- Clear sustainable travel policy
- Social / Environmental Impact
- Tourism Dispersal
- Small Group Travel
This 8-day, action-packed Nepal Cultural Tour covers all of Nepal’s most iconic cultural sites as well as UNESCO World Heritage sites, medieval towns, remote countryside, and the mighty Himalayas.
Pokhara is Nepal’s adventure-centric cultural hub, providing access to cultural landmarks as well as local artisans. Bandipur is a charming city from which travelers can glean better insight into natural, cultural, historical, and religious diversity. On this trip, guests will see both these cities and more, ensuring that they get to know the “real” Nepal. Visit local communities and immerse yourself in their cultures and traditions.
Highlights:
- Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan
- Wander along the narrow cobbled alleyways
- Get a deeper understanding of wood carving and explore the ancient lifestyle of the locals in Bungamati – a village that seems to remain unchanged
- Explore Pokhara, the beautiful lake city, and be rewarded with magnificent views of the Himalayas
- Discover the natural beauty and traditional customs of ethnic Newar communities
- Discover the traditional process of pottery making
- Visit the Tibetan Refugee Center and learn about the daily life of these refugees
- Explore local mountain towns and observe traditional ways of life
Seasonal Notes:
- The high season is from October to May. During this season of paddy harvest, nature ripens in yellow. The sky is clear blue and visitors can enjoy panoramic mountain views during this time. During these months, there are several traditional festivals and events happening that visitors can witness and have a chance to celebrate with locals. If travelers are planning to visit Nepal from October to November, they can observe the biggest Hindu festivals, Dashain and Tihar.
- The off-season (monsoon season) is June to September.
📋 Itinerary
This itinerary is customizable. Contact Yūgen Earthside for more information.
Day 1-2: Kathmandu [Nepal] (arrival day)
Day 3: Bhaktapur
Day 4: Bandipur
Day 5-6: Pokhara
Day 7-8: Kathmandu (departure day)
🌱 Sustainability
We are Travelife certified, and we work to reduce all negative impacts on the natural and social environments. We do this by supporting business partners (accommodation providers, excursion providers) to be more sustainable by circulating and encouraging the adoption of sustainable best practices. We also create sustainability awareness among our guests, office, and trekking staff.
This trip takes guests to medieval towns that have remained largely untouched by modern life. This promotes greater tourism dispersal and helps to boost the local economy.
We use biodegradable hand soap and cleaning powder for our office (i.e. cleaning the floors, furniture, and utensils). All products are handmade and hand-packed by women who are mostly from poor, remote communities.
Travelers are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles as well as water filter tablets to reduce plastic waste.
Our guides collect trash along the trail and dispose of it in designated areas. We also use cloth bags as much as possible.
The trip includes low-carbon impact activities like village walks, hiking, visiting local artisan workshops, and interacting with locals.
Our office is solar-powered and prioritizes energy-efficient lights and water-efficient toilets.
Meals are cooked using local produce and we cater to guests' dietary requirements (i.e vegetarian, vegan).
This trip focuses on visiting a medieval town that is untouched by modernity, strolling around the old alleys, traditional houses, gaining a deep understanding of the everyday lifestyles of locals, and hiking through the ethnic village.
We provide poverty-stricken children with shelter, education and engage in various volunteering and charitable organizations.
- Adhere to Strict Environmental Standards
- Conserve Ecosystems/Preserve Biodiversity
- Use Renewable Energy
- Local/Organic Restaurants
- Focused on Minimizing Waste
- Responsible Waste Management
- Energy-Saving Lights
- Solar Thermal Panels
- Use Water Flow Reducers
- Provide Local Employment
- Fair Wages / Fair Trade
- Ensures Good Working Conditions
- Supports Local Businesses
- Tours Benefit Local Community
📌 Location
Use the Google map to orient yourself about where in the world this trip is. The location indicates the starting point for this trip.
A specific route map is included in the downloadable detailed itinerary.
🏷️ Pricing
Prices are for twin-share rooms.
Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.
See the full list of price inclusions and exclusions in the downloadable detailed itinerary.
ℹ️ Other Info
If you're ready to book this trip or have any questions, contact us!
Book with confidence: To reserve your spot on a tour, a $200 deposit will be required. However, you can book with complete peace of mind as this deposit will be 100% refundable until 45 days prior to the trip start date (excluding fees paid to the payment gateway or bank).
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel any of your trips that have been booked with us then notice of trip cancellation must be sent in writing & refunds will be made as follows:
- 30 days before trip departure: 90% of your total payment will be refunded.
- 15-30 days before trip departure: 70% of your total payment will be refunded.
- Less than 15 days before trip departure: 20% of your total payment will be refunded.
- No shows: No refund
1. Flight Delays and Changes in Itinerary:
We are not responsible for the rerouting of the itinerary due to flight and/or bus cancellations, unexpected obstacles like unfavorable weather conditions, political unrest, or natural calamities. Any additional expenses necessitated by such an event will be borne by the client/s.
2. Incomplete Trip:
The paid amount will not be reimbursed for any unused portion of the trip if you leave your trip for any reason.
3. Nepal Passport and Visas:
All clients must have a passport and visa valid up to 6 months from the issued date. The cost of the visa is the client’s responsibility.
This trip has a variable start date, so you can plan a departure date for when it is safe to travel. It's also a private tour, meaning you will only be traveling with those you book the trip with.
Be sure you have traveler's insurance.
Please be fully vaccinated and boosted before traveling. You may also need proof of a negative Covid test before arrival to the country. Keep a mask and hand sanitizer with you at all times.
Special precautions for guests:
Arrival
- Check the temperature of all the passengers before boarding.
- Guest luggage will be sprayed with a disinfection spray or wiped down after off-loading, and all handles and corners will be carefully wiped with surface sanitizer.
Transportation
- The vehicle used to transport guests are fully disinfected at the end of the service, and daily four multi-day services.
- Vehicles have a pedal trash bin available for guests.
- The driver will wear a face mask and gloves and maintain social distance.
- The representative will put on a mask and social distance as much as possible.
- Hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, and masks are available to all guests onboard.
- Comprehensive first-aid kits in the vehicle are fully equipped.
- Only guests of the same travel group will be placed in the same vehicle.
- The number of guests per vehicle will be limited to seating capacity.
- The seat next to the driver will be vacant.
- Ensure guests stay in the designated seats. No changing of the seats allowed.
- Avoid unplanned stops with guests that bring them in contact with other individuals.
Guests
- Carry hand sanitizer and put on a mask when traveling.
- Report to the staff any symptoms of any kind of illness.
- Take out travel insurance prior to the trip.
Accommodation
- Temperature check upon arrival.
- Provided hand cleaning facilities.
- Social distancing measures during check-in / check-out and contact is limited.
- Meals are served 'a la carte' or served by a waiter.
- Thoroughly sanitize rooms after guests check out. Keep room vacant for 24 hours after checkout; re-clean the room, seal for further 24 hours before next guest checks in.
- Accommodations that we are working with are assessed on hygiene standards in regard to COVID-19.
- We ensure these measures include: enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high-frequency touchpoints in public areas, food safety, staff re-training, and minimizing contact within the properties.
Staff Safety and Training
- All employees and guides underwent training to ensure health and safety measures are upheld and to protect the health of our guests.
Q: What does the Physical Rating of "Easy" mean?
It means the trip involves cultural sightseeing tours, local interaction, and local experiences. There is 1 two-hour hike on this trip.
Q: What are the accommodations like?
The accommodations on this trip are boutique hotels with a more authentic style.
Q: What about the weather?
Nepal's climate varies with its topography. It ranges from sub-tropical to arctic depending upon the altitude. The Terai plain region has a hot and humid climate. The mid-land region (Kathmandu, Pokhara) is pleasant almost all year round, although winter nights are cool. The northern mountain region, around an altitude of 3,353 m. and beyond, has an alpine climate with a considerably lower temperature in winter as expected.
Q: What about health & safety?
- For the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash, and other valuable items we advise the use of a neck wallet or money belt while traveling.
- A safety deposit box is available in city hotels to store your valuable items but during the tour, you have to secure your belongings. We recommend you leave valuables at your home. A lock is suggested for securing your luggage.
- It is advised to consult or get professional advice from a travel doctor about vaccinations and medical travel information beforehand.
- Avoid consuming ice, salad, raw vegetables, and deep-fried, spicy, and greasy food.
- The company and our suppliers (including for accommodation and transportation) adhere to stringent protocols related to health and safety.
Q: Is this trip safe for solo travelers?
This trip is safe for solo (female and male) travelers.
Q: Do I need a visa?
A visa for Nepal can be acquired on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, and at border entry points in Kakadvitta, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Gaddachowki on the Nepal-India border and Kerung on the Nepal-China border. Outside of Nepal, a visa can also be obtained at the nearest Nepal Embassy or Diplomatic Mission.
- Visa fee: US $30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days, and US $125 for a 90-day, multiple entry visa.
The latest COVID-19 visa process:
In regard to tourist visas, travelers need to apply for their visas from their respective countries. If travelers wish to apply for a visa on arrival, then a trekking agency based in Nepal shall do the arrangement of prior approval to enter Nepal. For prior visa approval, the Nepal-based trekking agencies shall submit all prescribed details of the trekkers to the appropriate tourism agencies to get a recommendation of which visa type to submit to the Department of Immigration in advance.
