Things to do and where to stay in Nepal
Where to stay · Nepal

Nepal — find the right stay, from deciding to booking

“The Himalayas, Everest Base Camp, and Kathmandu's temples”

Nepal is the gateway to the Himalayas and to the spirit — Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna trekking routes, the temples and stupas of the Kathmandu Valley, lakeside Pokhara, and Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, all paired with kind people and a blended Hindu-Buddhist culture.

🏔️Everest🥾Annapurna trek🛕Kathmandu temples🏞️Pokhara🙏Lumbini🍛Dal bhat
4Cities reviewed
4Ranked guides
34Hotels reviewed
🤝 Curated by the TopOfHotel team · 📅 Updated 2026 · based on real reviews · 3-site price comparison · affiliate links openly disclosed How we review →

Nepal at a glance

💵
CurrencyNepalese Rupee (NPR)
🔌
Power plugType C/D/M · 230V
✈️
Getting aroundDomestic flights · buses · trekking
🗣️
LanguageNepali (decent English in tourist areas)

Choose a city in Nepal

Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.

1

Decide — is Nepal right for you?

Why people love Nepal, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you

🏔️

The Himalayas

Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna trek — dream mountain trails.

🛕

Kathmandu Valley heritage

Durbar Square, the Boudhanath and Swayambhunath stupas, with 7 World Heritage sites.

🏞️

Lakeside Pokhara

A peaceful town on Phewa Lake, with Annapurna views and paragliding.

🙏

Spirituality

Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, and Hindu-Buddhist temples across the country.

Nepal vs its neighbors

NepalIndiaBhutan
Daily budget (per person)$20–50$25–70$100–145+
Visa (Thai passport)Easy visa on arrival at Kathmandu airportVisa required in advanceVisa required + Daily Sustainable Fee
Getting around citiesTuk-tuks · taxis · private hireTrains · metro · buses, complexPrivate hire or tours only
EnglishWorkable in tourist areasWorkable in big citiesGood among guides and hotels
Known forHimalayan treks · ancient temples · low pricesDiversity · the Taj Mahal · foodPristine nature · serenity · no crowds

Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.

2

Plan — stay, eat, see

Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.

We're adding Nepal food reviews

We're adding Nepal sightseeing reviews

🚆 Getting around Nepal

✈️

Domestic flights

Fly Kathmandu–Pokhara–Lukla (the gateway to Everest) to save time.

🚌

Bus / minivan

Links Kathmandu and Pokhara in ~6–7 hours over winding roads; tourist buses are an option.

🚕

Taxi / Pathao

In the city, use taxis (negotiate the fare) or the Pathao app.

🥾

Trekking

Mountain routes are mostly on foot — hiring a guide and porter helps a lot.

🛂 Etiquette & culture in Nepal

🛕

Hindu-Buddhist

Respect temples and stupas — walk clockwise, remove your shoes, and dress modestly.

🥾

Trekking permits

Trekking routes require a TIMS card and a park permit; hiring a guide/porter is recommended.

🛂

Visa

Thai nationals usually get visa on arrival in Kathmandu — check the latest conditions.

🏔️

Altitude sickness

On high treks, watch for altitude sickness — acclimatize slowly and drink plenty of water.

💸 Daily budget — a rough guide

🎒

Budget

$17–30/ day / person

🛏️ Guesthouse / hostel $7–17

Eat cheap local dal bhat and share tuk-tuks — you can save a lot.

🧳

Comfortable

$45–80/ day / person

🛏️ 3–4★ hotel in town $25–50

Eat at good local restaurants and hire a local guide for about $12–20 a day — great value.

Premium

$115+/ day / person

🛏️ Boutique hotel with Himalayan views $70+

Stay in a luxury mountain-view hotel, hire a private guide, and add a helicopter tour of Everest.

🗓️ When to visit Nepal

🍁

Autumn

Oct – Nov

Clear skies and crisp mountain views — the most popular trekking season.

🌸

Spring

Mar – May

Rhododendrons in bloom and warmer weather — another great trekking window.

🌧️

Monsoon

Jun – Sep

Heavy rain, slippery trails and lots of leeches, with mountain views hidden behind clouds.

❄️

Winter

Dec – Feb

Bitterly cold and snowy at altitude, but lower-elevation treks still work and skies are clear.

3

Book — hotels our team picked

Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Nepal — compare prices across 3 sites.

Barahi Jungle Lodge★ 9.4💑 Great for your trip

Barahi Jungle Lodge

From ~$1,114,557

See the full ranked review →
Dwarika's Hotel★ 9.2💑 Great for your trip

Dwarika's Hotel

From ~$27,143,486

See the full ranked review →
Lumbini Buddha Garden Resort★ 9🧘 Great for your trip

Lumbini Buddha Garden Resort

From ~$485,814

See the full ranked review →

Want to see every option in Nepal?

Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.

View the top city guide →

FAQ — visiting Nepal

How many days does the Everest Base Camp trek take?+

Around 12–14 days including acclimatization — you start by flying to Lukla and walk through Sherpa villages. The best seasons are Oct–Nov and Mar–May.

Can I visit Nepal without trekking?+

Yes — Kathmandu (temples and stupas) and Pokhara (lakes, Himalayan views, paragliding) are easy to enjoy without hard hiking.

Do Thai passport holders need a visa?+

Thai nationals can usually get visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport — bring a photo and the fee, and check the latest conditions before you travel.

Tips before you go to Nepal

  1. Check visa-on-arrival rules and bring a photo before you go.
  2. The best trekking seasons are Oct–Nov and Mar–May.
  3. Acclimatize slowly on high treks to avoid altitude sickness, and hire a guide and porter.
  4. Carry cash — outside the big cities, ATMs and card payments are limited.

Explore more

🏨 Our top hotels in Nepal Compare 3 sites →