Nepal Cultural Highlights Tour: Explore Nepal's Rich Diversity in a 10-Day Journey

Embark on a 10-day journey through Nepal’s cultural highlights. Explore the diverse landscapes, ancient monuments, and wildlife of Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan National Park, Lumbini, and Pokhara.

Duration: 10 days
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

Arrival in Kathmandu

Thamel - Welcome to Nepal! Upon arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, your driver will be waiting for you outside the terminal. From here you will be welcomed in this beautiful country and transferred to your hotel in Thamel, the tourist area of Kathmandu. Here you can take a rest, and explore the area on your own.

Guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu

Kathmandu Durbar Square - Today your first step will be the magical Kathmandu Durbar Square. Here you find many old temples that characterize Kathmandu and their interesting architecture.

Swayambhunath Temple - Then you’ll visit Swayambhunath Stupa, oldest known Stupa in Nepal, is also known as “Monkey Temple”. This temple is located on the top of a hill, with the large stupa as the main attraction. The stupa is reachable from two sides. Either by a long flight of stairs or from the backside by road. you’ll see amazing view of the Kathmandu Valley After reaching at its top.

Boudhanath Stupa - Then, you’ll visit Boudhanath stupa, one of the biggest stupas in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll have some free time here to have lunch and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere while observing the local devotees and their religious rituals.

Pashupatinath Temple - Afterwards, You’ll go to the sacred Pashupatinath Temple, an important pilgrimage site for Hindus, located along the Bagmati River. This temple is also a place where cremation ceremonies take place. In the evening, you’ll be enchanted by the beautiful Sandhya aarti, a prayer ritual with flickering lights and soulful chants that illuminates the temple and riverbanks.
Finally, after a day filled with enriching experiences, our guide will accompany you back to your hotel.

Sightseeing in Patan and Bhaktapur

Patan Durbar Square - Today, our guide will receive you and then drive you to Patan. You’ll be driven to one of the ancient cities inside Kathmandu Valley Patan Durbar Square. In Patan, you will be visiting other UNESCO World Heritage sites. We will visit Krishna Temple and Patan Durbar Square. Later on, visit the Patan Museum, where you can learn more about the history of Patan and the kings who reigned here. Later, visit the Golden Temple, a major attraction for both Hindu and Buddhist people.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square - later, you’ll be visiting Bhaktapur Durbar Square, one the largest and most-preserved medieval city centers from the Malla period. The area is famous for its monuments and architecture as well as its well-preserved local traditions like pottery. Until today, the city has been able to be kept intact in its old form. You can observe the old wood-carved buildings all around Bhaktapur. We will visit the Nyatapola Temple, one of the biggest temples in Nepal. You will visit Pottery Square. Here, you can also take the pottery-making class using traditional methods. Here, you will be taught to design your own pot. Once you have your basic shape hammered out, you can even choose to adorn your creation. However, please note that this activity will have a separate cost, which you need to cover.
After exploring, we’ll take you back to your hotel so you can rest and think about all the wonderful experiences you had today in those historical places.

Kathmandu to Chitwan Drive

Chitwan National Park - Today, you’re going on a trip about 160 Kilometers to the southwest of Kathmandu and Chitwan National Park, which is a famous spot for tourist in Nepal. It is the first national park n Nepal. The journey is beautiful, as you will be driving through the Trishuli Valley, which has hills covered in forests and villages where people do farming. Then, you’ll turn towards the plains where you reach Mugling. on the way, you’ll see small shops and mini-markets.
On your arrival, you will visit the Tharu Village and enjoy their traditional dance. You will enjoy the tea made by the Tharu community in Clay teapots. Later on, enjoy the Tharu stick dance and Dhaan Naach. You will enjoy the beautiful sunset relaxing at the riverside offering a glimpse of wildlife.

Chitwan Jungle Safari

Chitwan National Park - Start your whole day sightseeing tour. Firstly, you will go Canoeing on the Rapti River where you can observe the Marsh Mugger and Gharial crocodiles resting by the side of the Rapti River in Chitwan. After completing Canoeing you can go for a guided tour to jungle walk. Then after back to the hotel and have your lunch. Later on, you will have a Jungle Safari by Jeep. You will enter the community forest section to view the One-Horned Rhino and some other wild animals like wild boar, deer, Leopard, and others. After that, you will cross the Rapti River to get into the skirt of the main national park area. If it’s your lucky day then you will get to see the Royal Bengal Tiger in the highland area where the bushes are high as 5-6 feet. Along with that, you will be able to see wild elephants and other wild animals as well. After completing your sightseeing tour get back to the hotel and have a rest.

Chitwan to Lumbini

Lumbini - Today, Our tour guide will take you around the Rapti river bank for Bird Watching. Chitwan is one of the best places for bird watching while you are on a trip to Nepal. Our tour guide will explain to you about the different species of birds and how they migrate in the winter season from a different part of the world to Chitwan, Nepal.
Later, you ‘ll heading back towards Lumbini which is 150 kilometers far away from Chitwan. Upon arrival check-in, at the hotel and have a rest for a while. Later on, you will go to visit You will visit the sacred garden, where you will see the Ashoka pillar, the small pond Puskarini, the Maya Devi temple, the Bodhi Temple, Maya Devi Pond, and the remaining meditation site and residential monastery for monks. After that, you will visit some of the monasteries in the Monastery Zone that include monasteries built through various architectural styles, and return back to the hotel.

Lumbini to Pokhara (distance: 220 km – duration: 7-8 Hours)

Pokhara - After having breakfast you will drive from Lumbini to Pokhara, It’s a scenic drive, following the Siddhartha Highway, which is a major highway in Nepal that connects the Terai region in southern Nepal with the mountain region
in northern Nepal. You can have an opportunity to see the small hills and farming villages.
Pokhara is the second-largest city in Nepal after Kathmandu. Pokhara is home to numerous lakes and caves. The lakes in Pokhara include Fewa Lake, Begnas Lake, Rupa Lake, Gude Lake, Neurani Lake, and Maidi Lake among many others. The peaks that can be closely observed from Pokhara include Dhaulagiri, & Annapurna range. The city is also the gateway for trekking to the Annapurna range. The notable caves here are Bat Cave, Mahendra Cave, and Gupteshowr Cave among others. There are two major notable hilltops in Pokhara that serve as a perfect getaway, the World Peace Pagoda at the southern shore of Fewa Lake and Sarangkot, a beautiful hill in the northwest part of Pokhara.

Pokhara Full Day Sightseeing

Sarangkot - In the very early morning, you will head towards Sarangkot. The breathtaking view over the Himalayan mountains is the decor for the sunrise and an introduction to some of the 8000+ meter high mountains. After the sunrise, it is time for breakfast at your hotel.

Devi’s Fall - Afterwards, you’ll visit the famous Devi’s fall. This waterfall is a famous spot for tourists and locals. The waterfall continues underground which makes it a unique place to visit.

Gupteshwor - Afterward, you’ll visit the Gupteshwor Cave which is located across the street from Davis Waterfall. You can see the flow of the waterfall from inside of cave as well. After that, you will be headed toward your hotel.

Seti River Gourge - At the end of the day, you will visit Seti George.

Pokhara to Kathmandu via Bandipur (distance: 240 km - duration: 8 hours)

Bandipur - Today, it is time to drive back to Kathmandu, for your final days in Nepal. After around 2-3 hours of driving, we will make a stop of around 1 hour to explore Bandipur which is a beautiful old town. After lunch (at our own expense) we continue our journey toward Kathmandu.

Departure day

TIA - Approximately 3 hours before departure, you will be transferred to Kathmandu International Airport for your flight onwards.

What's Included
  • All land transportation by private vehicle
  • An experienced, English speaking local tour guide
  • All hotel accommodation
  • All meals included (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • Entrance fee for World Heritage Sites
  • All government and local taxes
What's Not Included
  • Tipping (TIPS) for guide and driver.
  • Travel Insurance.
  • International flights
  • Extras cost for upgrading rooms and services at hotels.
  • Donations in temples, schools, monasteries, etc.
  • Food for everywhere except Chitwan.
  • Drinks/Beverage bills for all places.
  • Any other items not specified in the includes section.
Additional Information

This 10-day guided tour packs in the diversity of Nepal and lets you experience the best the country has to offer. Travel across multiple topographical and climactic regions to take in the smorgasbord of a treat that is Nepal.

On this tour, you’ll start from the cultural heart of Nepal, the Kathmandu Valley. Explore the unique blend of South Asian and Tibetan cultures of the valley reflected in its numerous forms of art and architecture. The valley also houses multiple ancient monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Then head to the southern plains of Chitwan National Park, the largest in the country, and spot charismatic and rare wildlife, such as the one-horned rhinos and the Bengal tigers.

Afterward, lose yourself to the calm of Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, before relaxing at the lakeside of Pokhara, the city of lakes.

  • Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(39 Ratings)
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Curiosity34717011649
Aug 13, 2024
Good experience guaranteed - We had a great experience with our guide Devy from Asian Heritage Tour. Devy welcomed us in Nepal and we had such interesting tours in Bhaktapur and Kathmandu with our lovely guide. Devy was reliable, flexible (last minute changes in the program were no problem at all), well organized and told us so much about all the highlights we visited when we did several cultural day trips in Bhaktapur and Kathmandu with him. His English is very good and he is open about his culture and we felt comfortable to ask him all kind of questions. We can highly recommend Devy as your guide in Nepal, Kathmandu / Bhaktapur region.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
529jonv
Apr 22, 2024
Unforgettable experience - I went on the 'Nepal Cultural Highlights in 10 Days' tour all by myself, and it was amazing! When I got to Kathmandu, I felt the buzz of the city right away. There were ancient temples, busy markets, and so much history all around. Outside the city, I visited quiet villages in the mountains. Meeting local people and learning about their lives was my favorite part. They were so friendly, and I got to join in on some cool traditions. The scenery was amazing. From Pokhara's calm lakes to the huge mountains of the Annapurna range, it was all so beautiful. Being on my own gave me the chance to really soak everything in, but I never felt lonely. The group I was with was like a little family, and our guide made sure we had fun and learned lots. Overall, this trip was even better than I had hoped. It's something I'll always remember, and I'd tell anyone to go for it if they want to see the best of Nepal.
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Fearless37538317754
Apr 22, 2024
Family adventures - Our family had an amazing time during this tour. We saw cool temples, ate yummy food, and met friendly people in Kathmandu. Pokhara was super pretty, with big mountains and a pretty lake. The tour guides were nice and taught us lots of interesting stuff about Nepal. We felt really welcomed everywhere we went. It was a trip we'll always remember!
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424meiked
Apr 15, 2024
Unforgettable Trip - I just finished the incredible 10-day Nepal Cultural Highlights Tour and can't recommend it enough! The itinerary was fantastic. We covered so much history and culture, from the stunning temples of Kathmandu to Buddha's birthplace in Lumbini. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and personable, bringing the sights to life. The jungle safari in Chitwan was an unforgettable experience, as we spotted rhinos and elephants in their natural habitat. A truly immersive and enriching journey through the heart of Nepal!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
166viktorijag
Apr 11, 2024
Pati geriausia patirtis - Į šią kelionę su savo draugais išvykau vasario mėnesio gale ir sugrįžau tik kovo gale. Nepalas yra nuostabi ir kultūros kupina šalis, o šis turas man padėjo šią šalį dar labiau pažinti ir pamilti. Šią agentūrą parekomendavo draugai, kurie 2018 metais vyko į Anapurnos bazinę stovyklą. Tačiau aš nesu labai aktyvaus laisvalaikio megėja tai pasirinkau ramesnį ir labiau pažintinį turą. Galiu pasakyt, kad šis turas nors ir branegsnis, tačiau tikrai to vertas. Kartu aplankėme pagrindinius miestus kaip Katmandu, Lumbini, Pokharą ir Čitvaną. Visi šie miestai paliko neišdildomą įspūdį, ne tik dėl savo grožio, bet ir todėl, kad jie visi labai skirtingi. Katmandu yra beveik niekada nemiegantis miestas, pilnas įvairių lankytinų vietų. Pokhara man ir mano draugams dar labiau patiko, vien dėl to, nes šis miestas yra visiška Katmandu priešingybė. Čia tvyrauja tokia ramybė ir šiaip visą laiką esi apsuptas kalnų, tad poilsis prie Fevos ežero sukuria visai kitokią atmosferą. Lumbini išsiskyrė savo turtinga istorija. Tik kelionės metu sužinojau, jog Lumbinis yra Budos gimtinė, šis faktas privertė į miestą pažiūrėti į miestą visai kitokiu kampu. Kelionės Lumbinyje metu, praėjome visą gausybę skirtingų šventyklų ir aplankėme daug istoriškai svarbių vietų. Na, o kai apsilankėme Čitvane, leidomės į Džiunglių safarį. Nors tigro ir nepamatėme, tačiau safario metu matėme daug kitų gyvūnų kaip raganosius, stirnas, povus, dramblius bei aligatorius. Nors jau praėjo kelios savaitės po mano apsilankymo šioje šalyje, tačiau aš vis dar kupina įspūdžių. Tad lietuviai, ir visi kiti, kurie planuojate vykti į Nepalą tikrai nedvėjokite, nes ši šalis nuostabi, o ir ši agentūra tikrai viena geriausių. To the agency I am saying one big THANK YOU. This trip was amazing!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Global51777077127
Apr 11, 2024
Impressive journey - Trip: Nepal Cultural Highlights Private Tour (15 Days). Who: couple 2 persons How: individual with guide and driver. We were extremely satisfied with the organisation of our trip. There was every day personal contact with the tour operator via WhatApp. The trip was executed completely according to our wishes. The visits, times of departure, transport, etc.... were discussed in advance and carried out according to our wishes. A big congratulations to the tour operator "Asian Heritage Treks and Expeditions".
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karinaviktorija
Apr 11, 2024
Amazing experience! - I don't usually write reviews, but I felt compelled to thank this agency, especially Devi and Nilham, for ensuring I had the best experience during my time here. This trip was my first time leaving Europe for Nepal, and it was truly eye-opening. I thoroughly enjoyed the Nepal highlights tour and can confidently say that this was not my last time in Nepal. I will definitely come back. Thank you, Asian Heritage Team, for making this trip unforgettable!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lucycr7142di
Sep 14, 2023
Beautiful Nepal - I really enjoyed this tour. Our holiday was well organised and we were looked after very well. It was amazing to see many different regions of Nepal, from the frenetic cityscape of Kathmandu, the green, animal filled jungle of Chitwan, the cultural history in Lumbini, and the mind-blowing Himalayas in Pohkara. I would have loved to spend more time in Pokhara, as I really enjoyed exploring this interesting and beautiful city. The roads in Nepal are insane, and I struggled to believe how long it was going to take to cover such short distances, but we always felt safe with Jevan at the wheel, as we were navigated safely around the country. Overall, I would definitely recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G5751zithomasj
Aug 11, 2023
Just incredible. Probably one of the best trip I have ever had. Highly recommend. - The trip was incredibly well organized. Our guide Hari was wonderful and friendly. The planning, the activities, everything was just incredibly well planned and smooth.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
102aayanm
Jul 31, 2023
Beautiful History, and Lovely Food - We enjoyed history, food, and beautiful scenarios in our stay in Nepal. Our guide Shiva is very friendly, his company is a plus in our trip. We will definitely recommend our friends to try Asian Heritage service.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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