Essential Nepal Group Tour 11d/10n
Introduction
Experience Nepal’s colour, vibrancy, flora & fauna and a wealth of cultural sites on these special small group tours, covering all the major highlights, and with departure dates spanning the whole year.
These tours offer exceptional value and use a combination of well located 3 & 4 star hotels.
We use the delightful Begnas Lake Resort in the Pokhara region which offers an unrivalled location with excellent hiking plus opportunities for interaction with the local villagers.
Tour Itinerary Overview
4 nts Kathmandu – sightseeing, hiking & exploring.
2 nts Chitwan – jungle activities & sightseeing.
3 nts Pokhara – sightseeing, hiking & exploring.
1 nt Nagarkote – sightseeing & sunrise from hotel.
PRICE FROM – US$1563.00 pp Twin/DBL share.
2023 Essential Nepal Small Group Tour Departure Dates:
03-13 OCT 23
07-17NOV23
05-15 DEC 23
- This group tour commences on a Tuesday and terminates on a Friday. (Kathmandu to Kathmandu)
- Tour duration 11 day/10 night.
CALL BHUTAN & BEYOND, THE BHUTAN INDIA & NEPAL TRAVEL EXPERTS ON
AUS toll free, James – 0412 416 111, Nicola – 0413 598 669
Why Book With Bhutan & Beyond?
- 20 years experience, service & knowledge in the South Asia region.
- We personally visit these regions annually. (COVID-19 exempt)
- Competitive pricing and luxury hotel upgrade options.
- Exceptionally well constructed & flexible itineraries.
- Experts at combining India, Bhutan & Nepal.
- ATAS Accredited via our parent company MTA Travel.
- Access to our exclusive travel app COMPANION.
Small Group Land Tour Inclusions:
- Hotel Tibet Kathmandu – for 4 nights (B,D)
- Maruni Sanctuary Lodge, Chitwan – for 2 nights (B,L,D)
- Begnas Lake Resort, Pokhara – for 3 nights (B,D)
- Fort Resort, Nagarkote – for 1 night (B,D)
- Airport transfers
- Sightseeing tours with English speaking guide
- English speaking naturalist in Chitwan
- Private air conditioned vehicle
- Entrance fees as currently applicable
Land Tour Exclusions:
- Nepal Visa – Issued on arrival for US$30 pp. (valid 15 days)
- Lunches (exc Chitwan where lunches are included)
- Travel Insurance – is mandatory to enter Nepal & must include COVID cover.
- Entrance fees to museums (except Hanuman Dhoka Museum).
- Items of a personal nature, phone calls, laundry etc.
- Tips for guides and driver.
Payment & Cancellation Conditions:
- 20% deposit payment due, on confirmation of your Nepal travel booking.
- Deposit date until 45 days prior arrival in Nepal – Land tour deposit is refundable less B&B service fees.
- 45 days prior to arrival in Nepal – your final payment is due & immediately becomes non-refundable.
Please note: – These conditions cover land travel arrangements only not airfares which are subject to their own cancellation conditions.
**Important Notes**
- Minimum group size 2 persons – maximum 12 persons
- Groups of 6 or more have the same guide/escort throughout
- Chitwan National Park fees are subject to change.
B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner included
Essential Nepal Small Group Tour Itinerary - 11d/ 10n
Day 01:
Arrive Kathmandu by air
Arrival in Kathmandu. Meet and greet on arrival at the airport. Traditional flower garland welcome. Transfer to hotel and remainder of the day is at leisure.
Overnight at Hotel Tibet (or similar) (D)
Day 02:
Sightseeing Tour of Kathmandu (B,D)
This morning visit the old Kathmandu city with its stone paved lanes, colourful bazaars and the Temple of the Living Goddess – Kumari who is considered to be the incarnation of the “Virgin Goddess”. The old Durbar Square consists of the old palace and innumerable temples of different architecture. Further visit the Hanuman Dhoka Palace and its museum which has now been opened to the public. The temples, shrines and different sections of the palace are contributions of various dynasties over centuries and epitomise the religious and cultural life of the people.
Continue to Swoyambhunath stupa, situated west of Kathmandu. It is a 2500 years old Buddhist stupa located at a top of green hillock with the eyes of Buddha painted on its pinnacle overlooking righteous behaviour of the valley inhabitants. Around the stupa are hung multi-coloured prayer flags whose every flutter releases holy prayers to heaven.
This afternoon proceed further to Bodhnath. It is the biggest stupa in Nepal and is located on flat land. This Stupa, set in a pattern of a “Mandala” is encircled by houses and Monasteries where Rinpoches (enlightened Buddhist monks) reside. Around the base of this strikingly enormous and simple stupa is a ring of 108 images of the Buddha and 147 insets containing prayer wheels.
Overnight at Hotel Tibet
Day 03:
Tour of twin villages Bungamati & Khokana + Patan & Sankhamul (B,D)
After breakfast drive south to Bungamati; the winter home of Lord Rato Machhendranath – the protector God of Patan. Within the temple complex see the image of Bhairav covered by a fearsome mask. Bungamati is a village of expert wood-carvers.
Walk up to visit the shrine of Karya Binayak. The Karya Binayak temple is located between the two villages Bungamati & Khokana. Walk further to Khokana, a farmers’ village. At Khokana ancient oil presses can be seen at work in village houses.
Afternoon visit Patan city, also known as Lalitpur or the “city of beauty”. Patan, the oldest city of the valley, is the cradle of arts and architecture and is well known for its intricately carved temples, narrow lanes and quaint shops. See the intricately stone-carved Krishna Mandir (temple), Patan Durbar Square and Hiranyavarna Mahavihar (golden temple).
Walk down to Sankhamul temple complex by the Bagmati River.
Overnight at Hotel Tibet
Day 04:
Drive Kathmandu/Chitwan (5+ hrs) (B, L, D)
After breakfast and check-out drive to Chitwan. Upon arrival, you will be received by jungle naturalists and checked in at the resort. Late lunch is included and taken in the dining complex.
Late this afternoon undertake an elephant back safari to see the various wildlife in Chitwan including the great one-horned Rhinoceros, the sloth Bear, wild Boar, several species of Deer, the Rhesus Monkey, black-faced Langur and, if you are lucky, the spotted Himalayan Leopard and the Royal Bengal Tiger.
Overnight at Maruni Sanctuary Lodge (or similar)
Day 05:
Chitwan (B, L, D)
Early morning enjoy a nature walk and bird watching tour escorted by a wildlife expert.
After breakfast experience a canoe ride to see fish-eating crocodiles and fresh water alligators. Afternoon a visit to a Tharu tribe village. This evening, witness a Tharu stick dance performed by local Tharu tribals.
Overnight at Maruni Sanctuary Lodge (all meals included)
Day 06:
Drive Chitwan / Pokhara (5 hrs). Afternoon tour of Pokhara (B,D)
After breakfast, check out of your resort and drive the scenic mountain highway to the picturesque Pokhara valley. The Pokhara valley is one of the most picturesque spots of Nepal and offers a spectacular panorama of Nepal’s central Himalayas with Annapurna I and III, Machapuchare and Manaslu dominating the skyline.
Upon reaching Pokhara, continue with sightseeing tour of Pokhara city and its colourful bazaars. Visit the Phewa lakeside with its rows of restaurants, bars, souvenir shops etc. and the tour also includes Bindvabashini temple and Devi’s falls.
After the visit, drive to Begnas Bazaar (40 mins) and, weather permitting, transfer to the very special Begnas Lake Resort by Shikara boat (30 mins ride).
Dinner & Overnight at Begnas Lake Resort
Day 07:
Hike to Simaldanda & Pacchbhaiya (B,D)
After breakfast, take a narrow trail winding through bushes and Hazelnut trees ascending slowly to Chyaan Danda before reaching a small village bazaar. From here follow a dirt road west till you reach a narrow path breaking off towards the densely forested Rupakot area. Walk along the hill ridge to reach a secluded settlement perched on a spur overlooking the Rupa lake and the dense forests surrounding it. This little village consists of rows of clean mud and stone houses inhabited by people belonging to the ethnic Gurung hill tribe. Most of the village men are either soldiers drafted to serve in the British army or the Indian army where the average salaries are handsome. Some others are either farmers or live off fishing in the nearby lakes.
Visit the village coffee plantation where coffee is farmed and processed using old organic methods. You may try the various coffees on offer and purchase your own preferred flavour.
Dinner & Overnight at Begnas Lake Resort
Day 08:
Day hike to Begnaskote (5 +hrs) (B,D)
After an early breakfast hike north gaining altitude through Begnas village with a spread out spectacle of clean mud houses and terraced fields. This is a fascinating hike with plenty of opportunity to connect with the local villagers and farmers. Begnas Maidan is an open meadow perched on a hilltop, from where one can have the most spectacular mountain views sweeping from east to west in a vast snowy expanse. Manaslu (8156 m); the entire Annapurna massif with such prominent peaks as Annapurna II (7937 m), Annapurna III & IV as well as Mt. Macchapuchare (6993 m) and, weather permitting, the distant Dhaulagiri (8167 m) in the far west.
Visit Deurali temple where villagers come to have their wishes fulfilled. Higher up along this trail is Begnaskote, an old military lookout dating back a couple of centuries when local Rajahs needed to defend their small kingdoms.
Dinner & Overnight at Begnas Lake Resort
Day 09:
Drive Pokhara/Kathmandu/Nagarkote (6-7 hrs) (B,D)
After breakfast, check out of your resort and drive back to Kathmandu and continuing on further to Nagarkote, one of the best vantage point to view the mountain peaks (weather permitting).
Overnight at The Fort Resort (or similar)
Day 10:
Drive Nagarkote/Telkote. Walk to Changunarayan. Visit Bhaktapur. (B,D)
After breakfast, drive to Telkote where your walk will begin along the narrow village trails to Changunarayan (2-3 hrs walk) Changunarayan is the lavishly decorated two-tiered temple which is considered to be the oldest in the valley.
This afternoon we will visit the medieval town of Bhaktapur and explore this interesting town also known as the “city of devotees”, the home of medieval art and architecture and a classic showcase of medieval Nepalese town life. Entering the Durbar Square through the Royal Gate, the sparseness of the temple is immediately apparent, compared to the profusion in the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu and Patan cities. Visit the main square which contains innumerable temples and other architectural show pieces: the Lion Gate, statue of Bhupatendra Malla, the Palace of 55 Windows, Bell of the Barking Dogs, the Batsala temple & the Nyatapola temple, before return to Kathmandu
This evening we drive to an authentic Nepali restaurant for a traditional dinner accompanied with folk dance performance.
Overnight at Hotel Tibet (or similar)
Day 11:
Departure transfer. (B)
Transfer to airport in time to connect to your onward flight.
Goodbye & Namaste!
