If you are looking at Nepal tour packages for 2026, you have probably narrowed things down to two names on the Next Trip Nepal site: the 10 Days Nepal Tour and the 12 Days Nepal Highlights Tour. Both cover Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan. Neither involves trekking or climbing. Both are open to families, older travelers, and first time visitors who want to see the country without walking uphill for six hours a day. So the real question is not “which tour is better” in some abstract sense. It is “which two extra days actually buy you, and is that worth it for your own trip.”
This article is a direct, numbers based comparison. We are not going to tell you that one tour is magical and the other is merely good. We are going to lay out exactly what each itinerary includes, what the company’s own published comparison table says, what the extra two days on the 12 day version are officially stated to add, and how to decide based on your budget, your dates, your energy levels, and who you are traveling with. Wherever we do not have confirmed details for the 12 day tour beyond its comparison against the 10 day tour, we say so plainly rather than guessing.
By the end of this page you should know exactly which tour fits your situation, and if you still have questions, you can reach the company directly on WhatsApp at +977 9869225929 or by email at nexttripnepal@gmail.com.
Most people searching for a Nepal package in 2026 are not choosing between a beach holiday and a mountain trip. They already know they want Kathmandu’s temples, Pokhara’s lake and hill views, and a Chitwan wildlife stop, and they are simply trying to work out how many days that combination actually needs. Two days does not sound like a large gap on paper, yet it changes your flight dates, your total leave from work, your total spend on hotels and meals not covered by the package, and in a few specific spots, the actual list of places you visit. We would rather walk you through the real tradeoffs point by point than tell you both tours are equally wonderful and leave you to guess.
The Core Question: What Are You Actually Comparing
Before getting into details, it helps to frame the comparison correctly. Both tours are built around the same three destinations: Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan. Neither is a trek. Neither requires any hiking experience, special gear, or high altitude acclimatization, since the highest point on the 10 day version is Sarangkot at 1,592 meters, reached by vehicle, not on foot. The 12 day tour, based on the official comparison, follows essentially the same core circuit with two specific additions.
So this is not a comparison between a short trip and a completely different trip. It is a comparison between:
- A tightly organized 10 day version that covers every major highlight in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan without extra padding.
- A 12 day version that keeps the same three destination structure but adds a Nagarkot sunrise excursion and spends more time on Bhaktapur, giving deeper coverage of the Kathmandu Valley specifically.
That is the whole difference, at least based on what the company has published in its own direct comparison. There is no claim here that the 12 day tour visits a fourth destination, adds a different region, or changes the Pokhara or Chitwan portions. If you want confirmation on the 12 day tour’s own day by day breakdown, price, and inclusions, the company recommends checking that tour’s own page directly or asking through WhatsApp or email, since this article draws only on the comparison table published on the 10 day tour’s page.
10 Days Nepal Tour: Full Snapshot
Here is what you get on the 10 day version, exactly as published by the company for 2026 departures.
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Duration | 10 days, 9 nights |
| Destinations | Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan |
| Trip style | Cultural and wildlife tour, no trekking |
| Maximum altitude | 1,592 meters at Sarangkot, reached by vehicle |
| Difficulty | Easy, suitable for all ages |
| Starting price | USD 1,100 per person |
| Advance payment | None required, pay after arrival in Kathmandu |
The day by day structure looks like this.
| Day | Location | Main Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Kathmandu (1,400m) | Arrival, airport transfer, Thamel orientation, briefing, welcome dinner |
| Day 2 | Kathmandu | Swayambhunath Stupa, Patan Durbar Square, Patan Museum, Golden Temple |
| Day 3 | Kathmandu to Pokhara (884m) | Drive along Prithvi Highway, 200 kilometers, through the Trishuli River gorge |
| Day 4 | Pokhara | Sarangkot sunrise (1,592m), Naudada ridge walk, Bindhyabasini Temple |
| Day 5 | Pokhara | Phewa Lake rowboat, Tal Barahi Temple, World Peace Pagoda hike, Davis Falls, Gupteshwor Cave |
| Day 6 | Pokhara to Chitwan (415m) | Drive 4 to 5 hours, Sauraha check in, Tharu village visit, cultural dance evening |
| Day 7 | Chitwan | Morning guided jungle walk, Rapti River canoe ride, afternoon jeep safari |
| Day 8 | Chitwan to Kathmandu | Drive 5 to 6 hours, optional Manakamana cable car stop, Pashupatinath Temple evening visit |
| Day 9 | Kathmandu | Bhaktapur full day: Durbar Square, Nyatapola Temple, Pottery Square, 55 Window Palace, Golden Gate |
| Day 10 | Kathmandu | Free morning, final Thamel shopping, airport transfer, departure |
Notice how packed this schedule is. There is essentially one rest morning across the entire trip, on Day 10, and even that morning is used for shopping before the flight out. Every other day has a specific destination or activity attached to it. This density is exactly what makes the 10 day version appealing to people who want to see everything but cannot spare two extra weeks away from work or family.
For a full breakdown of inclusions, exclusions, and booking terms, the 10 Days Nepal Tour page has the complete itinerary and current pricing.
12 Days Nepal Highlights Tour: What Is Officially Different
This is where we have to be careful and precise, because the source material for this comparison is the 10 day tour’s own comparison table, not a full independent breakdown of the 12 day tour. Based on what the company states directly, the 12 Day Nepal Highlights Tour is described as adding a Nagarkot sunrise excursion and a deeper Bhaktapur experience on top of essentially the same core circuit as the 10 day tour.
What that means in practical terms:
- Nagarkot is a hill town east of Kathmandu Valley, known for sunrise mountain views, and the 12 day tour includes a dedicated visit there that the 10 day tour does not.
- Bhaktapur, which both tours visit, gets more time and depth on the 12 day version according to the comparison table, though the source material does not specify exact additional hours or a separate itinerary for this.
- The 12 day tour also includes Boudhanath Stupa in addition to Pashupatinath Temple, while the 10 day tour includes Pashupatinath only.
- In exchange, the 12 day tour appears to drop the Naudada ridge walk near Pokhara, which the 10 day tour does include.
We do not have the 12 day tour’s own price, its exact hotel categories, its meal plan, or a full day by day breakdown beyond this comparison. If those details matter to your decision, and they probably do, the right move is to check the 12 day tour’s own page on the site directly, or to message the company on WhatsApp at +977 9869225929 or email nexttripnepal@gmail.com and ask for the full 12 day itinerary and current price before booking. This article will not invent numbers for a package it has not been given full details on.
Official Side by Side Comparison Table
This is the direct comparison the company itself publishes between the two tours. We have reproduced it exactly, without adding rows that were not part of the original.
| Feature | 10 Days Nepal Tour | 12 Days Nepal Highlights Tour |
|---|---|---|
| Swayambhunath and Patan | Included | Included |
| Pashupatinath and Boudhanath | Pashupatinath only | Both Pashupatinath and Boudhanath |
| Bhaktapur full day | Included | Included |
| Nagarkot sunrise | Not included | Included |
| Sarangkot sunrise | Included | Included |
| Naudada ridge walk | Included | Not included |
| Phewa Lake and Peace Stupa | Included | Included |
| Chitwan nights | 2 nights | 2 nights |
| Best for | First time visitors and travelers with a tight schedule | Travelers who want deeper Kathmandu Valley coverage |
Reading this table carefully tells you almost everything you need to know. The two tours share seven of nine listed features exactly. The differences are: one extra stupa visit (Boudhanath), one extra hill town sunrise excursion (Nagarkot), and one swapped activity near Pokhara (Naudada ridge walk is on the 10 day tour, not on the 12 day tour). Chitwan time is identical at 2 nights on both. Everything else in Pokhara, including Sarangkot sunrise and the Phewa Lake and Peace Stupa day, is the same on both.
Site by Site: What Overlaps and What Differs
Kathmandu Valley Heritage Sites
Since the biggest confirmed differences between these two tours sit inside the Kathmandu Valley, it is worth understanding what each named site actually is, so the comparison table means something beyond a list of names.
- Swayambhunath Stupa. Set on a hill on the western side of Kathmandu, this is one of the oldest Buddhist sites in the valley, recognizable by the painted eyes on its central stupa. Both tours include it, usually early in the Kathmandu portion of the trip.
- Patan Durbar Square. A former royal palace complex across the river from central Kathmandu, dense with carved temples, courtyards, and the Patan Museum inside the old palace building. Both tours include this, and it is often paired with Swayambhunath on the same day since the two sites are a short drive apart.
- Pashupatinath Temple. One of the most important Hindu temple complexes in South Asia, set along the Bagmati River. Both tours include a visit here, though the 10 day tour schedules it as an evening stop on Day 8, after the return drive from Chitwan.
- Boudhanath Stupa. One of the largest stupas in the world, surrounded by a circular market and a large Tibetan Buddhist community. Based on the official comparison table, this is included on the 12 day tour but not on the 10 day tour.
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square. A separate medieval city a short drive from Kathmandu, known for Nyatapola Temple, Pottery Square, and the 55 Window Palace. Both tours give this a full day, though the comparison table notes the 12 day tour offers deeper coverage of it, without specifying exact additional hours.
- Nagarkot. A hill station on the eastern rim of Kathmandu Valley, popular for sunrise mountain views. Based on the comparison table, this excursion is included on the 12 day tour and not on the 10 day tour.
Put simply, if your main interest inside Kathmandu Valley is the classic combination of Swayambhunath, Patan, and Bhaktapur, both tours already give you that. The decision really comes down to whether Boudhanath and a Nagarkot sunrise are worth two extra days and, from what we can tell, giving up the Naudada ridge walk near Pokhara.
Pokhara and Chitwan: The Portions That Are Identical on Both Tours
It is worth stating plainly what does not change between the two packages, since the comparison table shows almost the entire Pokhara and Chitwan portion is shared.
- Sarangkot sunrise. Both tours include this early morning excursion to Sarangkot at 1,592 meters, reached by vehicle, for sunrise views over the Annapurna range. On the 10 day tour this is paired with the Naudada ridge walk and a stop at Bindhyabasini Temple on the same day.
- Phewa Lake and the World Peace Pagoda. Both tours include time on Phewa Lake, typically a rowboat crossing to Tal Barahi Temple on its small island, plus a visit to the World Peace Pagoda on the hill above the lake. The 10 day tour pairs this with Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Cave on the same day.
- Chitwan, 2 nights. Both tours spend exactly 2 nights in Chitwan according to the comparison table. On the 10 day tour this includes a Tharu village visit and cultural dance evening on arrival, then a full day combining a guided jungle walk, a Rapti River canoe ride, and an afternoon jeep safari.
The one confirmed difference inside the Pokhara section is the Naudada ridge walk, which the comparison table lists as included on the 10 day tour and not included on the 12 day tour. Naudada is a ridge near Sarangkot with its own walking paths and views toward the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, and losing it on the 12 day tour is the one clear tradeoff for gaining Boudhanath and Nagarkot elsewhere in the itinerary.
Day by Day Pace: How the Extra Two Days Get Used
Since the 12 day tour is not fully detailed in our source material, we can only estimate pace based on what we know for certain: it covers the same core circuit as the 10 day tour, plus a Nagarkot sunrise excursion and more Bhaktapur time, while dropping the Naudada ridge walk. Logically, this means the two additional days are likely used for:
- A dedicated day or partial day for the Nagarkot sunrise and hill town visit, which is not part of the 10 day tour at all and would need its own travel time to and from the valley rim.
- Extra time in Bhaktapur beyond the single full day the 10 day tour allocates, possibly split across two visits or extended into a second day.
- Slightly less rushed transitions between destinations, since two extra days give more buffer for the same number of sights.
Compare that to the 10 day tour, where the pace is genuinely brisk. Days 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 each involve either a location change or multiple sightseeing stops. There is very little idle time built in. This is intentional: the 10 day tour is designed for travelers who want maximum sightseeing density with minimum trip length, not for travelers who want a slower, more spread out pace.
If you find the 10 day tour’s day by day list above already tiring to read through, that is a signal you might prefer the 12 day version’s presumably more relaxed pacing, since it covers a similar list of sights across two additional days. If instead you read that itinerary and thought “good, no wasted days,” the 10 day tour’s density is a feature, not a drawback, for you.
There is also a practical side to pace that many travelers only think about after they land. Most international flights into Kathmandu arrive after a long journey across several time zones, and Day 1 on the 10 day tour is deliberately light, limited to the airport transfer, a Thamel orientation walk, a trip briefing, and a welcome dinner. That structure gives you one evening to recover before the heritage sightseeing starts on Day 2. If the 12 day tour follows a similar arrival day pattern, which seems likely given the shared core circuit, the extra two days would mainly show up later in the trip rather than at the start, most plausibly around the Nagarkot excursion and the expanded Bhaktapur time. Again, this is a reasonable inference from the confirmed differences, not a confirmed fact about the 12 day tour’s own schedule, so treat it as a planning assumption rather than a guarantee until you have that tour’s full itinerary in hand.
Price and Value: What You Are Paying For
We can only confirm the 10 day tour’s starting price of USD 1,100 per person. We do not have a confirmed price for the 12 day tour, and we will not estimate one, since price depends on hotel categories, group size, season, and inclusions that we have not been given for that specific package. What we can say with confidence is the value structure of the 10 day tour, which includes:
| Included in 10 Day Tour Price | Detail |
|---|---|
| Airport transfers | Arrival and departure |
| Kathmandu hotel, Thamel | 3 nights, breakfast included |
| Pokhara hotel, lakeside | 3 nights, breakfast included |
| Chitwan jungle lodge, Sauraha | 2 nights, all meals included |
| Kathmandu hotel, return | 1 night, breakfast included |
| Private transport | AC vehicle and driver for the entire trip |
| Guide | Private English speaking, Nepal Tourism Board licensed, all 10 days |
| Entrance fees | Bhaktapur USD 15, Chitwan permit NPR 2,000, all listed sightseeing |
| Government taxes | Included |
What is not included on the 10 day tour, and this matters when you are budgeting: international flights, the Nepal visa fee (USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, or USD 125 for 90 days, paid in cash on arrival), travel and medical insurance (strongly recommended and required in practice for the Chitwan jungle walk and canoe ride), lunches and dinners while in Kathmandu and Pokhara, personal expenses and tips, alcohol, and the optional Pokhara flight upgrade if you want to skip the 7 hour, 200 kilometer road transfer, which runs approximately USD 85 to 150 one way.
For visa details specifically, the company’s own guide on the Nepal Tourist Visa for 2026 lays out fees, documents, and the arrival process in full.
If you are comparing total cost between the two tours, remember that two extra days on the 12 day version will add at minimum two more hotel nights, two more days of guide and vehicle service, and likely two more days of meals not included in the base price, on top of whatever the 12 day tour’s own quoted price is. Ask the company directly for the 12 day tour’s inclusion list before assuming it mirrors the 10 day tour’s structure exactly.
A useful way to think about value here is cost per day rather than the headline price alone. On the 10 day tour, USD 1,100 per person across 9 nights of hotel stays, a private guide for all 10 days, a private AC vehicle for the whole route, and 2 nights of full board in Chitwan works out to roughly USD 110 per day before you add flights, visa, insurance, and meals not covered in Kathmandu and Pokhara. When you get a quote for the 12 day tour, divide its total price by 11 nights and compare that daily figure against the 10 day tour’s roughly USD 110 per day baseline. That single number tells you quickly whether the 12 day tour is priced proportionally for two extra days, or whether it is charging a premium specifically for the Boudhanath and Nagarkot additions.
Who Fits Better With Each Tour
Who Fits Better With the 10 Day Tour
Based on the company’s own description of who completes this tour successfully, the 10 day version suits:
- First time visitors to Nepal who want to see Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan without committing two weeks of vacation time.
- Families with children of any age, since there is no trekking and no sustained physical demand beyond comfortable walking at each site.
- Older travelers. The company notes that clients in their late 70s have completed this exact itinerary with no difficulty.
- Couples and small groups who want a private guide and vehicle rather than a large tour bus experience.
- Anyone working with a fixed, limited vacation window, such as 10 to 12 days total including international flights.
If your available time off is genuinely tight, if you have already used most of your annual leave, or if you simply prefer trips that move efficiently without dead days, the 10 day tour is very likely the better fit. It hits Kathmandu’s major heritage sites, Pokhara’s lake and mountain views, and Chitwan’s wildlife experience in a schedule that leaves almost no gaps.
Who Fits Better With the 12 Day Tour
Based strictly on the official comparison table, the 12 day tour is positioned by the company as offering deeper Kathmandu Valley coverage. This suggests it is a better match for:
- Travelers whose primary interest is Kathmandu Valley’s temples, stupas, and heritage towns specifically, rather than an even split across all three destinations.
- Anyone who wants to see Boudhanath Stupa in addition to Pashupatinath Temple, since the 10 day tour includes Pashupatinath only.
- Anyone who wants a dedicated Nagarkot sunrise excursion, which is not part of the 10 day tour at all.
- Travelers with two extra days available who would rather spread the same general itinerary out at a gentler pace than compress it into 10 days.
One tradeoff worth flagging clearly: the comparison table shows the 12 day tour does not include the Naudada ridge walk near Pokhara, which the 10 day tour does include. So the 12 day tour is not simply “the 10 day tour plus more.” It swaps one Pokhara area activity for two Kathmandu Valley additions. If the Naudada ridge walk specifically appeals to you, that is a point in favor of the 10 day tour, not the 12 day one.
Physical Effort, Family Suitability, and Guide Setup
Physical Effort and Family Suitability
Neither tour involves trekking, and neither requires any hiking fitness beyond comfortable walking at each site. The 10 day tour’s own maximum altitude is 1,592 meters at Sarangkot, reached entirely by vehicle, not on foot. Given that the 12 day tour follows the same core circuit with additions rather than a different structure, there is no reason to expect it introduces trekking either, though we do not have its own altitude or activity list confirmed beyond the comparison table.
Practical notes on effort level for the 10 day tour, which likely apply similarly to the shared portions of the 12 day tour:
- The Sarangkot sunrise excursion involves a short walk at the viewpoint itself, not a climb, since the drive goes to the top.
- The World Peace Pagoda is described as a hike on Day 5, so expect a walking uphill segment there, though it is not extreme and is done at a comfortable pace with the group.
- The Chitwan jungle walk on Day 7 is a guided walk on relatively flat terrain, paired with a canoe ride, not a strenuous activity.
- Bhaktapur, Patan, and Kathmandu heritage site visits involve walking on stone streets and courtyards, comfortable for most ages but worth flat, supportive shoes.
Given that the company specifically notes clients in their late 70s have completed the 10 day tour without difficulty, and that it is marketed as suitable for children of any age, this is genuinely a low physical barrier trip. The main variable is heat and humidity in Chitwan and Kathmandu during warmer months, and cold mornings in Kathmandu during winter, rather than any physical exertion from the itinerary itself.
Group Size, Private Guides, and Why That Matters
One detail that is easy to overlook when comparing day counts and site lists is who you are traveling with on the road, not just where you are going. On the 10 day tour, the company provides a private AC vehicle and driver for the entire trip, plus a private English speaking guide who holds a Nepal Tourism Board license and stays with you for all 10 days. This is different from a shared coach tour where you are grouped with strangers on a fixed schedule.
- A private vehicle means your day can flex slightly around your pace, rather than waiting for the slowest member of a large bus group.
- A single guide for the entire trip, rather than a different local guide at each stop, means continuity. Your guide already knows your interests, your pace, and any dietary or mobility needs by Day 3, which usually makes Days 4 through 10 smoother.
- A Nepal Tourism Board license is the official credential for tour guides in Nepal, confirming the guide has met the government’s training and registration requirements rather than working informally.
- For families or older travelers specifically, a private vehicle and guide reduce the number of unknowns each day, since there is no waiting at a group meeting point or adjusting to someone else’s schedule.
We do not have separate confirmation of the exact guide and vehicle arrangement for the 12 day tour beyond it following the same general format described for the 10 day tour, but if a private guide and vehicle for the full trip length matters to your decision, it is worth confirming directly with the company when you ask about the 12 day tour’s details.
Best Season for Either Tour
The company gives clear seasonal guidance for the 10 day tour, and since the 12 day tour shares the same three destinations, the same seasonal logic should apply to it as well, even though it is not separately confirmed for that specific package.
| Season | Months | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Best season | October to November and March to May | Clear skies, comfortable temperatures, good mountain visibility |
| Cold but clear | December to February | Kathmandu nights drop to 2 to 7 degrees Celsius, but days are typically clear and the sites are quieter |
| Discouraged | June to September | Monsoon season, generally discouraged due to rain and reduced visibility |
If you are planning around Nepal’s festival calendar, timing can also affect which dates work best for either tour, since some festivals bring larger crowds to Kathmandu’s heritage sites while others close certain areas briefly. The company’s own overview of Nepal’s main festivals is worth checking against your travel dates before you lock in either the 10 day or 12 day tour.
There is one more seasonal factor worth weighing specifically for the 12 day tour’s Nagarkot addition. Sunrise viewpoints such as Nagarkot and Sarangkot depend heavily on clear morning air, and visibility is noticeably better in the dry months. If your main reason for choosing the 12 day tour is the Nagarkot sunrise itself, booking inside the October to November or March to May windows matters more for you than it would for a traveler doing the 10 day tour, since a hazy or clouded morning would reduce the very feature you added two days and, presumably, extra cost to include. Winter mornings in December through February can also produce clear views, but pack for genuinely cold conditions at altitude before dawn, since temperatures at hill viewpoints run colder than in central Kathmandu.
A Practical Decision Framework
If you are still unsure which tour to book, work through these questions in order. By the time you reach the end, you should have a clear answer.
- How many total vacation days do you actually have? If your total time off, including international flight days, is close to 10 to 12 days, the 10 day tour leaves you more buffer. If you have 14 or more days free, the extra two days on the 12 day tour cost you relatively little.
- Do you specifically want to see Boudhanath Stupa and Nagarkot? If yes, and neither is negotiable for you, the 12 day tour is the only one of the two that includes both, based on the comparison table.
- Do you specifically want the Naudada ridge walk near Pokhara? If this appeals to you, note that only the 10 day tour includes it according to the comparison table.
- Is your group traveling with young children or older family members who tire easily? The 10 day tour’s brisk pace is still manageable for all ages, but a slower two extra day version may be more comfortable if anyone in your group prefers unhurried mornings.
- What is your total budget, including the days you are not told about yet? Get the 12 day tour’s exact price and inclusion list directly from the company before comparing, since two extra hotel nights, meals, and guide days will change the total cost beyond whatever headline price is quoted.
- Do you want a confirmed, fully detailed itinerary right now? The 10 day tour’s itinerary, inclusions, and price are fully published and confirmed. If you want to book with complete certainty about what each day includes, the 10 day tour currently offers that level of detail directly on its page.
- Would you rather ask a question than guess? If any part of the 12 day tour is unclear, message the company on WhatsApp at +977 9869225929 or email nexttripnepal@gmail.com and ask for its full itinerary and current price before deciding.
Here is a condensed version of the same logic as a quick reference table.
| Your Priority | Better Fit |
|---|---|
| Shortest trip that still covers Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan | 10 Days Nepal Tour |
| Wanting Boudhanath Stupa included | 12 Days Nepal Highlights Tour |
| Wanting a Nagarkot sunrise excursion | 12 Days Nepal Highlights Tour |
| Wanting the Naudada ridge walk near Pokhara | 10 Days Nepal Tour |
| Traveling with older family members who prefer a relaxed pace | 12 Days Nepal Highlights Tour, tentatively, pending full itinerary confirmation |
| Fixed, tight vacation window of around 10 to 12 total days | 10 Days Nepal Tour |
| Wanting a fully confirmed price and day by day plan today | 10 Days Nepal Tour |
| First time visitor wanting maximum sightseeing per day spent | 10 Days Nepal Tour |
How Booking Works for the 10 Day Tour
One practical advantage worth mentioning on its own: the 10 day tour requires no advance payment. You pay after you arrive in Kathmandu, not before. This removes a common worry among travelers booking a tour from abroad, where paying a large deposit months in advance to a company you have not met yet feels risky.
To move forward with the 10 day tour, or to ask about the 12 day tour’s own details, the process is simple:
- Contact the company on WhatsApp at +977 9869225929 or by email at nexttripnepal@gmail.com.
- Confirm your travel dates against the best season guidance above, keeping in mind that October to November and March to May offer the clearest weather.
- Ask directly about your visa plan. The fee tiers and how to get your visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport are covered fully in the visa guide linked earlier in this article.
- Decide whether you want the standard road transfer between Kathmandu and Pokhara, included in the base price, or the optional flight upgrade. If you are unsure which makes sense for your trip, the company’s article on flying versus driving between Kathmandu and Pokhara breaks down the time and cost tradeoff in detail.
- Arrange your own travel insurance before departure, since it is not included in the tour price but is recommended, and required in practice for the Chitwan jungle walk and canoe activities.
- Arrive in Kathmandu, meet your guide, and pay for the tour locally rather than sending money in advance.
If you are still deciding between the 10 day and 12 day versions, there is no harm in reaching out before you finalize dates. The company can confirm the 12 day tour’s exact price and day by day plan directly, which will make the final choice much easier than guessing from a comparison table alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 10 Days Nepal Tour physically demanding?
No. It involves no trekking, and the highest point, Sarangkot at 1,592 meters, is reached by vehicle rather than on foot. The most physical single activity is the World Peace Pagoda hike on Day 5 and the guided jungle walk in Chitwan on Day 7, both done at a comfortable, unhurried pace. The company states that clients in their late 70s have completed the full itinerary without difficulty, and it is considered suitable for children of any age.
What exactly is the difference between the 10 day and 12 day tours?
Based on the company’s official comparison table, the two tours share the same core circuit through Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan, including Swayambhunath, Patan, Bhaktapur, Sarangkot sunrise, Phewa Lake, the Peace Stupa, and 2 nights in Chitwan. The 12 day tour additionally includes Boudhanath Stupa and a Nagarkot sunrise excursion, while the 10 day tour additionally includes the Naudada ridge walk near Pokhara, which the 12 day tour does not include.
Does the 12 day tour cost more than the 10 day tour?
Logically yes, since it runs two days longer and includes additional excursions, but we do not have a confirmed price for the 12 day tour in our source material. The 10 day tour starts from USD 1,100 per person. For an exact 12 day tour price, contact the company directly on WhatsApp at +977 9869225929 or by email at nexttripnepal@gmail.com.
Do I need to pay in advance to book either tour?
For the 10 day tour, no advance payment is required. You pay after you arrive in Kathmandu. We do not have confirmed payment terms for the 12 day tour, so ask the company directly when inquiring about that package.
Which tour is better for a family with young children?
Both tours avoid trekking and are built around comfortable walking rather than sustained physical effort, so either can work for families. The 10 day tour’s pace is brisk with a specific activity most days, which some families find efficient and others find a bit packed for young children. If your family prefers a slower pace with fewer transitions per day, ask about the 12 day tour’s day by day structure directly, since its extra two days may spread the same sights out more comfortably. Either way, the private vehicle and single guide for the whole trip mean you are not tied to a large group’s schedule, which on its own removes much of the stress that families associate with organized touring, regardless of which of the two durations you pick.
Is travel insurance required for these tours?
Travel and medical insurance is not included in the 10 day tour’s price, but it is strongly recommended, and required in practice for the Chitwan jungle walk, canoe ride, and jeep safari activities. Arrange this before you depart your home country, since it is difficult to purchase after arrival in Nepal. If you are considering the 12 day tour instead, treat insurance as equally necessary there, since it shares the same Chitwan jungle activities and the same general outdoor exposure through Nagarkot and the hill viewpoints.
Do either of these tours include the Nepal visa fee?
No, neither the 10 day tour’s price nor, as far as we know, the 12 day tour’s price includes the Nepal visa fee. The visa is paid in cash on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, at USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, or USD 125 for 90 days. Full details on documents and the arrival process are in the visa guide referenced earlier in this article.
Can I upgrade the Kathmandu to Pokhara leg to a flight instead of driving?
On the 10 day tour, yes. The standard included transfer is a 7 hour, 200 kilometer road journey via the Prithvi Highway, and an optional flight upgrade is available for approximately USD 85 to 150 one way. Whether the 12 day tour offers the same optional upgrade is not confirmed in our source material, so ask directly. For a full breakdown of the time and cost tradeoff between flying and driving, see the article linked earlier in the booking section above.
What is the best time of year to book either tour?
October to November and March to May offer the clearest skies and most comfortable temperatures. December to February is cold, with Kathmandu nights dropping to 2 to 7 degrees Celsius, but days are typically clear and sites are quieter, which some travelers prefer. June to September is monsoon season and generally discouraged for both tours due to rain and reduced visibility. If the Nagarkot sunrise on the 12 day tour is a major reason for your choice, lean toward the October to November or March to May windows specifically, since sunrise viewpoints depend on clear morning air more than any other single activity on either itinerary.
Where can I see the full 12 day tour itinerary and price?
This article draws only on the official comparison table published on the 10 day tour’s page, which covers specific inclusion differences but not a full day by day breakdown or price for the 12 day tour. For the complete 12 day itinerary and current pricing, check that tour’s own page on the site, or contact the company directly on WhatsApp at +977 9869225929 or by email at nexttripnepal@gmail.com.
Final Recommendation and How to Book
If you need a short, direct answer: choose the 10 day tour if your available time is limited, if you want a fully confirmed itinerary and price today, or if the Naudada ridge walk near Pokhara matters to you. Choose the 12 day tour if you specifically want Boudhanath Stupa and a Nagarkot sunrise excursion added to the same core circuit, and you have two extra days and a flexible enough budget to accommodate them, once you confirm the exact price directly with the company.
For most first time visitors working with a standard vacation window, the 10 Days Nepal Tour covers Kathmandu’s major heritage sites, Pokhara’s lake and mountain views, and Chitwan’s wildlife experience in a schedule that starts from USD 1,100 per person, requires no advance payment, and has been completed comfortably by travelers of every age group the company has taken through it, including clients in their late 70s.
Whichever tour you are leaning toward, the safest next step is the same: reach out before you book. Message the company on WhatsApp at +977 9869225929 or by email at nexttripnepal@gmail.com, confirm your dates against the best season windows above, ask any remaining questions about the 12 day tour’s specific price and itinerary if that is the direction you are considering, and get a clear answer before you commit either way.
