Nepal - Guide

Nepal’s increasing attraction as a tourist destination is largely down to its beautiful Himalayan location, interesting culture and the friendliness of its people. Nestled in between exotic India and enigmatic Tibet the country rolls and falls over many deep valleys, soaring mountain peaks and huge river systems meaning that you are never far from incredible views and fascinating sights.

Some of the world’s most impressive and tallest mountains, including Everest, Annapurna and Lhotse, form the backdrop of any trip to Nepal and offer every traveller the chance to trek along unforgettable trails and raft down raging rivers. Add to this mountain biking and wildlife safaris and it’s no surprise that Nepal has quickly turned into a Mecca for adventure enthusiasts.

But adventure is only half the story. With a rich cultural heritage displayed through ancient royal palaces, intricate Hindu temples and important Buddhist monasteries and monuments, you have a country that would still be one of the most popular to visit even without all the outdoor pursuits on offer.

When to go

Nepal’s year is split into several distinct seasons, each with their own characteristics. There are benefits and drawbacks of visiting during all of them. The months below are given as a guide, and as the monsoon rains are not entirely predictable, should be taken as a guide only.

October & November

This is considered the start of the tourist season in Nepal, and the best time for trekking with good weather and lush vegetation after the monsoon rains. The skies will be clear allowing excellent mountain views. Wildlife viewing in the national parks is good, and river levels are fairly high after the monsoon making for exciting white water rafting.

December to February

The winter months are cooler with more cloudy skies. There will be some rain lower down, and snow in the mountains which can close or restrict some trekking routes. It does mean however that the trails are quieter and can look very beautiful in the foothills with small amounts of snow on the ground. Wildlife viewing is good, though the grass in the parks does start to get quite long which makes seeing some animals harder.

March & April

These months are good for trekking, as the weather is warm and the skies clear. River levels start to get low for rafting, but this can make some rivers more exciting. Wildlife viewing is good as the long grass is cut in the parks normally in February or March, and the hotter weather dries up many water sources. Both these mean you have a better chance of seeing some of the wildlife.

May & June

During these months in the run up to the monsoon, it starts to get very hot and the air over the mountains carries more dust preventing long distance mountain views. There will be some heavy rain showers, and it is still a good time for trekking. It is very hot and sticky in the lowland Terai region, but is still a good time for wildlife viewing if you don’t mind the heat.

July to September

These monsoon months have heavy rain showers most days, with clear period’s in-between. Trekking is possible throughout the monsoon, though the trails can be muddy and leeches are an irritating problem when walking through undergrowth. The trails are quiet however and local farming life at its busiest. It’s not a great time for wildlife viewing due to the weather and wet & muddy ground making access to the parks difficult. White water rafting during the monsoon is excellent with very high and fast water levels making for demanding trips.

Highlights

• Kathmandu – The capital of Nepal is known as the gateway to the Himalayas and is a truly unique haven for travellers
• Pokhara – home to the idyllic Lake Phewa Tal and superb views of the Annapurna mountains
• Bandipur & Nagarkot - traditional Nepali villages offering glimpses of Nepali life and culture
• Himalayas – Walk the trials and ride the rapids in Nepal’s 3 main mountain regions - Everest, Annapurna, Langtang
• National Parks - Bardia National Park and Chitwan National Park
• Wildlife Reserves - Koshi Tappu, Parsa and Sukla Phanta
• Rafting Rivers - Sun Kosi, Karnali, Trisuli and Seti