International

Nepal for Indian Travellers: Entry, Costs, Route

Trails, valleys and towns

No passport required for Indian citizens — just Aadhaar or voter ID. Nepal combines Himalayan trekking, UNESCO-listed temple squares, and lakeside towns at budgets that work well for Indian travellers.

Nepal temple rooftops and prayer flags overlooking a Himalayan valley

Plan your trip

When to go

Jan: Fine, with trade-offs
Feb: Fine, with trade-offs
Mar: Best
Apr: Best
May: Fine, with trade-offs
Jun: Hard: monsoon, heat, snow or closures
Jul: Hard: monsoon, heat, snow or closures
Aug: Hard: monsoon, heat, snow or closures
Sep: Fine, with trade-offs
Oct: Best
Nov: Best
Dec: Fine, with trade-offs

Dark green: best. Light: fine, with trade-offs. Sand: hard: monsoon, heat, snow or closures. Editorial judgement, not measured data.

Best time: October and November for the clearest skies and the best mountain views. March to May is also reliable. Monsoon (June to September) is green but clouds hide the Himalayas.
How to reach: Direct flights to Kathmandu (KTM) from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. Indian citizens need only a valid Aadhaar card or voter ID — no passport, no visa fee.
Getting around: Kathmandu taxis and ride-hailing apps cover the valley. Tourist buses run Kathmandu–Pokhara (around 7 hours). Domestic flights to Pokhara or Lukla are available for time-pressed travellers.
Rough budget: A 7-day trip runs roughly ₹35,000–60,000 per person including flights, mid-range stays, food, and local transport. Indian rupees up to ₹100 denominations are accepted in Nepal.

A short itinerary

Days 1–2: Kathmandu: Pashupatinath at dawn, Boudhanath stupa, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
Days 3–4: Bus or fly to Pokhara: Phewa Lake, the World Peace Pagoda, and the Annapurna skyline at dawn.
Days 5–7: Poon Hill trek from Nayapul — 3 to 4 days of moderate walking through Ghorepani for a sunrise view of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas.