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Nepalese man
Nepal your way

Tailor-made Nepal holidays shaped around your passions

Nepalese man

With Mount Everest straddling its border, rare one-horned rhino roaming its jungles and pagodas studding its valleys, the tiny mountain kingdom of Nepal has an almost mythical quality. You don’t have to be an elite mountaineer to explore here, and our specialists can explain the wide variety of trekking options available, as well as experiences beyond the mountains, to shape a tailor-made holiday to Nepal that suits your interests.

Temples, palaces and pilgrimage sites line the Kathmandu Valley, while the capital itself presents you with an assortment of spice bazaars, shrines and artisan workshops. Chitwan National Park is defined by river plains and jungle where Bengal tigers and gharial crocodiles live. In-between you’ll find medieval villages with elaborate Newari mansions and narrow cobbled streets. This is all watched over by the ever-present Annapurna and Everest ranges that form the backbone of the country.

Creating tailor-made tours for over 25 years

Suggested tours for Nepal

These tours give you a starting point for what your holiday to Nepal could entail. Treat them as inspiration, as each trip is created uniquely for you.

Suggested activities for Nepal

Whatever your interests, our specialists will build activities into your trip that connect to how you want to experience Nepal.

  • Trekking in the Annapurnas
    Trekking in the Annapurnas

    Trekking in the Annapurnas

    Annapurna

    Trekking in the Annapurnas

    This three day trek will take you into the Modi Khola valley, which is dominated by the peaks of the Annapurna Massif.

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  • Boudha Stupa & Pashupatinath
    Sadhus, Pashupatinath, Kathmandu

    Boudha Stupa & Pashupatinath

    Kathmandu

    Boudha Stupa & Pashupatinath

    Drive a short distance from Kathmandu to Boudhanath where you will see one of the largest stupas in Nepal. A small Tibetan settlement has developed around this important religious sight.

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  • Bhaktapur & Changu Narayan Temple
    Bhaktapur

    Bhaktapur & Changu Narayan Temple

    Kathmandu

    Bhaktapur & Changu Narayan Temple

    Only a short distance from Nepal’s capital, Bhaktapur feels, despite the gradual encroachment of satellite dishes, like little has changed for centuries. Stroll through the town, visit its museums, and see the nearby Changu Narayan Temple.

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Why travel with Audley?

  • 100% tailor-made tours
  • Fully protected travel
  • Established for over 25 years
  • 98% of our clients would recommend us

Best time to visit

Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Nepal, including information about climate, events and festivals.

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Useful information for planning your holiday in Nepal

What languages are spoken in Nepal?

The official language of Nepal is Nepali, but there are also many other languages spoken across the country including Maithili and Bhojpuri. English is spoken for business, in hotels, and by guides.

What's the currency of Nepal?

The currency of Nepal is the Nepalese rupee (NRs). You’ll find ATMs in cities and larger towns, but those in Kathmandu and Pokhara are the most reliable. Some ATMs in smaller towns don’t take international cards. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in larger shops, hotels, restaurants, and with tour agencies, but you’ll need cash when trekking.

It’s illegal to exchange currency other than with official dealers at banks, certified money changers, and certain cashiers at larger hotels. Ask for some low denominations for small purchases and tips and keep your Foreign Exchange Encashment Receipts.

What food and drink should I try in Nepal?

In Nepal, you can’t miss dal bhat, the national dish of lentils and rice which is usually served with a goat, buffalo, or chicken curry, tarkari (seasonal vegetables), poppadoms (flat, crispy discs of dough often made from legumes), achar (pickle), and curd. Dal bhat is a flexible dish and likely to be slightly different each time to try it.

Also look out for the elaborate and spicy Newari cuisine while in Nepal. Dishes include spiced vegetables, chapatis, and tsampa (roasted barley flour made into a porridge), and regional dishes such as gurr (a Sherpa dish of raw potatoes, pounded with spices then grilled on a hot, flat stone).

Sweet snacks include jalebi (deep fried spirals of fermented batter soaked in sugar syrup) and laddus (sugary dough balls spiced with cardamom, rose water, and nuts). You’ll find Nepalese coffee served everywhere and tea from the Ilam region, which is just across the border from Darjeeling.

How much should I tip in Nepal?

A tip of around 10% is expected in restaurants aimed at international visitors if a service charge hasn’t already been added to your total. Guides, drivers, and hotel porters will appreciate a tip, and when trekking there’ll often be a tip box in one of the communal areas for trekking guides and porters. Your specialist can advise on appropriate amounts closer to your trip. Tips should be paid in rupees if possible because some people may find it hard to exchange foreign currency.

Where can I find the latest travel advice for Nepal?

For the latest travel advice for Nepal, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.

What can I experience in Nepal?

Nepal’s rich culture and traditions, bewitching mountains, and lowland jungle offer a wide range of things to see and do. The Himalaya are the star attraction and trekking here ranges from gentle strolls in the terraced foothills of the Kathmandu Valley.

Spirituality underpins much of what you’ll encounter here and gilded stupas, fluttering prayer flags, and ornate pagodas are matched by incense-filled temples and beautifully carved statues. Outside the cities, you can go in search of tigers and one-horned rhinos in the lowland jungles on a safari in Bardia National Park, take on an adventure on a two-day river-rafting trip through some of the most remote parts of the country, or visit traditional woodworkers and metalworkers in an artisan village.

Where can I stay in Nepal?

In Nepal you can stay in five-star hotels, local guesthouses, remote teahouses, and jungle lodges. There’s an extensive range of hotels in Kathmandu from historic boutique hotels to small, family-run guesthouses, and international mainstays.

In the Annapurna regions you’ll find comfortable mountain lodges as well as traditional teahouses which offer simple rooms and an insight into local culture. For exploring Nepal’s lowland forest and national parks, the region’s jungle lodges and tented camps make a good base.

Wherever you go, nights are cold and central heating is not a given, so be prepared for hot water bottles and thick blankets.

Where should I go in Nepal?

Nepal offers a huge range of places to go but most visitors arrive in Kathmandu and then make their way to either the Annapurna regions, and possibly the national parks. Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, is cosmopolitan, traditional, chaotic, and tranquil all at the same time and a great introduction to the country with its spice-filled bazaars, ornate temples, and faded grandeur.

The Annapurna region is less visited and is home to the lakeside hub of Pokhara. You could also explore Newari culture, 18th-century architecture, and elaborate temples in Bandipur, or head to the jungle lowlands around Chitwan National Park to track tigers, rhinos, and elephants.

What treks can I do in Nepal?

In Nepal you can take on anything from easy strolls to more challenging routes. Nepal’s landscape ranges from lowland jungle to the highest mountains in the world and the terrain here is highly varied. Considering the duration and difficulty of any trek is important, as well as the amenities you’re expecting along the way. Some treks visit remote regions with only basic facilities, while others link comfortable hotels and have the option to hire porters.

The quieter trails of the Annapurna region make it our preferred destination and while here, you could choose to go on an easy hike that offers sweeping views, take on the challenge of a five-day trek to Poon Hill, or attempt the ultimate challenge of a two-week trek to the Annapurna Base Camp.

For more information, take a look at our guide to trekking in Nepal.

How long does it take to fly to Nepal from the UK?

It takes around 12 hours to fly from the UK to Nepal.

What's the time zone in Nepal?

The time zone in Nepal is UTC+5:45 hours. Daylight Savings Time isn’t observed.

What's the best way of getting around in Nepal?

The best way to get around in Nepal is by car, or on foot. We’ll arrange a private driver and guide to take you to your destination. Be aware that the roads can be uncomfortably bumpy, but we use the best cars to mitigate that. Only about 20% of Nepal is accessible by road, and to see the country and its remote villages in traditional style, you’ll need to get out on foot.

What should I wear in Nepal?

Lightweight, cotton clothes, and warm layers offer the most versatility in Nepal. Between June and August, it’s also a good idea to bring an umbrella, and between October and March, a warm coat for the evenings. If you’re planning to visit the mountains, you’ll also need underlayers, fleeces, and a down jacket for the cold, while in the jungle, khaki clothes are recommended.

People in Nepal dress modestly, and you should keep your shoulders covered even in warm weather.

Do I need a visa to visit Nepal, and what do I need to check with my passport?

Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Nepal. Enter where you’re travelling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.

Do I need vaccinations to visit Nepal?

Your doctor can provide you with vaccine advice for Nepal, but you should also ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations for your home country. You can also check the suggested vaccinations on the Travel Health Pro website.

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