How to plan a trip to Nepal

Start 2-3 months ahead: decide if you want trekking, cultural sites, or both; book flights and accommodation in Kathmandu for at least 3 days; get your visa on arrival or apply beforehand; pack layers for mountain weather. Nepal is affordable and welcoming—most travelers spend $30-50 per day.

1. Decide what kind of trip this is. Nepal works for trekking, temple culture, adventure sports, or a mix. If trekking is your main goal, you need 5-7 days minimum for a proper trek. If you want Kathmandu, Pokhara, and the Everest region, plan 10-14 days. If you're only doing cultural sites in the Kathmandu Valley, 4-5 days works. Write down your priorities—trekking peaks, spiritual sites, wildlife, or cities—before you book anything.
2. Choose your trekking route if that's part of the plan. The most popular treks: Everest Base Camp (12-14 days), Annapurna Circuit (16-21 days), Langtang Valley (7-10 days), or Manang-Mustang (10-14 days). Easier options include Ghorepani Poon Hill (4-5 days) or day hikes around Pokhara. Each has different elevation, difficulty, and crowds. Look at recent trip reports from the last 6 months—conditions change. If you're not experienced at high altitude, start lower and go slower than you think you need to.
3. Book flights 6-8 weeks out. Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport) is the main entry point. Flights from Bangkok, Delhi, or Doha are usually cheapest. From North America or Europe, expect $900-1400 return. Flying into Kathmandu, spending a few days there, then flying to Pokhara ($80-120) for a trek or leisure time is the standard move. Book direct with airlines or through Skyscanner, not tourist agencies—you'll get better prices.
4. Handle your visa. Most nationalities get a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport—no advance booking needed. Have your passport, a passport photo, and $100 USD cash ready. If you prefer to skip the queue, apply online through the Nepal Immigration website 5-7 days before arrival. Processing takes 1-2 business days. The visa costs: 15 days for $25 USD, 30 days for $40 USD, 90 days for $100 USD. You don't need it before arrival unless you're arriving on a tight schedule.
5. Book accommodation in Kathmandu. Plan 2-4 nights in Kathmandu before or after your trek. Thamel neighborhood is where most tourists stay—it's noisy but central. Budget guesthouses cost $15-30 per night; mid-range hotels $40-80. Book through Agoda or Booking.com. If you want quieter, book in Patan or Bhaktapur instead. Confirm the guesthouse has reliable wifi and hot water—both common pain points. Arrive early enough to pick up trekking permits or arrange a guide if needed.
6. Arrange trekking logistics if you're trekking. You can trek solo or hire a guide and porter. Solo is cheaper ($5-15 per night for tea houses along the route) but less safe if something goes wrong at altitude. A guide costs $25-40 per day; a porter $15-25 per day. Book guides through your guesthouse in Kathmandu or through trekking agencies (expect a markup). Permits required: TIMS card ($20-30) and national park entry ($5-30 depending on park). Your guide or agency handles these—confirm before paying. Acclimatization days are not optional if you're going above 3000m; build them into your schedule.
7. Book internal transport. Kathmandu to Pokhara: flight ($100-120, 25 minutes) or bus ($10-15, 7-8 hours). Flights are worth it if you're on a time budget. Pokhara to trek starting points: local buses ($3-8) or shared jeeps ($8-15). Book jeeps day-of at your guesthouse—they leave when full. For Everest region, fly Kathmandu to Lukla ($200-250 return) or drive to Jiri and trek up, which saves money but adds days. Confirm all flights and jeeps the day before—delays are normal.
8. Get travel insurance. Buy it before you leave home. You need coverage for high-altitude trekking (up to your maximum elevation), evacuation, and medical. Standard travel insurance won't cover trekking above certain altitudes—check the fine print. Companies like World Nomads, SafetyWing, or local options typically cost $2-5 per day. If you're going above 3000m, don't skip this. If something goes wrong, helicopter evacuation from the mountains costs $3000-5000 without insurance.
9. Check health requirements and prepare. Visit a travel clinic 4-6 weeks before departure. Standard vaccines: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis (if visiting Terai region), and Polio booster. Malaria is not a risk in Kathmandu Valley or mountain regions. Altitude sickness is real above 2500m—acclimatize slowly, stay hydrated, eat carbs. Bring antimalarial pills if going to Terai. Prescription medications should be in original bottles with a doctor's letter. Pharmacies in Kathmandu stock most common medications cheaply without prescription, but it's safer to bring what you need.
10. Plan what to pack. See the packing section below for specifics. Generally: layers for altitude (temperature drops 6°C per 1000m), good trekking boots broken in already, water purification tablets or a filter, and a good backpack if trekking. Bring cash—ATMs in Kathmandu work reliably, but trekking villages have no ATMs. Bring USD bills; the exchange rate is slightly better than converting other currencies. Phone/power: buy a local SIM ($1-2) or use eSim; electricity is available in Kathmandu and Pokhara but less reliable in trek areas.
11. Build your rough itinerary. Standard 10-day trip: 2 days Kathmandu, 1 day transit to trek start, 5-6 days trekking, 1 day recovery, 1 day Pokhara optional. Standard 14-day trip: add 2-3 more days to your trek or explore Pokhara region. Include at least one acclimatization day if trekking above 3000m. Don't overpack your days—Nepal moves slower than you think. One 6-hour trek day plus a rest day per week keeps altitude sickness manageable. Write this down with specific dates once flights are booked.

Is it safe to trek alone?

Trekking routes are heavily traveled and generally safe. Many solo travelers do it. Hiring a guide ($25-40/day) is safer if you're going high altitude—if you get altitude sickness badly, a guide can get you down. Tea houses have other trekkers. Use basic sense: don't carry expensive gear visibly, trek with others when possible, stay on marked trails.

What's the best season?

October-November (autumn) and March-April (spring). Weather is stable, visibility is excellent, temperatures are moderate (10-20°C during the day at lower elevations). December-February is cold and clear but can be harsh above 3000m. June-September is monsoon—trails are muddy, leeches are active, visibility is poor. Avoid monsoon unless you have a specific reason.

How much cash do I need to bring?

Bring $200-300 USD in cash. ATMs in Kathmandu and Pokhara work reliably (Visa/Mastercard). Nepal rupees are not easily exchanged outside Nepal, so don't convert at home. On treks, tea houses accept cash only—plan $10-15 per night. Cards don't work in villages. Tipping guides and porters is standard ($1-3 per day for porters, $5-10 per day for guides).

Do I need a guide?

No, but it depends. Popular routes like Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit are well-marked and heavily traveled—many people solo trek. Hiring a guide ($25-40/day) is safer for high altitude, gets you into local culture, and provides safety margin if something goes wrong. Solo trekking is cheaper and more flexible. Choose based on your altitude experience and comfort level alone in mountains.

What about altitude sickness?

Real risk above 2500m. Symptoms: headache, nausea, shortness of breath, sleep issues. Prevent it: ascend slowly, spend an acclimatization day per 1000m gained, stay hydrated, eat high-carb meals. Diamox (prescribed) helps. If symptoms worsen, descend immediately—it's the only cure. Most people adapt in 2-3 days. Don't ignore it; acute mountain sickness can become life-threatening. Your guide will watch for this.

Is travel insurance essential?

Yes if you're trekking, especially above 3000m. Standard insurance won't cover high-altitude rescue. Helicopter evacuation costs $3000-5000 without insurance. Altitude-specific policies run $2-5/day and are worth every cent. Buy before departure—policies won't cover pre-existing conditions or claims made after you leave home.

How much does a trek actually cost?

Budget $50-80/day on a major trek if hiring a guide and porter. Breaks down: $10-15 tea house, $30-40 guide, $15-25 porter, $5-10 food and supplies. Solo trekking (no guide) runs $20-30/day—just tea house, food, and permits. Hiring a full trekking company (flights, accommodations, all logistics) from Kathmandu costs $1500-3000+ for 12 days. Calculate: how many days × daily rate = trek cost. Add flights and Kathmandu stays on top.