Nepal
Nepal rises from the jungle lowlands of Chitwan to eight of the world's ten highest peaks in a country only about 200 kilometres from south to north. Trekking is the obvious draw, Everest and Annapurna above all, but the Kathmandu Valley's pagoda temples and Newari towns, rhino safaris and Lumbini, the Buddha's birthplace, make it far more than a mountain trip.
Overview
Nepal is shaped by altitude. The Terai plains along the Indian border hold Chitwan and Bardia national parks and Lumbini; the middle hills hold Kathmandu, Pokhara and most of the population; and the Himalaya fill the north. A typical first trip spends a few days among the Kathmandu Valley's three old royal cities, takes the road or a short flight to lakeside Pokhara for the Annapurnas, then drops to Chitwan for wildlife. Trekkers usually commit to one region: Everest via the airstrip at Lukla, or the Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary from Pokhara.
Nepal is excellent value: teahouse treks cost far less than comparable hikes in the Alps, and Kathmandu's Thamel district has gear shops, bakeries and agencies for everything. Since 2023 a licensed guide has been required in most trekking regions, though enforcement varies; it adds cost but also local knowledge and someone to watch for altitude sickness. Peak seasons in October–November and March–April bring busy trails and fully booked Lukla flights. Many temples damaged in the 2015 earthquake have been rebuilt, though scaffolding remains in places, and roads are slow and bumpy. Patience, and a spare day or two, go a long way.
Map of Nepal
Top 5 highlights
- 1Adventure
Everest Base Camp trek
Around 12 days return from Lukla through Sherpa villages, Tengboche monastery and Namche Bazaar to base camp at 5,364 metres. For the classic view of Everest, climb Kala Patthar at dawn, and build in rest days to acclimatise.
- 2Adventure
Annapurna Circuit
A trek of roughly two weeks around the Annapurna massif, crossing the 5,416-metre Thorong La pass between Manang and Muktinath. New roads have shortened it, but alternative trails keep walkers away from the jeep tracks.
- 3Architecture
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
The best-preserved of the valley's royal cities, with brick lanes, potters' squares and the five-tiered Nyatapola Temple, which survived the 1934 and 2015 earthquakes. Stay overnight to see it after the day groups leave.
- 4Wildlife
Chitwan National Park
Nepal's first national park protects sal forest and tall grassland on the Terai, home to greater one-horned rhinos, gharials, sloth bears and Bengal tigers. Jeep safaris, canoe trips and guided walks leave from Sauraha.
- 5Sacred site
Lumbini
The birthplace of the Buddha, where the Maya Devi Temple shelters the marker stone and the pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC stands nearby. Monasteries built by Buddhist nations line a long canal across the site.
Biggest cities
Kathmandu
The capital and its sister cities Patan and Bhaktapur hold three Durbar Squares, the Boudhanath stupa and Pashupatinath's riverside cremation ghats; stay in Thamel for convenience or Patan for calm.
Pokhara
A relaxed lakeside town beneath Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas, with paragliding, boating on Phewa Lake and sunrise views from Sarangkot; the starting point for most Annapurna treks.
Bharatpur
Chitwan district's busy commercial hub and transport junction on the Terai; few visitors stay, but its airport is the quickest way to Sauraha and Chitwan National Park.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Nepal
Best time: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov.
Average climate in Kathmandu
Festivals & events
- MarHoli
The spring festival of colours, when Kathmandu and Pokhara erupt in water fights and handfuls of powdered paint; wear clothes you are happy to ruin.
- Sep–OctDashain
Nepal's biggest festival, fifteen days honouring the goddess Durga, with family gatherings, kites, giant bamboo swings and animal sacrifices; many businesses close and buses are packed.
- Oct–NovTihar
The five-day festival of lights honours crows, dogs, cows and Laxmi, goddess of wealth, with oil lamps, marigold garlands and children singing from door to door.
How much does Nepal cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Dal bhat
The national meal of lentil soup, rice, vegetable curry and pickle, eaten twice a day; refills are free, hence the trekkers' slogan 'dal bhat power, 24 hour'.
Momo
Tibetan-style dumplings filled with buffalo, chicken or vegetables, steamed or fried and served with a fiery tomato and sesame achar.
Samay baji
A Newari ceremonial platter of beaten rice, spiced buffalo choila, black soybeans, boiled egg and ginger, traditionally with rice beer.
Getting around
Tourist buses run daily between Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan; the Kathmandu–Pokhara road takes six to eight hours. Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines save time on longer routes, while small planes serve mountain airstrips such as Lukla and Jomsom and are often delayed by weather. Jeeps reach many trailheads. In Kathmandu and Pokhara, the Pathao and inDrive ride-hailing apps are cheaper than haggling with taxis.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CDM230V — bring a UK-to-C/D/M adapter
- Emergency numbers
- Police: 100
- Tourist police: (good English language skills): 1144
- Fire: 101
- Ambulance: 102
- Nepal tourist police: Tourist police in Kathmandu : 01 5347041
- Tourist police for incidents in Thamel (Kathmandu): 009 77 9851289453
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +977
- Time zone
- UTC+5:45 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the left
- Tipping
- Tip trekking guides and porters at the end of a trek, roughly 10–15% of the trek cost shared between them. Tourist restaurants often add 10% service.
- Etiquette
- Walk clockwise around stupas and prayer wheels, remove shoes before entering temples and homes, and don't touch anyone's head. Some Hindu temples, including Pashupatinath's main shrine, are closed to non-Hindus.
- Main airports
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), Kathmandu
Visas & entry for Nepal
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
You must have a visa to visit Nepal for up to 90 days.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BJapanese encephalitisMeaslesRabiesTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- Low risk of malaria
- There is a low risk of malaria in areas of Nepal below 1,500m, particularly in the Terai district: awareness of risk and bite avoidance recommended.
- There is no risk of malaria in the city of Kathmandu and on typical Himalayan treks: bite avoidance recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Nepal
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Wed 21 Oct 2026 | Ekadashi (Dashain) |
| Thu 22 Oct 2026 | Duwadashi (Dashain) |
| Sun 8 Nov 2026 | Laxmi Pooja |
| Mon 9 Nov 2026 | Gai Tihar |
| Tue 10 Nov 2026 | Gobardhan Pooja · Mha Pooja |
| Wed 11 Nov 2026 | Bhai Tika |
| Sun 15 Nov 2026 | Chhath Parva |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Wed 30 Dec 2026 | Tamu Lhochhar |
| Mon 11 Jan 2027 | Prithvi Jayanti |
| Fri 15 Jan 2027 | Maghe Sankranti |
| Fri 29 Jan 2027 | Martyr's Day |
| Sun 7 Feb 2027 | Gyalpo Lhosar · Sonam Lhochhar |
| Fri 19 Feb 2027 | National Democracy Day |
| Sat 6 Mar 2027 | Maha Shivaratri |
| Mon 8 Mar 2027 | International Women's Day |
| Wed 10 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Sun 21 Mar 2027 | Fagu Poornima |
| Mon 22 Mar 2027 | Fagu Poornima (Terai) |
| Wed 14 Apr 2027 | Nepali New Year |
| Thu 15 Apr 2027 | Ram Navami |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | International Labour Day |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Thu 20 May 2027 | Buddha Jayanti |
| Sat 29 May 2027 | Republic Day |
| Tue 17 Aug 2027 | Janai Poornima |
| Wed 25 Aug 2027 | Shree Krishna Janmashtami |
| Sun 19 Sep 2027 | Constitution Day |
| Thu 30 Sep 2027 | Ghatasthapana |
| Wed 6 Oct 2027 | Fulpati |
| Thu 7 Oct 2027 | Maha Ashtami |
| Fri 8 Oct 2027 | Maha Navami |
| Sat 9 Oct 2027 | Bijaya Dashami |
| Sun 10 Oct 2027 | Ekadashi (Dashain) |
| Mon 11 Oct 2027 | Duwadashi (Dashain) |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Nepali
| English | Nepali | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | नमस्ते | na-ma-STAY |
| Thank you | धन्यवाद | DHUN-ya-baad |
| Please | कृपया | KRI-pa-ya |
| Excuse me | माफ गर्नुहोस् | maaf gar-NU-hos |
| How much is this? | यो कति हो? | yo KA-ti ho |
Know before you go
- Rules introduced in 2023 require foreign trekkers in most national parks and conservation areas to use a licensed guide, so book through a registered agency and check the current rules for your route.
- Allow two or three spare days around an Everest trek: Lukla flights are often grounded by cloud, and in peak months may leave from Ramechhap, several hours' drive from Kathmandu.
- Make sure your travel insurance covers trekking at altitude and helicopter rescue, and check the maximum height it covers before you book.
Nepal travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Nepal?
The best time to visit Nepal is generally Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov. Peak months are March, April, October and November. Average highs in Kathmandu range from 19°C to 29°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Nepal cost per day?
Roughly £25 a day on a tight budget, £60 mid-range and £150+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Nepal?
Nepalese rupee (NPR).
What plug type does Nepal use?
Type C, D and M sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Nepal?
Traffic drives on the left in Nepal — the same as in the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Nepal?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Nepal?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must have a visa to visit Nepal for up to 90 days. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Nepal before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/nepal/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Nepal?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, Measles and Rabies sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
