The discovery of Nepal
At the heart of sacred temples and Himalayan peaks, an authentic cultural immersion in the Nepali soul.
Duration
13 days
From
€1,605/pers.
Ideal seasons
Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
classique
Travelers
Couple, Family, Solo, senior, groupe
The spirit of travel
This circuit is a cultural immersion within the Nepali world. One of the characteristics of this trip is the discovery of most sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage.
Browse the bustling streets of Thamel and Patan in Kathmandu. From the capital, climb the steps of the Monkey Temple or take time to observe the erotic frescoes of the temples of Dubar square. From Kathmandu you will begin the journey to Gorkha.
In the middle of your vacation, Pokhara, the second largest city in the country. Much cleaner and more relaxed than Kathmandu, the city is surrounded by the Dhaulagiri mountains (8160m), Machhapuchhare (6993m), Lamjung himal (6983m)
Lumbini temple.
The trip ends as you take a breath of fresh air in Chitwan National Park. In the back of a TATA brand 4x4, on the back of an Asian elephant, or on the deck of a wooden pirogue, chain together activities and safaris.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival in Kathmandu
The visit to UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Visit the main sites of the Katmandou valley.
Katmandou Durbar Square, the heart of old Katmandou. This great square immerses visitors in the history of the city. We visit the ancient royal palace Hanuman Dhoka guarded by the monkey god Hanuman. As well as Kumari Bahal, home of the living goddess Kumari, and finally the Kala Bhairab Statue, the fierce god fighting demons. All these deities, and many others, seem to watch over the city. Nepali people come to honor them in turn before stopping at the markets at Asan Tole or Indra Chowk.
The stupa of Swayambunath surrounded by several other temples is erected on a hill overlooking Katmandou
Patan, the second largest city in the valley located south of Katmandou, once called Lalitpur, the Beautiful City, is considered the cradle of Newar arts and architecture which have left their mark throughout the valley. Patan is famous for its crafts and wrought metals which are wonderful souvenirs.
The road to Pokhara
After breakfast, we head towards the second major tourist city of Népal, Pokhara.
It has become an important tourist destination since the advent of trekking in Népal. It is established in the heart of a large subtropical valley. The Pokhara valley also has several lakes, the largest of which in the country is the Phewa Lake, to the southwest of the city. It is the heart of Pokhara's tourism industry. You can enjoy pleasant walks or bicycle rides along the shores of the lake.
It is also possible to rent a small rowing boat to enjoy the tranquility and peace of this beautiful lake.
The visit of the Pokhara valley
You wake up early to discover the city of Sarangkot which is located on the heights of Pokhara from where you can admire the magnificent sunrise over the Himalayas. Don't forget your camera. You then return to the hotel for breakfast and begin your day of sightseeing in the Pokhara valley.
The popular places you will visit are Davis Fall, Gupteshwor Cave, and the International Mountain Museum. Finally, a short boat ride on Phewa Lake.
Chitwan "heart of the jungle"
In the morning, on the way to Chitwan. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Chitwan means the "heart of the jungle". This park is located in the low region of the country, the Teraï, at the foot of the Himalaya.
Upon our arrival, briefing in preparation for the afternoon safari.
Safari and jungle walks with elephants
Early in the morning you will go for a walk with the elephants and a 4x4 safari in the afternoon.
The plains of southern Népal were covered in dense tropical jungle teeming with fascinating wildlife and exotic birds. The one-horned rhinoceros, the Royal Bengal tiger, leopards, elephants, crocodiles, pythons and the Himalayan black bear were the stars of this permanent show among hundreds of other species of wild animals, including 450 species of colorful birds.
Excursion in the city of Kathmandu
Visit to the main sites in the Katmandou valley
Pashupatinath, one of the sacred temples of South Asia, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. You can see the river and the cremation rituals that are performed on the banks of the river. It resembles Varanasi (Benares) in India.
Visit to the famous stupa of Bouddhanath, one of the main Buddhist sanctuaries in the region surrounded by numerous monasteries and Tibetan shops.
Bhaktapur, medieval city and ancient royal palace, inhabited mainly by Newars who are predominantly Hindu. Bhaktapur contains squares and historical monuments of great artistic value.
Night in Bhaktapur
Namo Buddha Monastery
The road to Dhulikhel only takes an hour, but to reach the Namo Buddha monastery, it requires 3 hours of hiking. According to Buddhists, Namo Buddha is one of the most sacred places in Népal. You can attend prayers, and then have lunch with the monks of the monastery. An authentic and certainly unique experience.
The beautiful village of Balthali
After admiring the sunrise over the mountain range and enjoying a hearty breakfast, we begin visiting the surroundings of Namo Buddha monastery. According to legend, when Buddha saw a tigress and her hungry cubs, moved by compassion, he offered his body as a sacrifice.
After the visit, we descend slowly to the suspension bridge and then an easy climb to reach the village of Balthali. From there, another short 30-minute walk before reaching our hotel. The surroundings of the village are covered by abundant flora, a forest of rhododendrons, magnolias and sal trees. You can observe a wide variety of birds there.
Route to Nagarkot
The visit to Changu Narayan Temple
Early in the morning, we set off for a short walk to watch the sunrise over the mountains. After this intimate and magical moment, we return to the hotel for breakfast.
Then, we walk to Changu Narayan, dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. This temple is surely the oldest in the Kathmandu Valley and is notably listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Good return and see you next time!
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- Cancellation / Trip Interruption Insurance and Baggage Loss
- International flights
- Visa fees 25 USD for 15 Days (to be done upon arrival in Kathmandu - bring 2 photos)
- Lunch and dinner meals except in Chitwan (budget 10 to 15 Euros per meal)
- Personal expenses: souvenirs, drinks, spa, telephone, etc.
- Tips left to your discretion but strongly recommended, this practice being very widespread in Nepal
Included
- Land transfers described in the program
- Accommodation in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Bhaktapur include breakfast
- Accommodations in Chitwan, Namo Buddha, Balthali, Nagarkot are on full board
- Activities in Chitwan National Park
- Supervision by an English-speaking Nepalese guide (English-speaking guide with a supplement)
- Insurance for the local team
- Temple and monument entries during a visit to Kathmandu
- Your travel advisor's 24/7 assistance
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and Canada traveling to Nepal for a tourist stay. Since entry rules may change, we recommend that you verify this information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Nepal, your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of entry into the country and must have at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn, or altered pages).
Tourist visa
Unlike some destinations, Nepal does not grant visa exemptions to nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and Canada. A tourist visa is mandatory to enter the territory.
This visa can be obtained in two ways:
On arrival (visa on arrival): available at the main entry points, notably Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and certain land border crossings. It is strongly recommended to complete the application form online before departure to facilitate procedures on site.
Online before departure: via the official online visa system of the Nepalese government (online visa application), allowing you to obtain prior authorization to present upon arrival.
Official rates are as follows:
15 days: 30 USD
30 days: 50 USD
90 days: 125 USD
Payment is generally made in cash (USD, EUR, or other accepted currencies) or by credit card depending on the entry points. It is advisable to have US dollars in cash for payment on site.
The authorities may also request:
an exit ticket from the territory (return flight or onward journey),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay.
Online arrival form
Before your arrival, it is recommended to complete the online arrival form available on the official portal of the Nepalese government. This form allows you to provide immigration authorities with:
passport information
flight details
the address of your first accommodation in Nepal
A digital confirmation or a reference code may be requested when passing through immigration or at the visa issuance counter upon arrival.
Special permits for trekking areas
Certain regions of Nepal require additional permits in addition to the tourist visa:
the TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System): mandatory for most trekking itineraries,
national park or conservation area permits (e.g., Sagarmatha for Everest, Annapurna Conservation Area),
restricted zone permits for certain specific destinations such as Mustang, Dolpo, or Manaslu.
These permits are generally obtained in Kathmandu or Pokhara from the relevant offices.
Health and vaccinations
No vaccine is mandatory to enter Nepal, except in case of arrival from a country at risk of yellow fever. However, several vaccinations are strongly recommended by health authorities:
hepatitis A and B,
typhoid,
diphtheria-tetanus-poliomyelitis (DTP),
rabies (especially for extended stays or in remote areas),
Japanese encephalitis (depending on areas and season).
Preventive antimalarial treatment may be recommended for certain low-altitude regions (Terai). It is advisable to consult a doctor or international vaccination center at least four to six weeks before departure.
Traveling with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay, as well as their own tourist visa.
In certain European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an exit authorization from the territory may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Travelers concerned should inquire with the embassy or consulate of Nepal in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to be covered for emergency assistance, repatriation and foreign medical expenses.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that suits you best:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to one of these plans.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these formulas, the full policy detailing all coverage and claims reporting procedures are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with claims reporting procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
Yes, a tourist visa is required, issued upon arrival at Kathmandu airport or at land borders (USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, USD 125 for 90 days). A valid passport for at least 6 months beyond entry and an identity photo are required.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, plan between 110 and 190 euros per day per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transportation and English-speaking guide. International flights (700-1100 euros return) are additional. Himalayan treks require a dedicated budget (permits, porters, lodges).
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to our travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, your budget and your dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You refine every detail together until you reach the perfect version. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) guarantee which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Kathmandu Valley
Himalayan pathfinder, based in Katmandou (Naxal)
Nepal is a country that naturally teaches patience and humility. Even a simple trip can become a very profound experience there.
— Nirmala
