Should I Go to Nepal? What You Need to Know

Why Nepal Is Unlike Anywhere Else on Earth

Eight of the world's ten highest mountains are in Nepal — including Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Annapurna. But Nepal is dramatically more than its mountains. Kathmandu's Durbar Squares — medieval royal complexes with temples, palaces, and courtyards that survived centuries of earthquakes and political upheaval — are living religious sites where rituals have continued daily for over a thousand years. Lumbini, 250km southwest of Kathmandu in the flat Terai lowlands, is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) — one of the most significant pilgrimage sites on earth, encompassing monastery complexes from over twenty countries. And Chitwan National Park in the south is among the best places in Asia to see one-horned rhinoceroses, Bengal tigers, gharial crocodiles, and Asian elephants in their natural habitat.

The trekking infrastructure in Nepal is the most developed of any mountain destination in the world. The Everest Base Camp trek (12–16 days return from Lukla), the Annapurna Circuit (14–21 days full circuit), the Annapurna Sanctuary/Base Camp (7–12 days), and dozens of shorter routes all have networks of teahouses (basic guesthouses with food and beds, typically $5–$15/night per person, often including a meal order) that allow trekkers to travel without tents or cooking equipment. The trails are well-marked. English is widely spoken in teahouses. Nepal is one of the rare places in the world where an ordinary person with moderate fitness and a few weeks can reach genuinely extraordinary altitude in extraordinary surroundings.

"I am not a serious trekker — I run occasionally but I would not call myself athletic," wrote one traveller on the TripAdvisor Nepal forum in 2024. "I completed the Annapurna Base Camp trek in 11 days, starting from Nayapul. There were days that were hard. There were mornings at altitude where the cold was a genuine shock. But I stood at 4,130 metres, surrounded by Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, and half a dozen other peaks, and I understood something about the world that I had not understood before. It is worth every difficult step." (TripAdvisor Nepal Trekking forum, 2024.)

Current Safety Situation — Read Before You Book

• Monsoon season (June–September): Nepal is subject to severe flooding, landslides, and trail closures. In recent years, mudslides in Kaski, Sindhupalchok, and Manang districts have caused fatalities and significant infrastructure damage
• Always check the live US State Dept, UK Foreign Office, and Australian Smartraveller advisories (linked above) immediately before travel — they update in real time
• Trekking during post-monsoon (October–November) and pre-monsoon (March–May) is safest. These are also the most beautiful windows
• Political situation: Nepal has a history of political demonstrations that can disrupt transport. Check current situation before travel and have flexible plans
• Altitude sickness (AMS) is a genuine risk above 3,000m — do not ascend faster than recommended (max 500m altitude gain per day above 3,000m). Diamox (acetazolamide) can help — consult your doctor

Permit System — What You Need

• TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System): required for most trekking routes. ~NPR 2,000 (~$15) for SAARC nationals, NPR 4,000 (~$30) for others. Buy in Kathmandu (Nepal Tourism Board office) or Pokhara
• Sagarmatha National Park Permit (EBC trek): NPR 3,000 (~$23)
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): NPR 3,000 (~$23)
• Restricted Area Permits (Upper Mustang, Dolpo, etc.): $500–$1,000+ and must be arranged through a registered trekking agency
• Visa: on arrival at Kathmandu airport for most nationalities. 15-day $30, 30-day $50, 90-day $125. Bring passport photos and cash

Daily Budget (Nepal)

• Kathmandu guesthouse: $8–$20/night. Mid-range hotel: $40–$80. Thamel neighbourhood has highest concentration of options
• Dal bhat (the national dish — rice, lentils, vegetable curry, unlimited refills): $3–$5 at a local restaurant
• Teahouse on trekking route: $5–$15/night per person (often includes dinner and breakfast with a meal order)
• Internal flight Kathmandu–Lukla (for EBC trek start): $180–$220 each way. Book as early as possible — weather cancellations are common
• Guided trek: $30–$60/day for a guide plus $15–$25/day for a porter. Guides are not mandatory on main routes but strongly recommended for safety and navigation