Two strong destinations, different in important ways. Here's the side-by-side, then a verdict on which suits which traveler.
South Asia
Overwhelming, beautiful, and utterly unlike anywhere else.
South Asia
The Himalayas. Trekking that changes how you see scale.
| India | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Best time | January, February, October, November… | March, April, October, November |
| Climate | warm | cold |
| Budget | Backpacker – Budget | Backpacker – Budget |
| Trip length | 2–8 wks | 2–6 wks |
| Visa | E-visa required for most nationalities. Apply 4 days+ before travel. | Visa-on-arrival for most nationalities (15/30/90 days). |
| Currency | INR (Rupee). Roughly 84 INR ≈ 1 USD. | NPR (Nepalese Rupee). Roughly 134 NPR ≈ 1 USD. |
| Language | Hindi, English, plus dozens of regional languages. English widespread. | Nepali. English widely used in trekking areas. |
| Tap water | Tap water not safe. Bottled or filtered only. | Tap water not safe. Treat or bottled. |
| Safety | Generally safe but solo female travel needs care. Watch food/water hygiene. | Safe on trails. Altitude is the real risk — acclimatize properly. |
Both deliver on culture, adventure, nature — so on those dimensions either works.
Still undecided
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