Nepal Off The Beaten Path Tour - 19 Days
NEPAL OFF THE BEATEN PATH TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
- Venture off-the-beaten-path to uncover the hidden gems that Nepal has to offer.
- Interact with Hindu Holy Men at Pashupatinath Temple.
- Escape the crowds and visit Tansen, an unspoiled gem in the Palpa district.
- Discover the remote Kalinchowk trail. Enjoy the stunning mountain scenery and interact with the local tribes.
- Uncover the Bardia National Park. The jungle of Bardia is home to the Royal Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinoceros, Asian elephants, sloth bears, blue bulls, Mugger and Gharial crocodiles, clouded leopards, Langur monkeys, and many other majestic jungle animals.
- Find peace in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
- Embark on a scenic mountain flight to Jomsom and enjoy the spectacular views of the Annapurnas.
- Visit Muktinath, a famous sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists, and the Lower Mustang region.
- Enjoy views of Kali Gandaki, the deepest canyon in the world.
- Explore Pokhara, Nepal’s adventure capital.
- Discover Gorkha, the birthplace of the King Prithivi Narayan Shah who established the unification of Nepal's kingdoms.
Day 01. WELCOME TO NEPAL
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, our friendly representative will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign displaying your name. He will then drive you to your hotel.
Depending on your time of arrival, you are free to relax or explore the city.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 02. KATHMANDU & BHAKTAPUR SIGHTSEEING TOUR
After breakfast, we will take you on a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Valley with a private tour guide - by a private car or van. We will visit:
In the afternoon, we will enjoy a sightseeing tour in Bhaktapur. The ancient Newari town is renowned for its fine religious architecture and its traditional handicrafts. Among other places, we will visit:
- the Brass & Bronze Museum (Metal Museum),
- the Woodcarving Museum,
- the 55 Window Palace,
- the Golden Gate,
- and the Five Storeys Temple (Nyatapola Temple).
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 03. KALINCHOWK TOUR
Early in the morning, we will drive to Charikot (6 hours' drive) and then to Kuri (an extra 1 to 2 hours' drive) by private car/ van.
In the evening, you will enjoy a delicious campfire barbecue feast.
Overnight in Kuri.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 04. KALINCHOWK TOUR
Today, you will discover the remote Kalinchowk trail. Early in the morning, we will hike to the Kalinchowk Temple. Enjoy the stunning mountain scenery and interact with the local tribes.
Then, we will get back to the hotel for breakfast and drive back to Kathmandu.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
Day 05. FLIGHT TO NEPALGUNJ | DRIVE TO BARDIA NATIONAL PARK & THARU VILLAGE VISIT
Overnight in Bardia.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 06. BARDIA NATIONAL PARK: JEEP SAFARI OR WALKING JUNGLE SAFARI
Overnight in Bardia.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 07. DRIVE TO LUMBINI
Early in the morning, we will drive to Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Check in to the hotel. Relax and soak up the peaceful atmosphere in Lumbini.
Overnight in Lumbini.
Day 08. LUMBINI SIGHTSEEING TOUR
We will explore the Wetlands and encounter the gorgeous Sarus Cranes.
Overnight in Lumbini.
Day 09. TANSEN
Today, we will drive to Tansen, an unspoiled gem in the Palpa district. The authentic town with its narrow streets is one of the most charming places in Nepal. In the evening, we will hike up to the view tower on the Shreenagar Hill to enjoy the sunset view over the Himalayas. We will spend the night at a local family's home.
Overnight in Tansen.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 10. TANSEN AND RANI MAHAL
In the morning, we will drive to Rani Mahal (Ranighat Palace), also known as the Taj Mahal of Nepal due to its history.
Then, we will spend the afternoon exploring the beautiful town. We will also go for some shopping, for those who want to take a taste of Nepal home with them. Tansen is famous for its Dhaka (a unique Nepali hand woven fabric) and Karuwa (a traditional ritual water vessel).
Overnight in Tansen.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 11. DRIVE TO POKHARA | VISIT TAL BARAHI TEMPLE
We will visit Tal Barahi Temple, a Hindu temple located on a small island in the middle of Phewa Lake.
Overnight in Pokhara.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 12. FLIGHT FROM POKHARA TO JOMSOM (2720m) | TREK TO KAGBENI (2804m) | ≈ 3-4 hours
In the morning, you will embark on a spectacular mountain flight to Jomsom*. From there, we will trek to Kagbeni, the main gate to the Last Forbidden Kingdom. In Kagbeni, you will witness the great views of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri and Tukuche peaks, and the Kali Gandaki (the deepest canyon in the world).
*The mountain weather in Nepal is always unpredictable and the flight from Pokhara to Jomsom may be delayed or canceled due to the bad weather. We advise allowing 2 extra days should our flight to Jomsom be cancelled or delayed due to bad weather. Or if you are running out of time, we will hire a private jeep and drive to Jomsom.
Overnight in Kagbeni.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 13. TREK FROM KAGBENI TO MUKTINATH (3710m) AND TREK BACK TO KAGBENI | ≈ 7 hours
Today, we will trek to Muktinath. Temples and religious shrines are the major attractions of this holy place. Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists. In Muktinath, if you have the courage to do so, you can follow Hindu devotees and take a holy bath under the 108 chilled fountains (Muktidhara).
We will visit Muktinath, and then we will trek back to Kagbeni.
Overnight in Kagbeni.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 14. TREK FROM KAGBENI TO JOMSOM | ≈ 3-4 hours
After a filling breakfast, we will trek back to Jomsom. Short hike to the Dhumba Lake in the afternoon.
Overnight in Jomsom.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Scenic flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. Free time in the afternoon.
Overnight in Pokhara.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 16. POKHARA SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Day 17. GORKHA SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Early in the morning, we will head to Gorkha, a very important historic place in Nepal. Gorkha is the birthplace of the King Prithivi Narayan Shah who established the unification of Nepal's kingdoms.
We will visit:
- the Gorkha Durbar,
- the Vishnu temple,
- the Mahadev temple,
- the Ratna temple,
- and the Gorkha museum.
Overnight in Gorkha.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 18. DRIVE TO KATHMANDU | REST DAY
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 19. DEPARTURE
What’s included
- Pre-departure support.
- Airport Pick-up & Drop-off.
- Experienced and government licensed English speaking guide.
- Accommodation (18 nights): 4 nights in Kathmandu, 2 nights in Bardia, 1 night in Kuri, 2 nights in Lumbini, 2 nights in Tansen, 3 nights in Pokhara, 1 night in Jomsom, 2 nights in Kagbeni and 1 night in Gorkha.
- Meals (refer to itinerary for meal plan).
- All ground transportation during the tour.
- Domestic flights: Kathmandu to Nepalgunj / Pokhara to Jomsom / Jomsom to Pokhara.
- Sightseeing tours and activities as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Entrance fees.
- Conservation permits and National Park entrance fees.
- First aid kits.
- Farewell dinner in Kathmandu.
- All government taxes, VAT and service charges.
What’s NOT included
- International flights.
- Excess baggage fees (domestic flights).
- Tips for guides, drivers & others.
- Personal expenditures, all bar bills, laundry, telephone calls.
- Some meals (refer to itinerary for meal plan).
- Visa fees.
- Travel insurance.
- Anything else not specified in the ‘what’s included’ section above.
Accommodation:
- Kathmandu (4 nights): Carefully selected 3-Star hotel.
- Kuri (1 night): Carefully selected Lodge.
- Bardia (2 nights): Carefully selected Jungle Resort.
- Lumbini (2 nights): Carefully selected 3-Star hotel.
- Tansen (2 nights): Carefully selected Homestay.
- Pokhara (3 nights): Carefully selected 3-Star hotel.
- Jomsom (1 night): Carefully selected lodge.
- Kagbeni (2 nights): Carefully selected lodge.
- Gorkha (1 night): Lodge.
Meals:
- Day 1: N/A.
- Day 2: Breakfast.
- Day 3: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 4: Breakfast & Lunch.
- Day 5: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 6: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 7: Breakfast.
- Day 8: Breakfast.
- Day 9: Breakfast.
- Day 10: Breakfast.
- Day 11: Breakfast.
- Day 12: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 13: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 14: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 15: Breakfast.
- Day 16: Breakfast.
- Day 17: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 18: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner.
- Day 19: Breakfast.