Essential Nepal

9 days4.870 reviews
18 to 35s
Walking & trekking
From
EUR 470 €
This trip is for 18 to 35 year olds

Get active in a land of colourful forests, soaring peaks and golden stupas

This nine-day trip will tick all your boxes – thrilling outdoor adventures, an insight into bustling city life and an introduction to the slower pace of the Nepali countryside. Start and end your trip in Kathmandu's bustling metropolis, 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 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.

Map of Essential Nepal including Nepal
Trip code: HNYU
Start
Kathmandu, Nepal
End
Kathmandu, Nepal
Destinations
Nepal
Meals
1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Transport
Auto-rickshaw, Local bus, Whitewater raft, Private vehicle
Accommodation
Hotel (4 nights), Tea House (2 nights), Permanent Tented Camp (with basic facilities) (1 night), Homestay (1 night)
Days
9
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Ages
Min 18- Max 35
Theme
Every trip caters to specific interests and activities, such as wildlife or family.
18 to 35s, Walking & trekking
Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time

Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time

Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities

Premium: 4+ star accommodation, exclusive premium inclusions, our most experienced leaders
Basix
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
This trip generates 25 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.
Bucket list destinationsTick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences
Great valueAffordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time
Meaningful experiencesConnect to the places you go and the communities at the heart of every Intrepid experience

Why you'll love this trip

Get wet and wild on a whitewater rafting adventure on the Trisuli River (the most popular river in Nepal for rafting), where you’ll zoom downstream next to giant boulders and gorges and between bright green hills.

Stretch your legs on an awesome three-night, low-altitude trek through rural villages and rhododendron forests, taking in views of the Annapurna Ranges.

Kick back in super-Zen Pokhara, where you can take a boat out and float the day away on the smooth waters of Phewa Lake. Cruise beneath behemoth mountains and find serenity.

Start and end your trip in the bustling metropolis of Kathmandu – explore Durbar Square, wander the chaotic streets or simply kick back with a relaxing massage to soothe those post-four-day-hike feels.

Enjoy some local hospitality with a homestay with a local family in Hemjakot – this community’s architecture reflects the traditional style of the Himalayas. Get an insight into countryside culture as you take in the views from a traditional teahouse.

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2024

Itinerary

Map of Essential Nepal including Nepal

Inclusions and activities

Meals

1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Auto-rickshaw, Local bus, Whitewater raft, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights), Tea House (2 nights), Permanent Tented Camp (with basic facilities) (1 night), Homestay (1 night)

Included activities
  • Trisuli River - White Water Rafting (Grade 3)
  • Trisuli River – Riverside Camping
  • Annapurna Region – 3 Night / 4 Days Trekking
  • Hemjakot - Community Homestay
  • Pokhara - Orientation Walk

Optional activities
  • Kathmandu - Spiritual Nepal Experience Urban Adventure - USD59
  • Kathmandu - Everest Scenic Flight - USD240
  • Pokhara - Peace Pagoda - Free
  • Pokhara - Phewa Tal Lake boat trip - NPR600
  • Kathmandu - Rickshaw Night Explorer Urban Adventure - USD49

Is this trip right for you?

  • There are some long travel days on roads that seem to be permanently under construction. What looks like a short distance on a map can take a long time to complete. Plenty of patience (and maybe some good podcasts at the ready) will go a long way toward your enjoyment of the journey. 
  • For one night of this trip, you’ll be camping by the Trisuli River. This is at a permanent campsite where tents, mats and blankets are provided, and toilet facilities are basic. 
  • Outside of the main towns, Nepal can be a quiet place, with few tourist attractions and options for organised activities or meal choices. There is plenty of time for your own exploration or relaxation. Don't expect each day to be action-packed, but be ready to seek out your own, more simple cultural experiences.
  • This trip is part of a longer itinerary. You might be joining travellers who have already spent some time together. If you have more time to explore, you might like to check out Epic India to Nepal.

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. An excellent level of fitness is required for this trip as there are long trekking days in difficult terrain. Altitude does not exceed 1950m.
2. Please ensure you bring a passport size photo for our Annapurna trek permit application.
3. A sleeping bag is required for this trip. Please bring your own or hire in Kathmandu for a few dollars a day.
4. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement will only be included on Days 1,3, 7 & 8 (Hotel) and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
5. If you need assistance booking optional activities pre or post trip, please contact our local operator on +977 980 112 3645.
6. Please be aware that in the event of an emergency evacuation, Intrepid does not have control over which helicopter service may be used. Some helicopters are not in regular use with Intrepid and have not passed our internal safety auditing.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 based on 70 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Fraser · Traveled November 2024
Review submitted 23 Nov 2024

Kimiko · Traveled November 2024
Review submitted 12 Nov 2024

Rachael · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 24 Oct 2024

Josie · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 24 Oct 2024

Beth · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 24 Oct 2024
Essential Nepal
From
EUR 470 €