Traveling to a new country is an exciting adventure. However not having a proper travel guide can make the situation overwhelming.
From figuring out when to visit to choosing the best accommodations, exploring delicious local cuisine and places is crucial.
So, to help you plan an easy and memorable trip to Nepal, I’ve come up with the ultimate travel guide for Nepal.
Things to Know Before Traveling to Nepal: Nepal Travel Guide
- Visa Requirements: Travelers, except for Indian citizens, need a visa to enter Nepal, which is available on arrival.
- Currency: The local currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR).
- Language: Nepali is the official language, but you’ll find that English is commonly spoken in tourist areas.
Nepal Itinerary: Travel Guide For Nepal
1. Best Time to Visit
The first thing that pops into everybody’s mind when traveling to a new place is the best time to visit there. The best time to visit Nepal depends on the purpose you are visiting:
- March-May (Spring Season): You will get to experience festivals like Holi, Nepalese New Year, and Buddha Jayanti, as well as wildlife spotting in Chitwan National Park and Bardiya National Park.
- June – August (Monsoon Season): You will have low travel costs, heavy discounts in hotels and resorts. Trekking and hiking is not recommended in these months.
- September – November (Autumn Season): Nepal’s biggest festivals dashain and tihar falls in this season. It is the ideal time for trekking, adventurous activities, and wildlife spotting in national parks.
- December – February (Winter Season): There will be less crowd and you will also experience Maha Shivaratri, the grand festival dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Also explore Best Places to Visit in Nepal in Winter
2. Visa Requirements for Traveling to Nepal
Travelers can easily get Nepal tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu or select land borders including
- Birgunj (India border)
- Dhangadhi (India border)
- Kakarbhitta (India border)
- Bheemdatta (India border)
- Nepalgunj (India border)
- Kodari (China border, opposite: Zhangmu)
- Siddharthanagar (India border)
Documents Required
- Valid passport (at least six months of validity remaining)
- Passport-sized photographs (usually 2)
- Completed visa application form
Visa Fees
- USD 30 for 15 days
- USD 50 for 30 days
- USD 125 for 90 days
Note: No visa is required for Indian citizens, however valid identification must be presented.
3. Packing Essentials
Your packing essentials depend on which season you are traveling
For Summer Season
- Pack t-shirts and shorts to keep yourself cool during summer.
- Pack swimming custom for those who love to swim.
- Keep hats, caps, sunglasses, and sunscreen to avoid sun tan.
- Pack mosquito ointment to save yourself from mosquito bites.
For Monsoon Season
- Pack an umbrella, slippers, gripped shoes, and a raincoat.
For the Autumn and Winter Season
- Pack trekking pants, shoes, and a trekking bag if you are planning a trekking.
- Pack some comfy dresses like tracksuits, and trousers if you planning for some adventurous activities.
- Pack down jackets, coats, sweaters, and mufflers to keep yourself warm.
Note: If you want to avoid heavy luggage, there’s no need to worry—you can purchase everything you need in Nepal at very affordable prices.
4. Flying to Nepal
Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) is the only international airport in Nepal.
Several airlines offer direct flights to Kathmandu from various international hubs:
- From Asia: Cities like New Delhi, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Dubai have frequent direct flights.
- From Europe: While there are no direct flights from Europe, many travelers connect through the Middle East, with layovers in cities like Doha or Abu Dhabi.
- From North America and Australia: Most travelers from these regions will need to take connecting flights through hubs like Singapore, Doha, or New Delhi.
5. Where to Exchange Currency in Nepal
The local currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR), which you’ll need to exchange for your spending during your time in Nepal.
You can exchange currency in Nepal at the Airport, Money Exchange Counters, and Banks. The exchange rate at the airport is usually slightly lower than at other places. For better rates, you can exchange currency at local banks or authorized exchange offices.
6. Get a SIM Card
You can buy a SIM card from multiple places including airport, local shops, and mobile network stores. You can also purchase it online before travel. The documents required are your real passport and its photocopy, two passport-size photos, and a photo or photocopy of your visa or arrival stamp.
A SIM card is essential for staying connected, accessing the internet, and using services like ridesharing, food delivery, and navigation.
Read our full guide on Where and How to Get a SIM card in Nepal.
7. Where to Stay in Nepal
After you land at the airport, you can book a taxi and look for the hotels. But if you don’t want a rush travel, it is better to pre-book your hotel online. You can book from different sites or social media platforms.
Nepal offers a variety of accommodation options, from budget hostels to luxury hotels:
- Kathmandu: If you are staying in Kathmandu, stay in Thamel for easy access to shops, cafes, and attractions.
- Pokhara: Stay in lakeside hotels that are perfect for relaxation and scenic views. You can also opt for Sarangkot to enjoy the breathtaking sunrise.
- Chitwan: Stay in Sauraha for easy access to restaurants and the Narayani River.
8. Where to Eat in Nepal
Nepal is home to a diverse culinary scene, with numerous restaurants offering a variety of traditional Nepali dishes as well as international cuisines like Korean, Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, and more. You can enjoy these meals at restaurants in top cities across Nepal.
If you prefer dining at home, there are food delivery apps like Bhoj, Foodmandu, and Pathao Food. These apps let you order from your favorite restaurants and deliver your food to your door.
You can easily download these food delivery apps from Google Play Store or App Store. All you need is to sign up using your Nepali phone number.
9. Local Foods to Try
Nepalese food is a cultural delight, known for its rich flavors. Some of the Nepali food, that you must try are:
- Dal Bhat: A national dish in Nepal that comprises boiled rice and lentils complemented by side dishes like vegetables, meat, pickles, ghee, yogurt, and green salads.
- Momo: It is a steamed or fried dumplings with fillings of veggies or meat and served with tomato chutney. It is a go-to food for Nepalese people.
- Sekuwa: It is a skewered meat marinated in flavorful spices like cumin, coriander, red chili, turmeric, salt, and Szechuan pepper, and grilled to perfection.
- Newari Cuisine: You should try Newari dishes like chatamari (Newari pizza), chhoila, kachila, bara, and samay baji.
- Thakali Khana: You should also explore the best Thakali in Kathmandu. Thakali khana is special type of dal bhat with more variety, originated by the Thakali community which is widely popular in Nepal.
10. Which Places to Visit
For a beginner, the following destinations offer a great introduction to Nepal:
Kathmandu Valley and Nearby Places
Some of the places you can visit during your stay in Kathmandu are:
- Pashupatinath Temple
- Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square
- Patan Durbar Square
- Boudhanath Stupa
- Central Zoo
- Kathmandu Fun Park
- Dhulikhel
- Nagarkot
- Kirtipur
- Khokana
- Lakuri Bhanjyang
- Namo Buddha
- Chandragiri
Pokhara
Pokhara is known for its lakes, paragliding, and stunning mountain views. Some of the places to visit there are:
- Pokhara Lakeside
- Davids Fall
- Tal Barahi Temple
- Shree Bindhyabasini Temple
- Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave
- Phewa Lake
- Begnas Lake
- Rupa Lake
- Sarangkot
- Pumdikot
- World Peace Pagoda
- International Mountain Museum
Chitwan
Chitwan is a great place for jungle safaris, where you can spot rhinos, tigers, and elephants. Some of the spots to not miss there are:
- Chitwan National Park
- Narayani River
- Chitwan Tharu Village
- Elephant Breeding Centre
- Crocodile Breeding Centre
Lumbini
Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. Some of the places you must visit in Lumbini are:
- Maya Devi Temple
- World Peace Pagoda
- Lumbini Monastic Site
Some other places not to miss
- Manakamana Temple (Gorkha)
- Nuwakot Durbar Square (Nuwakot)
- Rani Mahal (Palpa)
11. Trekking and Hiking Places in Nepal
Top Trekking Trails
- Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek (Ideal for beginners)
- Mardi Himal Trek
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek
- Langtang Valley Trek
- Manaslu Circuit Trek
- Everest Base Camp Trek
Top Hiking Trails
- Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha Hike
- Champadevi Hike
- Shivapuri Hike
- Tarebhir Hike
- Bosan Dada Hike
- Kakani Hike
12. Transportation Guide in Nepal
You can easily get a local bus, microbus, tempo, or taxi to travel within the city. If you are traveling outside cities, you can book a flight. But if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, taking local or tourist buses would be the best choice.
Unfortunately, there is no Uber in Nepal. However, there are other ride-sharing apps that are affordable and comfortable. They are Pathao, Indrive, Taximandu, and Tootle. They offer both bike and car services in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara.
You can download these ride-sharing apps from the Google Play Store or App Store. You can sign up using your Nepali phone number.
13. Languages in Nepal
The official language of Nepal is Nepali. However, many people also speak English, Hindi, or Urdu as second languages. This makes it easier for foreigners to travel and communicate, especially in cities and tourist areas.
14. Shopping in Nepal
Some of the popular shopping spots in Kathmandu Valley are:
- New Road: A perfect shopping destination for clothes, shoes, electronics, and jewelry.
- Asan: Best spot for buying teas, spices, fabrics, and cosmetic products.
- Thamel: Ideal place for buying handicrafts, pashminas, or trekking stuff.
- Malls: Labim Mall and Civil Mall are the popular Malls in Kathmandu for buying clothes, shoes, bags, sunglasses, skincare, and makeup products.
- Patan (Lalitpur): It is famous for metalwork, wood carvings, and traditional art. It’s a great place to buy Buddha statues and other religious items.
- Lakeside (Pokhara): It is popular for souvenirs, handicrafts, and adventure gear. You can also buy clothes and shoes there.
- Bhatbhateni Supermarket: Grocery, clothes, shoes, bags, personal care, cosmetic products and home appliances.
- Bigmart: Grocery, personal care and cosmetic products.
Local Travel Tips Nepal
- Carry Nepalese Currency: All places might not accept cards, so you need to carry some cash as well.
- Avoid Eating from Non-hygienic Places: Not all places serve hygienic food, skip those places to save yourself from being sick.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated, especially at higher altitudes.
- Be Careful of Scams: You need to be very careful as some shopkeepers, restaurants, hotels, bus and taxi drivers might overcharge you because you are a foreigner.
- Respect Local Culture: It will be better if you dress modestly in religious and local places.
- Travel Insurance: Get insurance for medical emergencies and trip cancellations.
- Learn Basic Nepali Phrases: Not all Nepalese can understand English, so it is better to learn at least a few Nepali phrases to connect to locals. If it is not possible you can even use some translator apps.
- Choose a Nepal Travel Package: You can also select packages provided by different travel agencies that include accommodations, transportation, and guided tours, so you can have a stress-free experience.
These tips can help ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip to Nepal!
Conclusion
Traveling to Nepal is a beautiful experience, and having the right guide can help you make the most of it. From planning your visa and knowing the best time to visit to best places to visit, understanding local customs, language tips, and even where to shop, every detail adds to a smoother trip.
Nepal welcomes you with its stunning mountains, rich culture, tasty food, and friendly people. With this guide, you’re well-prepared to explore, connect with locals, enjoy shopping, and create unforgettable memories in Nepal.
FAQ
How much will a Nepal travel cost?
The cost of a trip to Nepal depends on several factors, including the country you are flying from, time of the year, level of luxury you desire, and the duration of your stay. On average, you might expect the trip to cost between $1,200 and $1,500.
How many days are sufficient for a Nepal trip?
If you are planning to visit only Kathmandu, 2-3 days are sufficient. But if you do not want to limit your Nepal trip to only Kathmandu and explore other beautiful places like Pokhara, Chitwan, and Lumbini, then extend your trip to 12-15 days.
What is the best way to travel through Nepal?
The best way to travel through Nepal is by road. You can use local buses, microbuses, tempo, and taxis in cities, or get bikes and cars through ride-sharing apps. For trips outside the city, local and tourist buses are available.
Asmita is a travel enthusiast who enjoys discovering new places, trying local dishes, and finding hidden gems across Nepal. As a writer for Travel Nepal Guides, she shares honest tips and personal experiences to help travelers explore Nepal with confidence.
