Cultural Tours
Three Civilisations in One Country
Nepal sits where Tibetan Buddhism, Indian Hinduism and indigenous animist traditions have layered for 2,000 years. Visit medieval royal cities, sacred pilgrimage sites, and the birthplace of the Buddha — all within a 200 km radius.
All Cultural Tours trips
13 hand-crafted cultural tours itineraries — from short tasters to multi-week expeditions.
Nepal Exploration
10 daysFrom $1,350
Tamang Heritage Trek
10 daysFrom $1,400
Wonders of Nepal
10 daysFrom $1,799
Mani Rimdu Festival Trek in Everest Region
13 daysFrom $2,080
Best of Nepal Tour
12 daysFrom $995
Best of Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet
21 daysFrom $3,375
Best of Nepal and Bhutan Tour
14 daysFrom $2,350
Nepal and Bhutan Tour
13 daysFrom $2,300
Himalayan Food Exploration Tour
11 daysFrom $2,999
Where Buddha Was Born and Pagodas Were Invented
The Lumbini garden in southern Nepal is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama — the Buddha — and one of Buddhism's four holiest sites. The Kathmandu Valley invented the pagoda architectural form, which Nepali craftsman Araniko exported to China and Japan in the 13th century via the court of Kublai Khan.
Nepal holds 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 7 in the Kathmandu Valley (Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath and the four Durbar Squares), Lumbini, Sagarmatha National Park, and Chitwan National Park. A 7-10 day cultural circuit covers all the cultural ones with time to spare.
Featured cultural tours sites
Best season & permits
When to go
Permits
- $10Kathmandu Durbar SquareForeign entry fee · Day pass
- $18Bhaktapur Durbar SquareHighest-fee site — includes museum access
- $10Patan Durbar SquareIncludes the Patan Museum
- FreeLumbini Sacred GardenFree to enter; Maya Devi Temple separate