54th ISAME Forum 2026, Kathmandu: The Complete Delegate Travel Guide

Every few years, the ISAME region — India, South Asia, and the Middle East — comes together for one of Lions International's largest gatherings. In December 2026, that gathering comes to Kathmandu.

The 54th ISAME Forum runs December 14–20, 2026, and it's being billed as the biggest Lions event South Asia has hosted. If you're a delegate, club officer, or district coordinator planning to attend, here's everything you need to know before you book. Full program details and booking are also on our ISAME Forum 2026 page.

The dates and the program

The forum runs a full week, with a mix of arrival days, sightseeing, formal sessions, and celebration:

• Mon, Dec 14 — Arrival in Kathmandu, hotel transfer, leisure
• Tue, Dec 15 — Kathmandu sightseeing and shopping
• Wed, Dec 16 — Registration, ISAME Leadership Meeting, GAT area meeting, LCIF meeting
• Thu, Dec 17 — First Consultative Assembly, opening ceremony, Lions Market, Nepal Night Celebration
• Fri, Dec 18 — Plenary sessions, Lions Market, Presidential banquet
• Sat, Dec 19 — Second Consultative Assembly, closing session, Lions Market
• Sun, Dec 20 — Departure

That's a packed week of leadership meetings, seminars, networking, and cultural celebration — with real free time built in on Tuesday for Kathmandu sightseeing. See the full day-by-day program for the complete schedule.

Why Kathmandu

For most ISAME delegates, this is a first visit to Nepal — and the forum is timed well for it. Mid-December is peak dry season in the Kathmandu Valley: clear skies, crisp mountain visibility, and comfortable daytime temperatures. It's also when Kathmandu's Durbar Squares, stupas, and old-city streets are at their most photogenic, without the summer monsoon crowds or haze.

First time in Nepal? If you're not sure what to pack or what to expect culturally, our Kathmandu travel guide for Indian delegates covers visas, weather, and etiquette in detail.

Where Sustainable Journeys fits in

Sustainable Journeys is the official destination management partner for delegate travel around the 54th ISAME Forum — handling accommodation, airport transfers, and (for anyone extending their trip) tours across Nepal once the formal program wraps up on December 20th.

That last part matters more than it might seem. Kathmandu is a gateway, not the whole story — Pokhara's lakes, the Himalayan skyline, Chitwan's jungle, and Everest itself are all a short flight or drive away. A lot of delegates who fly this far choose to add a few days before flying home. For the full breakdown of routes and difficulty levels beyond the forum, browse our Nepal treks and tours.

Extending your stay

If you can build in extra days, the most popular add-ons among Lions delegates so far are:

• Pokhara (2N/3D) — Phewa Lake, Sarangkot sunrise, easy pace
• Mountain Flight Experience (half day) — Everest views from the air, no extra nights needed
• Everest Chartered Heli Tour (half day) — a landing in the Everest region without a multi-day trek
• Pokhara & Muktinath (4N/5D) — lake city plus a Himalayan pilgrimage
• Manakamana Darshan (1 day) — a cable-car temple visit, easy to slot in
• Chitwan Jungle (2N/3D) — jungle safari and wildlife, a change of pace from the mountains
• Nagarkot Sunrise and Sunset (4N/5D) — a slower, hill-station rhythm

Each link above goes to a full breakdown of what's included, with photos, on its own page.

Booking your stay

Delegate bookings — whether you're one person or coordinating a whole club — go through the same desk:

• Nepal (WhatsApp & direct call): +977-9849005616
• India (WhatsApp & direct call): +91-9560479579
• Email: contact@sustainablejourneys.in

If you're coordinating travel for a full club or district rather than booking individually, see our group booking guide for coordinators — it covers room blocks, consolidated invoicing, and rooming-list handling for groups of any size.

Plan Your Trip with Sustainable Journeys Nepal

Whether you're attending just the forum or extending into a full Nepal itinerary, our team handles the logistics so you can focus on the event. Book your ISAME Forum stay, explore all Nepal packages, or contact us directly with questions before December.