Nepal: Kathmandu, Pokhara & Chitwan

Pashupatinath, sunrise at Sarangkot, Phewa Lake and a jungle safari in Chitwan, by private car.

Your route

1. 1 Kathmandu 2 nights
2. 2 Pokhara 2 nights
3. 3 Chitwan 2 nights
4. 4 Kathmandu 1 night

1. Day 1 Kathmandu

   Arrive, free evening.

   Welcome to Nepal. Indian nationals do not need a visa and can enter with a passport or voter ID card. Our representative meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu with a welcome drink and transfers you to your hotel. Rest and settle in. In the evening, take an easy walk through Thamel, the lively tourist area full of shops, cafes and restaurants, and try steamed momos. Kathmandu sits at about 1,400 metres, so evenings are cool, especially in winter. Overnight in Kathmandu.

2. Day 2 Kathmandu

   Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Durbar Square.

   A day of Kathmandu's UNESCO sites. Visit Pashupatinath, the great temple of Lord Shiva on the banks of the Bagmati river, one of the holiest Hindu shrines. Then see Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world, and Swayambhunath, the Monkey Temple on a hilltop with views over the valley. Explore Kathmandu Durbar Square, the old royal palace square with pagoda temples. Dress modestly at temples and walk clockwise around the stupas. Only Hindus may enter Pashupatinath's main temple. Overnight in Kathmandu.

3. Day 3 Pokhara

   Drive to Pokhara.

   After breakfast, drive to Pokhara, about 200 km and six to seven hours, along the Trishuli river, with rafting points, villages and terraced hills. The optional Manakamana cable car to a hilltop temple can be added on the way at extra cost. Pokhara sits beside Phewa Lake with the Annapurna range behind it. Check in and enjoy a walk along the lakeside in the evening. The road is winding and can be slow, so motion sickness tablets help. Pokhara is warmer than Kathmandu. Overnight in Pokhara.

4. Day 4 Pokhara

   Sarangkot sunrise, Phewa Lake.

   Wake before dawn and drive up to Sarangkot to watch the sunrise light up the Annapurna peaks and the fish-tailed Machhapuchhre, weather permitting. After breakfast, visit Devi's Fall, where a stream disappears underground, and the Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave opposite. In the afternoon, take a boat across Phewa Lake to the island temple of Tal Barahi. Paragliding over the lake is available at extra cost. Pokhara's lakeside is full of cafes and shops, perfect for a relaxed evening with views of the boats on the water. Overnight in Pokhara.

5. Day 5 Chitwan

   Drive to Chitwan.

   Drive from Pokhara to Chitwan National Park, about five hours, down into the warm subtropical plains of the Terai. Chitwan is a UNESCO site and home to the one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tigers, elephants and many birds. Check in to your jungle resort and enjoy lunch. In the evening, take a walk through a Tharu village to learn about the local culture. Chitwan is warm for most of the year, so carry light cotton clothes, a hat and insect repellent for the evenings outdoors. Overnight in Chitwan.

6. Day 6 Chitwan

   Jungle safari, canoe, Tharu dance.

   A full day of jungle activities. Take a canoe ride on the Rapti river to see crocodiles and birds, and a jungle walk with naturalists. Then set out on a jeep safari into the park to look for rhinos, deer and, with luck, a tiger. Visit an elephant breeding centre. In the evening, watch the Tharu stick dance, a lively cultural performance. Carry insect repellent. Wear earth-coloured clothes on safari and keep your voice low to avoid disturbing the animals. Overnight in Chitwan.

7. Day 7 Kathmandu

   Drive back to Kathmandu.

   After breakfast, drive back to Kathmandu, about five to six hours, along the Trishuli river valley. Check in to your hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure. Visit Patan Durbar Square, with its fine Newari temples and museum, or shop for pashmina, singing bowls, thangka paintings and tea in Thamel. Enjoy a farewell dinner with Nepali dal bhat. Nepal's thangka paintings and singing bowls make lovely gifts, and bargaining is expected in the shops of Thamel and Patan. Overnight in Kathmandu.

8. Day 8 Kathmandu

   Departure.

   After breakfast, check out of your hotel. Depending on your flight time, visit the Garden of Dreams or enjoy a final walk. Our representative transfers you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home. Please reach two to three hours before departure, as the airport can be busy. Indian rupee notes of 100 and below are widely accepted in Nepal, along with the Nepali rupee. Your journey through Nepal ends here, with memories of temples, mountain sunrises and rhinos in the Chitwan jungle.

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