Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu
You'll be picked up at the airport by an Approved Holidays representative and taken to your hotel. After you get settled in, there's a quick orientation covering the activities coming up over the next few days.
- Day 2
Kathmandu Heritage Sites
Following breakfast, you'll head out to see some important Hindu and Buddhist sites around the area. The day takes you to Swoyambhunath Stupa sitting on a hilltop, then Pashupatinath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and Boudhanath Stupa with its distinctive prayer flags. You'll finish at Patan Durbar Square, which has artistic temples and sculptures throughout the grounds.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Swoyambhunath Stupa
- Visit Pashupatinath Temple
- Visit Boudhanath Stupa
- Visit Patan Durbar Square
Landmarks/POIs Swoyambhunath Stupa Pashupatinath Temple Boudhanath Stupa Patan Durbar Square - Day 3
Bhaktapur and Nagarkot
After breakfast, you'll drive south to Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the old royal palace from the Bhaktapur kingdom with medieval architecture and temples. From there, you continue to Nagarkot, a hilltop town where you can see views of snowy peaks in the distance. You'll end the day watching the sunset from this vantage point.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Landmarks/POIs Bhaktapur Durbar Square Nyatapola Temple Golden Gate - Day 4
Nagarkot to Pokhara
Get up early to catch the sunrise over golden peaks including Langtang, Manaslu, Annapurna and Dorje Lhakpa from Nagarkot. After breakfast, you'll drive to Kathmandu and head toward Pokhara on the Prithvi Highway, which takes about 8 hours total. Check into your hotel there, then spend the afternoon taking boat rides and walking through the tourist areas.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Sunrise viewing at Nagarkot
- Boat riding in Pokhara
- Day 5
Pokhara Activities
After breakfast, you'll go boating on Fewa Lake and visit the island temple. Later, you can either hike through woodlands to World Peace Stupa and Pumdikot, or check out Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Mahadev before driving up to the stupa. From up there, you'll see snowcapped mountains like Machhapurchchhre, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Himchuli before heading back to the hotel for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boating in Fewa Lake
- Visit island temple in Fewa Lake
Optional Activities
- Hiking to World Peace Stupa and Pumdikot via green woodlands
- Visit Davis Falls
- Visit Gupteshwor Mahadev
- Drive uphill to World Peace Stupa and Pumdikot
Landmarks/POIs Fewa Lake World Peace Stupa Davis Falls Gupteshwor Mahadev - Day 6
Pokhara to Lumbini via Tansen
Head out early to Sarangkot hilltop for dawn views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. After breakfast, you'll drive southwest to Lumbini via the scenic Tansen mountain road. Tansen is an old hill town with traditional Newari architecture, mountain views, and the Terai plains spreading out below.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Sarangkot hilltop for dawn views
Landmarks/POIs Sarangkot Tansen - Day 7
Lumbini
You'll spend the full day exploring what Lumbini has to offer. Visit the restored Maya Devi Temple, which has a stone image of Maya Devi giving birth to Buddha. Check out the Ashok Pillar that marks Lumbini as Buddha's birthplace. Walk through ancient stupas, monasteries, and the newer international monastery areas to understand the religious and cultural importance of this site.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Maya Devi Temple
- Visit Ashok Pillar
- Explore ancient stupas and monasteries
Landmarks/POIs Maya Devi Temple Ashok Pillar - Day 8
Travel to Chitwan National Park
After breakfast, you'll drive to Chitwan National Park, which takes roughly 4 to 5 hours. Once you arrive, check in at the hotel and a nature guide will walk you through what's coming next. Relax at the hotel, and after lunch, explore the National Park in Sauraha before returning to the hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Sauraha and Chitwan National Park
Landmarks/POIs Chitwan National Park - Day 9
Chitwan Jungle Activities
Your jungle day starts after breakfast with a canoe ride down the Rapti River for bird watching, then you'll visit the elephant breeding center and take a walk through the jungle. Back at the hotel for lunch and a rest, then you'll choose between an elephant safari or jeep safari. You'll return in the evening and watch a Tharu community cultural dance show before settling in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Canoe ride on Rapti River for bird watching
- Visit elephant breeding center
- Jungle walk
- Elephant or jeep safari
- Local Tharu cultural dance show
Landmarks/POIs Rapti River - Day 10
Return to Kathmandu
After breakfast, you'll drive back to Kathmandu through flat lands and grassy hillsides on the Prithvi Highway. You'll stop somewhere along the way for lunch. Once you reach Kathmandu, head to your hotel and take the evening to rest and relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
- Day 11
Departure
Your representative will arrange your transfer to the airport or station for your next destination. Thanks for spending time exploring Nepal's cultural sites and natural areas.
