Travel Guide to Nepal 2026: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Everest, Annapurna & Chitwan
Planning to visit Nepal? This travel guide to Nepal covers everything for a first trip: where Nepal is, the best trekking seasons, the visa on arrival and trekking permits, the 10 best places to visit, a 7-day itinerary, realistic costs, altitude and safety advice, and the best hotels and universities. From the temples and squares of Kathmandu and the lakeside town of Pokhara to the trails of Everest and Annapurna, the rhinos of Chitwan and Lumbini, birthplace of the Buddha, Nepal is home to eight of the world's fourteen highest peaks.
Last updated: October 2026 · Entry rules and taxes in this travel guide to Nepal were checked against official sources
📊 Quick Facts for Your Travel guide to Nepal
- Capital: Kathmandu💡 In the historic Kathmandu Valley
- Currency: Nepalese rupee (NPR)💡 Cash is king on treks. Check today's rate
- Language: Nepali💡 English is common in tourism
- Population: About 30 million💡 2026 estimate
- Area: 147,516 km²💡 About the size of Bangladesh or Illinois
- Time zone: UTC+5:45💡 One of few 45-minute offsets. Convert times
- UNESCO sites: 4💡 Kathmandu Valley, Sagarmatha (Everest), Chitwan and Lumbini
- Power: 230 V, plug types C, D and M💡 Power cuts are rare in cities but common on treks
ℹ️ Figures in this travel guide to Nepal are 2026 estimates from official and international sources.
📍 Where Is Nepal?
Nepal is a narrow, landlocked country about 800 km long, squeezed between China (Tibet) to the north and India to the south, east and west. In just 150–250 km it rises from the hot, flat Terai plains near India, through the green middle hills of Kathmandu and Pokhara, to the Himalayas, including Mount Everest (Sagarmatha, 8,849 m) on the border with Tibet.
Kathmandu is about 2 hours from Delhi and 4.5 hours from Dubai by air. Domestic flights reach Pokhara and Lukla (for Everest); roads are slow and winding. Check the distance from your city with our distance calculator.
📅 Best Time to Visit Nepal
The best time to visit Nepal is October and November, after the monsoon, when skies are clear and mountain views are at their best, and March to May, when rhododendrons bloom and climbers head for Everest. December to February is cold at altitude but fine for lower treks, Kathmandu and Chitwan. The monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rain, cloud, leeches and landslides on mountain roads. The big festivals, Dashain and Tihar, fall in October or November.
Clear skies and peak trekking season.
Rhododendrons, warmer trails and climbing season.
Cold nights; good for lower treks and cities.
Rain and cloud; best for Upper Mustang.
📅 Use the seasons in this travel guide to Nepal to match your trip to the weather, festivals and prices you want.
🛂 Nepal Visa, Trekking Permits & Entry Requirements
Visa on arrival: citizens of most countries, including the USA, UK, EU countries, Canada and Australia, can get a tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport and main land borders: US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days or US$125 for 90 days. Fill in the online form on the Department of Immigration website within 15 days before arrival to save time. Indian citizens do not need a visa. Some nationalities must apply in advance.
- PassportValid at least 6 months, with a blank page.
- Trekking guideA licensed guide is required in national parks and conservation areas.
- PermitsSagarmatha or Annapurna (ACAP) permits, about NPR 3,000 each; Everest also has a NPR 3,000 local municipality fee.
- Main airportTribhuvan International (KTM), about 6 km from Thamel.
🔗 Official sources: Department of Immigration, Nepal · Nepal Tourism Board. Entry rules change, so always confirm before booking and avoid paid look-alike sites.
🛂 Entry rules in this travel guide to Nepal were last checked in October 2026.
🏔️ 10 Best Places to Visit in Nepal
These are the places we recommend most in this travel guide to Nepal, with the best months to see each one.
Durbar Squares, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath (UNESCO).
💡 Best time: Oct–MayA beautifully preserved Newar city of temples and potters.
💡 Best time: Oct–MayPhewa Lake, Sarangkot sunrise and paragliding.
💡 Best time: Oct–MayPoon Hill, Annapurna Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit.
💡 Best time: Oct–Nov, Mar–MayNamche Bazaar, Tengboche and Everest Base Camp (UNESCO).
💡 Best time: Oct–Nov, Mar–MayOne-horned rhinos, jungle walks and canoe safaris (UNESCO).
💡 Best time: Oct–MarThe birthplace of the Buddha (UNESCO).
💡 Best time: Oct–MarHimalayan sunrise views from the valley rim.
💡 Best time: Oct–AprA car-free hilltop village with Newar houses.
💡 Best time: Oct–MayA former Tibetan kingdom (special permit required).
💡 Best time: May–Oct🗺️ 7-Day Nepal Itinerary: Kathmandu, Pokhara & Chitwan
A first trip without a long trek: Kathmandu, a short Annapurna walk from Pokhara and a safari in Chitwan. Fly or take a tourist bus between them.
Follow this route from our travel guide to Nepal day by day, or shorten it to fit your trip.
- Kathmandu: Durbar Square, Swayambhunath and evening at Boudhanath.
- Kathmandu Valley: Pashupatinath, Patan and Bhaktapur.
- Pokhara: fly (25 minutes) or bus; sunset on Phewa Lake.
- Annapurna foothills: start a short guided trek toward Ghorepani.
- Poon Hill: sunrise over Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, then back to Pokhara.
- Chitwan: drive to the jungle; canoe ride and sunset by the river.
- Chitwan to Kathmandu: morning jeep safari, then fly from Bharatpur.
➕ With more time: trek to Everest Base Camp (12–14 days), the Annapurna Circuit (12–18 days) or Annapurna Base Camp (7–10 days), or visit Lumbini and Bandipur.
💵 How Much Does a Trip to Nepal Cost?
Nepal is affordable, though trekking adds guide, porter and permit costs. These are approximate daily costs per person in 2026, excluding flights. Use our currency converter to see them in your own currency.
| Travel style | Per day (approx.) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | US$30–45 | Guesthouses, dal bhat and local buses |
| Mid-range | US$70–130 | Good hotels, domestic flights and safaris |
| Trekking | US$60–120 a day | Licensed guide, porter, teahouses and permits |
💡 All prices in this travel guide to Nepal are per person, per day, and change with the season and exchange rates.
🥾 Food and lodging get more expensive the higher you go on a trek, so carry enough rupees in cash. Tip guides and porters at the end of a trek (often 10–15% of the trek cost). ATMs are reliable in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
💡 Safety & Travel Tips for Your Travel guide to Nepal
Nepal is generally safe and the people are famously friendly. The main risks are altitude sickness (ascend slowly, rest days above 3,000 m), road accidents on mountain highways, and landslides in the monsoon. Domestic flights to mountain airstrips such as Lukla are often delayed by weather, so build in spare days. Political protests can disrupt travel in Kathmandu; avoid demonstrations and check your government's advice.
Required in parks and conservation areas.
Climb high, sleep low, drink water.
No ATMs once you leave the towns.
Around stupas and prayer wheels.
Mountain flights are often delayed.
"Namaste" (hello) and "Dhanyabad" (thank you).
🏨 Best Hotels in Nepal: 8 Top Picks
Stay in Thamel, Lazimpat or near Boudhanath in Kathmandu, and in Lakeside in Pokhara.
A museum-like hotel of rescued Newar woodwork.
Check prices on Booking.com →Large gardens near Boudhanath.
Check prices on Booking.com →Modern comfort near Thamel.
Check prices on Booking.com →Himalayan views and a holistic spa.
Check prices on Booking.com →Villas on an organic farm outside Pokhara.
Check prices on Booking.com →Reached by raft across Phewa Lake.
Check prices on Booking.com →A luxury lodge on the Rapti River.
Check prices on Booking.com →Comfortable lodges along the Everest trail.
Check prices on Booking.com →🔎 How we chose for this travel guide to Nepal: hotels are picked for location, reputation and a spread of regions and styles. Prices and availability change daily, so the buttons open live Booking.com results for each property.
🤝 Affiliate disclosure: hotel buttons are affiliate links. If you book through them, AtlasWise may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which hotels we list.
🎓 Top Universities in Nepal
Nepal's universities are growing, with strengths in engineering, medicine and Buddhist studies.
| University | City | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Tribhuvan University | Kirtipur, Kathmandu | Public |
| Kathmandu University | Dhulikhel | Public (autonomous) |
| Pokhara University | Pokhara | Public |
| B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences | Dharan | Public (autonomous) |
| Lumbini Buddhist University | Lumbini | Public |
Nepal's oldest and largest university.
Visit website →Known for engineering, medicine and management.
Visit website →Strong in management and technology.
Visit website →A leading medical university and hospital.
Visit website →Dedicated to Buddhist studies.
Visit website →🔎 How we chose for this travel guide to Nepal: the leading universities in Nepal by reputation and research. Last checked: October 2026.
🍛 Nepali Culture & Food
Nepal blends Hindu and Buddhist traditions across more than 120 ethnic groups, including the Newar, Sherpa, Gurung, Magar, Tamang and Tharu. Kathmandu has a living goddess, the Kumari, and the year is full of festivals: Dashain, Tihar (the festival of lights), Holi and Buddha Jayanti in Lumbini.
Try dal bhat (rice, lentils and curry, refilled until you are full: "dal bhat power, 24 hour"), momos (dumplings), thukpa (noodle soup), Newar yomari and bara, sel roti, sweet milk tea and, in the mountains, Tibetan butter tea.
❓ Travel Guide to Nepal: FAQ
Do I need a visa for Nepal?
Most visitors can get a visa on arrival: US$30 (15 days), US$50 (30 days) or US$125 (90 days).
Can I trek in Nepal without a guide?
No, not in national parks and conservation areas; a licensed guide is required.
What is the best time to visit Nepal?
October–November and March–May.
How long does the Everest Base Camp trek take?
Usually 12–14 days from Lukla, including acclimatisation days.
Is Nepal safe for tourists?
Generally yes; the main risks are altitude and mountain roads.
Do I need cash in Nepal?
Yes, especially on treks; cards work in hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
How many days do you need in Nepal?
Seven days for Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan; two to three weeks with a long trek.
What currency does Nepal use?
The Nepalese rupee (NPR).
📚 Trusted Resources for Your Travel guide to Nepal
- Nepal Tourism BoardOfficial tourism and trekking information
- Department of ImmigrationVisa on arrival and online form
- UNESCO: NepalWorld Heritage Sites in Nepal
Finished this travel guide to Nepal? 🌍 More South Asia guides: India · Sri Lanka · Maldives · China · All of Asia
⚖️ Compare Nepal with other countries in Compare Countries.
🏛️ Planning a bucket list? See the 20 best World Heritage Sites to visit.
Ready to plan Nepal?
Use our free travel tools to compare costs, time zones and distances, or browse our printable AtlasWise guides for other destinations.
Free travel tools → Browse AtlasWise travel guides🔖 Bookmark this travel guide to Nepal and check it again before you fly: we update entry rules, prices and hotels regularly.