Admin UserNepal is small on the map, but its landscapes change dramatically within a few hours' travel. In the same trip you can walk among snow peaks, spot rhinos in a lowland jungle and wander through a medieval city. This guide to the popular destinations in Nepal covers the twelve places most visitors choose, with what each is known for, the best time to go and the tours we run there. Use it to decide where to spend your time, then follow the links to see itineraries and dates.
Kathmandu: the cultural heart of Nepal
Kathmandu is where most trips begin. The valley holds seven UNESCO World Heritage monument zones, including the giant Boudhanath stupa, hilltop Swayambhunath and the sacred riverside temple of Pashupatinath. Thamel is the traveller district, and the old bazaars around Asan are good for street food. October to April has the clearest skies. Our Kathmandu UNESCO Heritage Day Tour, the food walking tour and the Nepali cooking class are good starting points. For the full list of sights, see things to do in Kathmandu.
Bhaktapur and Nagarkot: easy escapes from the capital
Bhaktapur is the best-preserved medieval city in the valley, known for its brick squares, the five-storey Nyatapola temple and its potters. The Bhaktapur and Panauti Day Trip adds the quiet Newar town of Panauti. Nagarkot, on the eastern rim of the valley, is known for its Himalayan sunrise, and the Nagarkot Sunrise Day Hike walks down to the temple of Changu Narayan. Both are easy to visit in a day, and more ideas are in our guide to day trips from Kathmandu.
Pokhara: lakes, sunrise and adventure
Pokhara is a relaxed lakeside city with the Annapurna range filling the skyline. Phewa Lake is perfect for boating, Sarangkot is the classic sunrise viewpoint, and the area is Nepal's capital for paragliding and rafting. Try the Sarangkot sunrise tour, a tandem paragliding flight or Seti River rafting, or see the highlights in one go with the full-day sightseeing tour. Our guide to things to do in Pokhara has more.
Everest Region: the roof of the world
The Everest Region is home to the highest mountain on earth and to Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Everest Mountain Flight shows you the peaks in a single morning from Kathmandu. If you want to walk to base camp, which takes about two weeks through Sherpa villages, start with our Everest Base Camp guide and itinerary. The best months are March to May and October to November.
Annapurna Region: the widest choice of treks
The Annapurna Region has treks for every level, from the short Poon Hill trek to the ten-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek and the long Annapurna Circuit. Tea houses are plentiful and most trails start near Pokhara. Compare your options in our Annapurna vs Everest Base Camp article.
Chitwan and Bardia: Nepal's jungle national parks
Chitwan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the easiest place in Nepal to see the one-horned rhinoceros, and it is included in our Classic Nepal tour. Bardia is wilder, quieter and further away, and gives you a good chance of tracking a tiger. Our guides to Chitwan and Bardia explain how the two compare. The best months for both are October to March, and we can arrange a dedicated safari on request.
Lumbini: the birthplace of the Buddha
Lumbini is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Buddhism, with the Maya Devi Temple, the Ashoka Pillar and a park of international monasteries. It is a calm, flat place that suits any age, and our Lumbini visit guide explains what to see. The UNESCO listing for Lumbini gives the background. We can add Lumbini to any itinerary as an extra stop.
Mustang, Langtang and Manaslu: quieter Himalayan regions
Mustang is a high desert behind the mountains, with the walled town of Lo Manthang, and our Upper Mustang guide covers permits and routes. Langtang is the closest high trekking region to Kathmandu, described in the Langtang Valley guide. Manaslu is a restricted region with fewer visitors, explained in our Manaslu Circuit guide. All three are good choices if you want fewer crowds, and we organise custom treks to each.
When to visit each destination
Timing matters more in Nepal than in most countries. The high mountain regions of Everest, Annapurna, Langtang and Manaslu are at their best in March to May and October to November, when skies are clear and the trails are dry. The southern jungles of Chitwan and Bardia are most comfortable and most rewarding from October to March, when the grass is lower and animals are easier to spot. Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bhaktapur and Nagarkot can be visited all year, although the monsoon from June to August brings cloud and rain that hide the peaks. Mustang is the exception, because it sits in the rain shadow and stays dry in summer. Our month-by-month guide explains each season in detail, and our monsoon travel guide shows what to expect if you can only travel in summer.
Putting destinations together
Most visitors combine three or four of these places. The Classic Nepal tour joins Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara in eight days. If you are not sure where to start, our 7-day, 10-day and 14-day itineraries show how the destinations fit together. For a full list of options by activity, read our guide to the best tours in Nepal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the most popular destinations in Nepal?
Kathmandu, Pokhara, the Everest region, the Annapurna region and Chitwan National Park are the five places most visitors include.
What is the best destination in Nepal for a short trip?
Kathmandu and Pokhara are the best choices for one week, as they are linked by a 25-minute flight or a drive of six to seven hours. Add Chitwan if you have a few more days.
Which destination is best for trekking?
The Everest and Annapurna regions have the most routes and the best infrastructure. Langtang is closer to Kathmandu, and Manaslu and Mustang are quieter.
Can I visit all of these destinations in one trip?
Not comfortably in a short trip. Choose three or four that suit your interests and season, and ask us for a custom itinerary.
