Notice: Every Spade Himalaya tour is private. There are no fixed departures, you choose your dates, and you never travel with strangers unless you ask to.
Quick answer: Spade Himalaya runs private Nepal tours from Kathmandu. You can choose a 3-day Chitwan National Park safari, a 7, 10 or 14-day itinerary through Kathmandu’s World Heritage sites, Pokhara and Chitwan, or a one-day helicopter flight to Everest, Annapurna or Langtang. Every multi-day tour comes with a licensed, English-speaking guide, and prices start at US$310 per person. Each trip page lists exactly what is included.
Key takeaways
- Private, not group. You pick the dates, and the pace is yours.
- Prices fall as your group grows. Solo travellers pay the one-person rate shown on each trip page, with no single supplement on top.
- No trekking needed. The 7-day tour and the Chitwan safari involve only easy walks. The 10 and 14-day tours add a gentle 4-day trek to Poon Hill (3,210 m).
- Best months: October and November, then March to May. Chitwan is at its best from October to March.
- Entry fees and permits are paid. Guided sightseeing, park permits and transport between cities are already in the price.
Which Nepal tour is right for you?
Start with the time you have, then decide how much walking you want. The table compares all seven tours. “From” is the per-person price for the largest group on that trip, and “One person” is the solo price.
| Tour | Days | What you do | Walking | Highest point | From (per person) | One person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chitwan National Park Safari | 3 | Jeep safari, canoe trip, jungle walks, Tharu village | Easy walks only | Under 300 m | US$310 | US$420 |
| Nepal Itinerary 7 Days | 7 | Kathmandu heritage sites, Chitwan, Pokhara, Sarangkot sunrise | No trekking | 1,400 m | US$880 | US$1,190 |
| Nepal Itinerary 10 Days | 10 | Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Patan, Pokhara, Poon Hill trek | 4 easy trekking days | 3,210 m | US$1,100 | US$1,490 |
| Nepal Itinerary 14 Days | 14 | Everything in the 10-day tour, plus Chitwan | 4 easy trekking days | 3,210 m | US$1,390 | US$1,890 |
| Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour | 1 | Fly from Kathmandu, land at Kala Patthar, stop at the Hotel Everest View | None | 5,545 m, a short landing | US$1,360 each when 5 fly together | US$5,800 (private charter) |
| Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour | 1 | Fly from Pokhara and land at Annapurna Base Camp | None | 4,130 m, a short landing | US$600 each when 5 fly together | US$2,600 (private charter) |
| Langtang Helicopter Tour | 1 | Fly up the Langtang valley from Kathmandu and land at Kyanjin Gompa | None | Kyanjin Gompa, a short landing | US$550 each when 5 fly together | US$2,750 (private charter) |
So how do you choose? Here is the short version.
- You have 3 or 4 days. Take the Chitwan safari, which starts from Kathmandu or Pokhara. It fits neatly before or after a trek.
- You have one week and do not want to trek. The 7-day itinerary covers Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara, and it ends with a flight back to Kathmandu.
- You have 10 days and want to see the mountains close up. The 10-day itinerary swaps the safari for a short trek to the Poon Hill viewpoint.
- You have two weeks and want everything. The 14-day itinerary combines the heritage sites, the Poon Hill trek and Chitwan, with free days in Pokhara and Kathmandu.
- You want the high Himalaya in a single day. A helicopter tour takes you to Everest, Annapurna or Langtang and back the same day, with no walking at all.
What do our Nepal tours include?
Each trip page carries its own full list, and those lists are the final word. In short, though, our multi-day tours share the same core.
| Included on the 7, 10 and 14-day tours | Not included |
|---|---|
| Airport transfers in a private vehicle | International flights and the Nepal visa |
| 3-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, with breakfast | Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu and Pokhara |
| A licensed, English-speaking guide | Travel and medical insurance, which is a must |
| Guided sightseeing with every entry fee paid | Drinks, laundry, Wi-Fi and snacks |
| Transport between cities, and the flight back from Pokhara on the 7 and 10-day tours | Tips for your guide, porter and driver |
| A jungle lodge in Chitwan with all meals, and park permits for every activity (7 and 14-day) | Optional extras, such as paragliding or the Everest mountain flight |
| Teahouses, all meals, a porter and permits on the Poon Hill trek (10 and 14-day) | Extra nights from an early arrival or a late departure |
| Safe drinking water, and a first-aid kit with an oximeter | Personal gear and spending money |
The day tours work differently. The helicopter tours include hotel pickup, the flight itself, park permits and all fees, with supplementary oxygen on board. They do not include a hotel. Meanwhile, the Chitwan safari includes the coach to and from Sauraha and two nights at the lodge with meals. Plus, it covers the park activities listed on its trip page.
How much does a Nepal tour cost?
Your price depends on two things: which tour you choose, and how many of you travel together. Because every trip is private, the cost of the guide and the vehicle is shared across your group. So the per-person price drops as the group grows.
For example, the 7-day itinerary costs US$1,190 for one person. For two to four people it is US$1,020 each, and for nine to twelve it falls to US$880 each. Every trip page shows its full price table.
Then there are the costs you pay on the spot. Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu and Pokhara are not included, and a meal there usually costs US$10 to US$20. Also, budget for drinks, souvenirs and tips. You will also need a Nepal visa, and our Nepal visa guide has the current fees.
Planning more than a season ahead? Our prices are set for the current season. For travel further out, we confirm the price nearer the time. After all, airfares, park fees and hotel rates change from year to year.
Can I travel solo, or join other people?
Yes, you can travel solo, and many of our guests do. You simply pay the one-person rate shown on the trip page. Since the trip is private anyway, there is no extra single supplement.
However, we do not run fixed group departures, so there is no scheduled group to join. Still, if you would like a lower per-person price, we can ask whether another guest is looking at similar dates. We only combine two bookings if both sides agree, and nobody is ever placed with strangers without saying yes first.
When is the best time for a Nepal tour?
October and November are the best months for most tours. The skies are at their clearest, the mountains stand out sharply, and the big festivals fall in this season. Next comes March to May, with warm days and the hillsides in bloom.
| Months | What to expect | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| October to November | Clear skies, dry trails, festival season | Every tour, especially the Poon Hill trek and the helicopter flights |
| December to February | Cold nights but mild, sunny days in the valleys | Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan, with fewer visitors |
| March to May | Warm days and flowering hills, though views can turn hazy by May | All tours, and the best of the rhododendron forest on the trek |
| June to September | The monsoon: heavy rain, cloud and slippery roads | Heritage sightseeing for flexible travellers |
Chitwan is at its best from October to March, when the days are cooler and drier. The Poon Hill trek suits October, November, March and April best. Helicopter tours fly all year, but they need clear mornings, so October to May is the most reliable window. Our guide to the best time to visit Nepal goes through the year month by month.
How fit do I need to be?
For the 7-day tour and the Chitwan safari, you only need to be comfortable walking for an hour or two at a time. Heritage sites involve some steps, such as the long stairway up to Swayambhunath, but you can take them slowly.
The 10 and 14-day tours ask a bit more. First, the trek starts with the Ulleri staircase, close to 3,000 stone steps in one long climb. In all, that day takes about 5 hours on foot. The next two days take 5 to 7 hours of walking each. Then the last day is about 3 hours downhill. Anyone who walks regularly at home can manage it at a steady pace. And a porter carries your main bag, one porter for every two trekkers. Our Ghorepani Poon Hill trek guide covers each day in detail.
The helicopter tours need no fitness at all. But they land at high altitude, so read the next answer first.
How high do the tours go, and is altitude a problem?
The 7-day tour never sleeps higher than Kathmandu, at 1,400 m, and Chitwan lies under 300 m. So altitude is not a concern on either.
On the 10 and 14-day tours, the highest point is Poon Hill at 3,210 m, reached at sunrise and left the same morning. At that height, most people notice the thinner air only a little.
The helicopter tours are different. They land at 4,130 m at Annapurna Base Camp, at 5,545 m at Kala Patthar near Everest, and at Kyanjin Gompa in Langtang. Every landing is short. For example, you get 5 to 10 minutes at Kala Patthar, 20 to 30 minutes at Annapurna Base Camp, and about half an hour at Kyanjin Gompa. The helicopters also carry supplementary oxygen. Even so, if you have a heart or lung condition, ask your doctor before you book a helicopter tour.
Where will I stay, and what will I eat?
In Kathmandu and Pokhara you stay in 3-star hotels with breakfast included. In Chitwan you stay at a jungle lodge on the edge of the national park, with all your meals included. On the Poon Hill trek you sleep in teahouses, the family-run lodges along the trail. Rooms there are simple, and all your meals on the trek are included.
Nepali food is easy to enjoy. Dal bhat, rice with lentil soup and vegetable curry, is the national meal, and it usually comes with free refills. Vegetarian food is everywhere, too. In the cities you will also find Tibetan momos, Indian dishes and plenty of Western cafes.
How do I get around on a tour?
A Spade Himalaya representative meets you in arrivals with a name board, and private vehicles cover every airport transfer. Between cities you travel by tourist coach, which is a comfortable way to cover Nepal’s winding mountain roads. Then the 7 and 10-day tours fly back from Pokhara to Kathmandu in about 25 minutes. So you skip the long drive home.
On the 14-day tour, a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara is available as a paid upgrade. Helicopter tours leave from Kathmandu, except the Annapurna flight, which starts in Pokhara.
What will I see on a Nepal tour?
The highlights fall into four parts of the country, and each tour combines them in its own way.
Kathmandu Valley: seven monument zones under one UNESCO listing
The whole Kathmandu Valley was inscribed as a single UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, covering seven separate monument zones. Every itinerary spends a full day at four of them. They are Swayambhunath on its hilltop and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Also on the list are Pashupatinath, the Hindu temple complex beside the Bagmati, and the great white dome of Boudhanath. Then the 10 and 14-day tours add two more on a second day. Bhaktapur keeps its old street plan with cars banned from the core, and Patan is full of Newar temples and courtyards.
Pokhara and the Annapurna views
Pokhara sits beside Phewa Lake, where you can row out to the Tal Barahi temple on its island. Above the town, the Sarangkot viewpoint looks straight at Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m), Annapurna I (8,091 m) and Machhapuchhre (6,993 m) at sunrise. The 7-day tour includes the Sarangkot sunrise, and on the 14-day tour it makes an easy morning on your free day.
Poon Hill and the Gurung villages
On the 10 and 14-day tours you walk up through rhododendron forest to Poon Hill at 3,210 m for sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Then you descend to Ghandruk, one of Nepal’s largest Gurung villages, whose men have served in Gurkha regiments for well over a century. Its small museum shows Gurung dress, tools and homes.
Chitwan National Park
Chitwan was established in 1973 as Nepal’s first protected area, and it joined the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1984. The park covers 952.63 square kilometres of forest and grassland, and 643 bird species have been recorded there. On a safari you go out by jeep, drift down the Rapti River in a dugout canoe, walk with trained naturalists, and spend an evening with the Tharu community.
What should I sort out before I travel?
Most visitors get their Nepal visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport or apply online beforehand. Our visa guide explains both routes and the current fees.
Next, arrange travel and medical insurance, which is a must on every multi-day tour. If your tour includes the Poon Hill trek, the policy must cover helicopter rescue. For the helicopter tours, check the insurance note on each trip page.
Finally, visit a travel health clinic a few weeks before you fly. They can advise on vaccinations and medicines for your route.
Is Nepal safe for a tour?
Most visits to Nepal pass without trouble. As anywhere, though, check your own government’s travel advice before you go. Our guide to whether Nepal is safe to visit covers crime, roads, weather and health in plain terms.
On our multi-day tours your guide stays with you, and we carry a first-aid kit with an oximeter. We also provide safe drinking water by filter or purification tablets, so you do not need to buy bottled water.
How do I book a Nepal tour, and what if I need to cancel?
Booking takes three steps:
- Tell us your dates and group size through our contact page. Or, if you want to change an itinerary, use the customise your trip form.
- We confirm the itinerary and your price in writing, based on the size of your group.
- You pay a deposit to secure the booking, by card, bank transfer or another approved method. The balance is then due before your trip starts.
If you need to cancel, tell us in writing. Your refund depends on how close you are to the start date.
| If you cancel | What you get back |
|---|---|
| More than 30 days before departure | A full refund, minus a small administrative fee |
| 15 to 30 days before departure | 50% |
| 14 days or fewer before departure | No refund |
So we recommend travel insurance that covers cancellation. The full details are in our booking terms.
Why book a private tour with Spade Himalaya?
- We are based in Kathmandu. We are a Nepali trekking and tour company, and we run these tours ourselves.
- Your trip is private. You set the dates and the pace, and you can change any day of the itinerary.
- Our prices are public. Every trip page shows the price for every group size, including the solo rate.
- The inclusions are in writing. Each trip page lists what is included and what is not, so there are no surprises.
- Our staff are looked after. We pay, feed, house and insure everyone we employ on your trip.
Not sure which tour fits? Our guide to planning a trip to Nepal walks through trip lengths, budgets and routes. Or simply send us your dates, and we will suggest the best fit.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need for a Nepal tour?
Three days is enough for a Chitwan safari. One week gives you a first look at Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara. With 10 days you can add a short trek to Poon Hill, and two weeks lets you combine all of it at an easy pace.
Can I combine a tour with a trek?
Yes. The 10 and 14-day itineraries already include the 4-day Poon Hill trek. You can also add the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek or one of our longer treks to any tour, and we will adjust the dates for you.
Is a Nepal tour suitable for families or older travellers?
Yes, especially the 7-day itinerary and the Chitwan safari, which involve no trekking and sleep no higher than 1,400 m. The 10 and 14-day tours also suit active families and older travellers who walk regularly, but the stone steps on the trek are hard on the knees.
Are meals included?
Breakfast is included at every hotel. All meals are included at the Chitwan jungle lodge and on the Poon Hill trek. Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu and Pokhara are not included, so you can eat wherever you like.
How much should I tip?
Tips are not included, and they are always your choice. As a guide, many travellers give their guide around US$10 to US$15 a day and a trekking porter US$7 to US$10 a day, plus something for the drivers.
Can I start the Chitwan safari from Pokhara?
Yes. The safari starts and ends in either Kathmandu or Pokhara, so it slots in easily before or after a trek in the Annapurna region.
What happens if a flight or helicopter is delayed by weather?
Mountain flights and helicopters need clear weather, so delays do happen. For that reason, we suggest leaving a spare day in Kathmandu or Pokhara after any flight. Extra costs caused by a weather delay, such as an extra hotel night, are not included in the price, and each trip page explains what happens if the weather never clears.
Can I change the itinerary?
Yes. Because every tour is private, you can add nights, swap a day, or add extras such as paragliding in Pokhara or the Everest mountain flight. Just tell us when you enquire.
Do I need a guide for sightseeing in Kathmandu?
You can visit the heritage sites on your own. Still, a guide turns a row of temples into a story, handles the tickets, and gets you through the traffic. That is why every one of our tours includes one.
What currency are the prices in?
All prices are in US dollars, per person. Each trip page shows the exact price for your group size.
Accuracy note: The prices, inclusions and routes on this page were taken from each trip page in October 2026. If a trip page ever differs from this page, the trip page is correct. The Chitwan National Park facts come from the park authority and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. Peak heights for Dhaulagiri I and Annapurna I follow the Department of Tourism’s Mountaineering in Nepal: Facts and Figures 2026.