Nepal Heritage, Wildlife & Buddhist Cultural Tour 10 Days
Trip Facts
Overview
Discover the best of Nepal on this unforgettable 10-day journey combining ancient heritage, Himalayan landscapes, wildlife adventures, and Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Begin in Kathmandu, exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites and traditional Newari culture, before visiting the historic city of Bhaktapur and enjoying spectacular Himalayan sunrise views from Nagarkot.
Continue to Chitwan National Park for exciting jungle safari activities, including jeep safaris, canoe rides, bird watching, and traditional Tharu cultural experiences. Then travel to Lumbini, the sacred birthplace of Lord Gautama Buddha, where you will explore the Maya Devi Temple, Ashoka Pillar, Sacred Garden, and international Buddhist monasteries.
Your journey concludes in beautiful Pokhara, enjoying Phewa Lake, waterfalls, caves, and breathtaking Annapurna Himalayan views before flying back to Kathmandu.
This tour offers a wonderful combination of Nepal’s culture, spirituality, nature, wildlife, and mountain scenery in one memorable holiday.
Highlights
Explore 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
✓ Visit the medieval city of Bhaktapur
✓ Explore the ancient Changu Narayan Temple
✓ Enjoy a scenic countryside hike to Nagarkot
✓ Witness a spectacular Himalayan sunrise
✓ Experience a thrilling jungle safari in Chitwan National Park
✓ Discover the birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini
✓ Relax in the beautiful lakeside city of Pokhara
✓ Scenic domestic flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu
✓ Private transportation and experienced local guide throughout the journey
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350m / 4,429ft)
Welcome to Nepal! Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our representative will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Kathmandu. After check-in, you can relax and recover from your journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short walk around Thamel, a popular tourist area filled with restaurants, shops, and traditional handicraft stores. In the evening, our tour representative will meet you for a short briefing about your upcoming Nepal journey.
Driving distance: Airport to hotel, approximately 5–7 km
Driving time: 20–40 minutes, depending on traffic
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu
Day 2: Kathmandu Heritage Sightseeing
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Valley, exploring its ancient temples, Buddhist stupas, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Places to visit:
1. Pashupatinath Temple: One of the most sacred Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, located beside the holy Bagmati River.
2. Boudhanath Stupa: One of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world and an important centre of Tibetan Buddhism.
3. Swayambhunath Stupa: Also known as the Monkey Temple, offering beautiful panoramic views of Kathmandu Valley.
4. Kathmandu Durbar Square: Explore the historic royal palace, ancient courtyards, traditional architecture, and Kumari Ghar, the residence of the Living Goddess Kumari. Your local guide will introduce you to Nepal's religious traditions, history, art, and architecture.
Total driving distance: Approximately 20–30 km, depending on the route
Driving time: Approximately 2–3 hours in total, excluding sightseeing
Sightseeing duration: 5–6 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu
Day 3: Kathmandu – Bhaktapur – Changu Narayan – Nagarkot (2,175m / 7,136ft)
After breakfast, drive towards Bhaktapur, one of Nepal's most beautiful medieval cities. This historic town is famous for its traditional Newari architecture, ancient temples, pottery, and cultural heritage.
Bhaktapur sightseeing: Bhaktapur Durbar Square Nyatapola Temple 55-Window Palace Pottery Square ,Dattatreya Temple After exploring Bhaktapur, continue to Changu Narayan Temple, one of the oldest Hindu temples in Nepal, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is famous for its ancient stone sculptures, wood carvings, and historical inscriptions. Later, drive uphill to Nagarkot, a peaceful hill station famous for its spectacular Himalayan views, fresh mountain air, and beautiful sunsets. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy the evening overlooking the mountains. Kathmandu to Bhaktapur: 13 km | 30–45 minutes
Bhaktapur to Changu Narayan: Approximately 7–8 km | 20–30 minutes Changu Narayan to Nagarkot: Approximately 15–20 km | 40–60 minutes
Total driving distance: Approximately 35–40 km u2022 Total driving time: Approximately 1.5–2 hours, excluding sightseeing
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel in Nagarkot
Day 4: Nagarkot – Chitwan National Park (415m / 1,362ft)
Wake up early to enjoy a beautiful Himalayan sunrise from Nagarkot. On a clear day, you may see several Himalayan peaks stretching across the horizon. After breakfast, begin your scenic drive to Chitwan National Park, located in Nepal's southern Terai region. The journey takes you through beautiful hills, river valleys, traditional villages, and the winding highways of Nepal. You will travel via Kathmandu Valley, Mugling, and Narayanghat before reaching Sauraha, the main tourist gateway to Chitwan National Park. Upon arrival, check into your jungle resort and enjoy some refreshments. In the late afternoon, you can take a relaxing walk around the resort or visit the Rapti River to enjoy the beautiful sunset.
Driving distance: Approximately 190–210 km u2022 Driving time: Approximately 6–7 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions
Meals: Breakfast and dinner Accommodation: Jungle resort in Chitwan
Day 5: Full-Day Chitwan Jungle Safari Activities
Today is dedicated to exploring the wildlife and natural beauty of Chitwan National Park. Enjoy a full day of exciting jungle activities without any long-distance driving. Chitwan National Park is famous for its rich biodiversity and is home to one-horned rhinoceroses, Bengal tigers, wild elephants, crocodiles, deer, and hundreds of bird species. Jungle activities include:
1. Jeep Safari: Explore the jungle in a four-wheel-drive vehicle and look for wildlife, including one-horned rhinoceroses and deer.
2. Canoe Ride: Enjoy a peaceful canoe ride along the Rapti River and observe crocodiles and various water birds.
3. Nature Walk: Discover the local flora and fauna with an experienced nature guide, subject to park regulations.
4. Bird Watching: Spot beautiful local and migratory bird species.
5. Tharu Village Visit: Experience the traditional lifestyle, culture, and hospitality of the indigenous Tharu community.
6. Tharu Cultural Dance: In the evening, enjoy a traditional cultural performance. Note: The order and availability of jungle activities depend on park regulations, seasonal conditions, and local operating arrangements. Driving distance: No long-distance driving; local transfers only Activity duration: Full day
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner Accommodation: Jungle resort in Chitwan
Day 6: Chitwan – Lumbini (Birthplace of Lord Buddha) (150m / 492ft)
After breakfast, drive from Chitwan to Lumbini, the sacred birthplace of Lord Gautama Buddha. The journey takes you through the beautiful lowland landscapes of Nepal's Terai region, passing traditional settlements, agricultural fields, and small towns. Upon arrival in Lumbini, check into your hotel and enjoy some time to relax. Depending on your arrival time, you can take a peaceful walk around the hotel area or visit a nearby Buddhist monastery. Lumbini is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations for Buddhists worldwide and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Driving distance: Approximately 160–170 km
Driving time: Approximately 4–5 hours, depending on road conditions Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel in Lumbini
Day 7: Full-Day Lumbini Cultural & Buddhist Exploration
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day exploration of the sacred Buddhist heritage of Lumbini. This special day offers an opportunity to learn about the life, teachings, and history of Lord Gautama Buddha. Places to visit:
1. Maya Devi Temple: The most sacred site in Lumbini, marking the exact birthplace of Lord Buddha.
2. Ashoka Pillar: The historic stone pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC to commemorate his visit to Buddha's birthplace.
3. Sacred Garden: Explore the peaceful gardens and archaeological remains surrounding the birthplace.
4. Puskarini Sacred Pond: The pond traditionally associated with Queen Maya Devi before and after the birth of Buddha.
5. International Monastic Zone: Visit beautiful monasteries built by Buddhist communities from different countries, including Thailand, Myanmar, China, Germany, and Cambodia.
6. World Peace Pagoda: A beautiful white Buddhist monument representing peace and harmony. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, Buddhist architecture, meditation spaces, and cultural diversity of this important pilgrimage destination. Driving distance: Approximately 10–20 km of local transfers, depending on the monasteries visited u2022 Driving time: Approximately 30–60 minutes in total, excluding sightseeing u2022 Sightseeing duration: 5–6 hours
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel in Lumbini
Day 8: Lumbini – Pokhara (822m / 2,697ft)
After breakfast, drive towards Pokhara, one of Nepal's most beautiful cities, famous for its lakes, mountain scenery, and relaxed atmosphere. The scenic drive takes you through the beautiful landscapes of western Nepal, passing Butwal, Tansen's surrounding region, and the highway towards Pokhara. Along the way, enjoy views of traditional villages, green hills, rivers, and mountain landscapes. Upon arrival in Pokhara, check into your hotel near Lakeside. In the evening, enjoy a relaxing walk along Phewa Lake, explore the lively Lakeside area, or enjoy dinner at one of the lakeside restaurants. Driving distance:
Approximately 200–210 km Driving time:
Approximately 6–7 hours, depending on road conditions and stops
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel in Pokhara
Day 9: Pokhara Sightseeing – Fly to Kathmandu
Early in the morning, drive to Sarangkot to enjoy a spectacular sunrise over the Annapurna Himalayan range, including the beautiful Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) Mountain, weather permitting. After breakfast, continue your Pokhara sightseeing tour. Places to visit:
1. Davis Falls: A fascinating waterfall that disappears into an underground tunnel.
2. Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave: A sacred cave dedicated to Lord Shiva, located near Davis Falls.
3. Bindhyabasini Temple: One of Pokhara's oldest and most important Hindu temples. 4. Phewa Lake: Enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the lake and a boat ride to Tal Barahi Temple, situated on a small island in the middle of the lake. After sightseeing, transfer to Pokhara Airport for your afternoon flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, our representative will transfer you to your hotel. Enjoy your final evening in Nepal.
Hotel to Sarangkot: Approximately 11 km | 30–45 minutes Pokhara local sightseeing: Approximately 15–25 km | 1–2 hours of driving
Flight duration: Approximately 25–30 minutes
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu
Day 10: Final Departure from Kathmandu
After breakfast, enjoy your final moments in Nepal. Depending on your international flight schedule, our representative will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward journey. We hope you leave Nepal with wonderful memories of its Himalayan landscapes, rich cultural heritage, wildlife, and the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
Driving distance: Approximately 5–7 km
Driving time: 20–40 minutes, depending on traffic Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Not included Thank you for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Nepal again!
Includes/Excludes
What's Included?
- Accommodation in Kathmandu at a 3 Star Standard Hotel on a Bed & Breakfast (BB) basis.
- Accommodation in Pokhara at a 3 Star Standard Hotel on a Bed & Breakfast (BB) basis.
- Accommodation in Nagarkot at a 2 Star Standard Hotel on a Bed & Breakfast (BB) basis.
- Accommodation in Chitwan at a 2 Star Standard Jungle Resort on a Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) basis.
- Accommodation in Lumbini at a 3 Star Standard Hotel on a Bed & Breakfast (BB) basis.
- All Ground Transportation as per the itinerary.
- Domestic Flight Ticket from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
- Privet transfer from Chitwan to Lumbini
- Privet transfer from Lumbini to Pokhara
- Professional English-speaking Tour Guide throughout the entire tour.
- All Entrance Fees for sightseeing and cultural heritage sites mentioned in the itinerary
- All applicable Airport Taxes. Trip Completion Certificate.
- Traditional Farewell Dinner with a cultural program at the end of the tour.
- Complimentary Company T-Shirt.
- All applicable Government Taxes and Service Charges.
- One-Day Guided Hiking Tour with an experienced local guide.
What's Excluded?
- Lunch and Dinner kathamandu/Nagarkot/Lumbini and Pokhara
- International flight ticket both way
- Personal expenses such as drinks, snacks, laundry, telephone, shopping, and bar bills.
- Additional hotel nights in Kathmandu due to early arrival, late departure, or itinerary changes.
- Nepal Visa fee
- Tips for Tour guide and Diver
Packing List
Trekking Equipment
The following is a list of clothing and accessories that we recommend for treks and climbs in Nepal. This is not intended to be a comprehensive clothing and equipment list, rather it is intended to act as a reminder of those items that we feel are essential for your comfort and convenience. However we recognize that you may have your own personal preferences for clothing which may be equally as suitable.
For Head
- Sun hat or scarf
- Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Upper Body
- T-shirts (2)
- Light and expedition weight thermal tops
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional)
- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
- Down vest and/or jacket (optional)
For Hands
- Lightweight gloves
- Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer
- Lower Body
- Underwear (4)
- Hiking shorts (2)
- Lightweight cotton long pants
- Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms
- Fleece or wool pants
- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants
For Feet
- Thin, lightweight inner socks (4)
- Thick, warm wool hiking socks (4)
- Hiking boots with spare laces
- Camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals)
- Gaiters (Optional)
- Accessories
- Sleeping bag rated -10C. to -20C (Depending on trekking region)
- Headlamp (e.g. Petzl Zoom) with spare bulbs and batteries
- Small pad or combination lock-to-lock trek bag
- Basic First Aid Kit (see Health and Medicinal)
- Large plastic bags - for keeping items dry inside trek bags
- Daypack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches)
- Thermarest sleeping pad (Only Camping Trek)
- Water bottles (2)
- Toiletries
- Small wash towel
- Optional items
- Binoculars
- Books (Highly Recommended)
- Compass
- Playing cards/backgammon/chess set
- Swiss Knife
- In addition to the items mentioned above for trekking, the following is a list of the additional specialized items which are required for the trekking peaks.
- Plastic or leather mountaineering boots, with gaiters and crampons that have been tested for a good fit.
- Fleece trousers or silhouette
- Additional mits and gloves suitable for climbing
- Ice axe, and ski poles (note - ice axes can be rented in Kathmandu)
- Climbing helmet
- Alpine climbing harness.
- 2 x tape slings
- 2 x screwgate karabiners
- Descender/abseil device
- Ascender
Essential Information
Travel insurance
Travel Insurance is mandatory for all customers who looking to travel in Nepal with the Mountain Hiking & Trekking .The Travel Insurance must cover both the evacuation and medical cost
There are many insurance companies that offer travel insurance services over the internet. You can choose from a wide variety of insurance companies as per your convenience. Especially when it comes to trekking in Nepal, there is always a narrow chance of minor health issues, injuries and most importantly – altitude sickness.
It is essential that you prefer an insurance rule that covers the cost of the helicopter rescue from the mountains in case of main accidents and delicate mountain sickness (AMS). through such great cases of an emergency evacuation, a helicopter service is the only way out of the mountains. This includes a rescue team for both – ground evacuation and rescue. Which is why we need your travel insurances to cover the cost of helicopter services and evacuation from the Himalayas
It is forever recovered to be safe than apologetic.
Before you plan your trip with Mountain Hiking & Trekking do make sure that your travel insurance covers all the costs mentioned above from a reliable company.
Suggested Travel Insurance Companies:
https://www.mondial-assistance.ca
https://www.travelassistnetwork.com/
https://www.travelex-insurance.com/
https://www.hccmis.com/atlas-travel-insurance