Nepal · Things to do
5 things to do in Nepal with kids
The five best things to do in Nepal with kids are seeing the Himalayas from Pokhara or on a mountain flight, rowing on Phewa Lake, walking around the Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu, exploring the old temple squares, and following a prayer-flag trail. Go in October, November or March to May, when skies are clearest, and keep days short to allow for altitude.
What to do, in order
- 1
See the Himalayas
Most families see the big peaks without a trek. From Pokhara, the Annapurna range stands over the town on clear mornings, and the viewpoint at Sarangkot is a short drive up for sunrise. From Kathmandu, a scenic mountain flight of about an hour flies along the range toward Everest and is easy with children. Cloud usually builds by mid-morning, so go early. Clear weather is most reliable from October to November and again in spring.
- 2
Boat on Pokhara's lake
Phewa Lake lies right beside Pokhara, with the mountains reflected in still water on calm mornings. Brightly painted wooden boats can be hired by the hour from the lakeside, and children can try paddling or just sit. A short row across leads to a small island temple, Tal Barahi. Go early for the best light and the calmest water. In the afternoon the breeze picks up and the lakefront fills. Lakeside is the easy base for families, with cafes and a flat promenade.
- 3
Circle the Boudhanath stupa
Boudhanath is one of the largest stupas in the world, a white dome in Kathmandu with painted eyes looking in four directions. It is the centre of a Tibetan Buddhist community, and walking clockwise around it with the locals, spinning prayer wheels, is the thing to do. Go in the early morning or around dusk, when the crowd of walkers is largest and butter lamps are lit. The rooftop cafes around the square give children a place to sit and watch.
- 4
Explore Kathmandu's temples
Kathmandu Valley has three old royal squares, in Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, with carved wooden temples, brick courtyards and pigeons. Several were damaged in the 2015 earthquake, and restoration is still going on, so some temples are scaffolded. Bhaktapur is the calmest for walking and Patan the best for craft shops. Swayambhunath, the hilltop stupa known as the monkey temple, is a good stop for children, though you should keep food hidden and stay close to them.
- 5
Follow the prayer flags
Strings of colourful prayer flags run across passes, bridges and ridges throughout Nepal, and following them is an easy way to walk without committing to a trek. Short hill walks from Pokhara and the viewpoints above Kathmandu, such as Nagarkot, have flags and mountain views. Keep outings short and slow, drink plenty of water and be careful with altitude above about 2,500 metres. Children under school age are better kept to the lower valleys than to high-altitude routes.
Plan it
- Best time
- October and November have the clearest mountain views. March to May is warm, with rhododendrons in bloom on the hills. June to September is monsoon, with cloud and leeches on trails.
- How long
- Ten days suits a first family visit: three or four in Kathmandu, three or four in Pokhara and slack for the weather. A week is possible with one base.
- Getting around
- Kathmandu and Pokhara are linked by a short domestic flight of about half an hour or a long road trip of most of a day. In towns, taxis are the easy option.
Good to know
- Cars on mountain roads are slow and winding, so bring motion-sickness remedies.
- Drink only bottled or filtered water and stick to cooked food.
- Flights in and out of the mountains can be delayed by cloud, so leave a buffer day.
Frequently asked
Is Nepal safe for children? +
Yes, with normal precautions. The main risks are stomach upsets, altitude and heavy traffic. Use filtered water, cooked food, a pharmacy kit and stay close in crowded squares. Check vaccines with a travel clinic before you go.
When can you see the Himalayas from Pokhara? +
Most reliably in October and November, and again from February to April, mainly early in the morning. Cloud and haze usually build by mid-morning, and the monsoon months from June to September are mostly hidden.
How many days do you need in Nepal with kids? +
Ten days is a comfortable first family trip, with a few days each in Kathmandu and Pokhara. A week works if you stay in one place and add a mountain flight.
Do you need a trek to see the mountains? +
No. The Annapurna range is visible from Pokhara, and a scenic flight from Kathmandu runs along the Himalaya in about an hour. Short hill walks add more views without days of trekking.