6-day Nepal tour: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan with guide

You move from temple valleys to jungle wildlife to mountain sunrise in six days without arranging transport between them.

A 6-day guided tour of Nepal starting in Kathmandu, moving through Pokhara and Chitwan, and returning to Kathmandu with an English-speaking guide and hotel pickup included. The itinerary covers UNESCO World Heritage sites (Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Patan Durbar Square), jungle safari in Chitwan National Park to spot rhinos, tigers and elephants, and sunrise views from Sarangkot hill overlooking the Annapurna range. Hotels with breakfast are included in Chitwan and Pokhara. Lunch is provided daily. You can return to Kathmandu by road or arrange a flight back at extra cost.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Full Day Sightseeing of Kathmandu Valley

• Visit Pashupatinath Temple
• Explore Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
• See Bouddhanath Stupa
• Tour Patan Durbar Square

Day 2: Drive to Chitwan from Kathmandu

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Chitwan by bus or car
• Check in at hotel in Chitwan
• Lunch and visit Tharu village
• Tour park visitor center
• Sunset view from Rapti River
• Dinner and cultural program

Day 3: Full Day Jungle Activities in Chitwan National Park

• Breakfast at hotel
• Jeep safari in National Park
• Canoeing and jungle walk
• Enjoy local cuisine
• Attend cultural show

Day 4: Drive to Pokhara from Chitwan

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Pokhara by bus or car
• Enjoy scenic views en route
• Check in at hotel in Pokhara

Day 5: Full Day Sightseeing of Pokhara

• Visit Phewa Lake and Barahi Temple
• Explore Gupteshwor Cave
• See Devi's Fall
• Visit Bhagabati Temple
• View Seti River Gorge

Day 6: Sunrise at Sarangkot and Return to Kathmandu

• Watch sunrise from Sarangkot Hill
• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive or fly back to Kathmandu
• Drop off at hotel in Kathmandu

The experience

The tour opens in Kathmandu with a full day visiting four major sites: Pashupatinath temple on the Bagmati river, Swayambhunath (known as the Monkey Temple for the primates living there), Boudhanath Stupa built in the 5th century, and Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO site where you can walk through the old royal palace grounds and explore Newari culture and food. From there you drive 160 kilometers to Chitwan over 5–6 hours, arriving in time for lunch, a visit to a Tharu village, and sunset views from the Rapti River before a cultural program in the evening.

The next full day in Chitwan National Park includes jeep safari, canoeing, and jungle walks to watch elephants, one-horned rhinos, Bengal tigers, crocodiles and birds in their habitat. You eat a typical local meal and attend another cultural show. Then you drive 135 kilometers to Pokhara over 4–5 hours, passing through hilly terrain with views of rivers and jungle. A full day in Pokhara takes in Phewa Lake (the second largest in Nepal, with views of Fishtail mountain reflected in the water), Devi's Falls, Gupteshwor Cave, and the Seti Gorge carved by white water. On the final morning you climb to Sarangkot hill for sunrise and panoramic views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range, then drive or fly back to Kathmandu for drop-off at your hotel.

An English-speaking guide accompanies the tour throughout. Hotel pickup from Kathmandu is included at the start, and all government taxes and staff salaries are covered. You stay in tourist hotels with twin beds and breakfast in Chitwan and Pokhara. Meals in Kathmandu and food in Pokhara beyond breakfast are separate, as are entrance fees at heritage sites. If you have an international flight on the final day, the operator can arrange an early morning drive to catch it.

What’s included

• Hotel accommodations with breakfast in Chitwan and Pokhara.
• lunch daily.
• pickup and drop-off from Kathmandu airport.
• an English-speaking guide throughout the tour.
• all government taxes and insurance for ground staff.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day33 departure times: the first at 05:45, the last at 21:45

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (26 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (16 to 25 years) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Shepherd Holidays

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guide leading fixed stops through Kathmandu's temples and Pokhara's lakes and mountains in one shared group. Choose a private tour instead if you need flexibility to linger at sites or skip stops.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 25 years); Child (6 to 15 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What temples and heritage sites do I visit in Kathmandu on this tour?

Pashupatinath temple sits on the Bagmati river 5 kilometers east of the city center and is highly ornamented and dedicated to Lord Shiva. Swayambhunath, called the Monkey Temple, offers views of Kathmandu Valley and has many monkeys living there. Boudhanath Stupa, built in the 5th century, is the oldest and largest stupa in the valley. Patan Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the ancient royal palace of the Malla Kings, temples, and Newari culture and food to explore.

What animals can I see on the jungle safari in Chitwan?

Chitwan National Park is the richest park in Nepal for flora and fauna. On jeep safari and jungle walks you can watch elephants, one-horned rhinos, Bengal tigers, crocodiles, and many other wild animals and birds.

What is included in the hotel accommodations on this tour?

Tourist hotels in Chitwan and Pokhara are included with twin sharing beds and breakfast. Accommodation and meals in Kathmandu are not included, nor is food in Pokhara beyond breakfast. Entrance fees at heritage sites in Kathmandu and Pokhara are separate.

Can I fly back to Kathmandu instead of driving on the last day?

Yes, you can arrange a flight back to Kathmandu from Pokhara at extra cost. The drive back takes several hours and passes through mountains, valleys, rivers and jungle. If you have an international flight on the final day, the operator can arrange an early morning drive by private car to help you catch it.

What is Sarangkot and why is it on the itinerary?

Sarangkot is a hilltop viewpoint near Pokhara famous for sunrise and panoramic views of the Annapurna range, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Dhaulagiri mountains. It is also a popular destination for paragliding. The tour visits at sunrise on the final morning to see the mountains and Phewa Lake and Pokhara Valley below.