Best Time to Take the Best of Nepal Tour
October to November and March to April are considered the best seasons for a Best of Nepal Tour. This is typically the time of the year when the weather is good for sightseeing, short walks and wildlife viewing.
| Season |
Weather |
Tour Conditions |
Recommendation |
| Spring |
Warm with clear mornings |
Good for sightseeing and hiking |
Excellent |
| Summer |
Warm and humid with monsoon rain |
Rain may affect road journeys and views |
Less suitable |
| Autumn |
Clear, dry and comfortable |
Very good for all activities |
Excellent |
| Winter |
Cool mornings and evenings |
Good visibility, colder in Kathmandu and Pokhara |
Good |
A trip to Nepal for 10 days is also possible in summer and autumn, although there are some rainy days and when traveling by road, it is possible that it will rain.
Great opportunities for the full course from October to November and in March and April for nice weather and spring scenery.
Tour Difficulty and Physical Requirements
This Best of Nepal Tour is ideal for those who are not planning a strenuous trek and would like to visit diverse regions of Nepal. The majority of the days are spent visiting attractions, driving and walking around cultural facilities.
| Activity |
Difficulty |
Physical Requirement |
| Kathmandu sightseeing |
Easy |
Normal walking |
| Sarangkot to Naudanda hike |
Easy to moderate |
Comfortable walking for about 3 hours |
| World Peace Pagoda hike |
Moderate |
Uphill and downhill walking |
| Chitwan activities |
Easy to moderate |
Walking and outdoor activities |
| Heritage site visits |
Easy |
Walking on paved and uneven surfaces |
There are two short hikes during the 10 days Nepal tour. The trails may involve steps, rough terrain and slight inclines, so comfortable walking shoes will be helpful.
There is no need for previous trekking experience. The travellers only need to be able to walk for a few hours and get in and out of motor vehicles to view the sites during their road trips.
Accommodation During the Tour
This Best of Nepal Tour is available in Kathmandu and Pokhara 3 Star hotels. The hotels are usually equipped with private rooms, attached bathrooms, hot water and other basic amenities and they feature Wi Fi.
Four nights accommodation in Kathmandu and three nights accommodation in Pokhara with breakfast is included in the itinerary. Stay for two nights in Chitwan, at a three-star jungle lodge on a full board basis (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
Normally, room arrangements will be twin sharing unless another room arrangement has been requested. Single rooms are available in most cases at an extra cost (depends on availability).
Accommodation will be arranged by 3A Adventure as per itinerary and help with check-in as required. The locations of hotels may differ based on availability and the final booking plans.
Transportation and Road Conditions
Transportation combines private vehicles and tourist buses according to the itinerary. Airport transfers and city sightseeing are done with a private car and longer journeys between Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan are done with tourist buses.
| Route |
Transport |
Approx. Duration |
Road Conditions |
| Kathmandu Airport to Hotel |
Private vehicle |
20 to 30 minutes |
City roads |
| Kathmandu to Pokhara |
Tourist bus |
7 to 8 hours |
Hilly and winding sections |
| Pokhara to Chitwan |
Tourist bus |
4 to 6 hours |
Hilly and lowland roads |
| Chitwan to Kathmandu |
Tourist bus |
5 to 6 hours |
Hilly and winding sections |
| Hotel to Airport |
Private vehicle |
20 to 30 minutes |
City roads |
For a Best of Nepal 10-day tour, there will be multiple road trips which can impact travel times due to traffic, weather, road maintenance or other unforeseen delays.
The road to Pokhara from Kathmandu is sometimes quite rough. Passengers should make some allowances for onward travel.
Food and Dining During the Tour
The inclusion of food varies by destination. The menu for breakfast is available during the Kathmandu and Pokhara hotel stays and for Chitwan, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the full board package.
In a 10 days Nepal tour, you will get to taste various types of Nepali and international foods. Popular food items include dal bhat, momo, thukpa and Newari dishes and hotels and restaurants in touristy areas serve well-known dishes from both Asia and the West.
Most commonly, Kathmandu and Pokhara do not provide lunch and dinner services unless otherwise mentioned in the package. This will enable travellers to select the restaurant they like.
The jungle lodge will take care of the meals in Chitwan. It is advised to drink lots of water throughout the day, especially when outdoors and on short hikes.
Kathmandu Valley Heritage Sites
Kathmandu Valley is one of the most essential destinations of the Best of Nepal tour, to visit some of the religious and historical sites. The sightseeing program consists of visits to Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur.
Highlights of the tour are:
- Pashupatinath Temple: An important Hindu temple complex beside the Bagmati River.
- Boudhanath Stupa: A major Buddhist site surrounded by monasteries and traditional shops.
- Swayambhunath: A hilltop Buddhist complex also known as the Monkey Temple.
- Patan Durbar Square: A historic area with temples, courtyards and traditional Newari architecture.
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square: A preserved historic area featuring temples, palace buildings, Pottery Square and Nyatapola Temple.
When visiting religious sites, visitors should wear appropriate clothing. There are areas in which non-Hindu visitors are not allowed to go into some of the temples.
Pokhara Sightseeing and Short Hikes
Best of Nepal Tour is completed with Pokhara offering a blend of mountain vistas, lakeside beauty and outdoor pleasures. The programme comprises Sarangkot, Naudanda, Phewa Lake, World Peace Pagoda, Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave.
Sarangkot is visited early in the morning during the time of sunrise. High peaks like Annapurna, Machhapuchhre and others can be sighted on clear days.
From Sarangkot, it takes about three hours to reach Naudanda on foot, after breakfast. The drive is through rural areas, farmland and areas of hills before reaching Pokhara.
After crossing Phewa Lake by boat, there is another short walk to go. It takes about one hour to walk up to World Peace Pagoda. The walk from the pagoda goes downhill to Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Cave.
Chitwan National Park Wildlife Experience
The wildlife part of this Best of Nepal Tour is in the Chitwan region and affords the time to experience the natural environment of southern Nepal. This programme features guided outdoor activities and a jungle safari.
The jungle walk offers an introduction to the birds, plants and insects, as well as evidence of wildlife seen in the jungle at a less hurried pace. For the more adventurous, a safari can take you further into the forest where you can see more one-horned rhinoceroses, deer, wild boar, monkeys and numerous bird species. There are no guarantees of wildlife sightings.
On the next day, birding is done in the morning and you will have the opportunity to view some of the species seen around the river, grassland and forest areas.
Actual activities may vary based on park regulations, climate and operating conditions. It is important to follow the instructions of the guide when doing all the activities for wildlife.
Responsible Tourism in Chitwan
Responsible travel is a vital aspect of a Best of Nepal tour of 10 days, especially in the context of wildlife areas. Chitwan should be experienced in an animal friendly, community-friendly and nature-friendly manner.
There are simple practices to make a difference:
- Do not approach or feed wild animals.
- Stay at a distance from animals while on safari.
- Avoid littering plastic, food waste or other garbage in natural areas.
- Obey instructions from guide and park officials.
- Please consult the locals before taking pictures of them.
- Select activities that leave animals without undue stress.
Elephant back riding has been mentioned in the original plan. This activity is not meant to be part of the existing program. A responsible wildlife program can then incorporate other alternatives, including jeep safari, guided nature walks, bird watching or canoeing, depending on the program that is available and the regulations in place at the park.
What to Pack for the Best of Nepal Tour
The packing list for this Best of Nepal Tour is relatively easy, as the trip includes city visits, short walks, car rides and jungle adventures but not trekking at high elevations.
Clothing
- Wear loose-fitting trousers & T-shirts.
- Light jacket or warm layer
- Wear a rain jacket or umbrella in the rainy season
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sandals or casual shoes.
- Personal Items
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
- Personal medicines and basic first aid supplies.
- Shampoo, bath soap, body lotion and/or hair color.
- Daypack, small, for sightseeing.
Useful Travel Items
- Phone and charging equipment
- Power bank
- Camera if required
- A little bit of Nepalese money
- Passport and travel documents
There is no need for special trekking gear for a 10-day Nepal tour. Dressing in comfortable clothes and shoes is more beneficial than having too much hiking gear. In winter, have another warm layer in case of cool mornings or evenings in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
