The Latest Paperback Guidebook to Nepal Has Arrived!
The latest addition to my Nepal guidebook collection is now published in print: Nepal: The Complete Guidebook (Print Edition) 2024. Published by The Longest Way Home and Himalayan Travel Guides, it’s available worldwide through international printing presses. The digital edition is available here.
Previously, I shared the backstory of publishing the only travel guidebook during the global pandemic here. We initially shipped from Nepal, but global lockdowns prevented book post exports. With book post still unavailable in Nepal and no end in sight, I’ve released an entirely new edition in 2024! This fourth edition is the best print guidebook to Nepal. Just like my digital PDF guidebooks, it includes the most up-to-date travel information for Nepal, plus many extras not found in other guidebooks. Having read all the guidebooks out there, I’m proud to say this guidebook’s content stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Nepal is a gateway to trekking the Himalayas and a magical place of unique living heritage temples and adventurous wildlife-filled jungles. I’ve lived, studied, and traveled here for over 14 years. I always believed Nepal deserved a better guidebook, custom-made for travelers.
I want travelers to discover the undiscovered in Nepal.
Like all my books, this guidebook prioritizes real travelers and tourists. It addresses the challenges of Nepal’s intermittent electricity, slow WiFi, remote areas, and poor road infrastructure, showing how to turn these into advantages while traveling.
Fully updated for 2024, it’s a comprehensive 620 pages with clear print and maps. I’ve reduced the page count to improve the weight, but all the up-to-date information is still there. Each book is printed individually, resulting in near-zero waste, which is great for the environment.
Do you remember the great print guidebooks from 15-20 years ago? I’ve taken the best of those, combining practical information and a tangible paper feel, without any hidden sponsored content. I’ve updated this approach with the most current information, offering insight into Nepal’s future. I’m confident this guidebook will provide a better experience than any other in the world.
With detailed descriptions of all trekking routes, mandatory trekking guide requirements, independent do-it-yourself heritage walks with every temple photographed, and detailed wildlife safaris, this is the guidebook I’ve always wanted for my travels in Nepal. This paperback guidebook will let you explore Nepal like never before!
This paperback guidebook, designed from a tourist’s perspective, will help you discover Nepal like no one else.
Why Does Nepal Need a New Edition Paperback Guidebook?
I’ve been publishing the world’s best guides to Nepal online for over 14 years and have been publishing guidebooks since 2014. Many people have requested paperback versions of my guidebooks. Although it’s more time-consuming and costly to create, I understand that many people prefer paperbacks. With a paperback book, there’s no worry about carrying electronics, no concerns about battery life, reduced eye strain, and for many, a paperback simply feels better while traveling.
For such a small country, Nepal is an epic yet challenging destination. There are the majestic Himalayan mountains to trek, unique living heritage sites across the middle lands, and to the south, magnificent jungles teeming with unique wildlife. With this hardcopy guidebook, you can explore these places like no one else.
Explore the Kathmandu Valley & Beyond: From the Kathmandu Valley’s fabled royal Malla cities and Rana palaces to winding stone streets that take you back in time. Discover the first mystical stupa that overlooks the lush Valley of the Gods. There are more than just three former royal kingdoms in the valley, each still resembling their appearance hundreds of years ago. Explore the grandeur of Bhaktapur, the old city streets of Kathmandu, and artistic Patan.
But this paperback guidebook also reveals more of Nepal, with dedicated chapters on Thimi, Kirtipur, Bungamati, Chabahil, Budhanilkantha, Gokarna, Changu Narayan, Nagarkot, Panauti, Dhulikhel, Gokha, and other areas.
Discover all this and more, including new hotel reviews for all budgets, restaurant reviews, transportation maps/fees, trekking agencies, and shopping tips. All reviewed honestly and ethically!
I never accept payments for any review or inclusion, ensuring that you, the reader, always get the most honest and independent advice available.
Trek Better in Nepal: The epic Himalayan mountains are one of Nepal’s greatest tourist attractions. My best-selling book First Time Trekking in Nepal is included in full, along with hill hikes and walks. These include Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Poon Hill, and many more treks and side treks.
Exclusive to this paperback guidebook are dual maps!
I’m proud to say that in the third edition, you’ll find both my cross-referenced GPS maps and Himalayan Map House’s award-winning trekking maps, used for the Great Himalayan Trail.
Detailed chapters cover trek preparation, equipment purchases, guide selection in Kathmandu and Pokhara, independent reviews of trekking agents for each region, monthly weather reports, and more. Plus, post-pandemic updates ensure current information on what’s still open.
I’ve personally trekked every route described in this book, more than once, and aim to provide the best trekking experience through this guidebook.
Get More Out of the Resort Town of Pokhara: Nepal’s lakeside resort location offers more than what generic guidebooks describe. Yes, Pokhara is beside the scenic Lake Phewa, overlooked by the Annapurna Mountains, but there’s more. The main road along Lakeside boasts a growing selection of restaurants, cafes, new hotels, and travel agents.
There’s a new “international” airport underway, but it’s not operational yet, so beware of misleading online promotions. The domestic airport remains open.
This guidebook takes you beyond the quiet Damside area to Happy Village and more. Discover outdoor activities including treks, hikes, nature walks, paragliding, horse riding, mountain biking, motorcycling, skateboarding, boating, water balling, and visits to Tibetan artisan camps for carpets and jewelry.
Learn about Begnas and Rupa Lakes for remote lakeside time, along with day activities, making this the most comprehensive guide to Pokhara.
Jungle Adventures in Chitwan National Park: Nepal’s first and most famous national park, home to royal Bengal tigers, elephant and wildlife conservation, and one-horned rhinos.
Learn how to avoid expensive package tours with the best transport options and hotel and jungle tour reviews. This guidebook makes planning your trip to Chitwan easy, saving you time and money.
Go Off-the-Beaten-Path in Bardia National Park: For an authentic wildlife experience, Bardia is unmatched. This is no safari park; it’s real jungle where caution is advised. Find the best chapters on Bardia National Park, including how to get there and explore safely.
Discover the Spiritual Center of Lumbini: The birthplace of Buddha, surrounded by over 20 Buddhist monasteries from around the world. Experience a spiritual journey with detailed guides to the main temple, the exact spot of Buddha’s birth, and surrounding sites.
And Much More: The guidebook also includes chapters on the ancient city of Bhaktapur, shopping in Kathmandu, the best hotels, and restaurant reviews, along with tips for photographers, solo travelers, and families.
Why This Guidebook: I’ve been in Nepal for over 15+ years, documenting it in detail, trekking every route, visiting every major site, and living among the local culture. I’ve seen many guidebooks come and go, but none can match the detail, honesty, and passion I’ve put into this guidebook. I hope it will help you discover the real Nepal and make your trip unforgettable.
Get your copy of the latest edition now and start planning your adventure to Nepal!
These are just the highlights of my print guidebook to Nepal … Each chapter has been personally written with detailed maps, photographs and step-by-step guides to every location. Quite simply:
I have every confidence in saying: this paperback guidebook to Nepal is the best in the world.
What makes this guidebook so different from the rest?
A good question! Take a look at the sample pages here. As you can see it’s all written in great detail but with ease and a focus on factual reality. There’s more to Nepal than just the big highlights – which I also cover. However, I don’t mince words about what is good and what is not-so good. From historic temples to mountain treks and green jungles everything is written with the unique perspective of putting the travelers experience first. Don’t feel bad about skipping things if they are of no interest to you. Spend more time doing and seeing things you really want to do and see! I detail everything with easy to use maps, over 984+ helpful photographs and exclusive DIY heritage walks & treks plus compound diagrams!
Nepal’s living heritage buildings are fascinating but under severe threat from congestion and traffic. In this book I show you how to navigate these streets with less traffic hassle while finding every temple using over 500 photos from the Kathmandu Valley alone. I do the same for jungle trips and treks!
It’s a system that works. The feedback from tourists using my books over the years has been fantastic.
“There’s are no other guidebooks like these in world, they made our trip!”
Ellen from New York, USA.
As an example you can easily discover different aspects of the real Patan Durbar square from romantic sunsets to the stunning golden temple and even get the chance to meet a Living Goddess. No other guidebook shows you so much so easily. Mine does.
Stay in the former royal capital of Bhaktapur with photographs of every temple at your fingertips as you walk around ancient stone steps that haven’t changed in centuries. It’s also nearly finished reconstructing all the temples since the earthquake. But before you go, stop off at the township of Thimi on the way. A place untouched by tourists as it was abandoned for tourism over 30 years ago. It’s like walking into another world. Explore these places in a way few other tourists ever will with 100% original maps made to help you get around easily.
Among anything we’ve read, without doubt, this is a three-star Michelin guidebook!
Paul Wilks from Brighton, UK.
Trekkers can delight in the day-by-day explanations of where you will be going and what to see on the way. Before that find out how to hire the best guide for your trekking region, when to go and where to get your equipment in Nepal. Discover new routes and treks with award winning duel maps included in this print guidebook.
This print guidebook to Nepal gives you real insider information on travel in Nepal from places like the new main bus park in Kathmandu to the new taxis and bus services on offer.
There’s so much more …
- Every temple, trek and jungle location has been photographed and included on a map (123 maps)
- I’ve created detailed heritage compound diagrams showing you temple and shrine layouts used by the Digital Archeology Foundation
- Buildings and temples currently being renovated are marked out along with exclusive “next to be renovated” information to help you plan ahead better
- Duel maps give you more options than any other guidebook to get around
- Naturally there’s extensive historic, pre-trip preparation, transportation and culture chapters
- Easy to follow DIY independent Heritage Walks
- Designed and printed with new recycled high-grade lightweight paper in a size that’s easy to carry around
- 100% supportive of local Nepali businesses and people
Table of contents: + 654 pages, 123 maps (including extra Great Himalayan Trail city & trekking maps), over 984 photos
What else is inside this guidebook for you:
- Virtually every area of the Kathmandu Valley is covered, from Thamel, Paknajol, the old southern city streets, east Kathmandu, Freak Street and the markets, to Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Patan (Lalitpur), Bhaktapur, Kailashnath Mahadev, Panauti, Thimi, Kirtipur, Dhulikhel, Bungamati, Budhanilkantha, Gokarna, Godavari, Changu Narayan, and Nagarkot.
- Go outside the Valley to the ancient fortress at Nuwakot, or to the cable car at Manakamana or Bandipur.
- Explore everything there is to do in Pokhara, from paragliding to meditation, pony rides, and day hikes.
- Visit the jungles of Nepal with an easy trip to Chitwan, or take a more adventurous journey to Bardia.
- Trek into the great Himalayas, discovering what it’s really like up there, along with all the preparation needed.
- If you are short on time in Nepal, then find day hikes to see Everest from Nagarkot or Dhulikhel.
- Exclusive highly detailed courtyard diagrams showing you where everything is with ease.
- Independently visited and reviewed accommodation for all budgets (high-end, mid-range, and budget).
- Independently visited and reviewed restaurants for all budgets and tastes.
- Learn how, what, and where to shop for souvenirs, jewelry, tea, and more in Kathmandu & throughout Nepal.
- Send things home with contact details of recommended courier & postal companies.
- Transportation details from arriving in Nepal to taking local or private transport throughout the country.
- Up-to-date visa information, visa extensions, and overland border crossings.
- Exclusive lists, reviews, & contact details of recommended trekking agencies for all regions.
- Travel to Tibet overland or by flight (includes a list of tour operators).
- Great preparation chapters to read before visiting Nepal.
- Explore east Nepal with the only guidebook that covers the region properly.
- Find out about volunteering in Nepal.
- Learn about the vast cultures of Nepal, along with religion & faith in the country.
- Practice basic Nepali language.
This print guidebook truly is the complete guidebook to Nepal!
This print guidebook to Nepal is the only one in the world that will show you a photograph & explanation of every temple on the map!
100% Original, Well-Researched Information about Traveling in Nepal
I’ve read every guidebook to Nepal. Some are mere copy/paste versions taken from other sites, while others are generic and not tailored specifically for Nepal. Unlike the latest big brand publishers that omit details like hotel, restaurant, transport, or even entry fee costs, my guidebook includes them all. This 620-page print edition guidebook to Nepal has been written, mapped, reviewed, photographed, and created with the traveler’s heart in mind.
This book is 100% ethical & genuine, with original content written specifically for travelers like you.
I personally visited and reviewed over 615 hotels, guesthouses, and various accommodations throughout Nepal.
I have never accepted sponsored trips, hotel stays, meals, gifts, or money in exchange for reviews. This ensures that as a visitor to Nepal, you will read and experience exactly what I did at hotels, trekking companies, and restaurants.
It’s a well-known fact that many people accept sponsored trips to travel the world and then write about these places. However, I believe this approach does not provide readers with the best experience when purchasing a guidebook.
Trust is crucial, and it is a key aspect of the experience provided by this print guidebook to Nepal. Everything is written as you will experience it, with no embellished language unless it is truly warranted.
Which is Better, the Print Edition or the Digital Edition?
The choice between the print and digital edition depends on personal preference, but both versions contain the same great content, updated in February 2024. The paperback edition is printed in black & white to reduce costs to you, includes extra features like additional trekking and city maps from Himalayan Map House and a note-taking section at the back.
For those who prefer technology or are traveling long-term, the digital guidebook to Nepal is ideal in full color. However, many find the physical guidebook to Nepal more suitable, especially given Nepal’s adventurous nature. A paper guidebook is more durable against elements like rain and is handy for traditional note-taking.
The print edition is particularly appealing for those looking to disconnect from digital devices and enjoy Nepal’s charm. This version is perfect for a leisurely, immersive learning experience in Nepal.
There’s a wonderful leisurely, learning pleasure about Nepal that makes a print guidebook, for many, the best way to experience the country.
Ultimately, whether you choose digital or print, you can select the format that best suits your needs.
Includes Places, Features, & Options Not Included in Any Other Print Guidebook!
In 2024, this guidebook stands out as being the only guide which includes hotel, restaurant, transport, and entry fees, listings, and reviews. Moreover this guidebook covers unique Nepali destinations and offering a range of travel options. It’s the first to feature eastern Nepal’s Haleshi Mahadev and the historic Sindhuli fort, along with budget to luxury travel options. It also covers all the new mandatory trekking guide information.
Importantly, this book supports local Nepali employment. Published by the Nepali company Himalayan Travel Guides, it involves local staff in creating maps and templates. Despite the pandemic and cost of living crisis, no local staff lost their jobs. The book is printed internationally to reach a global audience while maintaining local employment in Nepal.
The fourth edition of this paperback guidebook continues to support local workers in Nepal’s tourism industry, affected by the pandemic and cost of living crisis. It’s the only guidebook published during this time by a Nepali company, emphasizing local employment, sustainability, empowerment, and pride. For every paperback book sold, a contribution is make to planting trees. In 2024 this guidebook is now the only carbon positive guidebook out there. Meaning, we plant more trees than is used in the production of the paperback book!
- This guidebook is unique in being published by a Nepali company, ensuring local employment.
- It offers dual maps for optimal navigation.
- Every chapter provides detailed information and intriguing notes on various places, including dedicated chapters for lesser-known destinations like Thimi or Panauti, rather than just short paragraphs.
Commitment to local empowerment and providing the best travel experience remains strong. This guidebook is not only travel-ready and durable but also competitively priced.
You can order the Nepal Guidebook in paperback directly from the printing press here. Printing presses are located in the USA, UK, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. It means no long delays, reduced carbon emissions, and a lower price! Various shipping options are also available, including regular, tracked, and express delivery, depending on your location and preferences.
- For expedited delivery, express options are available.
This guidebook aims to enable travelers to fully explore and enjoy Nepal, offering the most comprehensive and immersive experience possible.
This is Nepal’s Best Paperback Guidebook
This paperback guidebook to Nepal is unique in its creation and utility. It has been written by a traveler, rigorously tested by local Nepali and other travelers in various environments such as the streets, mountains, jungles, flatlands, and cities of Nepal throughout 2024. Now, this comprehensive guidebook is available to everyone worldwide.
What sets this guidebook apart is its authenticity and local perspective. It has been 100% created in Nepal by Nepali people, ensuring that the content is not only accurate but also contributes to the local economy and community.
The book is now being distributed to major retailers like Amazon. However, it may take some time for the copies to be available through these channels. The fastest and cheaper way to get a copy is to buy it directly from the printing press on Lulu here right now.