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Country Facts
Capital
Kathmandu
Size
147,181 square km
Time Zone
GMT+5:45
Population
Approximately 30 million
Currency
Nepalese Rupee
Flight Time
No direct flights from the UK; typically 13 to 16 hours via a stopover
Nepal Travel Guide: From the Kathmandu Valley to the Himalaya
Where you travel shapes the depth of your journey. At Earth Trip, exploring a destination is about far more than ticking off landmarks, it’s about engaging meaningfully with ancient culture, dramatic landscapes and local communities. For our Nepal Holidays, we focus on experiential travel that connects you directly with the Himalaya and the Kathmandu Valley’s living heritage, not generic group tourism.
Every experience, attraction and partner hotel in our portfolio is hand-selected and personally inspected by our team, to guarantee genuine engagement, high standards of expert guiding, and strict adherence to our Responsible Travel standards.
Read our Excellent Reviews on Trustpilot. Discover why travellers trust our tailor-made approach by reading our verified feedback on Trustpilot.
Why Expert Guidance Matters
We don’t rely on generic third-party brochures. Our team evaluates Nepal first-hand, so we understand what matters most in practice: expert local guides, well-paced trekking logistics, reliable domestic flight connections to remote airstrips, and genuine respect for the communities we pass through.
Top Regions & Highlights
1. The Kathmandu Valley
Living Heritage: Seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites within a single valley, Durbar Squares, ancient stupas and temple complexes that remain in daily use, not preserved museum pieces.
2. The Annapurna & Everest Regions
World-Class Trekking: From short, accessible routes like Poon Hill to multi-week treks to Everest Base Camp, with teahouse lodges and private guides throughout.
3. Pokhara & the Lake District
Adventure Base: Boating on Phewa Lake beneath the Annapurna Range, with paragliding, white-water rafting and relaxed lakeside stays.
4. Chitwan National Park
Lowland Wildlife: Jungle safaris by jeep, canoe and foot in search of the one-horned rhinoceros and Bengal tiger, a world away from the mountains.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nepal Travel
1. When is the best time to visit Nepal?
October to November and March to April offer the clearest mountain views and most comfortable trekking conditions. December to February is colder but still good for the Kathmandu Valley and Chitwan.
2. How do clients travel between Nepal’s regions?
We combine private road transfers for the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara with short domestic flights to remote airstrips such as Lukla, avoiding public buses on longer routes.
3. Are Nepal itineraries suitable for families with children?
Yes, with the right pacing. Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan all suit families well; serious high-altitude trekking is better suited to older children and adults.
Preparing For A Trip To Nepal?
Essential Travel Logistics: Visas & Entry Requirements
Navigating the necessary paperwork is an essential step in preparing for your journey. Earth Trip ensures a smooth experience by providing the latest entry guidance for British nationals heading to Nepal.
Visa Requirements for British Citizens
- Tourism Entry: Unlike many destinations, British passport holders do require a visa for Nepal. This can be arranged in advance as an e-visa, or on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and at some land borders.
- Visa Options: Tourist visas are available for 15, 30 or 90 days, with fees paid in cash (USD) if arranged on arrival.
- Proof of Onward Travel: Immigration officers may ask for a confirmed return or onward flight, and in some cases your first night’s accommodation booking.
Passport Validity
- The Standard: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into Nepal.
- Blank Pages: At least one completely blank page is required for the visa stamp.
Stay Fully Informed: Entry rules can change. For the most up-to-date, definitive information, please consult the official FCDO page: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/nepal/entry-requirements, or the Nepalese Embassy in London.
Essential Travel Logistics: Tourism Health Information
Your health and peace of mind are central to a well-paced holiday. Because Nepal spans everything from subtropical lowlands to the highest mountains on Earth, a little preparation goes a long way.
Preparing for Your Journey
- Timeline: At least 8 weeks before departure, check the latest guidance on NaTHNaC’s TravelHealthPro or NHS Scotland’s FitForTravel.
- Altitude Sickness: A genuine risk for anyone trekking above 2,500m. We build acclimatisation days into every trekking itinerary, and your guide will be trained to recognise early symptoms.
Regional Health Risks
- Insect-Borne Conditions: Dengue is present in parts of the Terai lowlands. Standard precautions, repellent and covering up in the evenings, are recommended.
- Yellow Fever: A certificate is only required if you’re arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission, not for direct travel from the UK. **[CONFIRM against NaTHNaC before publishing]**
- Air Quality: Kathmandu can suffer from poor air quality, particularly in the dry winter months, worth noting if you have a respiratory condition.
Local Medical Infrastructure & Emergencies
Medical care in Kathmandu’s private hospitals is reasonable, but facilities are far more limited once you’re trekking in remote areas. Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation (including helicopter evacuation from trekking regions) is essential, not optional.
Stay Fully Informed: Health advice can evolve. For the latest official guidance, please consult the official FCDO updates: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/nepal/health.
Climate & Seasons: The Definitive Guide to Nepal
Nepal’s dramatic change in elevation, from under 100m in the Terai to over 8,000m in the high Himalaya, creates sharply different conditions depending on where and when you travel.
| Region / Highlight | Optimal Window | Seasonal Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| High-Altitude Trekking (Everest, Annapurna) | October–November, March–April | Clear mountain views and stable weather, the two trekking high seasons |
| Kathmandu Valley & Pokhara | October–April | Dry season, comfortable temperatures, good for sightseeing year-round within this window |
| Chitwan National Park | October–March | Cooler, drier conditions make wildlife easier to spot |
| Monsoon Season | June–September | Heavy rainfall, landslides can affect mountain roads; generally avoided for trekking |
Contact an Earth Trip specialist today to map out the ideal seasonal window for your tailor-made Nepal journey.
Reasons to visit Nepal:
- Mount Everest and other Himalayan peaks for trekking and mountaineering.
- Kathmandu Valley with its historic temples and Durbar Squares.
- Pokhara for its lakes, paragliding, and adventure sports.
- Chitwan National Park for wildlife safaris and nature exploration.
- Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, for spiritual journeys.
Nepal’s diverse landscapes, from towering mountains to tropical jungles, along with its spiritual significance and welcoming culture, make it a top destination for nature lovers, adventurers, and cultural explorers.
Preparing For A Trip To Nepal?
Visa Information / Entry requirements to Nepal
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Nepal’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Nepal set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Nepal Embassy in the UK.
COVID-19 rules
There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Nepal.
Passport validity requirements
To avoid problems at immigration, make sure your passport has an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after your date of entry into Nepal.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Checks at border control
At border control, you may need to show:
- a travel insurance document which has cover for healthcare costs including repatriation and other emergencies while you are in Nepal
- confirmation of where you will spend your first night, for example, a hotel booking
Visa requirements
You must have a visa to visit Nepal for up to 90 days.
Applying for a visa
You can apply online for a visa on arrival up to 15 days in advance of your arrival. Using your submission receipt, you then collect and pay for your visa at the airport. You can also apply using the forms or terminals available at the airport, then queue up to get the visa. You can pay by card, but you should have cash as a back-up, with US dollars being the preferred currency.
Alternatively you can apply for a tourist visa in advance and collect it from the Nepal Embassy in the UK or in another country. Applying in advance can reduce the time it takes to pass through immigration.
Visas are available for several lengths of stay at various costs. Look on the immigration department website for the options.
You can extend your visa online to up to a total of 150 days in one year.
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Tourism Health Information – Nepal
Before you travel check that:
- your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
- you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
Emergency medical number
There is no central public ambulance service. Some private providers operate in the main cities. In an emergency, call the nearest hospital. FCDO has a list of some of the hospitals in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Vaccine recommendations and health risks
At least 8 weeks before your trip:
- check the latest vaccine recommendations for Nepal
- see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page
See what health risks you’ll face in Nepal, including:
- dengue
- air pollution
Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Nepal, particularly in tourist and trekking areas. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.
Medication
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
Healthcare in Nepal
Medical treatment is expensive at western travellers’ clinics in Nepal. Healthcare is poor in most places outside the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara. It may be difficult to get rapid helicopter evacuation if you fall ill or suffer a serious accident in a remote area of the country. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad, repatriation and evacuation by helicopter. This usually costs between £1,000 and £2,000 or more per flying hour.
FCDO has a list of medical providers in Kathmandu and Pokhara where some staff will speak English.
There is also guidance on healthcare if you’re living in Nepal.
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Weather & When To Go To Nepal
Nepal experiences four distinct seasons, and the best time to visit depends on the activities you’re planning to do:
- Spring (March to May): This is one of the best times to visit Nepal. The weather is warm, with temperatures ranging from 16°C to 23°C in the lowlands and cooler in the higher regions. The skies are generally clear, making it ideal for trekking. During this time, the rhododendron forests bloom, adding beautiful colors to the landscapes.
- Summer/Monsoon (June to August): The summer season coincides with the monsoon, bringing heavy rain, especially in the lower regions. It can be hot and humid with temperatures around 23°C to 30°C. While trekking routes like the Everest Base Camp are still accessible, other trails may be slippery and muddy due to rain, and there could be landslides in some areas. However, this is a good time for visiting rain-shadow areas like Mustang and Upper Dolpo, where the monsoon is less intense.
- Autumn (September to November): Autumn is the best time to visit Nepal, particularly for trekking. The weather is mild and stable, with clear skies and stunning mountain views. Temperatures range from 10°C to 23°C, making it perfect for outdoor activities. Popular trekking routes like Annapurna and Everest are at their peak during this season due to ideal weather conditions.
- Winter (December to February): Winter brings colder temperatures, especially in the higher altitudes, where it can drop to -10°C or lower. However, in lower regions like Kathmandu and Pokhara, daytime temperatures remain around 10°C to 15°C. This season is less crowded, and trekking is possible in the lower altitudes, though higher altitude routes may be too cold or snow-covered.
Best Time to Visit Nepal:
- Autumn (September to November) is the prime season for visiting Nepal due to clear skies and pleasant temperatures, making it ideal for trekking and sightseeing.
- Spring (March to May) is another great time, especially for those who enjoy blooming flowers and milder weather conditions.
Read More On Visas
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