Max. Elevation
Overview
The journey begins in the Kathmandu Valley. Explore temple squares, Buddhist stupas and the historic streets of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur with a guide who explains their traditions and architecture. There is time to look beyond the monuments and notice the workshops, markets and daily routines around them.
Travel next to Chitwan, where the pace changes. Nature guides lead the wildlife programme, helping you understand the forest, rivers and grasslands. A Tharu village experience introduces you to another side of the region, through activities agreed with the local hosts.
From the lowlands, continue to Bandipur for two nights. Walk through the old bazaar and, if you wish, explore the surrounding countryside. Pokhara follows, with its lakeside paths, sightseeing and a free day to enjoy at your own pace. Return to Kathmandu for your final night before departure.
This itinerary combines culture and nature without a multi-day trek. Sightseeing still involves walking, and several transfers require substantial time on the road.
Itinerary
Expand AllAn Alpinist Club representative meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you to your hotel. Rest after the journey and meet the team for a brief introduction when your arrival time allows.
Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu
Meals: None; arrival-day meals depend on the confirmed booking
Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath with your cultural guide. Learn about the valley’s Hindu and Buddhist traditions. At Pashupatinath, visitors follow access restrictions and view the site from permitted areas. This is a full sightseeing day; the sequence and time at each stop will be adjusted to traffic and your pace.
Activity: Guided sightseeing, approximately 6–8 hours including transfers
Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast
Explore Patan’s historic square, courtyards and streets before travelling to Bhaktapur. Walk through the old town, visiting its royal square and pottery area. Your guide explains the artistic traditions and living heritage of both cities. Return to Kathmandu for the night.
Activity: Guided sightseeing, approximately 6–8 hours including transfers
Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast
Leave Kathmandu after breakfast and travel to your jungle lodge in the Chitwan area. After check-in, meet the nature-guide team for a briefing. A village visit or introductory activity may be arranged if arrival time permits.
Driving: Allow approximately 6–8 hours; delays may extend the journey
Accommodation: Jungle lodge in the Chitwan area
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner; lunch timing arranged around the transfer
Join the wildlife activities included in your confirmed lodge package. The proposed programme includes a guided canoe excursion and jeep safari, subject to operating conditions. Nature guides help you observe and understand the local habitats. A cultural performance may be arranged if included in the lodge programme. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
Activity: Scheduled wildlife excursions with breaks between activities
Accommodation: Jungle lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Transfer to the confirmed community accommodation property. Meet your local hosts and learn about Tharu life through a guided village visit and agreed activities. These may include a cooking demonstration or discussion of local customs, depending on the hosts’ programme and availability.
Do not promise a stilt house or accommodation deep inside the jungle unless the exact property and facilities have been verified. Guests should know the room, bathroom and meal arrangements before booking.
Transfer: Timing depends on the selected village and property
Accommodation: Confirmed community homestay or village lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Continue by road to Bandipur. After settling into your accommodation, explore the old bazaar and surrounding streets with your guide. Enjoy the town’s hillside setting, with mountain views when the weather is clear.
Driving: Allow approximately 4–6 hours, subject to the village starting point and road conditions
Accommodation: Hotel or guesthouse in Bandipur
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Spend the day exploring Bandipur. Choose a gentle guided walk through the surrounding countryside or a shorter town walk. The route will suit your group’s ability and local conditions. Some paths include slopes and steps, so comfortable walking footwear is recommended.
Walking: Optional approximately 2–3 hours; a shorter alternative can be arranged
Accommodation: Hotel or guesthouse in Bandipur
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Travel to Pokhara and check into your hotel. Later, enjoy a scheduled boat ride on Phewa Lake, subject to weather and operating conditions. Spend time along Lakeside before returning to your hotel.
Driving: Approximately 3–4 hours
Accommodation: Hotel in Pokhara
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Visit the World Peace Pagoda, Devi’s Fall and Gupteshwor Cave. Discuss the walking involved with your guide: the pagoda and cave visits can involve steps and uneven surfaces. Sightseeing can be adapted for mobility needs where practical. Adventure activities are optional and charged separately.
Activity: Guided sightseeing, approximately 4–6 hours including transfers
Accommodation: Hotel in Pokhara
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Enjoy a day at leisure. Relax by the lake, visit cafés or arrange an optional excursion. A Sarangkot sunrise visit can be booked separately; walking routes and vehicle access should be discussed in advance. Optional activities, guide services and transfers on this free day are excluded unless specifically added to your booking.
Accommodation: Hotel in Pokhara
Meals: Breakfast
Return to Kathmandu by private vehicle after breakfast. This is a full travel day. Check into your hotel and spend the remaining time resting or shopping, depending on arrival. A farewell dinner is included only if stated in your quotation.
Driving: Allow approximately 7–9 hours; delays may extend the journey
Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your international flight. Pickup time will allow for traffic and the airline’s check-in requirements.
Accommodation: None
Meals: Breakfast, subject to departure time and hotel service
Itinerary note: Travel and activity times are estimates. Weather, traffic, park operations and accommodation availability may require adjustments. Mountain visibility and wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Note:
If you have a private group and prefer a personalized experience, we can organize a custom trip tailored to your requirements and group size, running it any day you choose.
Plan a Private TripIncluded & Excluded
Included Points
Airport transfers : Airport pickup on arrival and departure transfer according to the itinerary.
Private transportation : Private vehicle for scheduled road journeys and sightseeing, including driver, fuel, parking and applicable road charges.
Accommodation : 12 nights on a twin-sharing basis—4 in Kathmandu, 2 in Chitwan, 1 in Tharu village accommodation, 2 in Bandipur and 3 in Pokhara.
Meals : Breakfast during the stay, subject to arrival and departure times, plus lunch and dinner on Days 4–10.
Cultural guides : English-speaking guides for scheduled Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara sightseeing, and the guided Bandipur programme
Nature guides : Local nature-guide services for the included Chitwan wildlife activities.
Heritage entrance fees : Entry fees for the scheduled visits to Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath’s permitted visitor areas, Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
Pokhara sightseeing : Scheduled visits and applicable entrance fees for the World Peace Pagoda, Devi’s Fall and Gupteshwor Cave.
Phewa Lake boating : One scheduled boat ride, including life jackets.
Chitwan wildlife programme : Park entry and the jeep safari and canoe excursion specified in the confirmed lodge package.
Tharu village experience : One overnight stay, a guided village visit and the hosted activities listed in the booking quotation.
Bandipur walk : Guide service for the scheduled town or countryside walk.
Staff expenses : Salary, meals, accommodation, transport and applicable insurance for staff assigned to the included services.
First-aid kit : A group first-aid kit available during guided activities.
Trip support : Pre-trip briefing and coordination of accommodation, transfers and scheduled activities
Taxes : Applicable government taxes and service charges.
Excluded Points
International flights : International flights to and from Nepal (ticket cost not included).
Nepal visa : Visa fees and related expenses.
Travel insurance : Insurance covering medical treatment, emergency evacuation, cancellation and the activities undertaken.
Additional meals : Lunch and dinner on Days 1–3 and Days 11–13, unless specifically included in your quotation.
Personal expenses : Drinks, snacks, laundry, telephone calls, souvenirs and other personal purchases.
Single-room supplement : Additional charges for single occupancy or room upgrades.
Other services : Anything not specifically listed under Cost Includes.
Trip Information
Nepal Cultural & Wildlife Tour
This 13-day journey combines Kathmandu Valley’s heritage sites, Chitwan’s wildlife habitats, a Tharu village experience, Bandipur and Pokhara. The programme includes guided sightseeing, road travel, boating and optional short walks.
There is no multi-day trek. However, temple visits, village walks and sightseeing involve steps and uneven ground. Several travel days also require long hours in a vehicle.
Read MoreFitness and Walking Requirements
Basic walking fitness is sufficient for most of the programme. You should be comfortable exploring on foot, climbing steps and getting in and out of vehicles.
The countryside walk in Bandipur is optional and can be replaced with a shorter town walk. Visits to the World Peace Pagoda and Gupteshwor Cave may involve stairs. Please share any mobility concerns before booking so we can check access and discuss suitable alternatives.
Accommodation
The itinerary includes 12 nights of accommodation:
| Destination | Nights |
|---|---|
| Kathmandu | 4 |
| Chitwan jungle lodge | 2 |
| Tharu village accommodation | 1 |
| Bandipur | 2 |
| Pokhara | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
Accommodation is arranged in hotels, a jungle lodge and a confirmed community homestay or village lodge. Rooms are normally offered on a twin-sharing basis.
Your quotation will identify the properties, room categories and bathroom arrangements. Community accommodation may have simpler facilities than city hotels. Single rooms can be requested, subject to availability and an additional charge.
Meals and Drinking Water
Under the proposed package, breakfast is included throughout the stay, with lunch and dinner on Days 4–10. Other lunches and dinners are excluded unless specifically included in your quotation.
Meals may include Nepali dishes and other options available at the accommodation. Food choices can be more limited during the village stay. Tell us about allergies or dietary requirements before booking so we can check arrangements with your hosts.
Bring a reusable water bottle and follow your guide’s advice about safe drinking water. Drinking-water purchases are included only when stated in your quotation.
Transportation
The proposed package uses private vehicles for scheduled transfers and sightseeing. Vehicle size depends on the group and luggage requirements.
Road journeys connect Kathmandu, Chitwan, the selected Tharu village, Bandipur and Pokhara. Traffic, weather and road maintenance can extend travel times. The Kathmandu–Chitwan and Pokhara–Kathmandu transfers should be treated as full travel days, with breaks arranged along the way.
Guides and Local Support
English-speaking cultural guides lead the scheduled heritage visits and sightseeing. In Chitwan, local nature guides lead the wildlife activities. Village experiences are coordinated with local hosts.
Your booking documents will explain which sections have guide accompaniment. Follow your guides’ advice at religious sites, during walks and around wildlife.
Chitwan Wildlife Activities
The Chitwan programme may include a jeep safari, canoe excursion, birdwatching or guided nature walk. Your final quotation will list the activities included in your lodge package.
Activities depend on weather, river conditions and park operations. Wildlife moves freely, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. Keep a respectful distance from animals, avoid feeding them and follow your nature guide’s instructions.
Tharu Village Experience
The village stay offers an opportunity to learn about Tharu culture through locally arranged activities. Depending on the hosts’ programme, these may include a village walk, cooking demonstration or conversations about local customs.
The exact property, facilities and activities will be confirmed before booking. Ask permission before photographing people or entering homes, and respect your hosts’ privacy.
Pokhara and Optional Activities
The scheduled Pokhara programme includes sightseeing and a boat ride on Phewa Lake, according to your confirmed package. A free day allows time to relax or arrange additional experiences.
Sarangkot sunrise visits, paragliding, zip-lining and other optional excursions are charged separately unless added to your quotation. Check the activity requirements and your insurance coverage before booking adventure activities.
Weather and Mountain Views
Conditions vary between the Kathmandu Valley, the warmer Chitwan lowlands and the hill towns. Bring light clothing for warm days and layers for cooler mornings and evenings.
Mountain views depend on visibility and cloud cover. Himalayan views from Bandipur and Pokhara cannot be guaranteed. Your team will advise on clothing and arrangements for your travel dates.
What to Pack
- Comfortable walking shoes and a small daypack.
- Lightweight clothing and a warm jacket or fleece.
- Waterproof jacket or compact rain protection.
- Sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Insect repellent for Chitwan.
- Reusable water bottle.
- Personal medication and basic first-aid supplies.
- Modest clothing for religious sites.
- Power bank, charging cables and travel adaptor.
Additional warm clothing may be needed for winter departures.
Travel Insurance
Arrange insurance covering the activities in your itinerary, medical treatment, emergency evacuation and trip cancellation or interruption. Optional adventure activities may require additional coverage.
Check the policy terms with your insurer and keep your emergency assistance number accessible. Provide insurance details and an emergency contact to our team before departure.
Money and Personal Expenses
Carry Nepalese rupees for excluded meals, drinks, snacks, souvenirs, tips and smaller purchases. Card payments may not be available at every location.
Your personal spending budget will depend on the confirmed meal plan and optional activities. Ask our team for guidance before arrival.
Luggage
Pack in a manageable suitcase or travel bag, with a small daypack for daily activities. Luggage is transported between overnight destinations according to the agreed vehicle arrangements.
Trekking porters are not required for this itinerary. Inform us in advance if you need assistance handling your bags.
Cultural Etiquette
Dress respectfully at temples and follow local rules about footwear, photography and restricted areas. Some parts of Pashupatinath are restricted to Hindu visitors; your guide will explain the permitted viewing areas.
Ask before photographing people, ceremonies or private spaces. A respectful greeting and patient approach help make local interactions more comfortable.
Arrival, Departure and Changes
Share your flight details before arrival so airport transfers can be arranged. Departure pickup will allow time for traffic and airline check-in.
Weather, road conditions, park operations or accommodation availability may require changes to the programme. Your team will explain any necessary adjustments. Private groups can request different accommodation, shorter walks or additional sightseeing, subject to availability and a revised quotation.
Less MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Expand AllThe route includes Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, Chitwan, a Tharu village stay, Bandipur and Pokhara before returning to Kathmandu.
There is no multi-day trek. Sightseeing involves walking and steps, while the countryside walk in Bandipur is optional. A shorter town walk can be arranged.
It can suit travellers comfortable with sightseeing walks and long road journeys. Please share your family’s ages, fitness and mobility needs before booking so we can discuss suitable arrangements.
You may encounter one-horned rhinos, deer, crocodiles and various birds. Sightings depend on animal movement and conditions, so no particular species can be guaranteed.
Your confirmed lodge package will specify the activities. The proposed programme includes a jeep safari and canoe excursion, subject to weather, river conditions and park operations.
You will stay at a confirmed community homestay or village lodge and join activities arranged with local hosts. Facilities may be simpler than city hotels. Accommodation and hosted experiences will be explained before booking
The trip includes 12 nights in hotels, a jungle lodge and village accommodation. The proposed meal plan includes daily breakfast, plus lunch and dinner on Days 4–10. Your quotation will confirm the final arrangements.
The proposed package uses private vehicles for scheduled transfers and sightseeing. Some journeys take most of the day, and travel times can increase because of traffic or road conditions.
Paragliding, zip-lining and the optional Sarangkot sunrise excursion are excluded unless added to your quotation. Check that your insurance covers any adventure activities you choose.
Yes. You can request different accommodation, shorter walks, additional sightseeing or private travel dates. Changes depend on availability and may affect the duration and price.