Climate change adaptation is an emerging area of research and development in Nepal. This paper presents findings from a study on people’s experiences of climate change and its impacts on rural farming, and adaptation policies and practices in different eco-regions Nepal. The study also reviews climate change policies and programmes initiated at the national and local levels. It finds that adaptation practices vary according to different regions, and shows that different government and non-governmental institutions have initiated various adaptation programmes to address climate change. However, the study observes that there is a gap in institutional arrangement, the capacity to implement, and mechanisms for adaptation programmes at the local level. The author suggests that climate change policy should be formulated using a holistic approach, an institutionalised implementing mechanism and a focus on local policy options that have joint environmental, social or economic benefits.