For a first-time Nepal trip, 7 to 10 days is enough to experience Kathmandu, Pokhara, and either Chitwan or a short trek.

For a deeper trip, 12 to 16 days is better. This allows you to include Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini, Nagarkot, or a classic trek such as Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Langtang Valley, or Ghorepani Poon Hill.

A short 4 to 5 day trip can work for Kathmandu and Pokhara, but it will only cover the highlights.

Top things to do in Nepal include:

Explore Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan, Bhaktapur, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, and Pashupatinath

Visit Pokhara for Phewa Lake, mountain views, caves, waterfalls, and adventure activities

Trek in the Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, Mardi Himal, Mustang, or Manaslu regions

Go on a jungle safari in Chitwan National Park or Bardia National Park

Visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha

Watch sunrise over the Himalayas from Nagarkot, Sarangkot, or Dhulikhel

Try rafting, paragliding, bungee jumping, canyoning, ziplining, mountain biking, or hot air ballooning

Experience Nepali food, local markets, festivals, and traditional villages.

Nepal is generally safe and welcoming for tourists. Popular areas such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini, and major trekking routes receive many international travellers every year. However, travellers should take normal precautions with valuables, road travel, altitude, weather, food hygiene, and trekking safety. Mountain trips require extra preparation because of altitude sickness, remote terrain, flight delays, and changing weather. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Insurance that covers your itinerary, planned activities, and emergency expenses is best.

The best places to visit in Nepal include:

Kathmandu Valley: Temples, stupas, palaces, heritage squares, food, and culture

Pokhara: Lakeside relaxation, Annapurna views, caves, waterfalls, and adventure activities

Everest Region: Everest Base Camp, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Himalayan trekking

Annapurna Region: Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Poon Hill, and mountain villages

Chitwan National Park: Wildlife safari, jungle walks, canoe rides, and Tharu culture

Lumbini: Birthplace of Lord Buddha and an important Buddhist pilgrimage site

Nagarkot and Dhulikhel: Himalayan sunrise, short hikes, and peaceful stays near Kathmandu

Mustang: Dry mountain landscapes, Tibetan-influenced culture, and dramatic scenery

Janakpur: Janaki Temple and Mithila culture

The best time to visit Nepal is usually spring and autumn.

Spring, from March to May, brings warmer weather, blooming rhododendrons, and good trekking conditions. Autumn, from September to November, is the most popular season for clear skies, mountain views, festivals, and trekking.

Winter, from December to February, is colder but offers clear skies and fewer crowds, especially for cultural tours and lower-altitude treks. Summer and monsoon, from June to August, bring rain, lush greenery, and fewer tourists, but some trekking routes may be affected by clouds, landslides, or leeches.

Yes. Nepal has a rich festival calendar, and planning around a major festival can make the trip more memorable. Some festivals are family-oriented, and result in quieter streets with not much activity, but some are joyous public festivals that everyone can participate in. Some festivals that allow for participation are:

Tihar: Festival of lights, usually in October or November

Indra Jatra: A major Kathmandu festival with masked dances and chariot processions

Holi: Festival of colours, usually in March

Festival dates follow lunar calendars, so exact dates change each year.

Yes. Nepal is culturally diverse, with Hindu, Buddhist, indigenous, and regional traditions. Travellers should dress modestly when visiting temples, monasteries, and rural areas. 

Remove shoes before entering temples or homes where required. Walk clockwise around stupas and prayer wheels. Avoid touching religious objects without permission. Ask before taking photos of people, monks, ceremonies, or inside sacred places.

Public displays of affection should be kept modest, and respectful behaviour is expected at religious sites, heritage areas, and local communities.

Tipping at restaurants is not mandatory in Nepal, but it is appreciated for good service. Tipping guides, drivers, porters, hotel staff, trekking crews, and activity staff for their service is very common, and is generally expected by staff.

For trekking, tipping the guide and porter is done at the end of the trip, but it is best to prepare the amount in advance and carry it with you.

Yes, travel insurance is strongly recommended for Nepal and is essential for trekking, adventure activities, high-altitude travel, remote-area travel, rafting, climbing, and helicopter-supported trips. Your policy should cover medical care, emergency evacuation, helicopter rescue if trekking, trip cancellation, flight delays, lost baggage, and the specific activities included in your itinerary. For high-altitude trekking, make sure the policy covers the maximum altitude of your trek.

Booking with NepalTravel.com makes your Nepal trip easier, safer, and more organized.

We are a modern travel company with deep roots in the community in Nepal and Bhutan, and can provide 24/7 support to all our international travellers, while being current with changing local logistics on the ground. We are also well-versed in international ticketing and visa planning through our parent company Zen Travels, and can thus provide comprehensive support that ensures your peace of mind during international travel to remote regions.