Nepal Express

Nepal Express

147 Views
6 Days From

$795

Nepal Express

6 Days

Visiting: Nepal

Tour operator:

Encounters Travel

Tour code:

88

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Moderate

Age range:

8-75

Special diets catered:

Request dietary needs

Tour operated in:

English
From: $795

NB: Prices correct on 22-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

This captivating 6-day tour of Nepal unveils the country's cultural and spiritual treasures, beginning with an exploration of Kathmandu's bustling Thamel district, where you'll encounter a vibrant tapestry of shops, restaurants, and nightlife. You'll then embark on a journey through time, visiting iconic landmarks like the historic Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the revered Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the 'monkey temple'.

Venture beyond Kathmandu to discover the ancient towns of Patan, Kirtipur, and Bhaktapur, each steeped in history and artistic traditions. In Patan, marvel at the intricate architecture of Durbar Square, while Kirtipur offers a glimpse into traditional local life. In Bhaktapur, wander through well-preserved ancient streets, witness traditional crafts, and participate in a hands-on pottery class.

Experience the serenity of Nagarkot, a picturesque village nestled in the hills, where breathtaking mountain views await. Embark on a scenic walk through the Tilkot Forest Reserve to Changu Narayan Temple, Nepal's oldest, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, steeped in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions.

Immerse yourself in the authentic Newari way of life during a homestay in Panauti. Reside in a traditional Newari house, savor home-cooked meals, and connect with the warm and welcoming local community.

Conclude your journey with visits to two of Nepal's most sacred sites: Pasupatinath Temple, a significant Hindu pilgrimage destination, and Boudhanath Stupa, an iconic Buddhist monument radiating peace and tranquility.

This tour offers a unique blend of cultural exploration, spiritual encounters, and natural beauty, leaving you with lasting memories of Nepal's rich heritage and captivating landscapes.

Highlights

  • An immersive 6-day Nepal tour. Explore Kathmandu's culture, ancient towns, scenic Nagarkot, and experience a homestay in Panauti. Visit sacred sites and immerse yourself in Nepal's rich heritage.

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Day 1: Arrive Into Kathmandu

We greet you on your arrival in Kathmandu airport today and transfer you to your hotel in the Thamel tourist disctrict of the city. Our rep will help you settle in and familiarise you with the local area before the rest of your day is free. In the evening our rep will take you on an evening walk through Thamel to check out the numerous bars, restaurants and nightlife on offer. You may have your first taste of Nepal's traditional dish tonight - Dal Bhat (rice and lentil curry).

Day 2 : Day 2: Thamel Rickshaw Ride. Walk Around Durbar Square: Visit Swayambunath Stupa

Our Nepal tour starts with an exciting Rickshaw ride through the backstreets of Thamel, to Durbar Square. We'll pass through small back streets full of numerous tiny shops, workshops, temples, and stupas to Durbar Square with its array of wooden and stone carved temples and palaces, where we'll have plenty of time to walk around and explore. After lunch at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the square, we drive to the important Swayambunath Stupa which sits on a hilltop overlooking the city, visible from miles around. Also known locally as the 'monkey temple', we'll see these nimble inhabitants scampering in and around the trees and temple.

Day 3 : Day 3: Visit The Ancient Towns Of Patan: Kirtipur And Bhaktapur: Partake In A Pottery Class Before Heading To Nagarkot

Wake up today in Kathmandu before embarking on a tour to visit the nearby towns of Patan, Kirtipur and Bhaktapur.
Patan is often referred to as Lalitpur, the "City of Beauty", Patan is renowned for its rich artistic heritage and architectural marvels. The heart of Patan is its Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you'll find an exquisite collection of temples, palaces, and courtyards showcasing the intricate artistry of the Newar people. Our next stop is Kirtipur which is located on a hilltop, overlooking the Kathmandu valley, here you'll be offered a glimpse into traditional local life.

Day 4 : Day 4: Walk To Changu Narayan Temple. Head To Panauti For Your Community Homestay Experience

This morning we hope for spectacular sunrise views from Nagarkot before walking downhill through the Tilkot Forest Reserve and along a ridge with classic terraced farmland on either side to Changu Narayan Temple, perched on a hilltop east of Kathmandu. This is Nepal's oldest temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Revered by Hindus and Buddhists alike, it boasts a rich history dating back to the 4th century.

Day 5 : Day 5: Breakfast In Panauti Before Visiting Pasupatinath And Boudhanath

After breakfast in the village, we leave Panauti and drive back to Kathmandu, stopping en-route at two of the cities most important, and contrasting religious pilgrimage sites. Our first stop is at Pasupatinath temple, the most sacred Hindu temple in Nepal, which sits on the banks of the Bagmati River, where pilgrims come to pay homage to Lord Shiva. Witnessing the sacred rituals and cremation ceremonies can be a powerful experience, providing a glimpse into the cycle of life and death.

Day 6 : Day 6: Kathmandu: Tour Ends: Transfer To Airport For Departure

Your tour ends after breakfast this morning, and your time is free until we transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. If you will be staying on in Nepal, then our local rep will be happy to help you with information, advice and any onward arrangements.

What's Included

What's Not Included

Mode of Transport

Local tourist coach

4x4 jeep

Accommodation

2 to 3-star hotels

Check out our Q&As

  • Are vaccinations required for this tour?

    You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation.



    Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are travelling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination. You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions. In addition, additional courses or boosters normally recommended for the countries in this region are:



    Nepal: Additional vaccinations: Diptheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area.

    Bhutan: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area.



    Tibet: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area.



    Malaria: Vaccinations are not available against Malaria, which is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes that can be very serious and sometimes fatal. You should avoid mosquito bites by covering up bare skin with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers and applying insect repellents to exposed skin. When necessary, sleep under a mosquito net. Mosquitoes are most active during and after sunset. You should consult with your GP/medical practitioner/travel clinic about the most appropriate malaria prophylactic medication to take for the regions you are visiting. In general the lowland regions Bhutan are considered malarial zones, while higher altitudes including central Bhutan including Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Bumthang are not. Nepal is considered mainly low risk with prophylactics not normally required.



    Yellow Fever: This disease is spread by infected mosquitoes that bite during the day. A Yellow Fever Certificate of vacinnation may be required as a condition of entry depending on which country you are arriving from, or that you have travelled or transitted through recently (including connecting flights with stopovers of over 12 hours). You can view this US CDC information about where the virus is present and follow the links to further information detailing which countries need you to have a Yellow Fever vaccination as part of their entry requirements. Please ensure you have this certificate with you and to hand if necessary. Please inform us of any pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or asthma and any prescription medicine you may be taking. We also need to know about any food allergies or physical disabilities that you may have.

  • What currencies are required for this tour?

    The local currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee (NRs). There are a banks and several ATMs in Kathmandu where you can use a debit/credit card to withdraw cash (Visa, Mastercard), but these are not generally available out of Kathmandu or Pokhara. There are numerous money change shops in the main towns. Travellers cheques can be changed in some banks in Kathmandu and Pokhara, but not elsewhere.

    You should ensure you have all the Nepalese rupees you think you will need before you leave for any trekking or visiting any more remote areas (including Bardia National Park). Try to obtain as many small denomination notes as possible, as higher value notes can be very hard to change in remote areas. You can pay with US Dollars cash in some places but should not rely on this.

  • Do you require a visa for this holiday?

    Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller, and requirements are subject to change by the local authorities.



    Many nationals can obtain their Nepalese visa in Kathmandu airport upon arrival (including UK, EU, US, CA, AU, NZ, SA citizens). The costs for a single entry visa are currently:

    - up to 15 days - US$ 25

    - 16 to 30 days - US$ 40

    - 31 to 90 days - US$ 100

    An additional $20 fee is charged to convert these into a multiple entry visa which will be needed for any tours returning to Nepal after visiting Bhutan or Tibet.



    The visa is obtained in the immigration area at the point where your passport is stamped. Forms to fill in are available in this immigration hall and may also be given out on your flight (if so, do fill them in before you land as it will reduce your queuing time). You will also need to fill in an arrivals card. Once your paperwork is completed, head to the immigration desk and hand over your forms, 2 passport photos, your visa fee and passport. The visa fees are set in US Dollars, but you can also pay in other currencies, but don't rely on getting given change.



    Passport Photos: You will need two passport photos for your Nepal visa if you are obtaining it on arrival. If you are doing any trekking, rafting or visiting a National Park (i.e. on many of of our tours), you should bring extras, as some of the permits we may need to get require these. Please bring at least 4 passport photos with you - they will always come in useful later if you don't need them all.

  • Is travel insurance compulsory?

    Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.

  • When is my balance payment due?

    60 days prior to departure

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s

  • Can I transfer my booking to someone else?

    Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

yvonne12442  

10 Day Nepal Exposed Tour an Epic Experience!

October 2017

My husband and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Encounters Travel for giving us the opportunity to experience the 10 Day Nepal Exposed Tour. Encounters Travel was great from even before the trip began in planning the trip, answering all our inquiries and providing us information in a timely matter. We would like to say this trip was phenomenal and left us both with memories and adventures that will last a lifetime. We would like to give special recognition to our tour guide Ram Hari Aryal, who is a real professional and gave us individualized attention from the beginning of the trip when we arrived at the Kathmandu Airport to our departure back home. Ram really made this trip special for us and has such great knowledge of Nepal’s history, culture and geography. He also became a friend to us by the end of the tour. The driver that accompanied us throughout the entire trip and drove us through the country deserves praise as well. He is polite and got out to open the door for us every time we stopped somewhere. He is a very good driver and we felt safe throughout the entire journey through the countryside. In Kathmandu, we were assigned the same guide twice to show us through a few cities. His name was Prakash Luitel and he is wonderful and very knowledgeable of his country. The fellow who was our guide in Chitwan National Park was also very professional, energetic and friendly. The accommodations were fabulous. All the hotels that we stayed in were great. We especially were impressed by Apsara Boutique Hotel in Kathmandu for their splendid rooms and exceptional staff. Another favorite of ours was Gaun Ghar located in Bandipur. We loved the décor of the hotel with stone floors and walls it gave us the feel that we were back in the 19th century. Also, great manager and staff that really made you feel at home. Not to mention the view of the mountains from our room that made us feel like we were in heaven. We traveled through Kathmandu, Chitwan, Pokhara, Bandipur and Nagarkot. My husband and I asked each other at the end of the trip which city did we like the best. The both us could not pick one. We liked all of them. They all had their unique and individual charm and beauty. These are a few of our many favorite highlights of the trip: 1. Everest Mountain Flight 2. Tour of Lalitpur aka Patan 3. Monkey Temple (Kathmandu) 4. Chitwan National Park wildlife safari 5. Boat ride on Phewa Lake (Chiwan) 6. World Peace Stupa (Pokhara) 7. Devi Falls (Pokhara) 8. Boudhanath Supa (Kathmandu) 9. Durbar Square (Kathmandu) 10. Pasupatinath (Kathmandu) Every day was wonderful on this tour and a real adventure. We would love to take another tour again in the future and we would recommend Encounters Travel to our family, friends and coworkers. Some (hopefully) constructive criticism: we recommend that you advertise to potential travelers the option of extra days in Kathmandu more prominently and frequently in your literature. We didn’t realize until much later that we could’ve extended our stay for such little cost. We would’ve done it if the option had emphasized. Under Day 12, the “upgrade to an [sic] domestic flight” is misleading. We assumed that if we took the flight we wouldn’t miss anything on the agenda. Big mistake! Thank God we called your office and clarified that we’d not see Nagarkot, Bhaktapur, Pasupatinath and Boudhanath. What a loss that would’ve been! Nepali toilets are not up to Western standards. A tip to bring one’s own toilet paper (and lots of it), and to prepare for horrific sights and smells, would’ve been appreciated. We strongly urge you to include Lalitpur (Patan) in the Class Exposed itinerary. It doesn’t take so long to see and it’s well worth making time for. We also were a little disappointed that we couldn’t see Lumbini, Buddha’s birthplace. Thank you again for an epic experience! Nicholas and Yvonne Towasser

Alex M  

Everest Base Camp - Well Organized, Great Guides!

December 2019

We used Encounters Travel as the organizer for our Dec 2019 Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal. They handled everything from the flight booking to the airport shuttle to the guide/porter arrangements. Their planning was well organized which allowed us to focus solely on getting through the physical challenges of the trek. We were booked on Qatar Air which was nice for our 30+ hours of traveling each way. The hotel they had booked for us in Kathmandu was clean and comfortable with a very nice staff (and great location). Lastly, the guide & porter for our trek were absolutely fantastic. Dipesh (our guide) was professional and took time each day to discuss how we were feeling and address any concerns or questions that we had. I honestly do not think we would have made it to Base Camp if not for the expertise of Dipesh. Encounters Travel made this trek much less stressful than it could have been, and on a trek that is stressful & difficult by its very nature, that was a relief. I don't often book travel with a tour company, but I will likely be coming back to Encounters Travel in the future. HIGHLY recommended.

Libbylaird  

Nepal on a Shoestring - Truly fantastic

May 2018

I have just returned from the Nepal on a Shoestring Tour and I can highly recommend it. A fantastic, non-stop way to be introduced to Nepal; Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara in 8 days. I added on an additional day at the start which did mean I had some quiet time before the action began! Our guide, Dipesh, who escorted us for the trip entirety was brilliant and very patient with our relentless questions! The bus trips between locations were long but a fantastic way to see the Nepalese countryside, you do need to be patient with the Nepalese roadways! I loved every minute and would highly recommend Encounters Travel and this tour. Now looking at my next trip with Encounters Travel!

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.

    Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.

    At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.

    At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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