Indian Subcontinent

Bhutan

India

Nepal

Sri Lanka

Highlights - Essential Info - Itineraries - History

Visa Requirements - Holders of UK passports do require a visa for entry into Nepal and you should have a valid passport with at least six months validity from the date of your return to the UK.

The current cost of a single entry visa available from the Royal Nepalese Embassy in London is £20. Please note that World Odyssey offers an express visa service for all destinations. Non-British passport holders should check their visa requirements with their nearest Embassy. Please also be aware that you need to have at least two blank pages in your passport.

Health Requirements - A Yellow Fever Certificate is required to enter Nepal if you enter from or via an infected country. There are no other mandatory vaccinations required although Tetanus, Typhoid, Polio, Hepatitis A and Meningitis are recommended. Malaria is present in some parts of Nepal and it is therefore essential that you seek qualified medical advice on its prevention.

We strongly recommend that you contact your doctor or the MASTA (Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad) Travellers Health Line on 0870 606 2782 for all professional medical advice.

Time - GMT + 5 hours 45 minutes (+ 4 hours 45 minutes during British Summer Time).

Money - The currency is the Nepali Rupee. Travellers cheques and foreign currency can be freely exchanged at most commercial banks and large hotels. The use and acceptance of credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard is very limited, but they are generally accepted in most of the larger establishments in Kathmandu. An alternative payment source such as cash is sensible, especially when in remote areas.

Flights 

Climate - a rough guide

From the top of Mount Everest at 8848 metres down to the jungles and plains of the Terai at just over 100 metres, Nepal has the greatest range in altitude of any country on earth and inevitably has a wide diversity of climatic conditions around the country. Generally speaking there is the dry season (October - May) and the monsoon season (June - September) which can be broken down as follows:

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER This is the start of the dry season that lasts until May. This early period after the monsoon usually sees clear skies and warm days with daytime temperatures hovering around 75F. This is one of the best times to visit Nepal as the views are stunning and the countryside is at its most lush. High water levels also mean that river rafting is at its peak at this time. Nights are normally chilly with temperatures dropping to around 50F. This is usually a dry period with little or no rain in the country.

DECEMBER - JANUARY As winter progresses from December into January the temperatures can drop making treks very cold and difficult at higher altitudes owing to snowfall. In the Kathmandu Valley daytime temperatures tend to hover around 65F and it is at this time that nights can become quite cold. It is possible to have one or two days of rain in January, but these tend to be relatively short showers.

FEBRUARY - MAY The period from February to May is still part of the dry season and as spring approaches, so the temperature starts to rise, reaching as high as 85F, and the days are generally hot and sunny. This is the most colourful time of year to visit as the wildflowers and rhododendrons are in bloom, although the visibility can be reduced slightly owing to dust and heat haze. Although generally dry throughout this period, the humidity will start to increase significantly, especially in May.

JUNE - SEPTEMBER As spring turns into summer, so the temperatures remain around 85F with a high humidity level. The heavens open and the monsoon starts in earnest with heavy downpours throughout this period. The rain itself is not normally continuous, but there will normally be rain on most days. Views of the mountains can be limited and trekking paths can become slippery.

When to go - Early winter (October/November) is one of the best times to visit as the monsoon rains have just finished, the countryside is green and lush, the views are usually crystal clear and Nepal is at its most stunning. As the monsoon rains have filled the rivers, river rafting is generally excellent with good rapids around this time, rather than in the spring when the water levels have dropped.

December/January is still a good time to visit although it can become colder with some of the high altitude trekking routes becoming impassable owing to snowfall; however the views and scenery are still fantastic.

The remainder of the dry season (February-May) heralds the start of spring and in March and April the hillsides are covered with dramatic, vibrant colours as the montane wild flowers and rhododendrons come into flower. The temperatures tend to rise, helping the snow to melt at higher altitude, which allows access to some passes. As spring progresses, the skies become more dusty and hazy so, although the mountain views are good, they are often not as clear as in early winter.

The monsoon rains from June to September help to clear the dust, but the sky is often overcast, affording few views of the mountains and the trekking paths can be slippery. Although this is the quietest time of the year and there can be some interesting and colourful festivals, this is not the best time to visit for trekking.

Temp (Fahrenheit) = Average Maximum Temperatures (day/night)
Rain (inches) = Average Monthly Rainfall