Nepal offers dramatic Himalayan landscapes, layered history, and atmospheric old towns, from mountain scenery to tranquil valleys. You find spiritual sites, outdoor adventure, and warm hospitality side by side.
Discover Nepal
Discover Nepal
Why visit Nepal?
What to expect
A trip to Nepal often centres on Kathmandu Valley, with side journeys to Pokhara, Chitwan, and the Himalayan foothills. Expect a mix of buzzing squares, peaceful temples, and mountain views that frame daily life.
Plan your trip
You can base yourself in Kathmandu, then add side trips for trekking, wildlife, or lakeside relaxation. Nepal also works well as a gateway for wider Himalayan journeys into neighbouring regions.
Top experiences in Nepal
Stroll through Kathmandu Durbar Square
Wander among intricately carved palaces and courtyards, where old royal buildings and shrines surround lively everyday street life.
Soak up the atmosphere at Boudhanath
Circle the vast white stupa, watch prayer wheels spin, and step up to rooftop terraces for sweeping views of the surrounding neighbourhood.
Relax by the lakeside in Pokhara
Enjoy boat rides on Phewa Lake, stroll café-lined streets, and watch the Annapurna range glow at sunrise and sunset on clear days.
Search for wildlife in Chitwan National Park
Head into the lowland jungle with local guides to look for rhinos, deer, birdlife, and, with luck, glimpses of more elusive animals.
Take a scenic mountain flight
From Kathmandu, short flightseeing trips on clear mornings offer close-up views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks from the air.
Climb up to Swayambhunath Hill
Walk the stairways above Kathmandu to reach a hilltop complex with panoramic city views and a blend of shrines and statues.
Explore Bhaktapur and Patan
Visit these historic towns in Kathmandu Valley to see brick lanes, traditional squares, and finely detailed architecture at a gentler pace.
Experience Nepal's way of life
Getting around
You can combine domestic flights between cities such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Bharatpur with private cars or tourist buses for shorter hops. Within towns, taxis and ride services are common, while many historic areas are best explored on foot.
Local life & culture
Daily life in Nepal unfolds in courtyards, tea shops, and markets, with neighbours gathering and craftsmen working in the open. Each valley and town has its own character, from heritage-filled Newar settlements to relaxed lakeside communities.
Where to unwind
Retreat to peaceful guesthouses in Kathmandu's side streets, lakeside walks and viewpoints in Pokhara, or nature lodges on the edge of Chitwan's forest. In the hills, simple mountain lodges give you quiet evenings and starry skies.
A taste of Nepal
National dishes & specialties
You find dal bhat, a set meal of rice, lentils, and side dishes, across the country, while steamed or fried dumplings are especially popular in Kathmandu. Mountain regions add hearty soups and warming dishes suited to cooler air.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Kathmandu and Pokhara offer everything from relaxed tea houses and snack stalls to modern cafés and bistros. You can try local flavours alongside South Asian and international options, often on compact streets easy to explore on foot.
Signature & scenic dining
Rooftop restaurants around Kathmandu Valley serve city and hill views with your meal, while lakeside venues in Pokhara pair food with reflections of the mountains. In the lowlands, lodges often offer candlelit dinners surrounded by sounds of the forest.
Retail therapy in Nepal
Malls & lifestyle hubs
In Kathmandu, modern shopping centres mix international brands with local labels, alongside cinemas and cafés. Smaller complexes in city districts offer clothing, accessories, and services in a compact, air-conditioned setting.
Markets & local crafts
Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan are known for handicrafts such as metalwork, textiles, and handmade paper. In tourist areas you also find shops selling trekking gear, woollens, and locally woven items.
Evening retail scene
Districts popular with visitors in Kathmandu and Pokhara stay lively after dark, with illuminated shopfronts, handicraft stores, and bookshops. You can browse souvenirs, outdoor equipment, and local art as the streets wind down for the night.
Best time to visit Nepal
Nepal has distinct dry and wet periods, with conditions varying between the lowlands and the high Himalayas. Peak season runs from October to November and March to April, when days in Kathmandu are often around 15–25°C (59–77°F), skies are clearer, and trekking routes are at their busiest. Shoulder season includes December to February, when cooler air brings Kathmandu temperatures down to around 4–18°C (39–64°F); this is shoulder season, with quieter trails but colder high-altitude conditions. Low season is typically June to September, when the monsoon brings heavier rain and humidity, with temperatures in many lowland areas around 20–30°C (68–86°F); this is low season due to cloudier views and wetter trekking paths.