Temples and Tigers: Luxury Tour in Nepal (7 Days)

Temples and Tigers

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Overview

Nepal has seen many rulers and ruling dynasties, which lead to a colorful, mixed history. From the moment you arrive at Kathmandu, discover its enrichment with more temples than homes, and its festivals that seemingly exceed the number of the days in a year. Explore the whole valley with its seven World Heritage Sites. When time comes to travel to Chitwan you will understand why Nepal is considered the biggest natural museum in the world. The Chitwan National Park has Sal forests which cover 70% of the area and there are about 600 species of plants. The Park is home to the only significant number of one-horned rhinos and other endangered species like the Bengal tiger, the gangetic dolphins and the gharial crocodile. There are altogether over 43 species of large mammals, 526 species of birds, 150 different types of butterflies, 126 species of fish and 49 species of reptiles in this wonderful Park.

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Itinerary

Your Itinerary

Day 1

KATHMANDU

Upon arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, you are received and welcomed by one of our friendly representatives who will offer you a "Khada," a religious silk scarf. Transfer to your Kathmandu hotel where you can rest prior to your exciting week that lies ahead!

Day 2

KATHMANDU

Following breakfast at the hotel, depart for a full-day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu, the “City of Glory”. Visit Durbar (palace) Square, the epicenter of religious and cultural life, an area filled with old temples and historical significance. Some of the sights include Kal Bhairav, Hanuman Dhoka, Taleju Temple, Kasthamandap and Kumari Ghar; home to the Living Goddess.

Afterwards visit Swoyambhunath Stupa, said to be one of the oldest Buddhist stupas in the world, which is majestically set high on a hill overlooking Kathmandu Valley. Proceed towards Patan, the city of Fine Arts.

Day 3

KATHMANDU & NAGARKOT

After a delicious breakfast, depart your hotel for a full-day sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This massive temple complex sits alongside the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the courtyard of the temple, whereas tourists can see the temple from the eastern side of the Bagmati River. Later visit Boudhanath, a Buddhist Stupa said to be one of the largest in the world.

This massive structure stands tall with four pairs of eyes each facing the four cardinal directions, watching for righteous behavior of mankind and for human prosperity.

Two rhinos relax in a watery marsh, surrounded by tall green grasses at sunset.

Day 4

CHITWAN

After an early morning breakfast and view of the sunrise, head west to Chitwan National Park (approx. 196km/ 6½ hours drive), one of the best managed national parks in the world. The Park is home to at least 450 species of birds, 45 species of amphibians and reptiles and 43 species of mammals which include the majestic Bengal tiger, the single-horned Indian rhinoceros and the sloth bear. Enjoy lunch at a lodge within the Park, participate in various jungle activities such as an elephant safari, jungle drive and nature walk. Have dinner and spend the night at a Jungle resort.

Day 5

CHITWAN

Explore the flora and fauna of Chitwan National Park as you enjoy a safari through the park, go on an elephant safari, or take a nature walk. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and overnight at the lodge in Chitwan are included.

Day 6

KATHMANDU

After breakfast, embark on a scenic five-hour drive along the sacred Trisuli River as you travel back to Kathmandu. You are free to explore Kathmandu for the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure. This evening, enjoy dinner accompanied by a cultural program in a Nepali restaurant.

Day 7

KATHMANDU

After checking out of your hotel, our representative transfers you to the airport for your departure flight back home or to your next exciting destination.

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Terms & Conditions

PAYMENT TERMS:
(i) 25% of total tour cost due at the time of booking
(ii) 75% or balance no later than 68 days prior to date of the first service sold by TRAVBUZZ / PALACE TOURS

CANCELLATION FEES:

(i) 25% of the total tour value if cancelled more than 65 days prior to date of first service sold by TRAVBUZZ / PALACE TOURS
(ii) 50% of the total tour value if cancelled 64-30 days prior to date of first service sold by TRAVBUZZ / PALACE TOURS

(iii) 100% of the total tour value if cancelled 29-0 days prior to date of first service sold by TRAVBUZZ / PALACE TOURS

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover the losses incurred in case of cancellation. For information on available plans or to purchase travel insurance, please visit www.palacetours.com/insurance.

Inclusions & Exclusions

The services in both classes are the same, however the hotels used are different. We use hotels listed in our accommodation section or ones similar to them. Please see the accommodation section to see the list of hotels used.

Package cost is inclusive of:

Sightseeing and transport as per the itinerary via private air conditioned vehicle with English speaking guide
3 nights accommodation with breakfast in Kathmandu
1 night accommodation with breakfast in Nagarkot
2 nights accommodation with all meals and jungle activities in Chitwan
1 cultural show with Nepali dinner in Kathmandu
All applicable government taxes and service fees
Porterage
Entrance fees to monuments and other sights as specified in the itinerary

Package cost does not include:

Domestic and international airfare
International Airport Tax (SAARC: approx. $18 & other countries $23)
Nepal visa fee (approx. $30 per person)
Travel insurance
Meals except where specified as "included"
Gratuities, beverages, laundry and items of a personal nature
Any items not specifically mentioned as "included"
Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve dinner

Frequently Asked Questions & Tips

1 How long is the Temples and Tigers tour of Nepal?

Temples and Tigers is a 7-day, 6-night private tour of Nepal. It combines the temples and World Heritage Sites of the Kathmandu Valley, a night in the hill station of Nagarkot, and two nights in Chitwan National Park looking for rhinos and tigers, before returning to Kathmandu.

2 Where do I stay each night on Temples and Tigers?

The tour includes 3 nights in Kathmandu with breakfast, 1 night in Nagarkot with breakfast, and 2 nights at a jungle lodge in Chitwan with all meals and jungle activities. Kathmandu nights fall at the start of the tour and on the final night after the drive back from Chitwan.

3 Which temples and heritage sites are visited on Temples and Tigers?

You tour Kathmandu Durbar Square, Kumari Ghar, home of the Living Goddess, and Swoyambhunath Stupa, then Patan with its Durbar Square, Krishna Temple and Golden Temple. On Day 3 you visit Pashupatinath Temple on the Bagmati River, the vast Boudhanath Stupa and Bhaktapur, the City of Devotees, covering much of the valley's seven World Heritage Sites.

4 Can non-Hindus enter Pashupatinath Temple?

Only Hindus may enter the inner courtyard of Pashupatinath Temple. Visitors of other faiths view the temple complex from the eastern bank of the holy Bagmati River, which gives a good view of the riverside ghats and shrines. Your guide explains the rituals you see there.

5 What is special about Boudhanath Stupa?

Boudhanath is said to be one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world. Its dome is crowned by four pairs of painted eyes facing the four cardinal directions, watching over human conduct and prosperity. It is a centre of Tibetan Buddhist life in Kathmandu and is visited on Day 3 of the tour.

6 Why does the tour stop overnight in Nagarkot?

Nagarkot is a hill station on the rim of the Kathmandu Valley known for its sunrise views toward the Himalaya. You stay one night there after the Day 3 sightseeing and, weather permitting, watch the sunrise on the morning of Day 4 before setting off for Chitwan National Park.

7 How far is the drive from Nagarkot to Chitwan National Park?

The drive from Nagarkot to Chitwan is approximately 196 km and takes around 6.5 hours in a private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide. You arrive at the lodge in time for lunch and your first jungle activities that afternoon.

8 Will I see tigers in Chitwan National Park?

Chitwan is home to the Bengal tiger, but tigers are elusive and sightings can never be guaranteed. The park also holds the one-horned rhinoceros, sloth bear, gharial crocodile and more than 500 bird species, so wildlife viewing is rewarding even without a tiger. Rhinos are the most reliable sighting.

9 What jungle activities are included in Chitwan on this tour?

Your 2 nights in Chitwan include all meals and the jungle activities in the itinerary, such as an elephant safari, a jungle drive and a guided nature walk. The lodge schedules activities around the season and park rules, with an afternoon program on arrival day and a full day of exploring on Day 5.

10 Which meals are included on Temples and Tigers?

Breakfast is included daily in Kathmandu and Nagarkot, all meals are included at the Chitwan lodge, and there is a Nepali dinner with a cultural show in Kathmandu on Day 6. Other meals are not included, and Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve dinners required by hotels are charged extra.

11 What is not included in the Temples and Tigers price?

The price excludes domestic and international airfare, international airport tax (approx. $18 for SAARC nationals and $23 for others), the Nepal visa fee (approx. $30 per person), travel insurance, meals not listed as included, gratuities, beverages, laundry and personal items, and any compulsory Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve dinners.

12 What is included in the Temples and Tigers tour price?

The price covers 6 nights of accommodation, sightseeing and transport in a private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide, entrance fees to the listed monuments, the Chitwan meals and jungle activities, one cultural show with dinner, porterage, and all applicable government taxes and service fees.

13 What is the difference between Deluxe and Heritage class?

Temples and Tigers is sold in Deluxe and Heritage classes. Sightseeing, guiding, meals and transport are identical in both; the only difference is the hotels used. The accommodation section on this page lists the hotels for each class, or similar properties are used.

14 How do I get a visa for Nepal for this tour?

Nepal visas are generally obtained on arrival at Kathmandu International Airport. Go to the Immigration Counter with passport-sized photographs and the visa fee, which is approximately $30 per person and not included in the tour price. Confirm the current rules for your nationality before travelling.

15 Are there set departure dates for Temples and Tigers?

No scheduled departures are listed on this page at present. Temples and Tigers is an independent private tour that can start on the date you choose, subject to hotel availability. Send us your dates and class and we will confirm the exact fare.

16 What deposit is needed to book Temples and Tigers?

A 25% deposit confirms your booking, with the balance due 65 days before departure. Bookings made within 65 days of the start date are paid in full at the time of booking.

17 Are there child prices on the Temples and Tigers tour?

Yes. Child rates are set by age at departure, with one band for children under 5 and one for children aged 5 to 11. Older children pay the adult fare. Contact us with your children's ages and we will price the family accordingly.

18 Is single occupancy available on Temples and Tigers?

Yes, single rooms are available on request. The tour is priced per person sharing a double room, so a single supplement applies. Our travel specialists will quote the single fare for your dates and chosen class.

19 How fit do I need to be for the Temples and Tigers tour?

The tour suits most travellers with average mobility. Sightseeing involves walking around temple squares with some steps, and the Chitwan activities include a nature walk and time on safari. The longest days are the road drives of around five to six and a half hours between regions.

20 How do I ask a question or book Temples and Tigers?

Email travel@palacetours.com, call 786-408-0610, or send a WhatsApp message to https://wa.me/17864080610, answered by a travel specialist or our AI assistant. When departures appear on this page they can be booked directly online; otherwise tell us your preferred dates and we will confirm availability and send the fare.

What are the passport/visa requirements for travel to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Nepal</st1:place></st1:country-region>?<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> Visas for <st1:country-region w:st="on">Nepal</st1:country-region> are obtained upon arrival in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Nepal</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Please go to the Immigration Counter and have 3 passport-sized photographs and approximately US $30.00 cash per person ready for the visa fee, along with your passport. I am flying to Nepal from India. Do I need a re-entry permit for India? If you are planning to enter India multiple times within a 2-month period, recent updates to Indian visa regulations may impact your travel. Further clarification was issued stating that if the visa holder is traveling to multiple countries on the same itinerary, no permit is needed, as long as the trip follows the itinerary exactly. The visa holder must carry a copy of their itinerary to show the Immigration Officer upon their first entry to India. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> What is the best season to travel to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Nepal</st1:place></st1:country-region>?<o:p></o:p> We operate tours throughout the year; however the best seasons to travel to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Nepal</st1:place></st1:country-region> are spring and autumn. We do operate tours in the off-season but do not recommend them, as Tiger Tops in Chitwan is closed from June until the second week of September.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> What should I bring for my stay in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Nepal</st1:place></st1:country-region>? <o:p></o:p> We recommend that you bring casual clothes in jungle colors such as beige, brown, khaki and green that are least disturbing to the environment and are most appropriate for wildlife viewing. Natural fiber clothes are often best for the humid jungle conditions, trousers are preferred and a fleece jacket or sweater is recommended if you are traveling during wintertime. We also recommend that you bring binoculars, sunscreen, insect repellant, camera with extra film and a small suitcase/overnight bag if your tour includes an overnight in Chitwan.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Approximately how many hours do the tours each day last?<o:p></o:p> In general, sightseeing tours start at 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Every half-day sightseeing tour lasts for a maximum of 3 hours and each full-day tour will last for 7 hours with a 1 hour lunch break. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> What types of vehicles are utilized for tours/transfers?<o:p></o:p> We provide luxury vehicles with air conditioning. Size of the vehicle (ie: car, van, coaster or bus) is based on the group size.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> What type of cuisine is served during the tour?<o:p></o:p> Most of the hotels that you will stay at provide a variety of cuisines including local specialties with a vegetarian option.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Is the tap water safe to drink? Is bottled water provided?<o:p></o:p> We do not advise tap water for drinking. Most of the hotels provide boiled and filtered water to the clients. Bottled water can be provided at an extra charge.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Is there internet/telephone access while on the tour?<o:p></o:p> Most of the hotels have internet access in the business center and telephone access in every room. Only satellite (international roaming) mobile gets a signal in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Nepal</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Pre-paid mobile SIM card can be purchased or rented.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Do you have any recommendations for gratuities?<o:p></o:p> Gratuities are left solely to the discretion of the clients.