9 Days Departure Tour Kathmandu Pokhara Lumbini and Chitwan

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu

1. 15m
   Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, where you will be welcomed by the tour representative and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, take time to relax and settle in. In the evening, attend a brief tour orientation with your Tour Manager, followed by a Welcome Dinner with a traditional Nepali cultural performance, offering your first taste of Nepalese cuisine, music, and local traditions.

Day 2: Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing

1. Pashupatinath Temple
   1h · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast, begin your Kathmandu sightseeing with a visit to Pashupatinath Temple, one of Nepal's most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites. Located along the banks of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple complex is known for its pagoda-style architecture, religious shrines, traditional rituals, and spiritual atmosphere. Visitors can explore the surrounding temple area and observe the cultural and religious practices that make Pashupatinath one of Kathmandu's most significant landmarks.
2. Boudhanath Stupa
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Continue to Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in Nepal and an important center of Tibetan Buddhist culture. Walk around the impressive white dome and golden pinnacle while observing Buddhist prayer wheels, colorful prayer flags, monasteries, and pilgrims performing their ritual circumambulation. The surrounding area also offers opportunities to experience Tibetan-influenced culture and architecture.
3. 1h
   Next, visit Swayambhunath Stupa, popularly known as the Monkey Temple. Perched on a hilltop overlooking Kathmandu Valley, the ancient Buddhist complex features a prominent white stupa, Buddha statues, prayer wheels, shrines, and traditional architecture. From the hilltop, enjoy panoramic views across Kathmandu and the surrounding valley while exploring this important religious and cultural site.
4. Patan Durbar Square
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Continue to Patan Durbar Square, a historic royal palace complex in the heart of Patan. The square is celebrated for its beautifully preserved Newari architecture, ornate temples, stone and bronze sculptures, courtyards, and former royal palace buildings. Take time to explore the historic square and appreciate the craftsmanship that makes Patan one of Nepal's most important cultural destinations. After completing the sightseeing, return to your hotel in Kathmandu and enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure. You can relax at the hotel or explore the surrounding area independently.

Day 3: Kathmandu to Pokhara

1. Pokhara Lakeside
   4h
   After breakfast, depart Kathmandu for Pokhara, traveling approximately 200 km through Nepal's scenic countryside. The journey follows the Trishuli River corridor, with views of green hills, rivers, villages, terraced farmland, and mountain landscapes along the way. A stop can be made for lunch during the journey at your own expense. Upon arrival in Pokhara, check into your hotel and relax. Later, enjoy free time around the popular Lakeside area, where you can stroll along the waterfront, explore local shops, or relax at a café overlooking Phewa Lake.

Day 4: Pokhara Sightseeing and Sarangkot Sunrise

1. Sarangkot
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Start early in the morning with a drive to Sarangkot, one of Pokhara's most popular Himalayan viewpoints. Arrive in time to watch the first rays of sunlight illuminate the surrounding mountains. On a clear morning, enjoy panoramic views of the Annapurna mountain range, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain), and the surrounding Himalayan landscape. After enjoying the sunrise and taking photographs, return to Pokhara for breakfast.
2. 20m · Admission ticket included
   Continue your Pokhara sightseeing with a visit to Davis Falls, one of the city's most famous natural attractions. The waterfall is known for its powerful flow and the way the water disappears into an underground tunnel and continues through the natural rock formations. Spend time exploring the viewpoint and surrounding area before continuing to the next attraction.
3. Gupteswar Gupha
   30m · Admission ticket included
   Located close to Davis Falls, Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave is a sacred natural cave dedicated to Lord Shiva. Descend into the cave to see its naturally formed passages, rock formations, and religious shrines. The cave provides both a geological and spiritual experience and is an important religious attraction in Pokhara.
4. Phewa Tal
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Later, head to Phewa Lake for a relaxing boating experience. Enjoy views of the surrounding hills and, when weather conditions are clear, reflections of the Himalayan peaks on the lake. The peaceful boat ride offers a different perspective of Pokhara and is one of the city's signature experiences.
5. Tal Barahi Temple
   20m
   During the Phewa Lake experience, visit Tal Barahi Temple, a two-story pagoda-style Hindu temple located on a small island in the middle of the lake. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Barahi and is an important religious site for local devotees. Enjoy the short boat journey to the island and explore the temple surroundings before returning to the lakeside.
6. Pokhara Lakeside
   2h
   After completing the scheduled sightseeing, return to Pokhara Lakeside and enjoy free time at your leisure. Explore the waterfront, browse local shops, visit cafés, or simply relax beside Phewa Lake.

Day 5: Pokhara to Lumbini

1. Lumbini
   Pass by
   After breakfast, depart from Pokhara and travel approximately 180 km to Lumbini. The scenic journey takes you through Nepal's changing landscapes, including green hills, rural settlements, terraced farmland, and the Tansen/Palpa region, before descending toward the Terai plains. Enjoy views of the countryside and local way of life along the route, with a lunch stop at your own expense.
2. World Peace Pagoda
   20m
   Upon arrival in Lumbini, visit the World Peace Pagoda, also known as the Japan Peace Pagoda. This striking white Buddhist monument represents peace and harmony and is surrounded by peaceful gardens and open landscapes. Take time to explore the area, enjoy the tranquil surroundings, and capture photographs of this important Buddhist landmark.
3. Central Canal
   3h · Admission ticket included
   Continue to the Central Canal area, the main axis of Lumbini's development zone. Walk or explore the peaceful surroundings, where monasteries, gardens, meditation spaces, and Buddhist monuments can be found along the canal. The area provides an opportunity to experience the calm spiritual atmosphere for which Lumbini is renowned.
   After completing the day's sightseeing, check in to your 3-star hotel in Lumbini. Enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure, allowing you to relax after the journey or explore the peaceful surroundings independently.

Day 6: Lumbini Sightseeing and Transfer to Chitwan

1. Maya Devi Temple
   20m · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast, begin the day's sightseeing at Maya Devi Temple, the most sacred site in Lumbini and the traditional birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. Explore the temple complex and surrounding sacred garden, where ancient archaeological remains and religious monuments reflect Lumbini's importance as a major Buddhist pilgrimage destination. Take time to experience the peaceful atmosphere and observe pilgrims and visitors from around the world.
2. Ashoka Pillar
   20m · Admission ticket included
   Continue to the historic Ashoka Pillar, erected by Emperor Ashoka during his pilgrimage to Lumbini. The pillar is an important archaeological landmark and provides historical evidence of Lumbini's significance as the birthplace of Buddha. Learn about its connection to ancient Buddhist history while exploring the surrounding sacred area.
3. Lumbini Monastic Site
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Next, explore Lumbini's International Monastic Zone, home to monasteries and Buddhist centers representing different countries and Buddhist traditions. Discover a variety of architectural styles, religious artwork, prayer halls, gardens, and peaceful meditation spaces. This area highlights the international importance of Lumbini as a center of Buddhist culture and pilgrimage.
4. Chitwan District
   4h
   After completing the Lumbini sightseeing, depart for Chitwan, approximately 140 km away, with the journey taking around 4–5 hours depending on road and traffic conditions. Upon arrival, check into your jungle resort and relax before exploring the local Tharu culture. Later, enjoy a Tharu village walk to experience traditional houses, local surroundings, and the customs and everyday lifestyle of the indigenous Tharu community. In the evening, head to the Rapti River to enjoy peaceful sunset views surrounded by Chitwan's natural landscapes. The day concludes with a traditional Tharu Cultural Stick Dance, featuring lively music and dance that showcase the community's rich cultural heritage, before returning to the jungle resort for the evening.

Day 7: Chitwan Wildlife and Jungle Experience

1. Chitwan National Park
   6h
   Spend the day discovering the natural and cultural attractions of Chitwan National Park. Begin with bird watching, followed by a traditional canoe ride through the park's waterways. Continue with a jeep safari, providing opportunities to observe wildlife such as the one-horned rhinoceros, deer, crocodiles, and numerous bird species in their natural environment. Wildlife sightings depend on natural conditions and animal movement and therefore cannot be guaranteed. Enjoy additional cultural experiences associated with the Tharu community before returning to the jungle resort for the evening.

Day 8: Chitwan to Kathmandu and Farewell Dinner

1. Kathmandu
   8h
   After breakfast, depart Chitwan and travel back to Kathmandu by road. Enjoy the changing scenery as you travel from the subtropical Terai region through Nepal's hills toward the Kathmandu Valley. After arriving in Kathmandu and checking into your hotel, enjoy free time for shopping, souvenirs, or personal exploration. In the evening, celebrate the completion of your Nepal journey with a Grand Farewell Dinner and traditional cultural performance.

Day 9: Departure from Kathmandu

1. 30m
   Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and spend your remaining time at leisure depending on your flight schedule. After check-out, you will be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight. This marks the end of your Nepal journey, covering the cultural heritage of Kathmandu, Himalayan scenery in Pokhara, Buddhist heritage in Lumbini, and wildlife and Tharu culture in Chitwan

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness