Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Premium leaders are Intrepid’s most experienced, with in-depth knowledge and extensive local networks to make it a trip of a lifetime. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. When not already included in your trip, your leader will be able to recommend a local guide service who can share more detailed or specialised information at specific sites should you be interested in delving deeper.

Meals

8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners

Accommodation

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation. Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we’re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn’t always possible which means we won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available. Hotel (6 nights), Chitwan Feature Stay (2 nights)

Transport

MONSOON: The monsoon season is from June to September and weather conditions can disrupt travel during this time due to flooding and landslides. Disruption of air travel and airport closures are also possible. Be prepared that the itinerary may need to change at short notice. ROAD TRAVEL: Roadworks and infrastructure projects can cause significant delays on major roads within cities and highways between destinations. Road travel can also be disrupted due to demonstrations and bandhs (strikes) without warning. Major roadworks are currently ongoing in and around Kathmandu and the roads to Chitwan National Park. Delays, heavy traffic, poor road conditions, and dust are a reality of road travel in Nepal. AIR TRAVEL: Nepal’s only international airport, Tribhuvan International Airport, has a single runway that services both domestic and international flights. Cancellations and delays are frequent, especially during peak tourist seasons or in poor weather. There have been occasions when groups have had to have their itineraries altered. Your local leader will give you the most up to date information regarding delays to flights. Travellers have on occasion missed international connections as a result of this. Ensure you have adequate travel insurance and contact numbers for your airlines before departure. Private vehicle , Plane , Jeep , Canoe

Others

Kathmandu - Welcome dinner Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer Kathmandu - Pashupatinath Temple Kathmandu - Durbar Square Kathmandu - Boudhanath Stupa and Monastery visit Kathmandu - Thangka Painting Studio Visit Kathmandu - Swayambhunath Temple Bhaktapur - Leader-led walking tour Nagarkot - Sunset local cocktail at Club Himalaya (one drink included) Kathmandu - Cooking class at Sungava Nepal Pokhara - Phewa Tal Lake boat trip Pokhara - Peace Pagoda Pokhara - Tibetan community visit with momo lunch Pokhara - International Mountain Museum Pokhara - Sarangkot Viewpoint Chitwan NP - Village tour Chitwan - Sunset Snacks by Rapti River Chitwan - Private bush dinner (on hotel grounds) Chitwan - Canoe Safari Chitwan - Jeep Safari Tour

Not included:

Others

Departure transfer Entrance fees Pre and post-tour accommodation Tipping Other meals, snacks and drinks

Flights

Please note that the intra-flights for this tour are mandatory but are not included in your tour price. Please contact our Travel Experts for more information. As we have travellers from all over the world, flights before and after the tour are not included in the tour price and you need to arrange these separately by yourself once your tour is guaranteed. As we specialise in organising the best tours around the world for you, we are unable to advise on flight prices or book flights on your behalf. We recommend that you do not book your flights until your place on the tour has been confirmed.

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Please make sure you are adequately covered. TourRadar has partnered up with XCover so that you can travel with peace of mind. You can add TourRadar Travel Protection on the booking page for your tour.

Optional

Optional experiences are available on this tour for an additional cost and will be provided to you with your finalised travel documents. Please contact our team of Travel Experts for more information.

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Day 1 Day 1: Kathmandu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Kathmandu

Namaste! Welcome to Nepal. Your adventure begins in Kathmandu. When you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe check out the futuristic Taragaon Museum, showcasing the history of Kathmandu’s architecture. After your meeting, head out into the hustle and bustle of the Thamel and Jyatha neighbourhoods for an included dinner with your leader and group. You’ll try woh (a pancake made from freshly ground black lentils) or kukhurako masu (chicken cooked Nepali style).
Day 2 Day 2: Kathmandu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Kathmandu

After breakfast this morning, explore Kathmandu on a sightseeing tour with your leader. Head to the lively Durbar square – the once glorious centre of Nepal’s royal power. Visit Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, where you can observe Buddhist monks in prayer in the surrounding monasteries. Stop by a Thangka painting studio and gain inside knowledge on this sacred and traditional form of Buddhist art and the training that goes into being a Thangka artist. Visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, where you’ll see Hindu holy men meditating, pilgrims bathing and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats. The rest of your afternoon is free for further explorations.
Day 3 Day 3: Nagarkot
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Nagarkot

This morning, visit the headquarters of Sungava Nepal – a social enterprise that works to improve the lives of disadvantaged women in Nepal. Meet the local women and hear how the enterprise has changed their lives. Tour their greenhouse and learn about Nepali vegetables, then learn some traditional recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. Master the local methods of cooking and put together some classic dishes, then sit down to lunch with your new friends. After lunch, begin the journey to Nagarkot. Along the way, stop off at Bhaktapur – a beautifully preserved ancient city, home to many temples and statues. Explore three of the most important squares – Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square and Pottery Square – before continuing to Nagarkot, where you’ll prepare for an overnight stay at Club Himalaya, renowned for its unrestricted view of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Changu Narayan and the surrounding areas. End the day with a toast to your amazing view over sunset cocktails.
Day 4 Day 4: Pokhara
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Pokhara

Wake up and witness an early morning 180-degree sunrise view before travelling to Kathmandu airport by chartered coach. From here, you’ll fly to Pokhara – if you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse of the spectacular Himalayan Mountain chain to the north. When you arrive, take a boat ride across the lake of Phewa Tal – the second largest lake in Nepal. Visit the Peace Pagoda for excellent views of the mountains including the Annapurnas, the famous fishtail peak of Machhapuchhare and a glimpse back across to Pokhara. In the afternoon, maybe take some time to enjoy Pokhara’s mellow atmosphere and wander its colourful streets or take a stroll along the lake and see the brightly painted paddle boats in the water. Pokhara has no shortage of restaurants to tempt your taste buds so be sure to ask your leader for some great local recommendations.
Day 5 Day 5: Pokhara
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Pokhara

Start the day with a visit to Sarangkot Viewpoint for a sunrise over the snowcapped Himalayan peaks, from the Annapurna Ranges to Fishtail Mountain (Machhapuchhre). Your leader will be on hand to answer any questions about the landscape. Then, head to the International Mountain Museum, which is full of fascinating tales and exploits from climbing expeditions of the past – some ending in triumph and others in tragedy. After some time at the museum, visit a Tibetan community. Hear stories of their journey from Tibet to Nepal, learn about local life and take part in a traditional cooking demonstration to find out how to make delicious momos (steamed dumplings), which you’ll then eat together for lunch. Enjoy a free evening in Pokhara.
Day 6 Day 6: Chitwan National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Chitwan National Park

After breakfast, make the morning drive to Chitwan and arrive at your Feature Stay accommodation for the next two nights – Barahi Jungle Lodge. Perfectly positioned on the banks of the Rapti River, opposite Chitwan National Park, this jungle oasis offers first-class service and naturally warm Nepali hospitality. After settling in, there’s some flexibility with activities in the afternoon, which may vary depending on the time of year and known wildlife movements and locations. In the late afternoon, you might like to go down to the Rapti River and enjoy a cool beverage and snacks on the banks while you watch the sunset and the birds return home. Back at the resort, you’ll have a group dinner this evening.
Day 7 Day 7: Chitwan National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Chitwan National Park

After breakfast, leave the lodge for an early morning dugout canoe adventure on the Rapti River. Your tour leader will help you spot marsh mugger crocodiles along with the various birds that inhabit the riverbanks. Tiger sightings are rare these days, but you might see one if you’re lucky! When you return to dry land, set out on a late afternoon safari, showing the varied flora and fauna of the park. In the evening, enjoy dinner with your group and relax at your accommodation’s bar while discussing the day’s sightings or listening to the songs of the jungle.
Day 8 Day 8: Kathmandu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Kathmandu

Enjoy breakfast at the resort before driving back to Kathmandu. The afternoon free for you to learn more of Nepal’s cultural heritage – maybe visit the Nepali Folk Musical Instrument Museum, home to more than 650 unique instruments. Tonight, you might want to join your leader and group for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, leaving you with a final memory of Nepal’s delicious traditional food.
Day 9 Day 9: Kathmandu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Kathmandu

Your Nepali adventure comes to an end after breakfast today. If you’d like to extend your stay in Kathmandu, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

9 days tour

Premium Nepal

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Premium Nepal

Day 1: Kathmandu

Day 2: Kathmandu

Day 3: Nagarkot

Day 4: Pokhara

Day 5: Pokhara

Day 6: Chitwan National Park

Day 7: Chitwan National Park

Day 8: Kathmandu

Day 9: Kathmandu

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