A short trip that takes you on a discovery of medieval kingdoms - Kathmandu & Bhaktapur.
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.
We do not have fixed departure date for this trip. This trip can only be organized upon your request. There is an option of private and tailor-made journey best suited for you, your family and friends. We have price discounts according to the group size, the bigger your group, the bigger your group discounts. We allow complete flexibility on your departure date, please choose your preferable date.
Nepal is known for its rich cultural heritage. It has been the spiritual hub for Buddhists and Hindus since time immemorial. Kathmandu, the capital city, is a green valley filled with medieval cities, ancient pagoda temples, and monasteries. This short two-day Kathmandu cultural heritage tour will take you to the charming medieval cities of Bhaktapur and Kathmandu or Basantapur.
Take a trip down memory lane with a walk past the beautiful royal Durbar Square built by Malla kings. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and Swoyambhunath. Explore and rub shoulders with the locals at the busy local market, Ason Bazaar, a trading post that was once an important stopover for traders traveling along the old salt route. Thamel, the delightful tourist hub in downtown Kathmandu, is also included in your Kathmandu cultural heritage tour.
Up to 20% discount when booking for two or more two people.
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (1,400 m) and explore the local market. Overnight at a Hotel.
Guided Sightseeing in Kathmandu & Bhaktapur. Overnight at a Hotel.
Transfer to the International Airport for your Final Departure.
Twin-sharing/double accommodation in a 3-star hotel for 2 nights in Kathmandu including breakfast (Private room accommodation can be organized at an extra cost)
All ground transportation by private tourist vehicle
Guided city tour in Kathmandu
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu– about USD 15 to USD 20 per person per day.
One of our officials will greet you at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, upon your arrival. We will take you to the hotel in our private tourist vehicle. Pre-trip meeting will be done and you will meet with your trip guide. Make sure to confirm your queries about trekking in the mountains.
After checking in at the hotel and a brief rest our guide will take you for a walk through Thamel (a popular tourist hub) and Ason, a bustling bazaar that was once an important stopover for traders traveling along the old Tibet trade route. Shop for curios and souvenirs.
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
After an early breakfast, our guide will take you to the famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites .
Swoyambhunath (Monkey Temple)
Situated on a hill, Swoyambhunath is both a Buddhist and a Hindu Temple. The origin of Kathmandu valley is closely linked to this temple. Also known as Monkey Temple, the sprawling tree-filled grounds of the temple is home to many monkeys.
Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath Temple is one of the holiest Hindu shrines in the world. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple lies 5 kms east of the city center. The richly-ornamented pagoda houses the sacred Linga, or phallic symbol, of Lord Shiva.
Boudhanath Stupa
Boudhanath Stupa is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site. The white domed stupa stands on a giant mandala. Built during the 5th century, Boudhanath is an important centre of Tibetan Buddhism. Legend has it that the bones of Kasyapa Buddha(one of Buddha’s incarnations) lies at the base of this stupa.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square lies in Bhaktapur, one of the three medieval cities in Kathmandu Valley. The royal square, which was built by the Malla royals, houses some of the best examples of ancient Newari art and architecture. The five-tiered pagoda temple Nyatapola, Palace of 55 Windows, Vatsala Temple, Bhairavnath Temple, Duttaraya Temple, Pujari Math, Golden Gate etc are all cultural treasures of this beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Before departure, enjoy a complimentary farewell dinner at a fine restaurant.
It’s the end of our exciting trip to Kathmandu. Today we conclude our Kathmandu cultural heritage tour. One of our airport representatives will accompany you to the International Airport for your flight back home. We bid you farewell, and hope you’ll travel to Nepal again
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 to hydrate yourself during the tour.
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.
Typically, USD 50 to 100 a day will be enough to buy lunch, dinner, chocolates, and a few drinks. Expenses other than this depending on your spending habits.
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. Major credit cards are accepted in all places but you need to pay 4% extra as bank levy, which might make cash more preferable.
This cultural tour is suitable for any kind of person, no previous experience is required.
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 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 three-star hotels including breakfast. We use Hotel Thamel House, Gaju Suite Hotel, Hotel Jampa, or comparable-class lodging in Kathmandu. 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 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.
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.