Currency, Money, and Tipping

Money on a Himalayan trip is more layered than most travelers expect. Three different currencies, three different banking systems, three different cash-versus-card cultures, and three different tipping conventions. Nepal uses the Nepali rupee and runs largely on cash above the major hotel level.

Bhutan uses the ngultrum (pegged to the Indian rupee) and operates a hybrid cash-card economy. Tibet uses the Chinese yuan and runs on a combination of cash and Chinese-only mobile payment platforms that international travelers cannot easily access. Tipping varies even more — there are correct ranges for guides, porters, drivers, hotel staff, and lodge staff, and getting them right matters culturally as much as financially.

This guide walks through each country honestly, explains how much cash to bring, when cards work, and when they do not, and what to actually tip across every category.

Currency, Money, and Tipping in Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan: A Practical Guide

Currency, money, and tipping in Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan are three of the most underexplained topics in Himalayan travel. Most pre-trip emails our team receives in the final two weeks before departure are about money — how much cash to bring, whether the credit card will work, what the tipping etiquette actually is, and how to handle the moment at the end of a trek when the guide and porter look up expectantly.

Standard travel guides cover these topics in a paragraph or two and leave most of the practical decisions vague. The reality is more specific. Each of the three countries has a different banking infrastructure, a different cash-card balance, and a different tipping culture, and confusing them produces awkward moments at exactly the points where smooth handling matters most.

After two decades of running departures into the region, our team has watched thousands of travelers handle the money side of the trip well, and a smaller number handle it badly. The pattern is consistent. Travelers who understand the currency landscape before arrival, carry the right cash mix, and tip according to the actual conventions enjoy a smoother trip and build genuine warmth with their guide and porter teams. Travelers who improvise on the trail typically over-tip in some places, under-tip in others, and run out of cash at exactly the wrong altitude.

This guide explains each country's currency and banking landscape, recommends specific cash amounts to carry, walks through where cards work and where they do not, and provides honest tipping ranges for every service category throughout the trip. It is written for travelers who want concrete numbers rather than vague principles.

Currency by Country

Nepal: The Nepali Rupee (NPR)

Nepal's official currency is the Nepali rupee, abbreviated NPR or Rs. The rupee is pegged at a fixed rate of 1.6 Nepali rupees per Indian rupee, which means INR 100 is always worth NPR 160. The exchange rate against the US dollar floats and has trended around 130-140 NPR per USD in recent years — our team confirms the current rate at the time of booking. Notes are issued in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 rupees. The 1000-rupee note is the largest and is widely accepted.

Nepal runs largely on cash outside Kathmandu and Pokhara. Luxury hotels in the cities accept credit cards. Lodges along the trekking corridors take cash only — including at altitude. Bottled water, snacks, hot showers, charging fees, and tea purchases on the EBC and Annapurna routes are all cash transactions. Most travelers underestimate how much cash they need on a trek and run short by Day 7 or 8.

Bhutan: The Ngultrum (BTN) and Indian Rupee

Bhutan's official currency is the ngultrum, abbreviated BTN or Nu. The ngultrum is pegged at parity with the Indian rupee — 1 BTN = 1 INR — which means Indian rupee notes circulate freely alongside ngultrum across Bhutan. The exchange rate against the US dollar tracks the Indian rupee and runs around 80 to 88 BTN per USD. Notes are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 ngultrum.

Critical rule for Indian rupees in Bhutan: notes of 100 and below are accepted everywhere. Notes of 500 and 2000 are not accepted in Bhutan because of regulatory concerns. Indian travelers and any traveler bringing Indian rupees to Bhutan must bring 100-rupee notes specifically. Travelers who arrive with 500 and 2000-rupee notes find them difficult to spend and impossible to exchange. We confirm this rule with every guest who carries Indian rupees at the time of booking.

Tibet: The Chinese Yuan (CNY)

Tibet uses the Chinese yuan, also called the renminbi, abbreviated CNY or RMB. The currency is administered by the People's Bank of China and circulates the same notes used across mainland China. Notes are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 yuan, with a 1-yuan coin commonly in circulation alongside the 1-yuan note. The exchange rate against the US dollar is around 7.0-7.3 CNY per USD.

China's broader economy now runs heavily on Alipay and WeChat Pay — Chinese mobile payment platforms that international travelers cannot easily access without a Chinese bank account. Cash remains widely accepted, but international visitors should expect to handle most of their day-to-day transactions in cash because the digital payment infrastructure most Chinese citizens use is largely closed to foreign passport holders. International credit cards are accepted only at major luxury hotels in Lhasa and at a small number of upscale restaurants and shops.

Currency Quick Reference

The table below summarises the three currencies and their typical exchange rates against major foreign currencies. Specific rates fluctuate — we confirm current rates at the time of booking.

Where to Exchange Money

Exchanging in Kathmandu

Kathmandu has the strongest exchange infrastructure of any city in the region. Licensed money changers are concentrated in Thamel, the New Road area, and the airport arrival hall. Rates at licensed changers are typically within 1 to 2 percent of the bank rate.

Hotel exchange rates are noticeably worse — typically 4 to 6 percent below the market rate. The airport arrival hall rate is acceptable for a small initial exchange (USD 100-200) to cover the taxi fare and the first day. Larger exchanges should be made at a licensed currency exchange in Thamel or near the hotel. Our team can recommend specific changers we use ourselves.

US dollars and euros are exchanged at competitive rates everywhere. British pounds exchange at slightly lower rates. Australian and Canadian dollars are exchanged at noticeably lower rates and are sometimes refused by smaller changers. Older or torn US dollar notes — pre-2009 series, taped notes, marked notes — are sometimes refused or exchanged at penalty rates. Travelers should bring crisp, post-2009 notes where possible.

Exchanging in Bhutan

Bhutan has a more limited exchange infrastructure than Nepal. Banks in Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha exchange foreign currency during banking hours — typically 9 AM to 3 PM Monday through Friday and 9 AM to 11 AM on Saturdays. Hotel exchange rates run 3 to 5 percent below the bank rate. ATMs in Thimphu and Paro accept Visa and Mastercard for cash withdrawal, but reliability varies, and queues can form at peak times.

Most travelers on guided luxury tours of Bhutan do not need to exchange large amounts. Tour costs, SDF, visa fees, and accommodation are paid through your tour operator. Tipping, personal shopping, and small incidentals are the main cash needs. Travelers can also bring Indian rupees (in 100-denomination notes only), which can be spent at parity with ngultrum across the kingdom.

Exchanging in Tibet

Tibet's exchange infrastructure is concentrated in Lhasa. The Bank of China branches in Lhasa exchange foreign currency during banking hours. Hotel exchange rates run 3 to 4 percent below the bank rate.

ATMs at major banks in Lhasa accept international Visa and Mastercard cards for cash withdrawals at the official rate, with a daily withdrawal cap typically around 3,000 yuan. Outside Lhasa, exchanging currency is difficult — travelers continuing to Shigatse, Tsedang, or farther west should exchange in Lhasa before departure.

Travelers entering Tibet from Kathmandu can exchange Nepali rupees for yuan at a few changers, but rates are typically poor. Most travelers bring US dollars to Kathmandu and exchange the bulk of their yuan in Lhasa during the first day. Cash carries are critical for trips to Tibet — many remote sites along the north face of Everest and the Kailash routes have no banking access at all.

Cash vs. Cards: A Practical Strategy

The General Rule

Cash dominates day-to-day spending in all three countries. Cards work in luxury hotels and a small number of upscale restaurants in major cities. Cards do not work on trekking routes, in remote regions of Tibet, in monasteries, at festival venues, or with most local businesses. Travelers should plan to carry meaningful cash for the trekking and rural portions of every trip and use cards only for hotel bills and high-value purchases at established city venues.

Recommended Cash Amounts

The figures below are working amounts for a typical luxury trip. Adjust upwards if your itinerary is longer, includes more remote regions, or involves serious shopping. Adjust downwards if you are traveling on a heavily inclusive tour where most expenses are prepaid.

Bringing US Dollars

The US dollar is the strongest universal currency in the region. Bring a mix of denominations — USD 100s for major exchanges, USD 50s and 20s for medium transactions, and USD 10s and 5s for small exchanges and emergency taxi fares. Crisp, post-2009 series notes exchange at the best rates.

Worn, torn, or marked notes are sometimes refused or exchanged at penalty rates of 5 to 10 percent below the standard rate. Travelers should physically inspect their dollar notes before departure and replace any that look questionable.

ATMs and Withdrawal Strategy

ATMs in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Thimphu, Paro, and Lhasa accept international Visa and Mastercard. Daily withdrawal limits typically run NPR 35,000 in Nepal (~USD 260), BTN 25,000 in Bhutan (~USD 290), and CNY 3,000 in Tibet (~USD 410). Bank-imposed transaction fees in the local currency typically run NPR 500 (~USD 4) per transaction in Nepal and similar fixed-fee structures elsewhere. Combined with the international fees most home banks charge, the total fee per ATM withdrawal can run 3 to 5 percent of the transaction. Larger, less frequent withdrawals reduce overall fee burden.

Travel Cards and Multi-Currency Cards

Wise, Revolut, and similar multi-currency travel cards work at ATMs in Nepal and Bhutan and at major hotels. They typically offer better exchange rates than home-bank debit cards, but ATM withdrawal limits and fees still apply.

Travel cards are not as broadly useful in Tibet because the Chinese banking system processes international cards differently from the rest of the region — major bank ATMs work, but smaller bank ATMs sometimes do not. Travelers should not rely on a single travel card as their sole source of money in any of the three countries.

Tipping Conventions Honestly

Tipping is the area of money management that produces the most awkwardness for travelers. Standard travel guides give vague ranges (USD 5 to USD 50 per day for a guide) that do not help anyone make a decision. The figures below are what we consistently observe across our luxury departures and reflect what guides, porters, and drivers actually expect, rather than inflated brochure figures or culturally inappropriate over-tipping.

Trekking Guide Tipping

The lead trekking guide on a luxury Himalayan trek typically receives USD 10 to 15 per trekker per day for trips of two weeks or longer, and slightly more on shorter trips, where the daily rate is compressed. For a typical 14-day Everest Base Camp trek with two trekkers, this works out to USD 280-420, split as a single tip to the guide at the end of the trek. The tip is typically given in local currency or US dollars, in a sealed envelope, on the final evening of the lodge stay before flying back to Kathmandu.

Porter Tipping

Trekking porters on luxury treks typically receive USD 7-10 per trekker per day. For a 14-day trek with two trekkers and one porter shared among them, this works out to USD 200-280. Porters carry significant weight — typically 25 to 30 kilograms — across the same daily distances trekkers walk, often in less protective gear. Tipping at the upper end of the range for porters is genuinely meaningful and is the area where over-tipping is welcomed rather than awkward.

Driver Tipping

Drivers on multi-day cultural circuits in Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibet typically receive USD 5-10 per traveler per day. Drivers handle long days on demanding mountain roads and are part of the safety team for any trip. The tip is typically given on the final day before transfer to the airport or hotel.

Cultural Tour Guide Tipping

Cultural guides on Kathmandu Valley, Bhutan dzong circuit, or Lhasa cultural tours typically receive USD 10 to 20 per traveler per day, depending on the depth of cultural interpretation provided. Specialist guides — Buddhist scholars, art historians, festival specialists — are typically tipped at the upper end of the range. The tip is given on the final day of the cultural section.

Helicopter Day Tour Tipping

Helicopter day-tour pilots and guides typically receive a combined tip of USD 30-50 per traveler for the day. The pilot is included in the tip distribution because of the flying skill required for high-altitude landings. The tip is given to the lead guide who distributes it appropriately among the flight team.

Hotel Staff Tipping

Hotel tipping conventions in the region are lighter than in the West. Bell staff who carry luggage to the room typically receive NPR 100 to 200 in Nepal, BTN 50 to 100 in Bhutan, and CNY 10 to 20 in Tibet. Housekeeping receives a similar amount per night left on the pillow at checkout. Concierge staff who arrange specific services beyond standard hotel duties may receive larger tips appropriate to the service rendered.

Restaurant Tipping

Restaurant service charges of 10 percent are typically already included in the bill at luxury hotels and upscale restaurants in Kathmandu, Lhasa, Paro, and Thimphu. Travelers should look for the service charge line before adding an additional tip. Small additional tips (5 percent) are appropriate for exceptional service. Outside the luxury-venue category, restaurant tipping is not strongly expected — rounding up the bill is sufficient.

Tipping Reference Table

The table below summarises the recommended tipping ranges for each service category across the three countries. All amounts are per traveler per day except where noted.

How Our Team Handles Tipping

After two decades of running departures across the region, our tipping process has settled into three rules that protect both guests and our team.

• We brief tipping conventions before the trip, not after. Our pre-departure briefing pack includes the recommended tipping ranges for each category on your specific itinerary. Travelers who arrive informed make better decisions on the trail and at the end of the trip than travelers who improvise.
• We never include tips in the tour cost line. Tour costs cover guides, drivers, accommodation, transport, and meals as a service package. Tips remain a personal decision that travelers make on their own, based on the service they receive. Operators that include 'mandatory tips' in the tour cost remove the personal element from tipping, and our team does not operate this way.
• We coordinate the final-day tip distribution. On the final day of any multi-day itinerary, our guide team coordinates with travelers to distribute tips appropriately across the wider team — sometimes including kitchen staff, lodge owners, or junior guides who supported the trip behind the scenes. This avoids the awkwardness of travelers wondering who to tip and how much to tip.

Practical Cash and Banking Tips

Notify Your Home Bank Before Travel

International transactions from Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibet are flagged by most home-country fraud detection systems. Notify your home bank before travel that you will be using your card in the region — most banks now accept travel notifications through their mobile apps. Without notification, the first ATM withdrawal or hotel charge can trigger a card freeze that takes 24 to 48 hours to resolve.

Carry Multiple Cards

Bring at least two cards from different networks (Visa and Mastercard) and, ideally, from different banks. ATMs in the region occasionally fail to accept certain cards, and travelers with only one card who experience a card network failure or a fraud freeze are stranded without a backup. Cards from networks like American Express and Discover are widely accepted in the region — travelers carrying only AmEx should bring a backup Visa or Mastercard.

Keep Cash in Multiple Locations

Distribute cash across multiple locations on your person and in your luggage. The traveler's wallet is the obvious carry. A money belt under clothing handles a larger backup. The hotel safe holds a third reserve. Daypack inner pockets hold emergency cash for trail days. The aim is for no single loss event — pickpocketing, a misplaced wallet, a lost daypack — to leave the traveler cashless.

Convert Excess Local Currency Before Departure

Nepali rupees, ngultrum, and yuan all exchange poorly outside the country of origin. Convert excess local currency back to US dollars or euros at the airport or at a licensed currency exchange before international departure. Airport exchange rates on the way out are typically 4 to 6 percent worse than the in-country rate, but still substantially better than exchanging these currencies at home. Indian rupees are the exception — they exchange reasonably internationally and are useful to retain.

Keep Receipts

Major currency exchanges generate receipts that are sometimes required when converting back to dollars at airport departure or when entering some countries. Keep all exchange receipts together in a single envelope for the duration of the trip. ATM transaction slips are also worth retaining for personal expense tracking and for any disputed charge investigations after the trip.

Avoid Black-Market Exchange

Street money changers in the tourist districts of Kathmandu and Lhasa occasionally offer rates that are fractionally better than those of licensed changers in exchange for an unlicensed transaction. The risk is high — counterfeit notes, short-counted exchanges, and police complications all occur. The 1- to 2-percent rate advantage is not worth the risk. Stick to licensed changers, hotel exchanges, and bank ATMs.