Nepal - The Real Nepal Tour
Explore Nepal’s vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes while empowering local communities.
This is a 14-day private tour of Nepal. On this unique adventure, you will explore Nepal’s vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes while empowering local communities.
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you are immediately enveloped in the warm embrace of Nepali hospitality. Relax after your journey with a soothing sound-healing session designed to dissolve the weariness of travel and awaken your senses.
Travel to Nagarkot, a serene village boasting breathtaking Himalayan vistas. Settle into your homestay with a local family who warmly shares their customs and way of life. Engaging in cultural activities like crafting Tapari (leaf plates) and Batti (wicks) creates an authentic exchange of traditions that will resonate long after the visit. Experience Hatha yoga amidst the serene surroundings of Shanti Danda and help prepare a traditional Nepali meal.
You will then journey to Panauti, a town immersed in the rich Newari heritage. A bike or hike across the countryside reveals temples and terraced fields, and as the sun sets, gather for a traditional cultural program followed by a festive Suku Bhwe feast.
This unique tour of Nepal continues with the lush landscapes of Chitwan. You will search for rhinos and crocodiles on a jeep safari before experiencing the traditional hospitality of the Tharu community.
This immersive journey through Nepal culminates in the beauty of Pokhara. Here, there is time to pause and reflect on the remarkable experiences of the last two weeks before your return home.
Day 1 - Kathmandu
Welcome to Nepal! Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, you'll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. After check-in and freshening up, enjoy a relaxing, sound-healing session to recover from any jet lag. This will be followed by a healthy dinner before you'll then be taken back to your hotel for a restful night.
Overnight at Babar Mahal Villas (D)
Day 2 – Nagarkot
Visit Thimi for a pottery-making session with a local artisan and explore Bhaktapur’s historic Durbar Square. Travel to Nagarkot, where you’ll be warmly welcomed by your homestay family and engage in cultural activities like making Tapari (leaf plates) and Batti (wicks). End the day connecting with the community.
Drive Duration: 1 hour approx.
Overnight at Nagarkot Community Homestay (BLD)
Nagarkot Community Homestay, located approximately 27 km east of Kathmandu at 2,175 meters, offers breathtaking Himalayan views and a peaceful rural escape. Guests enjoy comfortable accommodations, authentic local cuisine, and activities like hiking, yoga, and cultural crafts. Visitors can immerse themselves in the rich traditions of the Brahmin community while exploring natural attractions and participating in vibrant local festivals.
Day 3 – Nagarkot
Start your day with Hatha yoga at Shanti Danda. Then, enjoy a community hike with valley views and a visit to Jalpa Devi Temple. In the evening, cook a traditional Nepali meal with your hosts.
Hike Duration: 3-3.5 hours approx.
Overnight at Nagarkot Community Homestay (BLD)
Day 4 - Namobuddha
Hike from Nagarkot to Nala, crossing a suspension bridge and visiting Bojini Dam before arriving at Nala Chaap. Afterwards, transfer to Namobuddha to visit the serene Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery and learn about Buddha Mahasattva.
Hike Duration: 3.5-4 hours approx.
Drive Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes approx.
Overnight at Namobuddha Resort (B)
Day 5 - Panauti
Travel in the morning to Panauti, which is known for its Newari culture. Arrive at your homestay after hiking from Namobuddha or biking through scenic landscapes. Enjoy a warm welcome from your hosts.
Drive Duration: 30 minutes approx.
Overnight at Panauti Community Homestay (BLD)
Panauti Community Homestay offers an authentic experience in a semi-urban town rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. Located just 32 km southeast of Kathmandu, Panauti provides visitors with comfortable accommodations, cultural experiences, and a chance to explore the traditional lifestyle of the Newar, Brahmin, and Chettri communities.
Day 6 - Panauti
Join a bike tour through Panauti’s countryside, passing temples and fields. In the evening, cook a traditional Newari feast with your hosts and enjoy a cultural program, followed by a festive Suku Bhwe feast.
Bike Tour Duration: 2 hours approx.
Overnight at Panauti Community Homestay (BLD)
Day 7 – Kathmandu
Travel to Kirtipur to explore its temples and enjoy mountain views. Learn to write Ranjana Lipi and sample local Aila with a Samay Baji meal. Later, transfer to Kathmandu for the night.
Drive Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes approx.
Overnight at Babar Mahal Villas (B)
Day 8 - Sightseeing Kathmandu
A day of sightseeing in Kathmandu. You will visit Pashupati, Boudha, and Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Overnight at Babar Mahal Villas (B)
Day 9 - Chitwan
Transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Bharatpur. On arrival you will be taken to the Barauli Community Homestay and enjoy a cultural experience this evening.
Overnight at Barauli Community Homestay (BLD)
Nestled near the lush landscapes of Chitwan National Park, Barauli Community Homestay offers an immersive experience of the indigenous Tharu community's culture and way of life. Surrounded by rich biodiversity, visitors can enjoy the tranquillity of rural life while exploring cultural and natural attractions. Stay in traditional Tharu houses with comfortable accommodations, engage in activities like cycling, cooking classes, canoe rides, and bird watching, and enjoy authentic Tharu dance performances with local meals. The area is rich in wildlife, scenic views, and vibrant village life, making it a perfect destination for cultural exploration and nature lovers.
Day 10 – Chitwan
Discover Chitwan National Park on a jeep safari where you may spot rhinos, crocodiles and much more. Later, enjoy a guided cycling tour around the park's outskirts, taking in the local scenery and wildlife, before learning how to prepare traditional Tharu dishes with a local expert.
Overnight at Barauli Community Homestay (BLD)
Day 11 - Pokhara
Leave Chitwan and catch a domestic flight tp Pokhara. On arrival the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore.
Overnight at Fishtail Lodge (B)
Day 12 – Sarangkot and Pokhara
Sarangkot is a must-do sunrise experience for anyone visiting Pokhara. You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the base of Sarangkot Hill, a 30-minute drive from the lakeside. After walking up the stairs for about 15 minutes, you will find a good spot to watch the sunrise with a breathtaking view. The rest of the day is free time to explore in Pokhara.
Overnight at Fishtail Lodge (B)
Day 13 – Return to Kathmandu
Return flight to Kathmandu and visit to Thamel. This is Kathmandu's eclectic and hedonistic beating heart, home to Nepal's best restaurants, bars, clubs, and shopping destinations.
Overnight at Babar Mahal Villas (B)
Day 14 – Depart Nepal
Departure transfer to the airport at a suitable time. Check-out time from the hotel is 12 noon.(B)
Get in touch with Our Local Tour to book The Real Nepal Tour
Departure Dates available throughout 2025 and 2026
As a private tour, we can schedule this tour for your own departure date.
Price
from £2345 per person based on two people travelling and sharing a room.
Included in the Nepal - The Real Nepal Tour
- Airport and domestic transfer assistance
- All land transportation by private vehicle in a car
- All accommodation as shown
- Meal plan as per the itinerary - Breakfast (B) Lunch (L) Dinner (D)
- Activities mentioned in the itineray
- Entrance fees to sightseeing places as per itinerary
- All domestic flights as mentioned
Not Included in the Nepal - The Real Nepal Tour
- International travel to the start and end point - contact us for information and flight options
- Any airport taxes
- Travel Insurance
- Any visa requirements
- Items of a personal nature
- All meals which are not mentioned as included in the package
- Soft and alcoholic drinks
Government Travel Safety Advice
Entry requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Nepal’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Nepal set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Nepal Embassy in the UK.
Passport validity requirements
To avoid problems at immigration, make sure your passport has an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after your date of entry into Nepal. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Checks at border control
At border control, you may need to show:
- a travel insurance document which has cover for healthcare costs including repatriation and other emergencies while you are in Nepal
- confirmation of where you will spend your first night, for example, a hotel booking
Visa requirements
You must have a visa to visit Nepal for up to 90 days.
Applying for a visa
You can apply online for a visa on arrival up to 15 days in advance of your arrival. Using your submission receipt, you then collect and pay for your visa at the airport. You can also apply using the forms or terminals available at the airport, then queue up to get the visa. You can pay by card, but you should have cash as a back-up, with US dollars being the preferred currency.
Alternatively you can apply for a tourist visa in advance and collect it from the Nepal Embassy in the UK or in another country. Applying in advance can reduce the time it takes to pass through immigration.
Visas are available for several lengths of stay at various costs. Look on the immigration department website for the options.
You can extend your visa online to up to a total of 150 days in one year. Overstaying your visa in Nepal is a serious crime and can lead to significant fines or imprisonment.
Vaccine requirements
To enter Nepal, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had:
- a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk
- a polio vaccine, if you’re coming from certain countries with a transmission risk
For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Nepal guide.
Customs rules
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Nepal. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
Bringing precious metals into Nepal is strictly regulated. You can carry gold ornaments up to 50 grams and silver ornaments up to 100 grams. If you bring in undeclared gold or silver, you may:
- get a fine equivalent to the value of the goods
- go to prison for between one month and 5 years depending upon the value of the goods
- have the goods confiscated
- be detained during the proceedings
Taking money into and out of Nepal
You must declare on a customs form on arrival any amount above the value of 5,000 US dollars in banknotes or 10,000 dollars in notes and travellers cheques combined. Customs will give a certified declaration, which you must keep.
You will need to convert all your Nepali currency before you leave Nepal, and the bank or exchange counter at the airport may ask you for the declaration. ATMs are not reliable outside main tourist sites.
What to bring on your The Real Nepal Tour
Clothing
Lightweight, casual, non-synthetic clothing (cotton and natural fibres are best) which appropriately covers the body when in the company of the local communities. Please understand local customs and religious requirements relating to dress codes. It doesn't have to be fancy, but it needs to be respectful.
Footwear
The ideal footwear would be sandals and good walking shoes/boots.
Luggage while on your tour
Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day sack. Remember, you are expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself, a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suit case.
Equipment
We recommend a sunhat, sunscreen, a torch, insect repellent and a reusable water bottle. A power adapter for phones, laptops, etc. Earplugs, particularly if you are a light sleeper!
Currency
The Nepalese rupee is the official currency of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. The Nepalese rupee is subdivided into 100 paisa.
Away from major centres, changing a Rs 1000 note can be very difficult, so it is always a good idea to keep a stash of small-denomination notes. Cash withdrawals on credit cards from dispensing machines are available in Kathmandu and Pokhara but should not be relied entirely on for funds. Credit cards, preferably Mastercard or Visa, are accepted in major hotels, tourist shops and bigger restaurants in Kathmandu and Pokhara only.
Weather in Nepal
The best time to visit Nepal is between October and December, when the skies are a clear blue and the views are spectacular. The weather remains dry until about April, with temperatures varying between regions.
Late spring in May is a beautiful time to travel, with the rhododendrons bursting into bloom. Heat and humidity levels build, with temperatures climbing to 35°C.
The monsoon season arrives in June and lasts until the end of August, with the clouds obscuring the glorious mountain views. The heavy rain and landslides make travel difficult, and many places close down, so the country is best avoided at this time.
Time Zone
Time zone: UTC +5 hours 45 mins
Electricity
The electric voltage in Nepal is 220 volts. Most English electric appliances work well in Nepal but a universal adaptor is needed as the pin holes are round.
