Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara Tour
Kathmandu, Chitwan, Pokhara
- 9 days
- No trekking
- From $4,400
- Duration
- 9 days
- Style
- No trekking
- Highest point
- 1,600 m
- Best months
- Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec
- Starts and ends
- Kathmandu
Nepal's heritage, wildlife and lakes, for travellers who would rather not trek.
- Kathmandu’s royal cities with a local historian
- Rhinos at dawn on safari in Chitwan
- Sunrise over the Annapurnas from Sarangkot
- A last quiet night in Dhulikhel
Nepal without the trekking. You spend three days in the old royal cities of the Kathmandu Valley with a local historian, then two on safari in Chitwan and two by the lake in Pokhara.
You finish with a quiet night at Dhulikhel, on a ridge above the valley with the Himalaya on the horizon. Every transfer is private, and you can lengthen any part of the journey.
In Kathmandu you stay at a heritage hotel such as Dwarika’s and see the valley at an easy pace: Patan, Bhaktapur, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath, with an evening at a family table. In Chitwan a safari lodge and its naturalists take you into the national park by jeep and canoe, in search of rhinos, deer and birds, and to a Tharu village nearby. In Pokhara you watch sunrise over the Annapurnas from Sarangkot and spend a day on the lake.
This journey suits families, couples and anyone who wants to see the best of Nepal without walking for days at altitude. It also works well before or after a trek. The hotels and lodges are comfortable throughout, and the longest drives are about five hours. It can be travelled most of the year, though the Chitwan lodges are best from October to April.
Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara Tour: the route
4 places · starts and ends in Kathmandu
Your journey at a glance
Choose a day
Highest night 1,550 m at Dhulikhel · highest point 1,600 m
Way upWay backPositions are approximate; peaks are shown for orientation.
Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara Tour, day by day
-
Days 1–3 Kathmandu Luxury hotel Arrival 1,400 m
Your host meets you at arrivals, and you spend three nights in a heritage hotel such as Dwarika's. With a local historian you explore the royal squares of Patan and Bhaktapur, the great stupa at Boudhanath and the riverside temples of Pashupatinath, at an easy pace with long lunches. One evening you eat at a family table in a Kathmandu home.
- Getting there
- Arrival
- Sleeping altitude
- 1,400 m
- Where you stay
- Heritage luxury hotel in Kathmandu (Dwarika's or similar)
- Meals
- Dinner
-
Days 4–5 Chitwan Safari lodge Drive 5 h 150 m
A private drive south to the lowland forest of Chitwan, about five hours. At the safari lodge you spend two days with naturalists: jeep safaris through the national park in search of one-horned rhinos, deer and, with luck, a tiger; a dugout canoe down the river for birds and crocodiles; and an evening in a Tharu village nearby.
- Getting there
- Drive 5 h
- Sleeping altitude
- 150 m (−1,250 m)
- Where you stay
- Safari lodge, full board with activities
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Days 6–7 Pokhara Luxury hotel Drive 5 h 820 m
A private drive north into the hills to Pokhara, about five hours. Before dawn the next morning you drive up to Sarangkot to watch sunrise over Machapuchare, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. The rest of the day is on and around Phewa Lake: a boat to the island temple, a walk in the hills, or time at the hotel.
- Getting there
- Drive 5 h
- Sleeping altitude
- 820 m (+670 m)
- Where you stay
- Luxury lakeside or hillside hotel in Pokhara
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 8 Dhulikhel Resort Flight 25 min, drive 1 h 1,550 m
A short flight back to Kathmandu, then a drive of about an hour east to a resort such as Dwarika's in Dhulikhel, on a ridge above the valley with the Himalaya on the horizon. The afternoon and evening are for rest: the spa, a walk in the gardens and a quiet dinner with the mountains turning pink at sunset.
- Getting there
- Flight 25 min, drive 1 h
- Sleeping altitude
- 1,550 m (+730 m)
- Where you stay
- Dwarika's Resort, Dhulikhel, or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 9 Departure Departure
A private transfer back to Kathmandu airport for your flight home, about an hour from Dhulikhel. If you would like to add a few days, a short trek or the Everest helicopter morning fits well here.
- Getting there
- Departure
- Meals
- Breakfast
Walking times are typical at an unhurried pace and include rests; your guide adjusts each day to the group and the weather.
Is this journey for you?
- Walking
- Mostly sightseeing on foot in old city squares and gardens, with short, easy walks around Chitwan and Pokhara; no trekking.
- Who it suits
- Anyone, including families and travellers who would rather not walk far.
The practical details
Where you stay
Named lodges or similar, confirmed in your proposal.
- 5 nights
Luxury hotel
Heritage luxury hotel in Kathmandu (Dwarika's or similar)
Kathmandu · Pokhara
- 2 nights
Safari lodge
Safari lodge, full board with activities
Chitwan
- 1 night
Resort
Dwarika's Resort, Dhulikhel, or similar
Dhulikhel
Best time for the Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara Tour
- JanJanuary: Best. Cold and clear; snow can close high passes.
- FebFebruary: Best. Cold and clear; snow can close high passes.
- MarMarch: Best. Spring begins: clear mornings, rhododendrons in bloom lower down.
- AprApril: Best. Peak spring season: warm days, flowers, busier trails.
- MayMay: Good. Warmer and hazier, with afternoon cloud as the monsoon nears.
- JunJune: Not recommended. Monsoon: rain most afternoons, leeches low down, mountains often hidden.
- JulJuly: Not recommended. Monsoon: heavy rain and frequent flight cancellations.
- AugAugust: Not recommended. Monsoon: heavy rain and frequent flight cancellations.
- SepSeptember: Good. Monsoon clears late in the month; lush valleys, some cloud.
- OctOctober: Best. Peak autumn season: clear views, festivals, busier trails.
- NovNovember: Best. Clear, stable and cooler; quieter after mid-month.
- DecDecember: Best. Cold, clear and quiet; short days at altitude.
Seasons for this journey: Autumn, Winter, Spring. Choose a month for what to expect.
Included
- Himkora Host and a private guide throughout
- All hotels and lodges as described
- All meals, including dinners in the cities
- Pokhara–Kathmandu flight
- Permits: Chitwan National Park fees
- Private vehicles and every transfer
- Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu as described
- The Himkora Care Standard, in full
Not included
5 items
- International flights
- Nepal visa (US$50 on arrival for 30 days)
- Travel insurance with evacuation cover (required)
- Gratuities and drinks
- Extra nights or helicopters caused by weather delays (often covered by insurance)
Before you go
Permits we arrange for you
- Chitwan National Park entry
We need a scan of your passport photo page and one passport photo about six weeks before travel. Permit fees are included in your price.
Visa and insurance
- Most nationalities get a Nepal tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport, or online in advance. Check the Department of Immigration before you travel.
- Travel insurance is required. It must cover trekking to the altitudes on your route and helicopter evacuation; we check your policy before departure.
Mountain flights
- Your itinerary ends with a night in Kathmandu. If delays run on, we can arrange a helicopter (at cost).
- Domestic baggage is usually limited to about 15 kg including your cabin bag; extra can stay at your Kathmandu hotel.
Weather
- Days are usually bright and mild in season; nights are cool in the hills.
- Afternoon cloud is normal; mornings bring the clearest views.
We provide
- A Himkora duffel for your porter to carry (up to 12 kg per guest)
- Water purification, first-aid and the Care Standard kit
You bring
- Comfortable walking shoes and light layers
- Modest clothing for temples (shoulders and knees covered)
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen; insect repellent for Chitwan
A full packing list comes with your proposal.
Money
- Your journey is paid in advance, so you only need cash for drinks, souvenirs and tips.
- Nepali rupees are best on the trail; there are ATMs in Kathmandu, Pokhara.
Connectivity and tipping
- Most lodges have Wi-Fi, often slow and sometimes paid; mobile data works in many villages. Your guide carries a satellite messenger.
- Gratuities are not included and are always your choice. We send guidance for guides, porters and drivers with your pre-departure notes.
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Questions guests ask
More answers on our questions page, or write to hello@himkora.com.
How much does the Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara Tour cost?
From $4,400 per person, for two travelling privately, $4,000 per person for four and $7,700 if you travel alone. The price includes guiding, porters, accommodation, meals and permits as listed. Your proposal gives one clear price for your dates.
How many days is the Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara Tour?
9 days as we have planned it, from your arrival in Nepal to your departure. Because it is private, we can add rest days or extra nights, or shorten it if you have less time.
How high does the Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara Tour go?
The highest point is 1,600 m, and the highest night is at 1,550 m.
When is the best time for the Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara Tour?
The best months are January, February, March, April, October, November and December. See the month-by-month guide above for the rest of the year.
Which permits do I need for the Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara Tour?
You will need: Chitwan National Park entry. We arrange all of them for you and include the fees in your price.
Is every journey private?
Yes. You travel only with the people you choose, on your dates. Your guide, porters and vehicles are yours alone, and the route can be adjusted before or during the journey.
What is included in the price?
Your Himkora Host and senior guide, porters, every hotel and lodge named in the itinerary, meals as listed, domestic flights, permits, park fees and private transfers. International flights, your Nepal visa, travel insurance, drinks and gratuities are not included.
How do deposits and payment work?
A 30% deposit confirms your journey, and the balance is due 90 days before travel. Your proposal sets out the full price and the cancellation terms before you pay anything. Our full booking terms are on the Booking terms page.
How fit do I need to be?
Each journey has a walking grade, explained on its page. Before you book, we send a short health questionnaire and talk through your walking history. If a route isn't right, we will say so and suggest one that is.
How do you manage altitude?
Above 3,000 metres our itineraries raise sleeping altitude by about 500 metres a night, never more than 700 metres and then only next to a rest day, with acclimatisation days built in. Guides check blood oxygen and pulse twice a day, carry bottled oxygen on high routes, and always have the authority to turn back.
Do I need special travel insurance?
Yes. Your policy must cover trekking to the highest altitude on your route (up to 6,000 metres on our high journeys), emergency medical treatment, helicopter rescue and repatriation. We check it before you travel.
What if flights to Lukla are delayed?
Mountain flights depend on the weather, and in busy months they may leave from Ramechhap rather than Kathmandu. Every Everest itinerary keeps a spare day in Kathmandu after the Lukla flight, so a weather delay doesn't cost you any of the trek. If delays run on longer, a helicopter can be arranged at cost.
Short on time, or a few days spare?
Add to this journey
Everest Helicopter Tour
A private helicopter from Kathmandu up the Khumbu at dawn, a landing where the rules allow, and breakfast facing Everest. Back by noon.
Kathmandu Valley in Three Days
Patan, Bhaktapur, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath with a local historian, two nights in a heritage hotel and dinner at a family table.
Chitwan Safari in Three Days
A short flight to Chitwan, two nights at a safari lodge, jeep and canoe safaris for rhino, deer and birds, and a Tharu village evening.
Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara Tour