Nepal
Nepal · South Asia
Temple cities in the Kathmandu Valley, the Everest trail and the high desert valley of Mustang.
Why visit
Why visit Nepal
Go for the mountains on foot. The trek to Everest Base Camp passes through Sherpa villages and Sagarmatha National Park to about 5,360 metres. It needs no climbing skill, only time to acclimatise.
Go also for the cities. The three royal squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, described in our guide to the durbar squares of the Kathmandu Valley, are among the finest groups of historic buildings in Asia, and they are still in daily use.
Explore
What to see
Kathmandu Valley. Seven monument zones: the durbar squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, the stupas of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, and the Hindu temples of Pashupatinath and Changu Narayan.
The Khumbu. The Sherpa country below Everest, reached by air to Lukla at 2,846 metres. Namche Bazaar, at 3,440 metres, is its market town.
Mustang. The valley of the Kali Gandaki between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, in the rain shadow of the Himalaya, with whitewashed villages, apple orchards and monasteries that date back to the fourteenth century. The pilgrimage temple of Muktinath is above Jomsom.
Hotels
Where to stay in Nepal
Shinta Mani Mustang, a lodge by Bill Bensley near Jomsom, is a luxury base in Lower Mustang; stays include guided walks. See its hotel page. On the Everest trail, accommodation is in village lodges.
Experiences
Experiences in Nepal
Before you go
Practical information
Best time to visit
March to May and September to November are the trekking seasons and the best months in Mustang. The monsoon covers the summer. Winter is clear but cold at altitude.
Getting around
Kathmandu has the country's main international airport. Small aircraft fly to Lukla for the Everest region, with flights in the busy seasons often operating from Ramechhap rather than Kathmandu, and from Pokhara up the gorge to Jomsom, a short flight that leaves early in the morning before the wind rises. Mountain flights are often cancelled by weather, and itineraries need spare days.
Practical notes
Altitude governs every plan. Trekking itineraries include rest days to acclimatise, and should not be shortened. The Everest region requires park and local permits, and rules on guides and permits have changed, so check current requirements with an operator. Several monuments in the Kathmandu Valley were damaged in the earthquake of April 2015, and some may still be under repair.
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