Most treks in Nepal are 'teahouse' treks, which means every night you end up at a simple lodge with basic rooms and a meal. The best thing about teahouse trekking - you only have to carry very minimal gear.
Heading to Nepal? Everyone needs a visa (except Indian nationals), but luckily it’s an easy process. Here’s the latest information on obtaining a tourist visa and how it works for visa-on-arrival.
Welcome to Kathmandu, the beating heart of Nepal. Whatever your taste or budget, this busy metropolis has an accommodation option to suit you. With so many choices—especially in the tourist hub of Thamel—it can be difficult to decide where to stay. Make the most of your visit to the Nepali capital by checking out these recommendations for the best and most unique hotels, resorts, and homestays in the city.
Pokhara may not seem far from Kathmandu (the cities are only 126 miles / 204 km apart), but the Nepali terrain and road quality make for a very long drive. That's why many travelers opt to fly. Here are your options for traveling between the two cities, either by air or road.
The classic trek route from Lukla to Everest Base Camp is beautiful, but has become quite crowded and over-developed. Here are some highly recommended alternatives that take you off the beaten path and let you experience Mt Everest in ways that few people do.
Trekking through the Himalayas is Nepal’s key attraction, and is a life-changing experience for many travelers, regardless of whether they are experienced hikers, or novices. This article is a primer to trekking in Nepal and answers frequently asked questions.
Famous for its mountain airports, Nepal offers a number of domestic flights that give you access to all parts of the country. Often, it’s best to take a local flight to save yourself long drives when you only have a short amount of time in Nepal. Given that mountain weather is often unpredictable, however, it's best to add one or two buffer days before and after your trek to account for flight delays.
This scenic twenty-minute flight takes you over the Kali Gandaki Gorge to the town Jomsom at the southern edge of the Mustang region. Along the way, you'll enjoy spectacular views of Dhaulagiri (26,795 ft), Nilgiri (23,166 ft), and the entire Annapurna Himal.
There’s no reason to put off trekking in the Himalaya until the kids have left home. Aside from the amazing landscapes, cultural and wildlife encounters awaiting you, here are some other great reasons why visiting Nepal with your family is a good idea.
Kathmandu is a shopper's paradise, particularly for those who appreciate high quality artisanal goods at an incredible value. That said, the city is big and traffic is bad, so strategizing your time and whereabouts is key, depending on the goods you're most interested in. Below is a rough guide to help you.
From physical preparation and training to packing and visas: there are a few things you must do before heading to the Himalaya to ensure a smooth, safe, and comfortable trip. While you don't need to be Superman or Wonder Woman to enjoy trekking in the Himalaya, the better prepared you are, the more you'll get out of the experience.
For adventure lovers (and adventurous married couples!) there's hardly a more appealing destination than Nepal. Add the romance of stunning mountain vistas, luxury accommodation, and atmospheric cultural sites to classic adventure activities like trekking and paragliding and you have the ideal honeymoon destination.
Influenced by both Indian and Tibetan cuisine, Nepalese food has its own rich flavors and aromas. Here's a selection of dishes you shouldn't miss during your trip to Nepal.
How much should you tip your guide and porter after a trek? That depends on a variety of factors: whether you're traveling alone or with a group, for just one week or a whole month, and most importantly, what kind of service you received. Here's a brief article to help you.
Starting around mid-June, peaking in July and August, and winding down in early September, the monsoon brings rain, humidity and an increase in temperatures across most of Nepal. True — mountain views are often obscured by cloud, temperatures get uncomfortable, it rains daily, and yes, there are leeches. But this is still a great time to trek and here are our best tips for going about it.
Traveling with a great guide is important in Nepal—particularly at high altitude. Read on for more information about the benefits of hiring local, learn what to expect, and meet some of the country's top trekking and tour guides.
In May 2015, Nepal was struck by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Many travelers are still wondering if it's safe to visit Nepal. The short answer is "yes". The earthquake has caused severe damage in certain regions, but the country is rebuilding and open for travel.
If you're planning to trek in the Himalayas, the Alps, the Andes — or anywhere above 2500m — it's important to have a good understanding of altitude sickness, which poses a danger to everyone at these altitudes and can be fatal, in severe cases. The good news is that it's easily managed with the right planning and preparation.
When planning a trek in Nepal, it's easy to focus on reaching base camp or a high pass while squeezing the rest into as few days of precious vacation time as possible. But you might want to rethink your itinerary: some of Nepal's most beautiful places are a few hours out of the way. Head off the main trekking trails with these worthwhile detours, and you'll have some of the country's most stunning scenery all to yourself.
Trekking to Everest Base Camp is the classic way to get up-close-and-personal with the world's tallest peak. But there's another way to go that's quicker, cheaper, and less exhausting: hop aboard a plane or helicopter. Here's how to do it, and what to expect.
Almost anything you need for your trek, you can find in Kathmandu. There are hundreds of small shops packed with equipment lining the streets of Thamel, the main trekkers' hub. You can buy or rent anything you're missing or don't want to pack—from down sleeping bags and jackets to trekking poles, water bottles, and sunglasses.
Phaplu is a gateway village in the lower Solu Khumbu, serving as the starting off point for a number of treks. It also has one of the only domestic airports in the region. There are a number of short treks nearby, such as Pikey Peak, and you can also trek from her to the upper Everest region.