Short answer: In 2026, Vijaya Dashami Tika falls on Wednesday 21 October, Laxmi Puja on Sunday 8 November and Bhai Tika on Wednesday 11 November. The government's Dashain holiday runs from 17 to 23 October and the Tihar holiday from 8 to 12 November, so most families can travel abroad either after Tika (from 22 October) or after Bhai Tika (from 12 November). With 4 to 5 days, stay within a direct flight of up to about 5 hours from Kathmandu (Bangkok, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Delhi); with a week or more, add Bali, Vietnam, the Maldives or China.
Dashain and Tihar are the one time of year when a whole Nepali family is off work and school together, which makes it the most popular and most crowded window for a trip abroad. This guide crosses the 2026 festival calendar with real holiday blocks, approximate flight times from Kathmandu and the October and November weather in each destination, so you can match the leave you actually have to a place that suits it. It is written for families, couples and the Nepali diaspora coming home for the festivals, and it is passport-agnostic: entry rules depend on the passport you hold, so we link to official portals rather than explain any visa process. For a wider view of where Nepali travellers go through the year, start with our guide to the best travel destinations for Nepalese travellers.
Ghatasthapana is three days away as of 8 October 2026; if you are deciding at the last minute, see the booking section below.
When are Dashain and Tihar holidays in 2026?
Dashain 2026 begins with Ghatasthapana on Sunday 11 October and peaks with Vijaya Dashami Tika on Wednesday 21 October. Tihar's main days are Laxmi Puja on Sunday 8 November and Bhai Tika on Wednesday 11 November, followed by Chhath on Sunday 15 November. The dates below come from the Ministry of Home Affairs public holiday list for 2083 BS, cross-checked against Hamro Patro's published calendar for Ashoj and Kartik 2083.
| Festival day | Bikram Sambat date | Gregorian date (2026) | Weekday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghatasthapana (Dashain begins) | Ashoj 25, 2083 | 11 October | Sunday |
| Fulpati (Saptami) | Ashoj 31, 2083 | 17 October | Saturday |
| Maha Ashtami | Kartik 1 to 2, 2083 | 18 to 19 October | Sunday to Monday |
| Maha Navami | Kartik 3, 2083 | 20 October | Tuesday |
| Vijaya Dashami (Dashain Tika) | Kartik 4, 2083 | 21 October | Wednesday |
| Papankusha Ekadashi | Kartik 5, 2083 | 22 October | Thursday |
| Kojagrat Purnima (Dashain ends) | Kartik 8, 2083 | 25 October | Sunday |
| Kag Tihar | Kartik 21, 2083 | 7 November | Saturday |
| Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja | Kartik 22, 2083 | 8 November | Sunday |
| Gai Puja | Kartik 23, 2083 | 9 November | Monday |
| Govardhan Puja, Goru Puja and Mha Puja (Nepal Sambat 1147 begins) | Kartik 24, 2083 | 10 November | Tuesday |
| Bhai Tika | Kartik 25, 2083 | 11 November | Wednesday |
| Chhath Parva | Kartik 29, 2083 | 15 November | Sunday |
Checked: 8 Oct 2026, Ministry of Home Affairs holiday list for 2083 BS (as summarised by Pradhan and Associates) and Hamro Patro, Kartik 2083. Some calendar sites print Ashtami, Navami or Gai Puja a day apart because a tithi can span two solar days. The Tika saait (auspicious time) for Dashain and Bhai Tika is announced each year by the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Bikas Samiti, so check the official time closer to the day.
Which days are official public holidays?
The Ministry of Home Affairs list gives these festival holidays for government offices. Many private companies, banks and schools follow the same blocks, but some give fewer or more days, so confirm with your employer or school before you book anything.
| Holiday | Official dates | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Ghatasthapana | Sunday 11 October | 1 day |
| Dashain holiday | Saturday 17 October to Friday 23 October | 7 days (Ashoj 31 to Kartik 6) |
| Tihar holiday | Sunday 8 November to Thursday 12 November | 5 days (Kartik 22 to 26) |
| Chhath Parva | Sunday 15 November | 1 day |
Checked: 8 Oct 2026, Ministry of Home Affairs list published 18 Falgun 2082 (2 March 2026), via Pradhan and Associates. For the official notice, see the Ministry of Home Affairs.
How many leave days do you really have?
If Saturday is your weekly day off and you follow the government calendar, you get 8 days in a row for Dashain (17 to 24 October) without using any leave, and 9 days around Tihar and Chhath (7 to 15 November) for just one day of leave on Friday 13 November. The catch is that both blocks have the most important family day in the middle, so the real travel window is shorter.
Most Nepali families want to be home for Dashain Tika on 21 October and for Laxmi Puja and Bhai Tika on 8 and 11 November, and Tika visits to relatives often continue until Kojagrat Purnima on 25 October. So count the days you are free to be away, not the total days off. The table assumes Saturday is your only weekly holiday; banks, hospitals, hotels and schools may follow different rosters.
| Travel window | Dates | Days away | Leave days needed (Saturday weekly off) | What you miss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| After Dashain Tika | Thu 22 Oct to Sat 24 Oct | 3 | 0 | Late Tika visits |
| After Dashain Tika, stretched | Thu 22 Oct to Tue 27 Oct | 6 | 3 (25 to 27 Oct; 25 Oct is a Sunday working day) | Late Tika visits, Kojagrat Purnima |
| Between the two festivals | Thu 22 Oct to Fri 6 Nov | 16 | 12 | Late Tika visits; you are back for Kag Tihar on 7 Nov |
| After Bhai Tika | Thu 12 Nov to Sun 15 Nov | 4 | 1 (Fri 13 Nov) | Chhath at home, if you observe it |
| After Bhai Tika, stretched | Thu 12 Nov to Sat 21 Nov | 10 | 6 (13 Nov and 16 to 20 Nov) | Chhath at home, if you observe it |
| Before Dashain (Ghatasthapana week) | Sun 11 Oct to Fri 16 Oct | 6 | 5 | Navaratri at home; you are back for Fulpati |
Where can you go with 4 to 5 days off?
With 4 to 5 days, choose a city with a direct flight from Kathmandu of up to about 5 hours: Bangkok, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Delhi or Chengdu. A one-stop route eats half a day each way, which leaves too little time on a short trip. Flight times below are approximate scheduled block times for non-stop flights, which change with season, aircraft and wind.
| Destination | Non-stop from Kathmandu? | Approx. flight time | Carriers on the route (Oct 2026) | October and November weather in short |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi, India | Yes | About 1 h 50 min | Air India, IndiGo, Nepal Airlines | Warm and dry; air quality often poor in November |
| Varanasi or Kolkata, India | Yes | About 1 h 05 min / 1 h 45 min | Buddha Air | Warm, mostly dry after the monsoon |
| Chengdu, China | Yes | About 3 h 05 min | Air China, Sichuan Airlines | Mild, often overcast |
| Bangkok, Thailand | Yes | About 3 h 20 min | Thai Airways, Nepal Airlines, Himalaya Airlines | Rainy in October, much drier in November |
| Colombo, Sri Lanka | Yes | About 3 h 35 min | SriLankan Airlines | Wettest time of year on the west coast |
| Guangzhou, China | Yes | About 4 h 35 min | China Southern, Nepal Airlines | Warm, drying out |
| Dubai, UAE | Yes | About 4 h 40 min | flydubai, Himalaya Airlines, Nepal Airlines | Hot in October, pleasant by November; almost no rain |
| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Yes | About 4 h 40 min | Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, Himalaya Airlines, Nepal Airlines | Hot with frequent afternoon storms |
| Singapore | Yes | About 5 h 10 min | Singapore Airlines | Hot, humid, wetter in November |
Checked: 8 Oct 2026, non-stop routes and typical durations from FlightConnections schedule data for Kathmandu (KTM). Frequencies change by season, so confirm on the airline's own website before you plan around a specific flight.
Bangkok and Pattaya, Thailand
Bangkok is the classic short festival trip from Kathmandu: a short non-stop flight, temples and river cruises in the city, and Pattaya's beach within a couple of hours by road. Late October is still wet in Bangkok, with afternoon downpours more likely than all-day rain, while November is far drier. Our guide to the best time to visit Thailand explains the regional differences, and places to visit in Bangkok helps you choose what fits into three or four days.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai suits mixed-age families because most sights are indoors and air-conditioned, from the malls and Burj Khalifa area to the Dubai Frame, with a desert safari for one evening. October is still hot, with average daytime highs around 35 °C, so outdoor sightseeing is best kept for early morning and evening. By November highs drop to around 30 °C, which suits elderly parents better. See the best time to visit Dubai for month-by-month detail and Dubai with family for practical tips with children and grandparents.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur has several non-stop carriers from Kathmandu, which helps when flights are tight. Read the best time to visit Malaysia before choosing a coast. October and November are among the wettest months in the Klang Valley, so plan indoor time for the afternoons: the Petronas Towers area, Batu Caves in the morning, and day trips to Putrajaya or Genting Highlands.
Singapore
Singapore is the easiest city in the region for first-time travellers and children, and simple to get around by MRT. Expect heat, humidity and thunderstorms, especially in November. Deepavali is a public holiday in Singapore on Sunday 8 November 2026, the same day as Laxmi Puja, and Little India is lit up for weeks before it. Our guide to the best time to visit Singapore covers the weather, and how many days in Singapore helps you size a short trip.
Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, India
India's Golden Triangle is the shortest international option from Kathmandu and is popular with families who combine sightseeing with temple visits. Post-monsoon days are warm and dry, with Delhi averaging about 33 °C in October and 28 °C in November, and nights cooling down quickly in November. The trade-off is air quality: smog in Delhi and the north Indian plains often worsens in late October and November, so check the Central Pollution Control Board AQI before travelling with elderly parents or children with asthma. See the best time to visit India and our Golden Triangle guide.
Chengdu or Guangzhou, China
Chengdu, about three hours away non-stop, is known for giant pandas and Sichuan food; Guangzhou is a major shopping city. Chengdu is mild and often grey in October, Guangzhou stays warm, and China's own national holiday week (1 to 7 October) is over by Dashain Tika. Read the best time to visit China and check the China travel tips on payments and apps before you go.
Where can you go with a week or more?
With 7 days or more, you can add one-stop destinations such as Bali, Vietnam and the Maldives, or combine two countries, for example Malaysia and Singapore. The longest realistic windows in 2026 are the 16 days between Dashain Tika and Kag Tihar (22 October to 6 November) and the stretch after Bhai Tika (12 to 21 November).
| Destination | Usual routing from Kathmandu | Comfortable minimum | Best 2026 window | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bali, Indonesia | One stop, usually via Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok or Singapore | 7 days | 22 Oct to early Nov | October is drier than November |
| Northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay) | One stop, usually via Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur | 7 days | Either window; November is drier | Pleasant autumn temperatures |
| Southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong) | One stop, usually via Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur | 6 to 7 days | 12 to 21 Nov | Rain eases through November |
| Thailand beyond Bangkok (Chiang Mai) | Non-stop to Bangkok, then a domestic flight | 7 days | 12 to 21 Nov | Cooler, drier north in November |
| Malaysia and Singapore together | Non-stop to either city; road, rail or air between them | 7 to 8 days | Either window | Short hops, easy for families |
| Maldives | One stop, usually via Colombo, Delhi, Dubai, Doha or Kuala Lumpur | 5 to 7 days | Mid to late November | Calmer seas as the dry season approaches |
| Sri Lanka | Non-stop to Colombo | 7 to 8 days | Better kept for later in the season | October and November are very wet in Colombo |
| Beijing and Shanghai, China | One stop or Shanghai non-stop (Himalaya Airlines) | 8 to 10 days | 22 Oct to early Nov | Crisp autumn; cold by mid November in Beijing |
Checked: 8 Oct 2026, FlightConnections listed no non-stop service from Kathmandu to Bali (Denpasar), Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Male. Connections change often, so compare the total journey time, not just the first flight.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali is a favourite for couples and honeymooners in the Dashain gap, and it suits families who want beaches, rice terraces and temples in one trip. The island's average October rainfall is low (about 63 mm in Denpasar), but November is close to three times wetter as the wet season begins, so late October is the safer half of the window. Bali's Hindu temple culture also feels familiar to many Nepali visitors. Read the best time to visit Bali, best places to visit in Bali and Bali Hinduism for the cultural background. Indonesia's arrival declaration and Bali's tourist levy are handled online (portals below).
Vietnam: Hanoi and Ha Long Bay
Northern Vietnam is at its most comfortable in autumn: Hanoi averages around 30 °C in October and 26 °C in November, and rain drops sharply in November. Central Vietnam is the opposite. Da Nang averages more than 650 mm of rain in October and close to 500 mm in November, its wettest season of the year, so Hoi An and Da Nang are better saved for spring. The south dries out through November. Our guide to the best time to visit Vietnam breaks this down by region, and the Ha Long Bay guide explains how to choose a cruise.
Thailand beyond Bangkok
If you have a week after Bhai Tika, northern Thailand is a strong choice. Chiang Mai cools to average lows around 19 °C in November with little rain, and the city's lantern season falls in the same month. Thailand's Loy Krathong celebrations take place around the November full moon; for example, the Sukhothai Historical Park festival runs from 15 to 24 November 2026 according to the Thai government events listing (Checked: 8 Oct 2026). The Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi) is still wet in November, averaging about 174 mm of rain in Phuket, so beach time there is a gamble until December. See things to do in Chiang Mai and places to go in Thailand.
Malaysia and Singapore together
Combining Kuala Lumpur and Singapore is popular with families on their first trip abroad because both cities have non-stop flights from Kathmandu, so you can fly into one and out of the other. Expect warm rain in both in October and November. In Malaysia, Deepavali falls on Sunday 8 November 2026, with Monday 9 November also a holiday in most states (Checked: 8 Oct 2026, Malaysia's 2026 public holiday list), so shops and attractions in Indian neighbourhoods are busy and festive that week. Our Malaysia with family and Singapore with kids guides cover pace and hotel areas.
Maldives
The Maldives is the classic choice for honeymooners and couples marrying in the autumn wedding season. October and November are a transition period, with average rainfall in Male around 190 to 230 mm a month, so expect some showers and occasional rough sea days before the drier months from December. With no non-stop flight from Kathmandu, plan five nights or more. Read the best time to visit the Maldives and honeymoon in the Maldives.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has a non-stop flight from Kathmandu and plenty to see, but October and November are the wettest months of the year in Colombo, averaging more than 360 mm in October and 410 mm in November. If you still choose Sri Lanka, plan more inland culture (Kandy, the Cultural Triangle) than beach time. Our best time to visit Sri Lanka guide explains how the two monsoons affect each coast.
Which destinations have good weather in October and November?
The most reliable weather in the Dashain and Tihar window is in Dubai (dry and cooling), northern India, northern Vietnam, northern Thailand in November and Bali in October. Places close to the equator, such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Colombo and the Maldives, stay warm but are wet at this time of year. The table uses long-term averages published by each country's national weather service through the World Meteorological Organization; the averaging period differs by station, and any single year can be wetter or drier.
| City | October avg high / low (°C) | October avg rain (mm) | November avg high / low (°C) | November avg rain (mm) | Verdict for festival travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu (for comparison) | 25.8 / 13.0 | 59 | 22.7 / 7.4 | 8 | Reference point |
| Dubai | 35.1 / 22.7 | 0 | 30.5 / 18.3 | 2 | Dry; November is the more comfortable month |
| New Delhi | 32.9 / 19.4 | 21 | 28.0 / 12.8 | 4 | Dry; watch air quality |
| Jaipur | 33.5 / 19.0 | 23 | 29.1 / 13.4 | 4 | Dry and sunny |
| Bangkok | 32.0 / 24.3 | 242 | 31.6 / 23.1 | 48 | Wet in October, good in November |
| Chiang Mai | 31.3 / 22.1 | 118 | 29.8 / 19.2 | 51 | Good in November |
| Phuket | 31.4 / 24.1 | 296 | 31.3 / 24.3 | 174 | Still wet; better from December |
| Hanoi | 29.6 / 22.4 | 126 | 26.3 / 19.2 | 48 | Good, especially November |
| Da Nang | 29.6 / 23.7 | 658 | 27.7 / 22.5 | 486 | Wettest season; avoid for beach trips |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 32.3 / 25.0 | 240 | 32.4 / 24.9 | 128 | Improving through November |
| Denpasar, Bali | 33.6 / 23.7 | 63 | 32.7 / 23.5 | 179 | Good in October, wetter in November |
| Kuala Lumpur | 32.1 / 23.2 | 253 | 31.6 / 23.2 | 288 | Wet afternoons; plan indoor time |
| Singapore | 31.8 / 25.0 | 168 | 31.2 / 24.6 | 252 | Wetter in November |
| Colombo | 30.0 / 24.0 | 365 | 30.1 / 23.2 | 414 | Wettest months of the year |
| Male, Maldives | 30.2 / 25.4 | 194 | 30.1 / 25.2 | 231 | Showery transition season |
| Guangzhou | 28.6 / 20.5 | 79 | 24.4 / 15.7 | 42 | Warm and fairly dry |
| Chengdu | 20.6 / 14.5 | 39 | 15.6 / 9.2 | 17 | Mild, often overcast |
| Beijing | 19.0 / 7.3 | 19 | 10.1 / minus 0.4 | 6 | Crisp in October, cold in November |
Checked: 8 Oct 2026, climatological normals supplied by each national weather service to the WMO World Weather Information Service. Averages are not forecasts: check the national weather service a few days before you fly.
What is on abroad during the festival window?
These celebrations abroad overlap the 2026 festival window and could be confirmed from official sources.
| Event | Where | 2026 date | Source (Checked: 8 Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deepavali public holiday | Singapore | Sunday 8 November (Monday 9 November in lieu for some workers) | Ministry of Manpower, Singapore |
| Deepavali public holiday | Malaysia | Sunday 8 November (Monday 9 November also a holiday in most states) | Malaysia public holiday list 2026 |
| Loy Krathong festival, Sukhothai | Sukhothai Historical Park, Thailand | 15 to 24 November | thailand.go.th |
Diwali in India falls in Tihar week, so expect busy trains, roads and temples there around Laxmi Puja.
Which places suit families, couples and elderly parents?
For families with young children, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Dubai are the easiest; for couples, Bali, the Maldives and northern Vietnam; and for elderly parents, Dubai in November, Singapore, or a short temple-focused trip to India. The right choice depends more on walking, heat and flight length than on the destination's reputation.
| Who is travelling | Good fits in the 2026 festival window | Why it works | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family with young children | Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Bangkok | Non-stop flights, indoor attractions, good public transport, child-friendly food | Heat and afternoon storms; plan a rest in the middle of the day |
| Couple or honeymooners | Bali (October), Maldives (late November), Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, Chiang Mai | Romantic settings, good value for longer stays in the Dashain gap | One-stop routings; more transit time |
| Elderly parents | Dubai in November, Singapore, Varanasi or Delhi for temple visits | Short flights, step-free malls and transport, familiar food and pilgrimage sites | Long walks at temples, heat in October, Delhi air quality |
| Three generations together | Malaysia and Singapore, Dubai, Bangkok and Pattaya | Something for every age, easy hotel choice, large family rooms | Group pace; build in free time |
| Diaspora meet-up | Bangkok, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore | Family flies non-stop from Kathmandu, relatives working abroad fly in from the Gulf, Malaysia, Australia or Europe | Different passports may need different entry permissions |
Travelling with elderly parents during Tihar
With parents along, choose short non-stop flights, request wheelchair assistance at Kathmandu and on arrival when you book, and stay close to the main sights. For a spiritual trip, Buddha Air flies non-stop from Kathmandu to Varanasi in about an hour (Checked: 8 Oct 2026, FlightConnections). Avoid timing travel for Laxmi Puja week in India if crowds are a concern.
Planning a diaspora meet-up
Many Nepali families have someone abroad who cannot get home for Dashain. One option is to meet halfway: the family flies non-stop from Kathmandu to a hub such as Bangkok, Dubai or Kuala Lumpur, and the relative abroad flies in from their side. Remember that each traveller's entry rules depend on their own passport and residence status, and a resident card from a third country does not automatically give entry to the meeting city. If the relative is coming home to Nepal instead, the best time to visit Nepal guide explains what autumn weather is like at home.
When should you book for the festival rush?
Book festival-season flights as early as you can, ideally two to three months ahead, because autumn is a busy season on routes into and out of Kathmandu: it is peak trekking season, and many Nepalis working and studying abroad try to come home for the festivals. Seats on popular dates, especially just before Tika and just after Bhai Tika, can sell out early. Overall traffic is at record levels: the Kathmandu Post reported that Tribhuvan International Airport handled a record 5.04 million international passengers in 2025, driven largely by migrant workers and students (Checked: 8 Oct 2026). We do not quote fares here because they change daily; compare on the airline's own website and on a fare comparison site.
| Time before departure | What to do |
|---|---|
| 3 months or more | Agree the travel window with family, check passport validity, book flights and refundable hotels |
| 6 to 8 weeks | Check entry rules for every passport in the group on the official portal and leave time for any processing |
| 2 to 4 weeks | Buy travel insurance, arrange airport transfers, request wheelchair assistance or special meals |
| Within 3 to 4 days | Complete any online arrival card or traveller declaration the destination requires; check in online |
| Departure day | Leave extra time for Kathmandu traffic and festival queues at Tribhuvan International Airport |
If you are booking last minute (October 2026)
With Ghatasthapana on 11 October and Tika on 21 October, a trip right after Tika is still possible, but only if your paperwork is already in order.
- Pick a destination where your passport does not need a long approval. Processing times cannot be rushed. Check the official visa rules for your passport on the portals listed below before paying for anything.
- Favour non-stop routes. When flights are full, a missed connection on a one-stop route can cost a day you do not have. Bangkok, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Delhi all have several daily or near-daily non-stop options.
- Consider shifting to the Tihar window. The 12 to 15 November block needs only one day of leave and gives you five more weeks to arrange documents.
- Check your passport today. Many countries and airlines expect several months of validity beyond your trip, often six; renew first if yours is close to expiry.
- Book refundable where you can. If an entry permission is delayed, flexible bookings limit the loss.
What should you sort out before leaving Kathmandu?
Before you leave, make sure every traveller has a valid passport, the right entry permission for their passport, return or onward tickets, hotel bookings, travel insurance and any online arrival card the destination requires. Our full pre-trip checklist goes through each item; the points below are the ones that matter most in festival season.
Documents and arrival cards
Several destinations now require an online arrival card or traveller declaration in the days before arrival, separate from any visa. These are the official portals; use them directly rather than paid third-party sites. Always check the official visa rules for your passport on the same government portal.
| Destination | Online requirement to check | Official portal |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), submitted within 3 days before arrival; visa rules on the official e-Visa site | tdac.immigration.go.th, thaievisa.go.th |
| Singapore | SG Arrival Card with electronic health declaration, within 3 days before arrival | ica.gov.sg |
| Malaysia | Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC); visa rules from the Immigration Department | imigresen-online.imi.gov.my |
| Indonesia (Bali) | All Indonesia arrival declaration; visa rules on the e-Visa site; Bali tourist levy | allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id, evisa.imigrasi.go.id, lovebali.baliprov.go.id |
| Maldives | IMUGA traveller declaration, within 96 hours of arrival | imuga.immigration.gov.mv |
| Sri Lanka | Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) rules for your passport | eta.gov.lk |
| Vietnam | Visa rules for your passport | evisa.gov.vn |
| United Arab Emirates | Visa rules for your passport | icp.gov.ae |
Checked: 8 Oct 2026, on each official portal. Rules change at short notice, so check again in the week you travel.
At Tribhuvan International Airport
- Carry printed copies of your return ticket, hotel bookings, travel insurance and any entry approval. Immigration officers at departure can ask Nepali travellers to show them.
- Arrive early. Airlines usually advise around three hours for international departures; check your airline's guidance, and add time for festival traffic in Kathmandu.
- Pack festival gifts and food with customs rules in mind. Many countries restrict meat, dairy and some seeds, and liquids in hand luggage are limited.
- Install maps, ride-hailing and payment apps for the destination before you leave; see our best travel apps guide.
Money and connectivity
Carry some cash in the destination's currency plus an internationally usable card, and tell your bank you are travelling. Exchange rates move daily, so check the rate when you exchange. For everything else, from insurance to emergency contacts, use the pre-trip checklist, and for help choosing between countries, return to our destination guide for Nepalese travellers.
Frequently asked questions
When is Dashain Tika in 2026?
Vijaya Dashami Tika in 2026 falls on Wednesday 21 October (Kartik 4, 2083 BS). Dashain begins with Ghatasthapana on Sunday 11 October, Fulpati is on Saturday 17 October, and the government Dashain holiday runs from 17 to 23 October. The auspicious Tika time is announced each year by the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Bikas Samiti, so check it closer to the day.
When is Laxmi Puja and Bhai Tika in 2026?
Laxmi Puja falls on Sunday 8 November 2026, together with Kukur Tihar, and Bhai Tika is on Wednesday 11 November 2026. Kag Tihar is on 7 November, Gai Puja on 9 November, and Govardhan Puja and Mha Puja on 10 November. The official Tihar holiday runs from 8 to 12 November, and Chhath is a public holiday on 15 November.
Which country is best for a 5-day Dashain trip from Nepal?
For a 5-day Dashain trip from Nepal, Bangkok and Dubai are the most practical choices, with non-stop flights of roughly 3 to 5 hours. Dubai is dry but hot in October, and Bangkok can be rainy in late October. Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Delhi also have non-stop flights from Kathmandu.
Is October a good month to visit Thailand?
October is a shoulder month in Thailand. Bangkok averages about 240 mm of rain and 14 rainy days in October, usually as afternoon storms, while November drops to about 48 mm. The north turns pleasant from November, but the Andaman coast around Phuket stays wet into November. For dry beach weather in Thailand, December onwards is more reliable.
Is Dubai too hot in October?
Dubai is still hot in October, with average daytime highs around 35 °C and lows near 23 °C, though it is almost completely dry. Plan outdoor activities for mornings and evenings. November is more comfortable, with average highs of about 30 °C, which suits elderly parents better.
Can we go abroad and still be home for Bhai Tika?
Yes. In 2026, Bhai Tika is on 11 November, so a trip abroad between Dashain Tika (21 October) and Kag Tihar (7 November) brings you home in time. Aim to land in Kathmandu by 6 November in case of delays, or travel after Bhai Tika from 12 November.
How early should we book flights for Dashain travel?
Book Dashain and Tihar flights from Kathmandu as early as possible, ideally two to three months ahead, because autumn is high season on Kathmandu routes. Days right after Tika are especially busy. If you are booking late, favour non-stop routes, be flexible by a day and consider the quieter window after Bhai Tika.
Which places are good for elderly parents during Tihar?
For elderly parents travelling after Tihar, Dubai in November, Singapore and short temple trips to India are good choices. All have short non-stop flights from Kathmandu, and Dubai averages about 30 °C in November with almost no rain. Request wheelchair assistance when you book, choose central hotels, and check Delhi air quality before travel.
Is Bali rainy in November?
November is the start of Bali's wet season. Long-term averages for Denpasar show about 179 mm of rain over 16 days in November, compared with about 63 mm in October. For the driest Bali trip in the festival window, travel in late October.
Is Vietnam good to visit during Dashain and Tihar?
Northern Vietnam is good during Dashain and Tihar, with Hanoi averaging about 30 °C in October and 26 °C in November and less rain in November. Central Vietnam, including Da Nang and Hoi An, is in its wettest season, so avoid it for beach holidays. Southern Vietnam dries out gradually through November.
Dashain ma bidesh ghumna kaha jane?
For a Dashain trip abroad in 2026, leave after Tika on 21 October. With 4 to 5 days, choose a non-stop city such as Bangkok, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Delhi. With a week or more, Bali, northern Vietnam or a Malaysia and Singapore combination works well. Check entry rules for your passport early.
