From Nepal's hills to Himachal's: an easy trip with no visa
Nepali citizens can travel to India without a visa, and Himachal’s hill towns feel familiar and new at once — deodar forests, temples, monasteries and, in winter, snow you can reach by car.
- No visa for Nepali citizens
- ~1 h 45 m flight Kathmandu → Delhi
- Dec–Feb snow months
- 7 days Shimla + Manali
Photo: Anna Sophia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated November 2026 · HP Tourism registered travel agent · Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022 · certificates
Nepali citizens do not need a visa to visit India, so a Himachal trip from Nepal is simple: fly Kathmandu → Delhi (about 1 hour 45 minutes) or cross overland at a border point such as Sunauli–Bhairahawa or Banbasa–Mahendranagar, then go by road or a short flight to the hills. Carry your passport or citizenship certificate — airlines and hotels ask for photo ID. From Delhi, Shimla is about 345 km (7–8 hours) and Manali about 540 km (11–13 hours). For snow, go between late December and February; for pleasant weather, March–June or September–November. A comfortable first trip is 7 days for Shimla and Manali.
- VisaNot needed for Nepali citizens; carry a passport or citizenship certificate.
- RouteKathmandu → Delhi by air; or overland via Sunauli or Banbasa, then to Delhi/Chandigarh.
- SnowLate December – February at Kufri, Narkanda, Solang, Sissu.
- Trip length7 days for Shimla + Manali; add 2–3 days for Dharamshala.
- MoneyPay in Indian rupees; exchange before or on arrival.
How to reach Himachal from Nepal
Most travellers fly from Kathmandu to Delhi; there are several daily flights. From Delhi, drive to Shimla or Manali, or take a domestic flight to Shimla or Kullu (Bhuntar) when the weather allows. Travellers from western Nepal often cross at Banbasa–Mahendranagar or Sunauli–Bhairahawa and continue to Delhi by bus or train.
| Route | How | Then |
|---|---|---|
| By air | Kathmandu → Delhi (about 1 h 45 m) | Delhi → Shimla ~345 km or Manali ~540 km by road |
| Overland (west) | Mahendranagar → Banbasa border | Bus or train to Delhi, then on to the hills |
| Overland (centre) | Bhairahawa → Sunauli border | Train from Gorakhpur to Delhi, then by road |
Drive times for every route: Himachal distance chart · दिल्ली से मनाली कितने km (Hindi).
Best time to visit Himachal from Nepal
Dashain and Tihar fall in autumn, which is a lovely, clear season in Himachal; the winter break brings snow; and spring and early summer are pleasant everywhere.
| Months | Weather in Himachal | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| October – November | Clear, crisp; first snow on peaks | Dashain–Tihar holidays; sightseeing |
| December – February | Cold; snow | Snow at Kufri, Narkanda, Solang, Sissu |
| March – June | Pleasant | Family trips; Rohtang from about mid-May |
| July – September | Monsoon | Spiti and Lahaul instead |
What ID do Nepali travellers need?
Under the India–Nepal treaty arrangements, Nepali citizens can enter and stay in India without a visa. For flights, airlines generally ask for a valid passport or citizenship certificate, and hotels in India ask for photo ID at check-in. Children travelling by air need their own ID. Rules can change — check with your airline before you travel.
Where is it snowing in Himachal this week?
The 7-day snow forecast for the snow points on a Shimla–Manali trip. All points on the live snow tracker.
Snow in the next 7 days
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Forecast data: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), refreshed through the day — last update —. Snow in cm is estimated from forecast precipitation (1 mm ≈ 1 cm) when it falls as snow; treat it as a guide, not a promise.
Himachal in winter and summer
The Dhauladhar, Shimla and Kufri in snow, Solang, Old Manali and the Atal Tunnel — real photographs, each credited to its photographer.
What to see on your first Himachal trip
The places most first-time visitors ask for.
A 7-day Shimla–Manali plan from Delhi
Day 1: Delhi → Shimla. Day 2: Kufri and Mashobra. Day 3: Shimla → Manali. Day 4: Solang valley. Day 5: Atal Tunnel and Sissu. Day 6: Old Manali, Hadimba temple, Vashisht. Day 7: Manali → Delhi (overnight drive or next-morning arrival). Add Dharamshala for 2–3 more days.
Trips we plan for travellers from Nepal
Hotels, meals, pick-up in Delhi and a private car with a hill driver — one written quote.
Planning Himachal from Nepal?
Tell us your dates, how many of you are travelling and how you will reach Delhi. We plan the route, watch the snow forecast and send one written quote with hotels, meals and a private car. Suzu Travels is a travel agent registered with HP Tourism, based in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.
Himachal from Nepal: frequently asked questions
Do Nepali citizens need a visa for India?
No. Nepali citizens can travel to India without a visa; carry a passport or citizenship certificate as photo ID.
How long is the flight from Kathmandu to Delhi?
About 1 hour 45 minutes.
What is the best way to reach Manali from Kathmandu?
Fly to Delhi, then drive about 540 km (11–13 hours) or fly on to Kullu (Bhuntar) when weather allows.
When can we see snow in Himachal?
Usually from late December to February at Kufri, Narkanda, Solang and Sissu.
How many days do we need for Shimla and Manali?
About 7 days from Delhi; add 2–3 days for Dharamshala.
Can we pay in Nepali rupees?
Payments in India are in Indian rupees; exchange money before you travel or on arrival.
Sources
- Wikipedia: India–Nepal relations (open border)
- MET Norway Locationforecast (CC BY 4.0) — live forecast data
Photo credits
The Dhauladhar from Triund — Photo: Anna Sophia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Hatu Mata temple, Narkanda — Photo: Himalayanlens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Shimla's Ridge after snowfall — Photo: ShashankSharma2511, CC BY 3.0 · Snow at Kufri — Photo: Jeyasree S.B, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Solang valley in winter — Photo: Shashikant71, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Manu temple, Old Manali — Photo: Birte Fritsch, CC BY 4.0 · The Atal Tunnel — Photo: Jagseer S Sidhu, CC BY-SA 4.0 · McLeod Ganj in snow — Photo: Derek Blackadder, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Tani Jubber lake — Photo: Gaurav Kapatia, CC BY-SA 4.0
