Asia
Nepal
Teahouse treks to the foot of the highest mountains on earth.
Nepal is built for walking. The Annapurna Circuit and the Everest Base Camp trek both run from village to village, with a bed and a plate of dal bhat waiting at every teahouse along the way.
Between treks, Kathmandu and Pokhara are easy places to rest, and Chitwan National Park is the place to look for rhinos from the back of a jeep.
Good to know
- Time zone
- GMT+5:45
- Plugs
- Types C, D and M, 230V
- Emergency numbers
- 100 police, 102 ambulance, 1144 tourist police
- Tap water
- Drink bottled or filtered
- Traffic drives on the
- Left
- Tipping
- Tip trekking guides and porters around 10–15% of the trek cost at the end, and round up in Thamel restaurants.
- SIM cards
- Ncell and Nepal Telecom SIMs cost about 100 rupees plus 500–1,000 rupees for a data pack, and you will need your passport.
When to go to Nepal
Best months to go: March to April and October to November. Pick a month to see what it’s like.
Bars show rainfall; numbers are the average daytime high. Amber marks the best months to go.
September
The rains ease late in the month. Festivals begin in Kathmandu.
- Daytime high
- 27°C
- Rainfall
- 200 mm
- Crowds
- Quiet
| Month | Daytime high | Rainfall | Crowds | Best time to go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°C | 15 mm | Quiet | No |
| February | 21°C | 20 mm | Quiet | No |
| March | 25°C | 35 mm | Busy | Yes |
| April | 28°C | 60 mm | Peak season | Yes |
| May | 29°C | 120 mm | Busy | No |
| June | 29°C | 250 mm | Quiet | No |
| July | 28°C | 370 mm | Quiet | No |
| August | 28°C | 340 mm | Quiet | No |
| September | 27°C | 200 mm | Quiet | No |
| October | 26°C | 55 mm | Peak season | Yes |
| November | 23°C | 8 mm | Busy | Yes |
| December | 20°C | 5 mm | Quiet | No |
What Nepal costs
Work out a budget for your trip, then check what everyday things cost.
$336for 14 days, about $24 a day (Rs 46,400 in total)
| Cost | Per day | For the trip | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed | $6 | $84 | |
| Food and drink | $8 | $112 | |
| Getting around | $4 | $56 | |
| Things to do | $4 | $56 | |
| Everything else | $2 | $28 |
Per person, in US dollars. Flights and insurance not included.
What things cost
- Plate of dal bhat in KathmanduRs 350, about $2.54
- Plate of momosRs 200, about $1.45
- Cup of milk teaRs 60, about $0.43
- Large bottle of Everest beerRs 600, about $4.35
- Hostel dorm bed in ThamelRs 700, about $5.07
- Tourist bus, Kathmandu to PokharaRs 1,500, about $11
- Annapurna Conservation Area permitRs 3,000, about $22
- Dal bhat at a high teahouseRs 900, about $6.52
Routes through Nepal
Where to go and how long to stay, for the time you’ve got.
14 nights, 5 stops
The Kathmandu Valley, a short teahouse trek from Pokhara and a few days looking for rhinos in the jungle.
Kathmandu
3 nights
Durbar Square, the Boudhanath stupa and the lanes of Thamel.
Bhaktapur
1 night
A car-free medieval city of temples, potters and courtyards.
Pokhara
3 nights
Paddle on Phewa Lake and paraglide off Sarangkot.
Ghorepani and Poon Hill
4 nights
A short trek to a famous sunrise over Dhaulagiri and Annapurna.
Chitwan
3 nights
Jeep safaris and canoe trips in search of rhinos and tigers.
Getting around
Bus
$10–20 for a tourist bus
Tourist buses link Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan. Roads are slow and bumpy, so allow a full day.
Jeep / 4x4
$15–40 for a shared seat
Shared jeeps reach trailheads and mountain villages that buses cannot.
Walk
Free, plus permits and teahouse beds
Walking is the main way to get around the mountains. Teahouses sit a few hours apart on the popular treks.
Flight
$100–220 one way
Short hops to Pokhara, Lukla and Jomsom save days but are often delayed by weather.
What to eat and drink
Dal bhat
Rice, lentil soup, curry and pickle, with free refills. Fuel for every trek.
Rs 350, about $2.54
Momo
Steamed or fried dumplings filled with buffalo, chicken or vegetables, with a spicy tomato dip.
Rs 200, about $1.45
Thukpa
A warming Tibetan noodle soup, found in every mountain teahouse.
Rs 300, about $2.17
Juju dhau
Rich, sweet yoghurt served in a clay pot. The speciality of Bhaktapur.
Rs 100, about $0.72
Chiya
Milky, sugary tea brewed with spices and drunk all day long.
Rs 60, about $0.43
Tongba
Warm millet beer sipped through a bamboo straw, topped up with hot water.
Rs 300, about $2.17
Say it like a local
A few words go a long way. Tap “Hear it” to listen, where your browser can.
Hello
नमस्ते
Say it like: nuh-muh-stay
Thank you
धन्यवाद
Say it like: dhun-yuh-baad
How much?
कति हो?
Say it like: kuh-ti ho
Too expensive
धेरै महँगो
Say it like: dheh-rai muh-hun-go
Not spicy, please
पिरो नहाल्नुहोस्
Say it like: pee-ro nuh-haal-noo-hos
Delicious
मीठो छ
Say it like: mee-toh chha
Slowly, slowly
बिस्तारै बिस्तारै
Say it like: bis-taa-rai bis-taa-rai
Enough, thanks
पुग्यो
Say it like: poo-gyo
Places to go in Nepal
Khumbu
The Everest region: Sherpa villages, monasteries and the trail to Base Camp, reached by a short flight to Lukla.
Shoestring
Questions travellers ask
Do I need a guide to trek?
Since 2023 foreign trekkers are required to hire a licensed guide in most national parks and conservation areas, including Annapurna. The Everest region has not enforced the rule so far, but check before you go.
How do I avoid altitude sickness?
Gain no more than 500 metres of sleeping height a day above 3,000 metres and build in rest days. If a headache or nausea gets worse, go down.
Do I need cash on a trek?
Yes. There are few ATMs above the trailheads, and teahouses charge extra for wifi, hot showers and charging. Take more rupees than you think you need.
When is the best time to trek?
October and November for the clearest views, and March to May for flowers and warmer days. The monsoon from June to September brings cloud, leeches and landslides.
Is it worth flying to Lukla?
It saves about a week of walking, but flights are often cancelled by cloud. Leave a couple of spare days at the end of your trip.