Travel guide · Nepal
First Time in Nepal: A Beginner's Guide
A practical orientation for first-time visitors to Nepal — visas, money, season, transport and a simple starter route.
If this is your first trip to Nepal, keep the plan simple: sort a visa on arrival, carry cash, travel in the dry autumn or spring season, and focus your first days on the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara rather than trying to see everything. Nepal is rewarding but slow, and first-timers who relax the pace come away far happier than those who chase a long checklist.
The short answer
Fly into Kathmandu, get your visa on arrival, and spend your first days among the temples of the Kathmandu Valley before moving to lakeside Pokhara. For a ready-made route, follow the Kathmandu and Pokhara itinerary or, with a few more days, the 5-day Nepal itinerary. Browse all options on the Nepal itineraries hub.
Visas and entry
Most visitors get a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, available for 15, 30 or 90 days and paid in cash US dollars. Complete the kiosk form, bring a passport photo and ensure your passport is valid for at least six months. For the full breakdown of fees and extensions, read the Nepal visa guide.
Money and costs
Nepal runs largely on cash. The currency is the Nepalese rupee, ATMs are common in Kathmandu and Pokhara but scarce elsewhere, and many guesthouses and trekking lodges only take cash. Withdraw enough before heading into the hills. Nepal is genuinely affordable: budget travellers manage on local buses, guesthouses and dal bhat, while mid-range comfort is still inexpensive by Western standards.
When to go
October and November bring the clearest skies and the most reliable Himalayan views, with March to May a strong second. The summer monsoon (June to September) means cloud, leeches on trails and frequent flight delays, while winter is cold at altitude but crisp in the cities. For a month-by-month breakdown, see the best time to visit Nepal.
Getting around
Distances are short on the map but long in reality, thanks to winding highways. Fly between Kathmandu and Pokhara to save the best part of a day, take comfortable tourist buses for scenic legs, and use taxis or rideshare apps within cities. Our guide to getting around Nepal covers realistic timings for every transfer.
A simple first route
Spend three days in the Kathmandu Valley seeing Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and medieval Bhaktapur, then two or three days in Pokhara for a Sarangkot sunrise and Phewa Lake. If you have more time, add a Chitwan safari with the Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan itinerary or a short walk via the trek-and-culture itinerary.
First-timer tips
Pack layers for cool mornings even in warm months, drink only treated or bottled water, and remove shoes before entering temples and homes. Agree taxi fares before setting off, and never trek to high altitude without ascending slowly. Above all, leave room in your schedule — Nepal's best moments are often the unplanned ones.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nepal easy to travel for first-timers?+
Yes. Nepal is welcoming, inexpensive and used to independent travellers, with English widely spoken in tourist areas. The main adjustments are slow roads, occasional flight delays and high altitude on treks. Keep your route simple, build in buffer days and you will find it straightforward.
Do I need a visa for Nepal?+
Most nationalities can get a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, paid in cash US dollars for 15, 30 or 90 days. Bring a passport photo and your passport valid for at least six months. A few nationalities must apply in advance, so check before you fly.
How many days do I need for my first trip to Nepal?+
A week is the comfortable minimum for a first visit, covering the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara without rushing. Ten days lets you add a Chitwan safari or a short trek. If you only have four or five days, keep to Kathmandu and Pokhara alone.
Is Nepal safe and what should I watch for?+
Nepal is generally safe for tourists, with petty theft and altitude sickness the main concerns. Drink treated or bottled water, ascend slowly on treks, use registered trekking agencies and keep some cash, since ATMs are limited outside cities.
