Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu
You'll arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport and get picked up by an Escape Himalaya representative who'll drive you to your hotel in Kathmandu. Spend the rest of the day settling in and getting familiar with the city at your own pace.
- Start point
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (Flight time required.)
- Day 2
Nagarkot
Start by checking out Kathmandu Durbar Square and its distinctive temple structures, both recognized by UNESCO. From there, head to Pashupatinath Temple, a sacred site dedicated to Lord Shiva, then walk around Bouddhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Stupa (called the Monkey Temple because of the monkeys living there). Later in the afternoon, drive 30 km east to Nagarkot where you'll stay the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square
- Visit to Pashupatinath Temple
- Visit to Bouddhanath Stupa
- Visit to Swayambhunath Stupa
Landmarks Kathmandu Durbar Square Pashupatinath Temple Bouddhanath Stupa Swayambhunath Stupa - Day 3
Bhaktapur - Patan - Kathmandu
Get up early to catch sunrise from the Nagarkot viewpoint and see the Himalayan ranges including Dhaulagiri to the west and Mount Kanchenjunga to the east. Drive to Bhaktapur and walk through Bhaktapur Durbar Square, checking out the National Art Gallery, Golden Gate, Palace of 55 Windows, and Taleju Temple. Visit Dattatreya Square and Nyatapole Temple before heading to nearby Newar communities. Later, continue to Patan to see Patan Durbar Square's Golden Gate, Krishna Temple, Sundari Chowk, and Char Narayan Temple. Head back to Kathmandu for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing at Nagarkot viewpoint
- Guided tour of Bhaktapur Durbar Square
- Visit to National Art Gallery
- Visit to Golden Gate in Bhaktapur
- Visit to Palace of 55 Windows
- Visit to Taleju Temple
- Visit to Dattatreya Square
- Visit to Nyatapole Temple
- Guided tour of Patan Durbar Square
- Visit to Krishna Temple in Patan
- Visit to Char Narayan Temple
Landmarks Bhaktapur Durbar Square National Art Gallery Palace of 55 Windows Taleju Temple Dattatreya Square Nyatapole Temple Patan Durbar Square Krishna Temple Char Narayan Temple - Day 4
Gorkha Durbar - Bandipur
Drive from Kathmandu to Gorkha Durbar and see the twin palace structures positioned at the highest point, built on stone walls with the entrance on the western side. Continue on to Bandipur, a well-preserved Newar village in the Himalayan foothills where traditional culture and landscape views reflect the area's heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Gorkha Durbar
- Exploration of Bandipur
Landmarks Gorkha Durbar - Day 5
Pokhara
Travel to Pokhara through terraced fields growing rice and mustard crops. Along the way, you'll see Mount Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, and Ganesh Himal from the road. Once in Pokhara, try boating on Phewa Lake or visit Seti Gorge, Mahendra Cave, Gupteshwor Cave, and Peace Stupa depending on your interests.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through terraced fields with mountain views
Optional Activities
- Boating on Phewa Lake
- Visit to Seti Gorge
- Visit to Mahendra Cave
- Visit to Gupteshwor Cave
- Visit to Peace Stupa
Landmarks Phewa Lake Seti Gorge Mahendra Cave Gupteshwor Cave Peace Stupa - Day 6
Sarangkot - Tansen
Wake early to head to Sarangkot for sunrise over the mountain peaks, with Pokhara city to the south, Dhaulagiri Peak to the north, and the Annapurna Range visible on clear days. Drive to Tansen, a hill town that serves as the headquarters of Palpa district, known for its cultural heritage and setting. Visit Ranighat, an impressive building on the shores of River Kali Gandaki that was built as a memorial by Khadga Shumsher to honor Tej Kumari.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing at Sarangkot
- Visit to Tansen hill town
- Visit to Ranighat
Landmarks Sarangkot Ranighat - Day 7
Lumbini
Drive to Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. Walk through the World Peace Pagoda and explore monasteries representing both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism across the site. Check out Mayadevi Temple, which contains the ruins of the old temple walls, and see the Ashoka Pillar with inscriptions from Emperor Ashoka's visit to Buddha's birthplace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to World Peace Pagoda
- Walk through Theravada monasteries
- Walk through Mahayana monasteries
- Visit to Mayadevi Temple
- Visit to Ashoka Pillar
Landmarks World Peace Pagoda Mayadevi Temple Ashoka Pillar - Day 8
Chitwan National Park
Head to Chitwan National Park for a jungle safari. The park contains around 68 mammal species, 544 bird species, and 126 fish species, so you might see deer, monkeys, leopards, rhinoceroses, wild boars, sloth bears, and Royal Bengal Tigers. In the evening, attend a Tharu Cultural Program to learn about the local community.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Jungle safari in Chitwan National Park
- Tharu Cultural Program
Landmarks Chitwan National Park - Day 9
Chitwan National Park
Spend your day on jungle activities at Chitwan National Park. Choose from elephant rides, village tours of Tharu settlements, jungle walks, canoe rides, bird watching, or visits to the elephant breeding center. You'll get to explore the park and experience both the wildlife and the local culture of the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Elephant ride
- Village tour of Tharu settlements
- Jungle walk
- Canoe ride
- Bird watching
- Visit to elephant breeding center
Landmarks Chitwan National Park - Day 10
Kathmandu
Drive back to Kathmandu from Chitwan. Along the way, stop at Manakamana Temple, a 17th-century pagoda-style temple from the 1600s believed to grant wishes when you pray to the Goddess. After that stop, continue to Kathmandu for your last night of the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner at a typical Nepalese restaurant in Kathmandu)
Included Activities
- Visit to Manakamana Temple
Landmarks Manakamana Temple - Day 11
Departure from Kathmandu
Your Nepal tour ends today. An Escape Himalaya representative will pick you up and take you to Tribhuwan International Airport for your departure flight home.
- End point
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (Flight time required.)
