Grand Tour of Nepal | Overland Tour - 27 Days
GRAND TOUR OF NEPAL HIGHLIGHTS:
- Grand Tour of Nepal from East to West.
- Travel through rural villages and endless rice fields.
- Discover Nepal’s incredible landscapes and captivating natural and cultural heritage.
- Visit Janakpur, birthplace of Sita, and Tansen, the gem of the Palpa district.
- Jeep and river safaris in Chitwan National Park.
- Track Royal Bengal Tigers in Bardia National Park.
- Find peace in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
- Scenic drive along the world’s deepest canyon – the Kali Gandaki.
- Visit Muktinath, a famous sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists.
- Enjoy the spectacular views of the Annapurnas.
- Explore Pokhara, Nepal’s adventure capital, and Gorkha, the birthplace of the King Prithivi Narayan Shah who established the unification of Nepal's kingdoms.
- Discover the beautiful tea gardens of Ilam.
- Escape the crowds and explore the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.
Day 01. WELCOME TO NEPAL | PRE-DEPARTURE BRIEFING
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. At the hotel, you will receive a short pre-departure briefing.
Depending on your time of arrival, you are free to relax or explore the city.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 02. DRIVE TO KOSHI TAPPU WILDLIFE RESERVE
Today, we will drive to the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, home to the endangered wild water buffalo and a bird watching paradise.
Day 04. DRIVE TO ILAM
Overnight in Ilam.
Day 05. ILAM - MAI POKHARI
Day 06. DRIVE TO DHARAN
Overnight in Dharan.
Day 07. DRIVE TO JANAKPUR
Overnight in Janakpur.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 08. JANAKPUR SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Among other places, we will visit Janaki Mandir and Ram Sita Bibaha Mandir. We will also visit Kuwa, a traditional Maithili village.
Overnight in Janakpur.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 09. DRIVE TO CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK
Early in the morning, we will head to Chitwan. In Chitwan, you will get a welcome drink at the Resort. You will have time to rest and enjoy the natural scenery. In the evening, we will take you to the nearby Tharu Culture Center, where we will watch the native Tharu culture dance show.
After a filling breakfast, we will go on a river safari. During the river safari, we will see a lot of crocodiles and different species of birds. Don't forget to bring your binoculars!
Day 11. 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 12. LUMBINI SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Today, we will visit the Maya Devi Temple, where Lord Buddha was born, and the World Peace Pagoda. We will also visit many beautiful Buddhist temples and monasteries built by various countries around the world (Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar, China, India to name but a few).
We will explore the Wetlands and encounter the gorgeous Sarus Cranes.
Day 13. DRIVE TO BARDIA NATIONAL PARK
Overnight in Bardia.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 14. BARDIA NATIONAL PARK: JEEP SAFARI
Overnight in Bardia.
Overnight in Bardia.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 16. DRIVE TO BUTWAL
Today, we will drive to Butwal, a town located in the Terai between Bardia and Chitwan. We will spend the night in Butwal before heading north to Tansen.
Overnight in Butwal.
Day 17. DRIVE TO 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.
Day 18. 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.
Day 19. 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.
Day 20. POKHARA | REST DAY
Day 21. DRIVE TO KALOPANI (2530m)
Overnight in Kalopani.
Day 22. DRIVE TO KAGBENI (2804m) VIA MUKTINATH (3710m)
Today, we will drive 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).
Then, we will drive 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).
Overnight in Kagbeni.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 23. DRIVE TO TATOPANI (1190m)
We will leave the beautiful Kagbeni and drive to Tatopani. In the afternoon, we will enjoy Tatopani's natural hot springs. Don't forget to bring your swimsuit!
Overnight in Tatopani.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 24. DRIVE TO POKHARA
Overnight in Pokhara.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 25. DRIVE TO GORKHA VIA BANDIPUR
Then, we will continue our trip 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. The curvy roads towards Gorkha pass through many small villages and ancient towns where we will stop by for enjoying the views.
Overnight in Gorkha.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner.
Day 26. DRIVE TO KATHMANDU | REST DAY
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 27. DEPARTURE
Please note: This itinerary is intended to be a guideline; local conditions and weather may necessitate slight itinerary variations.
What’s included
- Pre-departure support.
- Airport pick-up & drop-off (private vehicle).
- Experienced and government licensed English-speaking guide.
- All ground transportation (private comfortable vehicle with a private driver).
- Accommodation (26 nights): 2 nights in Kathmandu, 2 nights in Koshi Tappu, 2 nights in Ilam, 1 night in Dharan, 2 nights in Janakpur, 2 nights in Lumbini, 3 nights in Bardia, 1 night in Butwal, 2 nights in Tansen, 1 night in Gorkha, 3 nights in Pokhara, 1 night in Tatopani, 1 night in Kagbeni, 1 night in Kalopani and 2 nights in Chitwan.
- Meals (refer to itinerary for meal plan).
- Sightseeing tours as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Entrance fees & National Park entrance fees.
- All necessary permits (ACAP Permit & TIMS).
- Jungle activities as mentioned in the itinerary.
- First aid kit/s.
- Travel map.
- Farewell dinner in Kathmandu.
- All government taxes, VAT and service charges.
What’s NOT included
- International flights and domestic flights.
- Tips for driver, guides & others.
- Personal expenditures, all bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, nutri-bars, etc.
- Visa fees.
- Travel and rescue insurance.
- Anything else not specified in the ‘what’s included’ section above.
Accommodation:
- Kathmandu (2 nights): Carefully selected 3-Star hotel.
- Koshi Tappu (2 nights): Carefully selected Wildlife Camp.
- Ilam (2 nights): Carefully selected Homestay.
- Dharan (1 night): Carefully selected Hotel.
- Janakpur (2 nights): Carefully selected Hotel.
- Chitwan (2 nights): Carefully selected Jungle Resort.
- Lumbini (2 nights): Carefully selected 3-Star hotel.
- Bardia (3 nights): Carefully selected Jungle Resort.
- Butwal (1 night): Carefully selected Hotel.
- Tansen (2 nights): Carefully selected Homestay.
- Pokhara (3 nights): Carefully selected 3-Star hotel.
- Tatopani (1 night): Carefully selected lodge.
- Kagbeni (1 night): Carefully selected lodge.
- Kalopani (1 night): Carefully selected lodge.
- Gorkha (1 night): Farm House.
Meals:
- Day 1: N/A.
- Day 2: Breakfast & Dinner.
- Day 3: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 4: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 5: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 6: Breakfast.
- Day 7: Breakfast.
- Day 8: Breakfast.
- Day 9: Breakfast & Dinner.
- Day 10: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 11: Breakfast.
- Day 12: Breakfast.
- Day 13: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 14: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 15: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 16: Breakfast.
- Day 17: Breakfast.
- Day 18: Breakfast.
- Day 19: Breakfast.
- Day 20: Breakfast.
- Day 21: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 22: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 23: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 24: Breakfast.
- Day 25: Breakfast & Dinner.
- Day 26: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner.
- Day 27: Breakfast.
