Nepal · AsiaNepal
Roof of the world - Everest, ancient temples & trekkers' nirvana
from $30/day Very safeadventurenature
Quick Facts
Capital
Kathmandu
Population
30 million
Best airport
Tribhuvan (KTM)
8,000m peaks
8 of the world's 14 (including Everest 8,849m)
Visa on arrival
Available at KTM airport ($30 for 15 days, $50 for 30 days)
Safety
Very safe
Vibes
adventurenatureculturespiritualunique
Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months This month
Daily Budget
Backpacker
$30
per day
Mid-range
$70
per day
Luxury
$200
per day
Top Experiences
🏔️$1,000–2,000 (guide + permits)
Everest Base Camp Trek
16-day return trek to 5,364m via Namche Bazaar, Tengboche Monastery, and Khumbu glacier
🌅$200–400 guided
Sunrise from Poon Hill
Iconic Annapurna panorama of 8,000m peaks at dawn - accessible 3-day circuit from Pokhara
🕉️$3
Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu
Nepal's most sacred Hindu site - open-air cremations on the Bagmati river, revered by millions
Must-Try Food
Dal Bhat
The trekker's fuel: lentil soup, rice, vegetable curry, and pickles - unlimited refills on the trail
Momo
Steamed or fried Tibetan dumplings with buffalo or veg filling - Nepal's obsession
Thukpa
Hearty Tibetan noodle soup with vegetables and meat - essential after a cold mountain day
Getting Around
✈️
Domestic flights$80–200
Tara Air and Yeti Airlines reach mountain airstrips unavailable by road - verify insurance covers evacuation
🚌
Tourist bus$10–20
Comfortable coaches between Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, and the border crossings
🥾
Trekking on foot$25–30/day (guide)
The only way to reach most trails - hire a licensed guide and porter for safety and local economy
🛺
Taxi / app (Pathao)$2–8
Pathao is Nepal's Uber - use in Kathmandu, always agree price first with yellow taxis
Cultural Tips
Always walk clockwise around stupas and mani walls - the opposite direction is disrespectful
Remove shoes and leather items before entering Hindu and Buddhist temples
The 'Namaste' greeting with hands pressed together is universally appreciated
Never point feet at a person, altar, or sacred object
Trekking permits are required - TIMS card and Annapurna/Everest region permits are checked at checkpoints
Altitude sickness is life-threatening - never ascend more than 300m per day above 3,000m
Hidden Gems
Rara Lake - Nepal's largest lake at 3,000m, reachable only by domestic flight + 2-day hike, with almost no visitors
Mustang (Upper Mustang) - restricted rain-shadow kingdom behind the Himalayas, ancient cave temples and wind-sculpted cliffs
Bandipur - hilltop Newari village frozen in the 18th century, 7km off the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway
Going beyond the trip?
Explore the Nepal country profile
Cost of living, visas, healthcare, taxes, expat life and everything you'd need to actually move and stay long-term.