The Best of Nepal Tour (Kathmandu, Chitwan, Lumbini & Pokhara)

Home > The Best of Nepal Tour (Kathmandu, Chitwan, Lumbini & Pokhara)

A close encounter with mysticism, culture, history and the wild.

Best of Nepal is an incredible holiday tripwhere you will have a tour around the old cities – enjoy all the best places of Nepal once in lifetime by visiting the cultural and natural heritages of Kathmandu, Chitwan, Lumbini and Pokhara. This tour covers the majestic Himalayas, the beautiful countryside, the UNESCO World heritage sites and rich sub-tropical wildlife; the last but not least –the Birthplace of Gautama Buddha in Lumbini. As you slumber after a wonderfully tiring day; the sound of crickets gently put you into blissful sleep. It’s another day that will go into your diary….a story for your generations to come.

Outline Itinerary

  • Day 01 Arrival Kathmandu.
  • Day 02 Sightseeing tour in Bouddhanath,Pashupatinath and Patan
  • Day 03 Drive to Chitwan
  • Day 04 Safari Excursion
  • Day 05 Drive to Lumbini
  • Day 06 Drive to Pokhara; Sightseeing in Pokhara
  • Day 07 Excursion to Sarangkot; Fly to Kathmandu
  • Day 08 International departure

Detailed Itinerary

  • Day 01

    Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel

    It’s a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. And as your plane lands at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, our waiting support team will meet and greet you at the arrivals and escort you to your hotel. .

  • Day 02

    Sightseeing tours in Boudhanath, Pashupatinath & Patan

    Kathmandu is the historical and cultural heart of Nepal and has been a popular destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its doors to visitors. The city presents a wonderful mix of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence. There will be a guided tour to Boudhnath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and after that to Pashupatinath, the most popular Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. We take a tour to Patan also called as Lalitpur (the City of Artisans), which is 5km away from Kathmandu. We walk through Patan Durbar Square, and delight in the architectural wonders of Malla era. Mahaboudha Temple, Kumbeshwor Temple, Krishna Temple and Golden Temple are the major attractions at the square. .

  • Day 03

    Drive to Chitwan (5 hrs drive/190 km)

    Today you head towards Chitwan along Prithivi Highway. Chitwan prides itself in its rich wildlife and lush vegetation. Rare species of birds and animals, including the one-horned rhino and the Royal Bengal Tiger, inhabit the deep jungle of Chitwan National Park is one of the most interesting tourist destinations. In the evening you get to enjoy the local Tharu stick dance, a slide show demonstrating the culture of Nepal and a special meal. .

  • Day 04

    Safari Excursion

    After breakfast, you get a full day safari activities in Chitwan National Park - if you are lucky, you will see many amazing creatures that you spend most time to looking for; rhinoceroses, Chitwan's royal Bengal tigers, leopards, monkeys, many types of deer and reptiles.Your safari excursion includes jungle safari, canoeing and bird watching. Check your camera gear - preferably with a telephoto lens and you will not miss any shots. .

  • Day 05

    Drive to Lumbini (3 hrs drive/138 km)

    You drive to Lumbini early in the morning. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, has been revered as the place of holy pilgrimage. Lumbini has been included as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.Upon arrival in Lumbini, we transfer you to the hotel, check-in and then we go walking through the Sacred Lumbini Garden where the Buddha was born. You pass through Ashoka pillar, visit the Maya Devi Temple with its bas-relief sculpture depicting Maya Devi holding on with her right hand to a branch of pipal tree and giving birth to the infant Buddha who stands up on a lotus pedestal..

  • Day 06

    Drive to Pokhara (7 hrs drive/264 km)

    After hearty breakfast you immediately travel to Pokhara which is 264 km away from Kathmandu. On reaching Pokhara, you will be escorted to best resorts or hotels of your choice. Pokhara will have you mesmerized with its majestic sight of snow-capped mountain peaks and exquisite beauty. Pokhara is most popular for its lakes Phewa, Begnas and Rupa. Your trip includes visits to exotic places. You can go for boating on Phewalake. Exploring the deep-seated mysteries of intriguing caves like MahendraGupha will further heighten your adventure spirit. The Devis Falls, the gorge of the Seti River and Tibetan refugee camp are the other dotted places you will be sightseeing..

  • Day 07

    Excursion to Sarangkot; fly to Kathmandu

    In the morning, you will be taken for an excursion to Sarangkot. On a 3 hour walk (up the mountain) from Pokhara, lies Sarangkot. Located at an altitude of 1592m, it is the highest point on the Pokhara valley rim.From here you can see the whole Pokhara Valley and the Annapurna ranges (Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Machhapuchure, Annapurna III, Annapurna II, Annapurna IV and LamjungHimal). Afterward, you will take a 30 minutes’ flight back to Kathmandu. After reaching Kathmandu, you can spend the remaining hours as you wish..

  • Day 08

    International departure

    Our driver and airport representative will drive you to the airport for your international departure. We are doubly sure you have enjoyed a wonderful holiday of different ventures that shows you the true depths of Nepal’s natural beauty in dissimilar climatic conditions &it’s changing landscapes in the course of your exotic journeys. We know that you will always remember this combo vacation & will return home to tell stories of your amazing experiences in the incredible Himalayan nation of Nepal. We know that you will return again someday. .

Tour Guide
We have a team of highly experienced and multilingual guides (guides who can speak your language – major languages only). They are professionally trained and are thoroughly versed in culture and history of each place in this itinerary.
Tour Availability
We operate Nepal cultural tours for private team of your friends and family of any size, so you can enjoy your private trip without having to deal and confront with other people who have different interests and attitude. Each trip is accompanied by a tour guide and driver(s). Nepal Cultural tours of four to eight days in duration are ideal for an extension trip if you have booked any longer trekking holidays in Nepal or tours/treks in Tibet.
Accommodation
Kathmandu offers a wide range of accommodation facilities, from 5 star luxury hotels to budget-priced guest houses. Top hotels give you the high quality services. Whatever your requirements are, hotels in Nepal can meet them all.Explore Himalaya will assist you in hotel reservation. For more information, you can ask us for details.
Meals
Breakfast is included but lunch and dinner are excluded in all our tour costs. There will be one hour lunch break during city sightseeing tour. Plenty of best and quality restaurants in town serve Nepali, oriental and continental dishes. We recommend the best one depending on your taste preference. A good continental lunch or dinner at a good restaurant costs approximately USD 10-15. Full board option is also available on request.
Meeting/airport transfers
In all our packaged tours, airport pick-ups and drops are included. You need to pass on your International flight details to us for a “meeting and greeting” service at airport. You just pass on the Customs and come out of the Terminal building where you will see someone standing with a placard with either ‘Explore Himalaya’ or your name written on it. Our airport representative or tour officer will greet you and welcome you at the airport. You will then be escorted to your hotel where you will be briefed about your further activities in detail. You collect your flight tickets for reconfirmation and deliver them back later. After your trip is over you will be transferred back to the airport in time to catch your flight back home.
Cost of the trip
The cost of each trip depends on various factors such as types of accommodation, type of vehicles with or without air-conditioner, group size (i.e. number of people in your team) etc. Our costs are usually categorized into standard package (based on 3 star hotels), superior package (combination of 3-4 star hotel) and deluxe package (5 star hotels with air conditioned vehicles). However, you can always upgrade your accommodation and use air conditioned car at extra charge though you have initially booked standard or superior package. We can customize any tour to suit your best interest and budget.
Vehicle
We have a fleet of mostly Japanese made Toyota vehicles of all types and sizes, from small two-seater luxury cars to large capacity luxury tourist coaches. Size and type of vehicle depend on size of your group. We use two-seater car for 1-2 persons, micro luxury 6-seater van for 3-5 persons, 10-seater van for 6-9 persons and tourist coach or coaster for group size above 10 persons. Our drivers are specially trained to serve in the hospitality industry. The vehicles are checked carefully before assigning to your service.
Tour timings
Duration of each city tour is six hours (full day tour) or three hours (half day tours). Durations and tour highlights are mentioned in all our detailed itineraries. Relevant tips/information will be briefed to you before you embark on any of our trips. Tour usually starts after your breakfast (9 am). Your half-day tour lasts till 1 pm and till 3 pm if it is full day. Late afternoon and evening can be used to explore the town on your own.
Tipping 
Tips are not mandatory. However you can tip your support team if you wish for, according to your budget and appreciation of their work. Normally, tip amounts for 5-10% of your total budget. All fees to sightseeing places stated in tour package are included in our cost.
Clothing
Clothing varies with the type of tour and season.
From April to the end of October, it is warm in Kathmandu. In Nepal clothing for traveling purpose should be comfortable and light. You can also wear longer shorts provided that it is weather- friendly. In the months of November to the end of March, days are usually warm and evenings are cool. Put on your summer clothes during the day time but in the evening and night it is advisable to carry a light jacket. Winter season starts from December to February. One must be equipped with sufficient winter wears like jackets, sweaters, trousers etc to stay protected from the cold. In accordance to Nepali weather you can have your clothes well-packed in your luggage or you can also purchase clothes of your choice and needs from the clothing stores in Nepal.
CHITWAN JUNGLE SAFARI
Location and Getting there
It is a pleasant scenic 5-6 hours drive by a tourist coach or a private vehicle from Kathmandu on the Prithivi Highway along the banks of the Trishuli River. Chitwanlies in the tropical Terai, encompassed by the Churia Hills and flanked by theRapti, Reu and Narayani rivers. Chitwan National Park was established in 1973 and is the oldest National Park in Nepal. The Park, which covers an area of 932 sq. km, became a World Heritage Site in 1984. If you wish to cut short traveling time, please check our other similar program with flight option.
BOOKING CONDITIONS
1) Your booking will be confirmed by email once we receive your deposit of USD 500 and the signed copy of booking form and contract.
The balance is due no later than two months prior to departure. If you book a tour less than 2 months prior to departure, you must send the full payment within 7 days of confirmation by us.
2) If you cancel, the following scale of charges will apply:
DATE OF CANCELLATION - CHARGE INCURRED
2 months before departure – Loss of deposit (US$ 500)
29 days to 2 months before departure – 30% of total trip cost
10 to 28 days before departure – 60% of total trip cost
Less than 10 days before departure – 100% of total trip cost

  • January 30 2015
  • January 31 2015

Testimonials

The tour guide assigned to us was good. The camping service provided in Samari was OK and so were the hotel and transportation used.

–Peter Holm

 

The meeting and handling was very good. The tour guide and the support staff used were very good. The meals provided during the tour and in the hotels were very good. The hotel that we stayed in Kathmandu was “Hotel Marshyangdi”, which was very good, and in Samari, the tents were very fine but I suggest it would have been much better if a tent roof was provided to give shade. The itinerary was also very well designed.

–Mogens Engelund

- From Denmark
Kathmandu Pashupatinath
Chitwan Elephant Safari
Pokhara

1 2

Happy Explorers

Elephant rides in the jungle of Chitwan National Park and visit to the outstanding Bhaktapur Durbar Square with such excellent guides are the best memories of our trip to Nepal. The service of Explore Himalaya is excellent.

- Ms. Christine and Mr. Michael Patrick McDonagh (England) Read Testimonials | Submit Your Testimonial

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