Nepal Highlights - 14 Days Real Nepal Tour

  • Duration14 Days
  • Route Grade Comfort Travel
  • Starting City Kathmandu
  • Ending City Kathmandu

 

    Overview

    This 14 Days Nepal Highlights Tour shows you many sides of Nepal, all in one trip. In two weeks, you will walk through old, busy squares in Kathmandu, spend a night in Bandipur, a small hilltop town with no cars and old stone streets, and walk between quiet hill villages with the Annapurna mountains right in front of you. You will stand at the exact spot where Buddha was born in Lumbini, and later sit in a jeep deep in the Chitwan jungle, watching for rhinos. This trip is not about rushing from one place to the next for a quick photo. It is about slowing down and actually enjoying each stop along the way.

    You don't need to be a trekker to enjoy this trip, just someone who likes to walk and take things in. It works well for families, couples, or solo travelers, with comfortable hotels, friendly local guides, and a pace that gives you time to enjoy the old temples, the village trails, a calm afternoon by Phewa Lake, and the wildlife of Chitwan, without ever feeling rushed.

    Detail

    Information

    Duration

    14 Days, 13 Nights

    Trip Style

    Classical and Cultural Tour with light village trekking

    Starting and Ending City

    Kathmandu

    Group Size

    2 to 12 guests

    Accommodation

    3 star hotels, one heritage hotel, one mountain lodge and one village teahouse

    Meals

    Breakfast daily, selected lunches and dinners

    Best Season

    Autumn, October and November, and Spring, March to May

    Tour Highlights

    • Explore Kathmandu Valley: Visit Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Panauti, and Dhulikhel with a local guide. See old temples, busy bazaars, and historic squares along the way.
    • Spend a night in Bandipur: This small hilltop town has no cars, just old stone streets, wooden houses, and great mountain views.
    • Walk through real villages: Trek for two days through Dhampus and Majhgaon, two quiet Gurung villages surrounded by farmland and forest, with the Annapurna mountains in view.
    • Slow down in Pokhara: Go boating on Phewa Lake, enjoy a spa session after the trek, and join a relaxed yoga class before exploring the city.
    • Stand where Buddha was born: Visit the Mayadevi Temple in Lumbini and the old ruins of Kapilavastu nearby.
    • Go on a jungle safari in Chitwan: Spend a full day on a jeep safari and canoe ride, with good chances to spot rhinos and many types of birds.
    Cost Includes

    Cost Includes

    Cost Excludes

    All airport and intercity transfers by private vehicle

    Nepal visa fee, paid in cash on arrival

    13 nights accommodation as per the itinerary

    International airfare to and from Kathmandu

    Licensed English speaking guide throughout the trip

    Meals not specified in the itinerary

    Entrance fees for heritage sites and monuments

    Travel insurance

    Full jungle safari program in Chitwan

    Personal expenses such as drinks and laundry

    Phewa Lake boating and spa session in Pokhara

    Tips for guide and driver

    Itinerary

    Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport where our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free to rest after your flight and settle in before the trip begins.

    Route

    Distance

    Travel Time

    Altitude

    Accommodation

    Meals

    Highlights

    Airport to Kathmandu hotel

    Approx. 6 km

    20 to 30 minutes

    1,400m

    Kathmandu, 3 star hotel

    Not included

    Airport pickup, free evening

      Spend a full day exploring Kathmandu's UNESCO listed heritage sites with a licensed local guide. Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, the sacred Pashupatinath Temple, and the Tibetan Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath, each offering a different layer of the valley's living culture and history.

      Route

      Distance

      Travel Time

      Altitude

      Accommodation

      Meals

      Highlights

      Within Kathmandu Valley

      Approx. 15 km total

      2 to 3 hours driving between sites

      1,400m

      Kathmandu, same hotel

      Breakfast

      Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath

        Drive out of Kathmandu city to explore the ancient pottery town of Bhaktapur, the quiet riverside town of Panauti, and the Namobuddha Monastery, one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the valley. The day ends in Dhulikhel, a hilltop town known for views toward the eastern Himalayan range.

        Route

        Distance

        Travel Time

        Altitude

        Accommodation

        Meals

        Highlights

        Kathmandu to Bhaktapur to Panauti to Namobuddha to Dhulikhel

        Approx. 45 km

        3 to 4 hours including stops

        Up to 1,550m at Dhulikhel

        Kathmandu

        Breakfast

        Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Panauti, Namobuddha Monastery

          Travel by road to Bandipur, a beautifully preserved Newar hill town perched above the Marshyangdi valley. Spend the afternoon walking through its car free cobblestone streets, traditional wooden houses and old bazaars, with mountain views in the distance.

          Route

          Distance

          Travel Time

          Altitude

          Accommodation

          Meals

          Highlights

          Kathmandu to Bandipur

          Approx. 140 km

          4 to 5 hours

          1,030m

          Bandipur, heritage hotel

          Breakfast

          Bandipur old town walk

            Drive to Naudanda and begin a gentle hike to Dhampus, a traditional Gurung village set on a ridge with sweeping views of the Annapurna range. This is the first short trekking day of the trip, walking through terraced farmland and pine forest.

            Route

            Distance

            Travel Time

            Altitude

            Accommodation

            Meals

            Highlights

            Bandipur to Naudanda, then hike to Dhampus

            Approx. 75 km drive plus 5 km hike

            2 hours drive, 2 to 3 hours hike

            1,650m

            Dhampus, mountain lodge

            Breakfast and Dinner

            Annapurna views, terraced farmland

              Continue trekking from Dhampus to the nearby village of Majhgaon, walking through farmland, forest trails and small Gurung settlements. This is an easy walking day that offers a genuine look at rural hill life away from the main tourist trail.

              Route

              Distance

              Travel Time

              Altitude

              Accommodation

              Meals

              Highlights

              Dhampus to Majhgaon

              Approx. 6 km hike

              3 to 4 hours

              Approx. 1,600m

              Majhgaon, village teahouse

              Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

              Gurung village life, rural trails

                Trek down from Majhgaon to Lumle, completing the village trekking section of the trip, then drive to Pokhara. Spend the afternoon relaxing beside Phewa Lake, with optional boating and a spa session to ease into the lakeside pace of Pokhara.

                Route

                Distance

                Travel Time

                Altitude

                Accommodation

                Meals

                Highlights

                Majhgaon to Lumle, then Lumle to Pokhara

                Approx. 5 km hike plus 25 km drive

                2 to 3 hours hike, 1 hour drive

                Descending to 822m at Pokhara

                Pokhara, lakeside hotel

                Breakfast

                Phewa Lake boating, spa

                  Begin the day with a relaxed yoga class before exploring Pokhara's main attractions, including the Old Bazaar, the Tibetan refugee settlement, and other lakeside landmarks. The pace today is slower, allowing time to enjoy Pokhara at leisure.

                  Route

                  Distance

                  Travel Time

                  Altitude

                  Accommodation

                  Meals

                  Highlights

                  Within Pokhara

                  Approx. 10 km total

                  1 to 2 hours sightseeing

                  822m

                  Pokhara, same hotel

                  Breakfast

                  Yoga session, Old Bazaar, lakeside walk

                    Travel south by road from Pokhara to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. The drive passes through the Mahabharat hills and the lowland Terai region, offering a change of scenery as you move from the mountains toward Nepal's southern plains.

                    Route

                    Distance

                    Travel Time

                    Altitude

                    Accommodation

                    Meals

                    Highlights

                    Pokhara to Lumbini

                    Approx. 165 km

                    4 to 5 hours

                    Descending to approx. 150m

                    Lumbini, garden hotel

                    Breakfast

                    Scenic Terai drive

                      Spend the day visiting the sacred Mayadevi Temple, the exact birthplace of Buddha, along with the surrounding monastic zone and the ancient ruins of Kapilavastu, believed to be the childhood home of Buddha. This is the spiritual heart of the trip.

                      Route

                      Distance

                      Travel Time

                      Altitude

                      Accommodation

                      Meals

                      Highlights

                      Within Lumbini, side trip to Kapilavastu

                      Approx. 50 km round trip to Kapilavastu

                      2 to 3 hours total

                      Approx. 150m

                      Lumbini

                      Breakfast

                      Mayadevi Temple, Kapilavastu ruins

                        Drive from Lumbini to Chitwan, home to one of Nepal's most important national parks. Check in at your hotel and spend the evening at leisure before the safari activities begin the next day.

                        Route

                        Distance

                        Travel Time

                        Altitude

                        Accommodation

                        Meals

                        Highlights

                        Lumbini to Chitwan

                        Approx. 165 km

                        4 to 5 hours

                        Approx. 150m

                        Chitwan, Hotel Green Mansion or Park

                        Breakfast and Dinner

                        Arrival in Chitwan, evening leisure

                          Spend the full day exploring Chitwan National Park, home to Bengal tigers, one horned rhinoceros and numerous bird species. Activities typically include a jeep safari and canoe ride, with a local guide sharing insight into the park's wildlife and conservation work.

                          Route

                          Distance

                          Travel Time

                          Altitude

                          Accommodation

                          Meals

                          Highlights

                          Within Chitwan National Park

                          Varies by safari route

                          Full day, jeep and canoe combined

                          Approx. 150m

                          Chitwan, same hotel

                          Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

                          Jeep safari, canoeing

                            Travel back to Kathmandu by road. The afternoon is free and easy, giving you time for last minute shopping in Thamel, a relaxed walk through the city, or simply resting before your departure.

                            Route

                            Distance

                            Travel Time

                            Altitude

                            Accommodation

                            Meals

                            Highlights

                            Chitwan to Kathmandu

                            Approx. 165 km

                            5 to 6 hours

                            1,400m

                            Kathmandu

                            Breakfast

                            Free afternoon in Thamel

                              After breakfast, transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight home, bringing the trip to a close.

                              Route

                              Distance

                              Travel Time

                              Altitude

                              Accommodation

                              Meals

                              Highlights

                              Kathmandu hotel to airport

                              Approx. 6 km

                              20 to 30 minutes

                              1,400m

                              Not applicable

                              Breakfast

                              Departure

                                Trip Information

                                Best Time to Visit

                                Autumn, covering October and November, and Spring, covering March to May, are the two main tourist seasons in Nepal. These months offer the clearest mountain views and the most stable weather, which makes them ideal for both the sightseeing days and the village trekking section between Dhampus and Lumle. Late September can also work well for travelers wanting to avoid the busiest weeks. The monsoon months are generally not recommended for the trekking days, since trails can be wet and views are often clouded over.

                                Trip Difficulty

                                You do not need to be a trekker to enjoy this trip, just someone who likes to walk. Most days involve easy sightseeing and short drives, with only two days asking a little more from your legs, the walk from Naudanda to Dhampus and the trail from Dhampus through Majhgaon to Lumle. Even then, the paths are gentle, winding through farmland, forest, and quiet villages, with plenty of stops to catch your breath and take in the view. Families, first time visitors, and anyone with an average fitness level will manage just fine. A good pair of walking shoes is the only real preparation you need.

                                Why Travel With Thamel Travels & Tours

                                • Transparent pricing: Before you book anything, you'll know exactly what's included and what's not. If you want to add something extra, we'll price it out clearly, so you're never hit with a surprise cost halfway through your trip.

                                • Smooth arrangements: Flights get delayed, weather shifts, permits take longer than expected, that's just how travel goes. We're usually already sorting it out before you've even noticed something changed, quietly rearranging things so your trip keeps flowing without you having to stress about it.

                                • Authentic experiences: Our guides aren't reciting facts from a book. They've walked these same trails more times than they can count, they know the families in the villages along the way, and they'll tell you things about this place that only come from actually living it.

                                • One point of contact: You'll have the same team with you from the moment you land to the moment you leave. No getting bounced between different operators or wondering who's actually responsible for your trip that day.

                                • Safety first: If a trail feels risky or the weather turns bad, we change the plan, simple as that. We'd rather adjust your itinerary than let you take a chance you shouldn't.

                                • Sustainable travel: We try to put something back into the places we take you. That means staying at local guesthouses, hiring from nearby communities, and being mindful about the mark we leave on the trails we walk.

                                Trip Preparations

                                • What does this fourteen day Nepal package include?

                                  This package covers all airport, hotel and intercity transfers, accommodation as listed in the itinerary, daily breakfast plus selected lunches and dinners, a licensed guide throughout, entrance fees for heritage sites and the national park, and the full Chitwan jungle safari program.

                                • No. It is an easy two day walk through terraced farmland, pine forest and small Gurung villages, suitable for travelers with no prior trekking experience. The pace is relaxed, with regular stops to take in the Annapurna views.

                                • Staying overnight in Majhgaon, rather than driving straight back to Pokhara, gives you a genuine look at rural hill life away from the main tourist trail, which is part of what makes this a real Nepal experience rather than a standard sightseeing tour.
                                   

                                • No sighting in the wild can be guaranteed, including the one horned rhinoceros and Bengal tiger, since animals move freely through the park. The jeep safari and canoe ride do offer strong chances of seeing rhinos, deer, crocodiles and varied birdlife regardless.
                                   

                                • Lumbini is the birthplace of Buddha, with the Mayadevi Temple marking the exact site. Kapilavastu, a short distance away, holds the ancient ruins believed to be where Buddha spent his childhood, making the two sites a complete spiritual stop on the trip.
                                   

                                • Yes. Apart from the two day village trek, the itinerary is built around guided sightseeing, short walks and a low intensity safari experience, none of which require high physical fitness.
                                   

                                • Autumn, covering October and November, and Spring, covering March to May, offer the clearest mountain views and the most stable weather for both the sightseeing days and the trek between Dhampus and Lumle.
                                   

                                • Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport. Indian nationals do not need a visa. Visa fee figures change from time to time, so we recommend confirming the current rate with us or Nepal's immigration department before travel.

                                • Light, breathable clothing for Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan, a warmer layer for evenings in Bandipur and Dhampus, comfortable walking shoes for the village trek, sunscreen, and insect repellent for the Chitwan jungle.

                                • Yes. Duration, hotel category, group size and included activities can all be adjusted, including swapping or extending the village trek, to suit your schedule, fitness level and budget.

                                Ask a Question