Nepal trip from India: ID rules, cost & 5-day Kathmandu–Pokhara plan

Five days is enough for Nepal’s two classic stops: Kathmandu’s temples and old squares, then Pokhara’s lake with the Annapurna range behind it. Indians do not apply for a visa, but you must fly with the right ID, and Aadhaar is not accepted. Budget roughly ₹40,000 to ₹65,000 per person.

Visa and entry rules for Indians

There is no visa application, but the document matters. We checked the Embassy of India in Kathmandu’s Valid Travel Documents page on 9 October 2026. It says:

1. Only two documents are valid for air travel between India and Nepal: a valid Indian passport, or an original Indian Voter ID card with photograph issued by the Election Commission of India.
2. A downloaded or online-printed Voter ID is not acceptable.
3. Aadhaar, PAN card, driving licence and Indian Embassy registration are not accepted for travel to Nepal.

The page covers air travel only. It does not state a maximum stay, a land-border rule, or age exemptions, and we could not open Nepal’s own immigration site, so we make no claim on those. If you plan to cross by road, or travel with young children or senior citizens who rely on another ID, ask the Embassy at amb.kathmandu@mea.gov.in or your airline before booking. Carry the passport, since airlines check documents at check-in.

The Embassy’s site also has a page saying Indians need a No Objection Certificate from the Embassy to travel from Nepal to a third country, so do not plan a side trip to another country from Kathmandu.

Nepal is a visa-free destination for Indians, so any website charging a “Nepal visa for Indians” fee is selling something you do not need.

What it costs in rupees

Per person, two sharing a room, mid-range, five days and four nights. These are our estimates and move with season. Nepali rupees convert at ₹1 = NPR 1.6.

The cheap end uses tourist buses between the cities and budget hotels; the high end flies to Pokhara and stays at lakeside resorts. Ticket prices at heritage sites change often, so check them at the gate.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: arrive in Kathmandu

Fly to Tribhuvan airport, buy a SIM at the arrivals area and transfer to Thamel, the main tourist district. Walk around Thamel and have an early dinner of dal bhat, which is unlimited at most places and vegetarian-friendly.

Day 2: stupas and old squares

Start at Swayambhunath, the golden hilltop stupa in the lead photo. The climb is a few hundred steps, so go early before the crowd. Then visit Kathmandu Durbar Square and Patan Durbar Square, which are a short drive apart. Finish at Boudhanath at dusk, when pilgrims circle the stupa. Hire a private car for the day.

Day 3: to Pokhara

Take a morning flight of about 25 minutes, or a tourist bus, which takes a full day on a winding road. The flight saves time and is better for a short trip. Settle by Phewa Lake, rent a boat in the afternoon and walk to the Tal Barahi temple on its island. Check the weather: clouds sit low in monsoon and winter mornings.

Day 4: the mountain view

Go before sunrise to Sarangkot for the Annapurna and Machapuchare range, then return for breakfast. In the afternoon visit the World Peace Pagoda across the lake, or Davis Falls and the Gupteshwor cave if you prefer a lighter day. Evenings on the lakeside strip are for dinner and a stroll.

Day 5: fly back via Kathmandu

Fly back to Kathmandu and then to Delhi. If you book the onward flight home the same day, keep at least four hours between the two flights because Pokhara departures are often delayed by weather.

Eating in Nepal as an Indian traveller

Nepal is easy for vegetarians. Dal bhat sets, momos with vegetable fillings, thukpa and sel roti are everywhere, and Thamel and Lakeside have many restaurants serving North Indian food. Jain travellers should ask about onion and garlic and carry dry snacks for road days. Drink bottled or filtered water.

Best time to go

October and November have the clearest mountain views after the monsoon and are the busiest, so book flights early. March and April are warm and green with blooming rhododendrons, though haze can hide the peaks. June to September is monsoon: leeches on trails, cloud cover on the peaks and occasional landslides on roads. December and January are cold in the mornings but sunny.

Practical tips

• Money: the rupee is pegged at ₹1 = NPR 1.6. Carry some Nepalese rupees, use an ATM in Kathmandu for the rest and check the current limits on carrying Indian notes. UPI works only at merchants with a Fonepay QR code, so do not rely on it.
• SIM: an eSIM bought before you fly saves queueing at the airport.
• Plugs: sockets vary by hotel, so pack a universal adapter.
• Altitude: Kathmandu and Pokhara are low enough for most travellers, but Sarangkot is a cold early start, so pack a jacket.
• Insurance: buy travel insurance that covers medical care and flight disruptions, as mountain flights are often delayed.
• Dress: cover shoulders and knees at temples and remove shoes where asked. Follow the signs about leather and photography.

Related guides

If you liked the idea of a short Himalayan trip, see our Bhutan trip cost guide for another no-visa destination for Indians, or the Sri Lanka guide for hills and tea. More facts are on the Nepal hub.