Nepal Yatras

Nepal yatra at a glance

A Nepal yatra centres on two great shrines: Pashupatinath in Kathmandu, the foremost Shiva temple of Nepal, and Muktinath Dham at about 3,700 m in Mustang, sacred to Vaishnavas and Buddhists alike. Indian citizens need no visa, only an original passport or Election Commission voter ID. A Kathmandu darshan takes 2 to 4 days; adding Muktinath makes it 4 to 7 days. The best months are March to May and late September to November. Our Dehradun team plans flights, permits, hotels and vehicles and stays in touch throughout.

Which Nepal yatra is right for you?

If you only want Pashupatinath, a one or two-night Kathmandu stay is enough. For Muktinath, choose by your entry point: Kathmandu, Nepalgunj (from Lucknow side) or Gorakhpur via the Sunauli border. Elders who should not spend long at altitude can take the helicopter option, which reaches Muktinath and returns the same morning. We also run a few non-pilgrimage Nepal holidays, listed last. The table shows every yatra in this category.

Documents Indians need for Nepal

Indian citizens do not need a visa or passport stamp for Nepal, but identity is checked at airports and border posts. Carry one of these originals:

• Indian passport, valid on your travel dates, or
• Election Commission voter ID card with photograph. A downloaded or printed online copy is not accepted.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu lists only these two as valid for air travel between India and Nepal, and states that Aadhaar, PAN and driving licence are not accepted. Under a Home Ministry rule, Aadhaar has been allowed for children under 15 and seniors over 65, but carry a passport or voter ID for them too if they have one, as airline staff go by the embassy list. Children aged 15 to 18 without a passport can travel with an identity certificate from their school principal in the prescribed format.

Money: Nepal Rastra Bank allows Indian ₹200 and ₹500 notes issued after 9 November 2016 to be carried, up to ₹25,000 per person; the rule was notified in February 2026 and clarified in July 2026. ₹100 and smaller notes are freely used.

Pashupatinath darshan: what to know

Pashupatinath stands on the Bagmati river in Kathmandu. Indian yatris enter the main temple free of charge, and the four faces of the linga can be seen through the doorways of the sanctum. Only Hindus are allowed into the inner courtyard. The evening Bagmati aarti on the ghats opposite the temple is a moving sight and is included in most of our Kathmandu plans. Mahashivratri (6 March 2027) draws huge crowds and sadhus from across South Asia, so book months ahead if you want to be there. Most of our yatras also include Budhanilkantha, the sleeping Vishnu in a pond on the edge of the valley.

Muktinath Dham: route, altitude and permits

Muktinath, at about 3,700 m in the Mustang district, is counted among the 108 Divya Desams by Vaishnavas and is known to Buddhists as Chumig Gyatsa. Yatris bathe under the 108 spouts and in the two kundas, take darshan of Lord Muktinath, and see the natural flame at the Jwala Mai shrine. Many families also perform pind daan at Kagbeni on the Kali Gandaki.

1. Pokhara to Jomsom: a 20-minute morning flight. Flights are cancelled in wind or cloud, so we keep room in the plan to shift the Muktinath day.
2. Jomsom to Ranipauwa: about an hour by jeep up the valley.
3. Ranipauwa to the temple: a 15 to 20 minute uphill walk with steps at the end; ponies are available.
4. By helicopter: a chartered flight from Kathmandu lands near the temple and returns the same morning, with no overnight stay at altitude.

Muktinath lies inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so an ACAP permit is required; we include it in our Muktinath yatras. Going from Pokhara (about 800 m) to 3,700 m within hours can cause headache or breathlessness, so walk slowly, drink water and tell the coordinator if you feel unwell. Yatris with heart disease or uncontrolled blood pressure should take a doctor's advice first. Read our Muktinath yatra guide for the full detail.

Other tirthas of Nepal worth adding

• Manakamana Devi: a hilltop Devi temple on the Kathmandu–Pokhara road, reached by cable car from Kurintar.
• Pokhara: Bindhyabasini temple, Tal Barahi on its island in Phewa Lake, the Gupteshwor Mahadev cave and the large Shiva statue at Pumdikot.
• Janakpur: the birthplace of Mata Sita, with the Janaki Mandir, on our Hidden Tirthas of Nepal Yatra.
• Kathmandu valley: Swayambhunath and Boudhanath stupas and the temple squares of Patan, usually covered on the same day as Pashupatinath.

How to reach Nepal from India

From Dehradun, the simplest route is a flight to Kathmandu via Delhi. Nepal time is 15 minutes ahead of Indian time.

Best time for a Nepal yatra

March to May and late September to November give the clearest skies and the most reliable Jomsom and mountain flights. June to early September brings landslides on the Pokhara road and frequent flight cancellations. December to February is cold but clear; Muktinath can see snow, and the Kathmandu valley is chilly in the mornings. Dashain and Tihar in October–November are major festivals, when hotels and flights fill early.

What we arrange on a Nepal yatra

Hotels, private vehicles in Nepal, domestic flights where listed, the ACAP permit for Muktinath, vegetarian breakfast and dinner on most yatras, and a coordinator in touch by phone and WhatsApp. Nepal domestic airfares change by season, which is why most of these yatras are priced on request. Heritage-site entry tickets are paid at the gate. Combine your yatra with Kailash: see our Kailash Yatra by Helicopter from Kathmandu.

Frequently asked questions

Do Indians need a visa or passport for Nepal?

No visa is needed. You need an original Indian passport or an original Election Commission voter ID card with photograph. Aadhaar has been permitted for children under 15 and adults over 65 under a Home Ministry rule, but the Indian Embassy lists only passport and voter ID for air travel, so carry one of those where possible.

How many days are needed for a Pashupatinath and Muktinath yatra?

From Kathmandu, plan at least 5 to 7 days: one or two days in Kathmandu, a road or air day to Pokhara, the Jomsom flight and Muktinath darshan, and a spare day for weather. By helicopter from Kathmandu, Muktinath can be done in a single morning within a 3-day plan.

Is Muktinath safe for senior citizens?

Many elders visit Muktinath, but it sits at about 3,700 m and is reached within hours from the plains. Elders with heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor. The helicopter option limits time at altitude, and ponies are available for the final walk from Ranipauwa to the temple.

How much Indian currency can I carry to Nepal?

Nepal Rastra Bank allows Indian ₹200 and ₹500 notes issued after 9 November 2016 up to ₹25,000 per person. Smaller notes such as ₹100 are widely used. Carry a debit or credit card for larger payments, and keep receipts if you change money.

What is the best month to visit Muktinath?

March to May and late September to November. These months give clear mornings for the Jomsom flight and a comfortable temperature at the temple. Avoid June to early September, when rain causes landslides and flight cancellations, and expect snow and bitter wind in mid-winter.

Can non-Hindus enter Pashupatinath temple?

Only Hindus are permitted inside the main temple courtyard. Others can view the temple and the cremation ghats from the eastern bank of the Bagmati. Leather items are discouraged and photography is not allowed inside the courtyard. Dress modestly and leave your shoes outside before entering.

Can I combine Nepal with Kailash or Ayodhya?

Yes. Our Kailash helicopter yatras run from Kathmandu and Nepalgunj, and our Ayodhya Dham with Kailash Aerial Darshan links a Kailash flight from Nepalgunj with Ram Lalla darshan in Ayodhya, all in 3 days from Lucknow. Muktinath from Nepalgunj can also be combined with a Kailash flight; ask us for a joint plan.

Tell us your entry city, dates and who is travelling, and we will suggest the right Nepal yatra with a written plan. Use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us; our numbers are on the Contact page.