- Best time
- October to November and March to April
- Ideal trip
- 6 days / 5 nights
- Fly or arrive at
- Kathmandu Tribhuvan (KTM), or overland via the India border
Nepal is the closest you can get to the Himalaya without a long trek, and for Indians it is one of the simplest trips abroad: no visa, familiar food, and the rupee widely understood. The classic route is Kathmandu for culture, Pokhara for the mountains and lakes, and Chitwan for wildlife.
Kathmandu valley
The valley has three old royal cities: Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, each with a Durbar Square of temples and palaces. Add Swayambhunath, the hilltop stupa, Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world, and Pashupatinath on the Bagmati river, one of the holiest Shiva temples for Hindus.
On a clear morning, a mountain flight from Kathmandu flies along the Himalaya for a view of Everest without trekking.
Pokhara and the Annapurnas
Pokhara sits on Phewa Lake with the Annapurna range behind it. Go up to Sarangkot before sunrise to watch Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas turn pink, take a boat on the lake, and visit the World Peace Pagoda. Pokhara is also a well-known paragliding spot. Kathmandu to Pokhara is a short flight or a long, scenic drive of six to eight hours.
Chitwan and Lumbini
Chitwan National Park, in the lowlands, is home to the one-horned rhino. Jeep and canoe safaris run from lodges at the park's edge. Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, fits well for travellers coming overland from Gorakhpur.
Entry for Indians
Indian citizens do not need a visa for Nepal. Carry a valid passport or voter ID card, as airlines and border posts ask for one of these. Rules on carrying high-value Indian currency notes have changed over the years, so keep smaller notes or a card, and we confirm the current guidance before you go.
Best time to visit Nepal
October and November give the clearest mountain views after the monsoon, and they coincide with Dashain and Tihar. March and April are the second-best season, with rhododendrons in bloom. June to September is the monsoon: green and quiet, but cloud often hides the peaks and roads can be blocked by landslides.
Sample itinerary (6 days / 5 nights)
Day 1
Arrive in Kathmandu
Thamel evening, Boudhanath at dusk.
Day 2
Kathmandu valley
Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Patan or Bhaktapur.
Day 3
To Pokhara
Flight or scenic drive, lakeside evening.
Day 4
Sarangkot sunrise
Annapurna view, boating, Peace Pagoda.
Day 5
Free day or Chitwan
Paragliding, or continue to a Chitwan safari.
Day 6
Departure
Fly back via Kathmandu.
Good to know before you go
- Mountain views are best early in the morning; clouds build by midday.
- Domestic flights can be delayed by weather, so keep a buffer before your flight home.
- Walk clockwise around stupas and ask before photographing people at temples.
Nepal trip questions
Do Indians need a passport for Nepal?
A passport or voter ID card is accepted for Indian citizens. A visa is not needed.
Can I see Everest without trekking?
Yes. The morning mountain flight from Kathmandu flies along the Himalaya, weather permitting.
How many days do I need for Nepal?
Five or six nights covers Kathmandu and Pokhara. Add two nights for Chitwan.
