Nepal Adventure
Nepal Adventure
Nepal Adventure
10 Days Starting and ending in Kathmandu
Visiting: Kathmandu, Balthali, Namobuddha , Bhaktapur, Trisuli River, Trisuli River/ Chitwan, Chitwan National Park
Tour operator:
Tour code:
HNSC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
12-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Capture the spirit of Nepal on a stupa-endous journey rich in history, culture, and spiritual exploration. Witness the wind catch prayer flags amid mountainous backdrops, trek through changing landscapes to beautiful Buddhist monasteries, explore ancient trading towns deep in the Kathmandu Valley, and relax in a village retreat surrounded by Himalayan vistas. Then, before you get too zen – experience the thrill of rafting down the Trisuli river and spend a night camping under the Nepalese stars. From the labyrinth of bustling bazaars that crowd Kathmandu to the tranquil ambiance that encircles hill-top temples, it will be hard not to feel enlightened on this breathtaking adventure, Namaste!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Kathmandu
Location: Kathmandu
Namaste! Welcome to Nepal. If you arrive early today, why not explore Kathmandu – an incredible mixture of legend and modern development with a rich artistic and cultural heritage. Narrow lanes lead to small squares and courtyards where ornately carved balconies overlook shrines and temples. Buzzing markets and bazaars are the centre of Nepali life, where stalls and small hole-in-the-wall shops sell everything from bangles to Buddhas to beetroot. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. After, why not get to know your new travel buddies over a plate of momo – Nepal’s answer to dumplings.
Optional Activities:
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Day 2: Kathmandu
Location: Kathmandu
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning, take a walking heritage tour of Kathmandu’s old bazaars – Hanuman Dhoka and Durbar Square. The labyrinth of backstreets and alleys leading from one bazaar, or ‘chowk’, to another is a true highlight of the city. Visit one of the holiest Hindu temples in the world – Pashupatinath – and let your leader bring the fascinating story behind this temple to life. Nearby is the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal. Follow the pilgrims' circle around the stupa, spinning the prayer wheels and if you like, take the opportunity to offer your prayers to Lord Buddha by lighting a traditional butter lamp at the main entryway. There may be the option for lunch at a rooftop restaurant with an enticing view over the stupa, followed by free time this afternoon to continue exploring Kathmandu at your own pace.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 3: Balthali
Location: Balthali
Meals Included: breaksfast
Head to the fringes of the Kathmandu Valley, stopping at the ancient town of Panauti before reaching Khopasi. From here, you can stretch your legs on a 1-hour hike through the thick forest or continue by vehicle to the hill-top village of Balthali. A world away from the ‘Coca-Cola’ hub of Thamel, this peaceful community nestled within a setting of verdant hills and lush rice paddies remains largely undiscovered. Soak up the tranquil ambience as you relax in your accommodation for the night, with its commanding views of villages and farms and the mighty Himalayas rising on the horizon.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Namobuddha
Location: Namobuddha
Meals Included: breaksfast
Pack a daypack ready for your hike today, while your main luggage is transported to your next destination – Namobuddha. Make your way off-road, cutting through the vast terraced fields, followed by a sharp descent. Continue along the trail bridge, where you’ll meet a steep, uphill winding track through open pastures and onto the dirt track that leads to Panauti. Pass a few villages, briefly entering a dense forest, then prepare to be wowed by the revered Buddhist pilgrimage site of Namobuddha. Visit the stupa and impressive Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery before settling into your accommodation for the night.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Bhaktapur
Location: Bhaktapur
Meals Included: breaksfast
Journey to the medieval town of Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur preserves the old-world charm of the Kathmandu Valley. Its timeless craftsmanship is evident in its temples and squares, and its people are still fiercely devoted to the ways of life and faith passed on from their ancestors. Enjoy an afternoon walking tour of the town, including the temples of Taumadhi Tole and Durbar Square, then spend the rest of the time exploring on your own. Tonight, you’ll stay in Bhaktapur.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Trisuli River
Location: Trisuli River
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast, leave Bhaktapur and follow Kathmandu Road to the Trisuli River – the launching place for your two-day rafting experience. Meet the crew who will run through the safety briefing and prepare you for the adventure. Trisuli River is an ideal introduction for first-time rafters, with reasonably calm waters and only minor rapids – meaning you can relax and really enjoy the ride! Soak up the scenery (and the splashes) as you traverse impressive gorges and beautiful valleys. Depending on the water conditions, you’ll be on the river for approximately 4 hours, with a stop for lunch. Tonight, you’ll stay in a permanent tented camp on the riverside and enjoy a group dinner.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Trisuli River/ Chitwan
Location: Trisuli River/ Chitwan
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast, continue your rafting adventure and drift along clear Himalayan white water, occasionally battling the rapids (and maybe your fellow rafters). Your rafting experience will finish around lunch. Say goodbye to your crew and put on your safari hat as the group drives down to the lowlands and onto Chitwan National Park. UNESCO declared this park a World Heritage site in 1984, and it offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Asia. Look out for rhinos, deer, monkeys, beers and a wide array of birdlife here, including the infamous Nepalese wild chicken. Your accommodation here is a real treat – built in traditional Tharu village style, you’ll be surrounded by nature and the exotic sounds of the jungle.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Chitwan National Park
Location: Chitwan National Park
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Today is all about exploring Chitwan National Park and discovering the wildlife that lies within. After breakfast, hop aboard a jeep and take a 4-hour safari drive through the park – if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of one of the Shere Khan-esque Bengal tigers that call the park home. After your safari, you’ll float down the Rapti River in a dugout canoe, keeping an eye out for the great Indian rhino as well as deer, exotic bird life and the marsh mugger crocodiles that inhabit the riverbanks. A birdwatching walk through the forest and across the grasslands is also a great way to connect to the land. Later, you’ll attend a cultural performance before heading to your jungle resort for dinner.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 9: Kathmandu
Location: Kathmandu
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast, this morning is free to explore the jungle or go birdwatching. This afternoon, take a transfer to Kathmandu. When you arrive, you can join a walk through the backstreets and the vibrant local markets of the city to Ashan Bazar and Indra Chowk near Kathmandu Durbar Square. See the old royal palace and numerous beautiful temples nearby, and browse the stalls of merchant's wares. Hunt for the perfect souvenir (Tibetan prayer flags, Thanka paintings, singing bowls and pashmina shawls are popular) and perfect your bargaining skills. Tonight, maybe grab your group for a farewell feast of momo (dumplings) to celebrate an incredible trip.
Optional Activities:
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Day 10: Kathmandu
Location: Kathmandu
Meals Included: breaksfast
Your trip ends after breakfast today, and you can leave any time after checkout. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (4 nights), Resort (4 nights), Camping (1 night) -
Kathmandu - Boudhanath Stupa
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Kathmandu - Pashupatinath Temple
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Kathmandu - Durbar Square
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Bhaktapur - Leader-led walking tour
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Panauti - Leader-led walk
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Kathmandu Valley - Hike from Khopasi to Balthali
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Kathmandu Valley - Hike from Balthali to Namobuddha
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Namobuddha - Thrangu Tashi Yangtze Monastery
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Trisuli River - White Water Rafting (Grade 3)
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Sanga - Sanga Mahadev visit (tallest Lord Shiva/Mahadev statue of Nepal)
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Transport
- LUGGAGE LIMITS:
- Domestic flights in Nepal have strict weight limits - 10kg of check-in luggage and 5kg of carry-on hand luggage per person is included with your flight ticket. Excess baggage (up to 5kg per person only) will be charged at your own expense.
- TRAVEL BETWEEN KATHMANDU & POKHARA:
- On itineraries that include road travel between these destinations, past travellers have often decided to fly this route independently to avoid the long overland journey (200km, approx 6+ hours). The flight takes around 35mins. Should you decide to fly, this will be at your own expense with no refunds for road travel available.
- 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.
- 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.
Accommodation
- RESORTS:
- Some of the accommodation on this trip is in resorts located outside of towns and villages. There are limited options for meals and activities outside of the properties.
Included Activities
- Kathmandu - Bodhnath Stupa
- Kathmandu - Pashupatinath Temple
- Kathmandu - Durbar Square
- Bhaktapur - Leader-led walking tour
- Panauti - Guided walk
- Balthali - Hiking
- Namobuddha - Hiking
- Namobuddha - Thrangu Tashi Yangtze Monastery
- Dhulikel - Guided walk
- Trisuli River - Rafting
- Trisuli River - Rafting
Important Information
- 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 6 (Camping) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Mode of Transport
- LUGGAGE LIMITS:
- Domestic flights in Nepal have strict weight limits - 10kg of check-in luggage and 5kg of carry-on hand luggage per person is included with your flight ticket. Excess baggage (up to 5kg per person only) will be charged at your own expense.
- TRAVEL BETWEEN KATHMANDU & POKHARA:
- On itineraries that include road travel between these destinations, past travellers have often decided to fly this route independently to avoid the long overland journey (200km, approx 6+ hours). The flight takes around 35mins. Should you decide to fly, this will be at your own expense with no refunds for road travel available.
- 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.
- 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.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
There are some long travel days on roads that seem to be permanently under construction. What looks like a short distance on a map can take an unexplainably long time to complete. Plenty of patience (and maybe some good podcasts at the ready) will go a long way toward your enjoyment of the journey.
This trip does not go to high altitude, so if you were hesitant to explore Nepal because for this reason you should have little trouble acclimatising on this tour.
As there as an included rafting activity, please speak to your leader in advance if you are not a confident swimmer. There is also the option to sit out this activity and instead spend time relaxing at the campsite.
While at the Trisuli river we have an included night of camping. This is at a permanent campsite where tents, mats and sleeping bags provided and toilet facilities are basic.
Outside of the main cities, Nepal can be a quiet place, with few ‘tourist’ attractions and options for organised activities. There is plenty of time for your own exploration or relaxation. Don't expect each day to be action-packed, but be ready to seek out your own, more simple cultural experiences.
As we stay in some locations where there are few options for eating out, some meals may be set menus rather than being able to choose from a variety of options.
If you would prefer a cultural trip in Nepal in Comfort style, check out our Classic Nepal (HNKA) -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions