Trip Facts
- Duration 8 Days
- Start FromKathmandu
- Group Size1-2 Pax
- End FromKathmandu
- Trip GradeEasy
- AccommodationHotel/Home Stay
- TransportationCar/Van/Coach
Best Season
late September to mid-October
Trip Highlights
- Celebrate Dashain, Nepal’s biggest and longest festival
- Witness traditional animal sacrifices and rituals on the 8th day
- Explore ancient temples and Durbar Squares decorated for the festival
- Experience homestay hospitality and enjoy local meat feasts
- Observe family gatherings, card games, swinging, and blessing rituals
- A rare chance to be part of a deeply spiritual cultural tradition
Trip Overview
The Dashain Festival is the most awaited and widely celebrated event in Nepal, lasting for 15 days—filled with colors, joy, and blessings. This 8-day tour gives you the best of Dashain, allowing you to experience Nepal not just as a tourist, but as part of the community.
Dashain usually falls in September or October, right after the monsoon, when the skies clear and the hills are lush green. It’s a time when families reunite, houses are cleaned and decorated, and goddess Durga is worshipped for her victory over evil.
You’ll witness animal sacrifices, receive tika and jamara, and celebrate with locals. Kids play on tall bamboo swings, elders play cards, and every home is filled with the smell of freshly cooked meat. This is more than a holiday—it’s a spiritual and cultural awakening.
You’ll stay in a Kathmandu hotel and enjoy a unique homestay experience in a village during the festival’s most exciting days. Let us take you behind the scenes of Nepal’s grandest tradition.
Trip Itinerary
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (1,400m), where a representative from Vista Trek will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Thamel. You’ll have time to relax after your journey, explore the lively streets, or enjoy a welcome dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant in the evening.
After breakfast, take a guided cultural tour of Kathmandu Valley’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visit Pashupatinath Temple, where you’ll witness Hindu rituals; Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in Asia; and Kathmandu Durbar Square, where Dashain preparations are in full swing. Observe families shopping for new clothes, temples being decorated, and locals buying animals for sacrifice.
Today, leave the city behind and drive (2–4 hours) to a traditional village outside the Kathmandu Valley—Tamang or Newari-based—where you’ll stay with a local family. This is where you’ll get the real Dashain experience. Spend the day helping your host family with festival preparations—cleaning the house, preparing offerings, and learning about village customs.
This part of the Dashain Festival is the holiest and most powerful. Take your host on a walk to the nearby temple in the morning to see animal sacrifices made to honor the goddess Durga. With these rites, the defeat of evil is meant to be shown. After that, help the locals make a huge feast. You can eat fresh meat like goat curry and fried liver, play old-fashioned games, and dance and listen to music.
Start your day with an easy hike through the town. You can go through rice fields, along forest trails, or to nearby hilltops to see the whole countryside. You'll see people worshiping their tools and cars during Vahana Puja back in the village. Kids spin on tall bamboo ping-pong balls, and older people get together to play cards. One more night of eating is coming up.
Vijaya Dashami is another name for this day. It is the main day of Dashain. During the Tika ceremony, adults bless younger family members with health and happiness by putting red tika (vermilion) and jamara (barley shoots) on their foreheads. Your host family will give you tika and treat you like one of their own. It's a very moving and important moment.
Leave the family where you stayed and drive back to Kathmandu. You'll have time to yourself when you get back to look around the city, buy gifts, or go to more temples. You can also take it easy at a café in Thamel and think about your Dashain.
Have your last breakfast in Kathmandu. Our team will take you to the airport for your trip, depending on what time it is. You'll leave Nepal with Dashain's gifts, memories that will last a lifetime, and a better understanding of Nepali culture.
Cost Includes
- 3 nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast
- Homestay accommodation for 4 nights with all meals
- Welcome dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant
- Licensed English-speaking cultural guide for 6 days
- All ground transportation as per the itinerary
- Entry fees to temples, heritage sites, and squares
- Full guidance and local support during the festival
- Government taxes and our service charge
Cost Excludes
- Meals in Kathmandu (except breakfast & welcome dinner)
- Personal expenses like snacks, drinks, and laundry
- Bar bills and alcoholic beverages
- Tips for guide, driver, and homestay host
Trip Gallery
Useful Info
Best Time to Go:
After the rainy season, the Dashain Festival is held from late September to mid-October. This is the best time to go. Nepal is best visited in clear, mild weather. Dashain is October 1–15, 2025. The biggest holiday is Tika Day on October 10, 2025. This is the best time to visit Nepal for its peak festivities.
What to Pack:
For Dashain, you will be going to temples and living with locals, so bring modest, comfortable clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, especially for the rituals. Also, bring:Walking shoes that are easy to wear for short walks and sightseeing
- Sprays that keep bugs away, especially for village nights
- A light jacket or sweater, since it might get cooler at night
- A camera or a phone to record magical culture moments
- You can give your homestay family a small gift if you’d like to.
Cultural Sensitivity:
During Dashain, people respect the goddess Durga by doing traditional things like killing animals as sacrifices. Some tourists may find this strange or upsetting, but it’s important to remember that these are holy cultural practices that have been done for generations. You can watch or gently leave if it makes you feel uncomfortable. When you go to events, always ask permission before taking pictures, dress appropriately, and do what your guide tells you.
People who want to join:
This tour is made for everyone; there are no difficult activities like trekking or camping. It’s perfect for:
- Cultural tourists who want to learn more about the customs of the area
- Photographers who want to catch lively festivals
- There are lots of games, toys, and food for families with kids.
- Travelers by themselves or with a partner who want an important experience
You don’t have to be religious or know much about Nepali culture to enjoy Dashain. All you need is an open mind and a heart that is willing to learn.
Weather:
The weather is nice in October. Therefore, it’s a good time to go to Nepal. The sky will be clear and the temperature will be between 20°C and 28°C (68°F and 82°F). During the day, it’s beautiful and warm, and at night, it’s a little cooler. This makes it excellent for both parties and exploration. You don’t have to worry about rain or wind right now.
Connectivity:
You’ll be staying in villages during the event, but you’ll still be able to use mobile networks and Wi-Fi in most places. You can tell people about your trip on social media or video call your family back home. But keep in mind that internet speeds may be slower in rural locations.
Safety:
This is a very safe and family-friendly tour. Our guides will be with you throughout the trip to help you understand customs, stay comfortable, and feel welcome. Nepali people are very friendly, and you’ll likely be treated like a guest of honor—especially during Dashain. All transport, accommodation, and meals are arranged for you, so there’s nothing to worry about.
Celebrate Dashain with Us – Book Now
Be more than just a tourist—become part of Nepal’s biggest celebration. Join us for the Dashain Festival Tour and experience Nepal’s rich culture, traditions, and hospitality like never before.
Contact Vista Trek today to reserve your seat for the 2025 Dashain Festival Tour.
Trip FAQ's
Dashain is Nepal’s biggest Hindu festival, celebrating the victory of goddess Durga over evil. It brings families together for blessings, rituals, and nationwide festivities.
Dashain is held in September or October, based on the lunar calendar. The main days include Fulpati, Asthami, Navami, and Vijaya Dashami.
The tour offers cultural immersion through temple visits, traditional rituals, family blessings, and festive meals with local communities.
The tour usually lasts 5 to 10 days and is timed to include the most important and meaningful festival days.
You’ll witness tika ceremonies, worship rituals, temple processions, family gatherings, and traditional village swings.
Yes, it suits cultural travelers, though sensitive visitors should note that some days involve animal sacrifices.
It takes place in Kathmandu Valley and nearby villages, including visits to heritage sites and traditional communities.
Accommodation includes comfortable hotels or heritage guesthouses, with optional homestays for an authentic experience.
