The prayer bells of Swayambhunath ring across the Kathmandu Valley as the first light catches the golden spire. Below, the old city is already stirring — incense smoke curling from temple doorways, vendors stacking pyramids of marigolds, motorcycle horns threading through streets that have carried traders and pilgrims for a thousand years. Kathmandu is not a city you observe. It pulls you in — through its narrow alleys, its rooftop restaurants, its Durbar Squares where medieval woodcarving meets the chaos of modern Nepal. This eight-day tour takes you from here to the lakeside calm of Pokhara and the wild subtropical lowlands of Chitwan — three faces of Nepal stitched together in a single, unhurried week.
What makes this route work is the contrast. One day you're standing in a temple courtyard where Hindu and Buddhist traditions have overlapped for centuries. Two days later you're watching the Annapurna range reflected in Fewa Lake, a rowing boat drifting across glass-still water. And by the end of the week, you're sitting in silence on a canoe in Chitwan's Rapti River, scanning the riverbank for the armoured silhouette of a one-horned rhinoceros. No trekking required. No altitude to worry about. Just Nepal's three most extraordinary destinations, connected by scenic drives and guided by people who grew up here.
What Makes This Tour Unforgettable
- Explore four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley — Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and Kathmandu Durbar Square
- Watch the Sarangkot sunrise paint the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges gold and pink
- Boat across Fewa Lake with the Himalayan skyline reflected beneath you
- Jeep safari through Chitwan National Park searching for one-horned rhinos, wild elephants, and the elusive Bengal tiger
- Glide down jungle rivers by dugout canoe past basking mugger crocodiles and gharials
- Experience a traditional Tharu cultural dance performance — the indigenous people of the Terai plains
- Taste authentic Nepali cuisine from Newari feasts in Kathmandu to lakeside dining in Pokhara
- Visit the Devi's Falls and Gupteshwor Cave in Pokhara — where a waterfall disappears underground
- Suitable for all ages and fitness levels — no trekking, no altitude, entirely vehicle-based
- TAAN-certified English-speaking guide throughout, with local naturalist guides in Chitwan
8-Day Overview
Days 1–3: Kathmandu Valley. Arrive in Kathmandu. Full-day guided tour of the valley's greatest heritage sites — the stupa of Swayambhunath perched above the city, the sacred cremation ghats of Pashupatinath, the vast white dome of Boudhanath, and the medieval carved temples of Kathmandu Durbar Square. A second day allows you to explore Patan Durbar Square, the Garden of Dreams, or simply lose yourself in Thamel's backstreets.
Days 3–5: Pokhara. Scenic drive to Pokhara (6–7 hours by road, or optional domestic flight). Early morning visit to Sarangkot for the famous Himalayan sunrise. Boat ride on Fewa Lake, visits to Devi's Falls, Gupteshwor Cave, and the International Mountain Museum. Free afternoon to stroll the lakeside or try paragliding (optional extra).
Days 5–7: Chitwan. Drive from Pokhara to Chitwan National Park (5–6 hours). Full jungle programme — jeep safari, canoe ride, elephant breeding centre visit, bird watching, and a Tharu cultural dance evening. Two nights in Chitwan gives you the best chance of spotting wildlife in both morning and afternoon game drives.
Day 8: Return to Kathmandu. Drive back to Kathmandu (5–6 hours). Farewell dinner with your guide and the team. Transfer to hotel or airport.
Compare Our Three Packages
| Budget ($650) | Standard ($799) | Luxury ($1,000) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Tourist-class hotel | 3-star hotel | 4–5 star / boutique hotel |
| Meals | Breakfast only (B&B) | All meals (B/L/D) | All meals at premium restaurants |
| Transport | Local / shared vehicle | Private tourist vehicle | Luxury private vehicle |
| Guide | English-speaking guide | English-speaking guide (1 per 6) | Dedicated private guide |
| Safari | Jeep safari + canoe | Jeep safari + canoe | Private jeep safari + canoe |
| SIM card | SIM only | SIM + limited data | SIM + unlimited data |
| Best for | Budget-conscious travellers | Comfortable touring | Premium experience |
Same expert guides, same destinations, same safety standards — three comfort levels to match your budget.
Your Tour, Our Family
Shreejan Simkhada doesn't just run The Everest Holiday — he comes from three generations of Himalayan expertise. His grandfather arranged logistics and support for expeditions and travellers in Nepal during the 1960s and 1970s. His father has held senior positions in Nepal's tourism and mountaineering institutions. Shreejan personally designs every itinerary and hand-picks the guide for your group.
Your guide will be one of our TAAN-certified professionals — experienced, locally knowledgeable, and personally briefed by Shreejan before your tour begins.
Need anything? WhatsApp Shreejan directly: +977 9810351300.
Why Travellers Trust Us
Three generations of local knowledge. We know which restaurant in Pokhara has the best dal bhat, which Chitwan guide spots tigers first, and which Kathmandu streets to avoid during festivals. That kind of knowledge doesn't come from a training manual.
Every detail handled. Airport pickup, hotel check-ins, park permits, internal transport — we manage every logistical piece so you can focus entirely on the experience. Our response time is under 30 minutes during Nepal business hours.
320+ five-star reviews and a TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice award. We earn trust one trip at a time.
Solo Travellers Welcome
Most of our travellers join solo — you'll be part of a small group of like-minded adventurers from around the world. Our groups stay small (1–20 people) so you get a personal experience. Many of our solo travellers tell us the group becomes like a second family by the time you reach Chitwan.
Tour Difficulty: Easy (1/5)
This is a cultural and wildlife tour with no trekking involved. All travel is by vehicle. The maximum altitude is 1,400 metres (Kathmandu) — lower than many European cities. Suitable for all ages, all fitness levels, and families with children. The only physical activity is walking around heritage sites and the safari, which is done by jeep and canoe.
Trek With a Purpose
A portion of every booking supports the Nagarjun Learning Center, founded by our family in 2019. Today, 70 children receive free education and hot meals daily at our flagship centre in Saldum Village, Dhading District. The centre is verified and listed on the UN Partner Portal.
Travel With a Purpose.
