13 Days • 12 Nights
Grand Nepal: Culture, Mountains & Jungle
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll explore the seven UNESCO sites of the Kathmandu Valley, trek the classic Ghorepani Poon Hill route for a legendary Annapurna sunrise, relax by the lakes of Pokhara, and track rhinos and tigers in Chitwan. Prayer flags, mountain sunrises, Gurung villages and jungle safaris thread it all together.
With comfortable hotels, teahouses and a jungle lodge, private guides and all logistics arranged, it is Nepal in full — an unforgettable journey.
Trip Highlights
- The temple cities of the Kathmandu Valley
- The classic Ghorepani Poon Hill trek
- A dawn Annapurna panorama from Poon Hill
- Lakeside Pokhara beneath the Himalaya
- A Chitwan jungle safari for rhinos and tigers
- Gurung villages and rhododendron forests
- The great Boudhanath and Swayambhunath stupas
- Culture, mountains and jungle combined
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 13-day journey.
Arrive and settle in, with a welcome dinner of Nepali flavours.
The Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and the medieval city of Bhaktapur.
Fly to lakeside Pokhara beneath the Annapurnas, with a boat ride on Phewa Lake and trek preparations.
Drive to Nayapul and trek up to the Gurung village of Ulleri.
Trek up through rhododendron forest to the ridge village of Ghorepani.
A dawn climb of Poon Hill for the Annapurna sunrise, then trek to Tadapani through the forest.
Descend to Ghandruk, then drive back to Pokhara for a well-earned rest.
Travel to Chitwan National Park, settling into a jungle lodge with a Tharu cultural show.
A full day of jeep and canoe safari for rhinos, deer, crocodiles and birds.
Fly back to Kathmandu for a final couple of nights, with time in Thamel.
A free day in Kathmandu — Patan, the markets or a cooking class, at your own pace.
A final day for crafts, temples or shopping, with a farewell dinner.
A final breakfast before your transfer to the airport.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private airport transfers and private guides throughout
- 2N Kathmandu, 2N Pokhara (split), 3N teahouse trek, 2N Chitwan lodge, 3N Kathmandu
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner, full board on trek and at the Chitwan lodge
- A Kathmandu Valley tour and Bhaktapur
- The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek with a guide and porters
- A Pokhara lakeside tour and Sarangkot sunrise
- A Chitwan jungle safari with a canoe trip and Tharu show
- Domestic flights, permits and all park fees per the itinerary
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from Nepal
- Nepal visa fees (visa on arrival or online)
- Travel insurance (mandatory, with high-altitude and helicopter evacuation cover for treks)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional activities and personal trekking gear
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities for guides and porters
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport or online in advance; bring a passport photo and US dollars in cash for the fee. Your passport should be valid at least six months
- Currency: The currency is the Nepali Rupee. Cards work in Kathmandu and Pokhara, but carry cash for trekking, villages and small purchases — ATMs are only in the cities
- Best season: October to November and March to April are the prime seasons, with clear skies and the best mountain views. The monsoon (June to September) brings cloud and rain; winter is cold at altitude but clear in the lowlands
- Altitude: High treks reach serious altitude (Everest Base Camp over 5,300m), where altitude sickness is a real risk. We build in acclimatisation days, ascend slowly, and your guide watches for symptoms
- Trek insurance: For any trek, travel insurance that specifically covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation is mandatory — this is essential and non-negotiable
- Trekking life: On trek you stay in simple teahouse lodges with basic rooms and shared bathrooms; hot showers and charging often cost extra. A good level of fitness and broken-in boots make all the difference
- Mountain flights: Domestic flights (including the famous Lukla flight for Everest) are weather-dependent and delays are common, so we build in buffer time; a helicopter option can be arranged
- Temple etiquette: Remove shoes and leather items at Hindu temples, walk clockwise around Buddhist stupas, and note that some temple interiors are open only to Hindus
- Health: Drink only bottled or purified water, carry any personal medication, and consult a travel clinic about altitude medication and vaccinations. Comprehensive insurance is essential
- Power & connectivity: Power cuts are less common than before but carry a power bank; a local SIM gives data in towns and along popular trails. Nepal uses type C/D/M plugs at 230V
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, with full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on trek and at the Chitwan jungle lodge, plus a welcome dinner in Kathmandu. Elsewhere, lunches and dinners are left free to explore Nepal's food.
Are guides and transfers arranged?
Yes — you have private guides and drivers for sightseeing, and an experienced trekking guide (and porters) on any trek, all arranged for you.
Do I need a visa for Nepal?
Most visitors can get a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport or apply online beforehand. Bring a passport photo and US dollars in cash for the fee; we guide you through it.
When is the best time to visit?
October-November and March-April are the prime seasons, with clear skies and superb mountain views. The monsoon (June-September) is cloudy and wet; winter is cold high up but clear in the lowlands.
Do I need to be fit for the treks?
The trekking itineraries require a good level of fitness and preparation, with several hours of walking a day on hilly terrain. We grade each trek clearly and build in acclimatisation; the cultural tours need no special fitness.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, treks, hotels and experiences can all be tailored, and we can add a scenic Everest flight, a jungle safari, a luxury lodge or a shorter or longer trek. Just tell us what you have in mind.
Is insurance really mandatory for trekking?
Yes — for any trek you must have travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation. This is essential for your safety and is non-negotiable.
Is the Poon Hill trek within this trip demanding?
It is a moderate trek at relatively low altitude, suitable for reasonably fit travellers, with a few hours of walking (and many steps) each day. It gives a real taste of Himalayan trekking without the demands of Everest or Annapurna Base Camp.
Does this cover the best of Nepal?
It brings together Nepal's four essentials — the temple cities, a Himalayan trek, lakeside Pokhara and a jungle safari — for the most complete single journey through the country.
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