Nepal Trip Planning Guide for US Tourists

Thinking about Nepal but not sure where to start? If you’re coming from the US, you probably have the same questions many travelers ask: can someone plan the whole thing for me, how much will it cost, what do I pack, which tours are actually worth doing in Kathmandu, and what trek is safe if I’m a beginner.

This guide walks through all of that in plain language so you can go from “curious” to “ready to book” without getting lost in endless search results.

1. “Can you plan my entire Nepal trip?” – Sample Itineraries

You can spend a lifetime exploring Nepal, but most US visitors come for 7–14 days. The good news is you don’t need a complicated route to have an amazing trip. A simple triangle of Kathmandu, Pokhara, and a short trek or nature experience already gives you culture, Himalaya views, and downtime.

Best time to travel (quick version)

October–November: Clear skies, great mountain views, very popular.
March–April: Warm days, rhododendrons blooming on many trekking routes.
Winter (Dec–Feb): Colder in the mountains, but cities are still fine and less crowded.
Monsoon (Jun–Aug): Lush and green but rainier, with more clouds on mountain views.

A simple 7-day “first taste of Nepal” itinerary

This is for you if you want culture, a tiny bit of hiking, and low stress.

Day 1 – Arrive in Kathmandu Airport arrival, transfer to hotel in Thamel or near Boudha. Short walk, dinner, early sleep.
Day 2 – Kathmandu highlights Visit Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Durbar Square, and Boudhanath Stupa. Optional evening walk in Thamel.
Day 3 – Fly or drive to Pokhara Morning flight (about 25 minutes) or 6–7 hour drive. Evening by Phewa Lake, relaxed dinner.
Day 4 – Pokhara activities Sunrise at Sarangkot, boating on the lake, caves or viewpoints. You can add paragliding if you’re adventurous.
Day 5 – Short hike near Pokhara Easy day trek to places like Australian Camp or Dhampus with a guide. Back to Pokhara in the evening.
Day 6 – Return to Kathmandu Fly back, shopping or café time in Thamel. Consider an evening cultural show or food tour.
Day 7 – Last-minute sightseeing and departure Quick visit to Patan or Bhaktapur if time allows, then head to the airport.

10-day itinerary with a short trek

If you can stretch your trip, this version adds a more satisfying trek without going extreme.

Day 1–2: Kathmandu city highlights and recovery from jet lag.
Day 3: Travel to Pokhara.
Day 4–7: Beginner trek, such as Ghorepani–Poon Hill (4 days) or another 3–4 day route near Pokhara.
Day 8: Rest and free day in Pokhara.
Day 9: Fly back to Kathmandu, evening shopping or food tour.
Day 10: Departure.

14-day itinerary for a deeper first visit

With two weeks, you have enough time to enjoy multiple regions without rushing.

Kathmandu Valley: Temples, heritage sites, day hikes.
Pokhara + 4–5 day trek: Classic views, tea houses, village life.
Chitwan National Park: Jungle walks, wildlife safaris, river time.

A typical flow: 3 days in Kathmandu, 5–6 days in the Pokhara/trek area, 3 days in Chitwan, and a final day or two back in Kathmandu.

Good to know: You can plan everything yourself, or you can hand it to a local travel agency or trekking company in Nepal. Many US visitors prefer a mix: they book flights on their own, then use a local company to handle airport pickup, hotels, and treks.

2. “Give me a budget plan for Nepal” – Realistic Costs in USD

You can travel Nepal on less than what you spend at home in a weekend, or you can go full comfort with private drivers and boutique hotels. The big drivers of cost are: where you stay, how much you move around, and whether you trek with a guide.

Daily budget ranges for US travelers

Style	Daily Budget (approx)	What this feels like
Budget / backpacker	$30–45	Guesthouses, local buses, simple restaurants, occasional splurges.
Mid-range (most US tourists)	$70–140	Comfortable hotels, mix of taxis and flights, guided day tours, short treks.
Higher-end	$180–350+	Boutique stays, private drivers, domestic flights, fully guided multi-day treks.

Typical costs in cities (Kathmandu & Pokhara)

Hotel (mid-range): roughly $40–80 per night for a comfortable double room.
Budget guesthouse: around $10–25 per night.
Meals: $3–8 at local or mid-range restaurants; $10–15 at nicer places.
Coffee: $2–4 in trendy cafés.
Taxi rides: usually a few dollars for trips inside the city.
Domestic flight (Kathmandu–Pokhara): roughly the cost of a short US domestic flight, but saves you 6–7 hours on the road.

How trekking changes the budget

No matter which route you pick, trekking adds extra daily costs, but you’re also not paying for city hotels during those days.

Basic trekking cost breakdown (per day)

Guide: around $25–40 per day.
Porter (optional but helpful): around $20–30 per day.
Accommodation in tea houses: around $6–15 per night.
Meals on trek: $4–10 per meal, depending on altitude and route.
Permits: charged per trek/region, not per day, but they add to the overall cost.

On most beginner treks, a realistic all-in trekking cost (guide, porter, permits, food, lodging) often lands somewhere around $60–120 per day, depending on how you travel and how many people you are splitting costs with.

Sample budget for a 10-day mid-range trip (no crazy shopping)

7 days in cities (Kathmandu + Pokhara): About $80–120 per day → roughly $560–840.
3 days of guided trekking: Maybe $80–120 per day → roughly $240–360.
Domestic flights (round-trip KTM–PKR): Depends on airline and season, but plan for around a couple hundred dollars total.

Ignore your international flight for a moment and you might be looking at around $1,000–1,500 on the ground in Nepal for a 10-day mid-range trip with one short trek. You can push that lower with buses and budget places, or much higher with high-end hotels and private transport everywhere.

Tip: The easiest way to avoid money stress is to decide your comfort level first (budget, mid-range, or higher-end), then build the itinerary to match that, not the other way around.

3. “What to pack for Nepal?” – City and Trekking Packing List

Packing for Nepal can feel confusing because you might be doing city walks in warm sun one day and wearing a jacket at 3,000 m the next. The trick is simple: think in layers, not in single “perfect” outfits.

Documents and basics

Passport (with at least 6 months’ validity and copies saved digitally).
Travel insurance details (especially if trekking).
Printed or digital copies of bookings and confirmations.
Debit/credit cards plus some USD cash.
Unlocked phone so you can use a local SIM card.

Clothing for cities (Kathmandu and Pokhara)

In the cities, dress is casual and flexible. You don’t need ultra-technical clothing to walk around town.

2–3 casual shirts or tops.
1–2 pairs of comfortable pants or jeans.
Light sweater or fleece for cool evenings.
Lightweight rain jacket or windbreaker, especially during monsoon or shoulder seasons.
Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers.
Daypack for carrying water, camera, and layers.

If you’re planning to trek

This is where packing becomes more important. Even beginner treks can be chilly in the mornings and evenings.

Footwear: Sturdy hiking shoes or boots, broken in at home. Don’t use brand new shoes on the trail if you can avoid it.
Base layers: Moisture-wicking t-shirts (2–3), long-sleeve layer if you get cold easily.
Mid layer: Fleece or light insulating jacket.
Outer layer: Lightweight down jacket for cooler seasons, and a rainproof shell or jacket.
Bottoms: Hiking pants (1–2 pairs) and comfortable leggings or thermal base layer if going higher or in colder months.
Accessories: Warm hat, sun hat, light gloves, and a buff or scarf.
Socks: At least 3 pairs of good hiking socks.

Gear and small essentials

Daypack (20–30L) for carrying layers, water, and snacks during hikes.
Refillable water bottle (and optionally purification tablets or a filter bottle).
Headlamp or small flashlight.
Travel adapter (Nepal generally uses types C, D, and M; many plugs accept the round-pin European type).
Sunscreen and sunglasses.
Basic first aid kit: pain relief, band-aids, any personal medications, stomach meds.
Small quick-dry towel.

Can I buy or rent gear in Nepal?

Yes. Thamel in Kathmandu and Lakeside in Pokhara are full of shops selling trekking clothes and gear. You’ll find everything from budget knock-offs to genuine brands. If you forget something, you can almost always pick it up there, and many places rent gear like sleeping bags and down jackets.

Rule of thumb: Pack for four to five days and plan to repeat clothing with layers. Overpacking will only make travel and trekking less enjoyable.

4. “What are the best tours in Kathmandu?” – Experiences That Are Really Worth It

Kathmandu can feel chaotic at first glance, but once you plug into a good tour or guide, it becomes one of the most interesting parts of your trip. Here are the kinds of tours that US travelers usually feel are “actually worth the money.”

1. Everest mountain flight

If you don’t have time or desire to trek to Everest region, a mountain flight is the easiest way to see the big peaks. Small planes fly along the Himalaya range early in the morning, and on clear days you get incredible views, including Everest itself.

It’s not cheap, but almost everyone who does it says it was one of the highlights of their trip.

2. Heritage day tour: Kathmandu, Patan, or Bhaktapur

Instead of trying to visit everything alone, a guided heritage tour through one or two of the main old cities makes a big difference. You get context, stories, and the history behind the temples and squares, not just photos.

Kathmandu Durbar Square: Former royal palace, temples, old city atmosphere.
Patan: Known for its beautiful Durbar Square and artisan community.
Bhaktapur: Well-preserved old city, cobbled streets, and classic architecture.

3. Boudhanath and Pashupatinath spiritual circuit

These two places give you a powerful glimpse into Buddhism and Hinduism in Nepal.

Boudhanath Stupa: Monumental Buddhist stupa surrounded by monasteries, rooftop cafés, and prayer wheels.
Pashupatinath Temple area: Major Hindu temple complex on the Bagmati River, with rituals and ceremonies that can be intense but deeply meaningful to witness.

A local guide helps you understand what you’re seeing and how to move respectfully through these spaces.

4. Kathmandu food or walking tour

Food is one of the fastest ways to connect with a new place, but it’s also where some travelers get nervous. A guided food walk lets you try local staples like momos, thukpa, Newari dishes, and sweets, without worrying about where to go or what to order.

5. Nagarkot sunrise and short hike

If you want sunrise views and a bit of walking without committing to a multi-day trek, a day trip or one-night trip to Nagarkot can work well. On clear days, you may see a long stretch of the Himalaya from certain viewpoints. Many travelers combine this with a short hike down to a historic site or village.

Most of these experiences can be booked through local agencies in Kathmandu or online in advance. If you’re short on time, aim for at least one heritage tour and one spiritual or food experience to round out your city days.

5. “What’s the safest trek for beginners?” – Routes That Are Friendly to First-Timers

Trekking is what brings many people to Nepal, but you don’t have to be super fit or experienced to enjoy the mountains. There are several beginner-friendly routes that keep altitude moderate, have plenty of tea houses, and are well-trodden.

What makes a trek “safe” for beginners?

Moderate altitude: You’re not pushed quickly above 3,000 meters.
Good infrastructure: Regular tea houses, clear paths, and other trekkers around.
Easy access: Close enough to towns and roads for help if needed.
Flexible itineraries: You can shorten or extend based on your energy and weather.

Beginner-friendly treks to consider

1. Ghorepani–Poon Hill (4–5 days)

This is one of the classic beginner treks in the Annapurna region. The main goal is Poon Hill, a viewpoint where you watch sunrise over a panorama of peaks.

Duration: about 4–5 days depending on your pace.
Highlights: villages, forest trails, sunrise views, comfortable tea houses.
Why it’s safe: altitude is manageable and the route is well established.

2. Dhampus / Australian Camp (1–2 days)

If you just want a “taste of trekking” without a big commitment, a short hike to Dhampus or Australian Camp near Pokhara is ideal.

Duration: 1–2 days, often with a night in a tea house.
Highlights: views of the Annapurna range, gentle trails, village life.
Why it’s safe: very accessible from Pokhara, low altitude, good for families.

3. Lower-altitude Langtang Valley (for slightly more adventurous beginners)

Langtang is more of a “proper trek,” usually around a week, but parts of it are suitable for beginners who are reasonably fit and travel with a guide. It goes higher than the quick Pokhara-area hikes, so you need to take altitude seriously.

Duration: often 6–8 days.
Highlights: dramatic valley scenery, Tibetan-influenced villages.
Why it’s safer with a guide: they manage pace, route, and decisions around altitude.

4. Mardi Himal (for confident first-timers with a guide)

Mardi Himal is a bit more demanding but still within reach for a first-timer who’s reasonably active and goes with a professional guide.

Duration: around 4–6 days.
Highlights: ridge walks with excellent mountain views.
Why it’s popular: fewer crowds than some other routes, but still good infrastructure.

Should beginners always hire a guide?

For most US visitors on their first trek in Nepal, the honest answer is: yes, a guide is a good idea. They handle route-finding, logistics, tea house arrangements, and help with any issues that come up. You get to focus on walking and enjoying the experience instead of worrying about details.

If you’re traveling as a couple or small group, hiring one guide and possibly a porter is a relatively small extra cost for a lot of peace of mind.

Bottom line: If you’re nervous about trekking, choose a short, lower-altitude route near Pokhara, go with a guide, and treat it as your first taste of the Himalaya instead of a “must-conquer” mission.

Final thoughts: Putting it all together

So, can we plan your whole Nepal trip? In a way, yes. If you follow a simple structure like this, you’ll already be ahead of most first-time visitors:

Pick a travel window in October–November or March–April if you can.
Choose a trip length: 7, 10 or 14 days.
Build around the three pillars: Kathmandu for culture, Pokhara for views and activities, and a short, safe trek that matches your comfort level.
Decide your budget tier (budget, mid-range, or higher-end), then choose hotels and transport that fit inside it.
Pack smart, in layers, and remember you can buy or rent gear in Nepal.
Add at least one good tour in Kathmandu and, if you’re up for it, one short trek.

Once those decisions are made, the rest is just logistics. You can either handle bookings yourself or work with a local travel or trekking company to tie it all together.

If you like, you can take this content and turn it into your own trip plan, or use it as the backbone of a page on your travel website for US tourists heading to Nepal.