Nithyam Nachappa
A simple handbook to help you choose the right trail, right team, and right preparation.
Why Nepal Calls So Many Indians Every Year
Most people book a Nepal trek because someone told them, “EBC is once in a lifetime, you have to do it!.”
Truth is, Nepal is not just about one big trek. It’s an entire culture built around mountains, calm people, clean trails, and tea houses that feel like home.
The “Odyssey’s guide to Nepal” is your answer to everything you need before booking a Nepal trek in 2026.
Why You Can Trust This Guide: Odyssey’s Nepal Experience
We’ve spent four full seasons in Nepal.
Vivek and Vijeet didn’t just trek, they lived, researched, listened, and built contacts across:
Khumbu region
Annapurna & Khopra Ridge
Manaslu Circuit
Remote valleys & lesser-known villages
We know what works, what’s overpriced, what’s safe, what’s hype, and where real mountain culture still lives.
This blog is written from those lived experiences, not ChatGPT or Google.
Travel: How to Get There (India → Nepal)
Flying into Nepal
Your entry point will always be Kathmandu (KTM). All international flights from India land here.
From any Indian city:
Delhi → Kathmandu (direct flights daily; fastest)
Mumbai → Kathmandu (mostly 1-stop via Delhi)
Bengaluru → Kathmandu (1-stop via Delhi/Bagdogra)
Always keep a buffer day after your trek-especially if you’re flying out of Lukla, Jomsom, or Pokhara, where weather delays are common.
Getting to Pokhara (the gateway for Annapurna, Mardi, Khopra Ridge)
If your trek starts in Pokhara, you must reach Kathmandu first. From Kathmandu, you have two options:
1) Fly Kathmandu → Pokhara
Flight Duration: 25 minutes
Frequency: Multiple flights daily
Tickets can be booked: Online in advance, or Directly at the airport (prices often drop when flights aren’t full). It is the best option if you want speed, comfort, and to avoid the long drive
2) Drive Kathmandu → Pokhara
Nepal has good tourist buses but poor roads.
Distance: ~180-200 km
Travel time: 9-10 hours (sometimes more)
Cost: ₹800-₹1,000 INR (approx. 1200-1500 NPR)
Road conditions: scenic but slow, winding, and rough in sections
If you want to avoid fatigue before your trek, FLY!
Local Transport Within Nepal (Cities)
Inside Kathmandu or Pokhara, getting around is easy.
You can use: InDrive [https://indrive.com/en-np] & Pathao [https://pathao.com/np/]. Both are app-based cab services, safe, reliable, and cost-effective. When you land in Kathmandu, simply connect to the free airport Wi-Fi and book a ride.
Currency & Money Tips for Nepal
1. Carry Cash
Bring at least 25,000 worth of INR when you land.
You’ll need it for: SIM cards, Cabs, Quick snacks, First-day expenses, food in Tea houses etc. Always check whether your Debit card is functional in Nepal or not. Most people miss this.
2. Exchange Rates
You can exchange INR to NPR at: Airport counters & Thamel (better rates). Rate usually varies between: 1 INR = 1.55 to 1.57 NPR
3. ATMs
ATMs are available but charge high withdrawal fees. Use them only if needed.
4. Digital Payments
A big relief for Indians: GPay works in Nepal. Just enable: International payments → inside GPay settings.
You can scan and pay at: Cafes, Restaurants, Gear shops, Tea houses in bigger villages
GPay automatically converts INR → NPR. This takes away most of cash stress for Indian trekkers.
Documents You Need
1.Valid Passport – minimum 6 months validity (makes most processes smooth)
2.Nepal Visa – Not required for Indians, but carry any government ID
3.TIMS Card / Local Permits – Depends on the trek
4.Insurance – Must include high-altitude evacuation
Most Indian trekkers skip insurance until things get messy. Please don’t do that. Get yourself insured at https://asc360.com/
Weather in Nepal (April–September)
This period includes spring, early monsoon, peak monsoon, and post-monsoon. Each phase feels different:
April–May (Spring)
Clear mornings, cloudy afternoons | Pleasant temperatures | Rhododendrons in bloom
June–August (Monsoon)
Frequent rain | Slippery trails | Landslides in some regions | Best avoided for first-time trekkers
September (Post-Monsoon)
Crisp air | Clear skies return & One of the best months for views and comfortable trekking.
Gear Rental in Kathmandu
Kathmandu is one of the easiest and most affordable places to rent gear.
Common rental gears include: sleeping bag, sunglasses, Trek shoes, Cooking set etc
Trusted rental zones: Thamel (main market) and Shops near Mandala Street. Renting gears has never been a problem in Nepal, there are countless of them.
Cafés & Stays in Kathmandu (Recommended)
Himalayan Java – excellent coffee, calm workspace
Pumpernickel Bakery – iconic breakfast spot
Alchemy Café – good for slow evenings
Yangling Tibetan Restaurant – authentic momos and thukpa
Organic Smoothie bowl and cafe
4stories
Y2K
Fire and Ice
(Just type these places in the map)
Comfortable Mid-Range Hotels
Hotel Marshyangdi, Aloft Thamel, Hotel Vajra, Hotel Buddha, Hotel Kailash Kutee, 9ine Thamel Hotel
Budget-Friendly Hostels
Zostel Kathmandu, Alobar100, The Sparkling Turtle
Each of these is safe, clean, and close to the trekking market.
What to Eat Before/After/During Your Trek
A few dishes you shouldn’t miss:
Dal Bhat (simple, nutritious, unlimited refills)
Tingmo (Tibetan bread)
Veg Thukpa (meal-in-a-bowl)
Garlic soup (helps in altitude)
Yak cheese toast in Khumbu region
Sherpa stew in Phakding/Namche
A typical Dal Bhath meal is all you need at the end of the day
Understanding your stay in Nepal
Trekking in Nepal means stay in High altitude Tea Houses
This means you stay in mountain lodges, not tents. Warm rooms, local food, shared spaces.
It feels homely, intimate, and deeply cultural.
Tea houses are simple: A bed, A blanket (carry liner), Hot food (Dal Bhath, momo, sandwiches, porridge,veggies etc), Basic toilets (Indiana and Western, clean and simple) & Hot water (Extra charges)
How to Select the Right Trek Organiser
This is where most Indians blindly book.
Ask these 7 questions before paying:
1.How many people per team? (Sweet spot: 8-12)
2.Is food included? What kind?
3.What’s the guide-to-trekker ratio?
4.What’s their altitude safety protocol?
5.Which tea houses do they stay in?
6.What’s included in evacuation support? (if insured)
7.Pictures of Tea houses.
If they dodge questions, walk away.
What Beginners Often Miss
1.Weather can shift quickly
2.Appetite dips at altitude
3.WiFi is paid and slow
4.Water purification is essential
5.Rooms get colder than expected
6.Cash is needed beyond major villages
7.Keeping a buffer day into account while booking anything.
8.Check if Debit card works in Nepal, not many does.
9.Having passports smoothens lot of documentation processes.
10.Check the sim coverage on that trek before buying (N-cell or NTC)
A Small Note Before You Plan Your Nepal Trek
We hope this guide helps you see Nepal with a little more clarity and a little more confidence. Everything you’ve read here comes from real experience: seasons spent on the trails, conversations with locals, and the time our team has invested in understanding Nepal deeply.
If you’re planning your next trek in Nepal, use this guide as your starting point. And if you ever feel unsure about routes, weather, logistics, or choosing the right trek, reach out to us. We’re always happy to guide you.
