
Essential Nepal Adventure
Discover the rich culture and breath-taking landscapes of Nepal on this 13-day Essentials adventure tour. Explore the temple-filled Kathmandu Valley and the beautiful Newari town of Bandipur. Spot wildlife on safari in Chitwan National Park, meditate in Lumbini and go boating in Pokhara. End your adventure with a spectacular 3-day Poon Hill trek in the Himalayas or opt to stay in Pokhara for a serene yoga retreat. This value-packed tour showcases the very best that Nepal has to offer, without breaking the bank, with hostel and homestay accommodation.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
13 daysHotel Rating
Hostels, simple hotels & teahousesStarts
KathmanduEnds
KathmanduMinimum Age
18 years oldMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in Nepal that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
No - can be booked for a supplementDeparture Transfer
No - can be booked for a supplementTour Guide
Escorted by a tour leaderCountries
Nepal, BhutanMeals Included
None ProvidedTour Style
Group Size
Up to 20 travelers
Min 6 / Max 20
Trip Type
Group Tours
Travel Style
Budget Tours
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip. Our Budget tours offer incredible experiences at a great price. As well as guided sightseeing (depending on the Tour Inclusions), there's free time to explore independently or take part in optional excursions so you can focus on doing just the things that suit you.
Guiding Style
Fully Guided
This tour is led by a dedicated tour guide or tour leader who accompanies you throughout your journey. They take care of the day-to-day logistics, offer local insights at every stop, and are available to assist with any questions or needs along the way. On longer tours or multi-country itineraries, you may be accompanied by a different tour guide or tour leader for certain sections of the journey. For full details of the guiding services included on this tour, please refer to the Inclusions.
Tour pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical rating
Demands a higher level of physical effort, including extended walking, hiking, or more challenging terrain. You must be able to walk around 5 kilometres per day and on overland trips, you must be able to manage steps up into overland trucks.
These ratings are a general guide and may vary from tour to tour.
Tour Guide
Escorted by a tour leaderGroup Size
Min 6 / Max 20Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip. Our Budget tours offer incredible experiences at a great price. As well as guided sightseeing (depending on the Tour Inclusions), there's free time to explore independently or take part in optional excursions so you can focus on doing just the things that suit you.
Guiding Style
This tour is led by a dedicated tour guide or tour leader who accompanies you throughout your journey. They take care of the day-to-day logistics, offer local insights at every stop, and are available to assist with any questions or needs along the way. On longer tours or multi-country itineraries, you may be accompanied by a different tour guide or tour leader for certain sections of the journey. For full details of the guiding services included on this tour, please refer to the Inclusions.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
Demands a higher level of physical effort, including extended walking, hiking, or more challenging terrain. You must be able to walk around 5 kilometres per day and on overland trips, you must be able to manage steps up into overland trucks.
Trip Type
Group ToursPassengers
$3,610.00
$1,805.00
Free eSIM included
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Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Kathmandu
After arriving in the city of Kathmandu, make your own way to the hostel where you will meet your fellow travellers and tour leader for a welcome meeting on the rooftop at 6pm. Then consider heading to Durbar Square with the group to get a taste of delicious Nepalese food from one of the local restaurant before heading to the Thamal District to check some live music.
Day 2 - Sightseeing in Kathmandu

This morning there's an optional Everest sightseeing flight for early risers. Marvel at the sunrise over Everest, a truly stunning sight! We then re-group later in the morning to take in some of the highlights of Kathmandu, including the Swayambhunath Stupa Temple, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath Temple.
Day 3 - Temples in Nagarkot
Kathmandu - Lalitpur - Nagarkot. Today, we depart from Kathmandu and head towards Nagarkot. Enroute, we make a stop at Lalitpur with an abundance of temples to visit -such as the Golden Temple and the Bangla Mukhi Temple. We also have the pleasure to meet a living goddess who lives in the area. We then resume the journey, arriving Nagarkot in time for lunch, with options aplenty. The rest of the afternoon and evening is for leisure. However, there's an optional 30-minute hike with the guide and group to a picturesque viewpoint to witness a magnificent sunset.
Day 4 - Bhaktapur & Phaphing

Nagrkot - Bhaktapur - Pharphing - Kathmandu. It's now back to Kathmandu, with a couple of stops enroute. In the morning we visit Bhaktapur, partaking in a morning walking tour of this city (UNESCO World Heritage Site). We continue onwards to Pharping, which houses a fantastic monastery for us to explore. In this monastery, we're amongst the local monks. Make sure to explore the cave which was home to the meditations of Great Master Padmanabhanagar. We then arrive back in Kathmandu, with a free evening for exploration or relaxation.
Day 5 - Chitwan National Park

Kathmandu - Chitwan. Rise and shine! Today's early start begins our adventure to Chitwan. We stop for breakfast on the way, and reach Chitwan around midday with time for lunch. Once re-fuelled, we embark on a jeep safari! Spectate the wonderful abundance of wildlife this region offers - such as deers, monkeys, rhinos, sloth's, tigers, leopards and more. We then cruise along a river in a canoe, with many more sights to behold. After our canoe ride, we enjoy a cup of coffee with the sunset in the background. We finish the evening with a Tharu Cultural Show which will showcase traditional Nepalese songs and dances.
Day 6 - Temples in Lumbini
Chitwan - Lumbini. We travel onwards to Lumbini today, arriving in the early afternoon, where there's time to get lunch. We then enjoy a guided tour of the marvelous temples this area has to offer. We then spend the rest of the day exploring the Maya Devi Temple, which is the birthplace of Buddha! There's the opportunity to participate in meditation in the Ashok section of the temple grounds. We also visit a variety of other temples, built by Buddhists communities from various countries.
Day 7 - Pokhara and Momo Class

Lumbini - Pokhara. Today we travel to one of the most iconic cities in Nepal - Pokhara! Take some time in the afternoon to acclimatise before we enjoy a momo making class. Learn the traditional methods of Nepalese cooking, with chance to taste these iconic dumplings.
Day 8 - Free time in Pokhara

Today if free for you to explore Pokhara, with many laid back options such as local sightseeing, visiting the Mountain Museum, or relaxing by the lakeside. However, for tour-goers with action in mind, there are several optional activities which can be undertaken, such as - The Kushma bungee jump (second highest in the world!) or Paragliding.
We then gather mid-afternoon for a boat ride on beautiful Lake Phewa. This evening you can opt to join the group for a movie night at the nearby Movie Garden.
Days 9-11 - Poon Hill or Pokhara
The next three days leaves us with a choice. Either join onto a trek along the Poon Hill region, or relax with a 3-day yoga retreat in Pokhara (surcharge for yoga). The yoga experience will consist of restorative yoga, dance classes, tea ceremonies, candlelight meditations, and nature walks. There is also ample free time in-between activities.
Poon Hill offers one of the most amazing hikes with the exploration of Nepal's natural world. On Day 1, we embark into the Himalayas, with a largely uphill 2-3 hour walk to the jungle in Ghoerpani village. Enjoy dinner and serene sunset views in the guesthouse.
On Day 2, wake up early and take an optional 1-hour hike to Poon Hill for the sunrise. We then re-group and set off for our 6 hour hike, with a mixture of terrain and verticality (more down than up) with a break for lunch. We arrive in Tadapani village for group dinner and more breath-taking views.
On Day 3, enjoy breakfast before a 3 hour hike through jungles and villages that accompany. On this mostly flat path we eventually arrive at our end point, with a private transfer back to Pokhara. Once we arrive in the mid-afternoon we have free time .
Please Note: If you do not wish to partake in the 3 day Poon Hill Trek on days 9 - 11, you can opt to stay in Pokhara for a 3-day yoga retreat. Note - there is a surcharge for the yoga experience. If you choose to stay for the yoga experience, you can expect three days of restorative yoga practices, dance classes, tea ceremonies, candlelight meditations, and nature walks – interspersed with some leisure time for you to spend how you see fit.
Day 12 - Journey to Bandipur

Pokhara - Bandipur. This morning, we’re up early to transfer to our final overnight stay of the Nepal group tour – Bandipur! Arriving around lunch time, you’ll enjoy a walk with your group through this stunningly preserved town, soaking up all the charm it has to offer.
In the evening, you and your group can opt to head into the town together to try some of the local cuisine!
Day 13 - White Water Rafting & Return to Kathmandu

Bandipur - Kathmandu. Today is our final day on the tour, however we have time to embark on one last thrilling activity - white water rafting! We'll spend a couple of hours enjoying the waters before we transfer back to Kathmandu, where our Nepal adventure tour comes to an end at approximately 6pm.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Pre Tour Accommodation Kathmandu

Post Tour Accommodation - Kathmandu

Additional Extras
Enhance your tour with these optional extras, helping you to get the most from your adventure.

Add-on: Kathmandu Airport Transfer (max 2 pax)
Add-on: Yoga Retreat Supplement
Add-on: Everest Scenic Flight
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Prices & Dates
Departures are guaranteed with a minimum of 3 persons. Prices shown are per person travelling. ROOM SHARE OPTION: If you are a solo traveller and happy to share of room then you can pay the Twin price and you will be matched up with another solo traveller of the same sex. Single rooms are subject to availability and on a request basis. Note: All travellers will be in dorm style rooms in teahouses on the trek - private rooms are not available.
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