# eSIM for South Asia (6 areas)

Viasimo's South Asia (6 areas) eSIM starts at $3.29 for 1 GB over 7 days, running on local 5G networks where available. Plans last 3 to 180 days, arrive by email in minutes and install from your phone's settings, with no app.

Canonical page: https://viasimo.com/destinations/south-asia-6-areas/

## South Asia (6 areas) eSIM prices

| Plan | Data | Days | Price | Price per GB |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited, 3 days | Unlimited | 3 | $18.99 | - |
| Unlimited, 5 days | Unlimited | 5 | $27.99 | - |
| 1 GB, 7 days | 1 GB | 7 | $3.29 | $3.29 |
| Unlimited, 7 days | Unlimited | 7 | $38.99 | - |
| Unlimited, 10 days | Unlimited | 10 | $52.99 | - |
| 3 GB, 15 days | 3 GB | 15 | $8.00 | $2.67 |
| Unlimited, 15 days | Unlimited | 15 | $77.99 | - |
| 3 GB, 30 days | 3 GB | 30 | $9.00 | $3.00 |
| 5 GB, 30 days | 5 GB | 30 | $13.99 | $2.80 |
| 10 GB, 30 days | 10 GB | 30 | $22.99 | $2.30 |
| 20 GB, 30 days | 20 GB | 30 | $46.99 | $2.35 |
| Unlimited, 30 days | Unlimited | 30 | $144.99 | - |
| Unlimited, 60 days | Unlimited | 60 | $284.99 | - |
| Unlimited, 90 days | Unlimited | 90 | $429.99 | - |
| Unlimited, 180 days | Unlimited | 180 | $854.99 | - |

## Which networks does the South Asia (6 areas) eSIM use?

The host network is chosen automatically when you arrive.

## eSIM Details

- **Data**: 1 GB – 20 GB or unlimited
- **Validity**: 3–180 days
- **Speed**: 4G LTE / 5G
- **Hotspot / tethering**: Supported on most devices
- **Activation**: Starts when you first connect in your destination
- **Speed management**: Roughly 2-3 GB per day at full speed, sometimes less depending on the local carrier, then reduced
- **Top-ups**: Add more data from your account, before the plan expires
- **Text messages (SMS)**: Data only: use an app for verification codes
- **Connects via**: Singapore
- **Unused validity**: 180 days before it must be installed

## South Asia (6 areas): what to know before you land

Source: https://viasimo.com/destinations/south-asia-6-areas/#destination-guide · Researched October 2026 by Viasimo

This plan covers six South Asian countries, including India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, on one eSIM. It suits a Delhi and Kathmandu trip, a Himalayan trek followed by Bhutan, or a tour of India and Sri Lanka. Cities have good 4G, but mountain trails, remote valleys and parts of the countryside have little signal. The Maldives is not on this plan.

### South Asia (6 areas): quick facts

| Fact | South Asia (6 areas) |
| --- | --- |
| Emergency number | 112 in India; 100 (police) in Nepal; 119 (police) in Sri Lanka; 999 in Bangladesh; 15 (police) in Pakistan |
| Main airports | Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (DEL); Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai (BOM); Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu (KTM); Paro International Airport (PBH); Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo (CMB); Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka (DAC) |
| Plug types | Type C, D, G, M (220–240V) |
| Currency | Indian rupee, Nepalese rupee, Bhutanese ngultrum, Sri Lankan rupee, Bangladeshi taka and Pakistani rupee |
| Apps worth having | WhatsApp, Uber, Ola, PickMe, Pathao, Google Maps |

### Trekking in Nepal: Everest, Annapurna and Langtang

(South Asia (6 areas) · https://viasimo.com/destinations/south-asia-6-areas/#guide-trekking-in-nepal-everest-annapurna-and-langtang)

Kathmandu, Pokhara and the main towns have good coverage on Ncell and NT Mobile, which are the plan's partners in Nepal. Trekking routes are a different story.

On popular routes such as Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit, you will often find signal in and around the larger villages and some lodges, but expect long stretches without it, especially on high passes and in deep valleys. Many teahouses sell wifi, which is often slow and expensive. Plan to be offline for parts of every day, and agree check-in times with family.

The Langtang region is in Rasuwa district, where the UK Foreign Office reported major flooding on 26 August 2026 that damaged roads and communications. Check the current state of trails and roads before going, and ask your trekking agency about conditions.

Whatever route you choose, download offline maps, save your permits, insurance details and agency contacts on your phone, and carry a satellite messenger if you are going beyond the main trails. Nepal's government emergency lines are 1234 and 1144.

### From Paro to Phuentsholing: Bhutan on TashiCell

(South Asia (6 areas) · https://viasimo.com/destinations/south-asia-6-areas/#guide-from-paro-to-phuentsholing-bhutan-on-tashicell)

Bhutan is often added to a trip to India or Nepal. The UK Foreign Office says Paro airport and the land border at Phuentsholing are the two entry and exit points. You need a pre-approved visa, arranged through a Bhutanese tour operator, hotel or the Department of Immigration, and adults pay a Sustainable Development Fee of 100 US dollars per night.

In Bhutan the plan uses TashiCell. Coverage is good in Thimphu, Paro and Punakha and along the main road between them. On treks such as the Druk Path or the Jomolhari trek, and in the more remote valleys, signal is limited.

Your guide will help with permits for restricted areas, which you need for some regions. Keep copies of your visa and permits on your phone, and make sure the border officer stamps your visa in your passport.

If you cross overland from India, the Jaigaon–Phuentsholing border is busy. Your phone will switch from an Indian to a Bhutanese network as you cross, which can take a few minutes.

### India and Sri Lanka by rail, road and short flights

(South Asia (6 areas) · https://viasimo.com/destinations/south-asia-6-areas/#guide-india-and-sri-lanka-by-rail-road-and-short-flights)

India and Sri Lanka are often combined, with short flights between Chennai or Bengaluru and Colombo. In India the plan uses Airtel, which has strong 4G and 5G coverage in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Agra and Bengaluru, and along the main rail lines. Coverage is weaker in rural Rajasthan, the Western Ghats and the Himalayan states, including parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Ladakh.

Indian trains are often booked online, and live train status apps help you track delays. Many visitors use WhatsApp to stay in touch with drivers and hotels, and Uber and Ola for city transport.

In Sri Lanka the plan uses Mobitel. Colombo, Kandy, Galle and the south coast resorts are well covered. The scenic hill country railway between Kandy and Ella passes through tea estates and tunnels, with patchier signal in places. Yala and Wilpattu national parks and Adam's Peak also have limited coverage. PickMe is the most popular ride-hailing app in Sri Lanka.

### Sources for the South Asia (6 areas) guide

- [Nepal travel advice (GOV.UK)](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/nepal)
- [Bhutan travel advice: entry requirements (GOV.UK)](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bhutan/entry-requirements)
- [How overseas Pakistanis and visitors can register mobile phones for 120 days (ProPakistani)](https://propakistani.pk/2026/06/18/how-overseas-pakistanis-can-register-their-mobile-phones-in-pakistan-for-120-days/amp/)

## Fourteen days in India, Nepal and Bhutan: Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, Kathmandu, Pokhara and Paro

Multi-country route · 14 days · Source: https://viasimo.com/destinations/south-asia-6-areas/#itinerary

A three-country route that pairs India's Golden Triangle highlights and Varanasi with Nepal's Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara, then flies into Bhutan for a guided few days in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha ending with the Tiger's Nest hike.

**When to go:** October to November is the best window, with clear Himalayan views after the monsoon and comfortable days on the plains; February to April also works, while December and January bring fog in Delhi and Varanasi, and June to September monsoon rain closes trails and delays flights.

### Day 1 in South Asia (6 areas): Old Delhi

- **Base:** Delhi
- **Plan:** Start at the Red Fort, then walk to Jama Masjid and climb its minaret for the view over the old city. Take a cycle rickshaw through Chandni Chowk's lanes and the spice market on Khari Baoli. In the evening, visit the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, where the community kitchen serves free meals.
- **Mobile signal:** Strong 4G and 5G on Airtel across Delhi, though the narrowest Chandni Chowk lanes can be slow at peak times.

### Day 2 in South Asia (6 areas): New Delhi: Humayun's Tomb and the Qutub Minar

- **Base:** Delhi
- **Plan:** Visit Humayun's Tomb, the garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal, and the Nizamuddin shrine next door. Drive down Rajpath, now Kartavya Path, past India Gate, then see the Qutub Minar complex in the south of the city. Finish at Lodhi Garden or Hauz Khas at sunset.
- **Mobile signal:** Excellent across New Delhi and on the Delhi Metro.

### Day 3 in South Asia (6 areas): Train to Agra: Agra Fort and Mehtab Bagh

- **Base:** Agra
- **Getting there:** Gatimaan Express or Vande Bharat from Delhi to Agra, about 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes.
- **Plan:** Take a morning express train to Agra. Visit Agra Fort, the red-sandstone Mughal citadel with views downriver to the Taj Mahal, then the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, known as the Baby Taj. At sunset, go to Mehtab Bagh across the Yamuna for the Taj Mahal from the far bank.
- **Mobile signal:** Good along the Delhi–Agra line and in Agra; slower in the older parts of the city.

### Day 4 in South Asia (6 areas): The Taj Mahal at sunrise and Fatehpur Sikri

- **Base:** Delhi
- **Plan:** Be at the Taj Mahal's east gate before sunrise; it is closed on Fridays. Spend two hours there, then drive to Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar's abandoned capital, for the Buland Darwaza and the Jama Masjid courtyard. Return to Delhi by train or road in the evening, ready for the flight to Varanasi.
- **Mobile signal:** Good at the Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri, though crowds at the Taj can slow data; patchy on rural stretches of the expressway.

### Day 5 in South Asia (6 areas): Fly to Varanasi: the evening aarti

- **Base:** Varanasi
- **Getting there:** Flight Delhi to Varanasi, about 1 hour 20 minutes.
- **Plan:** Fly to Varanasi. In the late afternoon, walk the ghats along the Ganges from Assi Ghat northwards, then watch the Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat after dark, with fire, bells and chanting. Be respectful near Manikarnika Ghat, the main cremation site, and do not take photos there.
- **Mobile signal:** Good 4G along the main ghats, though the evening aarti crowds slow data heavily.

### Day 6 in South Asia (6 areas): Varanasi: a dawn boat and Sarnath

- **Base:** Varanasi
- **Plan:** Take a rowing boat on the Ganges at dawn to see bathers and rituals on the ghats. Walk through the old city's lanes towards the Kashi Vishwanath temple area. In the afternoon, visit Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon, for the Dhamek Stupa and the Ashoka lion capital in the museum.
- **Mobile signal:** Good on the river near the ghats and at Sarnath; the old city's narrow lanes are weaker.

### Day 7 in South Asia (6 areas): To Kathmandu: Durbar Square and Swayambhunath

- **Base:** Kathmandu
- **Getting there:** Flight Varanasi to Kathmandu, direct on some days or via Delhi, about 1 hour direct.
- **Plan:** Fly to Kathmandu, getting a Nepal visa on arrival or online in advance. In the afternoon, visit Kathmandu Durbar Square and its rebuilt temples, then climb the steps to Swayambhunath, the monkey temple, for sunset over the valley. Stay in or near Thamel.
- **Mobile signal:** Your phone switches to Ncell or Nepal Telecom on landing. Good 4G in central Kathmandu, though power cuts can affect some towers.

### Day 8 in South Asia (6 areas): Bhaktapur, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath

- **Base:** Kathmandu
- **Plan:** Spend the morning in Bhaktapur, walking its Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square and the Nyatapola temple, and try the local curd. In the afternoon, visit Pashupatinath on the Bagmati River, then end at Boudhanath, where pilgrims walk clockwise round the great stupa at dusk.
- **Mobile signal:** Good across the Kathmandu Valley, including Bhaktapur and Boudhanath.

### Day 9 in South Asia (6 areas): Fly to Pokhara: Phewa Lake

- **Base:** Pokhara
- **Getting there:** Flight Kathmandu to Pokhara, about 25 minutes.
- **Plan:** Take the short flight to Pokhara for views of the Annapurna range on a clear day. In the afternoon, row a boat on Phewa Lake to the Tal Barahi temple on its island, then walk up to the World Peace Pagoda on the ridge opposite for sunset over the lake and the mountains.
- **Mobile signal:** Good in Pokhara's Lakeside area; weaker on the trail up to the Peace Pagoda.

### Day 10 in South Asia (6 areas): Sarangkot sunrise and back to Kathmandu

- **Base:** Kathmandu
- **Getting there:** Flight Pokhara to Kathmandu, about 25 minutes.
- **Plan:** Drive up to Sarangkot before dawn for sunrise over Machapuchare and the Annapurnas. Later, visit Davis Falls and the Gupteshwor Cave, or try paragliding from Sarangkot. Fly back to Kathmandu in the afternoon and prepare for Bhutan: your visa and guide must be arranged in advance.
- **Mobile signal:** Good at Sarangkot's viewpoint; patchy inside the Gupteshwor Cave. Flights are often delayed by cloud, so keep airline apps updated.

### Day 11 in South Asia (6 areas): Fly to Paro and on to Thimphu

- **Base:** Thimphu
- **Getting there:** Drukair or Bhutan Airlines from Kathmandu to Paro, about 1 hour; then about 1 hour by road to Thimphu.
- **Plan:** Fly to Paro, sitting on the left for Everest and Kanchenjunga on clear days. Meet your guide, visit Paro's Rinpung Dzong and the bridge below it, then drive to Thimphu. In the evening, walk the Memorial Chorten, where locals circle in prayer.
- **Mobile signal:** Your phone switches to TashiCell in Bhutan. Good 4G in Paro and Thimphu, with gaps on the river road between them.

### Day 12 in South Asia (6 areas): Thimphu to Punakha over the Dochula Pass

- **Base:** Punakha
- **Getting there:** About 3 hours by road from Thimphu.
- **Plan:** Visit the giant Buddha Dordenma statue above Thimphu, then drive over the Dochula Pass, with its 108 chortens and Himalayan views on clear days. Descend to Punakha and walk the short trail through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple.
- **Mobile signal:** Patchy on the Dochula Pass and the descent; good in Punakha town.

### Day 13 in South Asia (6 areas): Punakha Dzong and back to Paro

- **Base:** Paro
- **Getting there:** About 4 hours by road from Punakha to Paro.
- **Plan:** Visit Punakha Dzong at the meeting of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, crossing the wooden cantilever bridge. Walk the suspension bridge upstream, then drive back to Paro for the evening, stopping at Dochula again if you missed the view.
- **Mobile signal:** Good at Punakha Dzong; patchy on the mountain road back.

### Day 14 in South Asia (6 areas): Tiger's Nest

- **Base:** Paro
- **Plan:** Hike up to Paro Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest monastery clinging to a cliff about 900 metres above the valley. Allow four to six hours return, with a teahouse halfway. In the evening, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest temples, before flying out from Paro.
- **Mobile signal:** Some signal at the trailhead and the teahouse; weak or none on the upper trail and inside the monastery.

### Staying connected on this South Asia (6 areas) route

- Arrange Bhutan's visa and guide through an operator before you fly, and save the documents offline for Paro immigration.
- Download offline maps for the Kathmandu Valley and Bhutan's mountain roads; Pokhara and Paro flights are often delayed by cloud.
- This plan does not include the Maldives; India–Pakistan land crossings are not part of this route.

### Sources for the South Asia (6 areas) itinerary

- [GOV.UK: Foreign travel advice, Bhutan](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bhutan)
- [GOV.UK: Foreign travel advice, Nepal](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/nepal)
- [Department of Tourism Bhutan](https://www.bhutan.travel/)
- [UNESCO: Taj Mahal](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/252/)
- [UNESCO: Kathmandu Valley](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/121/)

## About this eSIM

### Why a regional plan helps here

Local SIMs in South Asia often involve paperwork. You may need passport copies, photos, visa details and sometimes a local address, and in some countries the handset itself has to be registered. A travel eSIM avoids most of that. In Pakistan, for example, ProPakistani's guide to the PTA rules explains that foreign SIMs on roaming can be used without registering the phone, whereas a Pakistani SIM requires the device to be registered within the 120-day scheme.

The main benefit of this plan is that it carries across borders that are often combined: India with Nepal or Bhutan, India with Sri Lanka, and sometimes Bangladesh with northeast India.

### Which networks you'll use

The plan connects through one or two major operators in each country. In India it uses Airtel, in Nepal Ncell and NT Mobile, in Bhutan TashiCell, in Sri Lanka Mobitel, in Bangladesh Grameenphone, Robi and Banglalink, and in Pakistan Zong. Your phone will show one of these names after you arrive.

Coverage is strong in the big cities, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kathmandu, Colombo, Dhaka, Lahore and Islamabad, and along main highways and rail lines. It is weaker in the mountains and remote rural areas. On Himalayan treks, signal comes and goes, often available near larger villages and lodges and absent on high passes.

Land borders are where a regional plan earns its keep. Overland travellers often cross from India into Nepal at Sunauli–Belahiya on the way to Lumbini and Pokhara, or at Kakarbhitta in the east, and into Bhutan at Jaigaon–Phuentsholing. At each of these, the phone has to drop one country's network and find the next, which can take a few minutes. Near busy border towns it may also flip back and forth. Both sides are covered here, so toggle airplane mode if data stalls rather than looking for a SIM shop.

### Weather, floods and disruption

The monsoon brings floods and landslides that can cut roads and communications. The UK Foreign Office reported that major flooding on 26 August 2026 damaged buildings, roads and communications in Nepal's Rasuwa district and the Nepal–China border area, with Gorkha, Nuwakot and Dhading also affected, and warned that more flooding, landslides and rockfalls were possible in mountain areas. Rasuwa includes the Langtang trekking region.

The Foreign Office also notes that disruption to Middle East airspace may cause flight delays or cancellations for travellers to Nepal, and that the Nepal government has set up toll-free emergency lines, 1234 and 1144.

### What you'll use data for

Ride-hailing apps make city transport easier. Uber and Ola work in Indian cities, PickMe is popular in Sri Lanka, and Pathao is widely used in Nepal and Bangladesh. WhatsApp is the main way to talk to drivers, guesthouses, trekking agencies and tour operators across the region.

Online payments are common in India, but UPI usually needs a local bank account or a special visitor wallet, so most visitors use cards in cities and cash elsewhere.

### Before you fly

Check entry rules for each country. Bhutan requires a pre-approved visa and a Sustainable Development Fee, and Sri Lanka and India use online travel authorisations or e-visas for many nationalities. Save permits and approvals offline, download maps for trekking routes, and keep your home SIM in the phone for bank texts.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does an eSIM work in South Asia (6 areas)?

Yes. Your South Asia (6 areas) eSIM connects automatically the moment you arrive, with no roaming fees and nothing to set up at the airport. Coverage runs on 4G LTE and 5G where the network has rolled it out, and falls back to 4G elsewhere.

### Do I get 5G in South Asia (6 areas)?

Yes, where it has been deployed. 5G runs on The local networks we use in South Asia (6 areas), and your eSIM uses it automatically on a 5G-capable phone, dropping back to 4G LTE outside covered areas. No country is covered everywhere, so 5G availability varies by location.

### Does the South Asia eSIM work in the Maldives?

No. The Maldives is not on this plan's covered list, even though it is often combined with Sri Lanka or India. Resorts in the Maldives generally offer wifi, but if you want mobile data there you will need a separate plan.

### Is there mobile signal on the Everest Base Camp trek?

In places. You will often find signal near larger villages and some lodges, but there are long stretches without it, especially at higher altitude and in deep valleys. Many teahouses sell wifi, which can be slow. Download offline maps, save your permits and insurance details, and agree check-in times with family.

### Do I need to register my phone to use data in Pakistan?

Not with a roaming eSIM. ProPakistani's guide to the PTA rules says foreign SIMs on roaming can be used without registering the handset. Registration under the 120-day scheme applies when you put a Pakistani SIM in the phone. That makes a travel eSIM much simpler for short visits.

### What does Bhutan require before I travel, and will my phone work there?

You need a pre-approved visa arranged through a Bhutanese tour operator, hotel or the Department of Immigration, and adults pay a Sustainable Development Fee of 100 US dollars per night, according to the UK Foreign Office. In Bhutan this plan uses TashiCell, with good coverage in Thimphu, Paro and Punakha and limited signal on treks.

### How much data do I need for 7 days in South Asia (6 areas)?

For 7 days in South Asia (6 areas), Viasimo sells 1 GB for $3.29 and unlimited data for $38.99. Our sizing recommendation, not a measurement: maps, messaging and the occasional lookup, about 1 GB a week; maps, social, photos and some browsing, about 3 to 7 GB a week. The data calculator on this site works it out from how you actually use your phone.

## Information and verification

- **Prices and plans**: Every price and allowance on this page is read from the live catalog, not typed in. Verified October 30, 2026.