All Nepal Tour

REVIEW · KATHMANDU

All Nepal Tour

  • 5.026 reviews
  • From $1,290
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Operated by Above the Himalaya Trekking · Bookable on Viator

Ten days, four regions, one solid plan. This All Nepal Tour links Kathmandu culture, Pokhara scenery, Lumbini’s spiritual setting, and Chitwan jungle adventure into a smooth circuit with airport and hotel transfers. I especially like how it keeps the day-to-day moving with guided sightseeing using expert support. I also like that Chitwan isn’t an add-on gamble, since the jungle program comes with a nature guide and the needed jungle permit.

One thing to watch: your budget can creep up if you’re not ready for extra meals and ticket fees. Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, Lumbini, and Pokhara aren’t included, and city sightseeing entry fees are extra too.

Key highlights you’ll feel fast

All Nepal Tour - Key highlights you’ll feel fast

  • Max 15 travelers keeps it from turning into a stampede.
  • Airport and hotel transfers are handled by private vehicle (so you don’t start your trip exhausted).
  • Expert guided days in Kathmandu, Lumbini, and Pokhara with a private vehicle.
  • Chitwan jungle programme includes the permit plus a nature guide.
  • Welcoming and farewell Nepali dinner in Kathmandu adds a warm local touch.

Why this 10-day Nepal loop makes sense

This tour is built for people who want the big hits of Nepal without having to piece everything together themselves. You get a classic mix: historic Kathmandu, the Pokhara area (with views of the Annapurna region and a break from city life), Lumbini, and then Chitwan’s wildlife-and-jungle energy. That’s a lot of variety for 10 days, but the structure is meant to reduce decision fatigue.

Value-wise, the price of $1,290 starts to look fair when you factor in what’s included: hotel accommodation with breakfast, guided tours with an expert guide, transfers between key parts of the route, and the Chitwan jungle programme with permits. You’re not just buying transportation. You’re buying someone else’s work to handle the moving parts.

The one trade-off is that you’re still moving between regions. Intercity legs are done by tourist or local bus, and that can mean longer “travel time days.” If you hate being on the road, you’ll feel that more than the person who enjoys watching the country change outside the window.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Kathmandu.

Kathmandu days: temples, culture, and a guide who sets the pace

All Nepal Tour - Kathmandu days: temples, culture, and a guide who sets the pace
Kathmandu is where you start, and it’s a smart place to begin because you’re already in the rhythm of Nepal—temples, old streets, busy markets, and that constant sense that something is happening just around the corner. The tour includes a guided Kathmandu tour with an expert guide plus a private vehicle, which matters. In a city like this, logistics can eat your time fast, and a good local guide helps you see more of what’s actually going on.

One name you may hear in connection with Above the Himalaya guides is Ajay, who’s described as friendly and knowledgeable and who helped bring people to places for authentic daily life—not just the postcard stops. Even if your guide isn’t Ajay, the consistent point is clear: you’re meant to have a real guide for Kathmandu, not just a driver.

A practical note: entry fees for sightseeing aren’t included. So if you’re planning a full-on temple checklist, you should keep some cash for tickets. And while breakfast is covered, lunch and dinner in Kathmandu are not included—meaning you’ll want to budget for meals or plan a few set stops you like.

Pokhara: mountain views plus a calmer travel tempo

Pokhara is your breath of air after Kathmandu’s intensity. The tour specifically calls out the Annapurna Range scenery and the sense that the trip gets more enjoyable as the scenery opens up. Here’s what I like about adding Pokhara into this route: it’s not only a “transfer point.” It’s a chance to slow down a little, enjoy lake-area atmosphere, and see the wider view of Nepal beyond temple courtyards.

Like the Kathmandu portion, Pokhara is included with a guided tour and private vehicle support, which helps you cover the best areas without wasting time figuring out what’s where. You also have a strong advantage coming from a route-managed tour: the transport from Kathmandu to Pokhara is organized (tourist or local bus is noted), so you don’t need to negotiate and re-negotiate from scratch.

The only watch-out is timing and weather. Pokhara’s mountain views depend on the sky. If you go in rainy season months, clouds can steal some of the clarity. The tour gives you seasonal temperature expectations, and those matter for comfort as much as for views.

Lumbini: a guided visit to Nepal’s most meaningful site

Lumbini is included in the itinerary, and it’s guided, which is the right way to visit. This isn’t a place you want to rush through. A guide helps you understand what you’re seeing—why the area is revered, what each important zone represents, and how to move through respectfully.

The tour includes guided support in Lumbini, plus private vehicle assistance during the sightseeing portion. That combination matters because Lumbini can feel spread out. Having transport and guidance reduces the “wandering with no plan” problem.

Budget check: entry fees for city sightseeing are not included, so plan for tickets. And again, breakfast is included, but lunch and dinner in Lumbini aren’t listed as included—so factor that into your daily spending.

Chitwan jungle programme: where the adventure part is actually handled

Chitwan is the thrill chapter of this tour. The description highlights the vast fertile forest of the region, and the included package backs that up with the Chitwan jungle programme plus a nature guide and jungle permit.

This is a big practical point: permits and guides aren’t the kind of thing you want to scramble for at the last minute. Having these included means you can show up and focus on the experience—wildlife spotting, tracking, and that hands-on sense of being in the jungle rather than just looking at it from a distance.

The tour also provides first-aid coverage at the group level (first aid kit available), which is good common sense for any nature-focused day. And because this is organized as part of a packaged circuit, you’re not left trying to line up Chitwan activities around your own schedule.

What to consider: Chitwan includes the jungle programme, but the details of exact daily timing aren’t listed in what you provided. So if you’re picky about start times, you’ll want to confirm your day schedule after booking. Still, the inclusion of permit + nature guide is exactly what you’d hope for.

Transportation and timing: private for sightseeing, bus for the legs

One of the smarter parts of this tour is how it splits transportation into realistic buckets. Sightseeing is supported with private car or van depending on group size. Between cities, transport is organized using tourist or local buses (and flights are mentioned as an available option depending on the route).

Why this matters for your comfort: private vehicle sightseeing helps you stay together and reduces navigation stress in busy cities. Intercity buses can be cheaper and common on this kind of circuit, but they also mean longer stretches of sitting. If you plan to do serious reading, bring something for that. If you hate long rides, you may want to choose your seat position wisely at the start of each bus leg.

Also, check the meeting start time listed as 12:15 am. That’s extremely early and could be tied to an arrival/departure transfer schedule. Before you lock anything in, confirm the actual pickup time tied to your dates so you’re not staring at a clock at midnight wondering if you’re in the right place.

Weather guide: pick your dates for clearer views

Nepal weather changes fast, and this tour gives a useful range of temperatures by season. That’s not just trivia—it helps you pack correctly and anticipate the kind of day you’ll get.

Here’s the practical takeaway:

  • September to November (autumn): pleasant and clear weather is expected, with mountain views described as the best. Temps are listed roughly from 2°C to 30°C.
  • March to May: warmest months, with mildly warm conditions (about 13°C to 33°C).
  • December to mid-February (winter): cold but clear skies are expected (about -2°C to 19°C).
  • June to August (summer/rainy season): hotter and wetter, and July/August can bring more rain (about 19°C to 34°C).

If your goal is crisp Annapurna-region views near Pokhara, autumn and winter periods sound best for sky clarity. If you don’t mind rain and want greener conditions, rainy season can still work—but it’s the one season where cloud cover can limit the view.

What you’re really paying for (and what’s still on you)

Let’s translate the inclusions into daily life.

Included that you’ll feel:

  • Hotels throughout the tour with breakfast
  • Airport-to-hotel and hotel-to-airport transfers by private vehicle
  • Guided tours in Kathmandu, Lumbini, and Pokhara with an expert guide and private vehicle support
  • Transport between Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini, and Chitwan using tourist/local bus (and flights noted as an available option)
  • Welcome and farewell Nepali dinner in Kathmandu
  • Chitwan jungle programme plus jungle guide and jungle permit
  • Group medical supplies (first aid kit available)
  • Pre-departure information and trip dossiers
  • Above the Himalaya gifts: T-shirt for gents and a pashmina shawl for ladies
  • Mobile ticket

Not included, which can surprise people:

  • International airfare and airport taxes
  • Nepal entry visa fee
  • City sightseeing entry fees
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, Lumbini, and Pokhara
  • Tips
  • The listing also mentions private transportation under Not Included, even though other private vehicle items are listed as included. If you’re paying attention to details (you should), clarify what extra private ride options exist beyond the stated transfers and guided-vehicle support.

Visa and passport basics matter here. You’ll want a passport with at least 6 months validity from your return date. Nepal visas are listed as available on arrival at Kathmandu airport, with costs noted as USD 25 for 15 days and USD 40 for 30 days. The tour also asks you to bring official papers, and it mentions bringing 4 extra passport-sized photos for trekking permits, plus travel insurance.

Insurance, papers, and the boring stuff that saves trips

This is where I put on my practical hat. The tour requires comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical, personal accident, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, lost or theft/damage of gear, and natural calamity. That’s not a “nice to have.” It’s required in the provided information.

Also bring:

  • Valid passport
  • Visa (or plan to get visa on arrival)
  • Official papers
  • 4 extra passport-sized photos (mentioned for trekking permits)
  • Your airline tickets and luggage tags (mentioned)

If any of this sounds like too much, it’s worth remembering Nepal can involve remote areas and active days. Having proper coverage makes the “what if” situations less scary.

Who this tour is best for

This is a great fit if you want:

  • A classic Nepal sampler in about 10 days
  • Guided context for Kathmandu, Lumbini, and Pokhara
  • A real Chitwan jungle experience with permit and nature guide already handled
  • A small-group feel (max 15 people)

It may not be ideal if:

  • You hate bus rides and long transfer days
  • You want every meal included (lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, Lumbini, and Pokhara are not listed as included)
  • You’re hoping sightseeing entry fees and tickets will be fully covered

If you’re traveling solo, you can still enjoy it—small group size helps you meet people without the chaos. If you’re a family, the mix of guided tours and hotel accommodation is easier than doing multiple independent bookings. One caution for older travelers is less about the route and more about daily pacing. You’ll be moving across four regions, and that takes stamina.

Should you book this Nepal tour?

If your goal is a well-organized Nepal circuit that hits Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini, and Chitwan—with guidance and the Chitwan permit/guide already included—then this tour is worth a serious look. The best reason to book is the structure: private vehicle support for guided days, organized intercity transport, hotels with breakfast, and a Chitwan programme that doesn’t leave you scrambling.

I’d only hold off if your budget can’t handle extra meals and sightseeing entry fees, or if you’re extremely sensitive to early starts and long transfer days. Also, double-check your pickup timing around that 12:15 am start time so your first day doesn’t begin with confusion and a grumpy face.

If you do book, use the pre-departure info and trip dossier. It’s there to cut down on uncertainty, and Nepal rewards preparation.

FAQ

How long is the All Nepal Tour?

The duration is listed as 10 days (approx.), from arrival to departure.

What places does the tour visit?

It visits Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, and Lumbini.

Is airport transportation included?

Yes. Airport to hotel and hotel to airport transfers are included by private vehicle.

What is the group size limit?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

What does the Chitwan portion include?

The Chitwan package includes the jungle programme, a nature guide, and the jungle permit.

What’s not included in the price?

Not included are international airfare/airport tax, Nepal entry visa fee, city sightseeing entry fees, tips, and lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, Lumbini, and Pokhara.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes. The tour requires comprehensive travel insurance covering medical, personal accident, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, and coverage for lost or damaged/stolen baggage and gear, among other items listed.

When can I cancel for a full refund?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, it’s not refunded.

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