To be honest, 9 days is not enough for the whole of Nepal. But this package is designed such that you will make the most of it. This tour is put together so you get a proper taste of the nature, culture, art and lifestyle of Nepal, not just a rushed look at it. Your journey starts from Kathmandu, then we move to Chitwan for the jungle, Lumbini for the birthplace of Buddha, Pokhara for the lake, and Nagarkot for a sunrise at the end. That's the whole shape of the trip.
Kathmandu opens the trip and gets two full days. Pashupatinath in the morning, Boudhanath after, Durbar Square somewhere in between, all of it walkable and worth taking slowly. From there the road drops south into Chitwan, where the terrain flattens out and the park runs on its own timing rather than anyone's schedule, so this stop gets a full day of safari and river activities rather than a rushed half-day. Lumbini comes next, a couple of hours further along the terai. The Maya Devi Temple marks the spot where Buddha was born, and the monastic zone around it, dozens of temples built by different Buddhist countries, is worth wandering even without any particular religious interest. Then it's north to Pokhara, and this is the stretch most people remember longest, Phewa Lake sitting right under the Annapurna range, mountains showing up in the water on a clear morning as well as the sky. Nagarkot closes things out, mainly for one reason: a sunrise that runs from Annapurna to Everest along a single ridge, weather allowing.
Old city, jungle, birthplace of the Buddha, lake town, mountain sunrise. That's the whole route.
| Duration | 8 Nights / 9 Days |
| Start / End point | Kathmandu |
| Route | Kathmandu, Chitwan, Lumbini, Pokhara, Nagarkot, back to Kathmandu |
| Best suited for | First-timers, families, pilgrims, and anyone wanting culture, wildlife, Buddhist heritage, and mountains in one trip |
| Mode of travel | Private vehicle for transfers and sightseeing |
The whole route runs by road, and the Lumbini to Pokhara leg is the longest single drive in the itinerary, so start early that day. Monsoon travelers should keep a spare day free since landslides happen on the hill sections. Nagarkot is only worth it if the sky's clear for sunrise, so ask the driver about pushing that stop back a day if it's overcast on arrival. Pack a jacket regardless of season; Nagarkot at night and Pokhara at dawn both run colder than the daytime weather suggests.
Pickup at the airport, drive to the hotel, and that's the day. Most people are too tired from the flight to do much else, though Thamel is close if you want a short walk before sleeping.
A long day covering Pashupatinath, Boudhanath and Durbar Square. Lots of walking, lots of history packed close together. Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Drive south into the terai. Warmer down there, noticeably so. There's a Tharu dance show in the evening at the resort, drums and stick dancing, worth staying up for even after a long drive.
Safari day, either jeep or on elephant back, plus a canoe ride and a stop at the elephant breeding center. Rhinos aren't guaranteed but they turn up often enough. No driving today, just the park.
A shorter drive further into the terai. Afternoon at the Maya Devi Temple and the monastic zone around it, temples built by Buddhist communities from different countries, each one different from the last.
The longest drive of the trip, north through the hills. Once you check in, get down to Phewa Lake before dark if you can, Machhapuchhre often lights up right at sunset and it's a bad idea to miss it because you were still unpacking.
Early start for Sarangkot to catch the Annapurnas at sunrise. Slower after that: Devi's Falls, the cave below it, and the World Peace Pagoda across the lake in the afternoon.
A long drive that loops back around the valley. Aim to arrive before sunset since that's really the whole reason for the stop, the range from Annapurna to Everest laid out on a clear evening.
Last sunrise, breakfast, then down to Kathmandu and drop off to the airport.
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