Nepal

Nepal is the world's main trekking destination, with eight of the fourteen 8,000 m peaks and a teahouse network that makes multi-day walking possible without camping. Beyond the mountains, the Kathmandu valley holds dense Newar architecture and Chitwan offers lowland wildlife. Trekking permits, guide requirements and flight reliability all vary by region and season.

Cities

Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur is the third royal city of the valley, largely car-free, with brick lanes, potters' squares and temple plazas that survived the 2015 earthquake better than expected. Staying overnight means having the squares to yourself early and late. It is 45 minutes from central Kathmandu.

Kathmandu

Kathmandu is loud, dusty and packed with Newar temple architecture, with three separate durbar squares in the valley and major Buddhist and Hindu sites on its edges. Thamel handles trekking logistics and gear. Two or three days covers the valley before or after a trek.

Pokhara

Pokhara sits on a lake below the Annapurna range and is the staging town for most treks in the region, as well as the country's paragliding centre. The lakeside strip is relaxed and cheap, and on clear mornings Machhapuchhre is visible straight down the street. It is a good recovery stop after a trek.

When to go

See all seasons

• Spring trekking: Rhododendron flowering, warmer, some haze at lower altitude.
• Monsoon: Heavy rain, leeches, flight delays; good in rain-shadow Mustang.
• Autumn trekking: Clearest mountain views of the year; the busiest trekking window.

Entry & visas

Entry rules for this country aren't published here yet.

Always confirm entry rules with the official source before you book.