Trekking in Nepal from Australia: A Planning Guide for Aussies
Most Australians fly to Kathmandu with one stop, usually through Southeast Asia or Hong Kong, and get a Nepal visa on arrival. Nepal’s main trekking seasons, autumn and spring, fit well with many Australian school holidays, especially the September to October break and Easter.
The Annapurna Circuit is the trek our Australian guests book most. Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp and Poon Hill suit different trip lengths and fitness levels.
- Flights: no nonstop flights, one stop is usual, roughly AUD 900 to 1,700 return as a guide
- Time difference: Nepal is 4 hours 15 minutes behind Sydney, or 5 hours 15 minutes during daylight saving
- Visa: on arrival in Kathmandu, USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, USD 125 for 90 days
- Best seasons: September to November and March to May
- Most booked by our Australian guests: the Annapurna Circuit, from USD 630 per person
- Payment: our prices are in USD, and the payment gateway converts from AUD
- Power: plug types C, D and M, 230V, so bring a universal adapter
- Our Australian contact: Phillip King
Last updated: November 2026
Getting to Nepal from Australia
There are currently no regular nonstop flights from Australia to Kathmandu. Most routes connect through one of these cities:
- Singapore
- Kuala Lumpur
- Bangkok
- Hong Kong
- Guangzhou
Journey times depend on your departure city and the connection. Perth can have shorter overall journeys, while Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane usually have more connecting options. Return economy fares change a lot by season and booking date, so treat AUD 900 to 1,700 as a rough guide, not a set price. Fares rise for October and Easter, so book early for those.
Plan to arrive in Kathmandu at least a day before your trek starts, in case a long-haul connection is delayed.
When to Go: Nepal Seasons and Australian Holidays
Australia’s school holidays can work well with Nepal’s main trekking seasons, particularly the September to October spring break and the Easter break in March or April. Dates vary between states, so check your local school calendar before booking.
| Australian holiday | Nepal season | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Easter break, March or April (dates vary) | Spring | Most treks, with rhododendrons in bloom lower down |
| June to July winter holidays (dates vary by state) | Monsoon | Upper Mustang, which sits in the rain shadow |
| September to October spring holidays (dates vary by state) | Autumn | The best season overall, usually clear and dry |
| Christmas to January | Winter | Lower treks like Poon Hill. High passes can be cold and snowbound. |
Our Australian guests come all year round, but most come in the school holidays. If you are coming in October or at Easter, book early, because flights, guides and lodges fill up. For more, see the best time to trek in Nepal.
The Trek Our Australian Guests Book Most: The Annapurna Circuit
Of all our treks, the Annapurna Circuit is the one our Australian guests choose most. Our version is 16 days from Kathmandu. You start walking at Chame, climb through Manang with an acclimatisation day, cross Thorong La at 5,416m, and come down to Muktinath and Marpha. The landscape changes from green valleys to dry, Tibet-like country, and you sleep in teahouses every night.
| Group size | Price per person (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $1,260 |
| 2 to 3 people | $770 |
| 4 to 7 people | $643 |
| 8 or more | $630 |
These are trek package prices, not the full holiday cost. See our Annapurna Circuit Trek for what is included, and the Annapurna Circuit trek cost guide for the full budget.
Other treks Australians often choose:
- Everest Base Camp: the classic, 14 days, from USD 990 per person for larger groups.
- Annapurna Base Camp: a shorter trek into the Annapurna Sanctuary.
- Poon Hill: a few days from Pokhara, good for a short trip or the Christmas holidays.
Kokoda vs the Annapurna Circuit
A lot of Australians have walked the Kokoda Track, and many ask us how Nepal compares.
If you have done Kokoda, you already know what several hours of climbing, steep descents and back to back trekking days feel like. That experience will help on the Annapurna Circuit. But the altitude is a different challenge. Kokoda reaches around 2,190m, while Thorong La is 5,416m. At that height the air pressure is roughly half what it is at sea level.
The Annapurna Circuit also has its own hard days. Some sections are steep, and the Thorong La crossing is a long, demanding day that starts before dawn. The weather is the opposite of Kokoda too: dry and often cold up high, not hot and humid.
You can be very fit and still get altitude sickness. Acclimatisation and a sensible pace matter just as much as fitness. Read more about altitude sickness on Nepal treks and the Thorong La Pass.
What a Nepal Trek Costs from Australia
- Flights: roughly AUD 900 to 1,700 return, depending on season and booking date
- Visa: USD 50 for 30 days, which suits most treks
- Trek package: Annapurna Circuit from USD 630, Everest Base Camp from USD 990, depending on group size
- Meals on the trail, tips and extras: see the cost guide for your trek
- Travel insurance: essential, see below
We price in USD, and our payment gateway converts from AUD when you pay. Your bank or card sets the exchange rate. For a full budget across treks, see our Nepal trekking cost guide.
Some Australian trekking companies sell Nepal trips with an Australian booking team and extra services in the package. Booking directly with a Nepal-based operator means you deal with the team organising and running your trek. Whoever you book with, compare the itinerary, accommodation, meals, flights and inclusions, not just the headline price. See how to choose a Nepal trekking company.
Visa and Entry for Australians
Australians can get a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport. You can fill in the online form before you fly to save time at the counter. A 15-day visa is USD 30, 30 days is USD 50 and 90 days is USD 125. Several payment methods are accepted, but carry some USD cash as a backup. Make sure your passport has at least 6 months left. See our Nepal visa guide for trekkers.
Travel Insurance for Australians
You need a policy that covers trekking up to at least 6,000m and helicopter rescue. Many standard policies stop at a lower altitude or treat trekking as an add-on, so read the fine print and add adventure cover if needed. See travel insurance for trekking in Nepal.
Is Nepal Safe for Australians?
Australia’s Smartraveller currently advises travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in Nepal, citing risks that include natural disasters. Some areas have had higher warnings after flooding and landslides. Conditions can change, so check the latest advice before you go and during your stay.
On a trek, altitude, changing weather and transport disruption are the main risks to plan for. See is Nepal safe to travel for more.
Our Contact in Australia
If you would like to talk to someone in Australia before you book, contact Phillip King, our Australian representative. He can answer questions about our treks and help you get started with planning and booking.
- Phone: +61 400 307 893
- Email: phillip@mountainkick.com
Practical Tips for Australians
- Bring a universal travel adapter. Nepal uses plug types C, D and M at 230V.
- Carry some USD cash as a backup for your visa. Most things on the trek are paid in Nepali rupees. See money in Nepal for trekkers.
- Train on stairs and steep hills with a loaded pack. Altitude is the part you can’t train for at home.
- Arrive in Kathmandu at least a day early, because long-haul connections can be delayed.
FAQs: Trekking in Nepal from Australia
Are there direct flights from Australia to Nepal?
No. There are no regular nonstop flights. Most routes connect through Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Hong Kong or Guangzhou.
How much is a flight from Australia to Nepal?
Roughly AUD 900 to 1,700 return in economy, as a guide. Fares vary a lot by season, departure city and booking date.
Do Australians need a visa for Nepal?
Yes, but you can get it on arrival in Kathmandu. A 30-day visa is USD 50.
What is the best time for Australians to trek in Nepal?
September to November and March to May. The September to October school holidays and the Easter break often fit these seasons, though dates vary by state.
Can I pay in Australian dollars?
Our prices are in USD, and the payment gateway converts from AUD when you pay.
Is Kokoda good training for Nepal?
It helps with fitness and toughness, but it doesn’t prepare you for altitude. Kokoda reaches around 2,190m, while Thorong La on the Annapurna Circuit is 5,416m.
Is there someone I can talk to in Australia?
Yes. Phillip King is our Australian representative. Call +61 400 307 893 or email phillip@mountainkick.com.
Ready to plan your trek from Australia? See our Annapurna Circuit Trek, the one our Australian guests book most.
