Things to Do in Nepal

Things to do in Nepal: a complete guide to planning your trip

Nepal stretches only about 800 kilometres from east to west and around 200 kilometres from north to south, yet within that space the land rises from subtropical jungle less than 100 metres above sea level to the summit of Mount Everest at 8,849 metres. With that much height difference, you can do very different trips in one country. In a single trip you can walk among the highest mountains on Earth, raft a Himalayan river, watch rhinos graze in the jungle, explore medieval royal cities and join pilgrims at some of the holiest sites in Hinduism and Buddhism.

This guide brings together the best things to do in Nepal, explains where and when to do them, and shows how to combine them into a trip that suits your time, interests and fitness. It is written by the Himalayan Hiking team in Kathmandu, who organise treks, climbs, tours, safaris and pilgrimages throughout the country.

1. Trek in the Himalaya

Trekking in Nepal is the reason most visitors come, and for good reason. A network of village trails, lined with family-run teahouses, lets you walk for days or weeks through the mountains without carrying a tent. You walk with a light daypack while porters carry your luggage, and each evening you eat and sleep in a warm lodge with views of snow peaks.

The most famous routes are the Everest Base Camp trek, which climbs through Sherpa villages to the foot of the world's highest mountain; the Annapurna Base Camp trek into a natural amphitheatre of peaks; and the Annapurna Circuit over the 5,416-metre Thorong La pass. Quieter routes include the Langtang Valley near Kathmandu, the Manaslu Circuit around the world's eighth-highest mountain, the high desert of Upper Mustang and the remote Kanchenjunga base camps in the far east.

If you have less time, short treks of three to seven days, such as Ghorepani Poon Hill, Mardi Himal or the Everest View trek, still deliver sunrise views of the Himalaya and nights in mountain villages. Trekking is possible in every season, although spring and autumn bring the clearest views.

2. Climb a Himalayan peak

For adventurous trekkers, peak climbing in Nepal is the next step. Peaks such as Island Peak (6,165 m) and Lobuche East (6,119 m) in the Everest region, Mera Peak (6,476 m), the highest of Nepal's trekking peaks, and Yala Peak (5,732 m) in Langtang combine a classic trek with a guided ascent on snow and ice. With a training session at base camp, experienced climbing guides and fixed ropes on the steeper sections, fit and determined trekkers can stand on a Himalayan summit without previous mountaineering experience.

Experienced climbers can go further, joining expeditions to peaks such as Ama Dablam, Himlung Himal or even the 8,000-metre giants. Nepal is the world's centre of Himalayan mountaineering, and the climbing seasons in spring and autumn bring teams from every continent.

3. Fly to Everest by helicopter

Not everyone has the time or fitness for a two-week trek, but anyone can see Everest up close on a helicopter tour. The classic Everest helicopter tour leaves Kathmandu at dawn, refuels in Lukla, and flies up the Khumbu valley past Ama Dablam and Lhotse to land near Kala Patthar or Everest Base Camp for photographs. On the way back, a breakfast stop at a hotel above Namche Bazaar gives a longer view of Everest over coffee.

Other helicopter flights land in the Annapurna Sanctuary from Pokhara, visit the holy lakes of Gosainkunda or the temple of Muktinath, or fly into the Langtang valley. For a more affordable option, the one-hour Everest mountain flight by small plane follows the Himalaya from Kathmandu without landing, giving every passenger a window seat.

4. Explore the Kathmandu Valley

The Kathmandu Valley is Nepal's cultural heart and one of the richest heritage destinations in Asia. Seven monument zones are listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, and the Hindu temples of Pashupatinath and Changu Narayan.

A day or two with a good local guide brings these places to life: the living goddess Kumari in Kathmandu, pilgrims spinning prayer wheels around the great stupa of Boudhanath at dusk, cremation rituals on the banks of the Bagmati at Pashupatinath, and potters at work in the squares of Bhaktapur. Beyond the heritage sites, you can watch sunrise over the Himalaya from Nagarkot, ride the Chandragiri cable car, visit the Newar villages of Bungamati and Khokana, or join a cooking class to learn to make momos.

5. Relax in Pokhara

Pokhara, Nepal's lakeside town, is the perfect place to relax before or after a trek. The fishtail peak of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range rise directly above Phewa Lake, where colourful wooden boats carry visitors to the island temple of Tal Barahi. Lakeside cafés, bookshops and massage studios make it easy to unwind.

Pokhara is also Nepal's adventure capital. You can watch sunrise over the Annapurnas from Sarangkot, walk up to the World Peace Pagoda, go tandem paragliding over the lake, ride one of the world's longest and steepest ziplines, visit the International Mountain Museum, or explore the caves and waterfalls around the town. It is also the gateway to the Annapurna region's treks.

6. Go on a jungle safari

Nepal's southern lowlands, the Terai, are a world away from the mountains. Here, Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protects grasslands, sal forest and rivers that are home to the one-horned rhinoceros, the Bengal tiger, sloth bears, leopards, gharial and mugger crocodiles and more than 500 species of birds.

A jungle safari in Nepal usually includes a jeep safari into the park, a dugout canoe trip on the Rapti river, a guided jungle walk with experienced naturalists and a visit to a Tharu village to learn about the region's indigenous culture. For the best chance of seeing a wild tiger, go to the more remote Bardia National Park in western Nepal, which is wilder and far quieter. A safari combines easily with Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lumbini.

7. Follow a pilgrimage route

Nepal is sacred ground for millions of Hindus and Buddhists. Pashupatinath in Kathmandu is one of the holiest temples of Lord Shiva. High in the Mustang district, Muktinath is revered by Hindus as a place of liberation and by Buddhists as a site associated with Guru Rinpoche; pilgrims bathe under its 108 water spouts. Lumbini, in the southern plains, is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, and Janakpur is the birthplace of Sita, with the grand Janaki Mandir temple.

Other pilgrimage sites include Manakamana, reached by cable car above the Trishuli river; the holy lakes of Gosainkunda in the Langtang region; and the ancient temples of Budhanilkantha and Dakshinkali in the Kathmandu Valley. Pilgrimage tours in Nepal can be made by road, by domestic flight or by helicopter, with vegetarian meals and puja arrangements on request.

8. Discover Nepal's living culture and festivals

Nepal is home to more than 120 ethnic groups and a similar number of languages. Hindu and Buddhist traditions blend in temples, festivals and daily life. Timing your visit with a festival adds colour and meaning to any trip. Dashain, usually in September or October, is the country's biggest festival, with family gatherings, kites and bamboo swings. Tihar, the festival of lights, follows two to three weeks later. Indra Jatra brings masked dances and the chariot of the living goddess to Kathmandu, Holi fills the streets with coloured powder in spring, and Bisket Jatra celebrates the Nepali New Year in Bhaktapur. In the mountains, the Mani Rimdu festival at Tengboche Monastery and the Tiji festival in Lo Manthang feature masked dances by Buddhist monks.

You can also experience culture more quietly: staying in a Tamang homestay in the Langtang region, visiting a Sherpa home in Khumjung, learning about thangka painting in Bhaktapur or joining an evening prayer at a monastery in Boudhanath.

9. Adventure sports: rafting, paragliding and more

Nepal's rivers come straight down from the Himalaya, and the white-water rafting is among the best anywhere. The Trishuli River, on the way from Kathmandu to Pokhara or Chitwan, suits beginners and families, while the Bhote Koshi is steeper and wilder. Multi-day rafting expeditions on the Sun Koshi, Kali Gandaki and Karnali rivers combine white water with camping on sandy beaches.

Pokhara is one of the best places in the world for paragliding, with tandem flights over Phewa Lake and views of the Annapurna range. Other adventures include canyoning in the waterfalls of the Bhote Koshi valley, bungee jumping over a deep gorge near the Tibetan border, mountain biking on the rim of the Kathmandu Valley and down the Kali Gandaki valley, and rock climbing near Kathmandu.

10. Taste Nepali food

Food is an easy way to connect with Nepal. Dal bhat, rice with lentil soup, vegetable curry and pickle, is the national dish and the trekker's favourite fuel. Momos, dumplings filled with vegetables, buffalo or chicken, are sold everywhere from street stalls to smart restaurants. The Newar community of the Kathmandu Valley has its own rich cuisine, including bara lentil pancakes, spiced grilled choila, the festive samay baji platter and Bhaktapur's sweet juju dhau yoghurt. In the mountains, try Sherpa stew, Tibetan bread and butter tea; in the Kali Gandaki valley, Thakali dal bhat and Marpha's apple products are local specialities.

Where to go: Nepal's main destinations at a glance

Sample itineraries combining the best of Nepal

One week: highlights of Nepal

Spend two days exploring the Kathmandu Valley's World Heritage Sites, fly to Pokhara for sunrise at Sarangkot and a boat on Phewa Lake, then drive to Chitwan for two nights of jungle safari before returning to Kathmandu. Add an Everest mountain flight on your first morning if the weather is clear.

Ten days: culture and a short trek

After two days in Kathmandu, travel to Pokhara and walk the four- to five-day Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, then relax by the lake before a final day of sightseeing in Bhaktapur. This itinerary suits families and first-time visitors.

Two weeks: the classic trek

Combine the Everest Base Camp trek or the Annapurna Base Camp trek with two days of sightseeing in Kathmandu before you start and a couple of days in Pokhara or Chitwan afterwards to recover.

Three weeks or more: adventure Nepal

Climb Island Peak or Mera Peak after trekking in the Everest region, or walk the Manaslu Circuit, then finish with rafting on the Trishuli river and a jungle safari in Chitwan. Longer trips also allow remote treks such as Upper Mustang or Kanchenjunga.

When to visit Nepal for each activity

• Trekking and peak climbing: October–November and March–May are best. Winter suits lower treks; the monsoon suits Upper Mustang.
• Helicopter tours and mountain flights: October to May, in the early morning when skies are clearest.
• Jungle safaris: October to April, with the best wildlife sightings from February to April.
• Kathmandu and cultural tours: all year; spring and autumn offer the most pleasant weather and major festivals.
• Rafting: October to December and March to May, when river levels are ideal.
• Paragliding: October to April, when thermals are good and skies are clear.

Practical tips for visiting Nepal

Most nationalities can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu or apply online in advance; Indian citizens do not need a visa. The currency is the Nepali rupee, and ATMs are widely available in Kathmandu and Pokhara but limited in the mountains. Roads are winding and journeys often take longer than distances suggest, so domestic flights can save time on longer routes. Local SIM cards with data are cheap and easy to buy.

Travel insurance is essential, and for trekking, climbing, rafting or helicopter tours it must cover the specific activity and maximum altitude. Dress modestly at temples, walk clockwise around stupas, remove your shoes before entering temples and homes, and greet people with a warm namaste.

Travelling responsibly in Nepal

Tourism supports many communities across Nepal, from mountain lodges to jungle villages. You can help it benefit local people by choosing a locally owned company that pays guides and porters fairly, staying in family-run lodges and homestays, buying handicrafts directly from artisans, using refillable water bottles instead of plastic, and avoiding activities that harm animals. Respect local customs, ask before taking photographs of people and religious ceremonies, and leave the trails and villages as clean as you found them.

11. Watch sunrise from a Himalayan viewpoint

Set your alarm: a lot of the best moments in Nepal happen at dawn. From hilltop viewpoints, you can watch the first light turn the snow peaks pink and then gold while the valleys below are still in shadow. The most famous are Sarangkot above Pokhara, with Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Machhapuchhre; Poon Hill on the short Ghorepani trek; Nagarkot and Dhulikhel on the rim of the Kathmandu Valley; Kala Patthar and Gokyo Ri for trekkers in the Everest region; and Kyanjin Ri in Langtang. The clearest mornings are from October to April.

12. Meditation, yoga and wellbeing

Nepal has a long tradition of spiritual practice, and many visitors come to slow down as well as to explore. Monasteries and centres in the Kathmandu Valley, especially around Boudhanath and in the hills north of the city, offer introductory courses in Buddhist meditation, from single sessions to residential retreats. Pokhara has many yoga studios and wellness retreats beside Phewa Lake, and Ayurvedic massage and treatments are widely available. A few days of yoga or meditation are a restorative way to begin or end an active trip.

Things to do in Nepal for every type of traveller

Families

Families love boating on Phewa Lake, spotting rhinos from a jeep in Chitwan, feeding the pigeons in the Durbar Squares and watching potters at work in Bhaktapur. Short treks such as Australian Camp, Ghandruk or Ghorepani Poon Hill give children a real mountain adventure with manageable days, and rafting on the Trishuli is suitable for older children.

Couples and honeymooners

Couples can enjoy boutique heritage hotels in Patan and Bhaktapur, a sunrise over the Himalaya from a lodge in Nagarkot, a private Everest helicopter tour with breakfast facing the mountain, lakeside dinners in Pokhara and a jungle lodge in Chitwan.

Solo travellers

Nepal is welcoming to solo travellers. You can join a small-group trek or tour, stay in sociable guesthouses in Thamel and Pokhara, and meet other travellers in teahouse dining rooms on the trail. Restricted-area treks such as Manaslu require at least two trekkers, but other popular routes can be arranged privately with a guide.

Older travellers

Older travellers can enjoy Nepal at a relaxed pace, with private transport, comfortable hotels, short walks to viewpoints and cultural tours. Helicopter tours and mountain flights offer close views of the Himalaya without trekking at altitude.

Adventure seekers

For adrenaline, combine a high-pass trek or peak climb with white-water rafting, canyoning, bungee jumping, paragliding and mountain biking. Nepal has enough adventure to fill several trips.

Nepal on any budget

Nepal can suit almost any budget. Budget travellers can stay in simple guesthouses, eat local dal bhat and momos, and use tourist buses between cities. Mid-range travellers usually choose comfortable hotels, private transport and guided treks with teahouse accommodation. At the upper end, luxury lodges on the Everest and Annapurna trails, boutique hotels in the Kathmandu Valley, private helicopter tours and high-end jungle resorts make it a very comfortable trip. Whatever your budget, a good local guide adds enormous value by explaining the culture, handling logistics and keeping you safe.

13. Take a scenic road journey

Some of Nepal's road journeys are experiences in themselves. The drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara follows the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers past terraced hills and roadside villages, with the Himalaya appearing on clear days. The road to Jomsom through the Kali Gandaki gorge, one of the deepest in the world, passes between Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas, and the historic hill town of Bandipur, with its car-free main street of Newar houses, makes a perfect overnight stop between Kathmandu and Pokhara.

14. Learn a traditional craft

Many visitors enjoy learning a skill during their stay. Take a pottery class in Bhaktapur, try thangka painting in a studio, learn woodcarving from a Newar craftsman, or join a cooking class to make momos and dal bhat. These hands-on experiences support local artisans and give you a deeper appreciation of Nepali culture.

Whatever you choose, Nepal has a way of drawing visitors back. Many of our guests come for one trek and end up returning again and again for new valleys and festivals.

Plan your Nepal trip with Himalayan Hiking

Himalayan Hiking is based in Kathmandu. We organise treks, peak climbs, helicopter tours, jungle safaris, Kathmandu Valley tours and pilgrimages, and we can combine any of them into one itinerary with hotels, transport, permits and licensed guides. Browse the experiences on this page, or contact us with your dates and interests and we will design a trip around you.