Nepal has two seasons - the dry season from October to May and the rainy, monsoon season from June to September. Early spring (March to April) and late autumn (October and November) are the best times to visit, and also offer the clearest mountain views and good weather for trekking. From December to February there is snow on the mountains with freezing temperatures at high altitudes, while the summer months of June to August can be very hot for general travel.
Peak Season: Unsurprisingly for this mountainous kingdom, the higher you go, the colder it gets. The best times to search for cheap flights to Nepal and visit are between September and November and from February to March when temperatures range between 24-28 degrees Celsius and there is little rain.
The main festivals of Dashain and Tihar occur during these months. Dashain, Nepal’s most important festival, commemorates the gods’ victory over demons. The celebrations are reminiscent of Christmas; homes are decorated, families get together and gifts are given. Tihar follows Dashain. This festival – worship of the Hindu Goddess of Fortune – lasts for five days and is all about celebrating one’s siblings and friends.
In March, the festival of colours (Fagu Purnima or Holi) takes place. This Hindu festival is marked by the throwing of coloured water or coloured powder.
Off Season: Between November and March, temperatures at night can be close to freezing and heavy snows can block mountain passes. Conditions during May and June can be unpleasant – hot, humid and very wet.
Use local buses for the authentic Nepalese experience – crowds of people, standing-room only and animals. Don’t expect punctuality here. Buses often won’t set off until they are full. There are tourist buses, which are more comfortable however.
Tempos (three wheeler auto-rickshaws) can be flagged down on the streets.
It’s possible to rent a car in Kathmandu, driver included. Renting a motorbike is also possible.
Mount Everest: you don’t have to scale the world’s highest mountain (8,848 metres / 29,000 feet); a trek to base camp, at a mere 5,340 metres (17,500 feet), will get the blood flowing. The best time to do this is spring, although autumn and winter can offer clearer skies and crisp views of Everest. Climbing Kala Patthar (mountain) will afford tourists a view of Everest from base camp to peak.
Kumari Devi, the Living Goddess, lives in the Kumari Ghar, in Durbar Square, Kathmandu. She was chosen from the Sakya community as a young girl. Kumari Devi travels through Kathmandu city on Indra Jatra (in September), local people pay tribute to her and she blesses the King.
The temple of Changu Narayan is said to be the most ancient temple in the Kathmandu Valley, dating back to the 4th century. It is one of the seven Unesco World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu valley.
Lumbini, on the Terai plains in the south, is where Siddhartha Gautam, the Shakya Prince and the ultimate Buddha, the Enlighted One, was born in 623 BC. The sacred place, marked by a stone pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka of India in 249 BC, is a World Heritage Site.
The temple of Manakamana is on top of a 1,302-metre (4,271 feet) hill. The deity is one of the manifestations of the Hindu Goddess Bhagawati who is believed to have the power to fulfill wishes. It is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Nepal. Climb to the top by cable car.
The top tea-growing regions in Nepal are Dhankuta, Illam, Jhapa, Therathum and Panchthar. Nepalese tea is said to be very like Darjeeling. The altitude of tea gardens range between 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) to 2,194 metres (7,200 feet).
Adventure Nepal
Money
The official currency is Nepali Rupee (NPR), which is divided into 100 paisa. As change can be a problem it is recommended that visitors have a supply of small notes handy. Tourist activities are often quoted in US Dollars and it is advisable to carry new dollar bills in varied denominations. Both Euro and US dollar travellers cheques are widely accepted in tourist areas and can be cashed easily in most banks and major hotels throughout the country. There are ATMs in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards are accepted in many tourist hotels, shops, restaurants and travel agencies. Banks and moneychangers are present in all tourist places and in the major cities; all receipts from foreign exchange transactions should be kept so rupees can be exchanged back into foreign currencies on departure. Cash is needed when trekking.
Communications
The country code for Nepal is +977, and the outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)1 for Kathmandu and (0)41 for Pokhara. Two mobile phone operators provide GSM 900 network coverage in the main cities and towns, but this does not extend tothe summit of Mount Everest! In the main tourist centres of Kathmandu and Pokhara there are Internet cafes on every corner.
Tipping
Restaurants and hotels may add 10 per cent to bills in which case no further tip is required; otherwise a 10 per cent tip is customary in places that cater to tourists. It is customary to tip guides and porters on treks. Elsewhere it is not customary to tip, but gratuities are always appreciated.
Safety
On February 1, 2005, the king dismissed the government, assuming direct control of the country. On April 21, 2006, he finally agreed to give up his power following weeks of violent protests by political parties and the Maoists; Parliament has been reinstated. All bans and curfews have been lifted, but demonstrations and public gatherings should be avoided, as there is still a high risk of violence. Countrywide strikes (bandhs) are also occasionally called for by the Maoists, which can turn violent. These usually seriously affect road transport and many businesses, and visitors are advised to seek up-to-date information before travelling; tourists have been left temporarily stranded.
Health
No immunisation is required, but vaccinations for cholera, hepatitis A, meningitis, tetanus, diphtheria and typhoid are recommended. Altitude sickness is a real risk for trekkers. There is a risk of malaria between June and September in the low-lying areas including Chitwan National Park. Outbreaks of Japaneseencephalitis occur annually, particularly between July and December; vaccination is advised. Untreated water should be avoided; visitors can buy bottled water or purify their own. When trekking it is preferable to treat one's own water rather than leaving a trail of plastic bottles behind; purifying water with iodine is the cheapest and easiest way to treat water. Stomach upsets are likely to be the most common cause of illness in travellers; food in tourist restaurants or "Western" food should be treated with caution as it is often reheated or left to stand out, and drinks or salads can contain ice or have ingredients washed in dirty water. Standard of care in hospitals varies, but there are travellers' clinics in Kathmandu and numerous pharmacies in the major towns. Medical insurance is essential.
Electricity
Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two- and three-pin plugs are used.
