Nepal opened its borders to foreigners in the late 1950s. Since then, Nepal has attracted travelers with its mystical charm and diverse landscapes. Home to the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, this tiny Himalayan state is known for its incredible mountains, snow-capped peaks, and some of the best Himalayan hiking trails. Mountains, jungles, picturesque hill towns, ancient cities, and diverse and fascinating cultures make Nepal one of the world’s best and most attractive tourist destinations.
Since you are here, a trip to Nepal must be on your mind. Our complete Nepal travel guide with all the essential information to help you plan your trip to Nepal. And even if you don’t, we urge you to read on. Nepal can only be in your heart and then plan your trip!
Nestled between the mystical world of Tibet and the smoky jungles of India, Nepal is the land of snow-capped peaks and Sherpas. Yaks and yetis rule bedtime stories in Nepal. And those tales of yaks and yetis also find their way into our bedtime stories. From the neighboring country of Nepal, we heard many funny stories about Yetis when we were children. It is a place where you can not only achieve travel nirvana but also spiritual nirvana. Let us tell you some reasons why you should visit Nepal.
Nepal is a trekker’s paradise: Home to eight of the world’s highest peaks, Nepal has no shortage of hiking options. There are hikes for both beginners and experienced hikers. And finally, the holy grail for mountaineers, Mount Everest is also located in Nepal.
Adventure in Nepal: Along with trekking, Nepal will make your heart race with its adventure activities. Paragliding, rafting, and bungee jumping are some of the adrenaline activities you can do in Nepal.
Nepal has rich wildlife: Visit Chitwan National Park for rich wildlife.
Nepal is culturally diverse and exciting: Nepal’s cultural landscape is as diverse as its natural one. Nepal has several ethnic groups that have culturally enriched the country. From Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism to nature-worshiping shamanism, Nepalese culture blends it all very well.
Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha: Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautama Buddha and a must-see place in Nepal. This fact makes Nepal culturally unique yet diverse.
Located in South Asia and home to the world’s highest mountain range, the Himalayas, Nepal is a landlocked country that shares borders with Tibet to the north and India to the east, west, and south. Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, is located in the northern part, while the southern part of the country has tropical lowlands.
As many parts of India such as Darjeeling and Sikkim are heavily influenced by Nepali culture, Nepal has also absorbed a great deal of Indian culture and customs.
Tourist visas for Nepal can be obtained at all land border crossings upon arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport. Some countries do not issue visas on arrival. It is recommended to consult the list before the visit.
You can apply for a visa online 15 days before your arrival and travel within 6 months of visa approval.
The visa fee is as follows:
15 days (multiple entries): USD 30
30 days (multiple entries): USD 50
90 days (multiple entries): USD 125
The tourist visa extension is made at USD 45 for a minimum of 15 days and USD 3 for additional days. Visas can be extended for a maximum of 150 days in a calendar year, but you must visit the immigration office before your current visa expires.
To obtain a visa on arrival, you need a passport-sized photograph and 6 months of validity in your passport.
Nepal has only one international airport in Kathmandu. So if you are flying, you will arrive at Tribhuvan airport in Kathmandu. Flight fares depend on the season. Expect higher costs, especially during Christmas and fall, Nepal’s peak season. Also, the flight cost rates depend on where you are coming from.
If you get your visa on arrival at Tribhuvan airport, expect a long queue in the immigration line.
Prepaid taxis are available at the airport terminal to take you to your hotel. Sometimes some hotels offer free pick-up and drop-off services from the airport.
Many travelers often combine a trip to Nepal with India. Those in India can also cross the border by road to enter Nepal. There are several border crossings between India and Nepal and an overland route can be easily planned. The most common border crossings between India and Nepal include the following:
Raxaul (India side) – Birganj (Nepal side): The nearest major city is Patna (6 hours). Buses are available from Birganj to Kathmandu (136 km).
Panitanki (Indian side) – Kakarvitta (Nepalese side): The nearest major town is Siliguri. Those coming from Darjeeling can take this border crossing route. From Kakarvitta, you can take buses to Kathmandu (458 km) and Pokhara (600 km).
Sunauli (India side) – Belahia (Nepal side): The nearest major city is Varanasi. Belahia is the closest to Lumbini (30 km). So if you enter via this route, consider stopping in Lumbini first and then continuing your journey to Nepal. Like all other border cities, buses to Kathmandu and Pokhara are available from here.
Jogbani (India side) – Viratnagar (Nepal side): The nearest major city is Katihar (3 hours). You will take a bus from Biratnagar to Kathmandu. The distance is 240 km. Biratnagar also has an airport and you get flights to Kathmandu and Pokhara from Biratnagar airport.
Well, getting around in Nepal is a bit difficult. The distance between cities is not great, but the roads are poor, travel is slow, and buses are not in good condition. Some trails are pretty decent, but there are some that aren’t worthy of being called trails! Air travel in Nepal is known to be risky. To move from one city to another, you have tourist buses, local buses, minibusses, and jeeps for distant places. There are also flights connecting Kathmandu, Pokhara, Jomson, and Lukla.
The most common way to travel around Nepal is by tourist bus. There are air-conditioned buses with reclining seats, as well as buses without air conditioning. These buses connect border cities like Kakkarvitta, Sunauli, Birganj, and Viratnagar with Kathmandu and Pokhara. They also run between major cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Sauraha (Chitwan National Park), Lumbini, Jamson, etc. These vehicles are generally in better condition than local buses. In high season, it is better to book tickets for these buses a day in advance, as they fill up. You can get tickets at the bus station or bus parking lot. But all travel agencies and hotels can also book tickets for you. They usually charge a 10% commission on the price of the ticket.
Also, we recommend that you take a look at the bus before you book your ticket.
Today, few buses run between major cities in Nepal that are faster and more comfortable. These luxury buses have reclining seats with air conditioning and cushions and are quite comfortable. These buses usually run between Kathmandu and Pokhara and also between Kathmandu/Pokhara and Chitwan or Lumbini National Park. These buses usually run 2 times, day and night. Day buses usually leave in the morning and arrive at their destination in the afternoon and night buses leave in the afternoon and arrive at their destination the following morning.
Minibusses travel on all routes and other routes as tour buses. They are usually a bit faster, cheaper, and a bit less comfortable. Unlike tourist buses, minibusses run throughout the day. If you plan to go by minibus, it is not necessary to buy tickets in advance. Actually, you should get the ticket directly from the bus driver and not from any vendor who may try to sell you the ticket at an inflated price.
You have to be very adventurous if you try to travel around Nepal by local bus. Traveling within the city is fine, but we do not recommend traveling within the city by local bus. These buses are certainly much cheaper, but they are old, slow, uncomfortable, and prone to breakdowns. Also, the buses will be packed with passengers and it can be difficult to travel with all the luggage.
You won’t need to drive a jeep or 4WD unless you’re going to a remote location. Jeeps are the only means of transportation in remote areas where the roads are mere dirt tracks. On the roughest road, you can even find a tractor! These jeeps are usually used to transport people with local supplies, so you might find yourself stuck with groceries and stuff. The price of a jeep tour depends on the place and region you are traveling to and the season.
As in any other place, you will find taxis that will take you from one city to another. Negotiate with the driver before deciding on the price.
Air transport is an essential part of Nepal’s transport network. But the aviation safety record is worse than the road safety record. A flight over the Himalayas can be a visually exhilarating treat for the eyes, but it can also be quite terrifying. You may need to take a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (for the Everest Base Camp trek) or from Pokhara to Jomson (for the Annapurna Circuit trek) in Nepal. If you are part of a tour or trek package, flight costs are usually included. But if you are looking for plane tickets yourself, you can check out Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, and Sita Air.
Be prepared for bad weather and delays when you fly to Nepal. Cancellation is also quite common. Also, book your tickets in advance during the peak trekking season.
In Kathmandu and Pokhara, traveling by car is a great option. They are faster and much more comfortable than the local buses. In addition, they will take you to the exact location of your destination. Although these taxis are metered, they always refuse to go to the meter and quote a price. You have to negotiate with the driver. And yes, there is no Uber here!
Local buses are very cheap but are often crowded and overcrowded. In most cities, the standard fare for an intra-city ride is NPR 20-25. Well, if you don’t mind the crowds, a bus tour is a fun way to observe the local Nepalis and their culture.
Scooters and bicycles can be rented daily. To rent a motorcycle, you must have a valid driver’s license. You may be required to leave your passport or return ticket as a deposit to rent a two-wheeler. Motorcycles can be rented for NPR 700-800 per day, depending on the type. This rate does not include fuel. Remember that there is a fuel shortage in Nepal. So fill up your tanks if you hit the offbeat tracks.
A bike will cost you 200-300 NPR per day.
Driving on the left side of the road. Indians probably won’t face much trouble as traffic rules are the same in India. Tourists in the west may encounter problems with traffic, road conditions, and people jumping in front of them while driving or driving.
After the political turmoil and the Maoist insurgency, Nepal is now relatively stable and moving towards peace. Although protests and strikes can happen anywhere and at any time. But in general, tourism is generally not affected. The locals are also quite friendly and warm and will help you. Personal security is not a problem.
While trekking in the Himalayas can be troublesome, it is also associated with unexpected natural disasters. So as you walk, stay in groups, follow all safety precautions, and listen to your guide’s instructions. They know the place well and will give you better advice.
Nepal is quite safe for female travelers. We advise you not to walk alone or walk alone at night. Also, dress conservatively. In fact, these tips apply everywhere you visit, not just in Nepal!
Hope our travel guide will be useful to you and will get you interested in Nepal travel. You can do flight booking and hotel booking from our website for Nepal travel. Our collection has made hotel and flight booking facilities easy.
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