Kathmandu Chitwan Pokhara Tour
8 Days Private Tour of Kathmandu - Chitwan - Pokhara - Kathmandu
Tour Type: Private guided tour, flexible and customizable
Guide: English-speaking guide, experienced and knowledgeable
Driver: Private driver with a spacious air-conditioned car
Hotels: Handpicked 5- or 4-star hotels, open to your choice
Meals: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners
Code: TNP102
Guide: English-speaking guide, experienced and knowledgeable
Driver: Private driver with a spacious air-conditioned car
Hotels: Handpicked 5- or 4-star hotels, open to your choice
Meals: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners
Code: TNP102
This trip can be customized to meet your individual needs!
- Itinerary
- Prices
- Reviews
Trip Highlights
- Witness an open-air cremation ritual at Pashupatinath Temple, a daily display of Nepal’s Hindu beliefs on life and death.
- Behold the iconic “wisdom eyes of the Buddha” at the Swayambhunath Stupa.
- Wander Kathmandu Valley’s three Durbar Squares, home to the finest local Newari architecture.
- Immerse yourself in wildlife safaris by jeep, canoe, and trekking through the jungle in Chitwan.
- Drift across Pokhara’s Phewa Lake for sweeping reflected views of Himalayas and the Hindu Barahi Temple.
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Day 1 Airport Pick-up; Kathmandu City Tour
Greetings from Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital and the cultural soul of the UNESCO-listed Kathmandu Valley! Upon your arrival at the airport, your private guide and the driver will be waiting at the exit to whisk you to your hotel for check-in.
After some rest, set out with your guide and the driver to visit Swayambhunath Stupa, a 2,500-year-old Buddhist site and one of Asia’s oldest. Cast your eyes on the 40-meter (131-foot) main tower, which features a white dome supporting a golden square tower with the “wisdom eyes of the Buddha” on each side - a powerful symbol of divine watchfulness over all beings. Also, don’t miss exploring other surrounding shrines, Hindu temples, and prayer wheels.
Continue our way to the Kathmandu Durbar Square, one of Kathmandu Valley’s three royal squares, which served as the seat of power from the late 15th to the 19th centuries. With over 50 temples and palaces, it’s a stunning showcase of red-brick architecture, intricate woodcarvings, and gilded ornaments - the pinnacle of ancient Nepali craftsmanship. As you step into the Kumari Temple, hear your guide vividly recount Nepal’s unique “living goddess” culture: a 2-4-year-old girl, chosen from the Shakya clan through 32 strict criteria, is worshipped as Kumari, the earthly incarnation of the royal guardian deity Taleju, until her menarche. Around 16:00, you might be lucky enough to see her appear briefly at the upper window.
Finally, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel. Our carefully selected 4-star or 5-star hotels are either in or near Thamel, Kathmandu’s most bustling tourist hub. If you’re interested, walk around on your own to explore the eateries, bars, and specialty stores.
► Insider Tips for Nepal Travel:
1. When entering local Hindu temples, it’s better to wear clothes that cover your shoulders and legs, remove your shoes, and avoid bringing leather items. Additionally, some of them are off-limits to non-Hindus - check entrance signs.
2. Prolonged power cuts are rare now in major cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara, but short outages can occur, so it’s advisable to keep a power bank handy.
3. The local currency is the Nepalese Rupee (USD 1≈NPR 151.5). Exchange rates are better in Kathmandu than in Pokhara or Chitwan, so you can prepare cash in advance while you’re in Kathmandu.
After some rest, set out with your guide and the driver to visit Swayambhunath Stupa, a 2,500-year-old Buddhist site and one of Asia’s oldest. Cast your eyes on the 40-meter (131-foot) main tower, which features a white dome supporting a golden square tower with the “wisdom eyes of the Buddha” on each side - a powerful symbol of divine watchfulness over all beings. Also, don’t miss exploring other surrounding shrines, Hindu temples, and prayer wheels.
Continue our way to the Kathmandu Durbar Square, one of Kathmandu Valley’s three royal squares, which served as the seat of power from the late 15th to the 19th centuries. With over 50 temples and palaces, it’s a stunning showcase of red-brick architecture, intricate woodcarvings, and gilded ornaments - the pinnacle of ancient Nepali craftsmanship. As you step into the Kumari Temple, hear your guide vividly recount Nepal’s unique “living goddess” culture: a 2-4-year-old girl, chosen from the Shakya clan through 32 strict criteria, is worshipped as Kumari, the earthly incarnation of the royal guardian deity Taleju, until her menarche. Around 16:00, you might be lucky enough to see her appear briefly at the upper window.
Finally, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel. Our carefully selected 4-star or 5-star hotels are either in or near Thamel, Kathmandu’s most bustling tourist hub. If you’re interested, walk around on your own to explore the eateries, bars, and specialty stores.
► Insider Tips for Nepal Travel:
1. When entering local Hindu temples, it’s better to wear clothes that cover your shoulders and legs, remove your shoes, and avoid bringing leather items. Additionally, some of them are off-limits to non-Hindus - check entrance signs.
2. Prolonged power cuts are rare now in major cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara, but short outages can occur, so it’s advisable to keep a power bank handy.
3. The local currency is the Nepalese Rupee (USD 1≈NPR 151.5). Exchange rates are better in Kathmandu than in Pokhara or Chitwan, so you can prepare cash in advance while you’re in Kathmandu.
Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu
Local People at Kathmandu Durbar Square
Day 2 Kathmandu
Visit Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Bhaktapur Durbar Square with Dattatreya Temple. (B+L)
After breakfast at your hotel, your guide and the driver will show you around the Boudhanath Stupa, a Tibetan Buddhist site built in the 6th century. Besides the core shrine, admire its surrounding monasteries of various orders, giant prayer wheels, and shopfronts displaying religious thangka scrolls and silverware, all steeped in a palpable sense of devotion.
Next, let’s delve into Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal’s most renowned Hindu shrine along the sacred Bagmati River, known for its open-air cremations. See from afar as relatives wash the deceased’s feet with holy water, place the body on a pyre, chant scriptures, and finally scatter the ashes into the river. This ritual stems from the Hindu belief that cremation sets the deceased’s soul free from the cycle of suffering - so you’ll see no overt grief on the onlookers’ faces. It’s recommended that you wear a mask, as the cremations produce heavy smoke.
Then, we’ll drive to the tranquil medieval city of Bhaktapur to explore its Durbar Square, often hailed as an “open-air museum.” Visit weathered red-brick ancient temples and the gilded Golden Gate carved with deities, admire the 55-Window Palace built for the king’s concubines to view the outside world without being seen, and watch age-old pottery making at Pottery Square. Moreover, we’ll venture into the iconic Dattatreya Temple. Your guide will also share the astonishing fact that this three-story temple was built from a single tree! Surprisingly, Bhaktapur’s yogurt is quite famous and widely available from local shops and street vendors; if you like, sample it at your own expense.
At last, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Next, let’s delve into Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal’s most renowned Hindu shrine along the sacred Bagmati River, known for its open-air cremations. See from afar as relatives wash the deceased’s feet with holy water, place the body on a pyre, chant scriptures, and finally scatter the ashes into the river. This ritual stems from the Hindu belief that cremation sets the deceased’s soul free from the cycle of suffering - so you’ll see no overt grief on the onlookers’ faces. It’s recommended that you wear a mask, as the cremations produce heavy smoke.
Then, we’ll drive to the tranquil medieval city of Bhaktapur to explore its Durbar Square, often hailed as an “open-air museum.” Visit weathered red-brick ancient temples and the gilded Golden Gate carved with deities, admire the 55-Window Palace built for the king’s concubines to view the outside world without being seen, and watch age-old pottery making at Pottery Square. Moreover, we’ll venture into the iconic Dattatreya Temple. Your guide will also share the astonishing fact that this three-story temple was built from a single tree! Surprisingly, Bhaktapur’s yogurt is quite famous and widely available from local shops and street vendors; if you like, sample it at your own expense.
At last, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Day 3 Kathmandu - Chitwan
5-hour transfer to Chitwan by private car. (B+L+D)
Today, hit the road with your guide and the driver for a scenic 5-hour drive to Chitwan, in southern Nepal, home to various wildlife. Upon arrival, check into your jungle resort and enjoy a welcome drink. Following lunch, the rest of the day is yours to unwind or wander at your own pace.
► Recommended Activity (at your own expense):
If you’re still energetic, consider renting a bike, typically costing NPR 200-500 (USD 1.5-3.5) per day, from your resort or a local shop in Sauraha town to explore the surroundings by yourself. Pedal past rice fields, open meadows, and vibrant dahlia clusters, passing villagers herding goats. As dusk falls, find a café along the Rapti River while enjoying a fantastic sunset. Just note that traffic in Nepal keeps to the left.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
► Recommended Activity (at your own expense):
If you’re still energetic, consider renting a bike, typically costing NPR 200-500 (USD 1.5-3.5) per day, from your resort or a local shop in Sauraha town to explore the surroundings by yourself. Pedal past rice fields, open meadows, and vibrant dahlia clusters, passing villagers herding goats. As dusk falls, find a café along the Rapti River while enjoying a fantastic sunset. Just note that traffic in Nepal keeps to the left.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Chitwan
Explore Chitwan National Park with a jeep safari, canoe drifting, and a jungle safari; visit the Elephant Breeding Center; visit a Tharu village and enjoy a local dance show. (B+L+D)
★ Wildlife Adventure in Chitwan National Park
After breakfast, set off with a local guide for a full-day adventure into the UNESCO-listed Chitwan National Park, Nepal’s oldest wildlife reserve. Hop into a jeep and traverse through dense jungles and grasslands, on the lookout for deer and langurs. You may even spot an endangered one-horned rhino grazing leisurely just dozens of meters away, or a rare Bengal tiger if fortune favors you! A peaceful canoe ride also beckons! Glide past crocodiles emerging with half of their heads from the water and waterbirds foraging along the banks - such an amazing and thrilling experience! Beyond that, enjoy a guided jungle walk to learn to identify local plants and read animal tracks and droppings. As we drop by the Elephant Breeding Center, observe elephants’ behavior and see the tender bonds between mothers and their calves. Afterward, return to your lodge for a short break.► Warm Tips:
1. Chitwan is hot and humid, with plenty of mosquitoes, and forests are thick with leeches during the rainy season (Jun.-Sep.). It’s suggested that you wear earth-toned long sleeves and pants, high-ankle hiking boots with trousers tucked into socks, and apply a strong insect repellent. And don’t forget sunscreen and stay well hydrated.
2. Always stay close to your guide in the jungle and observe the wildlife from a safe distance.
3. Animals often stay hidden in the bushes or keep their distance, so bringing a pair of binoculars would be wise.
We’ll wrap up today with a visit to a Tharu village for a genuine peek into the indigenous rustic life: homes built from wood, straw, and mud, age-old hunting and fishing traditions still in practice, barefoot children playing in the dirt, and livestock wandering freely. Also, seize the chance to revel in a traditional Tharu stick dance performance, with villagers circling up and rhythmically tapping their sticks together while humming a distinctive folk tune. After the joyful moments, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Jeep Safari at Chitwan National Park
Elephant Breeding Center in Chitwan
Day 5 Chitwan - Pokhara
Enjoy bird watching at Chitwan National Park; have a 5-to-6-hour road trip to Pokhara; take a boat trip on Phewa Lake and visit Barahi Temple. (B)
In the morning, when birds are at their most active, grab your binoculars and head out for bird watching in the company of your local guide. Chitwan’s forested wetlands provide habitats for over 500 bird species. See if you can capture the Oriental Pied Hornbill, an iconic and rare resident easily recognized by its striking yellow crest and black plumage.
Afterward, let’s embark on a 5-to-6-hour drive to Pokhara, a valley city at the southern foot of the Himalayas, whose towering snowy peaks and serene lakes draw countless trekkers from around the world. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel.
Then, after a guided stroll along Phewa Lake, Nepal’s second-largest lake, let’s board a colorful wooden boat. While floating on the broad and calm water, appreciate the majestic Annapurna Massif, including the iconic Machapuchare, aka Fishtail Peak, mirroring on the serene lake.
When paddling to a small island in the middle of the lake, we’ll go ashore to visit Barahi Temple, a Hindu shrine dedicated to Shakti, the goddess of feminine power. Local women hold it in deep reverence, and offering prayers here has even become an essential part of local wedding ceremonies. Around dusk, you may catch an Aarati ceremony here - a solemn fire ritual connecting the faithful to the divine - as red-clad priests chant scriptures, light oil lamps, and make offerings.
Finally, sail back to the shore, and your guide and the driver will escort you to your hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Afterward, let’s embark on a 5-to-6-hour drive to Pokhara, a valley city at the southern foot of the Himalayas, whose towering snowy peaks and serene lakes draw countless trekkers from around the world. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel.
Then, after a guided stroll along Phewa Lake, Nepal’s second-largest lake, let’s board a colorful wooden boat. While floating on the broad and calm water, appreciate the majestic Annapurna Massif, including the iconic Machapuchare, aka Fishtail Peak, mirroring on the serene lake.
When paddling to a small island in the middle of the lake, we’ll go ashore to visit Barahi Temple, a Hindu shrine dedicated to Shakti, the goddess of feminine power. Local women hold it in deep reverence, and offering prayers here has even become an essential part of local wedding ceremonies. Around dusk, you may catch an Aarati ceremony here - a solemn fire ritual connecting the faithful to the divine - as red-clad priests chant scriptures, light oil lamps, and make offerings.
Finally, sail back to the shore, and your guide and the driver will escort you to your hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Day 6 Pokhara
Enjoy sunrise at Sarangkot Hill; visit Bindhyabasini Temple, Devi’s Fall, Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, International Mountain Museum, and Seti River Gorge. (B+L)
Today, be an early bird, bundle up, and head to Sarangkot Hill - Pokhara’s most popular sunrise viewpoint - with your guide and the driver. As dawn breaks, watch as the first golden rays gently spreading across the Himalayan peaks, as if crowning them with golden caps. The clouds and mist drifting through the valley, leaving people around only to gasp in wonder and snap photos nonstop!
►FYI: Sarangkot is also one of Pokhara’s best paragliding spots, with prime conditions from September to November and March to May. If you’re interested, book in advance, and be sure to prepare sunglasses and windproof clothing.
Then, on the way back to your hotel, let’s stop at Bindhyabasini Temple, one of Pokhara’s oldest and most renowned Hindu temples. Inside, feel its calm and spiritual vibe, and see devotees offering flowers and rice with reverence or lining up to receive Tika, a red forehead mark of blessing, from the priests, who are usually happy to bless visitors as well.
After breakfast at your hotel, we’ll visit Pokhara’s most famous waterfall, Devi’s Fall, which takes its gloomy name from a tragic incident of a couple falling into the cascade. Admire the impressive fall suddenly vanish as it plunging into deeper, and then flowing into the mysterious Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, a fascinating blend of a Shiva shrine and natural stalactite formations.
Then, let’s proceed to the International Mountain Museum to explore the living customs of highland natives, Nepal’s mountaineering history, and the evolution of climbing gear - from simple early tools to today’s high-tech advancements.
Finish today’s walk at the Seti River Gorge, a spectacular limestone canyon. Marvel at the majestic milky-white Seti River as it carves its way through towering mountains before suddenly plunging underground in the city center. At last, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
►FYI: Sarangkot is also one of Pokhara’s best paragliding spots, with prime conditions from September to November and March to May. If you’re interested, book in advance, and be sure to prepare sunglasses and windproof clothing.
Then, on the way back to your hotel, let’s stop at Bindhyabasini Temple, one of Pokhara’s oldest and most renowned Hindu temples. Inside, feel its calm and spiritual vibe, and see devotees offering flowers and rice with reverence or lining up to receive Tika, a red forehead mark of blessing, from the priests, who are usually happy to bless visitors as well.
After breakfast at your hotel, we’ll visit Pokhara’s most famous waterfall, Devi’s Fall, which takes its gloomy name from a tragic incident of a couple falling into the cascade. Admire the impressive fall suddenly vanish as it plunging into deeper, and then flowing into the mysterious Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, a fascinating blend of a Shiva shrine and natural stalactite formations.
Then, let’s proceed to the International Mountain Museum to explore the living customs of highland natives, Nepal’s mountaineering history, and the evolution of climbing gear - from simple early tools to today’s high-tech advancements.
Finish today’s walk at the Seti River Gorge, a spectacular limestone canyon. Marvel at the majestic milky-white Seti River as it carves its way through towering mountains before suddenly plunging underground in the city center. At last, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Phewa Lake, Pokhara
Devi's Fall, Pokhara
Day 7 Pokhara - Kathmandu
Fly back to Kathmandu, airport-to-hotel transfer by private car. Visit Patan Durbar Square with Golden Temple, and enjoy dinner with a cultural dance show. (B+L+D)
After breakfast, your guide and the driver will pick you up from your hotel and escort you to the airport for your flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, your local guide and the driver will meet you at the arrival hall and convoy you to your hotel for check-in.
Following that, let’s head to Patan City, one of Kathmandu Valley’s oldest political hubs, and explore its vibrant core: Patan Durbar Square. Stroll across this rectangular plaza, feasting your eyes on the iconic Golden Temple, a Newari masterpiece featuring tiered pagoda roofs, red-brick facades, and exquisite wood carvings that rank among the finest in the valley. Meanwhile, your guide will share with you a unique custom: its abbot is a Shakya clan boy under twelve, serving a 30-day term with daily duties such as ringing bells, sprinkling sacred water, and daily chanting of scriptures. Furthermore, on the square’s east side, explore the old royal compound, such as Mul Chowk, once the kingdom’s administrative center, and Sundari Chowk, where you can admire the remains of an exquisitely carved sunken royal bathing pool. While to the west, a cluster of Hindu temples awaits, including the stone-carved Krishna Mandir Temple with lavish gilded pinnacles, and the Shiva Temple, guarded by stone elephants and lions at its entrance.
After the memorable moments, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Following that, let’s head to Patan City, one of Kathmandu Valley’s oldest political hubs, and explore its vibrant core: Patan Durbar Square. Stroll across this rectangular plaza, feasting your eyes on the iconic Golden Temple, a Newari masterpiece featuring tiered pagoda roofs, red-brick facades, and exquisite wood carvings that rank among the finest in the valley. Meanwhile, your guide will share with you a unique custom: its abbot is a Shakya clan boy under twelve, serving a 30-day term with daily duties such as ringing bells, sprinkling sacred water, and daily chanting of scriptures. Furthermore, on the square’s east side, explore the old royal compound, such as Mul Chowk, once the kingdom’s administrative center, and Sundari Chowk, where you can admire the remains of an exquisitely carved sunken royal bathing pool. While to the west, a cluster of Hindu temples awaits, including the stone-carved Krishna Mandir Temple with lavish gilded pinnacles, and the Shiva Temple, guarded by stone elephants and lions at its entrance.
★ Special Inclusion: Nepalese Cultural Dinner Show
This evening, your guide will accompany you to a renowned restaurant in Kathmandu for an authentic Nepali Dal Bhat feast - a generous platter filled with separate portions of rice, lentil soup, curry, vegetables, and pickles, offering a colorful array of rich flavors. Though the local tradition is to eat with the right hand, the restaurant will thoughtfully provide spoons and forks as well. As you dine, indulge in the rhythms of traditional Nepali music, and appreciate dancers in vibrant ethnic attire performing folk dances from the Sherpa, Newar, and Tharu communities. Toward the end, you may even be invited to mingle with the dancers.After the memorable moments, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Patan Durbar Square
Golden Temple in Patan
Day 8 Departure from Kathmandu, Airport See-off
Hotel-to-airport transfer by private car & see you off. A nice journey home! (B)
Today, your guide and the driver will pick you up from your hotel at the agreed time, escort you to the airport, and assist with your departure formalities. Have a safe and enjoyable flight! And if you are longing for a Himalayan trek in Nepal, don’t hesitate to reach out; we’re delighted to craft a seamless, hassle-free itinerary for you!
Meal: Breakfast
Meal: Breakfast
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This trip can be customized to meet your individual needs!
| Destinations | Standard Hotels | Luxury Hotels |
|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu | Ramada Encore by Wyndham Kathmandu Thamel  | Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu |
| Chitwan | Park Safari Resort (Jungle Resort) | Soaltee Westend Resort Chitwan |
| Pokhara | Soaltee Westend Lakeside, Pokhara | Hotel Pokhara Grande |
Tour Prices
2026 & 2027 Specials: 10% off - Book before Aug 31, 2026
| Prices with Standard Hotels | |
|---|---|
| 2-3 travelers | 4-5 travelers |
| USD1719 USD1547 | USD1529 USD1376 |
| Prices with Luxury Hotels | |
|---|---|
| 2-3 travelers | 4-5 travelers |
| USD2019 USD1817 | USD1829 USD1646 |
- Prices are per person on twin sharing.
- The prices in red reflect 10% discount.
- If you are a group of 6 people or more, we will offer a more favorable price by your group size.
Price Includes
- Economy class airfare of Pokhara - Kathmandu
- Accommodation in a double/twin room with daily breakfast
- Jungle package in Chitwan on Full Board Basis including all Jungle activities as per resort program.
- Services of a private driver and air-conditioned vehicle
- Service of English speaking guide during sightseeing
- Entrance fees for all mentioned sites visited
- Meal as indicated outside hotel
Price Excludes
- International airfares
- Entry visa fee if applicable
- Holiday peak season supplement
- Gratuities
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