UNESCO World heritage tour of Nepal

Visiting the UNESCO World heritage sites of Nepal is the best way to see the country. There are four UNESCO Heritage sites in Nepal. They are : Kathmandu, Sagarmatha (Everest) National park, Chitwan national park and Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. While Sagarmatha and Chitwan national parks are enlisted under the natural heritage, Kathmandu and Lumbini are the cultural heritage.

The best Sampler Tour of Nepal

The UNESCO World heritage tour of Nepal is the best sampler tour of Nepal as it includes a visit of the Himalayan valley to the nature and culture of tropical lowland and the lush middle hills in between. Nepal is a mountainous country rising from tropical lowland to the top of the world within a short distance. The ancient spiritual practices and the rare specimens of flora and fauna survived in the lush and isolated valleys of Nepal dominated by the daunting peaks. The heritage tour visits the Everest national park in the Himalayas and Kathmandu valley in the middle hilly region. Similarly other two UNESCO Heritage sites – Chitwan national park and Lumbini are in the tropical lowland of Terai. Chitwan National park preserves the last numbers of Asian single horned Rhinos and the Royal Bengal Tigers. Lumbini, the birth place of Buddha has become a popular pilgrimage site as well as one of the main tourist attractions. The tour is a great way to see the diverse culture, landscape and ecology.

Four UNESCO Heritage sites of Nepal

The four UNESCO world heritage sites of Nepal represent the natural and cultural heritage of the country. Sagarmatha (Everest) national park and Chitwan national park are listed under the natural heritage sites and Kathmandu and Lumbini are the cultural heritage sites.

1 Sagarmatha National park

Sagarmatha (Everest) national park comprises the highest mountains, glaciers; alpine lakes thrived by the Tibetan Buddhist Sherpa renowned for mountaineering. The valley dominated by Mt Everest is also home to endangered Snow leopard and lesser Panda. These hidden valleys dotted with rustic old monasteries and stupas preserved the oldest form of Tibetan Buddhism as it was.

2 Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu valley in the middle hilly region, has been the refuge for several spiritual practices from the Indian subcontinent. Over 10,000 monuments and artifacts scattered around the valley are still part of the practice and are celebrated making it a living heritage. The seven groups of monuments have been together listed Kathmandu as a UNESCO world heritage site.

3 Chitwan national park

The 950 sq km of Chitwan national park is the last vestiges of the Terai jungle that once spread over the area of 70,000 square km. The last numbers of Asian one horned Rhinos and the Royal Bengal Tigers are preserved in Chitwan along with many other endangered species. The jungle is also home for both winter and summer migratory birds coming all the way from Siberia.

4 Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha

The ancient temple ruins, Puskarini pond (where Buddha took first bath) and the 3rd century BC, Ashoka pillar with inscription mentioning his tribute to the birth place of Buddha are now protected and developed into a 6X2 km park. With the meticulous excavation, the marker stone inside the ancient Mayadevi temple that pinpointed the birth place of Buddha also has been discovered. Lumbini at present is a pilgrimage site as well as the center for visitors on spiritual quest. With over 60 excavations in the area and discoveries of important artifacts and structures related to Buddha, the greater Lumbini circuit is attracting the world’s attention.

How long does it take for the heritage tour of Nepal ?

The UNESCO world heritage tour of Nepal takes from 8 days to 14 days depending upon the mode of transportation, activities. 

Nepal Heritage Tour - 14 Days

With a short cultural trek in Everest national park and driving tour of Chitwan and Lumbini, the Nepal heritage tour is of two weeks. This is the best way to immerse into culture and enjoy the diverse nature and landscape of Himalayas, hills and Terai. The tour could be organized with luxury lodges and hotels or with teahouses and standard hotels.

Nepal Heritage Tour - 14 Day

Visit all UNESCO Heritage sites of Nepal in a week

For those limited in time or if trekking is not their thing, there is also an option of helicopter flight to Everest base camp. With the Everest experience flight and customized aerial journey the tour could be done within a week. It is also popular to customize heritage tours with helicopter flight and one night in the Everest view hotel and back.

Customize Heritage Tour

When is the best time to do the heritage tour of Nepal?

The best time to do the UNESCO Heritage tour of Nepal is from October – November and March – April. The temperature in Everest ranges from 6°C to -5°C . While in lowland temperature ranges between 30 – 10 °C. Days are clear, sunny and warm during the period. Since the highest point of the tour is 3,440 m at Namche bazaar, it is possible to do the tour throughout the winter months. Lodges with insulations and heated beds are available throughout the short trek.

How much the heritage tour costs?

The UNESCO Heritage tour of Nepal costs from 1800 to 4,500 depending upon the standard of hotels, mode of transportation and other services. With short teahouse trek in Everest and standard hotels around, minimum cost of the tour is USD 1,800 per person. There are deluxe and luxury lodges available with en-suite bathroom, insulated room and heated beds. Accordingly the price increases. Similarly the helicopter tour of Everest base camp reduces the tour days but increase the cost of the tour.