If you are really looking to earn miles and fly *alliance the whole way, I kept 1k for many years doing 3-4 KTM trips a year via BKK. You have to overnight in BKK (great for hotel points given cheap rates there right now) but TG has been flying into KTM for a long time. The only thing to watch is fares. TG BKK-KTM can run you as much as $700 just for that route. It would be more than 20,000 EQM RT from the East Coast to NRT/HKG and onwards via BKK.

The other option I like is UA to DXB and then either fly dubai or air arabia from DXB (fly dubai) or Sharjah (air arabia). Again, you need to overnight and being LCCs, you'll have to collect your bags and pay extra if you have any significant luggage. However, you can often get to Dubai for as little as $1,100 and the remaining leg can be had as low as $300 RT. So, it's economical and you still get 15,000 EQMs RT on UA getting to Dubai.

These options are far better than trying to buy a single ticket via online sites. They always price out more than the options above.

Avoid transiting in Delhi if you possibly can. For a start you'll need a visa in advance if you have to overnight (unlike Nepal where you can get a visa on arrival) and the transit procedures in Delhi and overall experience in Delhi if you have to overnight are dismal compared to the other options. On the other hand, if you want to add a 3-4 day stop over to see India and deal with the visa that's an option too.

Have fun in KTM