Questions travellers ask

Nepal tour packages, helicopter tours, treks, pilgrimages, wildlife safaris, adventure sports, peak climbs and Kailash Mansarovar yatras via Nepal. Every package on the site can be booked as shown or changed: dates, hotels, number of days and the places you visit.

They are indicative 'from' prices per person, twin sharing, in Indian rupees and US dollars. Your final price depends on dates, hotel class, group size and flight or helicopter availability. We send a written quote with every line itemised before you pay anything.

Indian citizens do not need a visa. A valid passport or a voter ID card is accepted at the border and at Kathmandu airport; children can travel with a passport or school ID and birth certificate, depending on age. Kailash yatras need a passport. Check current status before you travel.

Send the quote form or message us on WhatsApp. We reply with a written quote, usually within one working day. To confirm, you pay a deposit; the balance is due before departure. Our payment and cancellation policies set out the exact terms.

Yes. We plan flights to Kathmandu or Bhairahawa, or road journeys via Sonauli, Raxaul, Rupaidiha, Jogbani and Kakarbhitta. Our 'Nepal tour package from' pages list routes and times for twelve Indian cities.

Helicopter tours in Nepal are run by licensed operators and fly only when the pilot judges the weather safe, usually early in the morning. Fewer passengers can land at very high points, and time on the ground above 5,000 m is short. Read our helicopter and altitude terms before you book.

Since April 2023 Nepal requires foreign trekkers in national parks and conservation areas to trek with a licensed guide, and restricted areas need a registered agency and at least two trekkers. Indian citizens follow some separate rules. Check current status before you travel.

Every photo on this site comes from Wikimedia Commons under a free licence. We name the author and licence under each photo and list them all, with links to the originals, on our photo credits page.

No. For treks, heli tours, climbs and Kailash yatras we require insurance that covers helicopter evacuation up to the highest altitude on your route. For city and safari tours we strongly recommend it.

Three nights is the sweet spot for most first visits: one day for Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath and Pashupatinath, one for Patan and Boudhanath, and one for Bhaktapur with Nagarkot or Changunarayan. Two nights covers the highlights at a brisk pace. Add a fourth night for Dhulikhel, Namobuddha or the Everest mountain flight with a weather back-up.

A 3-night Kathmandu city break with a 3-star hotel, private transfers, sightseeing and a guide costs from about ₹16,000 per person twin sharing, excluding flights. Kathmandu with Pokhara for 5 nights starts around ₹24,000, and Kathmandu–Pokhara–Chitwan for 6 nights around ₹32,000. Return flights from Delhi typically add ₹10,000 to 20,000 depending on season.

No. Indian citizens can enter Nepal with either a valid Indian passport or an Election Commission voter ID card, and no visa is needed. Aadhaar is not reliably accepted, especially by airlines, so do not rely on it. Children have separate rules, such as school identity certificates for ages 15 to 18. Check current status before you travel.

October and November are best, with clear skies, mountain views and comfortable days around 23 to 26 °C. February to April is also good, warmer, with rhododendrons and festivals such as Bisket Jatra, though spring haze softens the views. December and January are clear but cold in the mornings. June to August brings monsoon rain and hidden peaks.

Not from the city itself. On very clear mornings a distant tip of Everest can be seen from Nagarkot's view tower and some points on the valley rim, mainly from October to December. For a close view, take the one-hour Everest mountain flight from Kathmandu, a fixed-wing plane that flies along the range at about 7,600 m with every passenger at a window.

Kathmandu is generally safe for visitors, with petty theft in crowds the most common problem. Street protests and general strikes do occur; in September 2025 protests led to curfews and serious damage to some buildings, including hotels. Situations change, so check current advisories before you travel, avoid demonstrations, and follow your guide's and hotel's advice.

The Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1979, has seven monument zones: Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanuman Dhoka), Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and Changu Narayan. All seven can be visited in two to three days by car with a guide. Each charges its own entry fee, with lower SAARC rates for Indians.

Nagarkot, at about 2,175 m, gives the wider panorama, from Langtang and Dorje Lakpa to Gauri Shankar, and a speck of Everest on the best days. Dhulikhel, at about 1,550 m, is warmer, has a Newar old town and links to Namobuddha and Panauti. Pick Nagarkot for views alone and Dhulikhel for a gentler mix of culture and mountains.

For foreign nationals, roughly NPR 1,000 each at Kathmandu and Patan Durbar Squares and Pashupatinath, NPR 1,800 at Bhaktapur, around NPR 400 at Boudhanath, NPR 200 at Swayambhunath and NPR 300 at Changunarayan. SAARC nationals, including Indians, pay much less, and Hindu pilgrims enter Pashupatinath free for darshan. Check current status before you travel.

Three nights in Pokhara covers Phewa Lake, Sarangkot sunrise, the caves, the World Peace Pagoda and a paragliding flight. Add a night in Bandipur on the drive from Kathmandu, and a half-day stop at Manakamana, for a 5–6 night trip. Hikers can add one or two nights at Australian Camp, Dhampus or Panchase. Gorkha fits as a detour of half a day.

Fly if time matters or you travel with elderly parents: the flight takes about 25 minutes and costs roughly US$ 100–130 for foreigners, less for Indian nationals. Drive if you want Manakamana or Bandipur on the way: the 200 km road takes 6–8 hours by car. Tourist buses take 7–9 hours and are the cheapest option.

October to December gives the clearest mountain views, dry weather and days of 20–27 °C. February and March are also very good, with spring flowers but more haze by April. June to August is the monsoon, when Pokhara gets some of Nepal's heaviest rain, the peaks hide and paragliding is mostly paused. September is a good-value shoulder month.

Our 3-night Pokhara package starts at about ₹16,000 per person on twin sharing with a 3-star Lakeside hotel, breakfast and a private car. A 4-night family holiday starts near ₹21,000, a 4-night honeymoon at Temple Tree and Fish Tail Lodge near ₹34,000, and the 6-night Kathmandu, Bandipur and Pokhara tour near ₹36,000. Flights from India are extra.

No permit is needed for Pokhara, Sarangkot, Begnas Lake, Bandipur, Manakamana or Gorkha; you pay only small site tickets. Short hikes to Australian Camp and Dhampus enter the Annapurna Conservation Area and need an ACAP permit, NPR 1,000 for Indians and NPR 3,000 for other foreigners. Guide rules have changed since 2023, so check current status before you travel.

Yes, if you have one extra night. Bandipur is 8 km off the highway at Dumre, about 5–6 hours from Kathmandu and 2.5–3 hours from Pokhara, so it splits the drive neatly. The car-free bazaar, Thani Mai sunrise and Siddha Gufa cave fill an afternoon and a morning. A quick lunch stop also works, but the town is best in the evening.

Yes. The cable car station at Kurintar is right on the Prithvi Highway, about 3.5–4 hours from Kathmandu. Allow 2–3 hours for the 10-minute ride each way and darshan; on Saturdays and festival days the temple queue can take longer. After the visit, Pokhara is a further 3–3.5 hours by road, so leave Kathmandu by 7 am.

Usually not. Pokhara International Airport opened in 2023 and is built for international flights, but scheduled services from India have been rare or seasonal. Most travellers fly Delhi or Kolkata to Kathmandu and connect by a 25-minute domestic flight, or enter by road at Sonauli and drive about 7–8 hours. Check current status before you travel.

It can be, with lowered expectations. From mid-June to early September Pokhara is wet, the mountains are rarely visible and paragliding is mostly paused, but the lake, caves, temples and Mountain Museum remain open, hotel rates drop 25–40 percent and the hills are green. Fly rather than drive, because landslides often delay the highway.

It depends on your time and fitness. Poon Hill suits beginners and families in 4–5 days. Annapurna Base Camp is the best all-round trek of 10–12 days, reaching 4,130 m in the Sanctuary. The Annapurna Circuit is the classic long trek of 14–16 days over Thorong La. Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda are quieter week-long alternatives.

Our packages start from about ₹19,000 or US$220 for a 3-day Ghandruk trek, ₹29,000 or US$340 for the 4-day Poon Hill loop, ₹78,000 or US$910 for 11-day ABC and ₹1,04,000 or US$1,210 for the 15-day Circuit, per person on twin sharing. Prices include guides, porters, permits, teahouses and trail meals.

Yes. Every trekker needs an ACAP permit: NPR 3,000 for foreigners and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals including Indians. Since 2023, Nepal's rules require foreign trekkers in conservation areas to walk with a licensed guide, though enforcement on Annapurna has varied. Climbing peaks need NMA permits. Check current status before you travel; our packages include permits.

October and November give the clearest skies and most stable weather. March and April are the second season, with rhododendrons in bloom. December to February is good for lower treks but cold, with Thorong La often closed. June to September is monsoon, with rain, leeches and landslides on the southern side, though upper Manang stays drier.

Yes. The Annapurna region has some of Nepal's best beginner treks. Ghandruk in 3 days and Poon Hill in 4–5 days stay below 3,300 m with daily walks of 3–6 hours. Beginners with good fitness can also do Annapurna Base Camp with training. The Circuit and Tilicho are better after previous trekking experience.

Fly to Kathmandu and connect to Pokhara by a 25-minute flight or a 6–8 hour drive. By road, cross at Sunauli–Bhairahawa and drive about 8 hours to Pokhara. Indian nationals need a passport or voter ID; no visa is required. From Pokhara, jeeps reach the trailheads in 45 minutes to 3 hours.

Yes. Helicopter tours from Pokhara fly to Annapurna Base Camp in 25–30 minutes, land for about 15–20 minutes and return, taking about 2 hours in total. Shared seats start from about US$650 per person. Flights run only in clear morning weather, and people with heart or lung conditions or pregnant women should not fly.

Low treks like Ghandruk and Poon Hill rarely cause problems. Above about 3,500 m, on ABC, Mardi Himal, the Circuit and Tilicho, mild symptoms are common and serious altitude sickness is possible. Ascend gradually, take acclimatisation days in Manang, drink plenty, avoid alcohol and descend if symptoms worsen. Insurance with helicopter evacuation is essential.

Teahouses are family-run lodges with twin rooms, shared or attached bathrooms and a dining room heated by a stove. Menus offer dal bhat with free refills, noodles, pasta, potatoes and breakfasts. Rooms cost NPR 500–1,000 or less if you eat there, and prices rise with altitude. Bring a warm sleeping bag for higher nights.

Fly or drive to Kathmandu or Pokhara first. From Indian border crossings at Sunauli or Raxaul–Birgunj, Pokhara is 7–9 hours by road. From Pokhara, choose a 20-minute flight to Jomsom and a 1–1.5 hour jeep ride, a 7–9 hour jeep drive up the Kali Gandaki, or a 35–40 minute helicopter flight that lands near the temple.

Our packages start from about ₹32,000 or US$ 390 by road in 6 nights, ₹54,000 or US$ 650 by flight in 5 nights, ₹52,000 or US$ 620 per seat for a helicopter from Pokhara and ₹89,000 or US$ 1,070 per seat from Kathmandu. Prices are per person on twin sharing, with hotels, transport and permits as described.

Yes, for most healthy seniors. Muktinath is at 3,710 m, so walk slowly up the 15–20 minute path from the car park or take a pony. The helicopter option avoids any night at altitude. People with serious heart or lung disease, uncontrolled blood pressure or recent surgery should consult a doctor before travelling.

Indians need no visa for Nepal, only a passport or voter ID. For Muktinath and Lower Mustang, Indian nationals need the Annapurna Conservation Area permit at the SAARC rate of NPR 1,000, which our packages include. No restricted area permit is needed below Kagbeni. Check current status before you travel.

Since November 2025, as we understand it, foreigners pay US$ 50 per person per day inside the restricted area, replacing the old US$ 500 for 10 days. A typical trek spends 8–10 days inside. You also need the ACAP permit and a licensed guide through a registered agency, and solo trekkers can now apply. Check current status before you travel.

Yes. A dirt road runs from Jomsom through Kagbeni, Chele and Ghami to Lo Manthang, about 6–8 hours by 4WD jeep. Our 10-day Upper Mustang jeep tour from Kathmandu starts from ₹1,13,000 or US$ 1,350. You still need the restricted area permit and a licensed guide, even when travelling by vehicle.

March to November. April, May, September and October are ideal, with dry, clear weather and mild days. Because Upper Mustang lies in the rain shadow, June to August are also possible, though flights to Jomsom and the Pokhara road are less reliable. From December to February many lodges close and nights fall below −15 °C.

Tiji is held over three days in the third Tibetan month, which falls on 14–16 May in 2026. The masked dances take place in the square in front of the royal palace in Lo Manthang. Our 15-day Tiji trek starts from ₹1,58,000 or US$ 1,890. Festival dates can shift, so check current status before you travel.

It is strenuous. Our 16-day trek crosses Numa La at 5,190 m and Baga La at 5,169 m, with 6–8 hours of walking on several days and simple camps or homestays. Fitness and previous trekking above 4,000 m help. It starts from ₹2,25,000 or US$ 2,690, with Nepalgunj and Juphal flights, permits and a licensed guide.

Plan on 12–14 days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu. That includes the Lukla flights, about 8 days walking up with two acclimatisation days at Namche and Dingboche, and 3 days walking down. Add one or two spare days for Lukla weather delays. Our 11-day version saves time by flying back from Gorak Shep by helicopter.

Our 12-day Everest Base Camp trek starts from ₹1,22,000 or US$1,390 per person, twin sharing, and the 14-day version from ₹1,40,000 or US$1,590. Prices include Lukla flights, permits, a licensed guide, porters, teahouse lodges and three meals a day on the trail. Kathmandu hotels, insurance and tips are extra.

You need the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit, NPR 3,000 plus VAT for foreigners and NPR 1,500 for SAARC nationals including Indians, and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee, NPR 3,000 for most foreigners and NPR 2,000 for SAARC nationals. TIMS is not used in the Khumbu. Check current status before you travel; our packages include both.

October and November give the clearest skies and most stable weather. March to May is the second season, warmer and busier at base camp because of climbing expeditions, with more afternoon cloud. December to February is cold but clear and quiet. June to August is monsoon, with rain, cloud and many cancelled Lukla flights.

Yes. A helicopter tour from Kathmandu flies up the Khumbu, circles base camp and lands on the Kala Patthar ridge for 10–15 minutes when weather and current rules allow, then stops for breakfast at Hotel Everest View. Shared seats start from about ₹1,05,000 or US$1,190. Mountain flights from Kathmandu also pass Everest without landing, for much less.

To ease congestion at Kathmandu airport, Nepal's aviation authority has moved scheduled Lukla flights to Ramechhap (Manthali) Airport in the busy months, roughly late March to May and late September to November. Ramechhap is a 4–5 hour drive from Kathmandu, and flights take about 20 minutes. Check current status before you travel; our packages include the transfer.

It is a challenging trek but not a technical one. You walk 5–8 hours a day on rocky trails, gaining up to 800 m, and the thin air above 4,000 m makes everything slower. Fit beginners who train for 6–8 weeks with long uphill walks usually manage. The real risk is altitude, so acclimatisation days are not optional.

In teahouse lodges run by Sherpa families. Rooms are twin-bedded with foam mattresses and blankets; Namche and Lukla lodges often have attached bathrooms and heated dining rooms, while Lobuche and Gorak Shep are basic, with shared toilets. For more comfort, Yeti Mountain Home lodges and Hotel Everest View offer heated rooms on the lower trail.

Yes, with the right trip. The 7-day Everest View trek stays below 4,000 m and suits fit teenagers and active older parents. The helicopter tour suits families with mixed fitness, but infants, pregnant women and people with heart or lung conditions should not land above 5,000 m. Base camp itself is best for children over 12 who walk regularly.

Usually 7–8 days from Kathmandu: a day's drive to Syabrubesi, three days walking up via Lama Hotel and Langtang village to Kyanjin Gompa, a day to climb Kyanjin Ri, two days back down and the drive out. Our 8-day package starts from ₹58,000 or US$ 690. Fast walkers can do it in 6 days.

Our packages start from about ₹58,000 or US$ 690 for the 8-day Langtang Valley trek, ₹75,000 or US$ 890 for 11 days with Gosaikunda and ₹92,000 or US$ 1,090 for 14 days with Helambu, per person on twin sharing. Prices include the private jeep, licensed guide, porters, permits, teahouses and three meals a day on the trail.

Yes. The Langtang Valley is one of the best first treks in Nepal, with 5–7 hours of walking a day and a top sleeping altitude of 3,870 m at Kyanjin Gompa. It needs reasonable fitness for long climbs through forest. Gosaikunda is harder, gaining height quickly from Dhunche, and the Laurebina La traverse suits trekkers with some experience.

Yes, if you are a foreign national. Since April 2023 Nepal's rules require foreign trekkers in national parks to walk with a licensed guide arranged through a registered agency, and checkpoints at Dhunche and Syabrubesi check this. You also need the Langtang National Park permit and a TIMS card. Check current status before you travel.

By road: about 122 km, taking 6–7 hours by private jeep or 8–9 hours by local bus from Machhapokhari bus park. The road passes Trishuli Bazar, Betrawati and Dhunche and is rough above Betrawati. Our packages include a private jeep. A helicopter takes about 30 minutes but is rarely used for the trailhead.

Yes. After Kyanjin Gompa, walk back to Thulo Syabru and climb via Sing Gompa to Gosaikunda, then exit to Dhunche. This takes 11 days from Kathmandu and starts from ₹75,000 or US$ 890. Adding Laurebina La and Helambu makes a 14-day traverse that finishes by jeep from Tarkeghyang.

Our Gosaikunda heli yatra from Kathmandu starts from ₹58,000 or US$ 690 per seat when shared, with about 35 minutes of flying each way and a short stop at 4,380 m for darshan. Flights run in clear morning weather only. People with heart or lung disease and pregnant women should not fly to this altitude.

Yes, the trails and lodges were rebuilt in the years after 2015, and the valley has received trekkers every season since. Landslide risk remains in the monsoon, so we do not run treks from June to August. In spring and autumn the route is stable, and guides keep in touch with lodges about conditions.

For trekking, October–November and April–May give dry trails and clear views of the lakes. Pilgrims often go for Janai Purnima, the Shrawan full moon in August, when thousands bathe in the lake; it is crowded and wet but spiritually important. Our 7-day Janai Purnima pilgrimage trek starts from ₹36,000 or US$ 430.

Usually 12–16 days from Kathmandu, including two drive days, about 9–11 walking days and an acclimatisation day at Samagaun, often with a second at Samdo. Our 12-day itinerary starts from ₹91,000 or US$ 1,050 and our 14-day version from ₹1,04,000 or US$ 1,190. Adding the Tsum Valley makes it about 20 days.

Agency packages usually cost US$ 1,000–1,600. Ours start from about ₹91,000 or US$ 1,050 for 12 days and ₹1,04,000 or US$ 1,190 for 14 days, per person on twin sharing, including jeeps, permits, a licensed guide, porters, teahouses and three meals a day. Permit fees alone come to roughly US$ 170–200 per foreign trekker in autumn.

Many trekkers find it slightly harder overall, even though Larkya La at 5,106 m is lower than Thorong La at 5,416 m. The pass day is 8–10 hours with a steep 1,500 m descent, lodges are simpler and there are fewer roads to cut walking short. Previous trekking experience above 4,000 m helps.

No. Manaslu is a restricted area, and the permit is issued only through a registered agency with a licensed guide who stays with you throughout. Since March 2026, as we understand it, solo trekkers can obtain the permit without a second person, but independent trekking remains prohibited. Check current status before you travel.

October and November give the clearest skies and most reliable conditions on Larkya La. April and early May are the second season, with rhododendrons in flower. March and December are possible but snow can close the pass. January, February and the monsoon months from June to August are not recommended for the full circuit.

By road, about 160 km. A private jeep takes 8–9 hours via the Prithvi Highway, Dhading Besi and Arughat, with the final stretch on a rough dirt road up the Budhi Gandaki. Local buses and shared jeeps take 9–11 hours with a change. Our packages include a private jeep from your Kathmandu hotel.

Yes, for travellers interested in Tibetan Buddhist culture and quiet trails. The valley opened only in 2008, has few lodges and stays below about 3,700 m at Mu Gompa, so altitude risk is moderate. Our 14-day Tsum Valley trek starts from ₹1,09,000 or US$ 1,250, and the 20-day Manaslu and Tsum combination from ₹1,56,000 or US$ 1,790.

Yes. Our 1-day heli tour flies about an hour each way along the Budhi Gandaki, lands at Samagaun and flies close to Manaslu, from ₹1,26,000 or US$ 1,450 per seat. Flights run in clear morning weather only. People with heart or lung disease and pregnant women should not fly to high altitude.

Yes. Indian nationals need a passport for the restricted area permit, which as we understand it is charged at the same rate as for other foreigners, plus the conservation area permits at the SAARC rate of NPR 1,000 each. A licensed guide is compulsory. Our packages are priced in INR and include all permits.

Two nights is the minimum and three nights is ideal. Two nights give you one jeep safari, a canoe ride, a short walk and the Tharu dance. Three nights add a full-day jeep drive, which greatly improves tiger and sloth bear chances, or a split stay in Meghauli. Birders and photographers should plan four nights, including Bishazari Tal.

October to April is the season. February to April is best for rhino and tiger, because the grass has been cut and animals gather at water. October and November are green and comfortable, December and January are cool with foggy mornings, and May is very hot. From mid-June to mid-September monsoon floods close most of the park.

Fly to Bharatpur in about 25 minutes and transfer 30 minutes to Sauraha, or drive about 165 km in 5–7 hours via Mugling and Narayangarh. Tourist buses leave Kathmandu around 7 am and reach Sauraha in the early afternoon for NPR 800–1,200. A private car allows stops at Manakamana or for rafting on the Trishuli.

Partly. From mid-June to mid-September floods close most of the core zone, so jeep safaris and canoe rides stop or move to the buffer zone and community forests. Some Meghauli lodges close, while many Sauraha hotels stay open at low rates. Roads can be blocked by landslides. Opening dates depend on the rains, so check current status before you travel.

As we understand it, the daily entry fee is NPR 2,000 for foreign nationals, NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals including Indians and NPR 150 for Nepalis, charged for each day you enter the park. Vehicles pay a separate fee. Activity costs such as jeeps and canoes are extra. Fees change, so check current status before you travel; our packages include them.

Our Chitwan packages start from about ₹16,000 per person for 2 nights with a tourist bus from Kathmandu, about ₹22,000 for 3 nights by private car, and over ₹1,10,000 for a luxury Meghauli lodge with flights, on twin sharing. Travel from India is extra: overland via Raxaul or Sonauli costs far less than flying to Kathmandu.

Stay in Sauraha for value, choice and convenience: dozens of hotels, cafes and Tharu dance shows within walking distance of the river. Choose Meghauli for open grassland, better birding, fewer vehicles and full-board luxury lodges such as Meghauli Serai and Barahi Jungle Lodge. On a three-night trip, splitting two nights in Sauraha and one in Meghauli works well.

Yes. Children enjoy jeep safaris, canoe rides, the Elephant Breeding Centre and the Tharu dance, and many resorts have pools and vegetarian menus. Choose half-day activities for under-tens, as full-day drives are long and hot. Guides may set a minimum age for walking safaris, so check before booking. October to March is the most comfortable season.

Yes, though they are about 280 km and 7–8 hours apart by road via Hetauda. Most travellers either drive between them with a stop at Devghat, or fly Kathmandu–Janakpur and Kathmandu–Bharatpur as separate legs. Allow two nights in Janakpur for darshan, aarti and Dhanusadham, and two or three nights in Chitwan.

Two nights is enough for Lumbini itself: the Sacred Garden and Maya Devi Temple at dawn, the monastic zones and the World Peace Pagoda. Add one night for Tilaurakot, Kudan and Niglihawa, and another for Ramagrama and Devdaha. With Tansen and Rani Mahal, plan five or six nights in the region.

Fly from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa in about 35 minutes and drive about 20 km, around 40 minutes, to Lumbini. By road it is about 300 km and 8–10 hours via Mugling, Narayangarh and Butwal, by private car or tourist bus. Many travellers break the drive with two nights in Chitwan.

Lumbini is about 22–30 km from the Sonauli–Belahiya border, around 45 minutes by car. Gorakhpur, the nearest major railway junction, is about 100 km and three hours from the border, Kushinagar about 175 km from Lumbini and Varanasi about 330 km. Indian vehicles need a customs permit at the border.

As we understand it, the Lumbini Development Trust raised its conservation fee in 2026 to about NPR 700 for SAARC and Myanmar nationals, including Indians, and NPR 1,000 for other foreigners. Monks, nuns and local residents are exempt. Tickets are sold at the gate and online. Fees change, so check current status before you travel.

October to March, with February, March, October and November ideal: dry days of 18–30 °C. December and January are cool with dense morning fog. April to June is very hot, up to 42 °C, though Buddha Jayanti in late April or May draws huge crowds. The June to September monsoon is humid and wet.

Indian citizens need no visa for Nepal. A valid passport or voter ID card is enough to cross at Sonauli or fly into Nepal; Aadhaar and PAN cards are not accepted. Children can usually travel with a birth certificate or school ID with parents. Rules can change, so check current status before you travel.

Buddha Jayanti falls on the full moon of the Nepali month of Baisakh, usually in late April or May. Lumbini holds processions, chanting by monks from many countries and butter-lamp offerings at the Maya Devi Temple. Book rooms several months ahead, expect temperatures near 40 °C and confirm the date for your year before you travel.

Yes, and many Indian families do. A common loop is Sonauli to Lumbini, then 210 km and 7–8 hours to Pokhara via the Siddhartha Highway with a stop in Tansen, then on to Kathmandu, about 7 nights in total. Adding Chitwan between Lumbini and Kathmandu makes a 9–10 night tour.

Yes, for one or two nights. Tansen sits at 1,350 m, about 90 km and 2.5–3 hours north of Lumbini, and is cooler than the plains. Its Newar old town, dhaka weaving workshops, sunrise views from Srinagar hill and the Rani Mahal palace on the Kali Gandaki make a good contrast with the pilgrimage sites.

Drive about an hour from Siliguri to the Panitanki–Kakarbhitta border, complete Nepal entry, then drive about 95 km and 3–3.5 hours to Ilam via Charali, Kanyam and Fikkal on the Mechi Highway. Indian citizens need a passport or voter ID. Shared jeeps and buses run from Kakarbhitta and Birtamod, but a private car is easier for families.

October and November are best for clear skies, treks and the Pathibhara yatra. March and April are the second season, with rhododendrons and the first tea flush. December to February suits Ilam, Antu Danda and Koshi Tappu birding but is cold higher up. June to September is monsoon, with heavy rain and road closures.

Our 6-day road yatra from Kakarbhitta or Bhadrapur starts from about ₹26,000 per person for four sharing a jeep and two rooms, with nights in Ilam and Phungling and a spare weather day. The 3-day helicopter yatra from Kanyam starts from about ₹38,000 per person, twin sharing, including a shared heli seat.

Yes. You need a restricted area permit, about US$20 per person per week for the first four weeks, and a Kanchenjunga Conservation Area permit, about NPR 2,000–3,000. The restricted area permit is issued only through a registered agency, for at least two trekkers with a licensed guide. Indian nationals need both. Check current status before you travel.

Suketar airport near Phungling has had scheduled flights from Kathmandu a few days a week, about 55 minutes in a small aircraft with 13–15 seats, but cancellations are common and services have stopped and restarted many times. Bhadrapur, with several daily flights, is the reliable choice. Check current status before you travel.

Plan about 22 days from Kathmandu to visit both the north base camp at Pangpema and Oktang on the south side, or 18–20 days for the north side only. Getting to the trailhead takes two days by flight and road, and the walk itself takes 14–16 days, including an acclimatisation day at Ghunsa.

Both are strenuous. Makalu is shorter, about 18 days, but climbs steeply from 500 m in the Arun valley and crosses the Shipton La early, with very basic lodges. Kanchenjunga is longer, about 22 days, reaches higher at 5,143 m and includes a three-pass day, but rises more gradually and needs restricted area permits.

By road it is about 230 km and 9–10 hours via Dhulikhel, the BP Highway, Khurkot and Ghurmi, so plan at least four nights for a comfortable yatra; ours runs 5 days from ₹30,000. A helicopter flies there in about 45 minutes for a same-day darshan, from about ₹62,000 per seat with five sharing.

Yes, for most of the region. Indian citizens can enter at Kakarbhitta or Jogbani with a passport or voter ID and need no visa. Ilam, Pathibhara, Halesi and Koshi Tappu need no permit. The Kanchenjunga trek still requires restricted area and conservation permits through an agency. Children need a birth certificate or school ID.

Fly Kathmandu to Nepalgunj in about an hour, stay overnight, then take a morning flight of about 45 minutes to Talcha airport and walk 1.5–2 hours to the lake. Flights run a few times a week and depend on weather. Alternatives are a trek of 5–6 days from Jumla, a two-day jeep trip via Surkhet and Jumla, or a helicopter charter from Nepalgunj.

April to June and late September to November. Spring brings mild days of about 4–19 °C and calm water; October and November give the clearest skies and the deepest blue colour. Avoid July and August, when the monsoon cancels flights and closes the road, and December to February, when snow and frozen shores make the trip cold and unreliable.

Our 5-day Rara tour by flight from Kathmandu starts from about ₹62,000 or US$730 per person, twin sharing, including flights via Nepalgunj, lodges, meals at the lake and a guide. An 8-day road trip from Lucknow combining Bardia and Rara starts from about ₹68,000. A shared seat on a helicopter day tour from Nepalgunj starts from about ₹1,15,000.

Yes. Nepal's 2026 census counted 112 tigers in Bardia, and the park receives far fewer visitors than Chitwan. Guests who stay three or four nights between February and May, with a full-day jeep safari and a walking day, often see a tiger. Sightings are never guaranteed, and from October to January the tall grass makes them harder.

Drive about 190 km to the Rupaidiha–Nepalgunj border in 4–5 hours via Bahraich, complete Nepal entry formalities, then drive about 95 km to Thakurdwara in 2.5–3 hours. Allow 6–7 hours in all. Indian citizens need a passport or voter ID card. Our Lucknow departures include the car, help at the border and park fees.

Simikot town needs no trekking permit, but the Karnali trail to Hilsa and the Limi Valley are restricted areas. You need a Humla restricted area permit, arranged through a registered agency, which has cost US$50 per person for the first week and US$10 per day after, plus a licensed guide. Check current status before you travel.

Only simple lodges and community homestays near the park office and at Talcha, with twin rooms, shared toilets, dal bhat and blankets. Building on the shore is restricted, so there is no resort or star-rated hotel. Rooms fill in April and October, so we book early and bring tents for park-approved camping when needed. Pack a warm sleeping bag.

Yes. Both are reached through Nepalgunj, so a week works well: two or three nights in Bardia for safaris, a night in Nepalgunj, a flight to Talcha and two nights at Rara. Our 8-day tour from Lucknow follows this route. April and early May suit both places, though Bardia is hot by then.

Yes. The far west is peaceful and people welcome visitors, including Indian families. The real risks are practical: cancelled mountain flights, landslides on hill roads in the monsoon, heat in the Terai in May, cold at Rara and Simikot, and altitude on Humla treks. Travel with spare days, insurance that covers helicopter rescue and a local guide.

Our yatras start from about ₹2,10,000 per person for 14 days overland via Kerung, ₹2,95,000 for 11 days via Simikot and Hilsa by helicopter, and ₹3,25,000 for 16 days with a Lhasa fly-in, twin sharing. A private helicopter charter starts from about ₹3,85,000. Ponies, porters, the visa fee, insurance and tips are usually extra.

Yes, through a Nepali agency working with a licensed Tibetan agency. In recent seasons resident Indians have needed to submit original passports at the Chinese embassy in New Delhi weeks before departure, give biometrics, carry a medical certificate and, for 2026, be born in 1955 or later. NRIs have travelled in separate groups. These rules change most years; check current status before you travel.

May, June and September. The season runs from about early May to early October, with departures through July and August, when Nepal's monsoon can delay flights and roads. June is busiest; September is clearest and less crowded. Saga Dawa, usually late May or June, is the most auspicious time for Buddhists. Kailash is closed to pilgrims from mid-October to April.

Between 9 and 17 days. Via Simikot and Hilsa by helicopter it takes 11 days from Kathmandu; from Lucknow via Nepalgunj, 12 days; overland via Kerung, 14 days; with a Lhasa fly-in, 16 days; and our slower senior-pilgrim itinerary takes 17. A Manasarovar trip without the parikrama takes 9 days. Shorter itineraries skip acclimatisation and are not safe.

In recent seasons a limit near 70 has applied to Indian passport holders, expressed for 2026 as birth year 1955 or later, with occasional conditional exceptions. A medical certificate is required. Other nationalities have faced fewer age rules but the same altitude. Whatever the rule, your doctor should approve travel above 5,000 m. Check current status before you travel.

It is a strenuous high-altitude walk, not a technical climb. After the eco-bus sections, about 42–45 km remain over three days, and the hardest day crosses Dolma La at about 5,630 m in 8–10 hours. Most fit pilgrims manage with good acclimatisation, a slow pace and a pony for day two. Mild headache is common; worsening symptoms mean turning back.

Kerung, by road, is cheaper, avoids flight risk and acclimatises gradually over about 14 days, but it depends on the Rasuwagadhi border, which closed after floods in August 2026. Simikot saves about three days and long drives, but costs more and relies on the weather for small-plane and helicopter flights. Seniors often prefer Simikot for less road time. Check current status before you travel.

Partly. Helicopters fly only on the Nepal side, from Simikot to Hilsa in 20–30 minutes or by private charter from Nepalgunj. Inside Tibet all travel is by road, and helicopters do not land at Manasarovar or on the parikrama. Separately, Shree Airlines has run Kailash darshan flights from Nepalgunj that view the mountain without landing; check current status before you travel.

Yes. Flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa take about 75–90 minutes, and you need a Chinese group visa and a Tibet Travel Permit, both arranged by a licensed agency. Our Lhasa tours run 5–8 days from about ₹98,000 per person, and a 10-day trip continues to Everest's north side. Most foreign tours pause from around February to early April.