Glimpse of Nepal Tour – 8 days

Best Time

The climate of Nepal drastically changes with the change of season, and thus choosing the appropriate time to do your Glimpse of Nepal Tour can really maximise your experience.
Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are the most perfect seasons.

The months are mostly clear and mild, with the weather being comfortable during these months. The days in Kathmandu and Pokhara are very pleasant at approximately 18-24°C, and the nights are cool at 5-10°C.

Spring is full of flowers and green hills, and autumn is full of crystal-clear mountainous views and local festivals such as Dashain and Tihar, which will enhance the cultural diversity of your Glimpse of Nepal Tour.

The summer or monsoon season (June-August) is characterised by heavy rainfall, humidity, and the occasional delay in travel due to landslides or slow roads. As the country turns a rich green with rivers surging, it might be cloudy over the mountains, and the jungle tracks in Chitwan might be muddy.

Visitors to this time of year ought to bring rain jackets and lightweight garments and anticipate probable alterations in the schedule on his/her Glimpse of Nepal Tour.

December-February (winter) is chilly and dry; clear Kathmandu nights are approaching freezing, whereas Pokhara and Chitwan are warmer. Mornings and evenings are to be covered with warm layers. All in all, spring and autumn are the best seasons to choose the Glimpse of Nepal Tour, but any season is rewarding with proper preparation.

Difficulty and altitude sickness

The Glimpse of Nepal Tour is a simple, convenient, and fun adventure trip that can be undertaken by almost all ages and fitness levels. It is not a case of trekking and arduous hiking, merely relaxing walks in cities, brief hikes in the countryside, visits to cultural sites, and wildlife jeep safaris.

The rate is also slow, enabling you to make stops to take photographs, have a break, and keep yourself hydrated, so the physical challenge is minimal. It would be a tour to be taken at ease because there will be a need for adjusting the itinerary by our experienced guides, so that those who may need to take more breaks would be in a position to enjoy the Glimpse of Nepal Tour.

The aspect of altitude is not a worry in this tour. Kathmandu is approximately 1,350 metres, Pokhara is 822 metres, and your highest point, which you will have just a glimpse of, is the Sarangkot viewpoint, which is just 1,590 metres. Lumbini and Chitwan are located in the lowlands, far below the altitude at which altitude sickness usually takes place.

Although the tour is not extremely challenging, it is always good to remember the general rules of travelling: you should keep yourself hydrated, and do not stress or drink alcohol immediately after a flight.

The Glimpse of Nepal Tour is devoted to cultural exploration, landscapes, and wildlife viewing. Children, seniors, and first-time travellers have all fully appreciated this trip, and it has been a stress-free introduction to Nepal.

Insurance, Visa, and Permits

Any international tour, including the Glimpse of Nepal Tour, is highly advised to have travel insurance. Before the trip, the purchase of a comprehensive policy insuring medical emergencies, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation or interruption, and loss or theft of property is performed.

Although the tour is low risk, insurance is a guarantee of peace of mind in the case of unforeseen events. The cost of treatment has to be paid in advance in Nepalese hospitals, and evacuation can be expensive in remote areas; hence, insuring you is useful because you are not sure of the expenses that may occur. Keep a copy of your policy and the emergency contact number of your insurer.

In the case of visas, most of the foreigners who visit Nepal can acquire a tourist visa upon arrival at Kathmandu at Tribhuvan International Airport. You are going to complete a form and pay the fee (USD $30 for 15 days, which is enough to complete the 8-day Glimpse of Nepal Tour).

One needs a passport of at least six months of validity and blank pages, and possibly a passport photo. In other cases, an e-visa can be pre-organised and conveniently arranged.

The Glimpse of Nepal Tour does not require any special trekking permits, since all the itineraries remain in places that are easy to reach, such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini, and Chitwan. Our team takes care of all the entry fees and the park permits, including Chitwan National Park, and you have to concentrate on enjoying the tour without any stress.

Health & Safety

The Glimpse of Nepal Tour is concerned with your safety and well-being. Nepal is a friendly and safe country in general, and some of our qualified guides will be with you all the way.

Violent crime is not very common in such cities as Kathmandu or Pokhara; however, petty theft may happen in the busy markets or festival places. Store your passport, money, and other valuables in a bag that is zipped or in a money belt, and use the hotel safes where available.

Always prefer to be in a crowded and well-lit place during the evenings, and always seek advice on safe transportation from your guide. The Glimpse of Nepal Tour is concerned with health and hygiene.

Do not use tap water, consume bottled or filtered water, and consume freshly cooked food. Fruits that can be peeled, such as bananas and oranges, can be considered safe, and raw salads available on the street must be avoided.

There are mosquitoes in Chitwan, particularly during dusk time, and therefore apply repellent and dress in long sleeves and long-legged trousers. Whenever on the jungle safari and wildlife walks, listen to the instructions of your guide, remain calm, and do not go near the animals or feed them. On vehicles, the use of seatbelts is encouraged, and people should be careful on city roads.

There are first aid kits with the guides, and hospitals are available in Kathmandu and Pokhara in case of need. With simple precautions, the Glimpse of Nepal Tour is secure and safe, as well as free of worry, and you can be able to appreciate the culture of Nepal, nature, and wildlife without any stress.

Transportation

In the Glimpse of Nepal Tour, Nomad Adventure Treks takes care of all the transportation, as this helps in the comfort and convenience of the trip and eliminates stress.

All transfers are done in very well-maintained, private vehicles, be they cars, SUVs, or minibuses, depending on the size of the group, and you will have licensed, experienced drivers and will therefore be driven door-to-door during the entire journey without having to use public transportation.

There are long-distance journeys like Kathmandu to Pokhara, Pokhara to Lumbini, Lumbini to Chitwan, and Chitwan to Kathmandu that cover a distance of between four and six hours. Cars will be air-conditioned, and rest stops will be organised at scenic points, clean restaurants, and also at the restrooms.

On your way, your guide and driver may even make stops at beautiful villages, rivers, or markets. Roads are either bumpy or curvy, and if you are easily affected by motion sickness, then sit at the front of the vehicle or take some medication. The seatbelts are also fitted and advised.

In urban areas, you use non-public transport to get between scattered locations, such as Pashupatinath, Boudha, or Sarangkot, and walk instead in places like Durbar Square or Lakeside Pokhara to feel the local way of life. Our domestic flights are not part of it, but we can make them at an additional cost.

When you have the Glimpse of Nepal Tour with private means of transportation, it is time to relax, have fun, and see the scenery altering and all logistics managed by us, so that it is this ride that can be described as a highlight of your Nepal trip.

Your Extra Expenses

The Glimpse of Nepal Tour is almost comprehensive, including the hotel stay, breakfast, local tours, entrance fees, and all the ground transportation. Nonetheless, there are certain personal costs that are not under the list, and it is prudent to create a budget.

Outside breakfast and designated tour meals, like lunch or dinners in a local restaurant, cost an average of $5-10 each, including beverages and alcohol. Snacks and bottled water are cheap; however, it is better to have a refillable water bottle.

It is also your responsibility to cover visa fees (30 dollars for 15 days) and travel insurance. Tips to the guides, drivers, and hotel employees are not compulsory but are usually welcome; the average tips that one gives to the guides are about $5 per day, drivers receive about $3 per day, and porters or restaurant employees receive a small tip.

Handicrafts, souvenirs, or any other optional activities, such as Everest flights, paragliding, or spa treatments, are also available for personal shopping. Other minor expenses are laundry, cell phone calls, domestic SIM cards, or petty emergencies. An approximation of a moderate spender is about 25-30 USD a day for food, beverages, tips, and miscellaneous.

Bring a combination of money and credit cards. With these extras planned, you no longer have to worry about spending your time on the Nepal tour enjoying Glimpse.

Language & Communication

Nepal is multilingual; however, when travelling on the Glimpse of Nepal Tour, English is commonly used within the tourism industry; hence, communication is easy.

Guides are conversant in English and can help them with translations, and other staff in hotels, restaurants, and tourist destinations in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini, and Chitwan generally know basic to good English. Most menus and information signboards are bilingual; thus, it is easy to get around the country.

It is better to learn a couple of Nepali phrases to have a better experience. Locals appreciate such basic greetings as ‘Namaste’ (hello/hi/goodbye) or ‘Dhanyabaad’ (thank you), and, as a result, instant rapport is established. Guides are happy to teach useful phrases, e.g., “Tapailai kasto chha?” (“How are you?”).

Mobile phones are also readily communicated using local SIMs provided by Ncell or Nepal Telecom, which charge a small fee for both data and talk time. The majority of the hotels provide free Wi-Fi that is reliable in the cities, though it has a slower speed in Chitwan and Lumbini, but enough to send emails and messages.

Being polite is essential. Nepali people are well-mannered and speak in a low tone; it is better to use a calm but friendly voice. Always request permission to take photographs of locals and observe the norms and rules of body language.

Language is never an issue on the Glimpse of Nepal Tour, and all you need to do is smile and shake hands, and you are guaranteed proper communication during your tour.

Mobile Network, Internet, and Charging Facilities.

It is easy to stay in touch and always have the gadgets charged throughout the Glimpse of Nepal Tour with some planning. The coverage of the mobile in Kathmandu and Pokhara is mostly good, with the providers Ncell and NTC providing 4G/LTE calling and internet services.

There is a possibility of signal loss along highways in remote places, and in Chitwan National Park, signal coverage is poor whilst on safari, but that is all being a part of nature. Some tourists buy a local SIM card to have cheap data and calls that can be easily organised with our guide on Day 1.

The tour hotels offer free Wi-Fi, which works well in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and works reliably in Lumbini and Chitwan, and is generally good enough to reply to emails and messages and do some light browsing. Mobile data is used as a backup for more intensive use.

Electricity in Nepal is 230 V, 50 Hz, with Type C and Type D plugs. Carry one universal plug and, in case of more than one device, a power strip. There might be periodic power cut-offs in the country, but hotels usually have generators. It is usually not difficult to charge in your room, and during long journeys, a car charger can be beneficial if available.

Generally, the Glimpse of Nepal Tour has found it easy to stay connected to the Internet and keep gadgets running. You can use the Wi-Fi to share your trip and be in touch with the rest of the world with the right adapters, a local SIM, and hotel Wi-Fi.

Don’ts on This Trip

When exploring the Glimpse of Nepal Tour, it is best to adhere to the local traditions and simple safety rules, as it is the only way to have an enjoyable journey. To begin with, religious sites should not be disrespected. Wear simple clothes to temples, stupas, and monasteries; take off shoes and belts where necessary; and never touch sacred items.

Photography etiquette is different; it is always best to ask your guide first before taking photographs of monks, rituals, and even cremation sites. Public display of affection must be subdued; there is no harm in holding hands, but the intimate things are better reserved.

On the same note, one should not touch the head of anybody or point at or step over things using feet, as these are deemed to be disrespectful in the Nepali culture. Avoid giving children money, sweets, and other things, as this may encourage begging. Alternatively, make donations to local charities.

Do not walk alone, especially in the jungle of Chitwan or during the dark hours in the countryside. Always stay in safe places or request your guide to escort you. Take care of the environment by not littering it or limiting single-use plastics. Always bargain. Never do drugs or illegal business.

Above all, do not forget to have fun – take in the culture, the landscape, and the people. These tips will help you during the Glimpse of Nepal Tour to make the trip safe, fulfilling, and even enriching.

The Trail Cultural Festivals

Nepal is termed the Land of Festivals, and in touring Nepal in the Glimpse of Nepal Tour, you might have an opportunity to experience some of these interesting cultural festivals.

Depending on the time of your arrival, you may experience some of the big events such as the Dashain (Sept/Oct), the largest Hindu festival in Nepal, when families meet, houses are painted, and tika is blessed.

The festival of lights (Tihar, October/November) comes right after this, and the festival is marked by colourful oil lamps, flower decorations, and worship of dogs and cows during the traditional rituals.

Travel during February or March, and you will experience the festival of colours, the Holi, in which people have fun throwing coloured powders.

It may be around April or May when Buddha Jayanti, the birth and enlightenment of the Lord Buddha, is observed, especially heading towards Lumbini and at Kathmandu Boudhanath Stupa.

The masked dances, chariot procession, and centuries-old Newar traditions are presented during Indra Jatra (Aug/Sep) in Kathmandu.

The local practices and celebrations of the New Year are featured during Maghe Sankranti and Tharu festivals in Chitwan in January.

When you are on the Glimpse of Nepal Tour, our guide will update you about the various festivals that are taking place and guide you to view them with due respect. And never take pictures of ceremonies without permission, always dress appropriately during religious occasions, and take pleasure in the local delicacies presented.

It includes the colour, music, and happiness of the Nepalese culture in your tour; the festivals offer memorable experiences in Nepal.

Traveller tips for first-time Nepal visitors

Being a first-time traveller to Nepal is thrilling, and the Glimpse of Nepal Tour is accompanied by tips that will make your trip easy, secure, and an experience to remember.

Dress according to different weather conditions since in the mornings and evenings, the weather is cool, and afternoons are hot. It is necessary to have layered clothes, a light waterproof jacket, a pair of sunglasses, and sun protection.

City tours, light hikes, and temple visits also require comfortable walking shoes, and easy slip-on shoes are also necessary in sacred places.

Bring minimal cash in Nepali Rupees to use in markets, tips, and snacks because not all places accept cards.

Health is valued: take safe water, hand sanitiser, use insect repellent in Chitwan, and take a simple medical kit with motion sickness tablets, rehydration salts, and any prescription drugs.

Be sensitive to local culture. Dress modestly, greet each other with Namaste, do not express love in an easily noticeable way, and behave in the temple.

You can always make an impression using photos, but you should also take time to look around you and experience what you can see, hear, and smell. Be inquisitive, eat local cuisine, know some basic Nepali words, and communicate with the people respectfully. Following these tips will make your Glimpse of Nepal Tour safe, cultural, and memorable.