signal as a bonus.

WiFi in Teahouses

Many teahouses along popular routes offer WiFi, usually for a small fee that rises with altitude. The speed is often slow, especially in the evenings when everyone is online at once.

In the Everest region, many lodges use Everest Link, a WiFi service that works across a network of lodges in the Khumbu. You buy a card with a data allowance and use it wherever Everest Link is available. It’s often more reliable than mobile data above Namche Bazaar.

Don’t plan to work, video call or upload many photos from the mountains. Messaging and short calls usually work; big uploads can wait until you’re back in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Charging Your Phone and Camera

Electricity in the mountains comes from small hydropower plants, solar panels or generators, so it’s limited and precious.

• Charging usually costs money in teahouses, and the price rises the higher you go. In some places it’s charged per device or per hour.
• Some rooms have no power sockets. You may need to charge in the dining room.
• Bring a power bank, ideally a large one, and charge it whenever you get the chance.
• Consider a small solar panel if you’re doing a long remote trek.
• Bring a universal travel adapter. Nepal uses 230V power and several plug types.

Protecting Your Batteries From the Cold

Cold drains batteries very fast at altitude:

• Keep batteries and power banks warm, in an inside pocket during the day and in your sleeping bag at night.
• Turn off what you don’t need: Bluetooth, background apps, and mobile data when there’s no signal. Your phone uses a lot of battery searching for a network.
• Use airplane mode when you walk through areas with no coverage.

Useful Apps for the Trail

• Offline maps: download maps of your region before the trek, in apps like Maps.me or Google Maps (offline areas)
• Messaging: WhatsApp and similar apps work on slow connections, and many teahouses and guides use them
• Translation: download the Nepali language pack before you leave for offline use
• Your photos: set your phone to back up only on WiFi, so it doesn’t use your mobile data

A Word About Disconnecting

I want to say something honestly here. Many trekkers worry about losing signal. But after a few days on the trail, many of them tell me that being offline was one of the best parts of the trek.

Without the phone, you notice more. You talk to the people around you. You watch the evening light change on the mountains instead of scrolling. You sleep better. You come home rested, not only in the body, but in the mind.

So by all means, get a SIM card, tell your family where you are, and send a photo when you can. But when the signal disappears, don’t fight it. Let it go. The mountains have their own way of connecting you.

Staying in Touch for Safety

• Share your itinerary with family or friends before you start, and tell them you may be offline for several days.
• Save your guide’s number, and your agency’s number, in your phone.
• Check the rules before bringing a satellite device. Satellite phones need official permission in Nepal, and rules can change.
• Your guide stays in touch with the agency and knows how to get help in an emergency, even in places with no signal for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which SIM card is best for trekking in Nepal?
NTC (Nepal Telecom). It has the best coverage in the mountains and remote areas. Ncell is an optional second SIM, mainly useful in cities.

Is there internet on the Everest Base Camp trek?
Yes, in many villages, through NTC mobile data and teahouse WiFi. In the Khumbu, many lodges use Everest Link WiFi. Signal gets weaker and less reliable as you go higher.

Can I buy a SIM card at Kathmandu airport?
Yes. NTC has a counter in the arrivals hall. Bring your passport and some cash.

Does eSIM work in Nepal?
Yes. NTC offers eSIM, and international travel eSIMs also work. For trekking, a local NTC SIM or eSIM gives the best mountain coverage.

How much does charging cost on a trek?
It varies by teahouse and altitude, and it usually gets more expensive the higher you go. A power bank helps you save money and stay charged.

Will I be able to call home from the mountains?
Often, yes, in villages with signal or WiFi. But on remote treks there may be days without any connection, so tell your family in advance.

Stay Connected, But Don’t Forget to Look Up

A little preparation means you can stay in touch when it matters, and relax when the signal disappears. When you walk with me, I’ll tell you where to expect signal on your route and where to enjoy the silence.

Plan your trek with me →

Have more questions? Read my trekking FAQ or browse all my Nepal travel guides.