Duration
4 Days
DIFFICULTY
easy
GROUP SIZE
1-100
MAX. ALTITUDE
1340 m
Best Season
All year
Accomodation
Hotels
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking per day
1 hour
Overview
Festival Tours in Nepal – A Land of Living Traditions
Nepal is often celebrated as “the land of festivals”, and for good reason. With hundreds of diverse cultural and religious celebrations observed throughout the year, festivals in Nepal are not merely events—they are a living part of the nation’s rich cultural heritage. Every community, region, and ethnic group contributes uniquely to Nepal’s festive calendar, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking immersive cultural experiences.
Nepal’s religious festivals traditionally follow the lunar calendar, resulting in dates that change annually. In contrast, national festivals have fixed dates. Below is a comprehensive description—based on your provided text—of some of Nepal’s most fascinating and culturally important festivals.
1. Navavarsha (Nepali New Year)
When: Second week of April (1st day of Baisakh)
Significance: Marks the beginning of the Nepali calendar year
The Nepali New Year, called Navavarsha, brings vibrant celebrations across the country. Falling in mid-April, it marks the start of Baisakh, the first month of the Nepali Bikram Sambat calendar. Families gather, temples fill with devotees, and cities host fairs, parades, and cultural shows. It is considered a time for renewal, blessings, community bonding, and planning for the year ahead.
2. Baisakh Poornima (Buddha Jayanti – Birth of Lord Buddha)
When: Full moon day of Baisakh
Significance: Triple anniversary – Birth, Enlightenment, and Death of Buddha
Nepal is recognized worldwide as the birthplace of Lord Buddha, born in Lumbini. On this sacred full-moon day, Buddhists and Hindus alike commemorate the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing (parinirvana). Monasteries hold prayer ceremonies, devotees light butter lamps, and Lumbini becomes a focal point for pilgrims from around the world.
3. Red Machchhendranath Rath Jatra
Where: Patan (Lalitpur)
When: May–June
Significance: Major socio-cultural event honoring the deity of rain and harvest
This is one of the biggest socio-cultural festivals in Patan, dedicated to Red Machchhendranath, believed to be the deity of rain and a protector of the valley. The idol is placed in a tall wooden chariot, which is pulled through the streets of Patan by enthusiastic crowds. The festival symbolizes unity, cooperation, and gratitude for agricultural prosperity.
4. Dumje Festival
Community: Sherpa
When: July
This important festival of the Sherpa community features rituals, masked dances, communal gatherings, and prayers for peace and prosperity. Dumje plays a central role in preserving Sherpa religious identity and traditional customs.
5. Gaijatra (Cow Festival)
When: July–August
Significance: Remembrance festival filled with humor, satire, and celebration
Gaijatra is one of Nepal’s most colorful and unique festivals. Families who lost loved ones in the past year join processions, often accompanied by a cow or a boy dressed as one, symbolizing guidance for souls in the afterlife. The day is filled with comic performances, satire, dancing, and singing, bringing laughter even in times of remembrance.
6. Krishnastami
When: July–August
Significance: Birthday of Lord Krishna
Devotees gather at Krishna temples across Nepal—especially the iconic Krishna Mandir in Patan—to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna. People recite scriptures, sing devotional songs, and offer prayers throughout the day and night.
7. Indra Jatra
Where: Kathmandu
When: August–September
Significance: Dedicated to Indra, the rain god
Indra Jatra is among Kathmandu Valley’s most spectacular festivals. It is marked by masked dances, traditional music, and the majestic procession of the chariot of Goddess Kumari (the Living Goddess) through the ancient streets of Kathmandu. The festival underscores the cultural richness of the Newar community.
8. Dashain (Durga Puja)
When: September–October
Duration: 10 days
Significance: Nepal’s biggest and most important festival
Dashain celebrates the triumph of goddess Durga over demonic forces. For ten days, families reunite, perform rituals, receive blessings, enjoy feasts, and fly kites. Each day honors a different manifestation of Goddess Durga. Homes are cleaned, temples are crowded, and the entire nation vibrates with festive spirit.
9. Tihar (Deepawali)
When: October–November
Duration: 5 days
Significance: Festival of lights; celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters
Tihar lights up Nepal with rows of oil lamps, sparkling decorations, and colorful rangolis. Each day honors a different being—crows, dogs, cows, oxen, and finally brothers during Bhai Tika, when sisters pray for their brothers’ long and healthy lives. It is the second-largest festival in Nepal.
10. Maha Shivaratri
When: February–March
Significance: Dedicated to Lord Shiva
On this sacred night, hundreds of thousands of devotees visit Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most revered Shiva temples in the world. People fast, meditate, and offer prayers to Lord Shiva, while the temple complex becomes alive with sadhus, music, and religious rituals.
11. Teej
When: August–September
Significance: Women’s festival of fasting, devotion, and marital harmony
Teej is celebrated with great enthusiasm by Hindu women. Married women fast for the well-being of their husbands, while unmarried women fast in hopes of finding a good partner. Dressed in vibrant red attire, women gather in temples to sing, dance, and celebrate sisterhood and spirituality.
12. National Democracy Day
Date: 7th of Phalgun (February 18)
This national holiday commemorates Nepal’s 1950–51 people’s revolution, marking the victory of democracy over autocratic rule. Ceremonies, speeches, and events across the nation honor the sacrifices made by the Nepali people for freedom and democratic rights.
Experience the Festivals of Nepal Through Cultural Tours
With festivals occurring almost every month, Nepal offers travelers a rare opportunity to witness living traditions, centuries-old rituals, vibrant colors, and deep spirituality. From grand processions to intimate family rituals, festival tours in Nepal provide an unforgettable cultural experience unlike any other.
From: $0
Cost Includes
- Pick up and drop transport as mentioned in the itinerary
- Accommodation and three meals per day in Kathmandu and during the trekking
- Trekking guide and porters (Cook and sardar in the case of camping trek)
- National parks’ fees and government royalties
- Domestic air ticket and airport tax for tourists and guides as mentioned in the itinerary
- Insurance of our trekking staff members
- Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley or other parts of Nepal as mentioned in the itinerary
Cost Excludes
- International air ticket, airport tax and Nepal visa fees
- All kinds of drink during trekking and travel stay with us
- Travel insurance and cost of medical services of tourists
- All kinds of cloth and personal trekking equipment
- Other personal expenses and tips
- Charted helicopter, plane and other transports in case of emergency
Talk with a travel expert with more than a decade of experience and plan your adventure.
Gear List
- Backpack (50 liters) with outside pockets to keep smaller items
- Trekking boots, well broken in and waterproofed. Gaiters to keep snow out of boots
- Woolen sweaters and down jacket, gloves, wind proof outer garments, pants jacket, skirts, T-shirts, shirts, baggy pants and underwear
- Several pairs of woolen and few pairs of nylon socks. A pair of sandals
- Sleeping bag adequate for temperatures encountered
- Hat with wide brim and sun lotion cream
- One liter water bottle and some food for contingencies
- Repair and medical kit
- Head lamp with spare lithium batteries and bulbs
- Handkerchief and toiletries
- Verified phone number of your Embassy, consulate ,trekking agency and private phone number of your director
- Pen, pencils and letterhead to write an emergency message
- Pocket knife with opener and scissors
- Sunglasses with spare eyeglasses or contact lenses if you wear them
- Umbrella and rain coat
- Camera
SUPPORT
Important Information Before Your Trip to Nepal
Payment: Down payment: 15% of total payment is required to confirm the reservation.
Payment of the Balance: Rest amount can be paid in our office after your arrival.
Arrival Point: You will be met at the Kathmandu international airport. Our office representative will be waiting for you holding play card of the Nepal Mountain Lovers Treks and Expedition. In case of your change plan, please let us inform.
Booking Air Ticket: If you don’t have regular travel agent, please visit makemytrip.com, www.kayak.com, www.vayama.com. They offer you very good price.
Room System: Normally we have two people in a room. Twin bed or single bed depends on the choice of guests and budget. If tourists want single room, s/he should pay single supplementary.
Trekking Leading Person: Our trekking guide will lead the whole trip with his/her helpers and porters.
Currencies: USD, AUD, EURO are major acceptable currencies in Nepal and visa and credit cards also accepted. There is ATM facility in city area.
Altitude Sickness: Altitude sickness will start from 3000 meter height. Trekkers should immediately inform trekking guide if faced any problems.
Drinking Water: We can get mineral water and boiled water in city area and in some trekking places. We use water purification tablet or liquid in some remote trekking sites.
Laundry Facility: Laundry facility are available in city area but not during the trekking.
Visa: You can get arrival visa at Kathmandu airport that cost 25 USD for 15 days and 40 USD for 30 days. Please bring 2 passport size photos. You can get your visa from the closest Nepali embassy.
Orientation Program: Before starting trekking, trekkers are provided with an orientation by our office representative or trekking guide about the necessary trekking information.
Group Size: There will be maximum 12 persons in one group.
Accommodation: You will stay in a nice tourist standard hotel/resort in city areas. Normal hotels or tents are available during the trekking.
Foods: We provide breakfast, lunch, dinner. Tourists can get continental food both in city and trekking places. Food during the trekking might not meet the standard of your country.
View of Mount Everest: Trekkers to Everest region will of course see the Mount Everest. For trekkers visiting other regions where they cannot view Mount Everest, there are daily mountain flights which approach close to Mount Everest.
Travel Insurance: It is compulsory to have travel insurance.
Personal Expenses: It depends on your spending interest and shopping. There are some expensive handmade carpets, Thanka paintings, jewelries and handicrafts to purchase in Nepal.
Luggage: We take only about 10kg per person in trekking. Your excess baggage will be stored in a hotel.
Tips: Tips are highly accepted and appreciated.
Rules and Regulation
Nepal Mountain Lovers Treks and Expedition accepts your reservation under the following rules and regulations.
1. If the balance payment is not paid before your departure for trekking, the booking will be cancelled without any refund.
2. If there is war or the situation of the country is out of control and the country faces emergency situation before your arrival to Nepal, we inform you not to come Nepal and refund your payment. But in case of any emergency situation or war after your arrival or during the trekking, we will not refund your money. But we will try our best to make your trip successful and pleasant. In such situation, we may need to change the trip plan and itinerary.
3. In case of increase in government royalty and other costs such as the national park fee, you have to pay extra money.
4. If you commit any illegal act or disturbance for the safety and welfare of the group, our leader or guide can ask to leave the group without any right to refund.
5. If you have any complain with regards to trekking and tour please inform our tour leader or company. All kinds of valid complain are welcomed and processed with necessary actions.
6.You are responsible to ensure that all travel documents are with you during the entire trip.
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