Overview
- Classic Journeys
- Day 1: Kathmandu – Arrival
- Day 2: Kathmandu Exploration Day
- Day 3: Kathmandu Exploration Day
- Day 4: Kathmandu – Drive to Nagarkot
- Day 5: Nagarkot – Yoga Retreat
- Day 6: Yoga Retreat Exploration Day
- Day 7: Nagarkot – Drive to Chitwan – Yoga Retreat
- Day 8: Chitwan – Full-day Exploration
- Day 9: Chitwan – Drive to Pokhara
- Day 10: Pokhara – Full-day Exploration
- Day 11: Pokhara – Kathmandu
- Day 12: Kathmandu – Departure
Customizable itinerary
Go on this ‘Nepal Cultural Tour’ to learn about this charming country in the Himalayas and its beautiful people. Start the adventure in Kathmandu, where you spend time on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Tour to the most ancient sites, where you will really be able to observe the beautiful culture of the Nepalese. Participate in social activities to help homeless people before traveling to Nagarkot to do yoga retreat and meditation to cleanse your mind and body. See wild animals and plants at Chitwan National Park – a UNESCO Nature Site. In Pokhara, spend time admiring the spectacular sunrise, hiking in the pristine landscape or even doing some extreme activities like paragliding, ultralight flight and ziplining.
Your private tour guide will meet you at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) and will escort you by private car to your selected hotel in Tribhuwan. Your knowledgeable guide will be happy to answer any questions along the way regarding your adventure in Nepal and will assist you with check-in and registration at the hotel.
The rest of the day will be yours to explore at your leisure.
Overnight at Kathmandu
After breakfast, you will go on the Kathmandu sightseeing tour. You are going to do the UNESCO CULTURAL HERITAGE TOUR today which includes:
- Swayambhunath – The oldest Buddhist Stupa in Kathmandu Valley, a beautiful abode for lots of monkeys thus also known as Monkey Temple, is also a perfect vantage point to see Kathmandu valley.
- Pashupatinath – A holy pilgrimage for Hindus and Hindu Crematorium, watch as the Hindu dead bodies are cremated in the most unique way in the world; you will come across men with ash rubbed body, matted locks and dreaded look, which is the typical look of a Hindu Holy Men known as Sadhus.
- Boudhanath – the biggest Buddhist temple in the world; a site for Tibetan Buddhism where you can visit monasteries, watch the Holy Monks busy in their chanting ritual going around the temple.
- Patan Durbar Square – A Medieval Royal Palace area which is also known as the city of fine arts, you can see the finest example of metal and stone carving back to 14th century and also the amazing Nepali Architecture.
Overnight in Kathmandu
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)
Today, you will participate in the humanitarian activities, including visiting helpless and homeless people, prepare the meals and spend time talking with them. You will have free time to explore around as well.
Overnight in Kathmandu
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)
You will drive to Nagarkot for about 1.5 hrs. and stay overnight there. Nagarkot is a beautiful hill station located 32 Kilometers east of Kathmandu and really famous for sunrise and mountain view. You can enjoy the breathtaking view of Langtang range in the Himalaya and other magnificent mountains including Sisa Pangma, Dorje Lakpa, Gaurishankar and also a tiny glimpse of Mt. Everest on a very clear day. Sunrise from here is as fascinating as it can be. The cool and lovely weather condition will definitely put you under its spell.
Overnight in Nagarkot
Meals: (Breakfast/_/Dinner)
This morning, you can enjoy the fabulous sunrise view then back for breakfast. After having breakfast, you will hike to today’s main destination. A 2.5 hours walk will take you to the local village area, where you can experience the local lifestyle. During your walking, you will receive many warm greetings from the local people. Let’s enjoy the Green hills and the local life, then you will have a Nepal Yoga Retreat where you are staying for two nights practicing yoga and meditation, helping yourselves to grow spiritual and healthier. In the evening, you will have a meditation session.
Overnight in Nagarkot
Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
You will freshen up with the early morning yoga practice in the beautiful surrounding of the retreat. After breakfast, you can go visit the organic farms, the temples and explore the surroundings; also enjoy the spa and massage facility with an extra cost at the retreat. In the evening, another meditation session will make you feel more peaceful and energetic.
Overnight in Nagarkot
Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
You will have another early morning yoga practice today to make you get ready for the whole day. After the blissful experience of yoga, you will come down for breakfast. Then we’ll start driving to Chitwan National Park today. It will take us about 6 hours to reach this beautiful National Park to the down south of Nepal. Chitwan national park is once the hunting ground of British and Nepalese aristocrats. Today, the animals – elephant, rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, and deer – are protected strictly. The greatest thrill here is to scout for wildlife on the back of an elephant. This national park is enlisted in the UNESCO’s Natural Heritage Site.
Overnight in Chitwan
Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
After breakfast and checkout, you will spend your full day in Chitwan National Park for exciting activities like jungle walk, elephant riding, visiting the village, canoeing, visiting elephant breeding center, bird-watching etc. Your tour guide will lead you through all the activities, giving you deeper insights about the wildlife, flora and fauna in the national park. The interesting wild and aquatic life of rhinoceros, deer, bear, crocodile, and different birds will definitely make your day! In the evening, you can enjoy the Tharu cultural show. Tharus are aboriginal people of the area who have their own language, culture and tradition.
Overnight in Chitwan
Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Today you will have a 05-hour scenic drive to Pokhara, a very famous and standing amid nature tourist destination in Nepal. As soon as you reach Pokhara, the atmosphere starts telling us about the beauty of the place. One of the most beautiful lake cities in the world, Pokhara, is also the city for the adventure sports in Nepal. It is also a famous sightseeing place with beautiful lakes and a view of the Himalayan range. The close-up view of the Annapurna range and Mt. Fishtail from here is more than fascinating. In the afternoon, you will explore the beauty of Pokhara by boating on Lake Fewa, visiting the temple on a small island.
Overnight in Pokhara
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)
You will wake up early in the morning and drive to Sarangkot, a beautiful hill in Pokhara which is famous for the sunrise view, and it takes about 35 minutes. A real close-up look of the Annapurna and Fishtail and the unparalleled sunrise from there makes a perfect start for your day. After sunrise, you will come back to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, you will hike up to World Peace Stupa, a nice hiking destination in Pokhara which will take you one hour to reach the top. It’s a beautiful viewpoint and a Buddhist Pilgrimage as well. Later you will come down to visit Davis falls and cave and Tibetan refugee camp.
You also can choose to do some adventure activities like paragliding, ultralight flight and zip flyer as well with an extra cost.
Overnight in Pokhara
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)
You will drive back to Kathmandu today after your breakfast. It will take about 7 hours to reach Kathmandu. You also can fly back with an extra cost. Later in the evening, you will go for a farewell Nepali dinner with cultural show in Kathmandu and can have a discussion about the trip experience.
Overnight in Kathmandu
Meals: (Breakfast/_/Dinner)
After breakfast and a leisurely morning on your own, you will check out by midday and your private driver will pick you up and take you to the airport for your departure flight home. Namaste!
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)
Inquire this trip
Useful Information
This tour is built upon our firsthand knowledge & experience, offering you the best choices available. The price of this trip varies depending on the number of people in your party, dates of departure, and availability of ground services. Please click on REQUEST A FREE QUOTE (above) and supply the required information, enabling us to send you your personalized quote within 24 hours!
Note: Amendments CAN be made to this tour to suite your requirements.
What’s Included?
- Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
- Private Vehicles and Drivers
- Private English Speaking Guides (Other languages if available, upon request)
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
- Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited
- Service Charge & Government Taxes
What’s Not Included?
- Your International Flights to and from Nepal
- Nepal entry Visa Fees (contact us for further information)
- Personal Expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
- Any bank fees or charges at your end
- Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal Travel Insurance
- Tips for guides and drivers
How to Plan a successful Trip to Nepal, Step-by-Step
Why to Visit Nepal
Where to Go
When to Go
Obtain a Nepal Visa
How to book a tour
Packing and Luggage Allowance
Why to Visit Nepal
A landlocked nation between two giant neighbors, India and China, Nepal nonetheless stands apart with its distinctive, cultural heritage and natural climate with the Himalayas serving as an awe-inspiring backdrop. Despite the challenges that Nepal went through in the civil war at the turn of the 21st century, it has gradually started to stand up on its own and has settled into its current role as a unique destination on the world travel map.
As the home of 8 of the world’s 10 highest mountains, Nepal attracts thousands of trekkers each year, adventurers anxious to traverse the high-altitude homelands of Sherpas, Gurungs, and Tamangs. The lower hills have in turn become an adventure playground for climbers, kayakers, rafters and mountain bikers. But whether you are seeking for adventures or a more laid-back trip, Nepal has something for everyone.
Other less-adventurous Nepalese attractions include palaces and temples with intricate wood carvings, sculptures, and metalworks, pointing to the culmination of a rich and religious history, mighty forests, and riverine grasslands that have become the setting to some of Asia’s finest national parks. The combination of a majestic landscape and its unique culture makes Nepal a hidden treasure, like a pearl being carefully polished to perfection.
Formed from the physical convergence of mountainous and jungle landscapes, the religious amalgamation of Hinduism and Buddhism, the merging of Tibeto-Burman and Indo-Aryan ethnicities, and the fusion of northern and southern architectural, artistic and culinary traditions, Nepal has many secrets waiting to be unearthed.
Where to Go
Most popular sites of Nepal
• Annapurna Sanctuary – a trekking paradise
• Kathmandu – explore hundreds of narrow streets filled with old buildings and eclectic shops
• Boudhanath Stupa – a stunning meditative monument located in Kathmandu, one of the largest of its kind in the world
• Trishuli River, Kali Gandaki, Bhote Koshi, Marshyangdi, Karnali and the Sun Koshi – for whitewater rafting and kayaking
• Bhaktapur – an ancient city of amazing courtyards, temples, medieval squares, and statues
When to Go
Nepal has 4 main seasons, categorized into six distinct climate periods:
- Basanta (spring)
- Grishma (early summer)
- Barkha (summer monsoon)
- Sharad (early autumn)
- Hemanta (late autumn), and
- Shishir (winter)
The rainy season starts from June to September with significant downpours in the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara. The rainfall is generally lighter in the Himalayas than Kathmandu, though the mountain peaks are often not visible due to clouds.
October to December experiences clear and dry weather. After the monsoon season, there is less dust in the air so this is the best time to visit the hilly and mountainous regions.
The temperature drops significantly from January to March, with the average temperature in Kathmandu as low as 0°C and below 0°C at higher elevations. It is possible to trek in places like the Everest region during the winter, but it is extremely cold during this time of the year and significant snowfall may prohibit going above 4,000 – 4,500 meters. The Jomosom trek is a reasonable alternative, staying below 3,000 meters with an expected minimum temperature of -10°C, and much better chances of avoiding heavy snow.
Dry and warm weather marks the months of April to June. Flowers bloom abundantly in the Himalayas, rhododendrons, in particular, adding a splash of color to the landscape. The temperature in the Terai region may reach and exceed 40°C, while Kathmandu temperatures hover around 30°C. This is the best time to undertake mountain expeditions.
Obtain a Nepal Visa
A visa to Nepal is required for all foreign nationals (except India) who wish to enter Nepal. The visa must be used within six months from the date of issue. There are three kinds of visas: Single-entry, Multiple-entry, and Transit. You may apply for your visa at the nearest Nepalese embassy or consulate, or you can obtain a Visa on Arrival.
The Nepalese visa photo criteria are 5 cm x 5 cm on a plain or white background.
Note: your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond your travel date, and there must be several blank pages left on your passport.
Single-entry Visa
A single-entry visa is valid for 60 days, costs US$30, and can be upgraded to a multiple-entry visa at Kathmandu’s Central Immigration Office for US$50.
Multiple-entry Visa
If you are planning a Nepalese tour with side trips to Tibet, Bhutan or India, it is better to apply for a multiple-entry visa, which gives you multiple trips into Nepal for a year, with each stay valid for 60 days, up to a total of 150 days in any calendar year.
If you are applying for the first time in the current year, the following fees will be charged:
- USD$25 for a 15-day multiple entry
- USD$40 for a 30-day multiple entry
- USD$100 for a 90-day multiple entry
Transit Visa
If you just want a short stay in Kathmandu, it is possible to get a free, non-extendable 3-day transit visa at the Kathmandu airport. You will have to show that you have flight ticket out of Nepal within 3 days.
How to book a tour
Booking your holiday with Indochina Pioneer cannot be easier! Follow our 3 simple steps:
Step 1: Browse our website www.indochinapioneer.com for tours, cruises and other destination information.
Should you find something that matches your interest, fill in the REQUEST A FREE QUOTE forms. Can’t find something that fits your needs? Then fill the BUILD YOUR OWN TRIP or CONTACT US form and click SUBMIT.
Then sit back! One of our travel experts will get back to you shortly with our customized package and most favorable offer!
In a hurry? Don’t like filling forms? Then call +84 982 116 630 (Mr. Lam) or +84 983 145 799 (Mr. Quyen). We’re available 24/7 and would be more than happy to talk! Certainly, your request will be carefully noted and a nicely crafted package with a pleasant price will follow!
Step 2: Reviewing/ Customizing our offer!
It’s your holiday so everything should be exactly what you want! We encourage your careful review of what we offer, letting us know what changes you would like to make. We’ll be more than happy to fine-tune the tour to fit best your interests, budget and time! This step may require several emails/call exchanges until perfect!
Step 3: Confirming/Paying/ Packing for the trip!
Once you’re satisfied with the customized tour, please let us know and Indochina Pioneer will need a few working hours to place reservations for all of the tour services. As soon as the availability and reservations of the services are confirmed, we will request a deposit. Please refer our Payment Guide for more details.
Once your deposit is received by Indochina Pioneer, we will send you the service voucher which confirms all the services of the tour and provides ground contact details and a guide for the final payment schedule.
And then you start counting down the day for your most fabulous trip!
Booking Amendment & Cancellations:
Booking Amendment: Flexibility is our strongest point. You can amend your booking even after it is made. Just contact your salesperson or contact us at [email protected] with your booking number. Our reservations team is glad to amend your booking with your preferable alternatives. Please kindly note that you will be responsible for any change of the final price caused by your amendment requests.
Travel smart with Indochina Pioneer!
Packing and Luggage Allowance
Packing Checklist – Be sure to check them all 😉
Essentials
- Travel documents (passport, visas, travel insurance certificate, air tickets, tour voucher)
- Money (cash, credit card, debit card, traveler’s cheques and money pouch)
- Day pack for your personal needs during the day
- Camera and extra memory cards and batteries
- Cell phone and cell phone charger
- Laptop charger (if you are bringing your laptop)
- Travel plug/international adapter
- Medication (including a doctor’s letter if you are carrying a large amount of medication)
- Prescription glasses / contacts and if necessary, contact lens solution
Best to bring along
- First aid kit
- Toiletries
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Refillable water bottle with filter
Wardrobe
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Comfortable clothing, either light or heavy options, depending on the season you are travelling
- Clothes suitable for visiting temples (long pants / skirts, long sleeved tops)
- Waterproof jacket / raincoat / umbrella
- Hat & sunglasses
- Bathing suit
Optional comforts
- Ear plugs & eye mask
- Sleep sheet for home stays / trains
- Lightweight travel towel
- Local language phrasebook
Reviews on Our Service
We are committed to giving our customers unforgettable experiences in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and beyond, not just something staged for tourists. Read reviews written by our customers about their experiences in Indochina after they have returned home. These include the ratings and comments on attractions, guides, activities, hotels and food.
Marion
Tokyo, Japan
Mary
Wisconsin, USALam did an amazing job putting together an itinerary based on phone/text conversations. We told him the where and what and he did the rest. The accommodations were beyond expectation, the guides were unbelievably friendly, and the places we were taken were spectacular. Having guides and drivers is worth every penny. So much time and money would have been wasted had we tried to accomplish this ourselves.
We got to experience so much more because of our guides local knowledge. Lastly, how great it was not to worry about how we were getting to the next adventure. Had we not used Indochina Pioneer I truly believe I wouldn’t have as many astonishing memories.
David G
USAIf you are looking for a private tour of SE Asia, look no further than Indochina Pioneer. I recently returned from a 30-day private tour of Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand all arranged by Indochina Pioneer and could not have been happier with everything they arranged for me. They are top-notch from working directly with you on planning your trip, arranging visas, having individuals at the airports to meet and walk you through everything when entering the countries, having amazing tour guides and drivers as well as organizing everything for you on the ground and being there to help you all along the way if you have any questions or problems. My tour was amazing with not only the normal tourist sights, but many off the beaten track sights and with your own guides, you learn so much more from these individuals who actually live in the places you will visit. I can’t recommend this tour agency enough. If you are looking to travel to any of the locations Indochina Pioneer has tours, you must book through them, you will not be disappointed.
Link: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g293924-d2211874-r751470744-Indochina_Pioneer-Hanoi.html
Lidia
SpainWe had 21 days on a private tour and every detail was perfectly arranged. Perhaps, the Spanish speaking skills of guides can ve improved, but overall they were very helpful and committed with their job. I want to highlight the performance of Juan (Hanoi), Miguel (Hoi An), Chao (Ho Chi Minh City) and La (Luang Prabang, Laos).
Hotels were as we asked and the timing for the visits was very good.
I recommend this travel agency!
Link: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g293924-d2211874-r751425461-Indochina_Pioneer-Hanoi.html
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