This tour offers you the best of Nepal. Discover Kathmandu's ancient heritage sites. Explore the natural wonders of picturesque Pokhara. Get close to the endangered inhabitants of Chitwan National Park. Visit the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha, Lumbini.
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.
Savor the cultural, spiritual, and natural delights of Nepal. This glimpse of the Nepal tour takes you to some of the most popular destinations in Nepal. You begin your tour in Kathmandu, a modern city that was once divided into three medieval cities. Experience its rich culture and heritage.
The picturesque lakeside city of Pokhara will enthrall you with its spellbinding natural beauty. Enjoy boating in the serene Lake Phewa, watched over by the mighty Himalayan peaks. Visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the ‘Light of Asia’. Explore the lush jungles of Chitwan National Park.
During the course of this trip Glimpse of Nepal, you will have a professional guide at your disposal, and travel on a comfortable private tourist vehicle or a coach. Transfer across cities will be either via air or ground transportation (private vehicle).
All accommodation during the tour will be at 2 or 3-star hotels and lodges available in the area. You will have ample opportunity to purchase authentic souvenirs, including carpets, handicrafts, carvings, and Thankas (traditional painting) on this trip.
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (1,400 m) & Half-day Sightseeing around Kathmandu. Overnight at a Hotel.
Drive to Pokhara (900 m) by private tourist vehicle – 7 to 8 hours. Overnight at Lakeside.
Sunrise view from Sarangkot (1,592 m) & Pokhara Sightseeing. Overnight at Lakeside.
Drive to Lumbini (150 m) by private tourist vehicle – 4 to 5 hours. Overnight at Hotel in Lumbini.
Half-day guided sightseeing in Lumbini. Afternoon drive to Chitwan (415 m) by private tourist vehicle – 4 to 5 hours. Overnight at Resort.
Wildlife activities in Chitwan National Park. Overnight at Resort.
Wildlife activities in Chitwan National Park and Drive to Kathmandu by private tourist vehicle – 5 to 6 hours. Overnight at a Hotel.
Transfer to the international airport for your final departure.
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 a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu & Pokhara for 2 nights each, and Lumbini for 1 night only including breakfast. (Private room accommodation can be organized at an extra cost)
Twin-sharing/double accommodation at a resort in Chitwan for 2 nights including Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner with jungle activities in the national park.
All ground transportation by private tourist vehicle.
Guided city tour in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, and Lumbini on a Private vehicle.
1 Ace the Himalaya’s duffle/kit bag & sun hat.
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Lumbini about USD 15 to USD 20 per person per day.
Our airport representative will be receiving 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.
After checking into your hotel and a brief rest prepare for a half-day guided sightseeing tour of the city. You will get to visit two of the city’s World Heritage Sites.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
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.
Swoyambhunath Stupa – The Monkey Temple
The stupa watches over the valley from the top of a hillock on its western side. The huge white-domed stupa is one of the holiest Buddhists sites in Nepal and its establishment is linked to the creation of the Kathmandu Valley out of a primordial lake. Swoyambhu is also known as ‘Samhengu’ and the Monkey temple because of the countless monkeys living in the premises.
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 the trip. 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.
Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara 7 to 8 hours drive. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel.
After an early breakfast, we head to Pokhara on a private tourist vehicle (depending on the size of the group, the vehicle would be assigned). It is a scenic drive filled with inspiring views of the mountains, Himalayan Rivers, and picturesque hilltop villages.
Wake up early to catch the sunrise from Sarangkot Hill.
Sarangkot
A drive of 45 minutes with 25 minutes hike brings us to the view point of Sarangkot. It is the best spot in Pokhara to view the Himalayas. Get mesmerized with the magical sight of the golden sun rising over white spires of the Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri and Machhapucchre (Fishtail Peak), including views of the beautiful the Pokhara Valley and Phewa lake. It takes about 15-minute walk down and 45 minutes drive to the hotel in Pokhara. Return to hotel for breakfast.
Later in the day we visit these sites,
Bindhabasini Temple
Lies in the center of religious old bazaar. It is dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati, yet another manifestation of Shakti. The park grounds offer a fine picnic and relaxing area.
Davis 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.
Gupteshwor Cave
The revered Gupteshwor Cave is situated 2 kms from Pokhara airport. The entrance is right across from Davis 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 fours. This cave holds special value to Hindus since a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva is preserved here in the condition it was discovered.
Phewa Lake and Barahi Temple
Situated at an altitude of 800m above sea level, it is the second largest lake in Nepal. 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.
Seti River Gorge
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.
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.
Today transfer to Lumbini from Pokhara 4 to 5 hours drive. Arrive at Lumbini. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel.
Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha and a World Heritage Site 285 km southwest of Kathmandu. This pilgrimage site in southwest Nepal attracts devout Buddhists from around the world, who arrive to pay homage at the Sacred Garden where the ‘Enlightened One’ was born. A famous landmark is the Ashoka Pillar raised by the great emperor Ashoka who converted to Buddhism. Today Lumbini has been enlivened by the multitude of architecturally beautiful temples, stupas, and monasteries built by various international Buddhist communities.
Lumbini is hallowed ground as Shakyamuni Buddha was born here in southern Nepal more than twenty-five hundred years ago. As a sacred birthplace, it is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists from around the globe. Many excavations have taken place here around this small town in the southern Terai plains of Nepal. Ruins of the old city are clearly visible and many artifacts were unearthed during the excavation. Shakyamuni Buddha was born a prince to the ruler of the little principality. Important landmarks are the Maya Devi temple and the Ashoka pillar. The remains of many ancient stupas and monasteries can be found in the surroundings of Lumbini. The Ashoka pillar is said to have been erected by the Indian Emperor Ashoka in 250 BC and bears an inscription confirming this as the birthplace of the Buddha. A stone image of Maya Devi giving birth to Lord Buddha as she holds onto a branch is seen in the Maya Devi temple.
Later transfer from Lumbini to Chitwan; approximately 155 Kms / 4 to 5 hours drive.
Upon arrival at Chitwan, transfer to Hotel by Jeep (or any other vehicle depending on group size). On reaching resort, you would be briefed by our Guest Relations Officer. After the lunch you would be going for Village tour. Meanwhile the dinner would be ready by the time you return to the resort. Overnight at Resort.
Wake-up call followed by tea or coffee, and then proceed for canoeing/jeep safari.
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. Jeep safari by land rover starts from canoeing put out point covering the distance of approximately 10km with chances of seeing rare wildlife. Later we head to the elephant breeding centre and spend sometime with the tuskers. Remaining hours before the afternoon program: take a dip in the pool or relax on your verandah.
Today, depart Chitwan and transfer to Kathmandu; 160 Kms, 5 to 6 hours drive. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel.
After returning to Kathmandu, you have the afternoon and the evening free. Explore the city on your own. Stroll along the streets of Kathmandu for some last minute shopping.
In the evening, we host a farewell dinner in a fine restaurant. (Your guide(s) and an office staff will accompany you).
You have the option to extend your trip to continue onto rafting adventure, Kathmandu valley shopping tour, mountain biking and other activities.
The trip concludes. Our airport representative will drop you at the international airport in Kathmandu 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)
(Please note our guide will also carry the first-aid bag during the tour. However, we still recommend you bring your personal first-aid kit as well.)
Once in Nepal, if you have the time, you can purchase supplies you need while touring. Thamel, Kathmandu’s tourist hub, is home to many shops where you can get a variety of reasonably priced 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.
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 hosts of teahouses don’t speak English.
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.
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.
ATMs are available in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, and Lumbini. Major credit cards are accepted in all places but you need to pay 4% extra as a bank levy, which might make cash preferable.
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.
This cultural tour is suitable for any kind of person, no previous experience is required.
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.
You can find the necessary items to pack for the trip on the equipment tab of the trip.
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, Pokhara, and Lumbini we use three-star hotels including breakfast. Likewise, we use similar-class resorts in Chitwan including Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner.
We use Hotel Thamel House, Gaju Suite Hotel, Hotel Jampa, or comparable-class lodging in Kathmandu. Similarly, we use Splendid view Hotel in Pokhara, Landmark Resort in Chitwan, and Lumbini Buddha Garden Resort or Lumbini Palace Resort in Lumbini.
You can upgrade the accommodation to a five-star hotel for the entire trip for an additional charge.
Yes, private rooms can be arranged at an additional cost.
Our package includes breakfast at the hotel. Any other meals/food items including; lunch and dinner, are to be paid for by yourself.
You’ll have varied options for lunch and dinner as many restaurants in Kathmandu, and Pokhara provide Continental, Chinese, Mexican, and American-based cuisines with some local influences.
These facilities are available in all the places in your hotel. Remember to bring your adapters!
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.
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 a 45-days 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.
Our company insures all our trekking 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.
This cultural tour is suitable for any kind of person.
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.
Ace the Himalaya is one of the prime supporters of the social organization Sambhav Nepal. There are several on-going 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
There are telephones and internet facilities available so you can always stay in contact with your family.
Tipping is expected and appreciated. You can tip your trekking guides and driver based on your satisfaction and enjoyment. 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.
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, minibuses, or vans. We use 4WD 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.