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

Temples, jungle, and mountain views in one loop. The All Nepal Tour packs Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini, and Chitwan into 10 days with guided stops and private airport/hotel transfers that make the start feel organized.

I also like the balance of big sights and practical comfort, since your hotel stay includes breakfast and the pacing is set up around real travel time, not just checkboxes. One thing to watch: the price doesn’t cover everything you might expect, like lunch/dinner in some cities and sightseeing entry fees, so budgeting ahead keeps surprises away.

The route is designed for people who want Nepal’s highlights without doing logistics on their own. The Chitwan jungle program includes a nature guide and the required permits, which is the part of the trip where getting it right matters most. A minor drawback is that some legs are by tourist/local bus, so you’ll trade a bit of comfort for cost and convenience.

Key things I’d notice right away

All Nepal Tour - Key things I’d notice right away

  • Guided Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Lumbini with an expert tour guide and private vehicle support
  • Chitwan includes the jungle program, nature guide, and permits, so you’re not figuring out the rules on the ground
  • Airport/hotel/airport transfers by private vehicle remove the first-day stress
  • Hotel accommodation with breakfast throughout, plus a welcome/farewell Nepali dinner in Kathmandu
  • Small-group feel with a maximum of 15 travelers

A 10-day Kathmandu–Pokhara–Chitwan loop built around real guides

This tour’s basic promise is simple: you see major Nepal in one organized run. You’ll move through four very different areas, so the trip doesn’t feel repetitive. One day you’re focused on temples and heritage; the next you’re thinking about jungle rules and early starts.

For me, the value is in the way the trip is packaged. You’re not only buying transport. You’re also getting guided touring in Kathmandu, Lumbini, and Pokhara, plus the hotel and breakfast rhythm that keeps travel days from feeling like nonstop scrambling. And you’re given pre-departure info and trip dossiers, which helps you show up ready.

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Kathmandu: temples, guided days, and how to use city time well

Kathmandu is the part of the trip that rewards good guidance. The tour includes a guided tour in the city, supported by a private vehicle. That matters because Kathmandu can feel like sensory overload, especially if you’re trying to fit sights into limited hours.

What you can expect here is classic Kathmandu pacing: a set of major stops plus time to get a sense of everyday life. From what I’ve seen described in past experiences with this operator, guides like Ajay tend to focus on local daily life, not just famous facades. That’s a useful skill in a city where the best moments are often small and human-scale.

Two practical tips for Kathmandu days:

  • Start early mentally. Even if your schedule has flexibility, temple areas and busy streets work better before crowds peak.
  • Plan your spending lane. The tour doesn’t include city sightseeing entry fees, and lunch/dinner in Kathmandu isn’t listed as included—so keep a bit of cash/card ready for on-the-day costs.

Pokhara: pairing scenic mountain context with guided culture time

All Nepal Tour - Pokhara: pairing scenic mountain context with guided culture time
Pokhara is where the trip shifts from temple density to wider views and a calmer rhythm. The tour includes a guided tour in Pokhara with an expert guide and private vehicle support, plus hotel accommodation and breakfast.

You’re also going to feel the geography of Nepal more clearly here. The tour description specifically calls out the Annapurna Range scenery as part of what makes the trip special, and Pokhara is the natural base for that kind of viewing. If you’re chasing mountain-sky clarity, your best bet is timing your travel window well (more on weather later).

A realistic way to approach Pokhara:

  • Use the guided time to connect viewpoints with local context. A guide helps you understand what you’re looking at, not just where to stand for a photo.
  • Treat meals as a flexibility cost. Lunch and dinner in Pokhara aren’t stated as included, so you’ll want a plan for where you’ll eat on your own.

Lumbini: sacred calm with guided touring and an easy cultural shift

Lumbini is a different kind of day. It’s included with a guided tour and private vehicle support, and you’ll have hotel accommodation plus breakfast. The effect is that your trip slows down emotionally, even if the timetable stays active.

This matters because your itinerary alternates between intense place-types: heritage city, mountain-view region, sacred site, then jungle. Lumbini gives you the breathing room segment that makes the rest of the trip feel more balanced.

Practical note: lunch/dinner in Lumbini is not included according to the package breakdown. That doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck—just budget for it so you don’t end up searching last-minute.

Chitwan jungle program with permits, a nature guide, and real wildlife expectations

Chitwan is the “hands-on Nepal” part of the tour. The package includes the jungle programme, a nature guide, and the relevant jungle permits. That is a big deal because permits and the right guide channels are how you get access and safety in protected areas.

Expect a guided wildlife-focused experience, built around the jungle day structure. The package also includes jungle-program meals as part of the package setup (while lunch/dinner in cities are listed as not included). So Chitwan is likely where you’ll feel the most “built-in” day.

How to get the most out of Chitwan:

  • Go with flexible expectations. Wildlife sightings depend on timing and conditions, and even with good guides, you can’t force animals to show up.
  • Take your guide seriously. In jungle settings, the guide’s timing and instruction often make the difference between a good day and a frustrating one.

Also keep in mind the transport style. The tour uses tourist/local bus for the Lumbini to Chitwan leg (as well as earlier between key regions). That can mean longer days, so Chitwan will feel best if you treat it like the main event.

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Transportation and timing: private transfers, buses between regions, and weather that affects views

This trip mixes comfort with practical travel. Airport/hotel/airport transfers are handled by private vehicle. Then some between-region legs are by tourist/local bus. The operator also notes that conditions are “good” and that tourist bus or flights may be available for longer drives, depending on the route setup.

Why that matters to you: the bus segments are where energy management matters most. You’ll want to pack for comfort in transit, and you’ll probably appreciate having a few small things ready (water, snacks you’re allowed to carry, a layer for cooler air).

When to go: Nepal weather windows that make the scenery easier

The tour lays out the season logic clearly:

  • September to November (Autumn): pleasant and clearer weather, best mountain views
  • Maximum 30°C, minimum 2°C
  • March to May: warmest months, mildly warm overall
  • Maximum 33°C, minimum 13°C
  • December to mid-February (Winter): cold, sky tends to be clear
  • Maximum 19°C, minimum -2°C
  • June to August (Summer/Rainy Season): hotter and wetter
  • Maximum 34°C, minimum 19°C, with July/August often rainier

If mountain views are your top priority, the Autumn window is the simplest recommendation. If you’re more budget-minded and can handle cooler mornings, winter can still deliver clear skies. If you travel in summer, plan for rain to change how much you see outdoors.

Price and value: what $1,290 covers, and what you’ll need to budget

At $1,290 for about 10 days, the big question is value: what are you buying beyond the route?

From what’s included, you’re getting a lot of the “hard work” up front:

  • Guided tours in Kathmandu, Lumbini, and Pokhara with an expert guide and private vehicle support
  • Hotel accommodation throughout plus breakfast
  • Welcome/farewell Nepali dinner in Kathmandu
  • All meals plus the Chitwan jungle programme structure (with the package setup for jungle days)
  • Chitwan permits and nature guide
  • Airport/hotel/airport transfers by private vehicle
  • A t-shirt for gents and a pashmina shawl for ladies
  • Pre-departure information, trip dossiers, and a first aid kit supply

Now for what’s not included, because this is where your budgeting plan should adjust:

  • International airfare/airport tax
  • Nepal entry visa fee (you can get it on arrival; the listed costs are USD 25 for 15 days or USD 40 for 30 days)
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, Lumbini, and Pokhara
  • City tour sightseeing entry fees
  • Tips
  • “Private transportation” is listed as not included, though airport/hotel transfers by private vehicle are included—so think of that line as meaning extra private arrangements beyond the standard transfer plan.

My value take: this price works best if you want a guided, low-logistics trip that handles the major structure for you. If you already love planning your own transportation and hate set schedules, you may feel you could do it cheaper on your own. If you’d rather spend your time actually seeing Nepal, the package is doing a lot of the organizing for you.

Who this tour suits best (and who should consider other options)

This tour is set up for people who want Nepal’s big regions without needing to piece things together. It’s also positioned for groups up to 15 travelers, which usually means you get a manageable group size without the chaos of huge coaches.

It’s a strong fit if:

  • You want Kathmandu + Pokhara + Lumbini + Chitwan in one go
  • You appreciate expert guiding more than self-guided wandering
  • You value having breakfast and hotel lodging included
  • You’re okay with a mix of private transfers and bus travel

It might not be your best match if:

  • You dislike guided itineraries and prefer total freedom
  • You’re very sensitive to long travel days by bus
  • You want every meal and every entry fee included, with zero extra spending

Booking mindset: what to prepare before you arrive

The tour asks for the basics you should already have in place, plus a few “don’t wing it” items:

  • Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date
  • Bring required official papers and passport-sized photos (the package mentions 4 extra photos for trekking permits, which suggests you should have some spares even if you’re not trekking)
  • Travel insurance is required, and it needs to cover medical costs, personal accident, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, lost/damaged gear, natural calamity, theft, and baggage damage

Also, the tour includes a mobile ticket, which is a nice time-saver once you’re in motion.

Should you book All Nepal Tour?

I’d recommend booking if your goal is a guided, well-structured Nepal highlight run with Chitwan done correctly (permits, nature guide, jungle programme) and with hotel and breakfast built into the plan. The price makes sense when you account for guided touring and the fact that the itinerary includes multiple regions, not just one city.

Before you commit, do two quick reality checks:

  • Make sure you’re comfortable paying extra for visa, lunch/dinner in cities, and city sightseeing entry fees.
  • Choose your travel month based on the weather window you want. If mountain clarity is a priority, Autumn (September to November) is the easiest bet.

If you want Nepal with less friction and more time to enjoy the places, this is the kind of package that makes that happen.

FAQ

How long is the All Nepal Tour?

The tour duration is listed as 10 days approximately.

Which places does the tour visit?

It covers Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini, and Chitwan.

Is airport pickup or transfers included?

Yes. The package includes airport/hotel/airport transfers by private vehicle.

Are meals included?

Breakfast is included. The package also includes all necessary meals as part of the package, and it includes a welcome/farewell Nepali dinner in Kathmandu. Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, Lumbini, and Pokhara are listed as not included.

Do I need a Nepal visa in advance?

You can obtain a Nepal visa upon arrival at Kathmandu Airport. The data also notes you can obtain visas through a Nepalese consulate in your home country.

What’s included for Chitwan?

Chitwan includes the jungle programme, a nature guide, and the jungle permit, with meals included as part of the package.

What group size should I expect?

The tour is listed as having a maximum of 15 travelers.

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