Things to Do in Nepal

Nepal fits eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, subtropical jungle full of rhinos, and a valley of medieval temple cities into a country the size of England. It is also one of the most affordable places to travel anywhere, and Nepalis are as welcoming as the guidebooks claim.

Our programs are based in Kathmandu, which puts the Valley’s UNESCO sites on your doorstep and Pokhara, Chitwan and the trekking trailheads within a night bus or short flight.

The best things to do in Nepal

1. The Kathmandu Valley

Three former kingdoms, each with its own Durbar Square of pagoda temples and palaces: Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. Add Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world and the centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal, Swayambhunath (the monkey temple) on its hill above the city, and Pashupatinath on the Bagmati river.

2. Pokhara

Nepal’s second city sits on Phewa Lake with the Annapurna range filling the skyline on a clear morning. Row out to the lake temple, hike up to the World Peace Pagoda, watch sunrise over the Himalayas from Sarangkot, or paraglide off it — Pokhara is one of the world’s great paragliding spots.

3. Chitwan National Park

Lowland jungle in the Terai, and the best place in Asia to see greater one-horned rhino in the wild. Jeep safaris, guided walks, canoe trips and Tharu cultural evenings. A comfortable weekend from Kathmandu, and one of our most popular add-on tours.

4. Trekking the Himalayas

From day hikes to expeditions. The Poon Hill trek (4-5 days from Pokhara) delivers a classic Annapurna sunrise without technical difficulty; Annapurna Base Camp takes 7-12 days; Everest Base Camp is 12-14. All need permits, and going with a licensed guide is both safer and better.

5. Nagarkot and the valley rim

If a multi-day trek does not fit, Nagarkot is two hours from Kathmandu on the valley rim and gives you a Himalayan sunrise — on a clear winter morning you can see all the way to Everest. Easy overnight, minimal effort.

6. Bhaktapur and Patan

Worth separating from the general Valley list. Bhaktapur is the best-preserved medieval city in Nepal, largely car-free, famous for pottery squares and juju dhau curd. Patan has the finest Newar craftsmanship and a superb museum. Both are short local rides from Kathmandu.

When to visit Nepal

October and November are the peak: clear skies, stable weather and the best mountain views, plus the Dashain and Tihar festivals. March to May is the second season, warmer with rhododendron in bloom but hazier. The monsoon (June-September) brings cloud and leeches on the trails, while December to February is cold at altitude but crisp and quiet in the Valley.

Getting around

Domestic flights save a lot of time between Kathmandu and Pokhara, though they are weather-dependent. Tourist buses are cheap, comfortable enough and take six to eight hours on the same route. In Kathmandu, use ride-hailing apps or agree taxi fares before setting off — meters are rarely used.

Seeing Nepal as a volunteer

Kathmandu-based placements leave weekends free for the Valley, and longer breaks for Pokhara or Chitwan. Our Nepal placements are based in Kathmandu, include accommodation, meals, airport pickup and 24/7 in-country support, and leave evenings and weekends free — which is exactly when most of this list gets ticked off. See volunteer programs in Nepal for live prices and dates, or read our complete guide to volunteering in Nepal for costs, visas and safety.

Nepal travel FAQs

Photo: Jean Marie Hullot / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)