Highlights of Nepal
Nepal Small Group Tour
Tour Overview
This diverse 2-week tour discovers the best of Nepal's fascinating cultural variety and historical monuments as well as soaking up the incredible views of the Himalayas. Perhaps less well known is the abundant flora and fauna that can be found in the country and we will also spend time looking for it. Begin the trip by touring UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu and strolling the atmospheric and sometimes chaotic streets. This is followed by a rich wildlife experience in the sub-tropical jungles of Chitwan National Park, home of the Bengal Tiger and One Horned Rhinoceros.
We continue to Lumbini and visit the Mayadevi temple which is built on the exact place where the Buddha was born. The journey then takes us to Tansen, a picturesque hill station and ancient trade route. Our next stop is Pokhara, popularly known as Lake City. Here we take some easy walks admiring the spectacular mountainous landscape and tour the city's many natural and cultural splendours. Next stop is Bandipur, an old trading Newari town that lies at an altitude of 1030m and is perched on a hill overlooking the magnificent Marshyangdi Valley and the Himalayan range. Finally return to the Kathmandu Valley and visit Nagarkot, renowned for incredible sunset and sunrise views. The tour ends with visits to Patan and Bhaktapur cities that highlight Nepal's medieval architectural grandeur.
Tour Highlights
• Explore the extraordinary UNESCO world heritage monuments of Kathmandu
• Search for unique flora and fauna in the jungles of Chitwan National Park
• Soak up the languid atmosphere of beautiful Pokhara – the Lake City
• Stroll the timeless streets of Bhaktapur
• Marvel throughout the tour at the majestic snow-clad peaks of the Himalayas
Tour Rating
To help our travellers choose the right tour for them we have applied a grading system of 1 to 5. Tours with a fitness level of 1 will generally be suitable for all ages and will not be particularly strenuous, whereas tours with a fitness level of 5 are likely to be physically challenging. To find out more please contact our well-travelled team who will often have first-hand experience of the destination.
Fitness
3/5
Unexplored
3/5
Culture
4/5
History
3/5
Wildlife
5/5
Tour Pace
4/5
Map + Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day will be at leisure. Overnight at Hotel Kantipur Temple House or similar. No meals or activities included.
Day 2 – Kathmandu
Today enjoy a guided tour to four of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu. Kathmandu Durbar Square holds the palaces of the ancient kings who ruled over the then Kathmandu Kingdom. Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus all over the world. We also visit popular Buddhist stupas in Kathmandu. Swayambhunath, is located in the heart of the city and is also called Monkey Temple by the tourists owing to the large number of monkeys in the temple area. Bouddhanath is one of the largest stupas in the world, and one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage and tourist destinations in Kathmandu. The area of Boudhnath is also famous for over 50 Tibetan gompas or monasteries. Overnight at Hotel Kantipur Temple House or similar (B)
Day 3 – Kathmandu to Chitwan – Drive time approximately 4-5 hours
After breakfast, drive to Chitwan located 175 kilometres from Kathmandu. We descend along a winding road flanking the Trishuli River. After checking in to the hotel, there will be a briefing on the activities we will be engaged in during our stay in Chitwan. We then take a walk on the banks of the Rapti or Narayani River to enjoy the sunset in the sub-tropical jungles of Chitwan. This evening, enjoy dinner along with a brief cultural program showcasing the tribal dances unique to the Chitwan region of Nepal. Overnight Jungle Vila Resort or similar (BLD)
Day 4 - Chitwan National Park
Start early for our first incursion in the park for a jungle safari to witness wildlife in their natural habitat. After breakfast, we visit the elephant stables and even enjoy bathing the elephants. This afternoon drive through the park looking for wildlife followed by a canoe ride down the Rapti/ Narayani River. Whilst canoeing, look out for Gharial and Mugger crocodiles along with fresh water dolphins, otters and varieties of water birds. For those that do not wish to canoe there are options for a birding walk or general nature walk. Overnight Jungle Villa Resort or similar (BLD)
Day 5 – Chitwan to Lumbini - Drive time approximately 2 hours
An early start today for a drive to Lumbini, a legendary place where one of history’s greatest and most revered figures, Siddhartha Gautam (Buddha) was born. The holy site of Lumbini, also enlisted within the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, holds immense archaeological and religious importance. From early morning to early evening, pilgrims from various countries perform chanting and meditation at the site. Visit the museum, peace pagoda and spend the day exploring the area and its temples, monuments and ancient sites soaking up the serene ambience. Overnight at Hotel Lumbini or similar (B)
Day 6 - Lumbini to Tansen – Drive time approximately 3 hours
This morning continue to Tansen¸ a popular summer resort in western Nepal on account of its position and climate. It has perhaps Nepal’s most far stretching views of the country’s chief attractions, the Himalayas from Dhaulagiri in the west to Gaurishanker in the north-east. This afternoon visit Old Tansen bazaar and walk around Sreenagar hill to catch a bird’s eye view of Srinagar Bazaar and on a clear day, a sweeping mountain panorama. Overnight at Hotel Srinagar or similar (B)
Day 7 - Drive to Pokhara – Driving time approximately 5-6 hours
This morning after breakfast, depart for Pokhara, also known as The Lake City owing to the large number of lakes in the city. En route we travel through a landscape of rolling hills, small settlements and terraced farms. On arrival in Pokhara, if conditions are clear we should be rewarded with magnificent views of the Himalayas including Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Manaslu (8,156m), and Machhapuchhre (6,993m), the five peaks of Annapurna and others. Late this afternoon after some rest time, we take a leisurely stroll in the atmospheric streets of Pokhara and just enjoy being in one of the most beautiful cities of Nepal. Overnight at Fishtail Lodge or similar (B)
Day 8 - Walk to Sarangkot – Walking time is 3 – 4 hours.
Early this morning depart for Sarangkot, a hill town in the north-west region of Pokhara that overlooks the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges in the north and the main city in the south. We start our hike from Naudanda and walk to Sarangkot. We stop at a tea-house in Sarangkot and enjoy amazing views of the sun as it sets against the mighty Himalayas. From here, we also get a view of Pokhara city below and the abundant Fewa Lake. Overnight in Sarangkot (B)
The walk to Sarangkot is graded as easy - 200m up and 200m down with no steep climbing.
Day 9 – Pokhara
Enjoy the sunrise from Sarangkot before heading back to Pokhara and touring the city’s many landmarks including Davis Falls and Shiva Cave. Enjoy some boating on Phewa Lake, the largest lake in Pokhara and visit Bindyabasini Temple located at the centre of the lake. Later, visit the famous International Mountain Museum (IMM) that records, documents and chronicles the past and present development of mountaineering activities in the world and the Himalayas in particular. Finally today visit the Tibetan refugee camp and witness how the refugees keep themselves busy by producing and trading woolen carpets and other handicraft items. Overnight in Mount Kailash Resort or similar (B)
Day 10 - Pokhara – Bandipur – Approximate driving time 3 hours
Depart after breakfast for a morning scenic drive to Bandipur. Bandipur is an old Newari town that lies at an altitude of 1030m perched on a hilltop overlooking the magnificent Marshyangdi Valley and boasts a breath-taking view of the Himalayan range. Later this afternoon, enjoy a cultural walk around Bandipur town. Of particular interest are the stone carved water spouts called “Tindhara” where locals through the ages have come to collect water, bathe and wash. The walk continues around “Tudhikhel”, a former parade ground for the army at the time when Bandipur was one of the district headquarters. Tudhikhel, now a scenic vista is also a junction point for people to come and socialise. Overnight at Heritage Hotel Guan Ghar or similar (B)
Day 11 – Bandipur to Nagarkot – Approximate driving time – 6 hours
After breakfast, we say goodbye to the beautiful hill resort of Bandipur and drive towards Nagarkot stopping at points of interest and to stretch our legs along the way. The village of Bhaktapur sits at an altitude of just over 2000 metres and the highest point on our journey through Nepal, boasting stunning Himalayan vistas. From Nagarkot, we enjoy excellent sunset views amidst the outstanding peaks of the Himalayas. Overnight at the Fort Resort or similar (B)
Day 12 – Nagarkot – Patan – Bhaktapur
Rise early if you wish to enjoy amazing views of the sunrise amidst the Himalayas. After breakfast, drive downhill to Bhaktapur and finally to Patan. Bhakatpur is an irresistible city with an authentic local lifestyle preserved over centuries of isolation from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. While in the city square, admire the Nyata-Pola Temple, the Golden Gate, water spouts and the 55 Window Palace which merge together to provide an ambiance of a magical outdoor theatre to its visitors. We also immerse ourselves in the authentic delicacy of the locals in Bhaktapur. Later, drive to Patan. Listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Patan Durbar Square is rich in ancient arts and architecture. Overnight at Hotel Kantipur Temple House or similar (B)
Day 13 - Kathmandu
Spend your final full day in Nepal at leisure the day at leisure where you may wish to do some final sightseeing or take in the markets or just relax in the garden of the hotel with a good book. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner of Nepalese cuisine and a cultural dance show. Overnight at Hotel Kantipur Temple House or similar (BD)
Day 14 – Kathmandu Departure
At a convenient time, transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Note that we run the tour back to back with our Bhutan tours if you wish to see more of the Himalaya region. (B)
Tour Inclusions
Arrival and departure transfers
Overland transport throughout with professional driver
All accommodation
Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
Meals as listed
B – Breakfast
L – Lunch
D – Dinner
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
Feedback from our Travellers
Foreign Office Travel Warnings
Before booking your tour, please familiarise yourself with the country specific information provided by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. This includes important information such as latest immigration requirements, and details of any travel advisories.
We constantly monitor the advice posted by the FCDO. In particular we will always advise clients of any travel warnings. At present there are no warnings against travel to the parts of Nepal that we visit on this tour. Please feel free to contact us should you have any specific concerns or would like to know in detail what measures are being taken to ensure visits remain trouble free and without incident.
It should be noted that this information applies to British citizens. Other nationals are asked to check the current position of their respective government.
Visa Information
At the time of writing British, US and Australian nationals require a visa for a tourist visit to Nepal. For further details please visit the applicable website shown below.
British Nationals - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
US Nationals - travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html
Australian Nationals - www.smartraveller.gov.au
Other nationals should check the latest requirements with the authorities in their home country, or with the destination’s nearest embassy or consulate.
Should you require any documentation to support a visa application, such as a letter of invitation, upon request this will be provided by Undiscovered Destinations after receipt of your balance payment.
As it is the travellers’ responsibility to ensure that they meet all entry requirements it is essential that you check the rules and any other conditions at the time of booking and again when making your balance payment. In addition, we would strongly advise that you make a final check around two weeks before your arrival. This is important as requirements can change at short notice. Undiscovered Destinations, when possible, will provide guidance about entry rules, but in the first instance please contact the relevant authorities, including the applicable embassy or consulate for assistance.
Passports
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, valid for at least six months after the date of return to your country.
We strongly advise that your passport contains a minimum of two blank pages, as this may be a requirement of the local immigration authorities. In addition, certain countries will stipulate that the two blank pages are opposite each other. If you are unable to meet these requirements, you may be refused boarding by your airline or denied entry by the immigration authorities.
For specific information about the requirements for your destination please check with the country’s embassy or consulate. Alternatively, UK citizens can visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
Vaccinations & Protection
As with travel to most parts of Asia, we strongly recommend that you contact your doctor’s surgery or a specialist travel clinic for up-to-date information, advice, and the necessary vaccinations. For a visit of less than one month, almost certainly you will be advised to have immunisations against the following: Diphtheria and Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Meningitis. The use of a DEET-containing insect repellent is highly recommended.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in your home country can be different in other countries. If you are travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, travellers from the UK can refer to the guidance provided by the National Travel Health Network & Centre and published on the Travel Health Pro website. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you will need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory that you are travelling to.
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of booking with Undiscovered Destinations that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses (including cover for Covid-19 conditions) and emergency repatriation to your home country and be valid for the entire duration of your holiday.
Local Conditions
When travelling to our destinations, many of which are underdeveloped and untouristed by mainstream tourism, a good deal of patience and a sense of humour is an important attribute. This will help you to cope with problems such as ageing or poor infrastructure and when maintenance may not be as high as we would always like.
The choice of appropriate accommodation in some towns and cities (particularly the smaller places) can be limited, and standards of both service and maintenance can be less than polished. Guides and other service providers in some of our destinations do not always have the decades of collective practice and experience that their counterparts in more developed countries can draw upon. Although we will always try and resolve any issues as quickly as possible, on occasions there may be some shortcomings which no matter how hard we try will be unavoidable.
Essential Info
