Latest travel updates on Coronavirus (COVID19) here
Nepal has offered enlightenment and adventure to travellers for years, and remains as popular as ever. From the manic energy of Thamel in Kathmandu, to the tranquil beauty of the sherpa villages, to the stupefying magnitude of Mt Everest and the Himalayas, the magic of this landlocked nation knows no borders.
Nepal recently enshrined LGBT protections in its constitution, making it a leading supporter of LGBT rights in Asia. An impressive step considering the country’s first gay bar only opened in 2018.
Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Gay Marriage: Ambiguous
Right to Change Gender: Legal, but requires surgery
Same-Sex Adoption: Single Only
LGBT Discrimination: Illegal in some contexts
Equal Age of Consent: Equal
As mentioned, the country’s first LGBT Bar (PINK Tiffany Restaurant) only opened its doors in 2018. Despite the lack of ‘Gay’ marketed spaces, there are many gay-owned businesses and establishments, and we strive to support them through our tours. Despite legal protections, PDA are likely to earn inquistive (potentially uncomfortable) looks from locals, especially in rural areas. Use your own discretion when travelling as a gay couple in Nepal.
There are no gay villages in Nepal.
Kathmandu Gay Pride: Annually in August
Kathmandu Suburb: PINK Tiffany Restaurant
There are no Lesbian specific bars in Nepal.
In 563BC, Queen Maya Devi birthed Buddha in this sacred space. A small pond on the property is where she bathed before conception. Only meters away, a bullet proof glass box protects the exact birthplace.
Chitwan National Park is 932 sq km of World Heritage reserve and famously home to the elusive bengal tiger. While tiger sightings are extremely rare, watch for the one-horned rhinos, leopards, deer, monkeys or 500 species of birds.
Deep in Kathmandu Valley sits iconic Swayambhunath, a white dome topped with an impressive spire and the iconic four faces of Buddha. While the dome represents earth, the 13-tiered peak represents the 13 stages to reach nirvana.
Old Kathmandu is a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds. Rickshaws clutter the ancient streets, prayer flags are strung the window sills, and on-the-go locals haggle at the bazaars. This intoxicating city is an ancient space with a modern buzz. It’s also a city in rebirth after the devastating effects of the 2015 earthquake.
Only the most audacious travellers venture to Everest Base Camp, the kick-off point for mountaineers looking to truly surmount Mt. Everest. Arriving at base camp is a memorable – if not spiritual – experience and travellers should cherish this moment, for they’ll have few like it again in their life. We recommend every trekker take at least five minutes to themselves at Base Camp and breath in the views, the experience and the sense of accomplishment they no doubt have. Congratulations.
Best Time to Visit: We find the best time to visit Nepal is in the shoulder season, right before or after winter. Kathmandu temperatures average around 22C/72F, and there’s always a chance of rain. In the Everest Region, you can expect clear skies, with occasional rain (or snow at higher elevations). Here, daytime highs will be about 15C/60F, with evening temperatures around 0C/32F.
Electricty: C-, D- and M-type sockets.
Time Zone: (GMT+05:45) Kathmandu
Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: Out Adventures requires proof of full Covid-19 vaccination from all guests, following recommendations by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more details please see our Covid-19 FAQ.
Other Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for Nepal, there are no other vaccinations needed. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
Visas: All foreign nationals (except Indians) require a visa to enter Nepal, which can be obtained from embassies abroad or on arrival at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan airport.
LGBT Rights in Nepal
Nepal recently enshrined LGBT protections in its constitution, making it a leading supporter of LGBT rights in Asia. An impressive step considering the country’s first gay bar only opened in 2018.
Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Gay Marriage: Ambiguous
Right to Change Gender: Legal, but requires surgery
Same-Sex Adoption: Single Only
LGBT Discrimination: Illegal in some contexts
Equal Age of Consent: Equal
Gay Nepal Travel
As mentioned, the country’s first LGBT Bar (PINK Tiffany Restaurant) only opened its doors in 2018. Despite the lack of ‘Gay’ marketed spaces, there are many gay-owned businesses and establishments, and we strive to support them through our tours. Despite legal protections, PDA are likely to earn inquistive (potentially uncomfortable) looks from locals, especially in rural areas. Use your own discretion when travelling as a gay couple in Nepal.
There are no gay villages in Nepal.
Kathmandu Gay Pride: Annually in August
Kathmandu Suburb: PINK Tiffany Restaurant
There are no Lesbian specific bars in Nepal.
Best Places to Visit in Nepal
In 563BC, Queen Maya Devi birthed Buddha in this sacred space. A small pond on the property is where she bathed before conception. Only meters away, a bullet proof glass box protects the exact birthplace.
Chitwan National Park is 932 sq km of World Heritage reserve and famously home to the elusive bengal tiger. While tiger sightings are extremely rare, watch for the one-horned rhinos, leopards, deer, monkeys or 500 species of birds.
Deep in Kathmandu Valley sits iconic Swayambhunath, a white dome topped with an impressive spire and the iconic four faces of Buddha. While the dome represents earth, the 13-tiered peak represents the 13 stages to reach nirvana.
Old Kathmandu is a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds. Rickshaws clutter the ancient streets, prayer flags are strung the window sills, and on-the-go locals haggle at the bazaars. This intoxicating city is an ancient space with a modern buzz. It’s also a city in rebirth after the devastating effects of the 2015 earthquake.
Only the most audacious travellers venture to Everest Base Camp, the kick-off point for mountaineers looking to truly surmount Mt. Everest. Arriving at base camp is a memorable – if not spiritual – experience and travellers should cherish this moment, for they’ll have few like it again in their life. We recommend every trekker take at least five minutes to themselves at Base Camp and breath in the views, the experience and the sense of accomplishment they no doubt have. Congratulations.
More Info
Best Time to Visit: We find the best time to visit Nepal is in the shoulder season, right before or after winter. Kathmandu temperatures average around 22C/72F, and there’s always a chance of rain. In the Everest Region, you can expect clear skies, with occasional rain (or snow at higher elevations). Here, daytime highs will be about 15C/60F, with evening temperatures around 0C/32F.
Electricty: C-, D- and M-type sockets.
Time Zone: (GMT+05:45) Kathmandu
Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: Out Adventures requires proof of full Covid-19 vaccination from all guests, following recommendations by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more details please see our Covid-19 FAQ.
Other Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for Nepal, there are no other vaccinations needed. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
Visas: All foreign nationals (except Indians) require a visa to enter Nepal, which can be obtained from embassies abroad or on arrival at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan airport.
Himalayan Buddhists believe the colourful rectangular cloths printed with mantras such as “Om Mani Padme Hum”, carry goodwill. Flying them can cure pride, jealousy, ignorance, greed and aggression.
Read MoreSix tips to best prepare for Out Adventures gay trek to Everest Base Camp, Nepal.
Read MoreBased on the feedback of past gay Everest explorers, here are the top ten things they wish they had known before hitting the Himalayas.
Read MoreDominic Gramatte is an LGBT adventurer with an impressive resume. Most recently he conquered Everest Base Camp. Read his story.
Read MoreGet lost in Old City’s alleyways, discover unexpected temples, secret gardens and bustling markets. Richshaw over to Thamel to swap stories with trekkers who’ve just descended Everest.
Read MoreAn haunting photo-series featuring Out Adventures’ epic gay hike towards Everest Base Camp.
Read MoreBreaking down the uniquely Nepalese accommodations known as Tea Houses.
Read MoreI cannot formulate enough words to describe how wonderful this experience was. Our guide and assistant guides were amazing. Everyone was helpful and supportive. They made you walk when you needed to, and made you rest as much as you needed. Our tours of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur were equally as good. The guides were very informative and very forthcoming with their experiences.
Amazing experience, hard going sometimes but was always worth it. Stunning views, friendly people and unlike other tours we had hot showers.
The Himalayas will challenge you physically, emotionally and mentally. I highly recommend it, and I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Out Adventures… thank you for a life-altering experience.
Out Adventures gay Nepal trip was outstanding, not only for the destination, but the service and attention to detail Out Adventures provided.
I had an amazing experience on Out Adventures gay Nepal tour. I’m normally a “5-Star” vacation guy and this trip has shown me the error of my ways. The tours of the Kathmandu Valley were excellent and the trek was utterly incredible; being surrounded by such incredible natural beauty with a great group of travelers, being led by friendly and knowledgeable guides and having a superb tour leader made this easily the most memorable, positive, and self-affirming vacations I’ve ever embarked upon.
