Find out how to begin organizing your ideal trip to Nepal straightforwardly. We’ll offer advice and recommendations for the best routes, point out when is the best time to go and help with visas and other practical matters.
Where is Nepal?
Nepal, located in South Asia, lies along the southern slopes of the Himalayan mountain ranges. It is a landlocked country bordered by India to the east, south, and west, and Tibet (Autonomous Region of China) to the north. Renowned for its mountains, scenery, wildlife, flora, and fauna, Nepal also boasts a rich cultural heritage, with its temples, stupas, traditions, and customs.
How can I get to Nepal?
Nepal is easily reachable by road and airport. By rail, visitors can reach Nepal by traveling to the border crossings in India.
Getting to Nepal by air.
At the moment, Nepal’s only international airport is Tribhuvan International Airport. Nonetheless, Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara Regional International Airport, two more international airports, are scheduled to open by mid-2021. Several international airlines operate flights to Nepal, so visitors can choose to arrive at Kathmandu airport from a variety of locations. There are several flights from Doha, Dubai, Delhi, Bangkok, Guangzhou, Singapore, and other major transit hubs to the Kathmandu airport.
Getting to Nepal by road.
You can travel to Nepal by using the well-connected roads from India, which offer multiple border crossings. If you’re driving from India, you can bring your car into Nepal following the country’s regulations. Additionally, if you’re coming from Tibet, you can enter Nepal through the Kyirong border crossing.
Traveling to Nepal by Train
You can also take the Indian railway network to the border with Nepal. Trains carrying passengers travel to places like Sunauli, Raxaul, and Siliguri. In addition, the prime leaders of both countries recently dedicated the Indo-Nepal railway link, which connects Janakpur, Nepal, and Jayanagar, India. The railway is currently functioning.
Travel Categories
Discover the secrets to crafting the ideal Nepal adventure by selecting from various categories tailored to your interests. Whether you’re drawn to Cultural and Heritage tours, Day tours, Helicopter Tours, Pilgrimage Tours, Hiking, trekking, Expeditions, or more, Nepal offers a plethora of options to cater to every traveler’s desires.
Exploring Cultural and Heritage Sites
Nepal is always proud of its legacy and has a rich history and culture. The two main religions of Nepal are Buddhism and Hinduism, both of which are represented by a large number of beautiful temples, Stupas, and other significant religious structures. Numerous historical sites can be found in towns like Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan; some of these are even on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Nepal is among the top travel destinations in the globe if you’re interested in learning more about the history and culture of the nation. Temples, monasteries, and Durbar Squares constructed in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries have been maintained in Nepal. The birthplace of the Buddha, Lumbini, Dhulikhel, Panauti, and the Kathmandu Valley, with Patan and Bhaktapur, are among the places we advise seeing.
Suggested Routes for Cultural and Heritage Exploration in Nepal
- 4 Nights and 5 Days Kathmandu Nagarkot Excursion
- 6 Nights and 7 Days Kathmandu Expedition and More
- 9 Nights and 10 Days Kathmandu Pokhara Lumbini Expedition
- Comprehensive 14-Day Nepal Tour Package, Fully Inclusive
Tours focused on Nature and Wildlife
Experience the exciting Jungle Safari in Nepal, which is ranked as the nation’s fourth most popular outdoor activity. Explore Nepal’s wild areas to be amazed by the variety of wildlife, including birds, mammals, and reptiles, as well as the stunning scenery that nature has to offer. Select between a Jeep Safari and an Elephant Safari to discover the breathtaking scenery and fauna of the area. Nepal is home to 14 National Parks and Wildlife Reserves, all of which are brimming with rare animal and bird species and decorated with beautiful tropical jungles. The most well-known national park is Chitwan, followed by Bardiya National Park (quite recommended), Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Parsa Wildlife Reserve, and Dhorpatan Hunting Conservation. However, not all national parks are accessible to the public. These locations promise unforgettable experiences
Helicopter excursions and day trips
In Nepal, day trips provide a great way to see the main attractions of the nation in a single day. These time-constrained trips, which include stops at Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, Dhulikhel, Nagarkot, Pokhara, Chitwan, and Lumbini, are specifically designed for travelers with restricted travel time. Participants can discover art and handicrafts, visit historical locations, get up close and personal with local culture, go on day hikes and helicopter tours, and much more during the day.
The following day trips—which include helicopter tours—are suggested in Nepal:
- UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites Day Tour in Kathmandu
- Day Tour of Patan and Bhaktapur’s Durbar Square
- Nagarkot Day Hike in Dhulikhel
- Namobuddha Day Hike
- Tour of the Helicopter Landing at Everest Base Camp
- Gosainkunda Day Tour through Helicopter
Pilgrimage Tours
As a well-known site for pilgrimages, Nepal has historically attracted followers of Buddhism and Hinduism. Among the many holy places in the nation are Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and the highly respected Pashupatinath Temple, which honors Lord Shiva. Other important places of pilgrimage for both Hindus and Buddhists are Gosaikunda, Pathibhara, Barah Chhetra, Muktinath, Haleshi Janakpur, Dham, Swargadwari, Khaptad, and Mount Kailash, which is reachable from Kathmandu and is situated in Tibet.
Recommended Pilgrimage Tours include:
- Muktinath Darshan by Helicopter
- Gosainkunda Pilgrimage Tour
- Lumbini Tour (the birthplace of Lord Buddha)
- Mount Kailash tour from Kathmandu
Hiking and Trekking
Nepal is the best place to go climbing, trekking, and experiencing adventure because it is home to eight of the world’s fourteen highest mountains. Nepal is well-known among mountain lovers and is especially honored for having hosted the famous Everest Base Camp expedition. Nepal offers a variety of high-altitude treks that offer unparalleled views of the Himalayas, charming villages, and tranquil valleys.
Recommended Itineraries for Hiking and Trekking in Nepal include:
- 14-Day Everest Base Camp Trek
- Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lakes
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek
- Langtang Valley Trek
- Poonhill Trek
Extend your journey to Tibet, Bhutan, or both.
Not only is Nepal the best place to go for adventure, wildlife, pilgrimage, culture, and historical tours, but it’s also a great place to start if you want to continue your journey to Tibet and Bhutan. Extending your trips from Kathmandu to Tibet and Bhutan has several benefits, particularly if these places are already on your bucket list.
Benefits of extending your Nepal Trip to Bhutan, Tibet, or Both
The first advantage is easy processing. Kathmandu-based tour operators are experts at organizing cross-country tours to Tibet and Bhutan. They provide reliable and current information about the trip and can assist you in obtaining a Tibet Group Visa (TGV) and Bhutan Visa with ease. Booking through a reputable tour operator based in Kathmandu ensures hassle-free tour arrangements.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to Himalayan Windows (HW), the leading and reliable tour operator in Kathmandu, specializing in organizing three-country tours from Kathmandu.
The second benefit is budgetary. You’ll save money by extending your trip to Bhutan, Tibet, or both. Three-country tours can be arranged with the same company in Kathmandu. Direct flights to Lhasa and Paro from Kathmandu are available, and the flight fare from Kathmandu to Bhutan is comparatively cheaper than from other airports like Delhi, Bangkok, or Singapore.
It’s worth noting that Kathmandu airport is the only international airport (except China) with direct flights to Lhasa. Combining your trip with the same company and making it a single journey will save you money, and time, and ensure a hassle-free experience.
Fixed departure Packages
Fixed departure packages are always beneficial especially if you are traveling solo with a limited budget and if you are fond of interacting with people from different countries and languages. We offer several groups joining Fixed Departure tour/trekking packages that can be suitable for your lifetime trip to Nepal. Also, Fixed Departure with a group tour is cheaper than the tailor-made private tour packages.
Fixed Departure tour and trekking packages departing from Kathmandu include:
- Everest Base Camp Trek Fixed Departure
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek Fixed Departure
- 7 Nights 8 Days Kathmandu to Lhasa Tour Fixed Departure
- Explore Himalayan Windows’ Fixed Departure Packages for more details.
- Best Time of the Year to Visit Nepal
There are four distinct seasons in Nepal: winter (December, January, and February), autumn (September, October, and November), summer (June, July, and August), and spring (March, April, and May). Spring and October are the best seasons, with pleasant weather, clear views, and very little rainfall. On the other hand, winter tends to be rather chilly, especially in mountainous areas, while summer brings the monsoon season with it, along with heavy rain and the possibility of landslides. Winter, however, is still the best season for quick walks and excursions at lower elevations because of the bright skies and breathtaking views of the mountains.
Nepal Tourist Visa
It is usually important to be aware of the visa application process before making travel and airline reservations. At the Tribhuvan International Airport, most nations can obtain a visa upon arrival. Kindly verify on Nepal Immigration’s official website if visa-on-arrival is allowed in your country.
A Nepal Tourist Visa available upon Arrival at the airport or border crossing
You will come across electronic Kiosk machines at the airport. You can pay for your visa at the payment counter after these computers scan your passport, take your picture, and create the completed form. You’ll proceed to the immigration line for Visa-On-Arrival processing after making your payment. You must fill out an arrival card and provide it to the immigration officer if you’re entering through a border crossing.
Make sure you have enough cash on hand to cover the visa fee (acceptable currencies include Euro, HKD, AUD, CAD, and JPY, though USD is the preferred option). Furthermore, be sure your passport is still valid six months after the date of admission.
Getting your Tourist Visa Online
Since 2014, there has been an option to apply for a tourist visa online within 15 days before your arrival date in Nepal. You’ll need to provide some basic information, including the address of your hotel or apartment in Nepal, and a recent digital passport-sized photograph. After completing the application form, submit it and print out the receipt. Upon arrival, present the printed confirmation along with your passport to the immigration officer, and ensure you have the correct amount for the visa fee.
Getting your Tourist Visa at the Nepal Embassy
Before departing from your home country, you also have the option to apply for the Nepal Tourist Visa at your local Nepalese Embassy or by mailing your application to them in advance.
Nepal Tourist Visa Fee and Duration
Duration of Stay: Visa Fee:
15 Days: US$ 30
30 Days: US$ 50
90 Days: US$ 125
Multiple Entry (for Cross Country tours between Tibet and Bhutan or India): US$ 25
Extending your Visa: US$ 30 for 15 Days and US$ 2 Per day thereafter, up to 150 Days
Additional Tips:
Bring 4-5 passport-sized photographs from home as they will be required for purchasing SIM Cards, obtaining permits, etc.
Keep a couple of photocopies of your passport especially while traveling.
Carry cash in USD for the Visa as it is preferable
What to Pack?
It’s important to do thorough research before traveling to a new location regarding the local climate and culture. There are a few necessities to bring when trekking in Nepal, particularly if you plan to go for several days in the chilly weather.
Here are some recommended logistics to consider before heading to Nepal:
- Rain Jacket or Poncho bag
- Water bottle (Minimum one liter)
- Waterproof and lightweight Walking or hiking boots
- Socks: Thick wool/blend, thin cotton, ensuring a comfortable fit with the boots
- Running shoes and sandals for morning and evening wear
- Lightweight Wool Sweater
- Fleece Jacket
- Long-sleeved Shirt
- Long trousers / Pants
- Hats, Gloves, Scarf, Underwear, Thermal Underwear
- Sunglasses, Sun Cream, Bag Liners, Money Belt, Toiletries, Towel, Torch or flashlight, headlamp, Lighter
- First Aid Kit