Nepal Tour With New Year and Christmas Festival

Duration: 11 Days(5)of 25 reviews

Overview

  • Duration 11 Days
  • Difficulty Level Easy
  • Max. Altitude 3,210 m | 10,531 ft.
  • Trip Start and End Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Trip Area Kathmandu-Pokhara- Annapurna
  • Best Season December & January

Highlights

  • An amazing 10-day Nepal Tour with Himalayas Trekking.
  • Visit world heritage sites tour in Kathmandu including the local guide.
  • 5-day 4 nights moderate trek into the Annapurna Himalayas with sunrise views.
  • Christmas celebration at the Lakeside of Pokhara.
  • New Year's Eve celebration in Kathmandu is surrounded by local Nepalese people mixing Nepalese traditions with the western festival.

Nepal is one of the most joyful places to visit for the Christmas and New Year holidays. Nepal is a predominantly Hindu country, however, we celebrate the festivals with gusto. People of all cultures come together for the celebration, especially on the streets of lakeside in Pokhara and Thamel in Kathmandu. There are street festivals, music festivals, and special programs during this time. It’s a different experience spending and celebrating Christmas and New Year in Nepal.

Combined with hiking on one of the most mesmerizing trails in Nepal and mountain flight to die for, you will have triple the fun. The fun starts with sightseeing in Kathmandu visiting the UNESCO world heritage sites steeped in the history of Nepal and its people. 

You will visit Patan, an old Newari palace complex with old buildings and temples. Here, you will see a three-storeyed Krishna Temple, the Golden Temple, the Patan Museum, the Patan Durbar Square, and several other amazing temples, shrines, and traditional stone taps. 

Pashupatinath Temple is a significant holy shrine of Lord Shiva that dates back to 400 AD. Countless temples and shrines are sprawled across the temple complex and it is considered to be one of the most important sites in Hinduism. You will find Sadhus and Yogis, Hindu priests and students, and people from all walks of life casually roaming around or taking a leisurely rest around the temple complex.

After visiting two important Hindu landmarks, you will stroll around Bouddhanath, the biggest stupa in the world. The stupa lies inside a massive mandala. It lies in the ancient Tibetan trade route and has been a pilgrimage for Buddhist people from Nepal to Tibet. You will find amazing restaurants and cafes overlooking the stupa. 

Swayambhunath, the monkey temple, is located on a hilltop inside the Kathmandu valley. It has both Buddhist stupas and Hindu temples. According to the myths, the stupa is built upon an eternal flame. The hilltop grew in the place of a lotus that was in the middle of a lake, which when drained, became the Kathmandu valley. It is a peaceful place to hang out in the evenings.

You will start Christmas day with a mountain flight early in the morning. You will be at eye level with the mighty Himalayas. Mount Everest (8848 m), Mount Lhotse (8516 m), Mount Makalu (8463 m), Mount Cho-Oyu (8201 m), and Mount ShishaPangma (8013 m) are some of the peaks that you get to see during the hour-long flight. 

You will return to the hotel after the flight and rest for a while. You can spend the remainder of the day roaming around Thamel or walk up to Basantapur to explore the markets of Asan, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and more. In the evening, you will join us for Christmas dinner at a fine restaurant in Thamel. 

The day after Christmas, we travel to Pokhara and enjoy the evening at Lakeside and prepare for the trekking. The next day, we start the trek to Poonhill following a gentle trail perfect for beginner travelers and families who want to experience the views of the Himalayas. The Ghorepani-Poonhill trekking lies in the lower Annapurna region and provides a stunning view of mountains like the Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Gangapurna, Machhapuchhre, and more. Poonhill is best known for its sunrise view. 

The trail passes through Gurung and Magar villages. You will get a chance to peek into the lives in the upper Hilly region of Nepal. It is a short trek of 45 kilometers and you will find plenty of comfortable lodges and teahouses run by local families. This is a perfect trail to take during the month of December as you will probably get to witness the snowfall along the way.

Itinerary

Show Detail ItineraryClose Detail Itinerary

When you arrive in Kathmandu, our team will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to Arushi Boutique Hotel at Thamel. Here, you will meet the team of Himalayan Scenery and Treks. Later, you can enjoy a leisurely evening in Thamel visiting cafes, restaurants, bars, or nightclubs.

On the second day, you will spend time sightseeing in Kathmandu valley. You will visit the UNESCO heritage sites, Patan, a traditional Newari palace complex, Pashupatinath, an old Lord Shiva temple complex, Bouddhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world, and Swoyambhunath, the monkey temple situated in a hillock overlooking Kathmandu. 

You can enjoy the Christmas-eve dinner at one of the lovely restaurants at Thamel or Durbarmarg.

You will start your day with the morning flight. We will pick you up at 5 AM at the hotel. The hour-long mountain flight starts at 6 AM in order to enjoy the unobstructed view of the mountains early in the morning. You can see the views of mountains like Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu, Shisha Pangma, and Langtang.

Later, we return to the hotel and rest for a while. In the evening, you will join the team for a Christmas dinner at Arushi Boutique Hotel. 

Today, you can drive or fly to Pokhara. Spend the rest of the day exploring the tourist market along the streets of Lakeside.

The trek starts from Hile, where you will be dropped off by a jeep. On your first day, you will have a short hike of about two and a half to three hours to Ulleri. You will pass through the small village of Tikhedhunga on the way. From there, you will follow a path of around 3700 stone steps to reach the village of Ulleri.

The trail from Ulleri continues through rhododendron and oak forests. You pass the lovely village of Nangethati, where you can stop for lunch. In December, the path will be covered in snow and it might be slippery but a lot of fun. From here, you continue the upwards path to Ghorepani. It is a very popular village among trekkers. You will stay the night here. Go to bed early, we have a big day tomorrow.

We will wake you up early in the morning to hike up to Poon Hill to see the sunrise. Poon Hill offers a majestic view of the Annapurna range and to witness the red sun hit the Annapurna mountain is a privilege.

You will return back go to Ghorepani and start your trek for the day. The trail goes up and down until you reach Banthanti through the lovely rhododendron forests. After having your lunch here, you will follow a downward path to the village of Tadapani. If you were unlucky and missed the sunrise from Poonhill, you can stay in Tadapani to enjoy the view the next morning.

If you push a little further for around 45 minutes, you reach the beautiful village of Ghandruk.

The biggest one in the region, Ghandruk is a picturesque village with amazing views and rich culture. Here, you can visit the Gurung museum, immerse yourself in Gurung culture, wear authentic Gurung dresses, explore the stone-paved village, and more. After breakfast, you drive back to Pokhara.

You can spend the rest of the day taking a rest at your hotel. If you are up to it, you can ask your guide for the local places to explore. You can also take a quiet boat ride on Phewa lake. If you decide to take a rest, don’t worry, you have a sightseeing day tomorrow as well.

Pokhara is the most popular tourist destination in Nepal as it offers some unique sightseeing experiences. You will visit Devi’s Falls, a waterfall that originates from the Phewa Lake and disappears into the ground, Gupteshwor Temple, a Shiva idol that lies deep inside a cave, Peace Stupa, a white Buddhist stupa that overlooks the Phewa Lake and the Pokhara valley, and International Mountain Museum, a museum dedicated to mountaineering in Nepal.

In the afternoon, you return to Lakeside to participate in the New Year street festival. Thousands of people swarm the lakeside to enjoy this international festival. In the evening, you will join our team for a New Year's eve dinner. After dinner, you can enjoy the nightlife of Lakeside. 

Today, we will drive or fly back to Kathmandu. Take this time to buy souvenirs and get ready for your flight back to your home.

Well, the vacation is over. Our team will drop you off at Tribhuvan International Airport. See you again!

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Cost Details

Included

  • All the Airport Transfers.
  • Four nights’ Accommodation in Kathmandu including breakfast as per the above itinerary on a twin-sharing basis.
  • Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu as per the itinerary.
  • All accommodations in lodges/tea houses during the treks on a twin-sharing basis.
  • Your standard meals during the Trek with hot tea/coffee for breakfast.
  • All necessary papers works, Conservation entry permits, and TIMS permits.
  • Two nights’ accommodation in Pokhara including breakfast on a twin-sharing basis.
  • An experienced, helpful, and friendly Guide and porter.
  • Salary, Food, Drinks, Accommodation, Transportation, and Insurance for the Guide and Porter.
  • An arrangement of Emergency Helicopter service will be paid for by your Travel insurance company.
  • Sleeping bag, down jackets, trekking map if necessary.
  • All government taxes.

Excluded

  • Personal Travel insurance
  • International airfare
  • Nepal entry visa. You can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. A multiple-entry tourist visa good for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $ 40 or the equivalent in foreign currency. Similarly, multiple-entry tourist visas for 90 days can be obtained by paying US $ 100. Please bring 2 passport-size photos.
  • The US $ 20 Local Government Tax
  • Snacks /Drinks and other personal expenses
  • Hot showers during the trek
  • Personal trekking equipment
  • WiFi internet and phone call unless it’s free.
  • Tips and gratuities for trekking staff and drivers

Useful Info

In Himalayan Scenery Treks and Expedition, your safety precedes everything. Although we don’t expect any surprises during the trekking weather-wise at this time, we can never be 100% sure. Although all the itinerary we provide to you is guided and standard, please note that your team leader may alter or drop the planned itinerary or a part of it due to safety concerns. If it happens, we will discuss the changes with the whole team and proceed with what makes the most sense. In case of an unpredicted event, be prepared to be flexible and follow the guidelines of the team leader.

Note that the company won’t be responsible for any result of alterations to itineraries or any delays due to unforeseen circumstances.

What can you expect in terms of accommodation during this trip?

You will stay at our own luxury hotel, Arushi Boutique Hotel, while you are in Kathmandu. Arushi Boutique Hotel is an awesome blend of traditional Nepali and modern styles. While in Pokhara, you will stay at hotels whose luxury will match your own and keeps to the mood of your vacation. 

During the hike, you will stay at tea houses and lodges. These places have cozy atmospheres and basic facilities. Our team will help you feel comfortable and the owners of the tea houses are very friendly and will try their best to make you feel at home. During the mid-winter, the temperature drops quite a bit on the trail and the provided blankets might not be enough. We recommend you bring a sleeping bag and warm clothes. Refer to the packing guide below.

Food and Beverages:

All the food and Beverages included on the package of Annapurna Base Camp via Poonhill Trek are provided by the company itself. The food is provided in the tea houses or lodges on the trail. We will have breakfast and dinner at the lodge where we stay overnight. On the everyday trek, our guide will decide the available place and stop for the lunch. We highly recommend you bring water purification pills, to cleanse the water and drink during the trek. During the trek, there are options for buying bottled water and boiled water as well.

Transportation:

We at Himalayan Scenery Treks and Expedition provide all the necessary transportation facilities for your trip. We provide private vehicles for airport pick-up and sightseeing tours around Kathmandu. We likewise provide the flight to and from Pokhara Airstrip for the trip.

Luggage and Backpack:

The main luggage of your will be carried by your porters during the trek. For your things, we highly recommend you, carry a small handbag containing water bottles, cameras, sunscreen, and other things which you require daily during the trip. Making the backpack small and lighter will unquestionably assist you to enjoy the trip to its fullest. You should simply convey the thing which is basic for your outing and the rest of the garments and different things can be left in the locker room/safe store of hotels. The hotels provide the locker room / safe deposit for free. So, don’t hesitate to leave the redundant things. While making the backpack or luggage for your trip ensure that the luggage doesn’t exceed more than 15 Kg. The weight allowance at Nepal’s domestic airlines is 15 Kg including your handbag. Excess weight is chargeable of USD 1.5 or more which will be the additional cost of our trip.

Guide and Porters on Trek:

We provide you with a well-trained and experienced guide and porter for your trek.  Our guide will assist you in every possible way to make your trips remarkable and memorable. Talking about the porter, we provide one porter for 2 trekkers each. The porters carry 20 Kg of total luggage (10 Kg from each trekker). We provide one guide for the smaller groups and if the group size surpasses 10 individuals; we will provide an additional guide for your trip.

Personnel Expenses:

Personnel Expenses are largely influenced by your habit of expenditure. We provide you with all the necessary food and accommodation facilities inside the cost of your Annapurna Base Camp via Poonhill Trek. So, you only need money to pay for your drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages) and snacks while strolling on the trail. You will get a significant number of smaller shops on the trail to buy drinks and snacks. Likewise, you can also use the money to buy souvenirs for the trip, entrance tickets, hot showers, tips, and many more. Note that, tips and gratuities are not mandatory, but it is fine if you wish to. If you feel like the service provided to you is excellent, then you can tip directly to the staff. Of course, there is no obligation to tip if you are disappointed with the service you receive. As a suggestion, we advise you to allocate an amount of 5 - 10% of the total package price for tips. The amount you give depends on your budget and appreciation of their work.

Rescue and Evacuation:

Nepal is a country full of heart-warming natural beauty and a magnificent travel destination for thrill and adventure seekers all around the globe. Even though Nepal is an adventure paradise for nature lovers and thrill seekers. But in some cases, the thrilling experience comes up with a serious hazard. The most exciting, and the joyful trip may backfire on us and we may have to be the victim of nature. Not only that while trekking in the high altitude rough terrains may also occur afflictions like a sprained ankle or even broken leg, appendix ruptures, hypothermia, skin infection, and respiratory infection. If any of this misfortune happens to you, then it should be treated on time. If left untreated then you may even lose your life. If any of the above-mentioned affliction happens during your trip, we at Himalayan scenery treks and expedition will do everything to transfer you to the nearest hospital ASAP. All the expenses made to rescue and evacuate you, are entirely liable to us. So, before departing on your trip, make sure that your travel insurance company has a policy to cover all the expenses in case of any misfortune arises during the trip so that you can enjoy the trip to the utmost. If not, be ready to pay on your own once you arrive in Kathmandu. To learn more about Travel Insurance for the Trip to Nepal, please visit the Travel Insurance page in Nepal Travel Guide. 

Why Book With Us?

  • Best price
  • Best safety records
  • Easy payment processing
  • Customizable trips as per your needs
  • Departure for every booking
  • Best customer care
  • Specialized care and considerations
  • Easy cancellation conditions

Booking Requirements

Please provide us with your full credentials or a copy of your passport. Give your weight so that preplan your group’s trips for proper weight distribution. You may deposit 10 to 20 percent advance of the total package amount while booking. You may pay the rest of the amount before the trip. You can also pay us by card, bank transfer, or online. Please visit here for payment details.

Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to make your trip, let us know in advance. We will refund you as per our booking terms and conditions and available time frame. At times, there might be delays or cancellations of flights due to weather and unforeseeable reasons. In such cases, we will make our best effort to adjust your bookings and rearrange the schedule.

Still Need Help!

Please feel free to contact us. We will get back to you within 1-2 business days. Or just call us now

Cell:+977 9851083619

Email: info@himalayanst.com

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