NEPAL TRAVEL GUIDE: USEFUL INFORMATION FOR YOUR NEPAL TRAVEL PLAN
Table of Contents
Why Travel to Nepal? Here Are 5 Great Reasons
Here are 5 compelling reasons to visit Nepal—once you’re inspired, don’t miss our 10-day itinerary in Nepal (no trekking or hiking) covering Kathmandu, Nagarkot, Bhaktapur, Patan, Chitwan, and Pokhara.
1 – BUDGET DESTINATION
NEPAL IS A VERY AFFORDABLE DESTINATION, WITH AN EXCELLENT PRICE-QUALITY RATIO.
Nepal is one of the cheapest destinations you will find in Asia, and perhaps even in the World. That said, do not imagine indecent conditions, miscommunication, dirty hotels, or poor service. On the contrary, Nepal has been hosting Western tourists since the 1960s and 1970s—especially thanks to the Hippie Trail and the rise of trekking tourism in the Himalayas. Over generations, Nepalese people have accumulated a wealth of experience in tourism. They generally understand the needs of tourists and genuinely try their best to meet them. The service is sincerely well-organized, kind, and competent.
As for the budget: in Chitwan National Park, we paid just $15 for three nights in a very clean room with hot water and a fan. In major cities, we stayed in boutique hotels, spending about $20–25 per night in fantastic locations with impeccable service, spotless cleanliness, air conditioning, and even breakfast included!
2 – SAFETY
NEPAL IS A VERY SAFE DESTINATION:
Nepal is one of the safest countries we’ve visited. Walking alone at night through narrow streets with few people around is not frightening at all. Nepal’s tourism tradition is based on love and respect for tourists and the tourism industry. Generally, it is rare to be cheated or exploited in tourist places like hotels, restaurants, or travel agencies. However, it is always advisable to use common sense and stay alert during transactions.
3 – AUTHENTICITY
NEPAL IS A DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE DESTINATION:
Nepal has been an isolated country for centuries and has maintained its independence, preserving its unique culture and vibrant traditions. It is one of the few authentic countries that still exist in a world tending towards globalisation. A trip to Nepal may seem like a journey back in time, with many features reflecting a traditional and ancient way of life. From local markets to cities, to infinite hours-long bus journeys through rural landscapes, you can meet sincere and simple people, in an atmosphere belonging to a bygone era. Nepal’s deep-rooted spiritual practices are remained largely unchanged for centuries and it is impossibile to miss to observe it through the encounters with the “living goddess” or the child monk, as well as the astonishing Cremation Temple.
4 – VARIETY
NEPAL HAS A GREAT VARIETY OF THINGS TO SEE:
5 – FOOD
NEPAL IS A DESTINATION WHERE YOU EAT WELL:
Although dal bhat is often considered to be the only Nepalese dish, in reality, with over 120 ethnic groups, each with its culinary culture, along with immigration from Tibet and proximity to India, Nepalese cuisine is extremely diverse and delicious. It’s not just about spicy dishes, but you can find delicious and interesting combinations of ingredients and surprising culinary experiences, such as hot beer, dried fermented spinach soup, as well as niche products like Nepalese tea and coffee grown on the slopes of the Himalayas.
Kathmandu Airport Arrival Guide: Visa, SIM, Money & Transport Tips
Getting Your Nepal Visa on Arrival (No Surprises!)
For our Nepal arrival visa, we completed the online form before leaving Italy, which definitely saved us time. At the airport, QR code signs clearly guide you through the visa-on-arrival process. The procedure was straightforward—we simply provided our first hotel’s address, paid in USD or EUR per person, and received our visa immediately.
Pro Tip: Just near the visa kiosk, there is an exchange office. We wanted to change our money there, but they recommended we try outside since their exchange rate was not convenient. We loved the honesty. In fact their exchange rate was 108 rupee for 1 Eur while just after the immigration it was 134 rupee.
Immigration Process: Simpler Than Expected
Contrary to what we’d read on other travel blogs, there were no additional forms to complete. After the arrival visa, we headed to the immigration police, who asked for our boarding cards and hotel address—nothing more.
After Immigration: Security, SIM Cards & Money Exchange
Following baggage collection, we passed through a mandatory security checkpoint with x-ray scanning and a brief personal search. Once through, we found everything we needed in one convenient area:
SIM card:
For a Nepali SIM card, bring a passport photo, your passport for copying, and complete a simple form.
We were glad that we purchased a local SIM card instead of an e-SIM. During our journey on different occasions we used our land line phone. Remember that not all Nepalese have yet the internet therefore you need to use your landline number instead of calling from apps.
Money Exhange:
We used Yetimoney Exchange Office with an 139 rupees per EUR (compared to only 108 inside the terminal) In subsequent days, we noticed exchange rates fluctuated slightly, but most exchange offices maintain similar rates, even in tourist districts.
Kathmandu Airport TAXI:
We purchased our ride by the Official Taxi Reservation Desk. Our taxi from the Kathmandu Airport to Thamel cost us 950 rupees (approximately $8 USD/€9 EUR)—a fair price for the night shift. For better taxi rates, download the Idrive App (Nepal’s Uber equivalent). While you’ll still pay cash, the return journey from Thamel to the airport only cost us around 600 rupees—much less than our hotel’s proposed rate that included a return journey markup.
As we exited the terminal, we were pleasantly surprised to find additional money exchange booths, SIM card vendors, and even travel offices—all fully operational at midnight, providing remarkably efficient service.
PROTIP: Remember to pack extra passport photos—you’ll need them throughout your Nepal journey, including for permits like Durbar Square entrance.
Money-Saving Tip: Use Idrive for all your transportation needs in Kathmandu to avoid overpaying for taxis. The app shows the fare upfront, eliminating the need for negotiation.
Transportation in Nepal
Getting Around Cities
IDRIVE: Your Essential Transportation Companion in Nepal
Virtually every local and traveler we met strongly recommended using the IDRIVE app (be careful not to download EDRIVE by mistake!) for getting around Nepali cities. After trying it ourselves, we completely agree—it’s both safer and significantly cheaper than negotiating with traditional taxis. Also the convenience of knowing the price beforehand and avoiding unnecessary negotiations saves stress.
Here are some important points that you should expect when you use IDRIVE app in Nepal:
- Cash payment: IDRIVE operates similarly to Uber but requires cash payment after completing your ride.
- Expect a Call After Booking: Drivers almost always call immediately after you book, as Nepal’s GPS mapping isn’t always accurate. Since many drivers have limited English, we recommend sending a text message with specific landmarks (e.g., “In front of Hotel Himalaya, blue gate”).
- Unreadable license plates: Nepali license plates use traditional numerals that look nothing like Western numbers. This became a challenge especially because almost all cars are taxis and they are white! Study a little or save a Nepali number chart on your phone to avoid getting into the wrong vehicle which happened to us twice!
Traveling Between Cities in Nepal:
Tourist Buses: Your Best Transportation Option
The bus is the only option you have if you do not want the risky, expensive, and unreliably scheduled plane option or renting a car with a driver. Renting a car to save time won’t work due to the current condition of the roads, which seem likely to remain this way for at least the next five years. For example, traveling a distance of 120 km can take 7-8 hours! All buses traveling between cities are called tourist buses; the term “tourist” is not reserved for foreigners. You will be traveling with locals as well.
The bus is the only practical option for intercity travel in Nepal if you want to avoid:
- Risky and expensive flights with unreliable schedules
- Costly private cars with drivers that won’t actually save time
Road Reality Check: Renting a car won’t help you beat Nepal’s challenging road conditions (likely to remain this way for at least five more years). To give you an idea, a 120 km journey can take 7-8 hours!.
What to Know: All intercity buses are called “tourist buses,” but this doesn’t mean they’re exclusively for foreigners—you’ll have the opportunity to travel alongside locals as well.
Choosing Your Comfort Level: Deluxe vs. Sofa Buses
You have two main options when selecting your bus:
Deluxe Tourist Buses
- Standard bus seating
- Lower price point
- Same routes and schedules as sofa buses
Sofa Tourist Buses
- Feature large, cushioned sofa-style seating
- Better shock absorption on bumpy roads
- Higher price but significantly more comfortable
Our Experience: We tried both options. Initially, we chose the deluxe bus from Kathmandu to Chitwan to avoid what we thought might be “cheesy” oversized sofa seats. Being our first and shortest trip, we managed but were exhausted afterward.
From Chitwan to Pokhara, deluxe buses weren’t available, so we reluctantly took a sofa bus—and immediately understood their appeal! The enormous sofas absorbed road bumps remarkably well, making our 199 km journey in 12 hours surprisingly manageable.
Comfort Note: All buses make regular stops approximately every 2.5 hours at convenient locations with relatively(!) clean bathroom facilities.
How to Book Your Bus Ticket
- Ask your hotel (easiest option)
- Visit a local travel agency
- Book online at nepaltouristbus.com
Key Routes & Practical Information
Kathmandu to Chitwan/Sauraha (120 km)
- Cost: Deluxe bus – 850 rupees; Sofa lux bus – 1200 rupees
- Duration: 7 hours despite the relatively short distance
- Our Experience: Our bus departed Thamel at 7 AM. Since we were in Bhaktapur, we boarded at Baba Petrol Station at 7:45 AM, reserving by phone through Chitwan Safari Travel’s WhatsApp number and paying onboard. The driver’s assistant kept us informed as we waited along the highway. Despite being told we’d arrive by noon, we reached Chitwan at 2 PM.
Chitwan/Sauraha to Pokhara (150 km)
- Departure: Chitwan Bus Station in Sauraha at 7:30 AM
- Arrival: Pokhara at 2:30 PM
- Scenery: Pleasant views during the 7-hour journey
- Booking: We purchased tickets through our hotel
- Alternative Departures: Additional options at 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM
- Cost: 900 rupees for deluxe; 1200 rupees for sofa buses (slightly more expensive online)
Pokhara to Kathmandu (200 km)
- Safety Advisory: Choose morning departures only; night travel is hazardous given road conditions
- Duration: 10.5 hours for the 200 km journey
- Schedule: Our bus departed at 7:30 AM and arrived around 6:00 PM
Arrival Note: Instead of stopping at a proper terminal, the bus dropped us on the roadside, requiring us to negotiate a taxi (using IDRIVE app for price reference)
Best Time to Visit Nepal and Tips
Autumn (October–November) is the ideal times to visit Nepal, people also suggest Spring (March–May) but it has some disadvantages. Here is my personal experience in Spring:
We visited in early May—hot but manageable. Unfortunately, we missed the Himalayan views due to haze and fires. Avoid the monsoon season (June–August) due to poor road conditions.
As mentioned, we traveled to Nepal at the end of April and the beginning of May. The cold weather was long gone, and temperatures soared above 30°C. Despite the lack of humidity, we encountered mist, pollution, forest fires, and locals burning grass, which is typical for this season.
In Nagarkot, which we included in our itinerary only to enjoy the Himalayan views from our balcony, we were quite disappointed. The locals told us it was normal in May for the Himalayas to be invisible unless it rained. The week after we left, it finally rained!
In Pokhara, we faced similar disappointment as no mountain views were visible. Behind Phewa Lake, we expected to see the Annapurna Range, but even from high vantage points, forest fires obscured the scenery. Still, we had a wonderful trip and don’t regret visiting Nepal off-season. We’ll return to witness the breathtaking Himalayan views we saw in pictures displayed everywhere.
In Kathmandu and Bhaktapur, temperatures exceeded 30°C, but it felt like 27–28°C—comfortable due to low humidity and indirect sunlight from mist and pollution.
In Chitwan, temperatures reached 40°C, but the dry heat made it bearable. Pokhara and Nagarkot were slightly cooler, around 26°C.
Are you curious about our Nepal trip? Then read more my post Nepal in 10 days without trekking
Worst Time to Visit Nepal
The monsoon season (June–August) is the worst time to visit Nepal. Heavy rainfall deteriorates road conditions, causing frequent closures, making travel nearly impossible. Safaris in Chitwan also close during this period.
Cities like Kathmandu and Bhaktapur may still be enjoyable, as rain typically falls at night, but muddy roads can be inconvenient.
Best Time to Visit Nepal
Autumn (October–November) and winter (December–February) are the best times to visit Nepal. Autumn is peak season, but winter offers fewer crowds if you don’t mind the cold.
For our next trip, we’ll choose autumn—cooler weather, clear skies, and manageable tourist numbers (unlike crowded destinations like Thailand). Plus, costs remain reasonable year-round.
Accomodation in Nepal : Where to stay
We always prefer only very well-reviewed small hotels. Good ratings on Trip.com or Booking.com rarely disappoint; in fact, they were all very clean and provided decent service. In Chitwan, we opted for a homestay, but it turned out to be a family-run small hotel, very efficient and very clean.
WHERE TO STAY IN KATHMANDU:
We usually prefer to stay at the historical hearth of the cities, close to the main square of the city but in Kathmandu it was not the case, at least not just nearby. Thamel is without discussion is the right place to stay in Kathmandu. It is in anyway walking distance to the Durbar Square.
WHERE TO STAY IN BAKHTAPUR:
In this charming town, everything is within walking distance. We chose a small, historic, and very affordable boutique hotel close to Taumadhi Square rather than Durbar Square, which turned out to be the right choice as Taumadhi Square was more lively at night. Its proximity to the highway and the city walls was convenient, as taxis could easily enter and exit to accompany us, eliminating the need to walk.
WHERE TO STAY IN CHITWAN:
Sauraha is often described as the most touristy and crowded option. However, Nepal never feels overwhelmingly touristy. We didn’t want to isolate ourselves in a distant lodge, as we imagined the safari culture here would be different from Africa. We were pleased with our choice of Sauraha, located right at the entrance of Chitwan National Park. It offers travel agencies, numerous restaurants, and riverside bars perfect for sunset views. The area is also ideal for exploring by bike.
WHERE TO STAY IN POKHARA:
Places stay in Pokhara are around the long street surrounding the lake and the steep, sloping streets that intersect with this avenue. The areas with the market, caves, and waterfalls in Pokhara are far and less enjoyable.
Safari Guide to Chitwan National Park and Prices
Once you arrive in Chitwan—especially if you’re staying in a central part of Sauraha—you’ll find plenty of travel agencies and independent guides offering even cheaper safari tours. Your hotel will likely have options as well, which is great for comparing prices and packages.Here are the prices we found in Sauraha when we arrived. Keep in mind, these are low-season rates—about as cheap as it gets after some negotiation. That said, we didn’t find the service very satisfying. For more details, keep reading:
Chitwan National Park Entrance Fee: 4,000 NPR
Elephant Breeding Center (ethics debatable): 100 NPR
Group Safari Package (Canoe, Walk, Jeep): ~6,500 NPR per person
Private Full-Day Jeep Safari: ~$250 for two people
Private Full-Day Walking Tour: ~$120 for two people
When we first got to Sauraha, we felt a bit stressed. We hadn’t booked anything online in advance and arrived in the afternoon, only managing to rent bikes and explore the area on our own.
We ended up booking a full day safari package including morning canoe + walking tour, lunch break and afternoon jeep safari. It wasn’t so bad, the guide were really kind, but to be honest, we were hoping for a bit more in terms of professional knowledge and organization.
That’s why I recommend making sure your guides are experienced and certified—especially for walking tours, where safety and knowledge really matter. Booking your Chitwan safari in advance through trusted providers can give you peace of mind and help you secure your spot, particularly during high season.
Below, you’ll find affiliate links to carefully selected tours from our trusted partners. These are options we’d genuinely recommend for their value, safety standards, and guide quality. Booking through these links comes at no extra cost to you and helps support this blog.
Kathmandu Durbar Square: How to Exten your ticket for free
- Kathmandu Durbar Square entrance ticket costs 1000 NPR per person, which is around 6-7 EUR/USD (as of now, July 2024, considering currency fluctuations).
- This ticket is typically a single-entry pass. However, you can extend it by visiting the municipality office within Durbar Square until the end of your trip in Nepal.
- To extend your ticket, you’ll need your passport, arrival visa, and a passport-sized photo. It’s advisable to carry extra passport photos and a copy of your passport while in Nepal.
- The extension process is usually quick unless a large tourist group is ahead of you.
- You really need a professional guide to explain you about all the sites in Durbar Square. You will be followed by guides in the Square when you arrive but not every one of them can speak English properly. Therefore it may be a good idea to book a professional reliable tour to discover this Unesco Heritage Site. Here below I leave some links where I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to your purchase.
5 Curiosities About Nepal
1. Most of the Nepalese eat only this dish every meal, everyday and all day in all their lives: Dal Bhat.
Dal Bhat is a traditional meal consisting of steamed rice (bhat) and lentil soup (dal), often served with a variety of accompaniments such as vegetables, pickles, and curd.In rural parts of Nepal it is the only way to eat lunch or dinner. In many traditional Nepalese restaurants, when you order Dal Bhat, you often get unlimited refills.
2- There is a Living Goddess in Nepal called KUMARI
Nepalese believe in a living goddess who is a little girl chosen meticulously after severe tests and kept close until her menstruation begins.
The incarnation of Goddess Kali is believed to be in her blood, and whenever she loses some blood, the Goddess changes her body, therefore, a new Kumari must be chosen. You can catch a glimpse of her from her balcony for a few minutes in Kathmandu’s Durbar Square. Read how and when to see Kumari in my other post Nepal 10 days itinerary.
3. Women during their period are out of home.
4. Numbers are different in Nepal.
You will understand as soon as you try to read the car plate of your local uber app, Idrive. The numbers are completely different and not easy to memorize, especially after 10. You have to merely memorize all the numbers as there’s no pattern or method to help you combine numbers to form two-digit numbers for easier recall.
5. Nepal is in Year 2081, 57 years ahead of the rest of the World
Nepali Sambat, the official and traditional calendar of Nepal. It’s a combination of lunar and solar calendars. Nepalese people use it to understand their horoscopes accurately from this calendar as well as the ceremony dates. The months have different names than the rest of the world, and the New Year is usually in October or November.
