Umrah from Kathmandu
What pilgrims leaving from Kathmandu need to know: the flight, the visa route for Nepalis, the season and a realistic budget.
Flying from Kathmandu
Nepal's Muslim community is a small minority nationally but well established in parts of Kathmandu and the Terai region, and pilgrims from here generally connect through a Gulf hub such as Doha or Dubai rather than flying nonstop, since Tribhuvan International Airport has no scheduled direct service to Jeddah or Madinah. The local Umrah travel trade is smaller than in South Asia's bigger Muslim-majority countries, so it's worth asking any Kathmandu-based agent for specifics on their track record and whether they work with a partner agency in the Gulf or Saudi Arabia for the visa and ground arrangements. Kathmandu's mountain climate and occasional weather-related flight delays, especially around monsoon season (June to September), are worth building buffer time around before an international connection. The Nepali rupee is used locally; carry both cash and card, since not every travel office accepts cards. Confirm visa processing timelines carefully, as options may be more limited than from larger regional hubs.
Umrah visa for Nepalis
Nepal is not on Saudi Arabia's eVisa list, so Nepalis normally cannot self-apply online for Umrah. The route is a licensed Umrah company, or an external agent contracted through Nusuk Masar, which books the visa with an approved hotel and transport package as one file, not a visa alone. It must be used within 30 days of issue, so confirm dates with the operator first. Holders of a valid, used US, UK or Schengen visa, or GCC residents, may instead qualify for the eVisa or visa-on-arrival route, so ask the operator to check. For the 1448 AH Umrah season (31 May 2026 to 7 Apr 2027), start several weeks ahead, since checks move faster the earlier you begin.
When to go
Ramadan carries the greatest reward and the greatest crowds and prices; the weeks after Hajj (late Dhul Hijjah into Muharram) and the winter months (November to February) are cooler and quieter. The 1448 AH season runs from 31 May 2026 to 7 April 2027 for arrivals and departures. See the best time to perform Umrah.
What it costs from Kathmandu
Your biggest variables are the flight from KTM, the hotel's distance from the Haram, and the season. Use the cost calculator for a range in NPR, then compare operator quotes line by line: visa, flights, hotel nights and category, transfers, and Makkah, Madinah transport.
Before you book
- Check that the operator is contracted through Nusuk Masar (ask for their Saudi partner's name).
- Confirm the hotel name and distance, not just "near Haram".
- Read how to avoid Umrah scams and how to choose an operator.
- Install the offline companion before you fly.