Nepal is safe to visit, with no major travel advisories, except avoid the Rasuwa district Nepal China border area.
Clear, crisp trekking season. November is cool and dry with superb mountain visibility and excellent trekking; nights are chilly. December and January bring colder, snow on high passes; February warms and stays dry. Book early for Namche Bazaar or Nagarkot.
Come for big Himalayan views and teahouse trekking, and stay for temple-filled old towns, lakeside Pokhara and lowland jungle in Chitwan. A first trip usually sticks to Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara and the Annapurna foothills, plus a wildlife detour to Chitwan.
Why Visit Nepal?#
Nepal is at its best when you mix culture days with a few days of walking, then slow down by the lake or in the jungle.
Teahouse trekking. Walk classic routes like the Annapurna Circuit and the Everest Base Camp trek, using village-to-village teahouses for beds and meals.
Kathmandu Valley temples. Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur pack in Pashupatinath Temple, Boudha Stupa and the Durbar Squares. These areas are lively and chaotic, so plan temple days early in the morning.
Pokhara lakeside. Use Pokhara’s Lakeside for Phewa Lake boat rides and easy mountain-view days. Sarangkot is the classic sunrise lookout over Machapuchare and the Annapurnas.
Annapurna foothills. Short treks like Poon Hill and village stops like Ghandruk fit neatly into a first two-week trip from Pokhara.
Chitwan wildlife. Chitwan National Park is the humid lowland contrast to the mountains, with jungle safaris, canoe trips on the Rapti River and rhino tracking.
Pilgrimage and monasteries. Visit Lumbini, the Buddha’s traditional birthplace, and pair it with quieter monasteries in the Himalayan foothills.
Things to Watch Out For#
Altitude. Above 3,000 m, acclimatise slowly and descend if symptoms worsen.
Roads. Avoid night mountain travel, and expect delays from landslides.
Monsoon. June to mid-September brings floods, landslides and slippery trails.
Theft. Watch for bag snatches in Kathmandu markets and on buses.
Drugs. Cannabis possession is illegal, even if it is offered openly.
More in Is Nepal Safe?.
Who Is Nepal For?#
Backpackers
Teahouse networks, budget guesthouses and famous trails make independent travel easy and sociable.
Adventure seekers
Trekking, technical climbs, rafting and Pokhara paragliding reward good planning and altitude awareness.
Nature buffs
Get Himalayan scenery on the trails, then switch to jungle wildlife in Chitwan.
Couples
Pokhara’s lakeside lodges, sunrise viewpoints and short treks suit calm-and-active trips.
Foodies
Expect momos and dal bhat everywhere, plus deeper Newari dishes in the Kathmandu Valley.
What you need to get in#
Almost every visitor can get a Nepal tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport or at a land border, or apply online before travelling. Visa on arrival is offered in 15, 30 and 90-day lengths, with fees of $30, $50 and $125. Indian citizens need no visa at all, and citizens of twelve countries must apply at an embassy before they fly, see the Nepal visa guide.
Passport validity
Your passport must be valid for at least six months.
Visa form
Pre-fill online up to 15 days ahead, then print or save it.
Trekking rules
Since 2023, most treks require a licensed guide plus TIMS.
Tourist visas can be extended inside Nepal for $3 a day, with a minimum 15 days, up to a maximum of 150 days per calendar year. Officers rarely ask for onward tickets or proof of funds, but the visa guide recommends carrying both, and bringing US dollars in cash as a backup for the fee. Restricted areas such as Upper Mustang, Manaslu, Dolpo and Kanchenjunga need special permits, issued only through an agency, for groups of at least two. The full rules are in the Nepal visa guide.
When to go#
The short answer is October to November for the clearest skies, with March to April the second-best window.
| Months | What it is like | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Late September to November | Clear skies, dry trails and comfortable Kathmandu days | Peak season for trekking, so permits and lodges fill. |
| December to February | Dry and stable, but cold nights in Kathmandu | High passes can close after snow, and cities get smoggy. |
| March to May | Warmer days, good trekking and spring rhododendrons | Haze builds into April, and the Terai gets very hot. |
| June to mid-September | Heavy monsoon rain with cloud on the hills | Expect landslides and cancelled mountain flights, but cheaper hotels. |
Upper Mustang and Dolpo sit in a rain shadow, so June to September can be a workable trekking season there. More detail, month by month, is in the best time to visit Nepal.
The classic trips and what they cost#
Most first trips follow the same triangle, Kathmandu Valley culture, Pokhara mountain views and Chitwan jungle, then you add a short Annapurna trek if you have time. Travel days are slow by road, so do not stack a bus day and a flight on the same day.
Prices are per person, with two sharing mid-range rooms, and don’t include international flights.
| Trip | Route | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| 7 days | Kathmandu (3 nights), Pokhara (2), Chitwan Sauraha (1), fly out | NPR 90,000-155,000 ($650-1,100) |
| 10 days | Kathmandu (2), Bhaktapur (2), Bandipur (1), Pokhara (3), Chitwan Sauraha (2) | NPR 125,000-210,000 ($900-1,500) |
| 14 days | Kathmandu Valley (3-4 nights), Pokhara (2-3), Poon Hill and Ghandruk trek (4), Chitwan Sauraha (2) | NPR 154,000-336,000 ($1,100-2,400) |
| 3 to 4 weeks | Everest Base Camp trek (13 nights on trek), plus Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan | NPR 252,000-560,000 ($1,800-4,000) |
Day to day, budget travel runs about NPR 2,800-4,500 ($20-32) in Kathmandu and Pokhara and NPR 4,500-7,000 ($32-50) on a teahouse trek, before guide costs. Mid-range is about NPR 5,000-9,000 ($35-65) in the cities and NPR 7,000-11,000 ($50-80) on trek, plus a licensed guide. More in Nepal itineraries and Nepal travel costs.
On mountain routes, cloud can delay flights and landslides can block roads, so keep two or three spare days for Everest-region travel.
Nepal in a nutshell#
- Capital: Kathmandu, and most trips start by flying into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM).
- People: About 31 million people, with Hindu 81.2% and Buddhist 8.2%. More in [Nepal demographics].
- Language: Nepali is the official language. English is common in urban and tourist settings. [Nepali]
- Money: You pay in Nepali rupees. Cash dominates outside major hotels and tourist hubs. [Rupee (NPR)]
- Daily budget: Typical daily spend is $20-60, depending on trekking or city travel. Real prices are in Nepal travel costs.
- Electricity: Electricity is 230V, 50 Hz, with plug types C, D and M. [Nepal plug types]
- Emergencies: Fire 101, police 110 or 112, ambulance 102. More help numbers are on the [Nepal emergency page].
Don't forget to bring#
A warm sleeping bag
Teahouses are basic, and it gets colder as you gain altitude. Bring a warm layer even in peak trekking months.
Water treatment
Tap water is not safe to drink, and bottled water gets very expensive at altitude. Tablets or a filter save money and plastic on treks.
Cash buffer
ATMs exist in cities but can run out of cash in peak season. Carry enough NPR for trekking areas and rural travel.
Temple clothes
Dress modestly at religious sites, and cover shoulders and knees. You will also need to remove shoes at many temples and homes.
Proper footwear
Trails can be steep and slippery, especially in the monsoon. Solid shoes matter more than fancy gear.
Plug adapter
Nepal uses plug types C, D and M at 230V, 50 Hz. Pack the right adapter, especially for older hotels and lodges.
Good to know before you land#
- Temple etiquette: Remove shoes, dress modestly and walk clockwise around stupas and mani walls.
- Hands and feet: Use your right hand to eat and pay, and do not point your soles at people or shrines.
- Getting around: Tourist buses are the default for Kathmandu-Pokhara-Chitwan, and night buses are best avoided. See the getting around guide.
- Trekking permits: Most national parks and conservation areas require a guide plus a TIMS card, arranged through an agency.
- Tipping: Tipping trekking guides and porters is expected, and tourist restaurants often add service charge plus VAT.
- Food and water: Dal bhat and momos are cheap and filling, but stick to bottled or filtered water.
Plan the rest of your trip#
More Trip Planning#
First time in Nepal FAQs#
Is Nepal safe for first-time visitors?
Mostly, yes, and violent crime against tourists is rare. The real risks are road travel, altitude sickness on treks, and monsoon landslides, so plan around them and read Is Nepal Safe?.
Do I need a visa for Nepal?
Most nationalities can get a tourist visa on arrival in 15, 30 or 90-day lengths, or apply online in advance. Fees and procedures change, so check the latest details in the Nepal visa guide.
When is the best time to visit Nepal?
October to November is the main sweet spot for clear skies and stable trekking weather. March to April is the second-best window, with warmer temperatures and spring flowers.
How many days do I need in Nepal?
Two to three weeks is a strong first trip, enough for Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, a short trek and Chitwan. A week works if you stick to the Kathmandu-Pokhara-Chitwan triangle.
How much money do I need per day in Nepal?
In Kathmandu and Pokhara, backpackers spend about NPR 2,800-4,500 a day and mid-range travellers about NPR 5,000-9,000. On teahouse treks, budgets are higher per day and you add a licensed guide, see Nepal travel costs.