Nepal is both fascinating and overwhelming. I know from first hand experience how difficult it can be to plan a trip, especially to a country you know little about. That’s why I created this mega Nepal Travel Guide.
Tourism in Nepal is quickly growing. It’s not hard to see why after taking a trek in the mighty Himalayas, delving deep into the rich culture of Kathmandu and spotting wildlife in the jungles of the south.
As you are busy preparing for your trip to this wonderful country, there are a few things you must be doing, books you should be reading and things to know.
Books to read before visiting
One of the best things to do before or after visiting any country is to read a book. Specifically one about or set in the place you are visiting. And Nepal is no exception! The best way to research Nepal is through reading both novels and non-fiction books.
We recently spent 6 weeks in Nepal- 1 month in Kathmandu with side trips to Chitwan and the Himalayas. The culture of Nepal and Kathmandu is so fascinating. For us it was hard to understand, at least until we started reading books. Books written by people from Nepal or people who lived in Nepal for extended periods of time. Books illustrating the daily struggles of some Nepalese, and others celebrating the growth of the country. We read most of the books listed below and enjoyed every single one of them.
Are you planning a trip to Nepal? Or just went and want more information? Here is our list of the best books set in or about Nepal for both kids and adults! Below the book recommendations you’ll also find some really great travel tips for your visit.
What Elephants Know by Eric Dinerstein
Kids/Adults: Kids
About: What Elephants Know is a great book set in the Borderlands of Nepal. It is about a boy and his dad who own an elephant stable. Learn about his adventures through the jungle, his struggles attending school for the first time and how he manages to save the stable. The book mentions Chitwan a lot, so this book is perfect if you’re planning on visiting Chitwan. It really helped us understand more about the area and the Tharu ethnic group.
Mad Country by Samrat Upadhyay
Kids/Adults: Adults
About: Samrat Upadhyay has written an exclusive collection of short stories that make up this great book combining worlds and beliefs. Mad Country is the best book for learning about Nepal’s economy and government.
Sold by Patricia McCormick
Kids/Adults: Young adults
About: Sold is a depressing yet hopeful book set in both Nepal and India. The main character is a girl from a poor village in the highlands of Nepal. She is taken to India as part of an illegal sex-trafficking network made up of people trying to earn money for themselves. It is a very good book that is helping to raise awareness about the awful things that people do to young women in present day. Sold is pretty easy for most young adults, but is too difficult of a topic for anyone younger.
The Snow Leopard by Peter Mathiesen
Kids/Adults: Adults
About: This book is a non-fiction memoir about the spiritual and adventurous journey of a man taking a trek in the Himalayas. It follows his Zen Buddhism beliefs and the physical hardships including the harsh weather. It is the perfect book to prepare for a trek.
House of Snow: An Anthology of the Greatest Writing About Nepal published by Head of Zeus
Kids/Adults: Adults
About: This book is a collection of the best writing set in Nepal or written by Nepalese. It includes non-fiction, fiction, poetry and more. It’s a great book to read if you want to learn about a variety of aspects of Nepalese life from many different voices.
Tintin in Tibet by Herge
Kids/Adults: Kids
About: Tintin in Tibet is a super fun comic book and is the 20th in The Adventures of Tintin series. In the book, Tintin embarks on an adventure to find his friend while trekking in the Himalayas. Little kids would love this book and it would surely inspire them to take a trek.
Travel tips: Know before you go
Travel through Nepal can be difficult. But with these tips you should be good to go! I’ve included when to visit, why visit, where to go, what to expect with food and on buses, cultural facts to help you understand Kathmandu and even how to get the cheapest flights into the country!
Why visit Nepal?
First off, why should you even visit Nepal? We’ve written a whole post about this topic (check it out here), but here are a few of the main points.
- Diversity: Nepal is incredibly diverse; both in culture and landscape.
- Affordable: Traveling through Nepal can suit all types of travel, including budget.
- Adventure: Scenic flights over Everest, white water rafting, trekking, paragliding- you name it and Nepal has got it.
- Trekking: With some of the highest peaks in the world, Nepal is a no-brainer when it comes to amazing trekking.
Hinduism and Buddhism are both prominent
It’s very important to know about culture and cultural customs before visiting any country. Like mentioned above, Nepal is very diverse and you’ll find that both Hinduism and Buddhism are prominent religions- this mix is best seen in Kathmandu.
With Buddhism, keep in mind that monks need their space and that it is religiously rude to touch them, especially their heads. Monks aren’t seen walking around the city much as in Cambodia and Laos, but you may spot them around some of Kathmandu’s major stupas or in Lumbini.
Hinduism is perhaps the religion seen practiced the most in the country. Kahmandu’s old towns are full of Hindu temples and devotees in their traditional wear.
What to expect: Nepali food
Nepali food can be described in 1 word- delicious! Traditional dishes include dal bhat (which you’ll have everyday if doing the Poon Hill trek) and momos (tasty dumplings). There is also lots of influence from Tibet and it’s not hard to come across some traditional Tibetan delicacies like laphing or thukpa.
Food is often quite cheap in Nepal, as long as you stick outside of the tourist zone. A plate of 10+ momos can cost only $1 and dal bhat (consisting of dal, rice or roti and an array of dips and side curris) only $6.
You should also be aware of food poisoning. My sister got it on our Poon Hill trek and it is not fun! Avoid street food that doesn’t appear to have a refrigerator or something to keep meat and veggies cool. Practice general caution and use common sense when it comes to deciding whether something would be safe to eat or not.
When to go to Nepal
The peak season in Nepal lasts from October to November and shoulder season is around March and April. When to go really depends on what you want to do. Kathmandu can be explored really any time of year, while some treks are better in certain seasons. For example, March- April is perfect for trekking Poon Hill, as that’s when the famous rhododendrons are in bloom. Some more advanced treks close in the winter (November to February) due to snow and the monsoon season (mid June to early September) is best avoided as trekking trails can get muddy and slippery.
Where to go in Nepal
Nepal has a lot to offer- great cities, trekking, adventure and even safari. Yes, safaris are possible in Nepal!
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital city and will most likely be where you arrive, as it has the only international airport in the country. Set aside at least 4 days to explore- there is a whole lot to see, mainly revolving around Old Towns with their winding streets and intricately carved doors. Here are a few things to do in Kathmandu to give you an idea of the city.
- Wander the Durbar Squares: Kathmandu Valley used to be split into 3 kingdoms: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan. Each now has their own Durbar Square, which are great places to people watch.
- Visit the stupas: The Swayambhunath and Boudhanath Stupas are the best for observing Buddhism. Swayambhunath is great if you want to see monkeys- they are all over!
- Walk Thamel: The tourist hub of the city- tour agencies, restaurants and souvenir shops are a plenty
Read more: The Ultimate Kathmandu Travel Guide. There is loads to do beyonds stupas and temples. Take a look at my guide on what to do + sample itineraries!
Pokhara
The gateway to the Annapurna mountain range, Pokhara in it of itself offers great mountain views and there are some cool adventures on offer. Wondering what to do in Pokhara? Here are 3 fun activities you’ll love.
- Paragliding: Panoramic views of the city complete with a mega adrenaline rush. I haven’t tried it, but it’s on my bucket list.
- Hike to the Pokhara Shanti Stupa: The stupa is accessible via an approx. 1 hour hike and a short boat trip. The views from the stupa are incredible with the lake, city and snow covered mountains as the backdrop.
- Walk along the lake: The Fewa lake is most beautiful during sunset, but we found it to be a nice any time. Take a relaxing afternoon to simply wander the lakes edge.
Himalayas
No trip to Nepal is complete without a trek! Try Everest Base Camp if you’re up for the challenge, or the Annapurna Circuit. If you want an easier experience, Poon Hill is perfect. Poon Hill is the trek we did, and we loved every minute of it (well, except when my sister had food poisoning). Words can’t describe what we felt standing at the top of Poon Hill for sunrise, looking out over the deepest valley in the world and some of the highest peaks.
Lumbini
We didn’t get out to Lumbini, but a trip there comes highly recommended. It is the birthplace of Buddha, after all! Lumbini is also included on many Nepal group packages/ tours.
Chitwan National Park
Last but not least, the place where I promised you can go on safari! Our favorite sightings combined from our boat ride, elephant ride (we regret it now that we realized how badly the elephants are treated) and jeep safari are crocodiles, a python and rhinos.
Buses throughout Nepal
The easiest way to get around Nepal is by tourist bus. We took them from Kathmandu to both Chitwan and Pokhara. The buses were comfortable and there was A/C. Here are some tips for getting around on buses.
- Don’t expect your bus to arrive to your destination on time- they like to give enthusiastic times and often leave late.
- Remember to keep an eye on your bag. Make sure it gets into the luggage compartment and stays there until the end of the ride. Invest in a bag tracker just to be safe.
Flight deals
Flights can really add up when traveling to Nepal, especially when you’re coming from far away. Check Skyscanner for flight deals- we’ve found that Skyscanner is extremely useful and a great place to start when planning any trip.
Yes, planning trips can be stressful. Hopefully with these tips and book recommendations you’ll set off on the right foot. Nepal is a truly beautiful country and I can almost guarantee you’ll have an amazing time.
Have you ever visited Nepal? What was your experience? Are you going to visit Nepal or has this post inspired you to go? Drop a comment.
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A thorough, helpful,well-written guide.