bhai, so I finally went to Nepal. And ngl, it kinda broke my brain in the best way possible. I was supposed to go two years ago, but you know how life gets… work, money, that one friend who cancels last minute. Anyway, I just booked a flight on a whim last month. No plan. Just vibes. And holy SHIT, what a decision that was.
I landed in Kathmandu and immediately thought, “What have I done?” The airport is chaos. Pure chaos. People everywhere, honking horns, that smell of incense mixed with dust. But tbh, after 10 minutes, I loved it. It’s like the city doesn’t care if you’re ready. It just throws everything at you. And you either catch it or you don’t. 💀
Oh wait, I forgot to mention—I’m writing this from a tiny cafe in Pokhara right now. My coffee is cold. The mountain view outside is… well, it’s literally impossible to describe without sounding like a cliché. So I won’t try. Let’s just say if you don’t cry at least once looking at the Himalayas, you’re probably a robot. 🤖
Anyway, back to the actual guide. If you’re thinking of going, here’s everything I wish someone told me before I landed.
How to Reach?
So there’s basically two main ways. Or three if you’re feeling wild.
By Air: This is the easiest, duh. Fly into Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Flights from Delhi are cheap af—like ₹5,000 to ₹8,000 one way if you book early. Or from Mumbai, maybe ₹7,000-₹10,000. I flew IndiGo. No frills, but it got me there in 2 hours. Easy.
By Road: Some people take the bus from India. Like from Gorakhpur or Varanasi. It’s cheaper, takes like 8-10 hours, and the border crossing at Sunauli is… an experience. Bribes? Maybe. Chaos? Definitely. But if you’re on a shoestring budget, do it. Just don’t do it if you have a weak bladder. Trust me.
By Train (kinda): You can take a train to Raxaul (Bihar), then cross into Birgunj, Nepal. Then take a local bus to Kathmandu. It’s long, hot, and your back will hate you. But it’s an adventure. And you’ll have stories for life. Your call.
Where to Stay?
Ok so accommodation is super cheap compared to India. Like stupid cheap.
Kathmandu – Thamel District. Stay here. Every backpacker does. It’s loud, full of tourist shops, but you’re close to everything. I stayed at a place called “Karma House” – ₹800 a night for a private room. Clean. Hot water. Wifi that works 60% of the time. The owner’s name was Ram and he gave me free chai every morning. 10/10.
Pokhara – Lakeside area. This is where you want to be. Chill vibes, cafes everywhere, and you can see the mountains from your bed. I found a place called “Peace Home” (lol yes, very original) for ₹600 a night. Shared bathroom but it was clean. And the view?? Worth every rupee.
Budget tip: If you’re solo, hostels are even cheaper. Like ₹300-₹400 a night for a dorm. You’ll meet people, get drunk, and make friends you’ll never see again. Perfect.
What to Eat?
Bhai, the food in Nepal is UNDERRATED. Here’s what you absolutely must try:
Dal Bhat: The national dish. Rice, lentil soup, veg curry, pickles. It’s served everywhere. And I mean EVERYWHERE. Locals eat it twice a day. It’s boring but comforting. Like a warm hug from your grandma.
Momo: These are like dumplings. But better than any momo you’ve had in India. I don’t know why. Maybe the air up there? Anyway, get the fried ones with chili sauce. I ate them for four days straight. No regrets.
Buff (buffalo) meat: Yeah, cow is holy in India but here they eat water buffalo. Try the buff momo or buff curry. It’s lean, a bit gamey, and delicious. Don’t be a coward.
Sel Roti: A sweet, ring-shaped bread. Like a donut but not fried. It’s crunchy outside, soft inside. Perfect with tea.
Oh and one more thing—the coffee in Pokhara is actually good. Like legit good. I had a flat white at a place called “Busy Bean” and it was better than anything in Bangalore. Don’t @ me.
Best Time to Visit
Look, I’m not gonna lie—I went in late October and it was PERFECT. Clear skies, cool mornings, warm afternoons. No rain. No haze. The mountains looked like someone Photoshopped them into the sky.
October to November: Best time. No contest. The weather is golden. The skies are blue. Trekking season. If you can go then, go.
March to May: Also good. Warmer. Flowers bloom. But it gets hazy in the lower valleys. Still, great for trekking.
June to September: Monsoon. Roads get blocked. Landslides happen. Leech attacks (yes, real). Just don’t. Unless you’re a masochist.
December to February: Cold af. Kathmandu is chilly. Pokhara is foggy. If you go to higher altitudes, bring serious gear. But it’s also less crowded. So if you like quiet, go then.
Budget (in ₹ Indian Rupees)
This is the part everyone wants. Here’s what I spent in 10 days. Not including flights, but everything else.
Per Day (backpacker style):
– Accommodation: ₹600-₹1,000
– Food: ₹500-₹800 (if you eat local, less)
– Transport: ₹200-₹500 (local buses, taxis)
– Activities: ₹0-₹1,000 (entrance fees, random stuff)
Total per day: ₹1,500-₹2,500
Total for 10 days: ₹15,000-₹25,000
If you’re extra cheap: You can do it in ₹12,000. Eat at street stalls, stay in dorms, walk everywhere.
If you’re splurging: Hotels, fancy cafes, guided treks—maybe ₹4,000-₹5,000 a day. Still cheaper than Goa.
Pro tip: Carry cash. ATMs charge fees. And not all places take cards. Especially in the mountains.
Tips for First-Timers
1. Get a SIM card at the airport. Ncell or Nepal Telecom. ₹200 for 1.5GB data per day for a week. Worth it. Don’t rely on WiFi.
2. Don’t drink the tap water. Ever. Not even in hotels. Buy bottled or carry a filter bottle. I got sick on day 2 from a “filtered” water at a restaurant. Never again.
3. Bargain. But not like an asshole. In Thamel, they start high. Smile, offer half, meet in the middle. It’s part of the game.
4. Dress modestly. Especially at temples. No shorts, no sleeveless. And take off your shoes. Also, don’t point your feet at Buddha statues. Idk why, but it’s rude.
5. Altitude sickness is real. If you go to Nagarkot or do any trek above 2,500m, take it slow. Drink water. Don’t drink alcohol. And if you feel dizzy, go DOWN. Not up.
6. Learn a few words. Namaste works. “Dhanyabad” is thank you. “Kati paisa” is how much? Locals appreciate the effort. They’re the nicest people I’ve met, btw.
7. Carry toilet paper. Public toilets are… rough. Just do it.
FAQ
Q: Do I need a visa?
A: Yes. But it’s easy. On arrival at Kathmandu airport. ₹1,200 for 15 days. ₹2,400 for 30 days. Bring cash. And a passport photo. If you forget, there’s a photo booth but it costs extra.
Q: Is it safe for solo women?
A: I’m a guy, so take this with a grain of salt. But I saw tons of solo female travelers. The locals are respectful. Just avoid walking alone at night in quiet areas. And use common sense. Same as anywhere.
Q: Can I use Indian rupees?
A: Some places accept it, but at a bad rate. best to exchange at the border or in Thamel. Or just use ATMs. Don’t try to pay with ₹500 notes—they don’t like old notes.
Q: Do I need travel insurance?
A: YES. Especially if you’re trekking. Helicopter rescue is expensive. Like lakhs expensive. Get insurance. It’s cheap. Your future self will thank you.
Q: What’s the internet like?
A: Good in cities. Shit in the mountains. You’ll be off-grid sometimes. Enjoy it.
Q: Is Nepal like India?
A: Ngl, it feels similar but different. People are calmer. Less chaos. More smiles. The mountains are bigger. The air is cleaner. And the food is… well, you’ll see.
Anyway, I think that’s it. I’m gonna go stare at the lake now. Or maybe eat another plate of momo. Idk. That’s the thing about Nepal—you just flow with it. No plans. No rush. Just mountains and rice and friendly people who call you “brother.”
If you go, tell Ram I said hi. He owes me a chai. 🏔️✈️
plan your trip
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.