Nepal tours & vacations

Nepal's climate is primarily temperate, with some tropical and alpine regions. From June until August, the monsoon hits, making it too wet and humid for trekking.

The post-monsoon period from September to November is rice-harvesting season and is characterized by lush vegetation, clean air and excellent mountain views. Days are warm and sunny, although nights become increasingly cool. This is the start of the trekking season, which runs until May.

Winter (December to February) is dry and clear, with temperatures dropping below freezing at high altitudes, although in Kathmandu, it can still sometimes reach a pleasant 25ºC.

Spring (March to May) is warmer and is a particularly beautiful time to visit as the rhododendrons and the orchids are in flower.

Learn more about the best time to visit Nepal

Learn more about the weather in Nepal

Nepal has been inhabited by people for more than 2,500 years, with evidence suggesting tribes of mountain-dwelling people moved to the area from China and other Central Asian regions. Since tribal times, Nepal had been ruled by a succession of dynasties, during which the kingdom expanded rapidly before evolving into small communities with local rule. After the time of dynasties, the kingdom of Nepal became unified and eventually overturned its monarchy, becoming a democratic republic in 2008.

Today, Nepal has more than 30 different ethnic groups and a wide range of religions and language dialects with Indian, Tibetan, Chinese and Mongolian influences. Nepali food, clothing, customs and music vary depending on what area you're travelling in and what ethnicity people belong to or identify with. Hinduism is the dominant religion, followed by Buddhism.

Nepal’s largest festivals include the Phalgun Festivals, Indra Jatra and Mani Rimdu Festival.

Landlocked Nepal shares borders with China and India and is home to a wide range of landscapes and habitats. As much as 75% of Nepal's land is dominated by hills and mountain ranges, including the world's highest mountain, but there's so much more to this region than Everest.

A lot of the country is known as the Terai region, characterised by forests, plains, marshes and scrub and within these varied landscapes are the many impressive animal species that inhabit this region. Chitwan National Park is perhaps one of the best places in all of Asia to see its incredible wildlife. Home to a variety of common and protected species, you may be able to spot some exciting house names like the single-horned Asiatic rhinoceros, leopard and the Bengal Tiger.

Nepali food is known for its rich aromas and flavours. With Tibetan, Chinese and Indian influences, many of Nepal’s most popular dishes share similarities to its neighbours; think spiced curries, steamed rice, filled dumplings called momos and noodle soups.

Things to try in Nepal

1. Kothey

These fried or steamed dumplings are usually filled with meat or cheese. Comparable to Tibetan momos, kothey are flavoursome snacks that can usually be bought cheaply from street stalls or markets.

2. Dal

Popular with vegetarians and vegans, this lentil soup is usually served with rice and found almost everywhere in Nepal. A safe yet tasty choice for everyone.

3. Masu

This spiced meat curry will usually consist of chicken, buffalo or mutton, as beef hardly features on the menu in Nepal for religious reasons.

1. Bhaktapur

This ancient, cultural gem draws people in with temples, grand palaces, colourful festivals, eye-catching art and royal history. Walking the car, tuk-tuk and rickshaw-free streets is a pleasant change from the electric energy of Kathmandu.

2. Langtang National Park

Featuring everything from tropical rainforest to perennial ice, Langtang National Park is an example of Mother Nature at her most extreme. With so much geographic diversity, it's no wonder you'll be able to spot a menagerie of creatures, including red pandas, musk deer, rhesus monkeys and Himalayan black bears. Langtang is simply unmissable!

3. Kathmandu

Nepal's busy capital is an epicentre of trade, tourism and history. Acting as a launching point for international visitors, Kathmandu is a handicrafts hot spot, hippie hangout, travellers' rest stop and artistic enclave all at once.

4. Pokhara

Pretty Pokhara offers travellers attractive vistas, tranquil ambience and views of three of the highest mountains in the world. Lakes, waterfalls and canyons ensure visitors are well rewarded for the effort.

5. Bandipur

The hilltop town of Bandipur was once a very prosperous trading centre and is now popular with tourists for its old-world charm, quiet atmosphere and nearby national park teeming with wildlife.

6. Chitwan National Park

A conservation success story, this park has managed to preserve one of the most unique ecosystems in the world. Home to one-horned rhinos, wild elephants, hyenas, leopards and more than 450 species of birds, visitors will delight in the thrilling wildlife-spotting opportunities here.

7. Annapurna Range

This popular trekking region can lay claim to some of the most beautifully treacherous peaks in the world. Surrounding valleys of green fields, wildflower-studded meadows and lowland villages just add to the stunning views on offer.

8. Namche Bazaar

Once a trading post, now a popular stopover for Everest trekkers, the small settlement of Namche Bazaar is a fascinating place to spend a few days acclimatizing. With yaks, sherpas, small cafes, bakeries and a vibrant weekly market, Namche Bazaar is a microcosm of Everest life.

9. Everest Base Camp

Sherpas, yaks, travellers, climbers, teahouses and tent villages - nothing beats the electric energy of Everest Base Camp. All have come to either tackle the mighty mountain or stand in its epic wake. Either way, it's a privilege and the experience of a lifetime.

The official currency of Nepal is the Nepali Rupee (NPR).

Credit cards are usually accepted by modern hotels, restaurants and medium-large shops in tourist areas. Smaller shops, cafes, market stalls and places in remote areas probably won’t have facilities that support credit cards, so ensure you have enough cash to cover expenses while in rural areas or when visiting smaller vendors and bazaars.

ATMs can be found in Nepal's large cities. Smaller towns and isolated areas will have very few, or none at all, so have enough cash to cover purchases, as ATM access may not be available.