Eleven days covering Kathmandu's UNESCO sites, two Himalayan sunrises, Chitwan wildlife safari, and a one-hour mountain flight within 20 miles of Everest.
One hour above the Himalayas, within 20 miles of Everest. Window seat guaranteed, included in price
Nagarkot over the Everest range and Sarangkot over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri on the same trip
Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Bhaktapur, Patan, and Swayambhunath across two Kathmandu days
One-horned rhino, Bengal tiger, and crocodile in one of Asia's most biodiverse national parks
This is an 11-day private tour covering Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan, with one addition no other MountainKick tour includes: the Everest mountain flight. Five UNESCO World Heritage Sites across two Kathmandu days, a night at Nagarkot for an Everest sunrise, two full days in Pokhara with a Sarangkot sunrise over the Annapurna range, a full day jeep safari and canoe ride in Chitwan National Park, and on Day 10 a one-hour flight above the Himalayan arc passing within 20 miles of Everest with every passenger in a window seat.
No trekking, no altitude concern, no fitness preparation needed. All travel is by private vehicle or aircraft. The only demand is a willingness to make early starts on three mornings: Nagarkot, Sarangkot, and the airport for the flight. The tour suits first-time visitors, older travellers, and families who want to see Everest up close without a multi-week trek.
MountainKick runs this fully private with a government-licensed guide throughout all 11 days. Your guide handles all entrance fees, park permits, activity bookings, and flight coordination. The mountain flight is weather-dependent and may shift one day if visibility is poor but the itinerary has a buffer built in. Kumar and the team have been running this circuit for over a decade.
What you will see and do:
For travellers who want the same cultural circuit without the mountain flight, see the Nepal Cultural Safari Tour. To add trekking, the Nepal Heritage and Poon Hill Trek combines the full circuit with a 4-day Poon Hill trek.
Your guide meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Thamel. The rest of the day is free to settle in and explore the streets around the hotel. Your guide runs through the full 11-day itinerary in the evening including the mountain flight logistics and early morning start times.
A full day at three UNESCO World Heritage Sites by private vehicle. Morning at Pashupatinath on the Bagmati River, then Boudhanath Stupa at the kora path where butter lamps come on at dusk, then Bhaktapur Durbar Square where Newari architecture has survived largely intact since the 15th century. Drive up to Nagarkot in the evening for the sunrise tomorrow.
Pre-dawn for the Nagarkot sunrise. On a clear morning the range stretches from Annapurna in the west to Kanchenjunga in the east with Everest identifiable to the northeast. After breakfast the seven-hour drive west to Pokhara follows winding mountain roads through hill villages and river valleys. Arrive at the lakeside in the late afternoon with the Annapurna range filling the horizon.
Full day through Pokhara’s main sites. Morning at Bindabashani Temple and Old Pokhara City, then the Seti River Gorge where the river has carved a slot canyon directly beneath the city streets. Afternoon boat ride on Phewa Lake to Tal Barahi Temple on the island. Slow evening on the lakeside strip with the Annapurna range across the water.
Morning at the World Peace Pagoda on the ridge above Phewa Lake with a full Annapurna panorama from Dhaulagiri to Manaslu. Visit the Tibetan Refugee Camp at Tashiling, settled since the 1960s with working carpet and thangka workshops. Afternoon at Gupteshwor Cave with its underground waterfall chamber and Devi’s Fall where the Pardi Khola drops into a subterranean channel.
Early transfer to Sarangkot for one of Nepal’s most celebrated sunrises. The Annapurna range from Dhaulagiri to Manaslu sits directly in front of you at 1,592m with Machhapuchhre in the foreground and Pokhara and Phewa Lake visible below. After breakfast drive south through the subtropical hills into the Terai plains to Chitwan National Park. Arrive at your jungle resort in Sauraha by evening.
Early morning jeep safari through Chitwan National Park for one-horned rhino, Bengal tiger, leopard, and spotted deer. Mid-morning canoe ride on the Rapti River for gharial crocodile and waterbird sightings. Afternoon guided nature walk through the buffer zone with your naturalist. Evening Tharu cultural dance show at the resort.
One last morning at the resort for an optional nature walk or quiet breakfast listening to the jungle before the five-hour drive back to Kathmandu via Narayanghat and Muglin. Arrive in the evening with two full days in the capital still ahead.
Morning at Patan Durbar Square, the best-preserved royal courtyard in the valley with the Patan Museum inside the old palace holding one of the finest collections of Himalayan bronze art in the world. Afternoon at Swayambhunath hilltop stupa where the all-seeing Buddha eyes look out across the full Kathmandu Valley. Free evening in Thamel for shopping or a final café stop.
Early departure for the mountain flight before the morning haze builds. For one hour the aircraft follows the Himalayan arc east from Kathmandu, passing within 20 miles of Everest at 8,849m. Every passenger gets a window seat. Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu are all visible on a clear morning. Traditional Nepali farewell dinner with cultural performance in the evening.
Breakfast at your hotel in Thamel, then a private transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport. Your guide sees you off at departures.
Kathmandu nights are at a 3-star hotel in Thamel with private en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, and WiFi. The location puts you close to the heritage sites on Days 2 and 9 and within easy reach of the airport for the mountain flight on Day 10.
Nagarkot is one night at a 3-star hill station hotel at 2,175m. Facilities are comfortable and the hotel is chosen for its Himalayan sunrise views. Heated rooms are available. A luxury mountain resort upgrade is available on request.
Pokhara is three nights at a 3-star lakeside hotel in the Baidam area with views of Phewa Lake or the Annapurna range. The lakeside location puts the World Peace Pagoda boat dock, the restaurant strip, and the Sarangkot departure point all within easy reach.
Chitwan is two nights at a jungle resort in Sauraha on the edge of the national park buffer zone. Lodge-style rooms in a natural setting with all meals included. Your naturalist guide is based on site and wildlife is visible from the resort grounds.
Single supplement is available on request at all city and town hotels. Jungle resort rooms cannot be guaranteed as single occupancy.
Breakfast is included at all hotels throughout the trip. All meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included during your two nights at the Chitwan jungle resort. The farewell dinner with cultural performance in Kathmandu on Day 10 is also included.
Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu and Pokhara are at your own expense. In Thamel restaurants cover every cuisine and budget at $8 to $15 per person for dinner. In Pokhara the lakeside strip has everything from dal bhat to wood-fired pizza at the same price range. Nagarkot dinner is most practical at the hotel restaurant on arrival evening given the remote location.
Chitwan resort food is simple, good quality, and plentiful. All three meals are included on both days. Your naturalist guide eats with the group which is a good time to debrief on the day’s sightings.
| Meals in cities | $8-15 / day |
| Coffee and snacks | $2 to $5 per day |
| Bottled water | $0.50 to $1 per bottle |
| Optional activities in Pokhara | $80 to $130 per activity |
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The Everest mountain flight on Day 10 is the defining feature and is not included in any other MountainKick tour. The flight takes one hour, passes within 20 miles of the summit, and gives every passenger a window seat. For travellers who want to see Everest up close without trekking to the Khumbu, this is the most direct route. Everything else on the itinerary, the cultural circuit, wildlife safari, and two Himalayan sunrises, is strong on its own but the flight is what makes this tour unique.
The aircraft follows the Himalayan arc east from Kathmandu for approximately one hour. On a clear morning you can see Everest at 8,849m, Lhotse at 8,516m, Makalu at 8,485m, Cho Oyu at 8,188m, and at least seven other peaks above 7,000m. The Khumbu Icefall and high-altitude glaciers are visible below the summit on clear days. Every passenger is allocated a window seat. The flight operates at around 7,000m cruising altitude, bringing you within roughly 32km of the Everest summit.
The Everest mountain flight is weather-dependent and occasionally postponed by one day if cloud or poor visibility reduces the view. The itinerary has a buffer built in on Day 11 to accommodate this. MountainKick liaises directly with the flight operator and monitors conditions daily. If a delay is needed we handle the rebooking without disrupting your departure. In the rare case the flight cannot operate within the two-day window, a full refund for the flight portion is provided.
No. This is an easy-rated tour with no trekking and no sustained physical demand. All travel is by private vehicle or aircraft. The wildlife activities in Chitwan are comfortable for all ages. The main requirement is a willingness to make early starts on three mornings: Nagarkot on Day 3, Sarangkot on Day 6, and the airport for the mountain flight on Day 10. Everything else runs at a relaxed pace.
Chitwan National Park is home to one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tigers, sloth bears, leopards, gharial and mugger crocodiles, and over 500 bird species. Rhino sightings on the jeep safari are very common. Tiger sightings are rarer but do occur on early morning safaris. The Rapti River canoe section is excellent for crocodiles and waterbirds. Your naturalist guide tracks fresh signs throughout the day and positions the vehicle for the best sightings.
October and November are the prime months. Skies are clear after the monsoon, the Everest mountain flight has the sharpest visibility, and both Himalayan sunrises at Nagarkot and Sarangkot are at their best. March and April are equally good. December and January are fine for the cultural sites and wildlife but cold at the sunrise viewpoints and occasionally cloudy for the mountain flight. June to September is monsoon season and the mountain flight is frequently grounded. This tour is not recommended during monsoon months.
Five. Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa and Bhaktapur Durbar Square on Day 2, then Patan Durbar Square and Swayambhunath Stupa on Day 9. The two-day split allows proper time at each site rather than rushing all five into a single day. Entrance fees to all five are included in the tour price.
Breakfast is included at all hotels throughout the 11 days. All meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included during your two nights at the Chitwan jungle resort. The farewell dinner with cultural performance in Kathmandu on Day 10 is also included. Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu and Pokhara are at your own expense. Budget $8 to $15 per person for dinner in both cities.
Yes. There are no strenuous activities and the pace is comfortable throughout. The Chitwan wildlife activities, Phewa Lake boat ride, and Sarangkot sunrise are particularly engaging for younger travellers. The mountain flight is suitable for children of all ages. Let us know the ages of any children when you book and we will adjust the pace accordingly.
The Nepal Cultural Safari Tour is 8 days and covers Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini, and Chitwan without the mountain flight. This tour is 11 days, adds two Himalayan sunrises at Nagarkot and Sarangkot, covers five UNESCO sites instead of four, and includes the Everest mountain flight. If Lumbini is a priority, the Cultural Safari is the better fit. If the mountain flight and the two sunrises are the draw, this is the right trip.
Yes. Common adjustments include adding Lumbini between Chitwan and Kathmandu, extending the Pokhara stay, or upgrading city hotels to 4-star or 5-star. Kumar replies personally within a few hours and is happy to build the itinerary around your schedule and group size.
No upcoming fixed departures are scheduled at the moment. Contact us to arrange a private departure on dates that suit you.
| 30+ days before departure | Deposit forfeited, balance refunded in full |
| 15–29 days before departure | 50% of total trip cost charged |
| Under 15 days | No refund |
| MountainKick cancels trip | Full refund or reschedule |
We give you the power to choose the departure date that suits your group best. A private trip is a perfect solution if you can’t find a published departure date that you and your companions agree on. You can set up a private departure for most of the trips we offer.
| Travellers | Price Per Person (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1730 |
| 2-3 | $1290 |
| 4-9 | $990 |
Ready to go? Request your preferred dates or message Kumar directly on WhatsApp — he'll confirm availability within a few hours.
We never force our customers to follow our set itinerary. You can customize your itinerary exactly the way you want. Please share with us your ideas.
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| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | 1 | Must have at least 6 months validity from your date of entry |
| Passport photos | 2 | Required for Nepal visa on arrival. Digital submission is also accepted |
| Nepal visa fee cash | 1 | USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days |
| Travel insurance documents | 1 | Digital copy on your phone is fine |
| Emergency contact list | 1 | Share a copy with someone at home |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Comfortable walking clothes | 3 to 4 days worth | Lightweight and breathable. Kathmandu and Pokhara are warm most of the year |
| Modest temple clothing | 1 outfit | Covered shoulders and knees required at Pashupatinath and most Hindu temples |
| Light fleece or jacket | 1 | Pokhara mornings can be cool between November and February |
| Rain jacket | 1 | Useful Oct to May for afternoon showers. Essential if travelling Mar to May |
| Walking shoes | 1 pair | Comfortable for cobblestone streets and gentle hill walking |
| Sandals or slip-ons | 1 pair | You remove shoes frequently at temples. Easy on and off saves time |
| Warm layer for evenings | 1 | Essential for three pre-dawn starts: Nagarkot at 2,175m, Sarangkot at 1,592m, and the early airport departure for the mountain flight |
| Neutral coloured clothing for safar | 2 to 3 outfits | Khaki, olive, or brown works best in Chitwan. Bright colours disturb wildlife |
| Long sleeved shirts | 2 to 3 | Protects against insects in Chitwan, especially at dawn and dusk |
| Long trousers | 2 pairs | Required for jungle walks in Chitwan buffer zone |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sunscreen SPF 30 or higher | 1 | Especially important at Swayambhunath, World Peace Pagoda, and the Nagarkot and Sarangkot sunrise viewpoints which are all exposed hilltop sites |
| Insect repellent | 1 large | Much more important on this tour. Chitwan at dawn and dusk has heavy mosquito activity. DEET-based repellent recommended |
| Personal medications | Full supply | Bring more than you need. Specific brands can be hard to find outside Kathmandu |
| Hand sanitiser | 1 | Useful at busy temple sites |
| Reusable water bottle | 1 | Filtered water is available at both hotels. Reduces plastic waste on the road |
| Small day bag or backpack | 1 |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Phone and charger | 1 | A local SIM card gives you data from Day 1. We help you get one in Kathmandu |
| Camera | 1 | The Everest mountain flight rewards a camera with a zoom lens. Chitwan jeep safari, Nagarkot sunrise, and Bhaktapur are also worth a proper camera |
| Universal power adapter | 1 | Nepal uses Type C, D, and M sockets |
| Power bank | 1 | Useful on the long drive days to Pokhara and Chitwan when charging is not always available |
| Headlamp | 1 | Useful for the pre-dawn Nagarkot and Sarangkot starts. Hotel corridors and viewpoint paths are not always well lit |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| USD cash | Enough for visa plus backup | USD is the most useful foreign currency in Nepal for tips, optional activities, and emergencies |
| Nepali rupees | Day to day spending | Withdraw sufficient cash before leaving Pokhara. Chitwan resorts are largely cash based and ATM access in Sauraha is limited |
| Credit or debit card | 1 to 2 | Visa and Mastercard accepted at most Thamel and lakeside restaurants and shops |
| Item | Note |
|---|---|
| Thermal base layer top and bottom | Kathmandu mornings drop to 2 to 5 degrees in January. Pokhara is milder but evenings are cold |
| Warm hat and gloves | Needed for both the Nagarkot sunrise at 2,175m and the Sarangkot sunrise at 1,592m in winter. Pre-dawn temperatures at both viewpoints drop close to zero in December and January |
| Heavy fleece or down jacket | Layering works better than one thick coat for moving between cold mornings and warm afternoons |
| Warm socks | Stone temple floors are cold underfoot in winter months |
| Item | Note |
|---|---|
| Waterproof rain jacket | Daily afternoon rain is near certain in both cities. A good jacket matters more than an umbrella |
| Quick-dry clothing | Humidity is high and clothes take longer to dry between days |
| Waterproof bag cover or dry bags | Protects your camera and electronics during sudden downpours |
| Umbrella | Useful in town and at temple sites where you spend time outdoors |
Nothing on this tour requires rental equipment. Binoculars can be borrowed from the Chitwan resort if you do not have your own. Safari vehicles, canoes, and all wildlife activity gear are provided by the resort naturalist team. The mountain flight aircraft and all equipment are provided by the operator.
Kumar and the team have guided this route for over a decade. Ask anything — gear, fitness, altitude, private groups — before you commit.
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