Nepal fits jungle, lakes, medieval cities and the world's highest mountains into a country roughly the size of England or Arkansas. In a single trip you can walk beneath the world's highest mountains, spin prayer wheels at a Buddhist stupa, watch a Hindu cremation ceremony by a sacred river, paddle past crocodiles in a jungle national park and paraglide over a lake with the Annapurnas as a backdrop. The hard part is choosing.
We live and work in Nepal, and this is our list of the 25 best things to do in Nepal, from famous bucket-list experiences to quieter moments our own team loves. We have grouped them by theme and added practical tips on when to go, how long you need and how to combine them.
Quick answer: the top things to do in Nepal are trekking to Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp, exploring the UNESCO sites of the Kathmandu Valley, watching sunrise over the Himalaya from Sarangkot or Poon Hill, a jungle safari in Chitwan National Park, visiting Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, paragliding in Pokhara, white-water rafting and an Everest mountain flight.
Trekking and mountains
1. Trek to Everest Base Camp
The most famous trek in the world follows the Dudh Koshi and Khumbu valleys through Sherpa villages to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) and the viewpoint of Kala Patthar. It takes around two weeks and is a genuine life achievement. See our Everest Base Camp Trek and our full EBC guide.
2. Walk into the Annapurna Sanctuary
The trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) climbs from rice terraces and Gurung villages into a glacial amphitheatre surrounded by 7,000 and 8,000 m peaks. It is shorter and lower than Everest and, for many, just as beautiful. You'll find the route in detail on our Annapurna Base Camp Trek page.
3. Cross the Thorong La on the Annapurna Circuit
The Annapurna Circuit is one of the great long-distance walks, circling the Annapurna massif and crossing the 5,416 m Thorong La to the pilgrimage temple of Muktinath. The variety of landscapes and cultures is unmatched. See our Annapurna Circuit Trek.
4. Watch sunrise from Poon Hill
A short trek from Pokhara leads to Poon Hill (3,210 m), where sunrise lights up Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Machhapuchhre in a vast panorama. It is the perfect first trek. Have a look at our Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek and our list of the best short treks in Nepal.
5. Explore a hidden kingdom in Upper Mustang
Beyond the Annapurnas lies Upper Mustang, the former Kingdom of Lo, a high desert of red cliffs, sky caves and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, with the walled city of Lo Manthang at its heart. It is a restricted area and a special experience. Trek it or visit by jeep: see our Upper Mustang Trek and Upper Mustang Jeep Tour.
6. Trek the quieter Manaslu Circuit
Circling the world's eighth-highest mountain, the Manaslu Circuit offers the drama of the Annapurna Circuit with fewer people and a strong Tibetan culture in its upper villages. You'll find the route in detail on our Manaslu Circuit Trek page.
7. Climb a Himalayan peak
Trekking peaks such as Island Peak, Mera Peak and Yala Peak let fit trekkers stand on a real Himalayan summit with a climbing guide. Read our comparison of Island Peak and Mera Peak.
Scenic flights
8. See Everest on a mountain flight
If you cannot trek, a one-hour Everest mountain flight from Kathmandu flies along the Himalaya at sunrise, with a window seat and a cockpit view of Everest. The full itinerary is on our Everest Mountain Flight page.
9. Land at Everest by helicopter
A helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp lands at Kala Patthar or near base camp and stops for breakfast at a hotel with an Everest view, all in a morning. See our Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour, or the Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour from Pokhara.
Culture and heritage
10. Explore the Kathmandu Valley's UNESCO sites
The Kathmandu Valley has seven monument zones on the UNESCO World Heritage list: the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, the stupas of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, the Hindu temple complex of Pashupatinath and the ancient temple of Changunarayan. More in our Kathmandu Valley Heritage Tour and our Kathmandu travel guide.
11. Walk the kora at Boudhanath
At dusk, join Tibetan pilgrims walking clockwise around the great white dome of Boudhanath Stupa, spinning prayer wheels as butter lamps flicker and monks chant in the surrounding monasteries. It is one of the most peaceful experiences in Kathmandu.
12. Witness the evening aarti at Pashupatinath
On the banks of the Bagmati River, Pashupatinath is Nepal's holiest Hindu temple. Every evening, priests perform the aarti ceremony with fire, bells and chanting, while cremations take place on the ghats. It is intense, moving and a window into Hindu beliefs about life and death.
13. Step back in time in Bhaktapur
The best-preserved of the valley's medieval cities, Bhaktapur is a place of brick lanes, pagoda temples, potters' squares and woodcarvers' workshops. Try juju dhau, the "king of curds", and stay for sunset over Taumadhi Square.
14. Visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha
In the plains of southern Nepal, Lumbini is where Siddhartha Gautama was born. Visit the Maya Devi Temple, the Ashoka Pillar and monasteries built by Buddhist nations from around the world. You'll find the route in detail on our Lumbini Tour page.
15. Make a pilgrimage to Muktinath
High in Mustang, Muktinath is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, with 108 water spouts and an eternal flame. It can be reached by flight and jeep or on the Annapurna Circuit. You'll find the route in detail on our Muktinath Pilgrimage Tour page.
16. Experience a festival
If your dates allow, plan your trip around a festival: Dashain and Tihar in autumn, Holi in spring, Indra Jatra in Kathmandu, Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur, Mani Rimdu at Tengboche or Tiji in Lo Manthang. Festivals are when Nepal's culture is most alive.
Wildlife and nature
17. Go on safari in Chitwan National Park
Nepal is not just mountains. In the subtropical lowlands, Chitwan National Park is home to one-horned rhinos, Bengal tigers, sloth bears, crocodiles and over 500 bird species. Jeep safaris, canoe trips and jungle walks bring you close to wildlife. More in our Chitwan Jungle Safari and our Chitwan safari guide.
18. Look for tigers in Bardia
Further west, Bardia National Park is wilder and quieter than Chitwan, and widely considered the best place in Nepal to see a wild tiger. You'll find the route in detail on our Bardia Tiger Safari page.
19. Visit Rara Lake
In the remote far west, Rara Lake is Nepal's largest lake, a deep blue jewel surrounded by pine forest and snow peaks. Few foreigners make the journey, which is part of its magic. You'll find the route in detail on our Rara Lake Trek page.
Adventure activities
20. Paraglide over Phewa Lake
Pokhara is one of the world's great paragliding destinations. A tandem flight from Sarangkot glides over Phewa Lake with the Annapurnas behind you, often alongside eagles and vultures. No experience is needed. Have a look at our Pokhara Tour and our Pokhara travel guide.
21. Raft a Himalayan river
Nepal's glacier-fed rivers draw rafters from all over the world. The Trishuli is great for a day trip between Kathmandu and Pokhara; the Seti is gentle and scenic; and multi-day trips on the Sun Kosi and Karnali are among the best river journeys anywhere.
22. Bungee jump, zip-line or canyon
For adrenaline seekers, Nepal offers one of the world's highest bungee jumps over the Bhote Koshi near the Tibet border, a long, steep zip-line in Pokhara and canyoning in the waterfalls of the middle hills.
23. Mountain bike the valley rim
Trails around the Kathmandu Valley rim, Nagarkot, Pokhara and even Upper Mustang offer superb mountain biking, from half-day rides to multi-day expeditions.
Slower experiences
24. Relax by the lake in Pokhara
After a trek, there is nowhere better than Pokhara. Rent a boat on Phewa Lake, walk to the World Peace Pagoda, eat lakeside, get a massage and watch the sunset turn Machhapuchhre pink.
25. Stay in a village homestay
For a deeper cultural experience, stay with a family in a village such as Ghandruk, Sirubari, Briddim or on the Tamang Heritage Trail. Help in the fields, learn to cook dal bhat and share evenings around the kitchen fire.
Hidden gems our team loves
- Bandipur: a beautifully preserved Newari hill town between Kathmandu and Pokhara, with mountain views and no traffic.
- Panauti: a quiet medieval town with temples at the confluence of two rivers.
- Namobuddha: a hilltop Buddhist monastery east of Kathmandu, and a good target for a day hike.
- Tansen: a hill town with old Newari houses and views over the Kali Gandaki.
- Janakpur: the birthplace of Sita, with the white, many-domed Janaki Mandir temple and bright Mithila wall paintings.
- Ilam: rolling tea gardens in the far east.
Best things to do by season
| Season | Top experiences |
|---|---|
| Autumn (Oct–Nov) | Everest and Annapurna treks, festivals, mountain flights |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Low treks, Chitwan and Bardia safaris, Kathmandu culture, Lumbini |
| Spring (Mar–May) | Rhododendron treks, peak climbing, tiger spotting in Bardia, rafting |
| Monsoon (Jun–Sep) | Upper Mustang, Tibet, Kailash, cultural tours, Rara |
How to combine them: sample itineraries
10 days: the classic Nepal
Two days in Kathmandu, a 4–5 day trek from Pokhara (Poon Hill or Mardi Himal), a day of paragliding and relaxing in Pokhara, and two nights in Chitwan. Our Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan tour covers the non-trekking part.
2 weeks: Everest and culture
Two days in Kathmandu, a 12-day Everest Base Camp trek, then a relaxing final day in Bhaktapur.
2 weeks: no trekking
Kathmandu Valley (3 days), Everest mountain flight, Bandipur (1 night), Pokhara (3 days), Chitwan (2 nights), Lumbini (2 nights), fly back to Kathmandu.
With children
Take a look at our Nepal Family Holiday, which combines Kathmandu, Chitwan, Pokhara and an easy overnight hike.
Things to do for every kind of traveller
For adventure seekers
If adrenaline is what you are after, Nepal delivers. Start with a multi-day trek over a high pass such as the Thorong La or Larkya La, then add a trekking peak such as Island Peak or Lobuche East for your first 6,000 m summit. Between treks, raft the grade IV rapids of the Bhote Koshi, bungee jump into its gorge, zip-line from Sarangkot or paraglide over Phewa Lake. Mountain bikers can ride the Annapurna Circuit's upper section or the valley rim around Kathmandu, and experienced climbers can join expeditions on bigger peaks.
For culture and history lovers
Spend more time in the Kathmandu Valley than most visitors do. Stay in a heritage hotel in Patan, walk through Bhaktapur at dawn before the day-trippers arrive, attend a puja at a neighbourhood temple and visit the Patan Museum to understand the symbolism you see everywhere. Add Lumbini and Tansen in the west, or Janakpur in the south-east, where Mithila painting and Hindu pilgrimage traditions are strong. Time your trip for a festival if you can.
For spiritual seekers
Nepal has been a destination for spiritual travellers for centuries. You can join a meditation course at Kopan Monastery above Boudhanath, practise yoga in Pokhara or Kathmandu, walk the kora at Boudhanath at dawn, visit the birthplace of Buddha at Lumbini, make a pilgrimage to Muktinath or Gosainkunda, or join the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra across the border in Tibet. Many trekkers also find that long days of walking among the mountains are a spiritual experience in themselves.
For families
Children love Nepal's monkeys, elephants, rhinos, boats and paragliders. A family itinerary might combine Kathmandu's temples with a jungle safari in Chitwan, lake days in Pokhara and an easy overnight hike to Australian Camp. Keep travel days short, choose hotels with gardens or pools and build in downtime. Our Nepal Family Holiday page has the day-by-day plan.
For photographers
Photographers could spend a lifetime here. The best light for the mountains is at sunrise and sunset, from viewpoints such as Poon Hill, Sarangkot, Nagarkot, Kala Patthar and Gokyo Ri. In the Kathmandu Valley, go for early mornings in Bhaktapur and Patan, pilgrims circling Boudhanath and the evening aarti at Pashupatinath. Upper Mustang's red cliffs and monasteries glow in the first and last hour of light, and Chitwan's misty mornings are the time for wildlife.
For travellers on a budget
Nepal is one of the best-value destinations in Asia. Travel by tourist bus, stay in family guesthouses, eat dal bhat and momos, and choose short treks reached by road, such as Poon Hill, Mardi Himal or Langtang. Many of Kathmandu's greatest sights, such as the old bazaar streets, neighbourhood temples and the kora at Boudhanath, cost nothing at all.
Food experiences you should not miss
Food is one of the most enjoyable ways to understand Nepal. Eat dal bhat in a trekking lodge after a long day's walk and you will understand why porters say it gives power for 24 hours. Try steaming plates of momos from a street stall in Kathmandu, a Newari feast with beaten rice, spiced meats and pickles in Patan or Kirtipur, and a Thakali set in Jomsom or Marpha, often considered the best dal bhat in Nepal. In the Terai, sample Tharu dishes such as snail curry and ghonghi, and in the mountains, Tibetan bread, thukpa, yak cheese and butter tea. Sweet lovers should try juju dhau in Bhaktapur, sel roti at festival time and yomari in winter. A cooking class in Kathmandu or Pokhara is a great way to take some of these flavours home.
Nepal's best viewpoints
- Kala Patthar (5,545 m): the classic view of Everest.
- Gokyo Ri (5,357 m): Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu above turquoise lakes.
- Poon Hill (3,210 m): sunrise over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas.
- Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m): a 360° ring of peaks.
- Sarangkot (1,600 m): sunrise over Machhapuchhre from Pokhara.
- Nagarkot (2,175 m): the Himalayan panorama from the Kathmandu Valley rim.
- Pikey Peak (4,065 m): from Kanchenjunga to Everest in one sweep.
- Kyanjin Ri (4,773 m): glaciers of the Langtang valley.
Responsible experiences
As tourism grows, the way you choose experiences matters. Choose jeep and walking safaris rather than elephant rides, which have largely been phased out in Chitwan's national park. Be cautious about orphanage visits and "voluntourism" that places untrained visitors with children; support registered local charities instead. Hire licensed guides, use locally owned lodges and restaurants, refill water bottles, and respect photography restrictions at religious sites. Leave villages and trails cleaner than you found them.
What you can skip
With limited time, it is worth knowing what you can safely leave out. Long road journeys to see a single sight rarely justify the time; group destinations by region instead. Thamel is convenient, but do not spend all your Kathmandu time there when Patan, Bhaktapur and Boudhanath are so close. And do not try to do Everest Base Camp in a week: a rushed trek at altitude is neither safe nor enjoyable. A shorter trek done well will give you better memories.
Getting between Nepal's highlights
Planning the route between destinations is one of the trickiest parts of a Nepal trip, because roads are slow and flights depend on weather. Kathmandu to Pokhara is about 200 km, which takes 6–8 hours by tourist bus or car, or 25 minutes by air. Kathmandu to Chitwan (Sauraha) takes around 5–6 hours by road or 20 minutes by air to Bharatpur. Pokhara to Chitwan is about 5 hours by road. Lumbini is about 8–9 hours from Kathmandu by road or a short flight to Bhairahawa. Lukla, Jomsom and other mountain airstrips are reached only by small aircraft, with frequent delays.
A good rule of thumb is to allow a full day for any road journey between regions, and a spare day around any mountain flight. Private vehicles are more comfortable and flexible than buses and let you stop at viewpoints, temples and roadside restaurants along the way. A logical circuit for most visitors is Kathmandu, then Pokhara, then Chitwan, then back to Kathmandu, with Lumbini as an optional add-on from Chitwan or Pokhara.
Nepal on a first visit versus a return trip
On a first visit, most people want the classics: Kathmandu's temples, a trek with big mountain views, Pokhara and Chitwan. That is exactly right. On a return trip, the rewards of going deeper are enormous. Returning visitors often choose a longer or more remote trek such as Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Kanchenjunga or Makalu, spend time in less visited towns such as Bandipur, Tansen or Janakpur, time their visit for a particular festival, or head to the far west for Rara Lake and Bardia. Many of our trekkers come back again and again, and each trip reveals a different side of the country.
How much time to allow for each experience
| Experience | Time needed |
|---|---|
| Kathmandu Valley heritage sites | 2–3 days |
| Everest mountain flight | Half a morning |
| Everest Base Camp helicopter tour | A morning |
| Pokhara, Sarangkot and paragliding | 2–3 days |
| Chitwan or Bardia safari | 2–3 nights |
| Lumbini | 2 nights |
| Short trek (Poon Hill, Mardi Himal) | 4–7 days |
| Annapurna Base Camp | 10–12 days |
| Everest Base Camp | 12–14 days |
| Upper Mustang | 9–14 days |
Use this table to build a realistic plan, and add at least one spare day for every mountain flight in your itinerary.
Planning with a local company
You can travel independently in much of Nepal, but for treks, safaris, mountain flights and complicated multi-region itineraries, a local company saves a great deal of time and stress. A good company will match experiences to your interests and fitness, handle permits and domestic flights, arrange reliable drivers and licensed guides, and adjust your plans if weather or road conditions change. And local companies know the small things: what time to reach a viewpoint, or which lodge has the warmest dining room. Those details add up.
Seasonal highlights you might not expect
Some of Nepal's best experiences depend on timing. In spring, rhododendron forests turn whole hillsides red and pink, and the Bisket Jatra chariot festival fills Bhaktapur. In the monsoon, Upper Mustang glows under blue skies while rice planting brings villages to life. In autumn, Dashain kites fill the sky over Kathmandu and Tihar lamps glow in every doorway. In winter, Chitwan mornings start in thick mist, and Everest is usually crystal clear from the mountain flight. Ask us what is happening during your dates.
Tips for making the most of Nepal
- Do not try to see everything. Roads are slow; choose two or three regions.
- Get up early for views and quiet temples.
- Build in spare days around flights.
- Use a local guide for heritage sites: the stories behind the temples bring them to life.
- Eat local: dal bhat, momos, Newari feasts and Thakali set meals.
- Be respectful at religious sites, and ask before photographing people.
Whatever you choose, Nepal will surprise you. If you would like help putting together your perfect trip, contact our team in Kathmandu, or explore our things to do in Nepal.