Nepal Trip Plan: Cost, What to See, Know and Do in Nepal

In this Nepal Trip Plan, you will find all you need, from how to travel around Nepal, how to stay safe, the best places to visit in Nepal, how much it costs to travel to Nepal, what is the best time to visit, and finding best accommodations & transportation options.

A trip to Nepal is a Dream Destination for many adventure travelers, and this Nepal Trip Plan is a one-stop guide for you to plan a perfect trip to Nepal.

I spent 30 days in Nepal and I have learned a lot during my trip – and now I bring to you all you need to know for planning your trip to Nepal and how to travel safely. 

This picturesque country has a lot to explore. Nepal offers treasures such as Everest, the tallest mountain on our planet, the house of the living Goddess Kumari, and Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha Shakyamuni.

If you are looking to explore the outdoors and love to immerse yourself in nature, Nepal is the perfect place to visit.

It is home to eight of the highest peaks in the world. Nepal also holds many World Heritage sites, has a strong history, culture, and religious influence, offering a great variety of options of things to do and see – Don’t forget to check this guide about 30 Things to Know Before your Trip to Nepal.

Enjoy this Nepal Travel Guide and I hope you can find all you need to plan your trip to Nepal.

 

LANGUAGE: There are 123 languages spoken in Nepal, and the most spoken in Nepali. You will find that in the touristy areas and the guides speak English.

CURRENCY: The currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupees – Click here for the daily conversion rate. You won’t be able to exchange Nepalese rupees outside Nepal.

TIPPING: It is not customary to tip in Nepal. But note that trekking in Nepal has a tipping culture and they expect you to tip the guides and porter. Read more about All you need to know about hiring a porter in Nepal.

CREDIT CARD & ATM: You can find ATMs in major cities – Kathmandu and Pokhara. I found it was easier to withdraw money from the ATM. If you are hiking and visiting rural areas, you won’t have access to ATM. You can pay for hotels, nicer restaurants, and shops in tourist areas with a credit card. 

PLUGS: The standard voltage in Nepal is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. The plugs in Nepal are plug styles C.D & M. I recommend buying a universal adapter and using a converter for hair dryers. 

NOTE: Power OUtages are very common around Nepal. You can be prepared with a power bank like this Anker Portable Charger as it holds 7 charges at once.

Wi-Fi IN NEPAL: You will find that in most hotels you will have access to decent Wi-Fi. But don’t expect to have internet access during your hiking in Nepal.

LOCAL SIM CARDS: Getting a local SIM card is the best way to have cell service in Nepal. There are 2 cell providers – NCell and Nepal Telecom

The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is one of the few countries in the world never to have been colonized

Nepal is a landlocked country located in South Asia, sharing borders with China/Tibet to the north, and India to the south, east, and west. 

Nepal is a landlocked country, home to the highest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas, including the tallest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest, as well tropical lowland plains in the south.

Nepal is home to over 26 million people, most of whom call the chaotic, dusty capital, Kathmandu, their home.

The first step for your trip to Nepal, you need to understand the Nepal Visa requirements- Click here to check the Visa requirements to Nepal.

The easiest way to obtain your visa is at the Tribhuwan International Airport upon your arrival in Kathmandu.  Get your Nepal visa through iVisa if you don’t want to fill out the forms yourself.

Otherwise, you can get your Visa to Nepal at the immigration entry point at the border of India or Tibet. The average pricing for the visa are:

• 15 DAYS: $25 USD 
• 30 DAYS: $40 USD
• 90 DAYS: $100 USD

The most important thing about your Nepal Trip Planning is to find the best flight for you. The trip is long, and prices can be steep – so I recommend starting looking for flights as soon as you can, and booking it way in advance to try to get a better deal.

There is a selection of airlines that offer flights to Nepal but the main ones are Virgin, Air India, Jet Airways, and Turkish.

Most people book tickets through to Kathmandu – Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), but you can also make your own way to a major regional air hub such as Delhi, and arrange transport from there.

Airfares depend on the time of year, but timings of the high, low, and shoulder seasons are calculated differently by each airline, and may not always coincide with tourist seasons.

Most airlines consider the high season to be summer and the period around Christmas; the low season is winter (excluding Christmas), while spring and autumn may be considered low or shoulder season, depending on your route. High-season prices from both the USA east and west coasts are around US$1500–2000.

I recommend you browse and compare prices for the BEST DEAL with Expedia or Skyscanner to find the best options for flights.

I mostly travel everywhere independently. But of course, there are some expectations when a guide is required, or the logistics are unfeasible to go by me. 

If you are traveling on a budget, the good news is that it is possible to explore Nepal independently – it only requires some research, planning, and physical preparation in case you are planning to go on hiking.

I explored Nepal with a private Travel Guide from Epic Adventures and I had an amazing experience, as they took care of my whole trip in Nepal.

I got to explore Kathmandu & Pokhara, hike the Annapurna Base Camp, go on the Everest Base Camp with the helicopter experience, and have a very unique experience at a Rural Homestay in the Himalayas all with my very experienced guide – including transportations, hiking permits and book of my accommodations. 

I have great news for you! Paula Pins the Planet readers get a special offer for a Private Tour in Nepal or a Guided Hiking in the Himalayas. Request your special price below, and I will send directly to your email,  an awesome Promo Code for your discount!

In some cases, you will want to join a group tour or even cases where you are required to hire a guide, such as The Annapurna Base Camp. But the group tours, or even a private guide, are very affordable in Nepal. Make sure you use reliable sources, and verified tours at tour companies such as GetYourGuide or Expedia. 

Nepal is small  – to be the exact US is 67 times larger than Nepal – but it is a country packed with amazing places to visit and some of the best places to hike on the Planet!

Let’s talk about Nepal Trip costs now – and the good news is that prices in Nepal are quite affordable. But as I always say, it will depend on your travel style.

Nepal Trip Cost in The City

You can spend as little as US$20/day per person if you choose to stay at a Hostel and cook your own food. If you choose to stay at a 3-star hotel and eat at local restaurants, it can cost you an average of US$50/day per person.

Nepal Trip Cost to Go To The Himalayas

Keep in mind that most likely you will be traveling around the country. Most people go hiking in the Himalayas (far from Kathmandu), and you will pay for transportation to get there. To take an 8-hour bus ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara costs US$25 per person or you can choose a 25 minutes flight for US$120.

Nepal Trip Cost to Go Hiking

 While trekking, you will have expenses with the lodges which can be as cheap as US$5 per day, plus an average of US$7 per meal. Hiring a porter will cost approximately US$10 per day and if you have a guide, prices can vary. You will also need to pay for everything else: hiking permits, liters of water (no bottles), Wi-Fi service, hot shower, hot tea, etc. Once you reach the summit, you can decide to take a helicopter flight back to the city if you don’t want to hike back, but this will add to your budget.

Average Prices per Day/ 2 People

	PRICE
ACCOMMODATION	US$50
FOOD	US$30
CAR RENTAL + GAS	US$20
ACTIVITIES	US$20

CHECK ACCOMMODATIONS

Car Rental in Nepal

I traveled by airplane and by car during my trip to Nepal and I don’t recommend renting a car in Nepal. The roads can be chaotic and take too long to go from one place to another, so my first option was to fly to save time.

The pavement stops at the city limits, after that the roads are pothole-filled, dusty, dirt paths. The big cities are pretty much walkable, and I walked almost everywhere in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Public Transportation in Nepal

There is no train or reliable public transportation in Nepal (other than buses). But if you are going to rely on buses in Nepal, be prepared to take a long time even for short distances. 

Kathamandu is only 125 miles (200 km) apart, but the bus ride takes at least around 5-6 hours. The same journey takes around 35 minutes by plane, and the prices are very affordable. 

Taxis in Nepal

It is easy enough to take a cab in Nepal, but you will need to negotiate before you get in, as they will try to charge you much more. The price can vary during the time of the day and also, depending on where you are going or coming from. Note that there is no Uber in Nepal.

I used a mix of hotels in the cities, tea-houses during my trekking, and homestay in the rural areas.

The accommodations in Nepal are generally cheap and you have many options to choose from. It will depend on your preference and budget. 

When you are visiting Kathmandu and Pokhara, you will have many options for hotels, hostels, or private rooms. While hiking in the Himalayas, you will stay in tea houses along the way.

Best accommodation options in Kathamandu:

If you are staying in Kathmandu, the best area is around Thamel, but keep in mind that the area can be noisy and very busy

• HOSTEL: The Big Tree Hostel offers accommodations with shared kitchen and bathroom and free Wi-Fi 
• BUDGET: An excellent option is the Everland Kathmandu Hotel featuring restaurant, bar, hot tub and great location.  
• MID-RANGE:  The Beautiful Kathmandu Hotel is the hotel I stayed and I recommend. Excellent location and service, with a great breakfast a a roof pool
• UPMARKET: The Dwarika’s Hotel has a beautiful pool, very comfortable rooms and restaurant with local cuisine.

Check Accommodation deals

Best accommodation options in Pokhara:

A good area to stay in is around the lake, as it is within walking distance from the city center, shops, restaurants, bars, etc. There are so many options for hotels in Pokhara, as it seems that each year dozens of new hotels open.

• HOSTEL: The Pokhara Youth Hostel has a great location and mountain views with free Wi-Fi
• BUDGET: Set just a 5-minute walk from the beautiful Phewa Lake, Hotel Middle Path & Spa offers clean and comfortable rooms with views and complimentary Wi-Fi
• MID-RANGE:  The White Pearl Pokhara is the hotel I stayed and recommend. Excellent location, comfortable accommodations and breakfast included.
• UPMARKET: Located 2.7 mi from Fewa Lake in Pokhara, Le Glamor Luxury Resort & Wellness Spa Pvt is a wonderful resort and glamour in Pokhara.

Check Accommodation deals

Accommodation options in the Himalayas

During your hiking in the Himalayas, you will have options of lodges or tea houses to stay. They are normally 3-4 hours apart and clustered together.

During the high season, you will need to book in advance as it gets busy and you may not find a room. They are normally very simple and offer a basic stiff mattress and warm blanket for you to spend a night during your hiking.

The accommodations are very basic, the walls are thin and the rooms don’t have heat. Typically you will have 1 outlet and 1 light bulb with 2-4 beds per room. A few rooms have bathrooms in the room and some lodges offer a gas-heated shower.

Lodges also have a main room/dining area. The main room is where people gather in the evenings to eat their meals and their share stories from the day. The main room is the warmest place to be in the evening. The lodges all offer basically the same menu (see below), and Wi-Fi is often available for a small fee. Booking.com

I visited Nepal during wintertime, and it was cold in the morning and evening, with more comfortable temperatures during the day. The rule of what to pack for Nepal is layers.

Also, Nepal is a very religious and conservative country, therefore consider this when you are packing and dressing conservatively.

• Adapters
• Portable Battery Pack: This battery last up to 7 phone charges
• Sarong: For a multi purpose cover up
• Water Purifier Steripen: It sterilized a liter of water in 90 seconds
• Portable water bottle: Remember to bring and drink a lot of water 
• Trekking Poles: If you are considering to hike in Nepal have hiking poles, as they do make hikes easier and your recovery time shorter 
• First-aid kit: Remember to pack kit for Hiking in Nepal
• Day-Backpack: This is very handy for any hiking. 
• Wear sturdy shoes for hiking: The most important thing is to protect your feet and avoid twisting your ankle and get injured. I recommend investing in a good hiking boots brand such as Teva, Salomon, or even Keens. 
• Moisture-wicking clothing: These clothes help to pull the sweat away from your body and stay cool and dry during your hiking such as light hiking pants & long sleeves shirts. 
• Warm-Layers: Early morning or late night can get cold so it is important to bring layers, a lightweight puffy jacket is a must!
• Hiking Jackets: You will wear one them a lot! 

June is the hottest month in Kathmandu with an average temperature of 73°F (23°C) and the coldest is January at 49°F (9°C) with the most daily sunshine hours at 12 in April.

The wettest month is July with an average of 325.3mm of rain. The morning and night are cold and the days are warm when sunny.

Nepal is a country of extremes. The low-land plains of the Terai can have tropical temperatures. The Himalayas can get to sub-zero temperatures, but the sunshine can bring some warmth during the day, even in the mountains.

October and December – This is the best time to visit Nepal as the skies are generally clear and the views spectacular. The weather remains dry until about April.

January and February –  can be very cold, especially at night, but will reward you with incredible panoramas and quieter trekking trails as there are fewer visitors

From May, heat and humidity levels build until the monsoon rains arrive in June and the clouds obscure the glorious mountain views.

I found Nepal a very safe country to visit. I didn’t see any signs of violence during the time I was visiting.

I even had an episode where I forgot my laptop at the lodge at the Annapurna Base Camp, and I just noticed the next day. My guide was able to contact the person in charge of the lodge, and my laptop got rescued by helicopter and got to the city before me.

The only annoying thing I found in Kathmandu is the guys selling drugs in the streets – not only at night time. In every country, you will see this around the tourist areas, but I found that in Kathmandu it was more than any other place. They are not aggressive and whenever you deny, they will leave you alone.

If you are wondering if you need Travel Insurance to Travel to Nepal, the answer is YES! You absolutely need travel insurance to travel to Nepal. Request a quote below, and you will be surprised how cheap is to have your trip covered and travel safely.

The cities offer a great variety of restaurants and dishes. From local cuisine to Indian to Western.

The food in Nepal is very good as they use a variety of unique spices. I was also surprised by the large variety on the menu in the lodges during the hiking; I didn’t expect to have so many options.

You also have an option to try the Nepal Cooking School to learn more about the amazing flavors of Nepal

• Dal Bhat –Dal is a soup made of lentils and spices, served over boiled grain, and Bhat is boiled rice. These two ingredients are accompanied with vegetable curry and tarkari. Condiments are usually small amounts of extremely spicy pickle which can be fresh or fermented.
• Momo –is one of the most popular dishes in Nepal. Momos are usually steamed dumplings, with a filling of meat or vegetables. It becomes succulent as it produces an intensively flavored broth sealed inside the wrappers and served with a curry dipping sauce.
• Nepali pizza – Very simple, but makes a great meal especially at night after our hike. A simple homemade dough with cheese and tomato is popular in Nepal and covered with cow or yak cheese.
• Breakfast – Nepali people usually do not have breakfast, so keep in mind that if you are in a non-tourist area, you will only have coffee or tea options. But if you are in the city you can find great cafes with pastries or find a continental or American breakfast pretty much everywhere, including during the hiking at the lodges.
• What else – Indian cuisine has a huge influence in Nepal and you can find a large variety pretty much everywhere. I did miss my greens, as I am very big on salad and in Nepal you don’t have the option for fresh green salads. I also avoided eating meat, as they are not very big on red meat. I did try some dishes with chicken and fish and they were all delicious.

Nepal offers a huge variety of outdoor activities for everyone’s taste and a paradise for Adventure Travelers.

Being the best mountaineering destination in the world, you can choose from many options for hiking from a few days to a few weeks. It will depend on the amount of time you have and the level you are willing to hike.

Nepal also is popular for:

• Rock climbing,
• canyoning,
• Mountain biking,
• Mountaineering,
• Whitewater rafting 
• Paragliding.

There are so many amazing opportunities for photos and videos, so it is impossible not to capture the amazing moments while traveling around. Therefore, do not forget to bring your camera equipment with you:

• This is the camera I use and love – Sony Mirrorless a7III
• Bring a couple of good lenses for different pictures – I always carry this lens with me
• Extra memory cards 
• I recommend bringing some filters
• Tripod to photograph the waterfalls and depending on the time of the year, the Aurora Borealis. 
• If you want to capture amazing videos, I use and recommend a Gimble Smartphone Stabilizer
• I also recommend a GoPro HERO9 for some action images videos and pictures.
• You can also capture incredible Drone images in Jalapao I use DJI Mavic Air 2
• If you are looking to take photos underwater this Underwater camera (with accessories) is a great option

During Nepal trip Planning, make sure you do some preplanning, research, and understanding what you are looking for will help make your travels far more successful and safe.

Make sure you have the places you want to visit highlighted. Nepal offers amazing things to do and explore. You can visit my Travel Planning and print the easy 10-steps to plan an international trip.  

Below are the 8 ESSENTIAL STEPS for planning your trip to Nepal:

1. DECIDE HOW MANY DAYS YOU HAVE AND WHAT YOU WANT TO VISIT: Depend on how many days you have to explore Nepal, you can visit the main cities of Kathmandu and Pokhara, and if you have more time you can add a trekking in the Annapurna Base Camp or Everest Base Camp.
2. BUY A GUIDE BOOK: During planning your trip to Nepal, an excellent resource is to buy an Nepal Travel guidebook. They have tons of great information on main attractions, places to stay, and many curiosities about Iceland’s culture.
3. CHECK VISA REQUIREMENTS: Get your Nepal visa through iVisa if you don’t want to fill out the forms yourself.
4. BOOK YOUR FLIGHT: There are great options to fly direct to Iceland.  I recommend you browse and compare prices for the BEST DEAL with Expedia or Skyscanner to find the best options for flights.  
5. BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN ADVANCE: Make sure you book your accommodations in advance to take advantage of the best prices and best options. I recommend Booking.com as it has a great policy of free cancelation.
6. BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE: Wherever you go or do during your travels, don’t travel anywhere in the world without travel insurance; the unexpected can, and often does, happen. I strongly recommend reliable travel insurance through World Nomads 
7. START PACKING: It will depend on when you go to Nepal to pack accordingly. Check my recommended packing list. 
8. BE A RESPONSIBLE TRAVELER: Responsible and Ethical traveling is REALLY IMPORTANT. Check my complete guide
9. BOOK ANY TOUR IN ADVANCE: There are great options for group or private tours in Nepal. I recommend booking through Epic Adventures Nepal and request your discount code above. 

I never leave my home without travel insurance which is designed to help cover your expenses if something goes wrong on your trip. Things can go wrong, and you don’t want to get stuck paying tons of money if you get sick or have an accident without travel insurance. 

World Nomads Travel Insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers, to cover their trip essentials. Especially if you are like me, travel insurance is ideal for adventurous travelers.

Travel smarter and safer – You can do your quick quote below and find out how little you can pay for the essential benefit of Travel Insurance for your next trip!