Nepal Travel News 2026: What Changed This Season (Updated June 2026)

Nepal moves fast. Visa rules update, new flights get announced, permit fees change, airports open and slowly come online, new apps launch and reshape how you get around. Most travel guides lag this by a year or two — and that outdated information is what sends travelers to the wrong visa queue, the wrong airport terminal, or the wrong rideshare app.

This is EcoTourNepal's recurring source-of-truth update, published seasonally and verified on the ground by our team in Kathmandu. Current as of June 2026. Check back — we update this as things change.

Quick summary

• Uber launched in Kathmandu on June 5, 2026 — now operating alongside Pathao, InDrive, Yango, and Tootle.

• Visa fees are unchanged at $30/15 days · $50/30 days · $125/90 days on arrival at TIA. Bring USD cash.

• TIMS is now digital (e-TIMS) and only available through a registered trekking agency — the solo independent card is gone.

• Pokhara International Airport's first regular international route — Flydubai Pokhara–Dubai — is approved to begin September 23, 2026.

• Festival dates 2026: Indra Jatra main day September 25; Dashain October 11–21; Tihar November 8–12.

• Permit fees for Sagarmatha NP, ACAP, and Manaslu RAP are unchanged as of this writing — confirm at the official sources before travel.

Ridesharing update — Uber is live in Kathmandu

The biggest transport news of 2026: Uber officially launched in Kathmandu on June 5, 2026 (soft launch began May 20). The service offers Uber Bike, Uber Go (standard car), and Uber Comfort, competing directly with Pathao, InDrive, Yango, and Tootle — all of which were already operating.

For travelers, this changes a few things:

• Fare calibration is easier — you can now cross-check a metered or negotiated taxi price against Uber's rate, exactly as you would in any major city.

• The same rules apply to Uber as to other apps: book online, don't accept offers to "cancel the booking and I'll take you for cash" (this voids your insurance coverage and removes you from the tracking system), and know that app-booked rides cannot enter the airport — you walk out to the main road to meet the driver.

• You need a working local SIM for most apps (Pathao, InDrive). Uber's international account integration may work more smoothly for incoming travelers — watch for updates as the service matures.

Pathao and InDrive remain the dominant apps with the most driver supply as of June 2026. InDrive uniquely allows you to negotiate the fare with the driver before accepting — useful for routes outside standard city patterns.

For a full breakdown of all apps, coverage in Pokhara and outside the valley, and practical tips: see our ridesharing in Nepal guide.

Visa — what's current

Nepal tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu) is operating normally. Current fees:

• 15 days: USD $30

• 30 days: USD $50

• 90 days: USD $125

Process: fill the online arrival card or use the TIA kiosk → pay at the bank counter (bring USD cash — cards work but cash is the reliable fallback) → immigration desk with form, payment receipt, and passport.

Extensions are processed at the Department of Immigration in Kalikasthan (Kathmandu) or the Pokhara office, or online at nepaliport-new.immigration.gov.np. Extension cost: $3/day with a 15-day minimum ($45). The tourist visa cap is 150 days per calendar year (January–December) — the cap resets on January 1, which is the basis for the 300-day straddle strategy popular with long-stay travelers.

Digital nomad visa: A proposed 5-year multiple-entry nomad visa (reported terms: ~$1,500/month income threshold, ~$100k health insurance, 5% tax on foreign income if you stay 186+ days) is in policy rollout as of mid-2026 but not yet available at the counter. Confirm at immigration.gov.np before traveling.

TIMS — fully digital now

TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) has moved to e-TIMS with QR-code verification at checkpoints. More importantly: the solo independent (green) TIMS card was discontinued in April 2023 and is not coming back. All TIMS cards are now issued only through registered trekking agencies.

Current fee (foreign nationals): NPR 2,000 individual / NPR 1,000 in a group. SAARC nationals: NPR 1,000 / NPR 300.

Practical impact for independent trekkers: if you want to trek on any of the ~44 listed routes (Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu, and others), you now legally need a licensed guide and a registered agency. Everest/Khumbu uses the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality local permit instead of TIMS. TIMS is still checked regularly in Langtang, Manaslu, and far-western routes.

EcoTourNepal's administrative staff handle TIMS on behalf of guests — you don't queue at the NTB office unless your situation specifically requires in-person attendance.

Pokhara International Airport — first scheduled international route coming

Three-plus years after its 2022 opening, Pokhara International Airport has been largely domestic-only, with occasional charter service. That changes this September:

Flydubai's Pokhara–Dubai daily service is approved to begin September 23, 2026 — which will be the first regular scheduled international route from Pokhara. This is significant for Annapurna-region travelers from the Gulf, South Asia, and connections beyond.

For most international travelers, Kathmandu (TIA) remains the main entry point and the more practical hub. Pokhara's international capacity is in early stages — the Flydubai route is a first step, not a full schedule.

Festival timing 2026

Nepal's major festivals shift each year with the lunar calendar. For 2026:

• Holi — approximately early March (exact date follows the lunar calendar)

• Indra Jatra — main day Friday, September 25 (festival runs approximately September 23–30, Kathmandu Valley)

• Dashain — October 11–21, 2026 (Ghatasthapana October 11 → Bijaya Dashami / Tika October 21)

• Tihar — November 8–12, 2026 (Laxmi Puja approximately November 10)

Practical note for travelers: Dashain (especially Bijaya Dashami, October 21) causes significant disruption — government offices and banks close for several days, domestic flights and buses fill up weeks in advance, and many service staff are traveling to their home villages. Book transport and permits well before the festival period if your trip overlaps. Arriving to Nepal right before Dashain and wanting to extend a visa requires extra planning.

Dashain is also a remarkable time to be in Nepal if you're in a city — the kite flying, the music, the family gatherings visible everywhere.

Permit fees — current status

As of June 2026, permit fees are:

• ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area): NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals; NPR 1,000 for SAARC

• Sagarmatha National Park (Everest): NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals (+13% VAT) + NPR 3,000 Khumbu Pasang Lhamu local permit

• Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP): Sep–Nov US$100/week then $15/day; Dec–Aug US$75/week then $10/day

• Upper Mustang RAP: US$50/person/day

Verify current fees at immigration.gov.np/trekking-route-and-permit-fee and ntb.gov.np before finalizing any permit-dependent itinerary.

Lukla flights — seasonal note

For Everest region treks: during peak season (March–May and October–November), CAAN shifts Lukla flights from Kathmandu to Manthali Airport (Ramechhap) — a 4–5 hour pre-dawn drive from Kathmandu, then a 15–20 minute flight. Off-peak, flights typically run directly from Kathmandu. If your EBC trek runs in peak season, build the Ramechhap leg into your itinerary — plan a 1 AM departure from Kathmandu to reach Manthali in time for morning flights.

What to watch for next

Things that may update before the end of 2026:

• Digital nomad visa final terms and counter availability (monitor immigration.gov.np)

• Additional Pokhara international routes — once Flydubai launches, other carriers may follow

• NMA trekking peak fees — any seasonal revision from the Nepal Mountaineering Association

• Road conditions — monsoon season (late June–September) brings annual landslide closures on major highways; check dhm.gov.np for weather advisories

How EcoTourNepal keeps you current

When you book with EcoTourNepal, the pre-trip briefing covers every current rule, fee, and logistics update specific to your itinerary — not the version from last year. Our team on the ground in Kathmandu is watching permit changes, road conditions, and flight schedules in real time.

For visa questions, permit planning, or up-to-date logistical advice on any Nepal trip, reach out directly. And bookmark this page — we update it when things change.

Related guides: Nepal visa on arrival · TIMS and trekking permits · Ridesharing in Kathmandu · Best time to visit Nepal · Pokhara complete guide