Backpacking Nepal - Explore More With This Detailed Guide!

Nepal, the home of Mount Everest, multiple religions and ancient sites, has been welcoming foreigners for more than six decades now. In this comprehensive and in-depth guide, you’ll find everything you need for backpacking Nepal for a life-changing experience.

Decades ago, Nepal has literally shut away from foreigners until 1951. After opening its border, hardcore climbers started flying to Nepal to challenge the snowy Himalayan Mountains. It wasn’t until 1953 when the climbers started flocking into Nepal. It was the year when Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary rewrote the history by summiting the World’s Tallest Mountain, Mt Everest, climbers started flocking into Nepal.

Nepal had gone through several stages of tourism until what we see today. Year by year, Nepal has been recommended for backpacking due to its legendary landscape and a bunch of things to do.

So whenever you’re ready, let’s hop into the guide to Backpacking Nepal!

Visa For Backpacking Nepal

Unlike many other countries, a visa in Nepal is pretty straight forward. On-arrival visas, which you pay and obtain after your flight landed are available for most nationalities.

15 Days – US$ 25

30 Days – US$ 40

90 Days – US$100

The prices above are meant for single-entry only, except 90-days visa. Another US$20 is charged upon for multiple-entry visa.

You don’t have to pay if you are from SAARC Countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

It’s best if you bring an accurate amount of money instead of a big piece of US$100 unless you’re going for a 90-days visa. The officer does not have small changes most of the time.

US Dollars are most preferred for the payment, even more than Nepalese Rupees. If you don’t have both, there is an ATM machine, but not always working.

My friend was stuck in the visa payment counter because the officer doesn’t want to change for her, even though the officer had small changes. (He later changed for her after some nagging)

The procedures for getting your visa application done with the electronic kiosk is sometimes tricky and mind-blowing. The kiosk is very slow and not as responsive. There will be a part where you are prompted to enter Ward and District. Just type ‘0000’ and you’ll be good to go.

Note: Old US Dollars Notes are common and abundant in Nepal. Ironically, they’re not accepted among the Nepalese because they’re old currency papers. My friend was given old US Dollars Notes in the airport, which couldn’t be used throughout the country. We later used it during our backpacking trip in Vietnam. So pay attention to it!

Visa Extensions

Visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a visa year (Jan to Dec). Online application has to be done at the Immigration website before attending to the immigration office. The fees are as follow:

1. Visa extension for 15 days or less – US$ 30

2. Visa extension for more than 15 days – US$ 2 per day

3. Visa extension for more than 30 days – US$ 50 for 30 days

SIM Cards For Backpackers in Nepal

Ncell is my preferred telecom company, and I definitely recommend this for travelers backpacking Nepal. The coverage is excellent compared to others when I was there for 3 months. While SIM cards are easily available at the airport, you can buy them outside to save some money.

SIM Cards in Nepal are usually prepaid-based. That means you have to top-up from time to time.

For the best price, don’t buy yours in Thamel. A SIM card in Thamel costs well over Rs300, while the same can be obtained for Rs100 outside of Thamel. Dealers for SIM Card can be found almost everywhere, especially IT shops selling electronic devices.

You have to fill up a form, attach a passport-sized photograph and photocopy your passport in order to apply for a SIM Card. The dealer will usually help you with this, just remember to claim back your passport while being careful.

It’s tricky to buy the mobile data plan, provided there are different plans and codes. Ask the dealer about setting a mobile plan up and remember to jot down the procedures. You need the codes for topping up or buying plans in the future.

Getting Around In Nepal

Roads in Nepal were made of poor construction materials and lack of maintenance. Road holes and pits are almost everywhere in the city, with dust on the road causing heavy air pollution.

There are practically no traffic lights at all in Kathmandu city. Well, there are, actually, but they never light up. They’re built to rust. If not controlled by police officers, the traffic is a total chaotic mess. It’s common to hear people honking every few seconds.

You can literally walk faster than the vehicles during peak hours. Save yourself some time and visit more attractions in Nepal.

Taxi

Travelers often rely on taxis for transport around the city. Most taxis do not practice metered fare but fixed fare. There’s good and bad on this, depending on the traffic. Remember to fix a fare before you board to avoid scams.

Getting around Kathmandu city usually costs you around Rs400 ($4), one-way. If you prefer a cheaper option, read on.

Public Bus

What’s the best part of traveling abroad? Blending into the locals!

I have a complete Step-by-step Guide To Taking Public Transport in Nepal, which guides you through every step you need for a perfect public transport trip.

I’ll run through it briefly here though.

Buses in Nepal are usually 32-seaters with no air-conditioning or fan, no comfy seats and ALWAYS carry more than 32 passengers. It can get so crowded that you’re glued to 3 other passengers during the peak hours.

Good luck going down the bus when you’re sitting in the last row.

The main point, how much is the bus fare? Within Kathmandu city, it’s around Rs15-25 for micro-vans or buses. It gets slightly more expensive in Pokhara but it’s never more than Rs50, unless it’s far.

Or you got scammed.

But still, scams are not as often as expected while backpacking in Nepal. Nepalese are generally kind and helpful toward backpackers in Nepal.

Learn how to get from Kathmandu to Pokhara here.

Rented Motorcycles

Now, this is something extraordinary. Most travelers will not even consider this option due to the massive traffic with No. Rules. At. All.

The traffic in Kathmandu is intense and lawless, which made it dangerous for driving if you’re not familiar. Accidents happen often even among locals.

If you really want to try riding your rented motorcycle, do it in Pokhara.

Pokhara has far better rules and organized traffics. Where the traffic lights actually work. In fact, renting a motorcycle is quite a popular option there, especially for travelers backpacking in Nepal. It’s easy to find a rental store to get your mechanical partner.

One thing to note here is that, unlike Vietnam, Nepalese police do target foreigners. Once you got caught, you will get fined $10 immediately.

Your vehicle documents, which are given to you by the rental store, will be kept by the police officer. The store owner will then have to attend the police station to reclaim the documents.

Make sure you have an international license. Most store owners will rent to you even if you don’t have one. Be wary of this.

Culture Shocks You Might Encounter While Backpacking Nepal

Spitting

Spitting is practiced by almost every man and woman in Nepal. Surprisingly. People don’t really care when they spit in front of you. It’s their culture there, so I think… maybe we should accept that.

Don’t be like “Ewww…” They are not being offensive though.

Sleeping before 9 pm?

I was surprised when I was living together with my school principal during my volunteering in Kathmandu. I was out with my friend until 9.30 pm. When I was walking back, the streets are quiet, dark… and kind of scary. Even the lights in the whole apartment are off.

Well, when Madam came down to open the door for me after I called, she was in pajamas with her eyes half-opened. She was already sleeping at that time. I felt so sorry for her.

But… Really wow.

9.30 pm is the time when typical Malaysians go to bathe and plan for their supper.

Dumping Trash Everywhere, Anywhere

I was on a public bus when a man in front of me threw out an empty bag of chips and an empty coke bottle right out of the window.

I was like: “Wow he didn’t even look!” Badass.

I wasn’t admiring him in any way, just so you know. But I’m sure he’s not the only one. Rubbish is literally everywhere in Kathmandu city, every corner. I certainly do not respect this kind of culture but I also don’t feel like nagging him.

Backpacking Nepal definitely gives you a new perspective, huh?

When to Visit Nepal for Backpacking?

Yes, there are four seasons in Nepal. Kathmandu is at an elevation of 1,400m above sea level so it can get freezing during the winter. But no snow. For Pokhara, it’s less obvious due to the lower elevation. In cases of Lumbini and Chitwan National Park, nope, there are only dry and rainy seasons.

Which Season Is The Best?

• Best season for Backpacking Nepal: Autumn (September to November)
• Second best season: Spring (March to May) – Great for Trekking in Nepal

The peak season for traveling is the autumn season, between September and late November. The air is dry and clean after a good length of the monsoon season. It’s also the best time to go trekking in the Himalayas. Autumn is no doubt the best season for backpacking Nepal.

Winter is not that ideal compared to previous. Blackouts are common in Nepal even when it’s summer, but in winter, it gets more often. You might have to consider staying in a decent hotel that has 24 hours electricity backup.

Following behind autumn season is spring season, the second busiest tourist season in Nepal. Daylights are starting to get longer and the weather gets warmer. This is also a great time for trekking because the flowers in the valley will start to bloom like a garden. Spring is also the best time to watch wildlife in the lowland region like Chitwan National Park.

Lastly, summer! It might be the best season from where you come from but it’s not, in Nepal. The weather gets hotter and more humid with several rainfalls. Following summer is the monsoon season.

Some said it’s the worst season to travel or trek in Nepal. Well, I traveled during summer and monsoon season, it went well!

There are a few things to keep in mind if you’re planning to travel in the monsoon season. It is good and bad for trekking.

Check out here for the best time to visit Nepal. 

Monsoon Season

The worst period in Nepal is the monsoon season. Not only it kills travelers’ plan to go around Nepal but also brings significantly severe damage to lowland regions. There was huge flooding during monsoon season back in the year 2017.

The weather can determine what you see and what you do in Nepal. So be sure to plan ahead with weather taken into consideration.

Downsides of Backpacking Nepal during Monsoon Season

First, landslides might block the entire highway on intercity transfers. During monsoon season it could take up to 15 hours or even more from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Thanks to landslides.

Flooding often happens in lowland regions like Lumbini and Chitwan National Park. That means you have to cut off those two destinations from your travel list, you don’t want that, do you?

Even if you’re staying in the city, excessive rainfall will still ruin your trip. It could rain up to the whole day. Unless you don’t mind going out in rain ponchos or umbrella, monsoon season is the worst season for travelers.

Upsides of Monsoon Season

The great thing about monsoon season is, there are no traveler crowds! You can even name the price for your accommodations. I did it during my trek in Annapurna Circuit and in Pokhara. It’s a little harder to do that in Kathmandu since people still travel to Kathmandu city regardless of the season.

Safety Tips For Solo Travelers in Nepal

Staying safe while backpacking is essential because you’re probably tight on budget and is currently on long-term travel.

Surprisingly, Nepal is exceptionally safe for travelers and foreigners, despite the fact that it’s located right next to one of the countries with the highest crime rates, India.

Nepalese people tend to be more civilized, polite and friendly, especially toward the Western people, probably out of curiosity. And I noticed that the Nepalese males do respect females a lot more than the Indians do.

But still, there is something that you should be aware of so that you don’t mess up your backpacking trip in Nepal.

Food Hygiene

When it comes to Nepal, food hygiene has always been one of the main issues. Nepal is one of the poorer countries in the world, so don’t expect too much of the cleanliness, especially in cities like Kathmandu. Pokhara is clean though, surprisingly.

Unless you’ve spent weeks traveling in Nepal, never go for the stalls on the roadside. You need time to let your stomach adapt to the food and hygiene level there.

For your first few days in Nepal, I recommend going to proper restaurants for your meals. Go for the higher-end restaurants in Thamel before stepping into the local restaurants selling one of the best Thukpas you’ll ever have.

Even though I spent months in Nepal, I had my worst food poisoning after eating the pani puri on the roadside. I thought I was strong, I was wrong. (Rhymed)

After a completely sleepless night, suffering one of the worst pain in my stomach throughout the whole night, I was sent to the hospital by my partner. Luckily, my travel insurance covered all my medical expenses so I didn’t have to pay for anything.

For your information, only a few hospitals in Nepal are covered by travel insurance. So, check with your travel insurance company before stepping in Nepal.

Robbery & Thefts

While Nepal is relatively safe, there are still chances that you’ll get involved in crimes like robberies and thefts.

One thing you should know is that if you accidentally leave your belonging in the street, you’ll never be able to find it back again unless you’re super lucky. You might have better luck in restaurants where the waiters might keep your stuff for you.

Nepalese people tend to take what they see, so take good care of your belongings when you’re outside. But the great thing is that they are very unlikely to rob you, even when the sun goes down.

Never leave any valuable belongings in your hostel room when you’re outside. If you’ve been to Nepal, you’ll probably know that most of the doors in Nepal are poorly constructed. Some of the locks are not working and it’s very easy to break in.

If you have to, ask whether the hostel has a locker where you can leave your belongings. Most of them don’t, but you’ll never know until you ask. The manager might be able to help you keep it.

Travel Scams

Travel scams are very common especially in Thamel, Kathmandu. Thamel is the tourist hub of Kathmandu city, so it makes sense that everyone there is trying their best to dig as much cash as possible from your pocket.

Travel agency offices in Thamel always tend to charge you a higher fare on their bus tickets and tours, so make sure you negotiate a bit. Most of the time, you’ll hear them say that it’s the cheapest price. He’s 100% lying.

The same goes for trekking equipment stores, which are plenty in Thamel. Negotiating is essential here unless you feel like supporting the local economy and pay the quoted price without negotiating.

A quick tip on negotiating on trekking equipment, start at half the price of the quoted price and try to deal at 75% of the quoted price.

As for the pharmacies, they’re the masters. The medicines and pills being sold there are extremely overpriced. To get better deals, head over to Chhetrapati Chowk, right outside of Thamel. There, you’ll find plenty of pharmacies, selling the same items for less than 30% of the price in Thamel.

That’s where I got my purification pills, first aids, and high-altitude pills for my trek in Annapurna Circuit.

Trekking in Nepal

Trekking is the most popular thing to do in Nepal. It’s the backbone of the whole Nepalese tourism industry, providing thousands of jobs to the people for the past few decades.

Whichever track you’re going, make sure you collect enough information so that you don’t forget to pack anything.

If you’re challenging high-altitude track like Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Circuit, make sure you have your first aid kit with high-altitude pills and water purification tablets.

Also, if you’re not familiar with multi-day trekking, consider hiring a guide. It’s not expensive, especially for those from the Western world. And that’s a great way to contribute to the local economy.

Always update your friends or family about your location every day, preferably from your tea house, where you spend your night at. This way, in case anything happens, the job of tracking you by the authorities will be narrowed down.

Don’t forget to apply for your trekking pass!

Travel Thoughts

After my backpacking trip in Nepal, I noticed one thing. Nepalese people have been treating me so well and attentively during my month-long stay in their country.

But some of the Nepalese workers in Malaysia were treated badly by their employers. Yes, there are quite a lot of Nepalese workers in Malaysia. I’ve met some Nepalese people who used to work in Malaysia during my trip there.

It left me with immense gratefulness, but with a sprinkle of guilt. I guess lives aren’t fair at all, huh?

What to Pack For Your Nepal Backpacking Trip?

I’m not gonna tell you how many shirts you need to bring or those things. I know you don’t want to hear it anyway. So here are the things you need for backpacking Nepal but maybe not in other countries.

Before that, if you’re planning to shop for gears or souvenirs in Kathmandu, then you will love these 5 Tips you must know before shopping in Kathmandu.

Universal adaptor and voltage converter

Nepal uses 230V with 50Hz. The socket type is Type C, like this: [o o]. It’s important to bring a universal adaptor and voltage converter so that you won’t harm your electronic devices. Note that almost all sockets in Nepal are loose, so your plugs might fall off anytime. Bring tape and hold it in place. Click here for more details about the product.

Sandals

Sandals are probably the best footwear getting around Nepal. It’s convenient, ventilated and occupies less space and weight. Some people even used them for trekking because it doesn’t matter if you stepped into water piles. Click here for more details about the product: Men or Women.

Ankle Boot

The roads in Nepal especially Kathmandu are unpaved and full of rocks. It’s easy to injure your ankles while walking without paying attention. If you belong to this category, you should consider getting yourself an ankle boot. Click here for more details about the product: Men or Women.

Head Torch

Nepal is infamous for the electric shortage, especially in Kathmandu. This partly explains why you see solar panels installed on the rooftop of almost every apartment. Nepal faces blackouts more frequently during the winter months where daylight is short. Having a head torch enables you to continue doing your things, like reading or packing your backpack. Click here for more details about the product.

Power Bank

With the above said, the electric shortage is frequent in Nepal. Traveling will be significantly less convenient with a dead phone uncharged. It’s safer to bring a power bank to charge up your phone. You don’t know when will the electric be gone again. Click here for more details about the product.

Masks

Kathmandu city is heavily polluted with dust. I’m sure those who’ve been to Kathmandu couldn’t agree more on this. With dust masks, which are also commonly used by locals, you are less exposed to the dust in the air entering your body. Dust masks are sold in almost every pharmacies and convenience stores. Shop outside Thamel if you want cheaper options.

Nepali Rupees

While most travelers think that US Dollars are commonly used in Nepal, it’s not. Most of the high-end restaurants do accept US Dollars but you don’t find them everywhere. Always bring enough Rupees with you wherever you go in Nepal.

Extra photos

Nepali are used to doing things the old school way. You need passport-sized photos for applying for a SIM Card in Nepal and trekking permit. Trekking permit needs bloody FOUR photos for the application. You may take the photos in the application office but it’s better if you have some in the first place to avoid the extra charges.

Accommodations For Backpacking Nepal

Accommodations in Nepal vary across different cities in terms of qualities and customer services.

In Kathmandu, there are a handful of hostels and hotels in Thamel, though not as much as Pokhara. Even so, the accommodations don’t seem to deliver services up to your expectations. The 3-stars hotel you booked in your home country may differ a lot from what you found in Nepal.

Most hostels in Thamel were built in a residential apartment. Don’t worry, you won’t be living with the locals most of the cases, but the interior structure of the hostel is similar to what you find in locals’ homes. In other words, the apartment used to be a home for locals before being renovated into hostels.

In Pokhara, you will face fewer problems as the main tourist area (Lakeside) is built specifically for foreigners. The hotels are mostly up to par, as well as the hostels. Need not to worry about being uncomfortable. You’ll probably find yourself most comfortable in Pokhara while backpacking Nepal.

Either case, the electric shortage is common in entire Nepal. Look for those hotels with 24-hours electric coverage if you need that. Most high-end hotels usually have this feature.

Wi-Fi had been an issue for travelers backpacking in Nepal due to instability, slow speed and sometimes even problems with the connection. However today, most hostels do offer better Wi-Fi than people expect. You’re also less likely to be charged for Wi-Fi usage nowadays. But still, check before you book.

Another factor to take into consideration is the availability of hot showers. Most hostels and hotels have hot showers but not always reliable. The hot showers run on gas-heater, which means cold water will rush out and freeze your naked body when the gas runs out.

Food To Eat While Traveling in Nepal

Nepalese cuisines are generally healthy as they don’t use artificial ingredients. Most Nepali practice vegetarian diets, partly because meats are expensive there.

And they are good at preparing dishes with potatoes and greens.

Yummy.

Due to tourism in Nepal, you can easily find restaurants serving cuisines from all around the world. But I’m only covering Nepalese cuisines in this article. That’s the purpose of backpacking Nepal, right? Discovering the unique recipes of the country.

Fun fact: There are no McDonalds’ restaurants in Nepal. You can find KFC but it’s rare, like only 2 of them in entire Nepal (Kathmandu and Pokhara). And they’re freaking expensive.

Breakfast

Most Nepali has simple breakfast to start up their day. Fried doughnuts, samosas, those you find easily on the roadside are often preferred by locals. Accompanied by a cup of Nepalese milk tea, typical Nepali breakfast.

But I have better suggestions for those backpacking Nepal.

Kickstart your day by dining in local restaurants serving naan bread. I personally prefer aloo (potato) naans or parathas, but you would have to try to know your type. Complete the meal with Masala Milk Tea. If not, milk tea is always a great choice too.

If you are looking for something western, you can easily find them as long as you’re staying in tourist areas, like Thamel in Kathmandu or Lakeside in Pokhara. You can find anything from bacon, eggs, muesli, and banana pancakes. But expect to pay more.

Lunch

Dal Bhat, Dal Bhat, Dal Bhat.

Traditional Nepalese staple consisting of long grain rice, dal (made of lentil and spices) and vegetables like spinach and potatoes. Typical Nepali consumes dal bhat two times a day, for lunch and dinner.

Most travelers, especially Westerners need time to actually fell in love with this dish.

I got addicted to it after my first try. Typical Asian, huh?

Dal bhat is not easy to find especially among local restaurants. Menus usually don’t display dal bhats, even though you see the locals besides you are eating it. You have to ask them whether they serve it.

Most Nepalese cuisine restaurants have dal bhats in their menu. You will notice that the price is slightly higher. This is because you get refills until you get full. It’s super-value for those with a giant appetite. Just ask the waiters.

Local restaurants usually serve vegetarian dal bhats while tourist restaurants often have meats included. Chicken and buffaloes are the two most commonly found meats in Nepal.

Snack

Among all the foods in Nepal, the one that all travelers must try before leaving Nepal is Momo.

Momos are little dumplings made of meats or vegetables wrapped with rice dough. These are served either steamed or fried, with the former being more common, taste better and healthier. Momos are usually served in the never-disappointing portion, with around 8 of them surrounding a sauce plate of spicy dipping sauce.

Pani puri is also a great option but never the top choice. Why?

There have been some hygiene issues with pani puris because of the seasoned juices they used. The water-like juice was easily contaminated especially when they are exposed to bare hands.

The best way to try this dish is in decent restaurants where you can trust the hygiene level. Avoid the pani puri stalls at the roadside at all cost.

Dinner

Treat yourself a candlelight dinner at good restaurants to end your day. Western restaurants can be found in every street of Thamel and Lakeside.

Most of the restaurants outside of Kathmandu and Pokhara close earlier so you might have to eat before 8pm.

If you want to go for Nepali way, dal bhat.

Drinking water in Nepal

Drinking water has always been an issue while backpacking in Nepal. Arriving in Nepal, you will come across a lot of big blue 20-liters water bottles almost everywhere. These water tanks supply the people drinking water.

In Nepal, tap water is very unsafe to drink from. You should always buy your water in 1-liter water bottles from convenient stores. The water bottles cost around Rs15-25 each, depending on where you buy it. Brands don’t matter when it comes to this, there are literally hundreds of different brands.

Places to Visit While Backpacking in Nepal

The four main tourism spots in Nepal are Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan National Park, and Lumbini. I highlighted the top 10 places to visit in Kathmandu in another blog post. But I’ll still be discussing some of them here.

Places to Visit in Kathmandu

Pashupatinath Temple

The holiest pilgrimage site for Hindus in Nepal. You can find Hindu holy men, Sadhus here but note that sometimes you have to pay for a photo with them. Pashupatinath took some damages during the 2015 earthquake but most of the structures remain intact. The entrance fee is Rs1000.

Boudhanath Stupa

One of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world, Boudhanath is located near to Pashupatinath. Visit in the early morning to see the prayers of the monks. Walk clockwise along with the crowds and immerse yourself into the mysterious Tibetan Buddhist atmosphere. The entrance fee is Rs250.

Swayambunath Temple

Also known as Monkey Temple. This temple was built on a hilltop, which can be easily seen in the city. Swayambunath is a Buddhist temple with a golden stupa and a platform watching the Kathmandu city. The entrance fee is Rs250.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is slightly far from Thamel. It will worth every penny and time you spent to reach there. Due to the large area, it might take a full day to explore the architecture and cultures of the durbar square to the fullest. Remember to try King Curd in Bhaktapur! The entrance fee is Rs1500.

Something special about visiting Durbar Squares, which also includes Patan Durbar Square and Kathmandu Durbar Square, is that you will have to chance to meet the living goddess, Kumari.

Check out what you can do for 3 days in this Kathmandu itinerary!

Pokhara

Lakeside & Lake Phewa

The main tourism area in Pokhara, Lakeside is located along Lake Phewa. Here, you will find everything you expect to see in a tourist town. Souvenirs shops, restaurants, trekking gears shops, bars, and high-end hotels. One of the best things to do is to rent a boat and row around in Lake Phewa while enjoying the view of Annapurna mountain ranges. Free entrance.

World Peace Pagoda

World Peace Pagoda is far from Lakeside so you might need to rent a motorcycle or a bicycle to get there. While most people prefer a bicycle, walking is also possible, but it requires a lot of time and dedication. At the pagoda, you can see the Pokhara city, Annapurna mountain ranges and Lake Phewa. Remember to remain silent at all times. Free entrance.

A perfect destination for those backpacking in Nepal.

Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park is located in the lowland region (Terai) of Nepal. This protected jungle area welcomes tourists for its wildlife-watching activities. There are several treks ranging from day treks to overnight 3-days treks for your choosing.

Tourists can also ride on an elephant while roaming through the jungle. I personally don’t encourage tourism activities involving animals but it’s up to you. Most of these activities can be booked online or through agencies in Thamel, Kathmandu. You might want to know it’s usually expensive.

Due to its lowland location, floods are common during the monsoon season. Rule out Chitwan if you’re traveling during monsoon season. There are no four seasons there, and it’s basically warm and humid all year round.

Lumbini

Located in the Terai region west of Chitwan, Lumbini is said to be the birthplace of Buddha around 623 BC. The main site is the Lumbini Development Zone which consists of more than 20 Buddhist monasteries representing Buddhist communities from different nations around the world.

Compared to other touristy areas, Lumbini is very underdeveloped, with a very frequent electric shortage and poor facilities.

There are rickshaws tours to bring you around Lumbini Development Zone, costing about Rs500 to Rs800. Bicycles can be hired for Rs100 per day.

Bonus Attractions in Nepal

Bandipur

Bandipur is located between Kathmandu and Pokhara, therefore a perfect stop between both cities. This hilltop Newari town is small and relaxing and can be fully explored in two days. However, the reason why travelers love this town was the vibe and atmosphere.

Psst… Panoramic view from the town watching the green hills and snowy Himalayan Mountains is available!

Shop owners are somehow not allowed to approach travelers to promote their products. Need not to reject them again!

I’ve covered everything you need to know about Bandipur in this article.

If you have spare time backpacking in Nepal, definitely don’t miss this!

Are You Ready For Backpacking Nepal?

Hopefully, the article above gave you every piece of information you need for backpacking Nepal. While trekking in Nepal is a highlight of most people’s trips to Nepal, it’s a little too long to be covered here.

Therefore I’ll discuss that in another article. Have you ever tried backpacking Nepal? How was it? Comment below and share your story!

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