Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu
You'll land in Kathmandu and meet the team for a transfer to your hotel in Thamel, about 7 km from the airport. Once you're settled, there's time to walk around the neighborhood at your own pace or stop by the office if you'd like. By evening, you'll head to a welcome dinner with authentic Nepali food to kick things off.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner with authentic Nepali food)
Included Activities
- Hotel transfer from airport
- Welcome dinner with authentic Nepali food
Optional Activities
- Stroll around Thamel streets
- Meet the team at office (depending on arrival time)
Landmarks/POIs Thamel - Day 2
Kathmandu to Nagarkot
A guided tour takes you through Kathmandu's cultural sites starting with Kathmandu Durbar Square and the Hanuman Dhoka Museum. You'll see Swayamnbhunath Stupa with its city views, then head to Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites. After that, you'll drive east to Nagarkot for dinner and a campfire under the stars.
- Meals
- Dinner (Warm dinner with campfire in Nagarkot)
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Kathmandu
- Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square (Basantapur)
- Visit Hanuman Dhoka Museum (Palace of Shah dynasty)
- Visit Swayamnbhunath Stupa
- Visit Pashupatinath Temple (nearby areas)
- Dinner and campfire in Nagarkot
Landmarks/POIs Kathmandu Durbar Square Hanuman Dhoka Museum Swayamnbhunath Stupa Pashupatinath Temple Nagarkot - Day 3
Bhaktapur - Balthali
Start before sunrise with a hike up Nagarkot hill tower to catch the sunrise over the valley. On clear days you can see Mt. Jugal, Ganesh Himal, and the Langtang range. Following breakfast, you'll head to Bhaktapur, Nepal's oldest city, to walk through temples and try Juju Dhau, a local yogurt specialty. Later, hike to Balthali village where you'll experience farmland and stay with a local family learning about traditional life.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sunrise hike at Nagarkot hill tower
- Visit temples in Bhaktapur Durbar Square
- Try Juju Dhau (King curd) in Bhaktapur
- 40-minute hike to Balthali village
- Evening with local family to learn traditions
Landmarks/POIs Nagarkot Mt. Jugal Ganesh Himal Langtang Range Bhaktapur Durbar Square Balthali Village Panauti - Day 4
Balthali to Namo Buddha
After breakfast, head out on a hiking adventure with a local Buddhist guide through villages and farmland toward Namo Buddha. You'll reach the holy Buddhist monastery where Lord Buddha is said to have stopped after enlightenment. Spend time exploring Buddha statues and wall paintings at the monastery, then settle into local accommodations for the night with traditional meals.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Local food)
Included Activities
- Hiking adventure through villages and farms
- Visit Namo Buddha monastery
- Explore Buddha statues and wall paintings
Landmarks/POIs Namo Buddha Monastery - Day 5
Gorkha - Bandipur
A long drive west on the Prithvi Highway passes the Trishuli River and Manakamana Temple before reaching Gorkha Bazaar. You'll tour the 16th-century Gorkha Durbar Palace and its museum with armory and paintings, plus nearby Gorakhkali and Gorkha temples with Newari architecture. Then continue to Bandipur, a peaceful Newari village with cobblestone streets and mountain views, where you'll have dinner with authentic Newari food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Authentic Newari meals and drinks)
Included Activities
- Visit Gorkha Durbar Palace
- Explore palace museum with armory and paintings
- Visit Gorakhkali Temple
- Visit Gorkha Temple
- Walk through Bandipur village streets and explore architecture
Landmarks/POIs Trishuli River Manakamana Temple Gorkha Durbar Palace Gorakhkali Temple Gorkha Temple Bandipur Village - Day 6
Bandipur to Pokhara
After breakfast, head west to Pokhara and check into your hotel near Phewa Lake. In the afternoon, go boating on the lake and visit the island temple of Barahi, where you might see traditional weddings during busy seasons. You can also check out Gupteshwor Cave, Bat Cave, Davis Falls, or the International Mountain Museum. Try Thakali cuisine in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Thakali meal (optional, local delicacies))
Included Activities
- Boating in Phewa Lake
- Visit Barahi Island Temple
Optional Activities
- Visit Gupteshwor Cave
- Visit Bat Cave
- Explore Davis Falls
- Visit International Mountain Museum
Landmarks/POIs Phewa Lake Barahi Temple Gupteshwor Cave Bat Cave Davis Falls International Mountain Museum - Day 7
Sarangkot - Tansen
Leave before dawn for Sarangkot hill to catch the sunrise with close-up views of Mt. Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range. Hike to the summit and have breakfast while watching paragliders. From there, drive to Tansen, a hill town with well-preserved ancient houses and temples from the Magar and Shah kingdoms. Spend time with local families to learn about their culture and traditions.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive to Sarangkot hill
- Sunrise hike at Sarangkot
- Visit Tansen hill town
- Explore ancient temples and houses in Tansen
Optional Activities
- Interact with local Magar families to explore cultures and traditions
Landmarks/POIs Sarangkot Hill Mt. Machhapuchhre Annapurna Massif Tansen - Day 8
Tansen to Lumbini
Head west and south from Tansen to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha and one of Buddhism's holiest sites. You'll visit Maya Devi Temple, which has archaeological findings from Buddha's birth and a small pond with tortoises. See the ancient Ashoka Pillar with inscriptions from Emperor Ashoka's 3rd-century visit. Later, take a peaceful boat ride along the canal to explore the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Lumbini Garden
- Visit Maya Devi Temple
- View Ashoka Pillar
- Boat ride along canal in Lumbini
Landmarks/POIs Lumbini Garden Maya Devi Temple Ashoka Pillar - Day 9
Lumbini to Chitwan
Drive east from Lumbini toward Chitwan and settle into your hotel to freshen up. In the afternoon, visit the Elephant Breeding Center to see protected elephants and other animals. That evening, watch a Tharu Cultural Show with dramas, stick dances, and traditional costumes. You'll try local Tharu dishes like duck meat and snail soup for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Local Tharu dishes)
Included Activities
- Visit Elephant Breeding Center
- Tharu Cultural Show with dramas and cultural stick dances
Optional Activities
- Try local Tharu dishes including duck meat and snail soup
Landmarks/POIs Elephant Breeding Center Chitwan - Day 10
Chitwan Jungle Safari
Start the day with bird watching in Chitwan National Park, where over 550 species include Great White-Fronted Geese and Kashmir Flycatchers. You'll take a half-day or full-day safari by jeep or elephant to spot deers, antelopes, wild elephants, and one-horned rhinos. Later, enjoy a canoe ride on the Rapti River to see alligators, then return to the hotel to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bird watching in Chitwan National Park
- Half-day or full-day Jungle Safari (jeep or elephant)
Optional Activities
- Canoe ride on Rapti River
Landmarks/POIs Chitwan National Park Rapti River - Day 11
Chitwan to Kathmandu via Manakamana
The drive back to Kathmandu follows the Narayanghat Mukling Highway with a stop at Manakamana Temple, a revered Hindu site at the confluence of two rivers. Take the cable car from Kurintar up to the temple to see Nepalese religious traditions, then continue back to Kathmandu. That evening, you can shop for souvenirs on Thamel streets or simply enjoy your last night in Nepal.
Included Activities
- Cable car ride to Manakamana Temple
- Visit Manakamana Temple
Optional Activities
- Shop for souvenirs in Thamel streets
Landmarks/POIs Manakamana Temple Trishuli River Marsyangdi River Thamel - Day 12
Departure from Kathmandu
Your trip ends today as you prepare to leave. A transfer takes you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure flight. You'll head home with memories of Nepal's cities, towns, traditions, and cultural heritage. If you're interested in exploring eastern or western Nepal another time, the team can help arrange that.
Included Activities
- Hotel to airport transfer
Optional Activities
- Extend trip to explore other cultural monuments and sites in eastern or western Nepal
Landmarks/POIs Tribhuvan International Airport
