UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tour in Nepal

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tour in Nepal

21,600 metersNepal
Duration
10 Days
Max altitude
1,600 meters
Difficulty
easy
Group size
1-6
Best season
Autumn and Spring

There are officially four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nepal: Kathmandu Valley, Lumbini, Chitwan National Park, and Sagarmatha National Park (home to Mt. Everest). Kathmandu itself has seven monument zones that were inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1979. In addition to the Kathmandu Valley, the other UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nepal include Lumbini, Chitwan National Park, and Sagarmatha National Park.

For travelers interested in exploring Nepal's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, we offer an exciting 10-day tour package. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience the cultural marvels of the Kathmandu Valley, along with the rich culture and traditions of Nepal. You will have the chance to visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautama Buddha, enjoy a jungle safari to witness unique wildlife in Chitwan National Park, and take a scenic mountain flight to view the breathtaking Mt. Everest. Our tour is designed to accommodate people of all ages and fitness levels, ensuring an unforgettable experience for everyone.

What can you expect?

During this incredible tour in Nepal, our professional guide is with you every step of the way to inform and show you the real treasures of Nepal!

Phase 1: Explore Kathmandu Valley’s UNESCO Heritage

Discover the seven monument zones of Kathmandu Valley, including Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, Boudhanath Stupa, and Changu Narayan Temple. Explore ancient architecture, traditional Newari culture, sacred temples, and historic Buddhist stupas.

Phase 2: Visit Lumbini, the Birthplace of Buddha

Travel to the Terai plains and explore Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. Visit the Maya Devi Temple, the Ashoka Pillar, ancient archaeological remains, monasteries, and peaceful gardens. Learn about the history and spiritual significance of this important Buddhist pilgrimage site.

Phase 3: Experience Wildlife in Chitwan National Park

Continue to Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO-listed natural heritage site known for its rich biodiversity. Enjoy a guided jungle safari and look for the greater one-horned rhinoceros, deer, crocodiles, and diverse birdlife. Watch Tharu cultural dance, understand thier unique culture and traditional village life.

Phase 4: Enjoy a Scenic Flight Around Mount Everest

Return to Kathmandu for a spectacular mountain flight toward Mount Everest. Admire Everest and other Himalayan peaks from the air while learning about the mountains from the flight crew. This scenic flight offers an unforgettable view of Nepal’s natural beauty.

A Memorable 10-Day Journey Through Nepal

This tour combines UNESCO-listed heritage, Buddhist spirituality, wildlife encounters, and Himalayan panoramas in one itinerary. Getting excited? Don’t hesitate and book one of the best tours in Nepal with Nobel Holidays. The itinerary can also be customized to suit your interests and travel schedule.

Special note: Nobel Holidays assures that no animal abuse is tolerated under Nepalese law, and that every animal is treated well, even during elephant safaris in

Key facts at a glance

Tour DestinationNepal
Tour TypeNepal UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Starting Point / Ending PointKathmandu, Nepal
Kathmandu Valley Highlights3 Durbar Squares, 2 Stupas, and 2 Sacred Temples
Cultural HighlightsAncient temples, historic Durbar Squares, Buddhist stupas, and traditional Newari culture
Spiritual HighlightLumbini, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha
Wildlife HighlightChitwan National Park, home to the greater one-horned rhinoceros and Bengal tiger
Mountain HighlightScenic flight with views of Mount Everest and the Himalayan range

Trip highlights

Explore 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nepal.

Discover 7 UNESCO monument zones in Kathmandu Valley.

Visit Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares.

Explore Pashupatinath Temple and Changu Narayan Temple.

Visit Swayambhunath and Boudhanath stupas.

Discover Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha.

Enjoy a wildlife safari in Chitwan National Park.

Look for one-horned rhinos, deer, and diverse birdlife.

Enjoy a scenic mountain flight with views of Mount Everest.

Experience Nepal’s rich culture, history, spirituality, and natural beauty.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day
01
Arrival in Kathmandu and Welcome DinnerHotelBreakfast | Lunch | DinnerThamel+
  • Upon your arrival, our team member will be there to receive you at the airport.
  • Transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu and check in
  • Meet and greet with your guide
  • Evening welcome dinner with a live cultural show
  • Overnight stay at your hotel

Traveler’s note: Did you know that arriving in Kathmandu for the first time can be exhilarating as a city emerges in a valley surrounded by green hills and distant snow-capped mountains? In the evening, Nobel Holidays invites you to a “Welcome to Nepal” dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant with a live cultural show!

Day
02
Kathmandu UNESCO Heritage Sightseeing TourHotelBreakfast | Lunch | DinnerThamel+

Hotel breakfast

Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu:

Visit the Swayambunath Stupa

Visit the Boudhanath Stupa

Visit the Pashupatinath Temple

Visit Kathmandu’s Durbar Square

Transfer back to your hotel

The rest of the evening is free

Overnight stay at your hotel

Traveler’s note: Did you know that Swayambunath is filled with monkey families? Visitors often offer them water and snacks; do be careful, as they are used to stealing bottles of water in the blink of an eye! Today’s sightseeing goes to the most famous landmarks in Kathmandu and ends with a visit to Kathmandu’s ancient palace square!

Day
03
Bhaktapur, Changu Narayan, and Patan SightseeingHotelBreakfast | Lunch | DinnerThamel+
  • Hotel breakfast
  • Drive to Bhaktapur
  • Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour around Bhaktapur’s Durbar Square:
  • Visit the Palace Museum
  • Explore around Potteries Square
  • Visit the paper factory
  • Drive to and visit the Changu Narayan temple
  • Drive further to Patan
  • Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour around Patan’s Durbar Square
  • Drive back to your hotel
  • Rest of the evening is free
  • Overnight stay at your hotel

Traveler’s note: Did you know that there are 3 Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley? You can see the different styles of architecture and building placements once you visit Bhaktapur and Patan. The Changu Narayan temple is one of the oldest temples in Nepal and is dedicated to the Hindu deity Vishnu! Thamel has some of the best traditional and international restaurants available.

Day
04
Scenic Drive from Kathmandu to LumbiniHotelBreakfast | Lunch | DinnerLumbini+
  • Hotel breakfast + check-out
  • Drive to Lumbini
  • Enjoy lunch on the way at the riverside restaurant
  • Arrival at Lumbini + check-in
  • Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel

Traveler’s note: Did you know that the drive to Lumbini lets you experience the difference in geography heading from hilly mountains into the flat and hot lands of the Terai region of Nepal? Lumbini is also known as the birthplace of Gautama Buddha and is one of Nepal’s most significant landmarks and places of history!

Day
05
Explore Lumbini, the Birthplace of BuddhaHotelBreakfast | Lunch | DinnerLumbini+
  • Hotel breakfast + check-out
  • Drive to Lumbini
  • Enjoy lunch on the way at the riverside restaurant
  • Arrival at Lumbini + check-in
  • Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel

Traveler’s note: Did you know that the drive to Lumbini lets you experience the difference in geography heading from hilly mountains into the flat and hot lands of the Terai region of Nepal? Lumbini is also known as the birthplace of Gautama Buddha and is one of Nepal’s most significant landmarks and places of history!

Day
06
Drive to Chitwan National Park and Tharu Cultural ExperienceHotelBreakfast | Lunch | DinnerChitwan+
  • Hotel breakfast + check-out
  • Drive to Chitwan National Park (±4hrs)
  • Arrival at Chitwan, Sauraha + hotel check-in
  • Lunch
  • Afternoon jungle + Tharu village walk
  • Tharu culture show
  • Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel

Traveler’s note: Did you know that the Tharu are the people inhabiting the Terai region of Nepal? They have their own unique culture and traditions. During your evening jungle walk, you’re guaranteed to see some elephants and have a unique experience during the Tharu culture show!

Day
07
Chitwan Jungle Safari and Wildlife ActivitiesHotelBreakfast | Lunch | DinnerChitwan+
  • Hotel breakfast
  • Activities in Chitwan:
  • Canoe ride on the Rapti River
  • Jungle Safari
  • Elephant river fun
  • Visit the Elephant Preservation & Health Center
  • Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel

Traveler’s note: Did you know that during your canoe ride on the Rapti River, you’ll get to see real crocodiles just sunbathing on the river’s edge! During your jungle safari, you can either choose to head into the jungle Elephant style or by jeep. Do note that jeep safaris are not included within this package, and extra charges will apply. Furthermore, Nobel Holidays guarantees that no animal is or will be abused during any safari.

Day
08
Scenic Drive from Chitwan to KathmanduHotelBreakfast | Lunch | DinnerThamel+
  • Hotel breakfast + check-out
  • Drive back to Kathmandu
  • Enjoy lunch at the riverside restaurant
  • Arrival back in Kathmandu + hotel check-in
  • Rest of the afternoon and evening is free at leisure
  • Overnight stay at your hotel

Traveler’s note: Did you know that during the afternoon, Nobel Holidays can organize an additional short sightseeing tour? You can also spend the rest of the afternoon and evening exploring around Asan Market and Thamel.

Day
09
Mount Everest Scenic Mountain FlightHotelBreakfast | Lunch | DinnerThamel+
  • Hotel breakfast
  • Pick-up and transfer to the domestic airport
  • Enjoy a scenic mountain flight past Mt. Everest
  • Transfer back to your hotel
  • Meeting for your tour review
  • Overnight stay at your hotel

Traveler’s note: Did you know that during the afternoon, after enjoying your mountain flight around Mt. Everest, you’ll have your last chance to explore around Kathmandu, do some souvenir shopping, or visit some last places. If you are in need of a private vehicle to drive you around Kathmandu for the last time, Nobel Holidays can arrange this for you.

Day
10
Departure from KathmanduBreakfast+
  • Hotel breakfast + check-out
  • Our team member will transfer you back to the international airport about 3hrs before your departure

Nobel Holidays wishes you a safe journey and hopes that you enjoyed our 10-day UNESCO World Heritage Sites tour

Loading map…

Click a map marker or use Start trek to follow the itinerary route.

Packing essentials

Clothing

Comfortable walking clothes, T-shirts, trousers, light jacket, warm fleece, rain jacket, comfortable walking shoes, sandals, socks, underwear, sleepwear.

Travel Documents

Passport, Nepal visa (if required), flight tickets, travel itinerary, hotel confirmations, travel insurance documents, emergency contact details.

Personal Essentials

Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat or cap, lip balm, personal toiletries, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, tissues, insect repellent, personal medications, small first-aid kit.

Daypack Essentials

Small daypack, reusable water bottle, lightweight snacks, Nepalese cash, camera or smartphone, power bank, charging cables.

Temple Visit Essentials

Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees, easy-to-remove footwear, light scarf or shawl.

Optional Items

Binoculars for wildlife watching, camera with a zoom lens, travel guidebook, notebook, pen, earplugs, eye mask.

Frequently asked

How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are in Nepal?+
Since 2019, Nepal has had 4 major UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Within these sites are several other listed Heritage sites. The 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nepal are the Kathmandu Valley, Lumbini, Chitwan National Park, and the Sagarmatha National Park, also known as the Everest National Park. During Nobel Holidays’ UNESCO World Heritage Sites tour, all 4 sites will be visited, with a mountain flight around Mt. Everest.
Can you enter the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nepal?+
Yes, most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nepal can be visited and entered to see inside, with the exception of Hindu temples, where Non-Hindus are forbidden to enter the main sanctuary but are allowed to visit the grounds and temples.
What are the Nepal World Heritage sites?+
Inside the Kathmandu Valley are 7 World Heritage sites: the Pashupatinath Temple, the Swayambunath and Boudhanath stupas, and Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan’s Durbar Squares. Then you also have Lumbini’s Mayadevi Garden, Chitwan’s National Park, and Sagarmatha National Park’s Mt. Everest. All of these will be seen during our UNESCO World Heritage Sites tour of 10 days in Nepal.
Can I extend my trip in Nepal?+
Yes, Nobel Holidays can extend your trip in Nepal and even help you with Visa extensions. Please have a look around our website for an additional package that you can combine with this 10-day UNESCO World Heritage Sites tour. Or request it from us during your holiday to extend your trip in Nepal.
Is tipping mandatory during Nepal tours?+
While tipping is not obligated in Nepal, giving some gratuities at the end of your tour is considered a welcome gift to the hard-working guides and drivers. They depend on tips as a secondary income, and do their best to give you the best experience during your holiday. 
Can I also do a short trek in Nepal?+
Yes, with Nobel Holidays you can book any short trek or short hike in Nepal. Have a look at our website’s packages to see which short trek matches your preferences. You can also always contact us through the quick inquiry form for additional info on short trekking in Nepal.

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