travel guide nepal

How to Plan a Trip to Nepal

Traveling to Nepal is an adventure that never fails to showcase the natural and cultural beauty of this world. Travelers are attracted by the country's immense Himalayan mountain views, jungles full of wildlife, beautiful golden temples, charming hill villages, ancient cities, and friendly people.

Nepal is a landlocked country in the Himalayas between China and India. The most popular things to do in Nepal include trekking, mountaineering, mountain appreciation/photography, and visiting temples. Nepal has a very vibrant culture that is a mixture of Buddhist and Hindu values, which can be seen in the abundance of temples and in the everyday life of the local people.

• Nepal Visas Requirements
• Best Time to Visit Nepal

Best Places to Visit in Nepal

• How Long to Stay in Nepal
• How to Get Around Nepal
• Travel Cost in Nepal

Do I Need a Nepal Travel Visa?

Most foreigners need a tourist visa to enter Nepal. However, Nepal makes getting a tourist visa quite simple by offering a visa on arrival option for Kathmandu's airport as well as all land crossings. The visa on arrival process is very quick and simple. It requires travelers to fill out a short form, which can also be filled out online 15 days before arrival to make the process even faster.

Best Times to Visit Nepal

Nepal's climate is divided into two seasons: the rainy season (May to August) and the dry season (September to April).

The best time to visit Nepal is during the "autumn" post-monsoon months (September to November) as the skies are generally clear and the views are spectacular, the visibility in the mountains is at its best and trekking conditions are great around Everest and Annapurna. Hotel prices and travel costs during this time are higher than average, and the tourist sites are a bit more crowded than usual. 

Another good time to visit Nepal is in the "spring" pre-monsoon months (February to April) when the weather at high elevation is cool and good for trekking. Conditions are often less clear this time of year due to crop burning in the Kathmandu Valley.

"Summer" in Nepal is the monsoon season (April to September). The monsoon rains make for super blooms of beautiful Himalayan flowers, but also cause landslides and dangerous/unpleasant travel conditions (mud, leeches) throughout the country. Low prices match inconvenient travel opportunities.

Temperatures of the "winter" mid-dry-season (December to February) in Nepal often get below freezing in high elevation areas of the country, which can make for difficult trekking conditions.

Conversely, lowland areas such as Kathmandu Valley can be as warm as 20°C (68°F) in the winter months.

Further reading:  How to Plan a Trekking Trip in Nepal

Regarded as a trekkers' paradise, the two most popular places to go in Nepal are Mount Everest and Kathmandu, there is much more of this beautiful country to explore on foot outside these two destinations.

1. Kathmandu — Capital, Temples and Shrines

Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal and the place where most travelers begin their journey. This is a city with chaotic narrow streets that are packed full of gorgeous temples and shrines. Explore the timeless cultural and artistic heritage to learn more about Kathmandu. Include the maze of shrines in the city center, and then wander around the shopping street (Thamel), which is full of handicrafts and great food.

From Thamel Street, you can walk to Durbar Square (an ancient palace), where the city's king was crowned. Spend a half day to observe the grand architecture there, and then have a cup of coffee and rest in the nearby restaurants or shops.

2. Pokhara — Natural Beauty and Adventure

Pokhara is a lakeside city near the Annapurna region. This city has long been famous for its spectacular scenery and abundance of adventure activities. There you can relax while taking in the views of mountains over bobbing boats on Fewa Lake, or participate in mountain biking, paragliding, and trekking.

Pohkara is the starting point for many famous treks, including the challenging Annapurna Base Camp Trek. The two-day Poon Hill Trek offers visitors incredible views of Annapurna in the distance, and the Annapurna Circuit Trek is a less demanding hike that can be taken at your own pace.

Pokhara is also home to the famous World Peace Pagoda, where you can have a panoramic view of the Annapurna range, Pokhara city, and Fewa Lake.

3. Patan — Ancient City, UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Patan, also known as Lalitpur — 'The City of Beauty', has a history dating back to the year 250 BC. Although Patan is only around 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Kathmandu, the city was a fiercely independent kingdom for most of its history and has managed to retain its unique culture.

The architecture of this entire city is based on the principles of the Buddhist Wheel of Righteousness and Patan has long been a melting pot of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs.

While you are in this ancient city make sure to explore the gorgeous temples, royal palaces, and statues of Durbar Square, and check out Patan Museum. This city is definitely worth a visit.

4. Nagarkot — Panoramic Himalayan Views

Nagarkot is located close to Bhaktapur and is well-known for its stunning views of the surrounding Himalayas. There are eight ranges that can be seen from this small mountainous town: Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Lantang, Jugal, Rolwaling, and Numbur. You can also have a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley from this small town.

The town itself is surrounded by dense pine forests and is a quiet and peaceful place full of boutique and luxury hotels with mountain views.

Try to catch the dreamy views of sunrise and sunset on a clear day, the town also offers some short treks and mountain biking trails.

5. Chitwan National Park — Nature, Wildlife

If you want to enjoy the natural beauty and wildlife of Nepal, then Chitwan National Park should be on your list. As one of the most popular national parks in Asia, Chitwan National Park is the best place to observe Asia's rare and endangered species, such as the Bengal tiger and one-horned rhinoceros.

Besides Bengal tigers and rhinoceroses, there are elephants, leopards, Indian bison, and sloth bears to discover in the park. If you want to spend more than a day in the park, you can live in luxury lodging at the edge of the park, or in the affordable accommodation in a nearby village.

How Long to Stay in Nepal — Popular Itineraries

Nepal is a popular destination for trekking lovers. Your traveling days requirement will depend on your interests and where you want to go. Most of our clients spend 8–9 days to cover the essential highlights of Nepal.

See our 9-day Classic Nepal tour sample itinerary: Kathmandu (3 days), Pokhara (2 days), Chitwan (2 days), Nagarkot (2 days).

Top South Asia Tour Itineraries Including Nepal

Most of our clients prefer to include Nepal in a 2-to-3-week South Asia trip. The most popular tour itineraries usually include India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Get some inspiration to explore Asia from our 14-Day India, Nepal, and Bhutan Tour .

See more on our How to Plan an India and Nepal Trip 2025

The above sample itineraries are just for your information. You are welcomed to contact your own experienced 1:1 tour consultant for a tailor-made itinerary .

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family 's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

How to Get To and Around Nepal

Getting to nepal.

The best way to get to Nepal is by flight. There are direct flights available to Kathmandu from New York, Dallas, San Francisco, and Los Angeles in the US and from London, Paris, Munich, Frankfurt, and Istanbul in Europe. To make the trip to Nepal more affordable, travelers can head to India first and then fly to Kathmandu from New Delhi.

Getting Around in Nepal

The main transport from one city to another in Nepal includes planes, buses, and private vehicle. Trains are not available in Nepal.

Because of Nepal's mountainous terrain and poor infrastructure, traveling by bus around Nepal is often draining, and the bus may stop to pick up passengers everywhere too.

The best way to travel from one Nepali city to another is often by private car or jeep, which is more comfortable and faster than traveling by bus. It allows passengers the option of being picked up directly from their hotel and dropped off directly at their next hotel without the hassle of booking taxis and buying bus tickets.

By plane: Flying is another good option for traveling across Nepal. Most internal flights start or end in Kathmandu. The cities of Pokhara, Bharatpur, and Siddharthanagar all have airports. One problem with traveling by plane in Nepal is that delays and flight cancellations are very common due to adverse weather conditions like heavy rain, thick fog, strong winds, etc. (Airports in Nepal don't have the latest technology and so planes rely on instrumental landing systems.)

Connecting with Other South Asian Countries

There are flights from Kathmandu to other main cities in South Asian countries, including India, Bhutan, and Thailand. Most of our clients visit India before their trip to Nepal. They can fly to Kathmandu from Delhi, Varanasi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Delhi offers the most flight options at the best prices.

From India, it is also possible to cross into Nepal overland. This journey requires taking a bus or train to the India-Nepal border. Trains from Delhi to the Sonauli border crossing often take around 14 hours.

Travel Costs for Nepal

For travelers from Europe and America, Nepal is the most affordable destination in South Asia. General speaking, if you are looking for a comfortable trip (mid-range hotels) in the top destinations in Nepal, it will cost between 10,000 and 12,500 Nepal rupees (US$80–100) per day per person.

The following are some cost estimates for different travel styles:

• For backpackers, the budget needed is around 30–50 USD/day per person (hostels, street food, tuk-tuks, rickshaws).
• For a medium budget, Nepal costs around 80–100 USD per day per person (3/4-star hotels, sit-down restaurants, taxies).
• For a higher standard and a more refined experience, US$100–150 per day per person is needed (4/5-star hotels, nice meals, private guide, and transfers).

Traveling Nepal with Asia Highlights

Want to experience the rich culture and stunning peaks of Nepal? We at Asia Highlights can help you plan your dream trip, tailor-made to suit your travel wants and goals. Leave the planning and stress to us; just relax and enjoy your journey.

Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries

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Your Trip to Nepal: The Complete Guide

• Best Time to Visit
• Weather & Climate
• Kathmandu Airport Guide
• Top Destinations in Nepal
• One Week in Nepal
• Tipping Guide
• Getting Around
• Top Things to Do in Nepal
• Complete Guide to Kathmandu
• Top Things to Do in Kathmandu
• Top Things to Do in Pokhara
• Sacred Sites
• Amazing Festivals
• Top National Parks
• Must-Try Food
• Annapurna Circuit
• Manaslu Circuit
• Himalaya Trail
• Facts About Mt. Everest
• Trek to Everest Base Camp

There's a lot to love about small, landlocked Nepal, with its numerous wildlife-filled national parks, ancient Hindu and Buddhist cultures, and more than its fair share of the tallest mountains on Earth . Sandwiched between India to the south and China (Tibet) to the north, the South Asian country's landscape and culture shares similarities with its neighbors, but is also distinctly different. And, despite looking small on the map, its mountainous geography and limited road networks mean that Nepal is stunningly diverse. Popular among trekkers and mountaineers, Nepal is also a fun destination for families, couples, high-budget travelers, and anyone else looking to be surprised and impressed.

Nevertheless, Nepal is a low-income developing country and faces some serious infrastructure challenges. Travelers will have a better time if they're not in a hurry and learn to go with the flow. Here are some important tips for getting the most out of your trip to Nepal.

Planning Your Trip

• Best time to visit : For most outdoor activities in most parts of the country, the best time to visit is from September to November, and from March to May. Winter (December to February) is comfortable at lower altitudes. Traveling during monsoon season (June to August) is not advised, except to areas in the Himalayan rainshadow (Mustang, Dolpo, and others).
• Languages: Nepali and Newari in Kathmandu. Elsewhere, many indigenous and regional languages are spoken, including Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Gurung, Tamang, and Sherpa. English is spoken as a second language by educated professionals in the main cities.
• Currency: Nepali Rupee (NPR)
• Getting around: Take domestic flights for longer distances, local and tourist buses between the main cities, and private taxis within cities and along major highways.
• Know before you go: Not all of Nepal is at high altitude. It ranges from not much more than sea level on the plains bordering India to 2,700 feet in Pokhara, 4,600 feet in Kathmandu, and 29,000 feet at the summit of Everest. This means how you pack and what you wear should depend on where you're going, and in which season.

Things To Do

Nepal is famous as a mountain adventure playground, and whether you're into high-altitude mountain climbing or gentle walks in the hills, you'll find it. In addition to hiking, you can go whitewater rafting and kayaking, paragliding , zip lining, bungee jumping, and more. But you don't have to be ultra-athletic to enjoy Nepal, as the towns and cities offer cultural and artistic attractions, while the national parks have wildlife safaris and bird watching.

• Go trekking. Trekking trails follow the mountainous paths that Nepalis have been using for centuries, and range from lower-altitude day walks near the main cities to multi-week adventures high in the mountains.
• Tour the temples of Kathmandu. Nepal's capital, Kathmandu , is an ancient city that has traditionally been at the crossroads of trade routes and culture. Its combined Hindu and Buddhist traditions can best be seen in the multitude of temples throughout the Kathmandu Valley, including Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, and the Durbar Squares in Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur.
• Join a jungle safari. Spot rhinos, crocodiles, elephants, monkeys, birds, deer, and perhaps even the Royal Bengal Tiger in Nepal's jungle parks, including Chitwan, Bardia, and Koshi Tappu.

Explore more attractions with our full-length articles on sacred sites in Nepal , national parks in Nepal , and the Great Himalaya Trail .

What to Eat and Drink

The staple foods of the Nepali diet are rice and lentil curry, a dish called dal bhat. Most Nepali people will eat dal bhat at least once a day; it may be a simple meal of just rice, lentils, and a pickle, or it may be a more elaborate affair with vegetable and meat curries (chicken, mutton, or buffalo), salad, curd, papad, and fruit. Dal bhat is available in restaurants and food establishments throughout the country, and may have regional variations in the type of lentil or vegetables used. Nepali curries are generally much less creamy or buttery than those eaten in neighboring Northern India. Vegetarianism isn't that common, although vegetarian food is easy to find (vegan food less so).

Nepali cuisine also has Tibetan influences, and a favorite snack among Nepalis belonging to various ethnic groups is Tibetan momos. These are small dumplings filled with meat or vegetables and served steamed, fried, or in a soup.

In terms of alcoholic beverages, locally produced beer brands are popular everywhere (particularly Gorkha and Everest brands), but in rural areas it's more common for locals to drink and serve homemade rice wine, called chhang or raksi.

Where to Stay

Almost all visitors to Nepal will arrive in, or pass through, Kathmandu. In the capital, the central Thamel district is most popular with travelers—this is where the greatest concentration of hotels, tour companies, restaurants, and shops can be found. Other areas with good quality hotels and guesthouses include Patan, Boudha, Lazimpat, and Bhaktapur.

Beyond the capital, Pokhara and the small towns around the Chitwan National Park are popular and offer a good range of accommodation, from high-end resorts to mid-range hotels and homestays. Pokhara is an especially scenic city because it's set on a lake (Phewa Tal) and is right beside the Annapurna range. Should you stay here, try to get a room with a lake and/or mountain view. Safari lodges around Chitwan often offer all-inclusive packages, or at least jungle safari services for an extra fee.

In rural and mountainous areas, it's not hard to find accommodation, but standards vary enormously. "Teahouses" offer basic accommodation in popular trekking areas, usually with private rooms, shared toilets, and home-cooked meals.

Getting There

Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport is the only international airport in Nepal. Direct flights arrive from a variety of Asian and Middle Eastern cities, including Istanbul, Dubai, Qatar, Delhi, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. To reach Nepal from further afield, such as North America and Europe, it's usually necessary to connect to a flight from one of these other cities first. There are also regular flights to/from Lhasa (Tibet) and Paro (Bhutan).

To enter Nepal overland, there are a number of border crossings along the India border, and limited options on the northern border with China (Tibet). Long-distance buses operate from Delhi , but these can take more than 30 hours, so are only a good option if you're on a very tight budget. Other buses can be taken from places in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh , Bihar, and West Bengal states in India. Be aware, though, that some border crossing points are only open to Nepali and Indian citizens (it's an open border). Citizens of other countries are only permitted at a few select crossings.

The land border with Tibet is only really a possibility if you've arranged a Tibet tour with a Nepal or China-based tour company, and shouldn't be relied upon as a general entry point. The border is often closed, with little or no notice, by the Chinese authorities.

Culture and Customs

• You'll rarely, if ever, be pressured into leaving a tip, but it is certainly welcome as most Nepalis earn very low wages. When tipping in a restaurant, it's polite to round up the bill to the nearest round number, or to leave about 10 percent in change. When tipping a guide, porter, driver (except short-distance taxi driver), or someone else who has provided you a service, it's better to give this to them directly, at the end of their service. If you give it to their company with the request that the tip be passed on, there's a high chance your guide won't receive it. Again, about 10 percent of the total cost of the service is appropriate.
• Nepali culture is quite traditional, so it's appropriate to dress modestly. Women will generally feel more comfortable covering their shoulders, chests, and knees with loose-fitting clothing. Men should avoid wearing tank tops as these are considered underwear. In Kathmandu and Pokhara, you will likely see young Nepalis of all genders wearing modern clothes, but the vibe is more conservative in small towns and villages.
• Tourists are generally allowed in temples, but be respectful. It's not a great idea to get your camera right up into someone's face as they go about their daily rituals. A few temples, such as Kathmandu's Pashupatinath and Patan's Krishna Mandir, prohibit non-Hindus from entering certain sections, but these are signposted. When visiting a Buddhist stupa or passing a mani stone wall in rural areas, always pass it on its left. This is the custom, and not doing so is rude.

Money Saving Tips

Nepal is a good value destination and prices are generally low, although not as low as some other South and Southeast Asian countries because of the logistics of transporting goods to Nepal.

• In general, the higher you go in the mountains, the more expensive food becomes. A meal that could be bought for $5 in Kathmandu will likely be double that in Namche Bazaar or elsewhere high in the mountains. Budget accordingly, with cash, as there are few-to-no ATMS away from the main roads.
• When taking a taxi a short distance, such as from the airport or between tourist attractions, settle on a price with your driver before starting out. Ask at your hotel what the price should be. You'll still probably be charged an inflated tourist fare, but you'll save yourself some stress if you agree on a price beforehand—meters are rarely used (or in working order).

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Nepal’s cultural landscape is every bit as diverse as its physical one. Its peoples belong to a host of distinctive ethnic groups, and speak a host of languages. They live in everything from dense, ancient cities erupting with pagoda-roofed Hindu temples to villages perched on dizzying sweeps of rice-farming terraces and dusty highland settlements clustered around tiny monasteries. Religious practices range from Indian-style Hinduism to Tibetan Buddhism and from nature-worship to shamanism – the indigenous Newars, meanwhile, blend all these traditions with their own, intense tantric practices.

The cultural richness owes something to the shaping force of the landscape itself, and something else to the fact that it was never colonized. This is a country with profound national or ethnic pride, an astounding flair for festivals and pageantry and a powerful attachment to traditional ways. Its people famously display a charismatic blend of independent-mindedness and friendliness, toughness and courtesy – qualities that, through the reputations of Gurkha soldiers and Sherpa climbers in particular, have made them internationally renowned as people it’s a rare pleasure to work with or travel among.

But it would be misleading to portray Nepal as a fabled Shangri-la. Heavily reliant on its superpower neighbours, Nepal was, until 1990, the world’s last remaining absolute Hindu monarchy, run by a regime that combined China’s repressiveness and India’s bureaucracy. Long politically and economically backward, it has developed at uncomfortable speed in some areas while stagnating in others. Following a soul-scouring Maoist insurgency, which ended in 2006, it has ended up as a federal republic – governed, for the time at least, by Maoist rebels turned politicians. Nepal seems always to be racing to catch up with history, and the sense of political excitement in the country is thrillingly palpable.

Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, is electrifyingly exotic, with its medieval warren of alleys, Hindu temples and Buddhist stupas, and its uniquely relaxed nightlife. The city is increasingly hectic, however, so many visitors make day-trips into the semi-rural Kathmandu Valley, and the astoundingly well-preserved medieval cities of Patan and Bhaktapur, or overnight at one of the mountain view-points on the valley rim, such as Nagarkot, in the Central Hills. A few explore the valley’s wealth of temples, towns and forested hilltops in more depth, or make road trips to the Tibet border or down the tortuous Tribhuwan Rajpath towards India. Most people will take the tourist bus six hours west of Kathmandu to Pokhara, an engagingly easygoing resort town in the Western Hills, set beside a lake and under a towering wall of white peaks. While many visitors are happy just to gaze at Pokhara’s views, or hang out in its bars, it also makes a great base for day-hikes and mountain-bike rides, yoga and meditation courses, and even paragliding and microlight flights. Other towns in the Western Hills – notably Gorkha with its impressive fortress, Manakamana with its wish-fulfilling temple, and Bandipur with its old-world bazaar – offer history and culture as well as scenery.

Few travellers head into the flat Terai, along the border with India, unless it’s to enter the deservedly popular Chitwan National Park with its endangered Asian one-horned rhinos. Bardia National Park and two other rarely visited wildlife reserves are out there for the more adventurous. In the Western Terai Lumbini, Buddha’s birthplace, is a world-class pilgrimage site, as is Janakpur, a Hindu holy city in the east.

Nepal is most renowned, however, for trekking – hiking from village to village, through massive hills and lush rhododendron forests and up to the peaks and glaciers of the high Himalayas. The thrillingly beautiful and culturally rich Annapurna and Everest regions are the most oriented to trekkers, but other, once-remote areas are opening up, notably Mustang and Manaslu. Rafting down Nepal’s rivers and mountain biking, meanwhile, offer not only adventure but also a different perspective on the countryside and wildlife.

Top image: Boudhanath stupa, one of the largest spherical stupas in in Kathmandu, Nepal © Happy Poppy/Shutterstock

Discover more places in Nepal

• The Eastern Terai and hills Travel Guide
• The Kathmandu Valley Travel Guide
• The Western Hills Travel Guide
• The Western Terai Travel Guide
• Trekking Travel Guide

To make a Tibetan carpet , typically Tibetan wool – from sheep bred for their unusually long, high-tensile wool – is blended with foreign processed wool. Once it is spun into yarn, much of the spinning is still done by hand, producing a distinctive, slightly irregular look. It is then dyed and rolled into balls. Tibetan-style carpets are produced by the cut-loop method, which bears little relation to the process employed by Middle Eastern and Chinese artisans. Rather than tying thousands of individual knots, the weaver loops the yarn in and out of the vertical warp threads and around a horizontally placed rod; when the row is finished, the weaver draws a knife across the loops, freeing the rod. Once the weaving is finished, the carpets are trimmed to give an even finish, in some cases embossed and then washed (an industrial process which pollutes local streams with chemicals linked with birth defects). Most carpets are made-to-order for the export market, with distribution controlled by a small collection of traders. Prices vary widely: at the bottom end expect to pay around $50 per square metre; top-of-the-range carpets can be three times this, or even more. (Many Nepali producers also produce Afghan, Middle Eastern and Kashmiri-style carpets, though these are rarely as fine as the originals.)

A uniquely Nepali institution found in every hill village, the chautaara is a resting place that serves important social and religious functions. The standard design consists of a rectangular flagstoned platform, built at just the right height for porters easily to set down their doko , or basket, while two trees provide shade.

Chautaara are erected and maintained by individuals as an act of public service, often to earn religious merit or in memory of a deceased parent. Commonly they’ll be found on sites associated with pre-Hindu nature deities, often indicated by stones smeared with red abhir and yellow keshori powder. The trees, too, are considered sacred. Invariably, one will be a pipal , whose Latin name ( Ficus religiosa ) recalls its role as the bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. Nepalis regard the pipal, with its heart-shaped leaves, as a female symbol and incarnation of Lakshmi, and women will sometimes fast and pray for children in front of one. It’s said that no one can tell a lie under the shade of a pipal, which makes the trees doubly useful for village assemblies. Its “husband”, representing Shiva Mahadev, is the bar or banyan ( Ficus bengalensis ), another member of the fig genus, which sends down Tarzan-vine-like aerial roots which, if not pruned, will eventually take root and establish satellite trunks. A chautaara is incomplete without the pair; occasionally you’ll see one with a single tree, but sooner or later someone will get around to planting the other.

• With a land area of 147,000 square kilometres, Nepal is about the size of England and Wales combined. Useable land, however, is in short supply due to the precipitous terrain and a growing population of 27 million or more, over a third of which is less than 15 years old.

• Eight of the world’s ten highest mountains are found in Nepal, including Everest, the tallest of them all.

• Prior to 1951, only a handful of Westerners had ever been allowed into Nepal. Today, the country receives as many as 500,000 tourists annually; increasingly they are coming from neighbouring India and China.

• Despite the fame of its Tibetan and Sherpa Buddhist communities, Nepal was long the world’s only Hindu kingdom, and Hindus still officially make up some eighty percent of the population. In truth, many Nepalis combine worship of Hindu gods with shamanic and animist practices.

• The decade-long Maoist insurgency ended in 2006, along with the career of the notorious King Gyanendra. Nepal‘s politics are now noisily turbulent but peaceful.

• With an average per-capita annual income of US$470, Nepal ranked 157th out of 186 countries in the UN’s 2011 Human Development Index. Half the population survives on little more than a dollar a day.

Nepal may be defined by the Himalayas, but it is much more than just mountains. The heartland is defined by the pahad , or middle hills, a wide belt running east–west along the length of the country, characterized by massive slopes and steep-sided valleys, and populated by rustic villages set amid terraced fields. The valley cities of Kathmandu and Pokhara are exceptions in these giant-scale hills, where the biggest stretch of flat land for miles around may well be the school volleyball court. Nepal’s southernmost strip is the Terai , a swathe of hot, flat farmland, with areas of jungle preserved in a trio of national parks. Culturally as well as geographically, the Terai forms part of the Gangetic Plain of northern India. As for the Himalayan chain , it guards the northern frontier, broken into a series of himal (snow-covered mountain ranges) and alpine valleys. Pockets of high, dry terrain lie in the rain shadow in the northwestern part of the country, extensions of the great Tibetan plateau . Cutting north–south across the grain of the land, meanwhile, are the country’s great, roaring rivers , laden with glacial minerals and sediment. The largest actually cut right through the Himalayan chain, with their sources in Tibet.

Nepal has a multitude of traditional and progressive disciplines, and though the country can seem something of a spiritual supermarket, its tolerant atmosphere makes it a great place to challenge your assumptions and study other systems of thought.

The past 25 years have seen an explosion of outfits teaching yoga and meditation to both foreigners and locals. The allied health fields of ayurvedic and Tibetan medicine are also an attraction for many travellers to Nepal. Many programmes don’t require a lengthy commitment, although any residential courses are worth booking well in advance.

Yoga is more than just exercises – it’s a system of spiritual, mental and physical self-discipline, designed to unify the individual’s consciousness with the universe. Techniques include Karma yoga (basically altruism), Bhakti yoga (devotion, recognizable by the chanting) and Jnana yoga (deep meditation, best practised only after mastering one of the other kinds).

What most westerners would recognize as yoga springs from Raja yoga , probably formulated around 600 BC. It has eight astanga , or limbs (not to be confused with the yoga style with the same name), each a step to realization. Three of these have a physical emphasis, and it is from this root that yoga’s reputation for pretzel poses and headstands comes. Whatever the name of a particular variation, be it Bikram, Kundalini, or Ashtanga, all types of yoga that use asanas (or positions) as an aid to developing the self are generally referred to as hatha yoga.

Most practices also include Pranayam – breathing exercises. You’ll find several kinds in Nepal, including the Sivanand school (a slow style with asanas and lots of spiritual guidance), Iyengar (a very exacting school that uses some props and focuses on alignment) and practices that follow particular gurus from India, usually including elements of Raja, Bhakti and Karma yoga.

Meditation is closely related to yoga, and the two often overlap: much of yoga involves meditation, and Buddhist meditation draws on many Hindu yogic practices. However, meditation centres in Nepal generally follow the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

Buddhist meditation is a science of mind. To Buddhists, mind is the cause of confusion and ego, and the aim of meditation is to transcend these. Vipassana (“insight”) is the kernel of all forms of Buddhist meditation; related to hatha yoga, it emphasizes the minute observation of physical sensations and mental processes to achieve a clear understanding of mind. Another basic practice common to most schools of Buddhism, shamatha (“calm abiding”) attunes and sharpens the mind by means of coming back again and again to a meditative discipline. Several centres in the Kathmandu Valley run rigorous residential courses in this practice.

Tibetan Buddhist centres start students out with vipassana and shamatha as the foundation for a large armoury of meditation practices. An “adept” (novice) will cultivate Buddha-like qualities through visualization techniques – meditating on the deity that manifests a particular quality, while chanting the mantra and performing the mudra (hand gesture) associated with that deity. The Tibetan Buddhist path also involves numerous rituals, such as prayer, offerings, circumambulation and other meritorious acts; committed followers will take vows, too. Kathmandu has several centres offering introductory courses.

A big part of Tibetan Buddhism is the teacher-disciple relationship . More advanced students of the dharma will want to study under one of the lamas at Boudha , some of whom give discourses in English.

Ayurveda (often spelled “ayurved”) is the oldest school of medicine still practised. It is a holistic system that assumes the fundamental sameness of self and nature. Unlike the allopathic medicine of the West, which identifies what ails you and then kills it, ayurveda looks at the whole patient: disease is regarded as a symptom of imbalance, so it’s the imbalance that’s treated, not the disease.

To diagnose an imbalance, the ayurvedic doctor investigates the physical complaint but also family background, daily habits and emotional traits. Treatment is typically with inexpensive herbal remedies designed to alter whichever of the three forces is out of whack. In addition, the doctor may prescribe some yogic cleansing to rid the body of waste substances.

You’ll find ayurvedic doctors and clinics throughout the Hindu parts of Nepal, but those who are able to deal with foreigners are confined mainly to Kathmandu.

Medicine is one of the traditional branches of study for Tibetan Buddhist monks. Like ayurveda, from which it derives, Tibetan medicine promotes health by maintaining the correct balance of three humours: beken , phlegm, which when out of balance is responsible for disorders of the upper body; tiba , heat or bile, associated with intestinal diseases; and lung , meaning wind, which may produce nervousness or depression.

Nepali massage is a deep treatment that works mainly on the joints. It’s not all that relaxing, but it can be just the job after a trek. Nepalis themselves rarely receive massages after the age of about three, but numerous masseurs ply their services to foreigners. Many practitioners also offer shiatsu, Swedish or Thai massage, reflexology and so on. Others, especially in Thamel, are actually (or additionally) offering sexual services; the best advice is that if it looks or feels dodgy, it probably is.

A good thangka is the product of hundreds – or even thousands – of hours of painstaking work. A cotton canvas is first stretched across a frame and burnished to a smooth surface that will take the finest detail. The design is next drawn or traced in pencil; there is little room for deviation from accepted styles, for a thangka is an expression of religious truths, not an opportunity for artistic licence. Large areas of colour are then blocked in, often by an apprentice, and finally the master painter will take over, breathing life into the figure with lining, stippling, facial features, shading and, finally, the eyes of the main figure. Thangka can be grouped into four main genres. The Wheel of Life , perhaps the most common, places life and all its delusions inside a circle held firmly in the clutches of red-faced Yama, god of death. A second standard image is the Buddha’s life story . Many thangka feature tantric deities , either benign or menacing; such images serve as meditation tools in visualization techniques. Mandala (mystical diagrams) are also used in meditation. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. A full exposition of thangka iconography would fill volumes – ask a dealer or artist to lead you through a few images step by step, or visit somewhere like the Tsering Art School in Boudha to find out more.

In most parts of the country, women will be of interest mainly as foreigners rather than for their gender, but a few specific tips are given below.

For women travellers, most parts of Nepal are relatively easy: the atmosphere is tolerant and inquisitive rather than threatening or dangerous. Nepali society is on the whole chaste, almost prudish; men are mostly respectful to foreign women. Sexual harassment is unlikely to upset your travels: you might get staring and catcalling or a rare attempt to cop a feel in a crowd, but it’s not as bad as in India, or indeed most of the rest of the world, and seldom goes any further than words. The chief danger comes from the rare predatory trekking guide (see Sexual politics in the mountains).

Wearing revealing clothing will up the chances of receiving unwelcome advances. That doesn’t mean you have to wear Nepali clothes, though it may help – consider covering legs and breasts (and shoulders) and avoiding skin-tight garments.

A woman travelling or trekking alone won’t be hassled so much as pitied. Going alone ( eklai ) is most un-Nepali behaviour. Locals (of both sexes) will ask if you haven’t got a husband – usually out of genuine concern, not as a come-on. Teaming up with another female stops the comments as effectively as being with a man. If you find yourself on a public bus, you can make your way to the front compartment, where preference is usually given to women and children.

Terai cities and border towns are another matter, unfortunately. As in North India, misconceptions about Western women mean men may try for a surreptitious grope or even expose themselves. Travelling with a man generally shields you from this sort of behaviour. Don’t be afraid to make a public scene in the event of an untoward advance – that’s what a Nepali woman would do.

Of course, you may want to strike up a relationship with a Nepali man . There’s a long tradition of women travellers falling for trekking or rafting guides and Kathmandu has a small but growing community of women who have married and settled. However, Nepali men are not without their own agendas: exotic romance, conquest, perhaps even a ticket out of Nepal. Be aware also that many Nepali men use the services of sex workers and that HIV/AIDS is a growing and largely concealed problem.

A frustrating aspect of travelling in Nepal is the difficulty of making contact with Nepali women . Tourism is still controlled by men; women are expected to spend their time in the home, get fewer educational opportunities and speak much less English. If you’re lucky enough to be invited to a Nepali home for a meal, chances are the women of the house will remain in the kitchen while you eat. Upper-class women, who may even work with foreigners, are often well educated and free of these restrictions, but they have few encounters with travellers.

Sexual politics are different among highland ethnic groups . Along trekking routes, many women run teahouses single-handedly while their husbands are off guiding or portering. Proud, enterprising and flamboyant, these “ didis ” are some of the most wonderful people you’re likely to meet anywhere. There are a few female trekking guides now, too.

Travel advice for Nepal

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Nepal

• Culture and Etiquette in Nepal
• Eating and drinking in Nepal
• Getting around Nepal: Transportation Tips
• Travel Health Nepal
• Travel Tips Nepal for planning and on the go
• How to get to Nepal
• Best time to visit Nepal

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updated 26.04.2021

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Nepal Travel Guide

Nepal is an absolute gold mine for hikers, and you don't have to be a pro mountaineer to take on some of these epic trails.

Sure, the big cities like Kathmandu are dusty, noisy, and crowded, but once you escape into the mountains you're in heaven, with wide open trails and stunning scenery.

A lot of international hikers come here to do the 2-week Everest Base Camp trek , a bucket list experience with amazing views. The Himalaya mountains are unmatched in size and beauty!

Read through this complete Nepal travel guide for more info on what to expect!

Quick Facts

Nepali; 'Hello' is 'namaste'

Nepalese Rupee (NPR)

VOA available to most nationalities

Varies by altitude

Power Plugs

Type C / D / M

The main international airport in Nepal is in Kathmandu (KTM), which has lots of direct flights from other countries around the world. The small domestic airports in Lukla and Pokhara are also popular with trekkers. You can shop for flights to Nepal on Skyscanner.

Nepal is a relatively safe place to travel, with a low violent crime rate of 2.1 per 100k inhabitants (69% lower than the global average). Crime is very rare on the popular trekking routes in the Himalayas. The biggest safety risks in Nepal are probably motorbike and auto accidents in big cities like Kathmandu.

The climate of Nepal varies with altitude, but the capital city of Kathmandu has generally mild weather. The best time for trekking in the Himalayas is in the spring (Feb - May) and fall (Sep - Oct), when the weather is stable and skies are clear.

Nepal is right up there with India as one of the cheapest countries to travel, with hostels and private hotels available from 700 Nepalese rupees ($5 USD) . Meals are also cheap, costing about 100 to 700 rupees depending on location.

Transportation in Nepal is generally by taxi, and these are pretty easy to find, although ride hailing apps like Uber have sadly been blocked by the taxi cabals so far.

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8 of the best places to visit in Nepal

May 22, 2024 • 7 min read

Experience the best of Nepal's stunning sacred sights and magnificent mountains © fotoVoyager / Getty Images

Nepal is small in size but it’s big on variety. Best-known for its mountains, the Himalayan nation also contains historic towns, wildlife-filled national parks, Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage sites, tea fields and much more.

When planning your trip to Nepal , your main activities should determine your destinations. To trek, head to the mountains, naturally. But which mountains? Different regions offer different experiences, and are more or less challenging to reach from the main cities.

To help you choose, here’s a round-up of the top places to visit in Nepal, whether you want to do some gentle sightseeing or have more active plans.

1. Kathmandu Valley

Best for historic palaces and temples

Almost all trips to Nepal start in the Kathmandu Valley , and the capital region deserves plenty of time. Historically composed of several separate kingdoms — the most prominent being Kathmandu , Patan/Lalitpur , and Bhaktapur — nowadays, the roughly 25km-wide (15-mile) Kathmandu Valley is one big urban sprawl, with ever-diminishing farmland around the edges. The human history of the valley dates back millennia, and visitors can still see ancient temples and medieval palaces, and encounter traditional indigenous Newari culture, among the haphazard modern concrete constructions.

Of greatest interest to travelers are central Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur. These three ancient towns together comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with seven different monument zones: the Durbar (royal) Squares of Kathmandu , Patan, and Bhaktapur, and the Hindu and Buddhist sites of Pashupatinath Temple , Boudhanath Stupa , Swayambhunath Stupa , and Changu Narayan . Note that although the first six are popular tourist destinations, far fewer people visit Changu Narayan, on the north-eastern edge of the Kathmandu Valley, so head there to avoid the hustle in peak season.

Planning tip: Despite common misconceptions, Kathmandu isn’t all that high, at 1400m (4600ft); you’re extremely unlikely to feel any effects of altitude, and the weather leans hot more often than not, especially between March and October.

Ready to go? Here's our seasonal guide to the best time to visit Nepal

2. Solukhumbu District

For the mighty mother mountain Sagarmatha, aka Mt Everest

When the weather is really, really clear, and if you know exactly where to look, you may be able to get a glimpse of a sliver of Mt Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepali, Chomolongma in Sherpa) from Kathmandu. Otherwise, you’ll need to head to the Solukhumbu District, north-east of the capital, to see the world’s highest mountain.

There’s no road to Everest (on the Nepal side of the border) so most people embarking on the Everest Base Camp trek in the Solukhumbu District fly from Kathmandu to Lukla, a village a few days’ walk from the mountain. Solukhumbu contains the Sagarmatha National Park, and is mostly home to Sherpa people, who have a distinct Tibetan-derived culture.

Planning tip: If you don’t have time to trek into the Solukhumbu District, take a scenic Everest flight from Kathmandu for views of the mountain.

Get ready to trek to Everest Base Camp with our planning guide

Best for a taste of Tibet

On the northern side of the Annapurna Range, on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, is the Mustang Region, a barren, windswept landscape that’s home to ethnically Tibetan people. Catch a short flight from Pokhara to Jomsom through the deepest gorge in the world, the Kali Gandaki Gorge, or take a bone-rattling 160km (100-mile) ride in a 4WD. Or, trek there on the Annapurna Circuit .

Mustang is divided into Lower and Upper, and the distinction matters. Lower Mustang is easily accessible (aside from the logistical challenge of getting there) to all, whereas non-Nepali tourists can only visit Upper Mustang on a guided tour and have to pay a hefty fee of at least US$500 for a special 10-day permit and US$50 per day thereafter. Highlights include the apple-growing village of Marpha, Kagbeni village on the Kali Gandaki River, the Muktinath Temple Hindu pilgrimage site, and Upper Mustang’s walled capital, Lo Manthang.

Planning tip: Mustang is all but inaccessible during the monsoon (June through to early September), when the roads are often washed out and flights frequently canceled, and the winter, when it's extremely cold and snowy, especially Upper Mustang.

Best for a chilled-out lakeside vibe

Pokhara , 200km (125 miles) west of the capital and Nepal’s second city, couldn’t be much more different from Kathmandu. On the shores of Lake Phewa (Phewa Tal) and sitting at the foot of the Annapurna Himalaya, the mountain views from Pokhara are next level.

Many people come to Pokhara on the way to and from a trek in the Annapurnas , as there are vehicle connections and flight to far-flung mountain towns from here. You can also enjoy paddling a rowboat on the lake, affordable sundowners on the Lakeside strip, white water rafting on the Seti River, paragliding from Sarangkot Hill, visiting the Shanti Stupa (World Peace Pagoda), and riding the Annapurna Cable Car up to a lookout across the mountains.

Planning tip: If you suffer from respiratory conditions, or are traveling with kids, you may want to prioritize Pokhara over Kathmandu as its air quality is better, and there’s less traffic.

5. Annapurna Himalaya

Best for numerous trekking trails

You don’t need to venture far beyond Pokhara to reach the Annapurna Himalaya — the trailheads for many treks into this range begin around an hour’s drive from the city. From the distinctive pointed peak of Mt Fishtail (Macchapucchre) to the snowy hulk of Mt Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas are a seriously impressive mountain range.

Active travelers have many trekking options. Australian Camp/Dhampus and Poon Hill are among the best places in Nepal to visit with family as the treks are easy but the views no less spectacular. If you have more time and stamina, the Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Sanctuary, Mardi Himal and Lake Tilicho treks are some other options.

Planning tip: If you’re looking for the best places to visit in Nepal for a 10-day visit, combine a couple of days each in Kathmandu and Pokhara with a short trek in the Annapurna Himalaya and maybe even a jungle safari in Chitwan.

Struggling to choose a hiking trail? Here's our guide to Nepal's best route

Best for Buddhist temples and pilgrimage spots

Travelers with an interest in Buddhism won’t want to miss Lumbini , in far western Nepal, as it’s where the historical Buddha, Prince Siddhartha Gautam, was born. Lumbini is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, as well as the modest attractions directly related to Buddha, such as the Maya Devi Temple where it’s believed he was born, the town contains temples and monasteries built by many Buddhist nations and organizations from around the world. There’s a small international airport in Lumbini, or it's a long drive from Kathmandu or Pokhara.

7. Chitwan National Park

Best place for wildlife safaris

Nepal isn’t all about the mountains. The jungle-filled plains of the Terai, the southern border area beside India, are home to an array of birds and animals, including the vulnerable one-horned rhinoceros (whose population has swelled in Chitwan over the last decade), Royal Bengal tigers, gharial and mugger crocodiles, and various kinds of deer and birds.

The Chitwan National Park is the most popular of the reserves and parks on the Terai as it’s easily accessible from both Kathmandu and Pokhara. From Sauraha town you can go on safari in the park, visit wildlife rehabilitation centers, and learn about the indigenous Tharu people of Chitwan.

Planning tip: Visit Chitwan in late January or early February, when locals clear the long elephant grass and the wildlife hiding within becomes more visible.

Best for tea fields and Mt Kanchenjunga views

Often overlooked by travelers because it’s a bit out-of-the-way in eastern Nepal, Ilam is the center of Nepal’s tea-production industry. Despite bordering tea capital Darjeeling in India, Ilam is less of a household name in the tea world, but it shouldn’t be. Travelers can tour the tea fields and admire the views of Mt Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world, which sits on the Nepal–India border north of Ilam. Trekking routes in this part of Nepal are similarly lesser-known, but there are plenty of options, including the rugged and challenging Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek.

This article was first published Jan 9, 2022 and updated May 22, 2024.

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