Nepal

Nepal is a beautiful country of ancient religion, rich history, and beautiful nature. It’s more than Mt. Everest, with incredible people and adventures at every turn. If you want a magical destination like no other, this is it.

Info FAQ Travel Diaries

All Articles

Nepal Travel Info

Language

Nepal is an ancient country with over 120 regional languages. Nepali is the lingua franca of the country, and is also spoken in places in India and Bangladesh. English is also wide spoken, ranking 56th in the world for English proficiency. Due to the high variance in local languages, Nepali is the default language in most regions. Locals often say that when travelling even a few villages over, dialects and customs change so drastically that they can’t understand each other. This highlights the great diversity of this ancient country.

Demographics

Nepal is separated into three regions. The flatlands along the southern border with India, foothills and small mountains in the center of the country, and the famous Himalayas in the north bordering Tibet. Due to the challenging geography and ancient history, there are over 140 distinct ethnic groups in the country, speaking over 120 languages. The main religion of Nepal is Buddhism, as Buddhism was established in modern day Nepal by Siddhartha Gautama in the 6th century B.C.E. Hinduism also plays a significant role in the country, and the two religions coexist in harmony.

Weather

Weather in Nepal varies wildly from the flatlands to the Himalayas. In the lowlands, the climate is subtropical with very hot summers and temperate winters. At the foothills of the Himalayas, temperatures plumet well below freezing in the winter, with mild summers. The country experiencing a heavy monsoon season from early July through mid September, with monthly precipitation peaking well over 45cm in July. Winters are very dry, with almost no precipitation and clear skies.

Public Transit

Public transit in Nepal is very limited. There are some busses in Kathmandu, but they require local knowledge to use. Rickshaw bikes can be hired in tourist areas for short distances. The best option for transportation is Pathao, a Nepali based ride hailing app. Pathao requires a Nepali phone number which can be bought at the airport. The service is fast and reliable, and taxi prices in Nepal are very affordable. Due to traffic and road conditions in large areas like Kathmandu, expect travel times to be longer than listed on Google Maps. Hotels can also arrange rides, guided tours, or deliver bags to the airport, which is very useful in a crowded city like Kathmandu.

Nepal FAQ

Prices in Nepal are very cheap for tourists. Due to it’s GDP, good and services in Nepal are well below the average price in Asia. Visiting sites is very affordable, and entrance fees range from 4-8 USD. Transportation is also affordable, with long rides costing roughly 7 USD and shorter rides costing 2-3 USD. Hotels are very cheap, with nighly prices of 20-50 USD a night for a nice hotel in a tourist district. Some prices might increase during tourist season, but it still remains very affordable.

Nepal is generally a very safe country. Though many parts are still developing, violent crime is relatively low, especially compared to nearby middle east countries and much lower than developed countries like the USA. Nepal ranks 80 on the Global Peace Index, which is better than most nearby countries. Additionally, Nepal has a low petty crime rate, with small crime like pickpocketing only around tourist areas. It is generally regarded as a very safe country for solo travel and solo female travel. As always, stay in open public spaces and keep track of your surroundings and belongings to avoid issues.

Yes, Nepal usually offers English services especially in large cities and tourist areas. Most taxi drivers have basic English skills, and most hotel, restaurant, and airline staff all speak fluent English. If English is not available, Nepali people are especially helpful and willing to communicate with translation. Language will likely not be a barrier during your visit unless you visit a very remote area.

Most tourism in Nepal revolves around outdoor activities. Hiking, trekking, camping, paragliding, and mountaineering all rely on dry mild weather. Nepal sees an intense monsoon season from July through September, essentially halting tourism. If you want low or no crowds, this is the best time to go, although you can expect outdoor activities to get consistently rained out and little to no view of the mountains. Peak tourism is in fall from September to November, and spring from March to May, due to very dry and clear conditions. During these times the airports are extremely busy, and crowds in squares and temples can get very large. Plan extra time for travel, airports, and sightseeing.

Nepal is a largely cash-based economy. Although payment through digital wallets is now common, this is only in large populated areas. Many taxis and small businesses will only accept cash, especially in local areas. We recommend you plan to pay mostly or entirely in cash. The airport cash exchange accepts bills from most major countries, although it does not accept Indian Rupees, so we recommend changing to a stronger currency before arriving from India. Additionally, India does not accept notes under 1000 NPR, and it must not have any tears, marks, or damage. Be strategic if you are travelling between the two countries, and exchange NPR at the airport before leaving Nepal.

Nepal is a very mountainous country of course. It is possible to take busses between major cities, but they are long and tedious drives. The best way to travel between cities is by air, as flights are almost all under an hour. However, during rainy season it is likely for flights to be massively delayed due to torrential downpours. schedule a lot of extra time for long delays, especially when flying into Pokhara, the rainiest city in the country. Within cities, there are no easily accessible busses or trains for tourists. The city is not very walkable, so taxis are the only real option. Taxis operate at a fixed rate and are quite cheap, but the best way to ensure smooth travel is by using Pathao, the most popular ride hailing app. This allows for transparent prices and no confusion with drop-off and pickup. Coverage is widespread throughout most cities.

Travel Diaries

Nepal SHOCKED us! | Kathmandu First Impressions
POKHARA | The Nature Capital Of Nepal
Kathmandu | Temples and Spiritual Experiences