For the first time, Americans were the largest group of foreign visitors to Nepal. In October 2026, 17,437 travelers from the United States arrived, ahead of India with 12,097, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. India has traditionally been Nepal’s biggest source market, so this is a notable shift.
Overall, Nepal welcomed 132,814 international visitors in October 2026, up 3.4% on October 2025. From January to October, 998,734 visitors arrived, almost 6% more than in the same period last year. Below are the latest figures, what is behind them, and what they mean if you are planning a trip to Kathmandu.
How many tourists visit Nepal? The latest figures
| Period | International arrivals | Change |
|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 132,814 | +3.4% vs Oct 2025 (128,443) |
| January–October 2026 | 998,734 | +5.8% vs Jan–Oct 2025 (943,716) |
| Full year 2025 | 1,158,459 | — |
| Full year 2024 | 1,147,567 | — |
| Record year (2019) | 1,197,191 | — |
If arrivals keep this pace in November and December, 2026 could beat the 2019 record of 1,197,191 visitors.
Top 10 countries, October 2026
| Rank | Country | Arrivals, Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 17,437 (Oct 2025: 13,286) |
| 2 | India | 12,097 (Oct 2025: 17,298) |
| 3 | China | 11,695 (Oct 2025: 6,755) |
| 4 | United Kingdom | 9,385 |
| 5 | Australia | 9,352 |
| 6 | Germany | 6,114 |
| 7 | Sri Lanka | 5,560 |
| 8 | Bangladesh | 4,893 |
| 9 | France | 4,164 |
| 10 | Myanmar | 3,025 |
Source: Nepal Tourism Board (Department of Immigration data).
Why Americans now lead, and why Indian arrivals fell
Arrivals from the US rose 31% year on year in October and more than doubled compared with September (8,299). Indian arrivals fell 30% in the same month.
The main reason is the 26 August 2026 floods on the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers, which damaged roads to the Tibet border. According to the Association of Kailash Tour Operators Nepal, more than 5,000 Indian pilgrims cancelled Kailash Mansarovar trips planned for September, and many October trips were also disrupted.
American travelers were affected far less. One operator told the Kathmandu Post it had no cancellations from US clients, and travelers booked on Langtang simply switched treks to other regions. Other factors mentioned:
- a growing Nepali diaspora in the US visiting family during Dashain and Tihar
- the presence of American hotel chains in Nepal
- Americans are among the highest-spending visitors
China also grew strongly, with arrivals up 73% to 11,695, enough for third place.
Europe and other regions
Europe was the largest region in October 2026, with 39,877 visitors, about 30% of all arrivals and more than double the 15,148 of October 2025. The Americas followed with 21,270 (up from 16,407).
Arrivals from South Asia (SAARC countries) fell 17.2% to 24,053, mainly because of fewer Indian visitors. Arrivals from the Middle East dropped 34.2%.
What this means if you are visiting Kathmandu
- October and November are peak season. With over 130,000 visitors in October alone, popular sites like Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath are busiest from mid-morning onwards. Go early, or visit with a guide who knows the quieter times.
- Book ahead. Good hotels in Thamel and domestic flights fill up in autumn. See Which Nepalese airline should you choose?
- Nepal is open and welcoming. Despite the August floods, visitor numbers are growing. For current conditions, read our Nepal travel update and Is Kathmandu safe for tourists in 2026?
- Know the fees. Check current entrance fees for Kathmandu’s heritage sites before you go.
First time in Nepal? Our Kathmandu UNESCO World Heritage Sites private tour covers the highlights in one day with a licensed local guide.
FAQ
How many tourists visit Nepal per year? Nepal received 1,158,459 international visitors in 2025 and 1,147,567 in 2024. The record is 1,197,191, set in 2019. From January to October 2026, 998,734 visitors arrived.
Which country sends the most tourists to Nepal? India has usually been the largest source market. In October 2026, the United States took first place for the first time, with 17,437 visitors against 12,097 from India.
How many Americans visit Nepal? In October 2026, 17,437 Americans visited Nepal, up 31% on October 2025.
What is the busiest month for tourism in Nepal? Autumn (October–November) and spring (March–May) are the peak seasons. October 2026 saw 132,814 international arrivals.
Who publishes Nepal’s tourism statistics? The Nepal Tourism Board publishes monthly figures based on Department of Immigration data.
Main photo: Boudhanath, one of the sites most visitors to Nepal see. Photo: Raimond Klavins / Unsplash
