Prayer flags before misty Himalayan peaks

South Asia

Nepal

The world's highest mountains, prayer flags in the wind and valleys where temples stand amid everyday life.

Photo: Jan Kronies / Unsplash

Nepal is often linked with Everest, but above all it's a country where mountains are the backdrop to everyday life. In the Kathmandu Valley, the squares of the old Newar kingdoms are full of carved wood and pagodas, while pilgrims circle the great stupa of Boudhanath each morning and evening, turning prayer wheels as they go.

Trekking here isn't only for mountaineers. Alongside the long routes to the foot of Everest or Annapurna are short walks between villages, with nights in welcoming mountain lodges and just a few hours on the trail each day. Pace, altitude and distance can be shaped to your fitness — the key is choosing the right region and season.

And when you'd like a break from the mountains, the south reveals a different Nepal altogether: the warm forests of the Terai, home to one-horned rhinos, elephants and elusive tigers, and Pokhara on its calm lake with the peak of Machapuchare on the horizon.

Why go

01
The Kathmandu Valley and Bhaktapur
Three old royal squares — Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur — with temples, courtyards and craft workshops. In Bhaktapur it's worth staying the night to see the town come alive in the early morning.
02
Treks for every pace
From a few days' walk to Poon Hill and its Annapurna panorama to Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Sanctuary. Less-trodden routes in Langtang, Manaslu or Upper Mustang offer more solitude.
03
Chitwan and Bardia
By jeep, on foot or by canoe through the forests and tall grasslands of the Terai, in search of one-horned rhinos, crocodiles and hundreds of bird species. Remote Bardia in the west suits those who want more wild quiet.
04
Pokhara and the calm of the lakes
Painted boats on Phewa Lake, sunrise at Sarangkot and short walks between hillside villages. Pokhara is the natural place to pause before or after a trek.

Ways to travel

Ways to experience it

Ways to travel aren't separate paths — the best journeys often bring several together.

Adventure & active travel
Treks from gentle few-day routes with nights in mountain lodges to long high-altitude crossings — with experienced local guides and porters.
Culture & discovery
Newar towns, Tibetan monasteries, festivals and meetings with craftspeople — the things that make Nepal more than its mountains.
Wildlife & nature
Chitwan and Bardia national parks, with rhinos, elephants, abundant birdlife and — with luck — a tiger.
Exceptional stays & escapes
Restored Newar houses in the valley, mountain lodges facing the peaks and forest lodges on the edge of the national parks.
Family journeys
Short walks between villages, boats in Pokhara and jungle mornings in Chitwan — adventures that suit children too.
Tailor-made journeys
Trek length, altitude and pace matched to your fitness, with spare days and a flexible plan in the mountains.

Nepal

Journey inspiration

Illustrative ideas for how a tailor-made journey could look. Not bookable packages: no prices, dates or inclusions are implied.

0112–14 days
Nepal at a gentle pace
The Kathmandu Valley with a night in Bhaktapur, a four- or five-day lodge trek via Ghorepani and Ghandruk, then Pokhara and Chitwan.
Culture & discovery · Adventure & active travel
Plan something like this
0218–21 days
To the foot of Everest
A flight to Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche monastery and a gradual climb towards Base Camp — with acclimatisation days and time in hand for the weather.
Adventure & active travel · Tailor-made journeys
Plan something like this
0310–12 days
Temples, mountains and jungle for families
Kathmandu and Patan, short walks around Pokhara, a boat on the lake and a few days in Chitwan exploring the jungle.
Family journeys · Wildlife & nature
Plan something like this

Planning your journey

When to go

October–November is often considered the best time for trekking, with clear air and mountain views, while March–May is known for blooming rhododendrons. Winter brings clear days at lower levels but cold at altitude. June to September is monsoon season, though Upper Mustang lies in a rain shadow. Mountain weather varies from year to year.

How long to allow

Ten to twelve days covers the valley, Pokhara and Chitwan; add a few more for a short trek. For longer high-altitude routes we suggest 18–21 days with time in hand.

Natural combinations

Nepal pairs naturally with northern India, or with a few days' rest after the trek on the coast of Sri Lanka or in the Maldives.

Areas to explore

The Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, Boudhanath and Swayambhunath.
Pokhara and Annapurna
The lakeside town and treks from Poon Hill to the Annapurna Sanctuary.
The Everest region
Sherpa villages, monasteries and the world's highest peaks.
Quieter mountains
Langtang, Manaslu and Upper Mustang.
The Terai
Chitwan and Bardia national parks in the warm southern lowlands.

General guidance only. Weather, seasons and wildlife are never guaranteed, and travel requirements are always worth checking before you go.

Sample journey