Explore Kathmandu Durbar Square
A dense complex of temples and palaces at the heart of the old royal city, largely restored after the 2015 earthquake caused significant damage.
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South Asia
Things to do in Nepal
Eight of the world's ten highest peaks, ancient temple squares in the Kathmandu Valley, and trekking routes that range from a manageable few days to a full Everest Base Camp expedition.
Explore Nepal on the map →Budget$
Best for14-18 days for a trekking-focused trip
CapitalKathmandu
VisaVisa on arrival for most nationalities including US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders, available at Kathmandu airport or land borders for 15, 30, or 90-day stays paid in cash or card.
CurrencyNepalese rupee (NPR)
LanguagesNepali (over 120 languages spoken across ethnic groups)
InternetGood in Kathmandu and Pokhara, limited to WiFi-only in remote trekking regions
Typical lodging$15–$35/night
Driving sideLeft
Power & voltage230V / 50Hz (Type C/D/M plug)
Time zoneUTC+5:30 to UTC+6
Emergency number112
Dialing code+977
★★★★★ Adventure★★★★★ Photography★★★★★ Culture
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled or purified water only. Not required; small tips are appreciated.
Nepal contains eight of the world's fourteen 8,000-metre peaks, including Everest, packed into a country roughly the size of Arkansas. The Kathmandu Valley alone holds seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites within a compact area, a temple density almost unmatched anywhere else on Earth.
When to go
Pre-monsoon (spring)March–May
Rhododendrons bloom on lower trekking trails, and it's the second most popular climbing and trekking season after autumn.
MonsoonJune–August
Heavy rain, landslide risk on mountain roads, and obscured mountain views: the low season for trekking, though the rain-shadow Mustang region stays dry.
Post-monsoon (autumn)September–November
The best trekking season: clear skies, stable weather, and peak visibility of the Himalayan range.
WinterDecember–February
Cold at altitude with heavy snow on high passes, but clear skies and quieter trails at lower elevations like the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
7Visit the Buddhist stupa at Boudhanath
One of the largest stupas in the world and the spiritual center of Nepal's Tibetan Buddhist community, ringed by monasteries and prayer-flag-draped rooftops.
Explore the medieval city of Bhaktapur
A remarkably preserved Newari city of temples and pottery squares, with far less development than Kathmandu proper.
Visit the Swayambhunath 'Monkey Temple'
An ancient hilltop stupa overlooking the Kathmandu Valley, home to a resident population of holy monkeys and some of the city's best sunset views.
Visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha
A UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage site in Nepal's lowlands, with monasteries built by Buddhist communities from dozens of countries.
Attend a Newari cultural performance in Patan
The Kathmandu Valley's third royal city, with its own Durbar Square and a living Newari arts and metalwork tradition still practiced in workshops nearby.
Visit Pashupatinath, Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple
A riverside temple complex where Hindu cremation rites are conducted openly along the Bagmati River, a striking and sobering cultural experience.
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Adventure & outdoors
9Trek to Everest Base Camp$45–50
A roughly 12-14 day round trip from Lukla through Sherpa villages, reaching 5,364 metres at the foot of the world's highest mountain.
Hike the Annapurna Circuit or Poon Hill loop
Routes ranging from a manageable few days (Poon Hill) to a multi-week circuit crossing the 5,416-metre Thorong La pass, both with sweeping Himalayan views.
Take a scenic mountain flight over Everest$45–50
A roughly hour-long flight from Kathmandu that passes within view of Everest and its neighboring peaks, an option for those without time to trek.
Paraglide over Pokhara and Phewa Lake
Tandem paragliding launches from Sarangkot, riding thermals above the lake with the Annapurna range as a backdrop.
White-water raft the Trishuli or Bhote Koshi rivers
Glacier-fed rivers offering rapids for both beginners and experienced rafters, typically run as a day trip or overnight from Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Trek the Langtang Valley
A quieter, closer-to-Kathmandu alternative to Everest or Annapurna, passing Tamang villages and glacier views over roughly a week.
Mountain bike the trails around Pokhara
Singletrack and forest roads around Phewa Lake and into the foothills, an increasingly popular alternative to trekking for a shorter adrenaline fix.
Bungee jump the Bhote Koshi gorge
One of the highest bungee platforms in the world at around 160 metres, spanning a gorge on the Nepal-Tibet border road.
Trek through Upper Mustang's high desert
A restricted-access former Tibetan kingdom with a landscape closer to the Tibetan plateau than the lush lower Himalaya, requiring a special permit.
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Nature & scenery
3Watch sunrise over the Himalayas from Pokhara's Sarangkot
A hilltop viewpoint above Pokhara offering one of the most accessible Himalayan panoramas without a multi-day trek required.
Go on a jungle safari in Chitwan National Park
A lowland Terai park home to one-horned rhinos, and with luck, Bengal tigers, explored by jeep, canoe, or on foot with an armed guide.
Boat on Phewa Lake in Pokhara
A calm lake with the Annapurna range reflected on clear mornings, popular for a relaxed paddle or a visit to the small island Barahi Temple.
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Food & drink
1Eat dal bhat at a teahouse on the trekking trail
Lentil soup, rice, and vegetable curry with unlimited refills, the staple fuel of Nepal's trekking routes and a genuinely nourishing meal after a long day's walk.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for Nepal?
Most nationalities, including US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens, can get a visa on arrival at Kathmandu's airport or major land borders, paid in cash or card for 15, 30, or 90-day durations.
▾Do I need to be an expert climber to trek in Nepal?
No. Treks like the Poon Hill loop or lower Annapurna routes require reasonable fitness but no technical climbing skills. Everest Base Camp is more demanding due to altitude but is still a trek, not a climb, and doesn't require mountaineering experience.
▾Do I need a guide or porter for trekking?
It's not always legally required depending on the region, but strongly recommended for safety, altitude monitoring, and supporting the local trekking economy, many popular routes now mandate a licensed guide.
▾What's the biggest risk on a high-altitude trek?
Altitude sickness, not the physical difficulty of the trail itself. Build acclimatization days into any itinerary above 3,000 metres, ascend gradually, and know the symptoms that mean you should descend.
▾Is Kathmandu worth extra time beyond a trekking gateway?
Yes. Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, and Boudhanath alone justify 2-3 days, and Nepal's earthquake recovery has restored much of the valley's most significant heritage architecture.
▾How much do Everest Base Camp trekking permits cost?
Two permits are required and together run about $45-50 per trekker: the Sagarmatha National Park permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit, each in the $23-25 range. That's separate from guide, porter, teahouse and flight costs, which push a full guided EBC trek to roughly $1,300-1,800 per person all in.