Nepal
Nepal is an ancient and diverse country. It’s the crossroad of ancient religions. It’s the home of the highest mountains in the world. It’s people are friendly and welcoming. For us, it’s one of the most fascinating countries in the world and the place where the founder of Red Lantern Journeys supports education for needy children as a director of the Mitrata-Nepal-Foundation for Children. We can design a truly amazing trip here, whether it’s a trek to the fabled Mustang Kingdom of Lo or a stay at Dwarika’s Resort, the best spa in all of South Asia.
Take a look at the sample itineraries below that you can use as a starting point to design your perfect trip in Nepal. We offer 2 types of tours: Group Tours and Treks and Private Tours and Treks.
Group Tours and Treks
Group tours and treks (labeled in red) take place on specific dates beginning in the arrival city and have limited capacity of typically only 8 to 12 people. Some may be led by an experienced western guide, others will use local guides. Some group tours can be done as a private tour. Just ask.
Private Tours and Treks
Private tours and treks (labeled in grey) are sample itineraries to spark ideas for your trip. They include a carefully curated schedule of tours and activities. We customize them for when you’re able to travel and for how many people are in your group. Most tours and activities are privately-guided and all internal transportation is included. Prices will change depending on the season, hotel selections, group size, and other factors. We can always adjust these itineraries to add or remove days, destinations, activities, and combine them with other itineraries.
Nepal Weather and When to Go
Nepal’s latitude is about the same as Central Florida, but the wide variance in altitudes from about 1,300 feet (400 meters) in the Terai lowlands along the Indian border to above 17,000 feet (5000 meters) on the treks in the Himalaya means that you really need to prepare for the specific locations you’ll visit. Weather patterns are marked by distinct dry and rainy seasons. The monsoon brings rain and warm weather to all but the highest altitudes, but that means it’s not a good time for trekking or mountain views. The exception to this is the Mustang region, which is on the north side of the Himalayas on the Tibetan Plateau and is protected from the monsoon and much drier.
The best time to visit Nepal depends on whether you plan to go trekking in the mountains or do more culturally-oriented activities in the lower elevations. Fall (October through November) and spring (March through May) are the most popular times to visit for trekking. At this time, clear skies and pleasant temperatures create the ideal conditions for adventures in the mountains. Fall skies are generally a bit clearer than in the spring, which can have considerable haze in the low to mid-altitudes. However, Nepal’s rhododendron forests in the mid-altitudes are a highlight when they’re in full bloom in the spring starting in March.
For cultural experiences centered between the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara, almost any time of year is ok. While winter can be a bit cold at night, daytime temperatures can be pleasant and mountain views and great light make this season great for travel photography and low-altitude hikes.
Our Recommended Nepal Hotels and Resorts
We’ve inspected and stayed in hundreds of hotels, lodges, and guesthouses throughout the country. We will not only recommend which hotel may be best for you, but which room category. Here’s a few exceptional properties that we highly recommend based on the quality of the rooms and facilities, cleanliness, standard of service, and locations. These aren’t always the cheapest hotels, but they are among the best hotels in their category. We tend to have a preference for high-quality boutique hotels that have a great location, excellent food, and a local ambience, or perhaps a colonial style atmosphere that conjure images of former eras.
Tiger Mountain Lodge, Pokhara
Located on a ridge outside Pokhara, the lodge is an ideal base for guests to relax in a rural setting, with some of the most spectacular mountain views of the Annapurna Range that you just don’t get in Pokhara. Marcus Cotton, the general manager, is truly an icon of Nepal and the responsible tourism movement. The chef is world-class and offers table d’hôte menus feature a range of Nepali dishes and continental specialties made from local fresh ingredients and home-grown herbs and garden salads. A stay here is truly a vacation within a vacation.
Visas are required to enter Nepal. We recommend you obtain a visa on arrival at the Kathmandu Airport or land border crossings. You will need 1 passport photo and this amount of cash:
- 15 days multiple-entry tourist visa ($30 USD)
- 30 days multiple-entry tourist visa ($50 USD)
- 90 days multiple-entry tourist visa ($125 USD)
Visa fees are payable in U.S. dollars. It’s best to bring cash. While money-changing and ATM services are available at the airport, credit card payment is not a reliable option, and ATM machines occasionally malfunction.
Requirements for Entry:
- Passport must have six months or more validity remaining at the time of entry
- One blank visa page available in passport for visa (not an endorsements page)
- Nepali authorities generally allow entrance on an emergency passport printed overseas
- Visa appropriate for purpose of travel
You can find more information about the visa requirements for Nepal on the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs of Nepal.
Covid-19 Restrictions – As of December 29, 2022
Fully vaccinated travelers must have received all the COVID-19 vaccine doses required at least 14 days before traveling to Nepal. However, they don’t need a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test result before traveling to Nepal.
This vaccination requirement doesn’t apply to the following travelers: -Travelers under the age of 5.
Travelers must wear masks in public places.
Travelers don’t need to quarantine on arrival in Nepal. However, symptomatic travelers who test COVID-19 positive on arrival must undergo quarantine in Government-provided facilities at their own cost.
For full details and exemptions, see:
Common Questions and Answers about Nepal
What are the typical costs of your Nepal private tours?
If booking a private tour with us, costs can range from $250/day/person for staying in nice 3-star quality hotels to over $500/day/person in high-end luxury hotels. Staying in small luxury boutique hotels can cost an average of $300 to $400/day/person. These cost estimates include not just accommodation, but also internal flights, airport transfers, tours and activities, entrance fees, private guides, and private vehicles with driver.
What are the benefits of a private tour?
There are so many that it’s hard to quantify, but here’s a few major benefits: 1) the tour is customized for your interests, which means you get to see and do the things you’re most interested in. 2) you’re not running on a fixed daily schedule, which means you have flexibility to stay as long as you want or move on early from something or even skip it altogether if that’s what you decide on the spot. 3) We’re able to design the activities at popular sights to avoid the crowds!
Is the water safe to drink?
The safety of drinking water in Nepal can vary depending on the location and the source of the water. In general, it is recommended to treat or boil all drinking water in Nepal before consuming it to reduce the risk of waterborne illnesses. This is especially important in rural areas where the water may not be treated or properly maintained.
Is it possible to use my mobile phone from North America in Nepal?
It is generally possible to use a mobile phone from North America in Nepal, as long as the phone is compatible with the local mobile network bands and frequencies and you have an appropriate international roaming plan with your mobile service provider.
However, it is important to note that using a mobile phone in Nepal can be expensive due to high international roaming charges. It may be more cost-effective to purchase a local SIM card and use it in your phone while in Nepal. This will allow you to make calls, send texts, and use data at a lower cost. It is also a good idea to check with your mobile service provider and verify that your phone is compatible with the local mobile networks in Nepal before traveling.
What electrical adapters are needed?
Almost all hotels have US-style outlets that are fine for plugging in electronics. Electrical outlets in India typically use a type D plug, which has three round pins arranged in a triangle. The standard voltage in India is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. If you are traveling to Nepal from a country with a different electrical system, you may need to use an adapter to be able to use your electronic devices.
It is always a good idea to check the specific requirements for the country you are visiting before you travel, to make sure you have the necessary adapters and converters for your electronic devices. You can find more information about the electrical system in Nepal, including the types of plugs and sockets used, on websites like VoltageGuide or TravelAdapters.com.
What’s the best way to get local currency?
As an American tourist in Nepal, you have several options for obtaining local currency (Nepalese Rupees):
- Exchange foreign currency at a bank or currency exchange office: You can exchange your US dollars for Nepalese Rupees at banks, authorized money exchange offices, and some hotels in Nepal. It is a good idea to compare exchange rates and fees at different locations to get the best deal.
- Use an ATM: There are ATMs available in major cities and tourist areas in Nepal, and you can use your credit or debit card to withdraw local currency from them. It is a good idea to check with your bank or card issuer to verify that your card will work in Nepal and to ask about any fees that may apply.
- Use a credit or debit card: Many businesses in Nepal, including hotels, restaurants, and shops, accept credit and debit cards for payment. However, it is a good idea to carry some cash with you as well, as some smaller businesses and remote areas may not accept cards.
It is also a good idea to let your bank and credit card issuer know that you will be traveling to Nepal to avoid any potential issues with your accounts.
Do I need to tip?
Tipping is not as common in Nepal as it is in some other countries, especially in the service industry. However, it is becoming more common in urban areas and tourist destinations, and some people do choose to tip in Nepal as a way to show appreciation for good service.
If you do decide to tip in Nepal, a small amount is generally sufficient. For example, you could leave a few extra rupees (the local currency) at a restaurant or hotel, or tip a few rupees to a guide or driver. It is not necessary to tip in all situations, and the decision to tip is ultimately up to you.
It is always a good idea to consider the cultural norms and expectations of the place you are visiting, and to use your own judgment when it comes to tipping.
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