Nepal eSIM
Stay connected across Nepal. Install before you fly.
- 4G on Ncell
- Instant on arrival
- Refund if it doesn’t activate
Choose your plan
All prices NZD7 days
15 days
30 days
Good to know
Calls and texts
Nepal plans are data only. Use WhatsApp or FaceTime for calls.
Your phone
It needs to support eSIM and be unlocked. Check your phone
Refunds
If your eSIM doesn't activate, we'll replace it free or refund you in full.
Nepal eSIM plans at a glance
Cheapest
1 GB for 7 days, $6.14
Best value
10 GB for 30 days, $29.49, about $2.95 a gigabyte
Unlimited
From $20.89. Cheapest per day is 10 days at $5.28 a day
Network coverage in Nepal
Your Travelren eSIM runs on Ncell, one of Nepal's two main mobile networks, on LTE. In the Kathmandu valley, including Thamel, Patan and Bhaktapur, and in Pokhara and Chitwan, coverage is good and fast enough for maps, video calls and uploads.
Keep reading
On the big trekking routes it's more mixed. Many villages on the Annapurna and Everest trails have signal, often only near the centre of the village, while high passes, glacier valleys and remote side routes can be without it for long stretches. Nepal's other network, Nepal Telecom, reaches some places Ncell doesn't, and the reverse is also true. Plan treks with offline maps and don't depend on data above the tree line.
- Networks
- Ncell
- Speeds
- 4G
What works in Nepal
Works well
- Pathao and inDrive for rides in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Google Maps and offline maps for Thamel's lanes and the trekking routes
- WhatsApp and Viber with guides, lodges and trekking agencies
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- Checking domestic flight times, which change often in the mountains
- Video calls home from Kathmandu, Pokhara and lower-altitude villages
Watch out for
- The APN has to be set by hand to e-ideas
- No dependable signal on high passes and in remote valleys
- Data only: no Nepali number for SMS codes
Arriving in Nepal
Tribhuvan International (KTM) in Kathmandu is where almost all visitors arrive, and Ncell covers the airport, so you can message your hotel pickup from the terminal. Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival, but check the current rules and fees before you fly.
Keep reading
Nepal uses the rupee (NPR). Thamel's hotels, trekking shops and restaurants take cards, often with a surcharge, but teahouses, local transport and tips are cash. ATMs are plentiful in Kathmandu and Pokhara and scarce on the trails, so carry enough rupees for the whole trek. Domestic flights to Lukla and other mountain airstrips are often delayed or cancelled by weather, so build spare days into a trekking itinerary.
Installing your Nepal eSIM
Install your Nepal eSIM on WiFi before you travel: scan the QR code from your order email under Settings, Mobile Data, Add eSIM on iPhone, or in the SIM manager on Android. Then set the APN to e-ideas in the eSIM's mobile data network settings, because Nepal plans don't set it automatically. When you land at Tribhuvan, make the eSIM your data line and turn on data roaming for it.
Keep reading
Download offline maps for any trekking route before leaving Kathmandu.
Common questions
Which network does the Travelren eSIM use in Nepal?
Ncell, on LTE. It's one of Nepal's two main networks, with good coverage in the Kathmandu valley, Pokhara, Chitwan and many trekking villages. You'll need to enter the APN by hand as e-ideas after installing, which takes about a minute.
How do I set the APN for Nepal?
On iPhone, go to Settings, Mobile Data, select the Nepal eSIM, open Mobile Data Network, and type e-ideas in the APN field. On Android, open the eSIM's Access Point Names, add a new APN and enter e-ideas as the APN. Save and select it, then restart the phone if data doesn't start straight away.
Will the eSIM work on the Everest Base Camp trek?
In and near many villages along the lower and middle sections of the trail, often yes, though signal can be weak and slow. Higher up it becomes intermittent, and you should expect to be offline for parts of each day. Many teahouses sell WiFi. Download offline maps, let someone know your route, and treat any signal at altitude as a bonus.
What about the Annapurna Circuit?
Many villages on the Annapurna routes have signal, at least near the centre of the village. It drops out around Thorong La pass and in high side valleys. As on any trek, don't rely on data for navigation or safety.
Show 4 more questions
Does Telstra's International Day Pass cover Nepal?
No. Nepal isn't on Telstra's International Day Pass list, checked September 2026, so Telstra customers are charged standard roaming rates there. AT&T's International Day Pass does include Nepal, at US$12 a day. A Travelren plan is one price for the whole trip.
When does my Nepal plan start?
When your phone first connects to Ncell in Nepal. Install the eSIM at home and the days start once you land in Kathmandu, which matters if your trek begins with a few days in the city.
Do I need cash for trekking in Nepal?
Yes, plenty. Teahouse rooms, meals, hot showers, device charging, WiFi and tips on the trail are paid in rupees, and ATMs are few and far between once you leave Kathmandu, Pokhara or the trailhead towns. Withdraw before you set off and keep some in reserve for weather delays.
Is data fast enough for video calls in Nepal?
In Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan, usually yes; LTE handles video calls and uploads. In the hills and on trekking routes, speeds drop and signal comes and goes, so messages and voice notes are more dependable than video there.
Not flying yet?
Tell us when you go and we’ll email you a reminder to set up your Nepal eSIM three days before you fly. One email. That’s it.