Nepal: A Complete Guide for Independent Travel

Nepal is a country where after a two-hour flight from Kathmandu you find yourself at the foot of Everest, and a hotel with a hot shower costs less than a Moscow coffee. Here trekking, Buddhist monasteries, and street food for 200 rubles — it's all real if you know the details.

🌤 When to Go

The optimal season is October–November: dry weather, clear skies, the Himalayas visible without clouds. The second good period is March–April, when rhododendrons bloom on trekking routes.

• Monsoon (June–September): rain every day, slippery trails, some routes closed
• December–February: cold at altitude, but Kathmandu and Pokhara are quite comfortable
• Peak season (October): trekking permits are better to arrange in advance

Lifehack: if you're going in November, book accommodation in Namche Bazaar 3–4 weeks ahead — in season hotels are snapped up quickly.

🛂 Visa

Russians need a visa on arrival (Visa on Arrival) at Kathmandu airport. It's processed right there in 15 minutes with a photo and completed form.

• 15 days — about 3100 rubles (35 USD)
• 30 days — about 4450 rubles (50 USD)
• 90 days — about 8900 rubles (100 USD)
• You need cash: US dollars or euros

✈️ Transportation and Accommodation

There are no direct flights from Russia — you fly through Dubai, Doha, or Delhi. A connecting flight round trip costs on average from 45,000 to 70,000 rubles depending on season.

• Bus Kathmandu–Pokhara: about 800 rubles, 6–7 hours
• Domestic flight Kathmandu–Lukla (for Everest trek): from 17,000 rubles
• Guesthouse in Thamel (Kathmandu): from 900 rubles per night with breakfast
• Accommodation on the Annapurna trek: 300–600 rubles per night

Lifehack: take tourist-class buses with air conditioning — regular local buses on mountain roads turn 200 km into a seven-hour ordeal.

🍜 Food and Places

Nepali cuisine is cheap and filling. Dal bhat — rice with lentil soup and vegetables — is the national dish served with free refills. On average, lunch at a Thamel café costs 400–700 rubles, on the trek — 500–900 rubles.

• Kathmandu: Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Durbar Square — all within a 10 km radius
• Pokhara: sunsets over Fewa Lake and views of Annapurna from Sarangkot Hill
• Annapurna Circuit Trek: 160 km, 14–20 days, permit about 2700 rubles

🧳 Practical Tips

Altitude sickness is real: when trekking above 3000 m, ascend no faster than 500 m per day in elevation. Acetazolamide tablets (Diacarb) are sold in Kathmandu pharmacies without a prescription — about 400 rubles per pack.

• Cash dollars — the only reliable payment method: cards are rarely accepted
• Tap water — only for brushing teeth, drink only bottled or filtered water
• Insurance with helicopter evacuation coverage is mandatory for any trek

For connectivity in Nepal, it's most convenient to buy a local Ncell SIM for 400–500 rubles right at the airport. If you want to solve the internet issue before you fly — get an eSIM from e7m.ru, rates from 363₽, activates in a minute without visiting an office.