Visit the cultural gems of Nepal - Kathmandu with its medieval cities and rich Newari culture, Lumbini the birthplace of Lord Buddha and ancient heritage town of Tansen.
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.
Experience the best that Nepal has to offer. Culture, adventure, and spiritualism- the Nepal heritage tour encompass all these and much more. Visit Kathmandu and discover its old royal palaces, ancient temples, and monuments that are renowned world heritage sites. Enjoy mesmerizing Himalayan vistas and sunrises from Nagarkot and Sarangkot.
Explore the natural wonders of scenic Pokhara. Step on hallowed ground at Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Go on a wildlife adventure at Chitwan National Park. Enjoy jeep safari, canoeing, and other activities. A visit to Tansen, a picturesque Newari heritage town is also included in your itinerary for the Nepal heritage tour.
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 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) and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at a Hotel.
Guided Sightseeing in Kathmandu, & Bhaktapur and Drive to Nagarkot on a private tourist vehicle. Overnight at Hotel in Nagarkot.
Drive to Chitwan (415 m) from Nagarkot on a private tourist vehicle – 7 to 8 hours. Overnight at Resort in Chitwan.
Full-day Jungle Activities in Chitwan National Park. Overnight at Resort in Chitwan.
Drive to Lumbini (150 m) by private tourist vehicle – 5 to 6 hours. Overnight at Hotel in Lumbini.
Half-day guided sightseeing in Lumbini. Afternoon drive from Lumbini to Palpa on a private tourist vehicle – 2 to 3 hours. Overnight at Hotel in Palpa.
Drive to Pokhara (900 m) from Palpa on a private tourist vehicle – 5 to 6 hours. Overnight at Lakeside.
Guided Sightseeing around Pokhara. Overnight at Lakeside.
Drive to Kathmandu from Pokhara by a private tourist vehicle – 7 to 8 hours. Shopping in Kathmandu. Overnight at a Hotel.
Transfer to Tribhuvan 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, Nagarkot for 1 night, Lumbini for 1 night, and Palpa/Tansen for 1 night including breakfast (Note: Tourist Standard hotel is provided in Tansen.)
(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, Nagarkot, Palpa, and Lumbini about USD 15 to USD 20 per person per day
Our airport representative will be receiving you at Tribhuvan International airport, Kathmandu and 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 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.
We host a pre-trip meeting at your hotel in Kathmandu and introduce your tour guide. Please seek this opportunity to ask questions about your trip. This includes a final briefing and preparations for the trip. For the meeting, please make sure you bring your passport, two copies of passport-size photos, and a readable copy of your travel insurance policy. During this meeting, please clear the due balance, if any, and sign the legally binding trip form as well as the non-liability disclaimer. Please inform us in advance if you will be arriving late and therefore are unable to attend the pre-trip meeting.
After the pre-trip meeting, your sightseeing trip will start. You will have a private vehicle and a professional tour guide at your disposal. We will visit the following UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Pashupatinath Temple
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.
Boudhanath
Later visit Boudhanath, the 2,500 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 going round the stupa spinning the prayer wheels.
Changunarayan Temple
The temple is situated on a ridge overlooking the Kathmandu valley, about 12 kms east of the city. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu.The temple is one of the finest and oldest specimens of pagoda architecture built in 323 AD by King Haridutta Verma. Richly decorated with sculptures and carvings, Changunarayan’s position above the Kathmandu valley affords a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
As you walk inside the old city square, you will feel a sense of inner harmony. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a collection of pagoda and shikhara – style temples grouped around a fifty-five window palace of brick and wood. The attraction of the Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the Lion gate, the Golden gate, the Palace of fifty-five windows, art galleries, and the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla.
Later in the evening, we will drive to Nagarkot which will take about one hour.
Nagarkot
Nagarkot is a popular destination for tourists and a favorite weekend getaway for those seeking peace and quiet. An unbroken chain of the major peaks of eastern Nepal’s Himalayas including Mount Everest, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Choba Bhamre, Gauri Shankar and Numbur can be seen from here. At sunrise, the Himalayan range, stretching from Dhaulagiri in the west all the way past Everest to Kanchenjunga in the east, emerges from the darkness to greet the happy visitors with its awe-inspiring majesty & beauty.
We wake up early today to catch a glimpse of the spectacular sunrise over the Himalayas. Weather permitting, the endless chain of mountains appear glossy in the north, while the entire Kathmandu valley can be clearly seen towards the west.
After we have breakfast we head to Chitwan National Park. 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. Learn more about the life of the fascinating elephants during a visit to the elephant stable. Remaining hours before the afternoon program, take a dip in the pool, or relax on your verandah.
Today transfer to Lumbini from Chitwan. Arrive at Lumbini. Upon arrival transfer to hotel.
Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha and a World Heritage Site 285 km south-west of Kathmandu. This pilgrimage site in 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. Beautiful temples, stupas and monasteries built by various international Buddhist communities dots Lumbini.
Half-Day Sightseeing in Lumbini.
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 birth place 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 Tansen, Palpa; approximately 85 Kms / 3 hrs drive.
Tansen is a small ancient hill town situated 4300 meters above sea level. It is located on the way from Pokhara to Lumbini. Major attractions here are the ancient culture, excellent mountain views, serene atmosphere and friendly people. The weather here makes it a pleasant place to visit in any season. On clear days Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu, Gauri Shankar and other peaks can be seen. Dhaka – the most popular hand woven cloth of Nepal comes from this region. The Nepali topi (national cap) is made of Dhaka and you can see the weavers at work on their looms or explore a bazaar of Dhakas in Tansen.
Transfer from Palpa to Pokhara 5 – 6 hours drive. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel.
We woke up early today to catch a glimpse of the spectacular sunrise over the Himalayas. After we have breakfast, we head to Pokhara on a tourist bus, van, or car, depending on the size of the group.
Breakfast at the hotel. You will have a private vehicle and a professional tour guide at your disposal. The places we visit are as below:
Visit Sarangkot
Early in the morning about 45 minutes drive with 25 minutes hike take us to the top of Sarangkot to see the best sunrise and close views of many mountains like Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Fishtail including views of the beautiful the Pokhara Valley and Phewa lake. After we have some breakfast at Sarangkot, it’s a 15-minutes walk down and 45 minutes drive to the hotel in Pokhara. Return to hotel for breakfast.
The rest of the day sightseeing tour of Pokhara consists of:
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 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.
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.
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.
Tibetan Refugee Camps
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.
After driving to Kathmandu from Pokhara – for 5 to 6 hours, you have the afternoon and the evening to 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 office staff will accompany you). You have the option to extend your trip to continue with a 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, Lumbini Buddha Garden Resort or Lumbini Palace Resort in Lumbini, and similar-class hotels/resorts in other places.
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.
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.