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Nepal

Where the World Gets Taller.

Eight of the world's ten highest peaks, and a culture that treats altitude like a warm-up.

Nepal is the roof of the world and one of its most spiritual places — a country where sacred peaks are both geographical facts and divine presences, where Buddhist and Hindu traditions have braided themselves into something entirely unique, and where trekking routes that go to the base of the world's highest mountains are accessible to anyone with reasonable fitness and two weeks. Kathmandu's ancient Durbar Squares and the great stupas of Boudhanath and Swayambhunath are Himalayan civilisation in its most concentrated form; the rhododendron forests of Annapurna and the khumbu glacier of Everest Base Camp are the planet's most dramatic natural stages.

Best For

Trekkers · Adventure · Solo · Spiritual

Duration

10–14 Days

Best Season

March – May or October – November

Visa

Visa on Arrival (Indians do not require a visa)

Capital City

Kathmandu

Province / Country

Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

Kathmandu sits in a valley at 1,400m — a city of ancient temples, medieval courtyards and incense-filled alleys that has been a crossroads of trade and pilgrimage for 2,000 years. Thamel is the backpacker quarter; Patan and Bhaktapur are UNESCO-listed medieval cities within the valley that feel centuries removed from the capital's chaos. The valley's three Durbar Squares, Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath temple complex are the cultural core of the Himalayan world.

Must-Know

What Nepal Is Famous For

The experiences, landscapes and moments that define a trip here.

Everest Base Camp Trek

The world's most iconic trek — 12 days from Lukla airstrip through Sherpa villages, past yak caravans, over glacial moraines to the Khumbu Icefall at 5,364m. The summit of Kala Patthar (5,644m) before dawn, with Everest's pyramid and the Khumbu valley spread below in the first light, is a moment that stays with people for the rest of their lives.

Adventure

Annapurna Circuit

Nepal's most diverse trek — 10–14 days circling the Annapurna massif through landscapes that change from subtropical jungle to alpine desert, crossing the Thorong La pass at 5,416m. The trek descends into the Mustang rain shadow region and the Kali Gandaki gorge (the world's deepest valley) before finishing near Pokhara.

Spiritual

Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu

One of the world's largest Buddhist stupas — a vast white hemisphere crowned by the painted eyes of Buddha, surrounded by Tibetan monasteries and the circumambulating devotees who walk its circular base at dawn and dusk. The stupa's economy of form and the meditative rhythm of kora (clockwise circumambulation) create an extraordinary atmosphere of peace in a chaotic city.

Nature

Pokhara & Phewa Lake

Nepal's most beautiful city — a lakeside town backed by the Annapurna range, reflected in Phewa Lake's mirror surface at dawn. The World Peace Pagoda perched on a ridge above the lake, the paragliding from Sarangkot over the valley, and the sunset view of Machapuchare (Fish Tail) peak are Pokhara's three signature experiences.

Spiritual

Pashupatinath Temple & Cremations

Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple complex — a gold-roofed pagoda dedicated to Shiva on the Bagmati River, where sacred cremations happen continuously on the ghats. Sadhus in saffron sit on the temple steps; ash-covered naga babas meditate in the surrounding forests. The juxtaposition of death and devotion is confronting and profound.

Chitwan National Park

Nepal's most accessible wildlife reserve — a UNESCO World Heritage Park at the Terai lowlands with one-horned rhinos grazing in tall grassland, Bengal tigers (seen occasionally), gharial crocodiles in the Rapti River and a resident elephant population. Canoe safaris and walking through the jungle with guides is far more intimate than vehicle-based parks.

Take Home

What to Shop in Nepal

From artisan workshops to open-air markets — things worth packing an extra bag for.

🔔

Singing Bowls

Handbeaten bronze singing bowls that produce long resonant tones when struck or rimmed — used in meditation, sound therapy and Buddhist ritual. The best are handmade in Patan's metalworking quarter by craftspeople who test each bowl's tone before selling. The machine-made tourist versions sound dull by comparison.

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Thangka Paintings

Traditional Buddhist scroll paintings on cotton or silk — depicting mandalas, deities or the Wheel of Life in mineral pigments and gold. A quality thangka takes 3–6 months to complete and is both an art object and a meditation tool. The Boudhanath area's legitimate galleries are the safest source.

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Pashmina & Yak Wool

Nepal produces the world's finest pashmina from Changra goat hair collected in the high Himalayan pastures — softer and lighter than cashmere. Authentic pashmina should pass the ring test (the entire shawl passes through a finger ring). The government-certified Pashmina Association seal guarantees authenticity.

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Khukuri Knives

The Gurkha's iconic curved blade — handforged by Kami blacksmith families in Bhojpur and sold across Nepal. An authentic khukuri has a notch at the base of the blade (the blood groove), handmade by the same techniques used for the Gurkha regiments. A lasting and genuinely useful souvenir.

Explore

Top Attractions in Nepal

The places everyone tells you to visit — and they're right.

01 · Bucket List

Everest Base Camp Trek

The world's most iconic trek — 12 days from Lukla through Sherpa villages and glacial moraines to 5,364m at the Khumbu Icefall. The Kala Patthar summit at 5,644m before dawn, with Everest's complete pyramid visible in clear morning light, is one of the defining experiences available to non-mountaineers anywhere on earth.

02 · Culture & Spirituality

Kathmandu Valley Temples & Stupas

Seven UNESCO World Heritage monuments within the valley — Boudhanath's great stupa, Swayambhunath's monkey temple, Pashupatinath's sacred ghats, and three medieval Durbar Squares — represent 2,000 years of Newari art and architecture concentrated in one small valley. Budget at least 3 days.

03 · Adventure & Nature

Pokhara & Annapurna Region

Nepal's most beautiful city as a base for the Annapurna trek — Phewa Lake's Annapurna reflection at dawn, the Sarangkot paragliding launch above the clouds, and the World Peace Pagoda's 360° Himalayan panorama. For non-trekkers, the Pokhara valley rewards 2–3 days of easy exploration.

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Langtang Valley Trek

A less-visited but spectacular alternative to Everest and Annapurna — a 7-day circuit through rhododendron forests, yak pastures and Tamang heritage villages, with views of Ganesh Himal and Langtang Lirung from the Kyanjin Gompa at 3,800m.

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Chitwan National Park Rhino Safari

Nepal's lowland national park — jeep and canoe safaris for one-horned rhinos, Bengal tigers, gharials and over 500 bird species in subtropical grassland. Stay in a lodge bordering the park and wake to the sound of the jungle.

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Bhaktapur Durbar Square

The best-preserved medieval city in Nepal — a 15th-century capital of 55 temples, woodcarved windows and pottery squares where potters still work on the same clay as their ancestors. The 55-Window Palace and the Golden Gate are masterpieces of Newari craftsmanship.

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Paragliding from Sarangkot

A 20-minute flight from Sarangkot ridge above Pokhara, soaring in thermals over Phewa Lake with the Annapurna range ahead and the valley spread below. One of the world's most scenic paragliding flights and accessible to anyone, no experience required.

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Yoga & Meditation Retreats

Pokhara and Kathmandu's Thamel district have some of Asia's most legitimate retreat centres — 3–10 day Vipassana meditation courses, Tibetan Buddhist teachings at Boudhanath monasteries, and yoga retreats in the hills above the lake with Himalayan views.

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Nagarkot Sunrise over Himalayas

A hilltop village 32km from Kathmandu at 2,195m — the sunrise from Nagarkot reveals a 200km panorama of Himalayan peaks from Dhaulagiri to Everest. Stay the night and wake at 5am; the view on a clear October morning is legitimately transformative.

Taste & Culture

Food, Rituals & Nepal's Soul

Eat with your hands. Watch the ceremony. Understand why people keep coming back.

Hinduism & Buddhism (Dual Tradition)Sherpa CultureNewari HeritageDashain FestivalTihar Festival of LightsGorkha Military TraditionLiving Goddess (Kumari)Prayer Flags & Stupas

“In Nepal, the mountains aren't scenery — they are the gods. Every peak has a name, a story and a temple at its base. You don't just climb Everest. You ask permission.”

Dal Bhat

Nepal's national dish and the trekker's best friend — lentil soup (dal) poured over rice (bhat) with vegetable curry and pickle, refilled endlessly at no extra charge at most trekking lodges. Eaten twice daily by most Nepalis, it fuels the bodies that carry loads up the Himalayas and proves that simplicity, executed well, is a form of perfection.

Momo Dumplings

Tibet's gift to Nepal — steamed or fried half-moon dumplings filled with spiced minced buffalo, chicken, or vegetables, served with achaar (tomato-sesame sauce). The Kathmandu momo scene has evolved into an obsession; restaurants like OR2K and local hole-in-the-wall steam shops both take it seriously.

Thukpa (Tibetan Noodle Soup)

A warming broth of hand-pulled noodles with vegetables, meat and broth spiced with Timur (Sichuan-like pepper native to Nepal) — the trekking lodge staple that warms cold evenings at 3,500m better than anything. Found everywhere from Kathmandu teahouses to the highest lodges on the EBC route.

Newari Feast (Samay Baji)

The traditional Newari ceremonial platter — beaten rice (chiura), boiled egg, black soybean, dried buffalo meat, ginger pickle, and chhyaang (rice wine) — eaten at festivals, weddings and on the communal floor of a Newari home. The most culturally specific food experience Nepal offers.

Butter Tea (Po Cha)

Tibetan-style tea churned with yak butter and salt — warm, fatty and completely unlike any tea you've had. Essential at altitude where the fat content helps with cold and acclimatisation. An acquired taste that most trekkers come to associate with the welcome warmth of a high-altitude lodge at dusk.

Before You Go

Essential Facts

Everything an Indian traveller needs before booking a Nepal trip.

Getting There

✈️

1.5–2.5 hrs from Indian cities

Non-stop from major Indian cities

Weather

🌤️

Kathmandu: 5–28°C; Trek routes: -10 to 15°C depending on altitude/season

Budget / Couple

💳

₹40K–80K / couple / week (trekking costs extra)

Flights, hotels & activities included

Visa for Indians

🛂

Visa-free for Indian passport holders

Traveller Questions

Nepal — Frequently Asked Questions

Real questions from Indian travellers, answered by our Nepal experts.

Do Indians need a visa or passport for Nepal?

No visa is required for Indian citizens to visit Nepal. You can travel using a valid passport or a Voter ID card (Aadhaar is generally not accepted for entry). A passport is strongly recommended, especially if flying. Trripah guides you on the right documents.

How much does a Nepal tour package cost from India?

A 5-6 day Nepal package costs roughly ₹18,000–30,000 per person on a budget, ₹35,000–55,000 mid-range, and ₹70,000+ for luxury — often excluding flights. Overland routes via Gorakhpur or Raxaul are cheaper. Trripah's customised Nepal packages start from ₹19,999.

How do I reach Nepal from India?

Fly direct to Kathmandu (KTM) from Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, or Mumbai in about 1.5–2.5 hours. Alternatively, travel overland — Gorakhpur to the Sunauli border, or by train to Raxaul for Birgunj. Pokhara also has an international airport for direct flights.

What is the best time to visit Nepal?

October–November and March–April are the best months — clear skies, stable weather, and unbeatable Himalayan views for trekking and sightseeing in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Winter (Dec–Feb) is cold at altitude, and June–September is the monsoon with cloud cover and rain.

Is Indian currency (INR) accepted in Nepal?

Nepal's currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR), roughly 1 INR = 1.6 NPR. Indian ₹100 and ₹200 notes are widely accepted, but ₹500 and ₹2,000 notes are officially banned in Nepal — do not carry them. Use authorised exchanges or ATMs for NPR cash.

What are the most popular things to do in Nepal?

Top experiences include the Pokhara lakes and paragliding, sunrise over the Annapurnas from Sarangkot, the temples of Kathmandu Valley (Pashupatinath, Boudhanath), Chitwan jungle safari, and short Himalayan treks like Poon Hill. Trripah builds these into custom itineraries.

Is Nepal safe for Indian tourists and solo travellers?

Yes, Nepal is friendly and safe for Indian tourists, with a shared culture, easy communication in Hindi, and no visa hassle. Use registered trekking operators for mountain routes, acclimatise properly at altitude, and choose licensed taxis or pre-booked transfers.

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