Nepal

Visa requirements for Nepal depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.

October–November is peak trekking season: clear skies and incredible Himalayan views. March–April brings rhododendrons in bloom. Monsoon (June–September) makes trails muddy and views obscured. Winter (December–February) is cold at altitude but quiet.

• Modest dress at all Hindu and Buddhist temples — no shorts, cover shoulders
• Remove shoes and leather items before entering many temples
• Trekking requires layers — temperatures swing dramatically with altitude
• Casual in Kathmandu and Pokhara tourist areas

• Namaste (hands pressed together at the chest with a slight bow) is the universal greeting
• Walking clockwise around stupas, mani walls, and prayer wheels is essential
• Left hand is considered unclean — use right hand for giving, receiving, and eating
• Women should avoid touching monks
• Never step over food, offerings, or someone's outstretched legs

• Trekking in many protected areas requires a TIMS card and national park permit — obtain before entering
• Killing a cow (the sacred national animal) is punishable by up to 12 years in prison
• Photography in some temples is prohibited — look for signs or ask
• Cannabis (locally called 'ganja') is illegal despite historical tolerance
• Drone flying requires a Tourism Board permit — apply well in advance