Highlights
Kathmandu Valley
Seven groups of monuments in the valley form a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, the stupas of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, and the Hindu temples of Pashupatinath and Changu Narayan. Bhaktapur's brick squares and pottery workshops reward a full day.
Everest region
Most treks begin with a short flight to the mountain airstrip at Lukla, then follow the Dudh Kosi valley to Namche Bazaar and Tengboche Monastery. The Everest Base Camp trek takes about two weeks with acclimatisation days; the Gokyo Lakes are a quieter alternative.
Annapurna region
The Annapurna Circuit crosses the high Thorong La pass, while shorter treks to Poon Hill or Annapurna Base Camp suit those with less time. Teahouses along the routes provide food and simple rooms.
Pokhara
A relaxed lakeside city on Phewa Lake with the Annapurna range on the skyline. Paragliding from Sarangkot, boating to the island temple and sunrise views make it the base for trekking in the region.
Chitwan National Park
In the Terai lowlands, this UNESCO-listed park protects one-horned rhinos, gharial crocodiles and Bengal tigers, which are rarely seen. Jeep safaris, canoe trips and guided jungle walks are the main ways to explore.
Lumbini
The birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, in the south of the country. The Maya Devi Temple marks the spot, and a large monastic zone is filled with temples built by Buddhist communities from around the world.
Langtang Valley
A trek north of Kathmandu, reachable by road without a flight, through Tamang villages and forests to glaciers and yak pastures. It is shorter and quieter than the Everest and Annapurna routes.
Bandipur
A preserved Newar hill town between Kathmandu and Pokhara, with a car-free main street of traditional houses and wide Himalayan views at sunrise.
Interesting facts about Nepal
- Nepal's national flag is the only national flag in the world that is not rectangular; it is made of two stacked triangles.
- Eight of the world's fourteen mountains over 8,000 metres, including Everest, which Nepalis call Sagarmatha, lie wholly or partly in Nepal.
- Nepal's time zone is five hours and 45 minutes ahead of UTC, one of the few offsets of 45 minutes in the world.
- Nepal was never colonised by a European power.
- In Kathmandu, a young girl is chosen as the Kumari, revered as a living goddess, and lives in a palace on Durbar Square until she reaches puberty.
Best time to visit
October and November, after the monsoon, are the classic trekking months, with clear skies and stable weather; March to May is the second season, when rhododendrons bloom in the hills, though haze can obscure views. December to February is cold in the mountains, with high passes often snowbound, but lower treks and the Kathmandu Valley are pleasant. The monsoon, from about June to September, brings heavy rain, leeches, landslides and clouded mountains. The big festivals of Dashain and Tihar usually fall in October or November.
Practical information
| Capital | Kathmandu |
|---|---|
| Currency | Nepalese rupee (NPR) |
| Languages | Nepali |
| Plugs | Type C, D, M |
| Voltage | 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Emergency | 100 police, 102 ambulance, 101 fire; 1144 tourist police |
| Driving | On the left |
| Tipping | Increasingly expected in tourist areas. Around 10% in restaurants if no service charge is added, and trekking guides and porters are traditionally tipped at the end of a trek. |
Getting around
Roads are winding, slow and sometimes blocked by landslides, especially in the monsoon. Tourist buses run between Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan, and private cars with drivers are a comfortable option. Domestic flights reach Pokhara, Lukla and other mountain airstrips, but weather often causes delays, so leave spare days at the end of a trek. In Kathmandu, taxis and ride-hailing apps are the easiest way around. Trekking in many areas requires permits and in some regions a licensed guide, so check current rules before you go.
Staying connected in Nepal
Mobile coverage is good in Kathmandu, Pokhara and other towns, with 4G in many places. On popular trekking routes, coverage reaches some villages but is unreliable, and there is often no signal in valleys, on high passes and in remote regions. Many teahouses offer Wi-Fi, sometimes for a fee and often slow. Charging devices in the mountains can also cost extra, so bring a power bank. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land in Kathmandu.
See Nepal eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Nepal
- Pathao: Ride-hailing for motorbikes and cars in Kathmandu and Pokhara, with fixed fares shown in advance.
- inDrive: A ride-hailing app widely used in Nepal's cities, where you can propose a fare.
- Maps.me: Offline trekking maps showing trails and teahouse villages in the Himalaya.
- Google Maps: Navigating Kathmandu's maze of streets and temple squares.