Why altitude matters more than the calendar
A typical 7-night Nepal tour crosses several climate zones in a week. Chitwan's jungle lies at about 150 m, Pokhara at 822 m, Kathmandu at 1,400 m, Nagarkot at 2,175 m and Chandragiri at 2,551 m, while the Muktinath yatra climbs to 3,710 m. Air temperature falls by roughly 6 °C for every 1,000 m you climb, so a 28 °C afternoon in Sauraha can be followed two days later by a 5 °C sunrise on a hill above Kathmandu.
The second factor is the daily swing. Kathmandu's dry-season air heats and cools quickly, and a January day can run from 2 °C at dawn to 19 °C at noon. The answer is layers you can add and remove through the day, rather than one heavy coat. Hotel rooms in the hills often have limited heating, and Kathmandu hotels below 4-star may have none, so a warm layer for evenings indoors is worth its space.
What to pack in each season
Use the table as a base list for Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan, then add the altitude items in the next section if your trip includes Nagarkot, Muktinath or a trek. Temperatures are typical Kathmandu lows and highs.
| Season | Kathmandu °C | Daytime | Early morning and evening | Add for this season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct–Nov | 7–26 | T-shirts, light trousers, cap | Fleece or light down jacket | Sunglasses, SPF 50, warm layer for Nagarkot dawn |
| Dec–Feb | 2–21 | Long sleeves, sweater | Down jacket, thermals, woolly hat, gloves | Lip balm, moisturiser, warm socks for unheated rooms |
| Mar–May | 8–29 | Breathable cotton or quick-dry shirts | Light fleece | Dust mask, hat, extra sunscreen; cotton for Chitwan heat |
| Jun–Sep | 18–29 | Quick-dry clothes, sandals with grip | Light rain jacket | Compact umbrella, dry bags, insect repellent, leech socks for forest trails |
Clothing layers that work
We suggest a three-layer system for every season except the monsoon, which needs only two. A base layer of cotton or quick-dry fabric does the work by day. A mid layer of fleece or wool adds warmth for mornings, evenings and air-conditioned vehicles. A packable down or synthetic jacket covers dawn at Nagarkot or Sarangkot and the cold winds at Muktinath, where even in May the temperature can drop below 5 °C at 7 am.
Laundry shops in Thamel, Lakeside and Sauraha charge by the kilo and usually return clothes within 24 hours, and most hotels offer a laundry service at higher rates, so you can pack for 4–5 days and wash midway. In the dry season clothes dry overnight; in the monsoon allow two days, and pack synthetic fabrics that dry faster than cotton or denim. For a 6–8 night tour, this list fits into one medium suitcase or a 60-litre duffel, leaving room for shopping. Keep the total under 20 kg if your plan includes the Kathmandu–Pokhara flight, and under 15 kg for the smaller planes to Jomsom; check the allowance printed on your ticket.
- 5–6 T-shirts or tops and 2 long-sleeve shirts
- 2–3 pairs of trousers or long skirts, plus one pair of shorts for Chitwan and hotel use
- 1 fleece or warm sweater and 1 packable down jacket (October to April)
- 1 light rain jacket all year; essential from June to September
- Thermal top and leggings from November to March, or for any Muktinath trip
- Sun hat, woollen hat, light gloves and a cotton scarf or dupatta
- Swimwear for hotel pools in Pokhara and Chitwan, and sleepwear for cool nights
Footwear for streets, temples and trails
Old Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur are paved with uneven brick and stone, and temple steps are steep; the eastern stairway at Swayambhunath has 365 steps. Comfortable walking shoes with good grip are the most important item you pack. Bring a second pair that slips on and off quickly, because you remove footwear at the doors of temples, monasteries and some homes, often several times an hour.
In Chitwan, wear closed shoes and long socks for jungle walks and canoe trips; sandals invite leeches and thorns in the grass. For the valley rim walks or the Nagarkot to Changunarayan hike, light trail shoes are enough. Trekking boots are only needed for multi-day treks, and they should be worn in for at least 30–40 km before you fly. In the monsoon, sports sandals with straps cope better with wet lanes than canvas shoes. Pack 4–5 pairs of cotton or merino socks, plus one thick pair for cold mornings, and keep a pair of socks in your daypack: temple floors and stone courtyards are cold in winter when you walk them shoeless.
Dress for temples, monasteries and pujas
Nepal is relaxed about dress in tourist areas, but sacred sites expect modest clothing. Pack at least two outfits that cover shoulders and knees: long trousers or a long skirt with a sleeved top, a kurta set or a salwar suit. A large scarf or dupatta is the most useful single item, as it covers shoulders at temples, keeps dust off in traffic and warms you on a cool evening.
Pilgrims should plan for rituals. At Muktinath, many devotees bathe under the 108 water spouts and in the two kunds, so pack a change of clothes, a quick-dry towel and a plastic bag for wet clothing; the water is near freezing for most of the year. At Pashupatinath, men attending a puja often wear a dhoti or kurta, and women a saree or salwar suit. Leather belts and bags are best left outside the inner shrines of Hindu temples.
Medicines and a simple first-aid kit
Pharmacies in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Sauraha stock most common medicines, but carry your own personal kit and enough prescription medicine for the whole trip plus 3 spare days, in original packaging with a copy of the prescription. Talk to your doctor before any Muktinath visit or trek if you have heart, lung or blood pressure conditions.
- Oral rehydration salts (ORS) and an anti-diarrhoea medicine
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen, an antihistamine and antacid tablets
- Motion sickness tablets for the winding Kathmandu–Pokhara and Pokhara–Jomsom roads
- Plasters, blister pads, antiseptic cream and a small crepe bandage
- Sunscreen SPF 50, lip balm with SPF, and insect repellent with DEET for Chitwan and the monsoon
- Hand sanitiser, wet wipes and two N95 masks for dusty roads and smoggy days
- Acetazolamide for altitude only if your doctor prescribes it for Muktinath or a trek
Documents, electrics and small extras
Nepal uses Type C, D and M sockets at 230 V and 50 Hz. Indian round-pin chargers fit Type D and many Type C sockets directly, but a universal adaptor saves trouble in older hotels. Phone and laptop chargers handle 230 V; check hair dryers and other appliances. Power cuts are now rare in cities, but a 10,000–20,000 mAh power bank helps on road days, and it must travel in hand luggage on every flight.
Keep documents in a slim waterproof pouch. Indians need an original passport or voter ID; other visitors need a passport valid for 6 months and US dollars for the visa. Carry two photocopies and four passport photos for SIM cards and permits, and keep digital copies on your phone.
- Head torch or small flashlight for dawn starts and village lanes
- Reusable water bottle and a filter or purification tablets
- Daypack of 20–25 litres for sightseeing and the Everest mountain flight
- Earplugs for city hotels and roadside lodges
- Ziplock bags for wet clothes, receipts and puja offerings
Places in this guide
Questions travellers ask
What should I pack for Nepal in October?
For Nepal in October, pack T-shirts and light trousers for 23–26 °C days, plus a fleece or light down jacket for 7–13 °C mornings and sunrise at Nagarkot or Sarangkot. Add sunglasses, SPF 50 sunscreen, a cap, comfortable walking shoes and slip-ons for temples. A light rain jacket helps in the first week, when late monsoon showers are still possible.
What clothes to wear in Nepal in December and January?
In December and January, wear layers: thermals, a sweater or fleece and a down jacket for mornings around 2–5 °C in Kathmandu and near 0 °C at Nagarkot. By noon it reaches 18–20 °C, so you will strip down to a long-sleeve shirt. Pack a woolly hat, gloves, warm socks and lip balm, as many hotel rooms have limited heating.
Do I need a down jacket for a Nepal tour?
From October to April, yes, a light packable down jacket is worth carrying even on a city tour. Sunrise at Nagarkot, Sarangkot or Chandragiri can be close to freezing, and Muktinath at 3,710 m is cold in every month. From June to September, a fleece and a rain jacket are enough for Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan.
What should women wear in Nepal?
Women can wear normal travel clothes in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan, but cover shoulders and knees at temples and monasteries. Kurtas, long skirts, loose trousers and T-shirts all work well. A dupatta or large scarf is useful for temples, dust and cool evenings. Swimwear is fine at hotel pools, and a sports bra and quick-dry clothes suit treks.
What plug type is used in Nepal?
Nepal uses Type C, D and M power sockets at 230 V and 50 Hz, the same voltage as India. Indian round-pin plugs fit most Nepali sockets directly, though larger Type M sockets appear in some hotels. Travellers from the UK, US or Australia need an adaptor, ideally a universal one. Phone and laptop chargers work without a voltage converter.
What medicines should I carry to Nepal?
Carry your prescription medicines for the full trip plus spares, along with ORS, an anti-diarrhoea medicine, paracetamol, antihistamines, motion sickness tablets for hill roads, plasters and antiseptic cream. Add SPF 50 sunscreen and DEET insect repellent for Chitwan. For Muktinath or treks, ask your doctor about acetazolamide for altitude. Pharmacies in Kathmandu and Pokhara stock most basics.
What shoes are best for a Nepal sightseeing tour?
Comfortable walking shoes with good grip are best for Nepal sightseeing, as Durbar Squares have uneven brick paving and steep temple steps. Bring a second slip-on pair, since you remove shoes often at temples and monasteries. Closed shoes are needed for Chitwan jungle walks. Trekking boots are only necessary for multi-day treks and should be broken in before you travel.
What should I pack for the Muktinath yatra?
For Muktinath at 3,710 m, pack thermals, a down jacket, a woolly hat and gloves in every season, because mornings can be below 5 °C even in May and well below freezing in winter. Add a change of clothes and a quick-dry towel for the 108 water spouts, sunglasses for strong sun and wind, lip balm, motion sickness tablets and your regular medicines.
How much luggage can I take on domestic flights in Nepal?
On the Kathmandu–Pokhara route, airlines usually allow about 20 kg of checked baggage plus 5–7 kg of hand luggage. Smaller planes on mountain routes such as Pokhara–Jomsom often allow less, commonly 10–15 kg checked. Excess baggage is charged per kilo and may be bumped to a later flight. Leave extra luggage at your Kathmandu or Pokhara hotel, and check your ticket.
