🗺️ Visa, Everest and Chitwan: a practical Nepal guide

Nepal is the Himalayas, jungles, and the birthplace of Buddha in one country. From day one, the scale shifts: distances here are measured not in kilometers, but in days of travel.

If you're visiting Nepal for the first time, this guide will save you time: visa, trekking permits, food, routes, and the main sights. Prices were checked as of 09/2026, with sources cited for key data.

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Nepal: key things before you go

💡 In short:

Plan your trip for March-May or October-November: monsoon rains run from June through September.
Get a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport, and apply for trekking permits separately.
Allow ten days to cover Kathmandu, Chitwan, Lumbini, and Bhaktapur.
Weather, visa, and trekking permits: as of 09/2026, according to the Nepal Tourism Board

The official language here is Nepali, but English is widely spoken in the tourism sector. Most residents practice Hinduism, and the currency is the Nepalese rupee. The day off here is Saturday: many shops and offices are closed. The climate depends on altitude, so on a single trip you can genuinely go from humid tropics to an icy desert.

A brief history of Nepal

The Kathmandu Valley, around which the state formed, was once the bed of a large mountain lake. An earthquake drained the water, and the valley was settled by people from surrounding areas, the ancestors of the Newar people.

The country reached its greatest flourishing in the 13th-17th centuries under the Malla dynasty, when palaces and temples were built. In 1816, Nepal signed the Treaty of Sugauli with the British. Under the Rana dynasty, the country remained closed to the outside world for over a hundred years. The 1923 treaty confirmed its independence, and in 2008 the monarchy was abolished: it is now the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. You can still see the palaces and temples of that era today in Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur, and the country's timeline is provided by the Nepal Tourism Board (as of 09/2026).

How to get to Nepal

Nepal is located in South Asia between China and India, separated from the former by the Himalayas. There are few direct flights, so almost all flights to Kathmandu involve a connection. It's convenient to compare tickets in advance: flights to Kathmandu on Kiwi.com.

Overland access is mainly through India. Roads within the country are gradually improving, but in the mountains a plane is still more reliable: there are over 40 airports in operation (as of 09/2026, the country's tourism portal). From Kathmandu you can easily continue onward across the country.

Visa and permits

You can get a Nepal visa in advance or on arrival: at Kathmandu airport and at land border crossings. Payment is in cash in US dollars, and the fee depends on the length of stay: 15 days costs $30, 30 days costs $50, 90 days costs $125 (as of 09/2026, National Tourism Authority).

For trekking, you need a separate permit and a TIMS card. These are issued through the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. In national parks, trekking is only allowed as part of a group with a local guide, so factor that in ahead of time.

Tribhuvan Airport terminal with control tower

What to try: Nepali cuisine

Nepali cuisine has evolved from the traditions of its neighbors, India and Tibet. Most dishes are built around rice: it is served with vegetables, meat, and sauces. Thin roti flatbreads made from rice, corn, or wheat flour are used as a side. In the mountains, yak milk and products made from it are added to the menu.

The most common dish is called dal bhat. First, boiled rice is placed in the center of the plate, and around it are arranged lentil soup, vegetables, pickles, sauces, and flatbreads. It is eaten with your hands, and portions are usually large. You can try dal bhat at almost any eatery.

For meat, locals cook chicken, pork, goat, and water buffalo. Momo are considered the local equivalent of dumplings. Sekuwa skewers and thukpa soup with noodles and a rich broth are also popular. For dessert, yomari made from rice flour with sesame and black molasses is served, and everything is washed down with masala chai with spices and milk.

Plate of rice with dal and curry, Nepali dal bhat

What to see in Nepal

The country's main experiences fall into three broad themes: mountains, wildlife, and Buddhist shrines. Add to that a craftsmen's town near the capital, worth a half-day visit.

Mountains and trekking

The Great Himalayan Range stretches for almost 3,000 km from Pakistan to Myanmar, and its highest section lies in Nepal. This is where Everest, also known as Sagarmatha, the highest peak on Earth, stands. It is part of Sagarmatha National Park, which contains several eight-thousanders and dozens of glaciers (as of 09/2026, official Nepal tourism website).

Climbing to the summit itself takes about two months with acclimatization and setting up camps, and it is expensive. Most travelers have a more modest goal: Everest Base Camp at an altitude of about 5,340 m. The trek there takes 12 to 14 days, passing through Sherpa villages and staying in lodges. No mountaineering experience is needed (according to the Nepal national parks service).

Everest and the Himalayas from a bird's-eye view

© Mount_Everest_as_seen_from_Drukair2.jpg : shrimpo1967 derivative work: Papa Lima Whiskey 2 ( talk ) · CC BY-SAPhoto: Mount_Everest_as_seen_from_Drukair2.jpg : shrimpo1967 derivative work: Papa Lima Whiskey 2 ( talk ), CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Besides Everest, the country has hundreds of routes at altitudes from 3,000 to 6,000 meters. The most popular goes around Annapurna (8,091 m) through the valleys of the Marsyangdi and Kali Gandaki rivers. Any mountain trek requires good physical fitness and experience, so many people book an organized tour in advance: trekking tours on GetYourGuide.

Nature: Chitwan National Park

Chitwan, Nepal's first national park, has been protected since 1973. Members of the royal family used to hunt here, and today it is one of the country's main nature reserves. The park covers about 950 km² of tropical forest (as of 09/2026, official Chitwan website).

Here you can genuinely see wild animals in their natural habitat. Rhinos and deer are found near the water, sloth bears and monkeys live in the forest, and crocodiles inhabit the marshy areas. There is a chance to see a Bengal tiger, but it hides deep in the jungle. Almost 70% of the territory is covered by sal forests, with trees reaching 35 meters in height (according to the national reserve management authority).

Safaris are conducted by jeep and during river rafting. You stay in bungalows, guesthouses, and mini-hotels in the village of Sauraha outside the park.

Marshy pond in the Chitwan tropical forest

Buddhism: Lumbini, Kopan and Boudhanath

On the southern border with India stands Lumbini, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the future Buddha. Pilgrims from all over the world come here. At the center of the complex stands the Maya Devi Temple, and nearby rises the pillar of King Ashoka.

Snowy peaks of Himalchuli above a dark ridge

In Kathmandu, the Kopan Monastery sits on a hilltop. More than 700 monks and nuns live and study here, and foreigners are taught the basics of Buddhism in English: lectures, discussions and meditation. The course lasts up to 10 days and runs every two months, and you can meditate in the Sacred Garden.

White Peace Pagoda with golden spire in Lumbini

The Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu is considered the main center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. It was built in the 6th century on the site where pilgrims stopped on their way from India to Tibet. The base of the stupa symbolizes earth, the dome water, and the 13-step spire fire. Around it are Tibetan monasteries, souvenir shops and restaurants.

Bhaktapur: city of artisans

Just 16 km from Kathmandu lies Bhaktapur, which you can reach in half an hour. Nepalese traditions and old architecture are best preserved here. The city's main points: Durbar Square with its temples and pagodas, the royal palace, and the trading squares of Taumadhi Tole and Tachupal Tole. Here you can buy goods made by local craftsmen, and Bhaktapur itself is often called an open-air museum (according to the Bhaktapur tourism office).

Bhaktapur Durbar Square with palace and temples

Tours and tickets in Kathmandu

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to go to Nepal?

The best months fall into two dry windows: March to May and October to November. During these periods it is clear, warm, and the mountains are clearly visible. During the monsoon, roads get washed out and trails become slippery.

How much does a visa cost and how do I get one?

A visa is issued on arrival at Kathmandu airport or in advance. The fee depends on the length of stay, payable in cash in US dollars. Check the exact amounts on the tourism board website.

How long does it take to hike to Everest Base Camp?

The classic route to base camp takes 12 to 14 days including acclimatization. No mountaineering experience is needed, but good physical fitness is essential.

What should I see in Nepal besides the mountains?

Besides the Himalayas, it is worth seeing Chitwan National Park with its rhinos and tigers, the sacred sites of Lumbini and Boudhanath, and the artisan town of Bhaktapur. One or two days is enough for Chitwan and Lumbini, and half a day is sufficient for Bhaktapur. If you are traveling for culture, start with Kathmandu: it is easy to reach all these places from there.

Is it realistic to cover the main sights in ten days?

Yes, that is enough for the main sights without trekking. Three to four days go to the capital and the valley, two days to safari, and the rest to Buddhist shrines. If you want to add trekking, plan for at least two weeks. It is more convenient to build the route clockwise to minimize driving.

In short: what to book

If you are going for trekking: book a multi-day guided route in advance, spots fill up quickly in season. If wildlife is more your thing: plan two days in Chitwan with an overnight stay in Sauraha. If you want culture: combine Kathmandu, Boudhanath, Lumbini, and Bhaktapur into one route.

Hotels in Kathmandu are best booked in advance: check prices on Trip.com.

Nepal: the Himalayas, Chitwan safari and Buddhist shrines