Grand tour: valley, hills, jungle and Lumbini

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu

Kathmandu

• Boudhanath Stupa evening kora · 2 h. Join the clockwise kora at dusk when pilgrims light butter lamps; rooftop cafés overlook the dome. Foreigner entry about NPR 400.
• Thamel and Asan bazaar walk · 2 h. Walk from Thamel via Kathesimbhu Stupa to Asan and Indra Chowk; spice, bead and brass stalls. Bargain politely for souvenirs and trekking gear.

Local tip: Join the clockwise kora at dusk when pilgrims light butter lamps; rooftop cafés overlook the dome. Foreigner entry about NPR 400.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Patan Durbar Square, Patan Museum & Golden Temple

Kathmandu

• Patan Durbar Square, Patan Museum & Golden Temple · 5 h. Foreigner ticket about NPR 1,000 for the square; check at the counter whether Patan Museum is included. The Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar) has a small separate fee — shoes and leather items off inside.

Local tip: Foreigner ticket about NPR 1,000 for the square; check at the counter whether Patan Museum is included. The Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar) has a small separate fee — shoes and leather items off inside.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Bhaktapur Durbar Square & Pottery Square day trip

Kathmandu

• Bhaktapur Durbar Square & Pottery Square day trip · 6 h. Foreigner entry about NPR 1,800 (lower SAARC rate), covering Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square with the Nyatapola Temple and Dattatreya Square. Try juju dhau before you leave.

Local tip: Foreigner entry about NPR 1,800 (lower SAARC rate), covering Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square with the Nyatapola Temple and Dattatreya Square. Try juju dhau before you leave.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Kathmandu → Nagarkot

Nagarkot · Kathmandu to Nagarkot, Taxi ~1.5h

• Sunrise from the Nagarkot view tower · 1.5 h. Leave around 5–5:30am with a torch; clear views of Langtang and, on good days, Everest are most likely Oct–Feb.
• Tamang village walk and ridge sunset · 2 h

Local tip: Leave around 5–5:30am with a torch; clear views of Langtang and, on good days, Everest are most likely Oct–Feb.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Nagarkot → Bandipur

Bandipur · Nagarkot to Bandipur, Private car ~5h

• Bandipur old bazaar walk · 1.5 h. The main street is car-free; 18th-century Newari trading houses, temples and cafés. Evenings are quiet after day-trippers leave.
• Thani Mai Temple sunrise hike · 1.5 h. A 30-min climb above town; the best panorama in Bandipur.

Local tip: The main street is car-free; 18th-century Newari trading houses, temples and cafés. Evenings are quiet after day-trippers leave.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Explore Bandipur

Bandipur

• Tundikhel viewpoint · 1 h. A short walk from the bazaar; Himalayan views from Dhaulagiri to Langtang at sunrise or sunset on clear days.
• Siddha Cave (Siddha Gufa) · 4 h. About 1.5h downhill on a steep trail (harder coming back); entry includes a guide with lights. Wear shoes with grip.
• Khadga Devi and Bindebasini temples · 1 h

Local tip: A short walk from the bazaar; Himalayan views from Dhaulagiri to Langtang at sunrise or sunset on clear days.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Bandipur → Pokhara

Pokhara · Bandipur to Pokhara, Tourist bus to Dumre + jeep ~2.5–3h (private car ~2.5h)

• Phewa Lake boating & Tal Barahi Temple · 1.5 h. Rowing boats are hired by the hour from Lakeside (roughly NPR 700–1,000 per boat). Mornings are calmest, with Machapuchare reflected on clear days; life jackets are provided.
• Sarangkot sunrise · 3 h. Taxi up at about 5am, then a short walk to the viewpoint (small entry fee). Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Machapuchare are clearest Oct–Feb.

Local tip: Rowing boats are hired by the hour from Lakeside (roughly NPR 700–1,000 per boat). Mornings are calmest, with Machapuchare reflected on clear days; life jackets are provided.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Explore Pokhara

Pokhara

• World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa) · 3 h. Boat across Phewa and climb about 45 min, or drive most of the way. Late afternoon gives lake and mountain views at sunset.
• Davis Falls & Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave · 2 h. Opposite each other near the airport road; the falls are fullest Jul–Oct and the cave steps are wet and slippery.
• International Mountain Museum · 2 h. Mountaineering history and Himalayan cultures; good on a cloudy afternoon.

Local tip: Boat across Phewa and climb about 45 min, or drive most of the way. Late afternoon gives lake and mountain views at sunset.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Explore Pokhara

Pokhara

• Tandem paragliding from Sarangkot · 3 h. 20–30 min flights landing at Phewa Lake, about US$80–100 plus photos. Pick an established operator; flights stop in strong wind and monsoon rain.
• Lakeside evening walk and dinner · 2 h
• Ultralight flight over the Annapurnas · 1.5 h. 15–60 min flights from Pokhara airport early on clear mornings, mainly Oct–Mar. Book a day ahead and keep a spare morning.
• Tashi Palkhel Tibetan settlement & monastery · 1.5 h. North of town at Hemja; morning prayers at the monastery and carpet weaving nearby.

Local tip: 20–30 min flights landing at Phewa Lake, about US$80–100 plus photos. Pick an established operator; flights stop in strong wind and monsoon rain.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Pokhara → Chitwan

Chitwan · Pokhara to Chitwan, Tourist bus ~5h (private car ~4.5h)

• Dugout canoe on the Rapti River · 1.5 h. Mugger crocodiles, gharials and kingfishers at dawn; usually combined with a short guided walk back. Price includes the park fee.
• Tharu cultural dance show · 1.5 h. Nightly in Sauraha's cultural houses; the stick dance is the finale.

Local tip: Mugger crocodiles, gharials and kingfishers at dawn; usually combined with a short guided walk back. Price includes the park fee.

Open day 10 route in Google Maps

Day 11: Explore Chitwan

Chitwan

• Chitwan jeep safari (half day) · 4 h. Price includes the foreigner park fee (about NPR 2,000 per day) and a shared jeep. One-horned rhinos and deer are common; tigers and sloth bears are rare. Feb–May, after the grass is cut, gives the clearest views.
• Elephant breeding centre (no riding) · 2 h. About 4 km from Sauraha by bicycle or jeep; calves stay with their mothers. Elephant rides and bathing are widely criticised on welfare grounds — choose jeep, canoe or walking options instead.
• Rapti riverbank sunset · 1.5 h. Sauraha's riverside bars face the park; rhinos sometimes cross at dusk — keep your distance.

Local tip: Price includes the foreigner park fee (about NPR 2,000 per day) and a shared jeep. One-horned rhinos and deer are common; tigers and sloth bears are rare. Feb–May, after the grass is cut, gives the clearest views.

Open day 11 route in Google Maps

Day 12: Explore Chitwan

Chitwan

• Early-morning bird walk · 3 h. More than 500 species are recorded in the park; Bis Hajari Tal and the community forests are good spots. Winter adds migrants.
• Tharu village bicycle tour · 3 h. Mud-walled houses, rice fields and a small Tharu museum; ask before photographing people at home.

Local tip: More than 500 species are recorded in the park; Bis Hajari Tal and the community forests are good spots. Winter adds migrants.

Open day 12 route in Google Maps

Day 13: Chitwan → Lumbini

Lumbini · Chitwan to Lumbini, Private car ~4h (local bus ~5h)

• Maya Devi Temple & Sacred Garden · 2 h. The marker stone of the Buddha's birthplace, the Ashoka Pillar and the Puskarini pond. Shoes off and silence inside; go at opening to avoid heat and groups.
• World Peace Pagoda Lumbini · 1 h

Local tip: The marker stone of the Buddha's birthplace, the Ashoka Pillar and the Puskarini pond. Shoes off and silence inside; go at opening to avoid heat and groups.

Open day 13 route in Google Maps

Day 14: Explore Lumbini

Lumbini

• Monastic Zone by bicycle · 4 h. Monasteries built by China, Thailand, Myanmar, Germany, Korea and others line the canal; hire a bicycle or e-rickshaw. Many close for a break around midday.
• Lumbini Museum · 1 h
• Eternal Peace Flame and central canal walk · 1 h
• Morning meditation at a monastery · 2 h. Some monasteries and meditation centres welcome visitors to morning sessions; a donation is appropriate. Ask a day ahead.

Local tip: Monasteries built by China, Thailand, Myanmar, Germany, Korea and others line the canal; hire a bicycle or e-rickshaw. Many close for a break around midday.

Open day 14 route in Google Maps

Day 15: Depart from Lumbini

Lumbini

• Sarus crane watching in the Lumbini wetlands · 2 h. Tall sarus cranes feed in the fields around the Lumbini Crane Sanctuary, mostly in winter.

Local tip: Tall sarus cranes feed in the fields around the Lumbini Crane Sanctuary, mostly in winter.

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.

Open day 15 route in Google Maps