Himalayan treks, temples and jungle wildlife
Nepal is a landlocked Himalayan country holding eight of the world's ten highest peaks, including Everest. Trekking routes such as Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit attract walkers from around the world. The Kathmandu Valley is packed with temples and old royal squares, while the southern lowlands have jungle parks with rhinos and tigers. It suits trekkers, culture seekers and budget travellers.
Tap a card or a pin. Add a place to a day of your trip, or look for tours.
A classic multi day trek through Sherpa villages in Sagarmatha National Park to the foot of Everest. Kala Patthar gives the best view of the peak.
A long trek around the Annapurna massif crossing the Thorong La pass. Scenery ranges from rice terraces to high desert.
The old royal square with temples and palaces, still being restored after the 2015 earthquake. It is the heart of the old city.
The best preserved Newar town in the valley, with brick squares, pottery and pagodas. Many visitors stay a night.
One of the largest stupas in the world and a centre of Tibetan Buddhism. Pilgrims walk around it at dusk.
A hilltop stupa with painted eyes overlooking Kathmandu, also called the Monkey Temple. Steps climb through forest.
Nepal's holiest Hindu temple on the Bagmati River, with cremations on its ghats. Only Hindus may enter the main temple.
A relaxed lake town under the Annapurnas and start of many treks. Paragliding and boating are popular.
Jungle and grassland in the lowlands with one horned rhinos, gharials and tigers. Jeep and canoe safaris run daily.
The birthplace of the Buddha, with the Maya Devi Temple and monasteries built by many countries. Cycling is the best way around.
A shorter trek to an amphitheatre of peaks, passing through villages and forest. It suits those with about a week.
Patan's royal square has fine temples and one of Asia's best museums. It is calmer than Kathmandu.
A hill village on the valley rim with Himalayan views at sunrise. Walks lead down to Changu Narayan temple.
A preserved Newar hill town on an old trade route, free of traffic. It has mountain views.
A former kingdom of desert canyons and cave dwellings near Tibet. A special permit is required.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it: pick cities, add places to days, see the weather for your dates.
Each city with a guide opens its own page: map, where to stay, what to eat.
Capital with temples and trek logistics.
culture, gateway · Open the city guideLake town and trek base.
hiking, relaxation · Open the city guideOld Newar town.
history · Guide comingChitwan safaris.
wildlife · Guide comingEverest trek start.
hiking · Guide comingHill town stop.
culture · Guide comingQuiet Newar art city next to Kathmandu.
art, history · Guide comingPilgrimage town and the birthplace of the Buddha.
spirituality, history · Guide comingThe Sherpa trading town on the Everest trail used for acclimatisation.
trekking, mountains · Guide comingTemples and royal squares.
Durbar Squares, Boudhanath, Bhaktapur
Lake town and treks.
Pokhara, Poon Hill, Annapurna Circuit
High peaks and Sherpa villages.
Namche Bazaar, Everest Base Camp, Tengboche
Jungle parks and Buddhist sites.
Chitwan, Lumbini, Bardia
Lakes, forests and some of the best-known treks.
Pokhara, Annapurna Base Camp, Poon Hill
Remote, quiet areas with few services.
Rara Lake, Upper Mustang, Dolpo
Choose how long you have, then add the whole route to a trip as places and nights.
Best: October to November, March to April. Clear skies and stable weather suit trekking.
The monsoon from June to September brings landslides and clouds, though rain shadow areas like Upper Mustang stay drier.
January. No season note for this month.
62°F daily high, 52°F average, 0.4 in
Average of past years from NASA POWER, worked out at each city's position. A place far from these cities can be quite different.
The US State Department rates Nepal Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution due to natural disasters like earthquakes and landslides.
Roads are slow and often damaged, and mountain flights depend on weather.
Lodges, food and guides are very affordable.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Members see the rules for their own passport here.
Passport and visa rules change often and without notice. Always check the official pages before you book and again before you travel.
| Entry | Rules change, so check the Department of Immigration of Nepal's online visa portal and your own government's travel advice before you book. |
| Plugs | Type C, D, M; 230 V |
| Tap water | not safe |
| Tipping | Tipping guides and porters at the end of a trek is expected. |
| Payments | Cash in rupees is needed outside cities; cards work in larger hotels. |
| Emergency | 100 police, 101 fire, 102 ambulance, 1144 tourist police |
| Etiquette | Greet with namaste and hands together. Walk clockwise around stupas and do not touch people's heads. |
| What to wear | Cover shoulders and knees at temples and remove shoes and leather items where asked. |
| Driving | On the left |
| Between cities | Tourist buses link Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan, but roads are slow. Domestic flights reach Pokhara, Lukla and other towns but are weather dependent. Treks are on foot with porters or pack animals. |
| Main airports | KTM, PKR, BWA |
| Ride apps | Pathao, inDrive |
The Kathmandu Valley was home to Newar kingdoms whose art and architecture fill its towns. Prithvi Narayan Shah unified the country in the 18th century. Nepal was never colonised and was ruled by the Rana family and then the monarchy for much of the 20th century. After a civil conflict ended in 2006, the monarchy was abolished and Nepal became a federal republic in 2008.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.