How to Plan a Nepal Trip - Nepal Itineraries Planning Guide

Nepal bears an obvious subtropical monsoon climate which lasts from mid-June to mid-September. During the Monsoon, the temperature and humidity are both high all the time. The majority of rain usually falls in the afternoon or night time. As a result, it is not recommended to trek at this time. The best time to visit Nepal is pre-monsoon season (March, April, May, Mid-June) and post-monsoon season (Mid-September, October, November). Both tend to be fairly fine weather, and to provide pleasant conditions for trekking, rafting and sightseeing in Nepal. Temperature varies widely from day to night, so you should prepare some warm clothes.

If you want to learn more about Nepal's weather and the best time for a Nepal tour, please click Best Time to Visit Nepal.Patan Durbar Square

Spring Rhododendron Bloom (March)

It's available to get to Nepal by international flight or by overland driving from Tibet and India. Taking a flight is the most time-saving and comfortable way to Nepal, but overland driving experience is breathtaking sightseeing journey.

By Flight: Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (IATA: KTM, ICAO: VNKT) is the only airport serving international flights to/off Nepal. There are accessible flights to Kathmandu from China (Lhasa, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Kunming, Hong Kong, etc.), Bhutan (Paro), India (Delhi/Mumbai/Kolkata/Bengaluru...), Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates…

Tibet-Nepal Overland Driving: Many travelers enjoy an overland driving from Tibet via Mount Everest. The whole trip driving takes 4 days but offers a great sightseeing. Starting from Lhasa, it takes one day to Shigatse via Yamdrok and Gyantse, one day to Mount Everest from Shigatse, one day from Everest to Gyirong and another day from Gyirong to Kathmandu. In the four days' time, you can fully appreciate the natural beauty and cultural charm of Tibet.

India-Nepal Overland Driving: There are 6 border ports between Nepal and India, namely Kakarbhitta-Jhapa, Birgunj-Parsa, Balahia-Bhairahawa, Jamunaha-Nepalgunj, Mohana-Dhangadi, Gaddachaudki (BANBASA)-Mahendranagar. It is more recommended to Indian travelers or other travelers who want a slow-paced travelers.

Check more information at How to Get to Nepal>

Nepal Tibet Bhutan Location Map

If your time is limited and won’t want to miss the essence of Nepal, you can spend four days to explore the Kathmandu Valley – Kathmandu, Patan and Bhatapur. In the short four days, you can savor the antique flavor of Nepal.

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu. Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport is connected with many Asian cities and some cities from other countries, like Hong Kong, Karachi, Lhasa, London, Osaka, Paris, Moscow, Paro, Singapore and Varanasi etc. You can take a flight to Kathmandu directly from these cities or take an overland trip from Tibet. Read more about How to Get to Nepal.

Day 2~3: You will have two days for world-famous Durbar Squares, featured temples and other unique architecture. The attractions you must visit include Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, and Pashupatinath. It is also available to travel Nagarkot, which is just situated 34km northeast of Kathmandu. In the early morning of Nagarkot, you can catch the precious moment of admiring the breathtaking sunrise over Mount Everest.

Day 4: Leave Kathmandu for you next destination

☞ 4 Days Classic Kathmandu Valley Tour

Kathmandu Durbar Square

If you want a leisurely holiday, extend your tour from Kathmandu to Pokhara. You can take a 30 minutes' flight or drive 6 ~ 8 hours to Pokhara offers great sight of sunrise as well. Just from Sarangkot, you can watch the beautiful sunrise as well as the amazing Himalayan Peaks. Then, transfer to World Peace Pagoda and have a good sight of the surrounding scenery. After that, take your relaxing time in Devi's Fall, Gupteswar Gupha and Phewa Lake. In additional to visual feast of natural beauty, there are also many adventurous activities for your choice, like hiking, biking, rafting, paragliding, etc.

☞ 5 Days Kathmandu Pokhara Leisure Tour

☞ 6 Days Kathmandu Pokhara Highlights Tour (by Driving)

Pokhara Phewa Lake

Spending another two days in Chitwan National Park after your Kathmandu Valley journey, you will get a more interesting and meaningful experience. Within 5.5 hours' driving, you can get to Chitwan from Kathmandu. Chitwan National Park features in its ecosystems, including the Churia hills, Ox-bow lakes, and the flood plains of the Rapti, Reu and Narayani Rivers. There are several ways to have jungle safari in Chitwan National Park, like Jeep Safari, Elephant Safari, natural walk, canoe safari, etc. No matter which way you choose,, you can feel the great enjoyment of viewing the primitive nature and watching a diversity of wild animals.

☞ 6 Days Kathmandu & Chitwan National Park Tour

Chitwan National Park

For the Buddhist followers or those who are interested in Buddhist culture, you can't skip Lumbini, birthplace of the Lord Buddha and there are some grand shrines, temples and monasteries which tell the whole life of Buddha lord as well as his Buddhism. Besides, you are also advised to visit Dhulikhel where Namo Buddha Stup, one of three main stupas of Kathmandu Valley locates. Besides, Pharping is also worthy of your visit if you want to take a Buddhist pilgrimage. You cana take an about 30 minutes' flight or drive 8 ~ 11 hours to Lumbini.

☞ 8 Days Nepal Buddhist Shangri-la Tour

Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini

There are many of the highest peaks perched in Nepal, which attracts a large number of trekkers to conquer them. As a country-sized adventure playground for lovers of trekking, it offers dozens of trekking routes, including Everest Base Camp Trek (around 15 days), Annapurna Circuit Trek (around 18 days), Annapurna Base Camp Trek (around 10 days), Poon Hill Trek (around 9 days), Langtang Valley Trek (around 9 days), Manaslu Trek (around 18 days), Kangchenjunga North Trek (around 20 days), etc. During the trekking, you will walk through the towering snowy mountains and rural villages of diverse ethnic groups scattering on the high mountains.

☞ 3 Days Kathmandu Culture Tour with Hiking Experience

☞ 9 Days Ghorepani - Poon Hill Trekking Tour

☞ 15 Days Everest Base Camp Classic Trek Tour

Poon Hill

Bhutan is another Himalayan kingdom close to Nepal. They share much in similarity – Buddhist culture and Himalayan scenery. Extending your Nepal tour to Bhutan is also a good idea. Tourists usually spend 12~15 days on a Nepal Bhutan Tour. Firstly, take 7 days to explore the various landscapes in Nepal, including Kathmandu Valley, Nagarkot, Pokhara and Chitwan. Then, take a flight to Paro from Kathmandu and have a good time there. Firstly, travel to Paro and have a nice sight of National Park and Rimpung Dzong. Then, visit Punakha and enjoy the Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang. At last, pay a visit to Taksang Monastery – the most monasteries in Bhutan. A tour combining Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan will show you more rich culture and picturesque nature.

In fact, Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan are always visited by travelers together because they are all located at the foot Himalayan Peaks and shroud by Buddhist mystery, T. A tour combining the three kingdoms will give you more valuable memory.

☞ 9 Days Nepal Bhutan Highlights Tour

☞ 12 Days Nepal Bhutan Leisure Vacation Tour Package

Punakha Dzong