Essential Nepal
Tour Description
Day 1: Kathmandu
This nine-day trip will tick all your boxes – outdoor adventures, bustling city life and an introduction to the slower pace of the Nepali countryside. Start and end your trip in Kathmandu’s bustling metropolis with your small group of fellow solo travellers, explore Durbar Square and wander the vibrant streets. Then, pull on your adventure boots and hit the road outta town for a rafting experience in Pokhara, camp on the riverside and enjoy dinner beneath the stars by the Trisuli River with your new friends. Then, band together and trek the Annapurna region. Enjoy the chance to stay with local families along the way, including in a remote village in Hemjakot where you’ll tuck into a home-cooked dinner.
Itinerary
Day 1: Kathmandu
Namaste! Welcome to Nepal. Your adventure kicks off with a welcome meeting at 2 pm this afternoon in Kathmandu, where you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to do in this vibrant city. Kathmandu’s most important Buddhist shrine, Swayambhunath Stupa and the nearby ‘City of Devotees’ Bhaktapur are well worth a visit. If you want to delve deeper into ancient architecture and rich cultural heritage, there are some Urban Adventures day tours that can help you out (just see www.urbanadventures.com). After the meeting, Maybe have dinner with your group to get to know each other or hit up one of the nearby bars. Your leader will have a tonne of recommendations for a great place for a cocktail (or two).
Day 2: Trisuli River
Take a morning drive over the rim of the Kathmandu Valley and soak up the views of the Ganesh and Lantang ranges. Then hit the waters for some whitewater rafting on the Trisuli River – this is the most popular river for rafting in all of Nepal. Soak up the thrill of the rapids, aptly named Ladies Delight, Rock Garden and Snell’s Nose, among the beauty of the nearby gorges. Explore the magnificent scenery from the rapids, and then tonight, camp on the beach and enjoy a local meal under the stars.
Day 3: Trisuli River – Pokhara
This morning is for some more fun on the river, including negotiating the Monsoon and Upset rapids. In Kurintar, refuel your energy with a light lunch with your group and then drive to Pokhara. When you arrive, take an afternoon walk around the city with your leader, who will point out some sights and sounds in the area, including Phewa Lake. This evening is free for you to chill out at one of the many lakeside restaurants or bars. Maybe get yourself a plate of momos (dumplings) or a nourishing bowl of dal bhat (thick lentil or bean soup) for dinner tonight.
Day 4: Ghandruk (1950m / 6397ft)
Today, you’ll make the drive from Pokhara to Shyauli Bazaar – this is where the trekking adventure begins. Your hike is mostly uphill today on some pretty diverse terrain. There’s a dirt track leading to Birethanti and Shyauli villages, then you’ll reach a stone staircase up to Kimche, where you’ll stop for lunch. There are views of snowcapped mountains and expansive fields below, so make sure you’ve got your camera. From here, you’ll follow the stone flags that lead you through fields of wheat to Ghandruk. Tonight, you’ll stay in your first Nepalese teahouse.
Day 5: Tolkha (1700m / 5577ft)
Look east this morning to Landruk, the next village on your route. Look down to the Modi Kola River 600 m below. Your breakfast this morning will be a refreshing start, with a mountain view so you can take it all in. When you’ve refuelled, start the trek towards Tolkha – where you’ll be staying for the night. Along the way, take in the diverse scenery of the river below, the mountain above and the wild landscape on every side. The Annapurna range makes for a pretty great photo subject (and she’s not shy, either).
Day 6: Hemjakot (1530m / 5019ft)
This morning after some breakfast, you’ll continue your trek from Tolkha to Hemjakot – the best spot to connect with some locals. As you start today’s walk, you’ll notice you’re surrounded by pink and purple rhododendrons. Do you know what you won’t see much of? Other people – this trail from Dhampus to Hemjakot is pretty remote, giving you the chance to really switch off and enjoy the scenery. Tonight, you’ll stay with a local family. The homes in Hemjakot reflect the traditional style of this part of the Himalayas and are made from natural stones from this region. This displays a domestic style of architecture that has largely been overshadowed in Nepal’s big cities. When you arrive, you’ll experience the rural way of life in the mountains, gaining insight into the local culture of the Gurung population, who migrated here from Tibet.
Day 7: Pokhara
Say goodbye to your new friends in Hemjakot and head out again – this morning’s trek is a short descent to Phedi. When you arrive, transfer to Pokhara, arriving in time for lunch. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon to do all the things you didn’t do the first time around in Pokhara – a popular choice is taking a rowboat (doonga) out on Phewa Lake. If there are blue skies today, you’ll have mountain views wherever you look. After, maybe check out the Tal Barahi Temple and the Shree Bindhyabasini Temple, which are both free to explore.
Day 8: Kathmandu
It’s a long bus ride back to Kathmandu (so bring some snacks, road trip games and a good book). When you arrive, maybe grab a banana lassi to soak away the bus ride. Tonight, you’re free to explore Kathmandu’s nightlife further (what better way to celebrate a good trek).
Day 9: Kathmandu
With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end after breakfast today. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Departure Dates
| Start Date | End Date | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 10, 2025 | Oct 18, 2025 | $995.00 | |
| Oct 17, 2025 | Oct 25, 2025 | $814.50 | |
| Oct 31, 2025 | Nov 8, 2025 | $814.50 | |
| Nov 7, 2025 | Nov 15, 2025 | $773.50 | |
| Nov 14, 2025 | Nov 22, 2025 | $805.50 | |
| Nov 21, 2025 | Nov 29, 2025 | $743.75 | |
| Nov 28, 2025 | Dec 6, 2025 | $855.00 | |
| Dec 12, 2025 | Dec 20, 2025 | $890.00 | |
| Dec 19, 2025 | Dec 27, 2025 | $890.00 | |
| Dec 26, 2025 | Jan 3, 2026 | $890.00 | |
| Jan 2, 2026 | Jan 10, 2026 | $895.00 | |
| Jan 9, 2026 | Jan 17, 2026 | $930.00 | |
| Feb 13, 2026 | Feb 21, 2026 | $1,020.00 | |
| Feb 27, 2026 | Mar 7, 2026 | $925.00 | |
| Mar 13, 2026 | Mar 21, 2026 | $930.00 | |
| Mar 20, 2026 | Mar 28, 2026 | $885.00 | |
| Apr 3, 2026 | Apr 11, 2026 | $930.00 | |
| Apr 10, 2026 | Apr 18, 2026 | $930.00 | |
| Apr 17, 2026 | Apr 25, 2026 | $885.00 | |
| May 1, 2026 | May 9, 2026 | $850.00 | |
| Sep 18, 2026 | Sep 26, 2026 | $930.00 | |
| Sep 25, 2026 | Oct 3, 2026 | $930.00 | |
| Oct 9, 2026 | Oct 17, 2026 | $965.00 | |
| Oct 16, 2026 | Oct 24, 2026 | $965.00 | |
| Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 7, 2026 | $965.00 | |
| Nov 6, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | $965.00 | |
| Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 21, 2026 | $965.00 | |
| Nov 20, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | $965.00 | |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Dec 5, 2026 | $930.00 | |
| Dec 11, 2026 | Dec 19, 2026 | $895.00 | |
| Dec 18, 2026 | Dec 26, 2026 | $895.00 | |
| Dec 25, 2026 | Jan 2, 2027 | $895.00 | |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 9, 2027 | $940.00 | |
| Jan 8, 2027 | Jan 16, 2027 | $940.00 | |
| Jan 22, 2027 | Jan 30, 2027 | $940.00 | |
| Feb 12, 2027 | Feb 20, 2027 | $940.00 | |
| Feb 26, 2027 | Mar 6, 2027 | $940.00 | |
| Mar 12, 2027 | Mar 20, 2027 | $975.00 | |
| Mar 19, 2027 | Mar 27, 2027 | $975.00 | |
| Apr 2, 2027 | Apr 10, 2027 | $975.00 | |
| Apr 9, 2027 | Apr 17, 2027 | $975.00 | |
| Apr 16, 2027 | Apr 24, 2027 | $975.00 | |
| Apr 30, 2027 | May 8, 2027 | $975.00 | |
| Sep 17, 2027 | Sep 25, 2027 | $975.00 | |
| Sep 24, 2027 | Oct 2, 2027 | $975.00 | |
| Oct 8, 2027 | Oct 16, 2027 | $1,015.00 | |
| Oct 15, 2027 | Oct 23, 2027 | $1,015.00 | |
| Oct 22, 2027 | Oct 30, 2027 | $1,015.00 | |
| Oct 29, 2027 | Nov 6, 2027 | $1,015.00 | |
| Oct 31, 2027 | Nov 8, 2027 | $1,015.00 | |
| Nov 5, 2027 | Nov 13, 2027 | $1,015.00 | |
| Nov 12, 2027 | Nov 20, 2027 | $1,015.00 | |
| Nov 19, 2027 | Nov 27, 2027 | $1,015.00 | |
| Nov 26, 2027 | Dec 4, 2027 | $1,015.00 | |
| Dec 10, 2027 | Dec 18, 2027 | $940.00 | |
| Dec 17, 2027 | Dec 25, 2027 | $940.00 | |
| Dec 24, 2027 | Jan 1, 2028 | $940.00 |