The name says it all: It's one of the most popular and, arguably, best trips combined in one package in the best of Nepal.
Our groups are small with maximum 14 people. We create groups of independent travelers, friends and families which maintains close interpersonal connection, engage more and get into depth of the journey. Choose a date from the calendar to reserve your spot.
Looking for personalized experience? We organize privately guided journey which is mainly designed to fit your taste and interest. Please fill out the form below to get started.
During this best of Nepal tour, we will take you to some of the most popular and significant places of Nepal such as Kathmandu, Chitwan, Lumbini, Bandipur, Pokhara, Nagarkot, Dhulikhel and close to Mt. Everest by mountain flight. On this trip, we will be using luxury hotels and resorts for accommodation, top-rated airlines for domestic flights, and comfortable private vehicles with a/c for road trips.
The major attractions of this Best of Nepal tour will be visiting cultural heritage sites of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur, a panoramic view of mountains from Nagarkot and Dhulikhel, the closest possible aerial view of Mt Everest via mountain flight, a jungle safari in Chitwan, Lumbini birthplace of Lord Buddha, traditional Newari culture in Bandipur and sightseeing around Pokhara.
During the course of this tour, you will have a professional guide at your service and travel in a comfortable private tourist vehicle. Transfer across cities will either be on an airplane or ground transportation (private tourist vehicle). All accommodation during the tour will be at luxury hotels available in the area on twin sharing basis (a single supplement will be available on request). You will have many opportunities to purchase authentic souvenirs, including carpets, handicrafts, carvings, and Thankas (traditional painting) on this tour.
Arrival at Kathmandu (1,400 m) Airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight at a 5-star hotel.
Mountain flight – 1 hour and guided sightseeing in Kathmandu. Overnight at a 5-star hotel.
Sightseeing in Patan, flight to Lumbini (150 m) – 30 Minutes in the afternoon. Overnight at the best possible hotel.
Sightseeing in Lumbini. Overnight at best possible hotel.
Drive to Chitwan (415 m) – 3 to 4 hours. Overnight at a luxury resort near the national park.
Whole day jungle activities. Overnight at a luxury resort near national park.
Drive to Pokhara (900 m) – 5 to 6 hours via Bandipur (1,030 m). Overnight at a luxury hotel in Lakeside.
Watch the sunrise from Sarangkot (1,592 m), yoga class, and evening walk in Lakeside Pokhara. Overnight at a luxury hotel in Lakeside.
Whole day sightseeing in Pokhara. Overnight at a luxury hotel in Lakeside.
Fly to Kathmandu at morning – 30 Minutes flight, visit to Narayanhiti Palace Museum. Overnight at a 5-star hotel.
Morning yoga – 90 minutes in Kathmandu Thamel, Sightseeing in Bhaktapur, Changunarayan, drive to Nagarkot (1,932 m) – 1 to 2 hours drive, watch the sunset from Nagarkot. Overnight at a luxury hotel.
Drive to Dhulikhel (1,440 m) – 1 to 2 hours drive, and watch sunset and sunrise from Dhulikhel. Overnight at a 5-star hotel.
Drive back to Kathmandu – 1 hours drive, walk and do shopping in the streets of Kathmandu. Farewell dinner in the evening. Overnight at a 5-star hotel.
Transfer to the international airport for your final departure, our representative will be there to see off.
Our standard itinerary might differ slightly due to unpredictable happenings and events out of our control. Factors such as flight cancellation/delay, unfavorable weather, natural calamities, newly implemented government rules, political affairs, transport, etc., are possible. Evaluating the situation’s possible solutions allow the tour to resume as much as possible based on the best alternatives. In these times, we look for your cooperation and flexibility. Read more
Twin-sharing/Double accommodation in Kathmandu (4 nights in a five-star hotel), Lumbini (2 nights in the best available hotel), Pokhara (3 nights in a luxury hotel in Lakeside), Nagarkot (1 night in a luxury hotel) and Dhulikhel (1 night in a 5-star hotel). All of these are based on bed and breakfast basis
Twin-sharing/double accommodation in a luxury resort near national park in Chitwan (2 nights) including all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and jungle activities inside Chitwan National Park
All ground transportations are operated by private tourist vehicle like car, van, minibus depending on size
All guided city tour as mentioned in day-by-day itinerary on a private tourist vehicle with a/c.
Everest mountain flight
Domestic flights: Kathmandu to Lumbini and Pokhara to Kathmandu
The required number of ground staff during the tour like driver, helper etc.
Free Ace the Himalaya duffel/kit bag and sunhat (yours to keep)
Yoga class in Pokhara and Kathmandu
Lunch and dinner in all places except Chitwan (about USD 15 to USD 20 per person per day)
All Items of Personal nature like drink, Laundry etc.
Our airport representative will welcome you at Tribhuvan International airport, Kathmandu. S/he will be displaying an Ace the Himalaya signboard outside the airport terminal. You will be then transferred to your respective hotel in our private tourist vehicle.
Note: If you arrive after 4 pm, there will be a briefing about the trip with our guide. It will be a short pre-trip meeting. Make sure to confirm your queries about trekking in the mountains. If you arrive before 4 pm, a pre-trip meeting will be organized at our office on the same day. Meet and greet with our trip guide.
Be sure to bring the following documents to the meeting; two copies of passport-sized photos and a readable copy of your travel insurance policy.
In the morning, we will go to domestic airport for mountain flight, from this flight we can see closest possible aerial views of Mt Everest, Kanchenjunga, including many other snow-capped mountains and the Tibetan Plateau. Mountain flights are operated by the top rated Airlines company like Buddha Air, (19 seater), Americansn Beech 1900D aircraft and Yeti Air (a 19 seater DeHavill) and DHC-6/300 Series Twin Otter, Goma Air etc. All the flights leave Kathmandu between 7.00 and 9.30 a.m.And afternoon time we will utilize it by doing sightseeing in Kathmandu, we will visit the following places
Swayambhunath Stupa – The Monkey Temple (World Heritage Site)
This stupa watches over the valley from the top of a hillock on its western side. The huge stupa is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal and its establishment is linked to the creation of the Kathmandu Valley out of a primordial lake. Swayambhu is also known as Samhengu and the Monkey Temple because of the countless monkeys living in the premises.
Kathmandu Durbar Square (World Heritage Site)
This complex of palaces, courtyards and temples, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, used to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. An intriguing piece here is the 17th- century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages. The Durbar Square is the social, religious and urban focal point of the city. There are also three museums inside the palace building.
Today after breakfast we will go to Patan Durbar Square for sightseeing. Patan Durbar Square is an enchanting combination of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples. The former royal palace complex is the center of Patan’s religious and social life, and houses a museum containing an array of bronze statues and religious objects. One remarkable monument here is a 17th-century temple dedicated to the Hindu God Krishna, built entirely of stone.After lunch we will fly to Lumbini and rest of day will be relaxing.
After breakfast we will get ready for sightseeing in Lumbini. This pilgrimage site in southwest Nepal attracts devout Buddhists around the world, who arrive to pay homage at the Sacred Garden where the ‘Enlightened One’ was born. Exploring the Maya Devi Temple will be jaw dropping moment for you. Another famous landmark is the Ashoka Pillar raised by the great Emperor who converted to Buddhism. Lumbini has been enlivened by the multitude of architecturally beautiful temples, stupas and monasteries built by various international Buddhist communities.
After breakfast we will drive to Chitwan. If you love jungle safari Chitwan National Park is the right destination, which is the first national park of Nepal, established in 1973. There are more than 43 species of mammals in the park. The park is especially renowned for its protection of the endangered one- horned rhinoceros, tiger, and gharial crocodile along with many other common species of wild animal. Enjoy the sunset in the evening.
Get a wake-up call from staff, have breakfast and get ready for the jeep safari. After Lunch a traditional dug-out canoe takes you on a silent trip down the Rapti River to view aquatic birds and the animals of the river banks. Visit to elephant breeding center and learn more about the life of these fascinating animals. At the end of the day we will have an opportunity to watch the Tharu (Local tribe) cultural program.
Its going to be long day today. We will leave Chitwan early morning after breakfast for Bandipur a Newar town with its age-old flavour intact. After having lunch at Bandipur with panaromic view of Himalayas, we will take a walk in local market of Newari culture. And continue journey towards Pokhara Valley the city of lakes.
Today we will wake up early in the morning and about 45 minutes to 1 hour drive with 25-30 minutes hike take us to the top of Sarangkot to see the best sunrise and close view of many mountains like Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Fishtail including view of the beautiful Pokhara Valley and Phewa lake, it’s a 15-30 minutes walk down and 45 minutes to 1 hour drive to the hotel in Pokhara. We will go to yoga class on the way and come back to hotel. Relax for a while, and later go for street shopping and evening walk in the lakeside of Pokhara.
Wake up early and have breakfast. You will have a private vehicle and a professional tour guide at your disposal. The places we visit are as below:
Phewa Lake and Barahi Temple
Situated at an altitude of 800m above sea level, it is the second largest lake in the kingdom. With the Barahi Island Temple in the middle of the lake it is the most important religious monument in Pokhara. Built almost in the middle of Phewa Lake, this two-storied pagoda is dedicated to the female force Shakti. The reflection of Mt. Machhapuchhare and Annapurna can be seen in its serene water. Thick forest lies on the adjoining southern slopes of the lake.
Davi’s Fall
Locally known as Patale Chhango and in the southern flank of the Pokhara valley is where the stream flowing from Fewa lake collapses and surges down the rock into a deep gorge, leaping through several potholes. This is hugely popular with tourists and locals alike.
Tibetan Refugee Camp
The Tibetan camp Tashi Ling, which is behind Gupteshwor Cave, is renowned for the production and trade of woolen carpets and other handicrafts. The original Tibetan settlers in this region migrated to Nepal in the ‘50s.
Bindhyabasini Temple
Lies in the center of religious old bazaar. It is dedicated to Goddess Bhagawati, yet another manifestation of Shakti. The park like grounds offer a fine picnic area.
Seti River Gorges
Carved by Seti-Gandaki is one of the natural wonders of Pokhara. K.I. Singh bridge at Bagar, Mahendrapool & Prithivi highway Bridge near bus park, provides a perfect view of the river’s dreadful rush and the deep gorge made by the turbulent flow of white water.
Gupteswar Cave
The revered Gupteswar Cave is situated 2 kms from Pokhara airport. The entrance is right across from Devi’s fall and the cave is almost 3 kms long. It has some big hall-sized rooms and some passages where you have to crawl on all four. This cave holds special value to Hindus since a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva is preserved here in the condition it was discovered.
Today we will fly back to Kathmandu by domestic airplane. After returning to Kathmandu, we have the afternoon and the evening to go for sightseeing in Kathmandu and visit to Museum. We will visit the following places:
Pashupatinath temple (World Heritage Site)
Pashupatinath is one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world and lies 5 kms east of the city center. The richly-ornamented pagoda houses the sacred Linga, or phallic symbol, of Lord Shiva. Chronicles indicate the temple’s existence prior to 400 AD. Devotees can be seen taking ritual dips in the holy Bagmati River flowing beside the temple.
Bouddhanath Stupa (World Heritage Site)
Later visit Boudhanath, the 2500 years old Buddhist stupa in the Valley built in 5th century with four pairs of eyes of Lord Buddha in four cardinal directions keeping an eternal watch over the people and their doings. You will find Buddhist pilgrims from Tibet going round the stupa spinning the prayer wheels
Narayanhiti Palace Museum
Narayanhiti Palace Museum is located at the centre of Kathmandu; it will provide anyone with an opportunity to see many prized possessions of important historical significance. It is the former royal palace and it was open to public since 2006. While visiting the museum you will come across to know interior design of the palace, how royalty lived and the history.
Early morning we will go for yoga class from 8:00 am to 9:30. After that we’ll spend this day on a guided sightseeing tour in Bhaktapur and Changunarayan, and in the evening, we’ll head to Nagarkot (1-hour drive). The places we visit are:
Bhaktapur Durbar Square (Bhadgaon) (World Heritage Site)
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a collection of pagoda and shikhara-style temples grouped around a 55-window palace of brick and wood. The attraction of the Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the Lion Gate, the Golden Gate, the 55-window palace, art galleries and the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla.
Changunarayan Temple (World Heritage Site)
Situated on a ridge overlooking the Kathmandu valley, about 12 km to the east of the city. It is dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu. It is one of the finest and oldest specimens of pagoda architecture built in 323 AD by King Haridutta Verma. The temple is richly decorated with sculptures and carvings, and its position above the Kathmandu valley affords a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside.
Nagarkot
Nagarkot is one of the most scenic spots situated about 35 km east of Kathmandu from where an excellent view of snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan Ranges in eastern Nepal can be seen (weather permitting). The place is also renowned for spectacular sunrise sights. There are also some great hiking trails in Nagarkot. At the evening we will relax in Nagarkot watching beautiful sunset view.
We wake up early enough to watch the stunning sunrise from the Nagarkot, It is one of the best spot for watching sunrise. Have breakfast and get ready for drive to Dhulikhel. It will be a great escape from the city life and relax in nature with scenic view of mountains range.
We wake up early and watch the sunrise right through the mountains. Have breakfast and get ready to drive back to Kathmandu. Today we will do some walking and shopping on the streets of the Kathmandu.You have the option to extend your trip for adventure.
The trip concludes – our airport representative will drop you at Kathmandu’s Tribhuwan International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.
All you need to bring for this tour is simply some comfortable clothes. There is no requirement for special equipment on the tour. However, for your ease, the following gives you a general idea about the personal items you need to manage for the trip. The personal items referred to here are optional and depend upon your choice. The most important factor to be considered while choosing the equipment and your backpack is the time of the year you are traveling.
We will supply complimentary water and a windproof duffel bag, which you can use on the tour for your shopping purpose. The duffel bag is yours to keep.
Therefore, this list is only a guide. You can use the list as a reference. There are numerous options, brands, and versions of each piece of clothing and equipment. Use your experience and the listed features to find the best gear for you. Some of the above equipment can be easily found in stores in Kathmandu.
(please note that winter wears are only necessary if in case you’re traveling in the month of Nov – Dec)
Once in Nepal, if you have the time, you can purchase supplies and gear for hiking. Thamel, Kathmandu’s tourist hub, is home to many shops where you can get a variety of reasonably priced trekking equipment.
Note: Some clothing, especially form-fitting, figure-hugging items made of elastic material (like yoga pants), may offend locals. Therefore, if you choose to wear these clothes for comfort, please make sure to wear something over them.
Ace has a reputation for successfully leading treks with knowledgeable leaders and staff taking care of all your travel needs. We are a certified sustainable travel company that also endorses the idea of giving back to the community by participating in various philanthropic activities. Here are 17 reasons to hike with Ace the Himalaya.
Indeed, Nepal is entirely open. Fully immunized travelers are welcome in Nepal without restriction. Arriving travelers can obtain a visa on arrival at the Kathmandu airport as well. Please visit Covid-19 travel protocols 2022 for up-to-date information.
We suggest you look at the Nepal immigration site https://www.immigration.gov.np for the most up-to-date information.
Yes, you need to book your own international flights. We are a local agent and it would cost you significantly higher to book through us. Please find more information in the International Flight page.
You can tour without a guide. A guide is available to help you with your sightseeing by providing knowledge and insights about the locations you visit. Our tour leaders are qualified experts. When talking about their trip, our guests frequently remark on how much fun they had and how crucial their guide was to making it successful.
Our guides are fluent in English. All the guides that we assign speak and understand English. They’ll share with you the fascinating stories, traditions, and folklore of the mountains. The guides will also help you communicate with the locals since many shopkeepers and the locals around the destination don’t speak English.
The best season for this tour is anytime between January to June and September to December.
It depends on the season you’re traveling. During winter (December to February), it is colder at night and relatively warmer during the day, with the temperature ranging from 4°C at night to 22°C. Between March and May, the weather stays perfect as the temperature averages 25°C during the day. From September to December, following the monsoon, the temperature gets cooler and allows for a great time to travel. The average temperature during this season is 20°C. The vehicles and the hotels during the trip will be air-conditioned making your travel very comfortable.
Yes, you can obtain a Nepal visa upon your arrival at the airport. There are kiosks in the arrival hall that you use to complete the necessary forms. The cost is USD 30 for a 15-day tourist visa, including numerous entries, or USD 50 and USD 125 for a 30-day or 90-day tourist visa including numerous entries respectively. You should carry cash (USD) with you to pay your visa fees quickly and easily, as digital payments are frequently unavailable.
Our staff will be waiting for you outside the airport terminal with our signboard (Ace the Himalaya). You will be accompanied to a hotel in a private tourist vehicle.
It depends on your spending habits. We estimate USD 50 to 100 a day will be enough to buy lunch, dinner, chocolates, and a few drinks.
When you book, you must pay a 30% deposit to secure your itinerary. The remaining balance can be paid upon your arrival at Kathmandu or before arrival. US Dollars cash and credit cards (Visa, Master, and American Express) are accepted once in Nepal. Please note a 4% transaction fee will be added for all credit card transactions.
You can make payments via US Dollars cash or credit card (Visa, Master, and American Express). A 4% transaction fee is added if paying with a credit card. Thus, we encourage you to pay with USD cash if you are planning to pay upon your arrival in Kathmandu. We prefer you pay with larger bills (USD 50 or 100). Please note that the cash should not be older than 2009 and in good condition, as banks do not accept worn, torn, or crumpled bills.
There are ATM and money exchange facilities almost every few meters in Thamel, where you will be staying in Kathmandu. So, you can easily use your cards to cash out limited sum of money to which a minimum charge is deducted by the ATM facility itself. You can easily exchange your foreign currencies in currency exchange centers for an exact rate.
After making the deposit, one of our staff will email you for further information. We will require a copy of your passport photo page and your arrival/departure flight details. We will also provide you with additional trip information.
Travel insurance is mandatory for our hiking itineraries. We require your policy have medical evacuation coverage for the maximum elevation of your itinerary. Insurance may also cover additional costs in the event of a flight delay or cancellation caused by bad weather, medical costs, theft, loss, and damage to your items while traveling. Travel insurance can be obtained online by one of several travel insurance companies. Please note that insurance obtained from an airline at the time of booking your flight may not cover medical evacuation coverage.
You can find the necessary items to pack for the tour in the Equipment Section.
Bring copies of your passport, insurance papers, and other essential items in your carry-on during your flight. If you need to take medications daily, keep them in your daypack with your other essential possessions. You can store other non-trekking essentials in the office of Ace the Himalaya or at the hotel in Kathmandu.
In Kathmandu, we use the five-star Hyatt Regency or a similar-class hotel. In Lumbini, we use Buddha Maya Garden or a similar-class hotel. In Chitwan, we use Green Park Resort or a similar-class luxury resort. In Pokhara, we use Temple Tree Resort or a similar-class luxury Lakeside hotel. In Nagarkot, we use Hotel Mystic Mountain or a similar-class luxury hotel. And, in Dhulikhel, we use Dwarika’s Resort or a similar-class luxury resort.
The rooms are twin-sharing or double. If you want a single room, please let us know and we will arrange it at an additional cost.
Yes, private rooms can be arranged at an additional cost.
In case of unforeseen circumstances such as flight cancellation, your health, or for any reason you decide to discontinue the trip then you will need extra accommodations.
In such cases, we will arrange your accommodations, but you will need to pay a supplemental charge.
For lunch and dinner, there are many restaurants in Kathmandu. They provide Continental, Chinese, Mexican, and American-based cuisines with some local influences. You will always have plenty of options to choose from. The hotel where you will stay will provide breakfast, which is included in the package. You will need to pay your own for lunch and dinner and any other food items.
Laundry service is easily available at your hotel and there are many laundry stores in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Please note that laundry service is not included in the package price.
These facilities are available in all the places in your hotel. Remember to bring your adapters!
Bottled water is available in all places. If you wish to drink normal water, you are suggested to use purifying aid, which you need to bring with you.
Yes, they have all received 45-day training from the Hotel Management and Tourism Center in Nepal. The guides have also received high-altitude first aid training from KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project). Please check our Guides’ Profiles and Training Certificates.
Yes. In fact, our company is an active member of the Nepal Tour and Travel Agencies Association.
This cultural tour is suitable for any kind of person.
These yoga classes are for those who are completely new and beginners. We will teach you basic yoga, yogic cleansing, and stretching methods.
We suggest you have a dental checkup before your trip and know your blood type. It is helpful if you inform us of any medical condition that is relevant so we may convey this information in the event of an emergency. Ace the Himalaya keeps your medical condition confidential unless treatment is necessary.
Our company insures all our staff members, including guides, cooks, Sherpa, and porters. Please browse through our legal docment page to view insurance details.
We suggest you have a dental checkup before your trip and know your blood type. It is helpful if you inform us of any medical condition that is relevant so we may convey this information in the event of an emergency. Ace the Himalaya keeps your medical condition confidential unless treatment is necessary.
Notice should be provided 20 days before the trip start date in case of cancellation. The trip can be canceled for justifiable reasons. Once the trip is canceled, a fee of 30% of the trip cost is retained for administrative costs.
However, the trip amount is entirely non-refundable if the cancellation is not made before the 20 days as per our terms and conditions. For submitting a claim to your insurance company after the cancellation, we can assist with documentation such as a receipt of monies paid. Refund will not be provided for unused accommodation in case of trip cancellation caused by personal reasons/sickness/weather.
More information about our cancellation policy can be found here in Terms and Conditions page.
Tips are always expected. It is a small gesture of thanks to the field staff towards the end of the tour USD 20 per guide and USD 10 per driver per day is recommended per group, but it is entirely up to your wishes.
Ace the Himalaya is one of the prime supporters of the social organization Sambhav Nepal. There are several ongoing projects in a village called Arupokhari (Gorkha district) which you are more than welcome to visit or even volunteer at. You will be able to gain a different insight into the lives of the people in the hills and also make a difference!
Click here to learn more about our volunteer programs
We cater to all group sizes, while maintaining the field staff ratio to give you the best quality and experience.
There are telephones and internet facilities available so you can always stay in contact with your family.
If you are a solo traveler and book one of our published dates, there is no additional fee. If you sign up for a private trip or change the trip date from one of our published trip dates, you will be charged an additional fee.
If there are any, you will be allocated to a touring group. The details of the personal data of your group members cannot be disclosed.
However, feel free to contact us if you have queries about other travelers in the group and we shall give you a general idea of the ages, nationalities, and sex of your group members. Chances are you will be touring with others unless you have booked a private trip.
Sure, you can add days as per your convenience only you might be charged a little extra for a day’s extension.
Yes, you can extend your holiday. Ace the Himalaya offers many options and alternatives for your holiday extension. For more information, you can visit our Day trips pages.
Yes, you must book your international flights. We are a local agency and do not make international flight arrangements. You can easily browse through flight tickets in airlines sites to book ones most feasible for you.
We utilize private tourist vehicles for touring, city visits, and airport pickups. Based on the group size, we use cars, minibusses, or vans. We use 4WD SUVs when necessary.
These full and frank reviews are from travelers who have traveled with Ace the Himalaya previously. The reviews and experiences shown here are from reputable travel websites like TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook, and Trust Pilot, etc.