Many Telugu pilgrims combine Pashupatinath in Kathmandu with Muktinath in Mustang and, for the most devoted, the Kailash Mansarovar yatra via Nepal between May and September. Families from Hyderabad often prefer the classic 6–7 night loop through Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan, with a Manakamana cable car stop on the way to Pokhara. Because travel from the south takes most of a day, we suggest at least six nights. Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara can arrange South Indian vegetarian meals with notice.
Kailash yatra groups from Hyderabad usually fly to Kathmandu, spend a night or two preparing, then either drive to the Kerung border, for 12–15 days in total, or fly Nepalgunj–Simikot and take a helicopter to Hilsa. Rules for Indian passport holders on the Nepal routes have changed in recent years, so check current status before you travel. For a trip without the yatra, October–November and March–April are the best months, and December–February is cold but clear in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Flying from Hyderabad
There are no regular direct flights from Hyderabad to Kathmandu. Most travellers fly one stop via Delhi, Kolkata or Bengaluru with IndiGo or Air India, taking about 5–7 hours in total and landing at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Kailash groups taking the Simikot route then fly Kathmandu–Nepalgunj in about an hour and Nepalgunj–Simikot on small aircraft. Book a single through ticket to Kathmandu where possible. Schedules and airlines change, so check current status before you travel.
By road from Hyderabad
Driving from Hyderabad to Nepal is a major undertaking: about 1,500 km to the Sonauli border via Nagpur, Jabalpur and Prayagraj or Varanasi, roughly 26–30 hours of driving over three days. From Sonauli, Lumbini is 30 km and Pokhara 185 km. Most travellers who want a road element fly or take a train to Gorakhpur or Varanasi and drive only the final stretch to the border.
By train to the border
Long-distance trains run from Secunderabad and Hyderabad towards Gorakhpur and Raxaul in roughly 30–36 hours. From Gorakhpur, the Sonauli border is 95 km by road; from Raxaul, you walk or drive across to Birgunj. Rail suits pilgrim groups combining Nepal with Varanasi or Ayodhya.
Documents for Indian travellers
Indian citizens need no visa for Nepal. Adults must carry a valid Indian passport or Voter ID card for flights; Aadhaar and PAN are not accepted. The Kailash Mansarovar yatra requires a passport valid for at least six months, as a Voter ID is not valid for Tibet. Children should travel on a passport or carry a photo ID showing age. OCI cardholders need a Nepal visa. Check current status before you travel.
Tips for travellers from Hyderabad
- Start Kailash yatra paperwork two to three months early, as Tibet permits need passport details well in advance.
- Choose a helicopter or Jomsom flight for Muktinath if your group includes seniors.
- Ask for South Indian vegetarian meals when booking, as Kathmandu and Pokhara hotels can usually arrange them with notice.
- Pack thermals for Muktinath and Kailash, where nights drop well below freezing.
- Carry ₹100 notes and smaller, as larger Indian notes are not always accepted in Nepal.
