Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu
You'll arrive at the airport and meet your representative who'll handle your transfer to the hotel in Thamel. Once you check in, the rest of the day is yours to walk through the vibrant streets around your hotel and get oriented after travel. It's a good time to grab some food, find a local café, and just settle into the rhythm of being in Kathmandu.
Optional Activities
- Visit Open Cremation Place at Pashupatinath Temple
- Visit Royal Palace Museum (Narayanhity)
- Visit Garden of Dreams
- Explore Thamel streets and shops
Landmarks/POIs Pashupatinath Temple Narayanhity Royal Palace Museum Garden of Dreams - Day 2
Kathmandu
After breakfast, your guide takes you through Kathmandu's major religious and cultural sites. You'll see Durbar Square with its intricate architecture, then head to the Monkey Temple for those panoramic views over the city. From there, you'll visit Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most sacred Hindu sites, and finish at Boudhanath Stupa, a significant Buddhist monument that's been standing for centuries. It's a full day of walking through history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Visit Swyambhunath Temple (Monkey Temple)
- Visit Pashupatinath Temple
- Visit Guweyswori Temple
- Visit Boudhanath Stupa (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Optional Activities
- Observe traditional Hindu cremation ceremony at Pashupatinath Temple
Landmarks/POIs Kathmandu Durbar Square Swyambhunath Temple Pashupatinath Temple Guweyswori Temple Boudhanath Stupa - Day 3
Kathmandu to Pokhara
The drive to Pokhara takes about 6 to 7 hours depending on the roads. Along the way you'll see green hills and countryside as you travel through Nepal's landscape. Once you arrive, you'll check into your hotel and have the rest of the day to relax and recover from the long drive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Fewa Lake - Day 4
Pokhara
You'll start by seeing the Seti Gandaki River, which has that distinctive milky color from limestone in the soil. Then head to nearby Tibetan settlements where you can look through handicrafts and carpets. Later you'll check out Davi's Waterfall, visit Gupteswor Mahadev cave, and spend some time at the International Mountain Museum learning about the region.
Included Activities
- Visit Seti Gandaki River
- Visit Tibetan settlements
- Visit Davi's Waterfall
- Visit Gupteswor Mahadev
- Visit International Mountain Museum
Optional Activities
- Browse and purchase Tibetan handicrafts and carpets
Landmarks/POIs Seti Gandaki River Davi's Waterfall Gupteswor Mahadev International Mountain Museum - Day 5
Pokhara
Wake early and drive to Sarangkot for views of the Pokhara Valley and mountains like Annapurna and Fishtail. From there you'll trek down to Pokhara through Nayapul. In the afternoon, you'll take a boat on Phewa Lake out to Peace Stupa, where the mountain reflections in the water make for a quiet way to end your day.
Included Activities
- Visit Sarangkot viewpoint
- Trek from Sarangkot to Pokhara via Nayapul
- Boat ride on Phewa Lake to Peace Stupa
Landmarks/POIs Sarangkot Phewa Lake World Peace Pagoda - Day 6
Nayapul to Trekking Lodge
You'll drive to Nayapul (about an hour and a half), then begin trekking through local villages and past teahouses on green hills. The walking takes you over rivers and you'll meet locals along the route. As the day goes on, the trail gets steeper at Tikhedunga Khola where you'll cross a suspension bridge and climb stone steps with views of Mt. Annapurna South and Hiunchuli starting to appear.
Included Activities
- Trek from Nayapul through local villages and teahouses
- Cross Tikhedunga Khola suspension bridge
- Trek with views of Mt. Annapurna South and Hiunchuli
Landmarks/POIs Mt. Annapurna South Hiunchuli - Day 7
Trekking Through Forest
This trekking day has you walking through lush jungles and dense forests. You might spot rhododendron flowers, colorful birds, and some wildlife. The snow-capped mountains stay visible throughout, making for nice views while you're hiking through the trees and greenery.
Included Activities
- Trek through lush jungles and forests
- Observe rhododendron flowers and birds
Optional Activities
- Wildlife observation
- Day 8
Trekking to Tadapani
Get up early to catch the sunrise and see the mountain views at their best. You'll see Annapurna South, Bahari Shikhar, Hiuchuli, Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, and several other peaks including Machhapuchhre. The trek starts with a steep climb up to Deurali Pass, then comes down to Tadapani for the afternoon portion.
Included Activities
- Early morning sunrise viewing
- Trek to Deurali Pass
- Trek down to Tadapani
Landmarks/POIs Annapurna South Dhaulagiri Machhapuchhre Mt. Manaslu - Day 9
Tadapani to Ghandruk to Pokhara
You'll trek toward Ghandruk, a large Gurung community village. Along the way you pass through Baisi Kharka, a buffalo pasture area. Once in Ghandruk, there's a museum where you can learn about Gurung heritage and culture. After some time there, you head to Kimche, then drive back to Pokhara (about 3 hours). It's a mixed day of trekking and driving.
Included Activities
- Trek through Baisi Kharka
- Visit Ghandruk village
- Visit Gurung Culture Museum
- Trek to Kimche
Landmarks/POIs Ghandruk Gurung Culture Museum - Day 10
Pokhara to Lumbini
The drive to Lumbini covers about 160 kilometers and takes several hours. Lumbini is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites and the birthplace of Lord Buddha. You'll check into your hotel and rest after the long journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Lumbini - Day 11
Lumbini to Bardiya National Park
You'll spend the morning exploring the sacred garden at Lumbini, seeing the Ashoka pillar, Pushkarini pond, Maya Devi temple, and various meditation sites. There are also residential monasteries you can visit. Later you drive to Bardiya National Park (6 to 7 hours), passing through traditional Nepali villages and countryside. You'll arrive tired but get checked in and rest at the park.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ashoka pillar
- Visit Pushkarini pond
- Visit Maya Devi temple
- Visit meditation site
- Visit residential monastery for monks
- Tour monastic establishments in monastery zone
Landmarks/POIs Ashoka Pillar Maya Devi Temple - Day 12
Bardiya National Park
Bardiya National Park has over 50 mammal species including rhinos, wild elephants, Bengal tigers, and Gangetic dolphins. You'll visit the crocodile breeding center and walk through Tharu villages to see local culture and traditions. A jungle walk lets you see the park's wildlife and plants up close.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Crocodile breeding center
- Tharu village tour
- Jungle walk with flora and fauna observation
Landmarks/POIs Bardiya National Park - Day 13
Bardiya to Kathmandu
You'll drive to Nepalgunj early in the morning and catch a flight back to Kathmandu. After landing, the rest of the day is yours to relax and recover. It's a good time to walk through Thamel's streets and pick up some souvenirs and gifts for people back home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu
- Explore Thamel district
Optional Activities
- Shop for souvenirs in Thamel
Landmarks/POIs Thamel - Day 14
Bhaktapur - Patan
Start by walking through Bhaktapur Durbar Square, another UNESCO site, then see the Nyatapola Temple and check out Pottery Square where you can try making pottery using traditional methods. Next, head to Patan Durbar Square for more UNESCO sites like the Krishna Temple. Before you finish, visit the Patan Museum, the Golden Temple, and Banglamukhi Temple to round out the day.
Included Activities
- Visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Visit Nyatapola Temple
- Visit Pottery Square
- Visit Patan Durbar Square (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Visit Krishna Temple
- Visit Patan Museum
- Visit Golden Temple
- Visit Banglamukhi Temple
Optional Activities
- Take pottery-making class using traditional methods at Pottery Square
Landmarks/POIs Bhaktapur Durbar Square Nyatapola Temple Patan Durbar Square Krishna Temple Patan Museum Golden Temple Banglamukhi Temple - Day 15
Departure from Kathmandu
Your trip ends today after breakfast. A representative will pick you up in a private van and drive you to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport about three hours before your scheduled flight. From there you'll head home or to your next destination.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport
