Experience Nepal Tour
- Duration
- 15 days
- Max altitude
- 3,210 m
- Difficulty
-
Easy
Difficulty scale
- Easy Short walking days on good trails below about 3,000 m. Suitable for anyone in ordinary health, including families.
- Moderate 5 to 6 hours a day with some steep sections, reaching up to about 4,000 m. A reasonable level of fitness and a few weeks of preparation walking recommended.
- Strenuous 6 to 8 hours a day, high passes or altitudes above 5,000 m, and remote stretches. Good fitness, prior trekking experience and proper acclimatisation days are essential.
- Very strenuous Long days, multiple high passes or technical sections, sustained time above 5,000 m. For experienced, well-conditioned trekkers only.
- Best season
- Autumn (Sep–Nov) · Monsoon (Jun–Aug) · Spring (Mar–May) · Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Group
- Private
- From
- $1,970.00
Overview
Fifteen days that put most of Nepal into one trip: four UNESCO sites in the Kathmandu valley, sunrise at Nagarkot, two nights in Chitwan, the Buddha’s birthplace at Lumbini, the old hill town of Tansen and the lakeside at Pokhara. It finishes with a four-day teahouse trek to the Poon Hill sunrise at 3,210 m, so come ready for a few days of real walking on stone steps. A private vehicle covers every road day, and the driving is broken up rather than done in one go.
Every departure is private and led by a government-licensed Nepali guide, so the plan flexes to your party. Permits, park fees and local taxes are inside the price you see.
Trip highlights
- Four UNESCO sites in the Kathmandu valley
- Himalayan sunrise from Nagarkot and Sarangkot
- Two nights and a full day of jungle activities in Chitwan
- Lumbini, birthplace of the Buddha, and the hill town of Tansen
- A four-day teahouse trek to Poon Hill (3,210 m)
- Private vehicle and licensed guide throughout
Day by day
The itinerary
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Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400 m) and transfer to your hotel 1,400 m Hotel
Our airport representative meets you outside the arrivals hall at Tribhuvan International Airport with a sign in your name and drives you to your hotel in a private vehicle. The rest of the day is yours to recover from the flight.
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Day 2: Kathmandu valley sightseeing, then drive to Nagarkot (2,195 m) 2,195 m 1-2 hrs Hotel B
A short pre-trip meeting at your hotel in the morning, where you meet your tour guide and go through the plan. Then a full day with a private vehicle and guide at four UNESCO World Heritage sites: Pashupatinath, the most sacred Hindu temple in Nepal, on the banks of the Bagmati; Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world and the heart of Tibetan Buddhist life in the valley; Changu Narayan, considered the oldest temple in the valley, on a ridge above the eastern farmland; and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, with its Golden Gate and the Palace of 55 Windows.
Late in the afternoon we drive up to Nagarkot on the valley rim, about an hour from Bhaktapur. On a clear evening the Himalaya runs along the northern horizon from Langtang towards the Everest range.
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Day 3: Nagarkot sunrise, then drive to Chitwan (150 m) 150 m 5-7 hrs Jungle resort B/L/D
Up early for sunrise over the Himalaya, weather permitting, then breakfast and the drive down to the Terai plains, five to seven hours with stops. Check in at your resort near Chitwan National Park and meet the resort's naturalist team. After lunch, a walk through a Tharu village, then dinner at the resort.
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Day 4: Full day of jungle activities in Chitwan National Park 150 m Full day hrs Jungle resort B/L/D
An early start, because dawn is when the animals move. A dugout canoe trip down the Rapti River for crocodiles and waterbirds, then a jeep safari of around 10 km into the park, where greater one-horned rhino are the most likely big sighting. Later, a visit to the elephant stables, and the rest of the afternoon to relax at the resort.
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Day 5: Drive to Lumbini (150 m), birthplace of the Buddha 150 m 4-6 hrs Hotel B
After breakfast we drive west along the Terai to Lumbini, four to six hours. Lumbini is where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, was born, and the whole site is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a pilgrimage centre for Buddhists from around the world. Check in at your hotel, with the evening free.
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Day 6: Lumbini sightseeing, then drive to Tansen (1,350 m) 1,350 m 3-5 hrs Hotel (tourist standard) B
A half-day guided visit of the Sacred Garden: the Maya Devi Temple, built over the spot where the Buddha is said to have been born; the Ashoka Pillar, raised by the Indian emperor Ashoka around 250 BC with an inscription naming this as the birthplace; and the monasteries built here by Buddhist communities from many countries.
In the afternoon we drive about 85 km, three to five hours, up into the hills to Tansen, the old Newar town of Palpa district. Tansen is known for dhaka, the handwoven cloth used for the Nepali topi, and on a clear day for its views of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas.
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Day 7: Drive to Pokhara (820 m) 820 m 5-7 hrs Hotel B
After breakfast we follow the Siddhartha Highway north to Pokhara, around 115 km and five to seven hours on a winding hill road. Check in at your hotel in Lakeside, close to Phewa Lake, with the evening free.
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Day 8: Sarangkot sunrise and guided sightseeing in Pokhara 1,600 m Full day hrs Hotel B
An early drive of about 45 minutes and a short walk up to Sarangkot (1,600 m) for sunrise over Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhre, with Phewa Lake below. Back to the hotel for breakfast.
Later in the day, with your guide and vehicle: Bindhyabasini Temple in the old bazaar, Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Cave across the road from it, the Seti River gorge, the Tibetan settlement at Tashi Ling, and Phewa Lake with the island temple of Tal Barahi.
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Day 9: Drive to Nayapul (1,010 m), trek to Tikhedhunga (1,540 m) 1,540 m 3-4 hrs Teahouse
About an hour and a half by private vehicle to Nayapul, where the trek starts. A short walk along the Modi Khola brings you to Birethanti, then the trail follows the Bhurungdi Khola up through Hille to Tikhedhunga. Three to four hours of walking, a short and fairly easy start.
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Day 10: Trek to Ghorepani (2,840 m) 2,840 m 5-6 hrs Teahouse
The hardest climb of the trek: a long flight of stone steps up to Ulleri (2,020 m), a large Magar village, then a gentler path through oak and rhododendron forest past Banthanti and Nangethanti to Ghorepani.
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Day 11: Poon Hill (3,210 m) at sunrise, then trek to Tadapani (2,610 m) 3,210 m 6-7 hrs Teahouse
A pre-dawn climb of about an hour to Poon Hill for sunrise over Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre, then back down to Ghorepani for a hot breakfast. The trail then follows a forested ridge to Deurali (2,960 m), drops to Banthanti and continues to Tadapani.
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Day 12: Trek to Ghandruk (1,940 m) 1,940 m 3-4 hrs Teahouse
Down through rhododendron forest to Ghandruk, a large Gurung village and home to many Gurkha families, with close views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. The afternoon is free to visit the village museum and the Annapurna Conservation Area office and wander the stone lanes.
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Day 13: Trek down to Nayapul (1,010 m), drive back to Pokhara 820 m 3-4 hrs Hotel
Down through terraced farmland past Kimche and Syauli Bazaar to Birethanti and Nayapul, three to four hours, where the vehicle is waiting for the drive back to Pokhara, about an hour and a half. The rest of the afternoon is free by the lake.
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Day 14: Drive back to Kathmandu 1,400 m 7-9 hrs Hotel B/D
After breakfast, the drive back to Kathmandu by private vehicle, about 200 km and seven to nine hours with stops. In the evening, a farewell dinner with your guide and our office team.
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Day 15: Departure 1,400 m B
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home.
Altitude profile
The climb, day by day
Comfort tiers
Choose your level of comfort
| Amenity | Standardfrom $2,365.00 | Comfortfrom $2,790.70 | Luxuryfrom $3,429.25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu hotel | 3★ | 4★ | 5★ |
| Trail accommodation | Standard teahouse | Best lodge in each village | Premium lodge where the route has one |
| Porter support | Shared porter | Private porter, lighter load | Extra porter, carry almost nothing |
| Transfers | Shared | Private | Private, throughout |
What's included
Included
- Included: Twin-sharing or double rooms with breakfast in three-star hotels: two nights in Kathmandu, one in Nagarkot, one in Lumbini and three in Pokhara
- Included: One night with breakfast in a tourist-standard hotel in Tansen
- Included: Two nights at a resort in Chitwan with breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the jungle activities in the itinerary
- Included: Teahouse lodge accommodation for the four nights of the Poon Hill trek
- Included: Single rooms can be arranged at extra cost
- Included: A farewell dinner on the last night in Nepal
- Included: All international and domestic airport transfers in a tourist vehicle
- Included: All ground transport by private tourist vehicle
- Included: Entry permits and fees for all temples, parks, monasteries and heritage sites in the itinerary, including the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit for the trek
- Included: Licensed English-speaking guide
- Included: Drivers and other ground staff as needed
- Included: Wages, accommodation, meals, gear, insurance and medication for all staff
- Included: Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and Lumbini by private vehicle
- Included: A duffel bag and sun hat
- Included: All administrative expenses and government taxes
Not included
- Not included: International airfare and the Nepal entry visa
- Not included: Travel insurance
- Not included: Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Not included: All drinks, including bottled water, alcohol and soft drinks
- Not included: Personal shopping, laundry, phone calls and internet
- Not included: Entry fees to any site not named in the itinerary
- Not included: Tips for the guide and driver
- Not included: Extra costs caused by flight delays, road closures, strikes, illness or any other event beyond our control
- Not included: Anything not listed under what is included
Your team
Led by a licensed guide
Every route is led by a government-licensed guide from our team. Licences are on record with us before departure, and you'll meet your guide once your trip is confirmed.
Guide language(s): English, Nepali
Group-size pricing
Walk together, pay less
Every trip is private, so the guide, permits and transfers cost the same however many walk. Sharing them is why the per-person price falls: arithmetic, not a sale.
| Group size | per person | You save each |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller | $2,365.00 | base rate |
| 2 to 3 travellers | $1,970.00 | $395.00 |
| 4 to 6 travellers | $1,850.00 | $515.00 |
| 7 or more | $1,735.00 | $630.00 |
Per person, including permits, park fees and taxes. Nothing is added at checkout.
Weather
What to expect, month by month
- Autumn (Sep–Nov)The most reliable trekking season: clear air, stable weather and cold nights, right after the monsoon clears.
- Monsoon (Jun–Aug)Wet and cloudy on most routes, though Mustang and Dolpo sit in the rain shadow behind the main range and stay walkable.
- Spring (Mar–May)Warmer than autumn, with rhododendron forests in flower and slightly hazier mountain views as the season goes on.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)Cold and quiet, with the clearest skies of the year at lower altitude. High passes and very high routes are best avoided.
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