10 Days Nepal Tour 2026

10 Days

10 Days Nepal Tour 2026: Kathmandu Heritage, Pokhara Mountains, and Chitwan Wildlife

The complete Nepal experience in 10 days: three UNESCO World Heritage cities, Himalayan sunrise from Sarangkot, Phewa Lake by rowboat, and one-horned rhino safaris in Chitwan National Park. Private guide and vehicle throughout. No altitude concerns. Suitable for all ages.

Tour at a Glance

Destinations: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights Max Altitude: 1,592m (Sarangkot) Difficulty: Easy (no trekking) Best Season: Sep to Nov / Feb to May Group Type: Private: families, couples, groups Accommodation: 3-star hotels throughout Included: Guide, vehicle, all transfers

What This 10-Day Nepal Tour Covers

This itinerary follows the classic Nepal cultural and wildlife circuit that has been the most popular route for first-time visitors for decades, and for good reason. It covers the three regions of Nepal most distinct from one another: the medieval Newari cities of the Kathmandu Valley, the lake and mountain landscape of Pokhara, and the subtropical jungle and wildlife of the Terai lowlands. In 10 days you move through all three, each offering something completely different from the one before.

We at Next Trip Nepal have run this circuit hundreds of times. The route works because the diversity is genuine: not manufactured for tourists but reflecting three actual regions of Nepal with distinct histories, languages, food, and environments. You eat different things in each place. The temperature changes by 15 degrees between Kathmandu and Chitwan. The sounds are different. The pace is different. That variety is what makes 10 days feel complete rather than rushed.

Kathmandu: Three UNESCO Sites, One Valley

The Kathmandu Valley holds seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites within a 30-kilometre radius. This tour visits three of the most significant over two days.

Swayambhunath Stupa (The Monkey Temple)

Swayambhunath sits on a hill at the western edge of Kathmandu city, visible from much of the valley floor. The stupa is approximately 2,500 years old in its current structural form, though the site has been in continuous use since at least the 5th century. The 365 stone steps up the eastern face pass through a resident population of rhesus macaques that have lived on this hill for centuries. Both Hindu and Buddhist shrines occupy the hilltop: the main stupa is Buddhist (Vajrayana), but the surrounding complex includes Shiva shrines, Newari deity temples, and ritual structures that belong to neither tradition exclusively. This reflects the religious character of the Kathmandu Valley, where traditions overlap rather than compete.

The all-seeing Buddha eyes painted on all four faces of the spire base above the dome are the most reproduced image in Nepali tourism and the actual object is more striking than any photograph suggests. The eyes look in the four cardinal directions simultaneously. The nose below them is the number one in Devanagari script. From the summit platform on a clear morning, the full sweep of the Kathmandu Valley is visible: a bowl of green hills ringed by the white peaks of the Himalaya to the north.

Patan Durbar Square (City of Fine Arts)

Patan (ancient name: Lalitpur, meaning City of Beauty) was a separate kingdom with its own ruling Malla dynasty until the Gorkha unification of Nepal in 1768. Its Durbar Square is the finest example of Newari palace architecture in the Kathmandu Valley: better preserved, less reconstructed, and architecturally more cohesive than either the Kathmandu or Bhaktapur squares. The Krishna Mandir, built in 1637 in stone shikhara style (unusual for the Kathmandu Valley, where pagoda architecture dominates), has exterior walls carved floor to ceiling with scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. The Patan Museum inside the old palace complex is the best museum for Newari religious art in Nepal: bronze castings, stone sculpture, painted manuscripts and ritual objects from the 7th to 19th centuries, displayed with English-language context that is genuinely informative. The Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar), a 12th-century Buddhist monastery a 10-minute walk north of the main square, is an active place of worship where monks perform twice-daily rituals: visitors may watch from the courtyard.

Bhaktapur: Nepal's Best-Preserved Medieval City

Bhaktapur on Day 9 is the most completely medieval of the three valley cities. The historic core has changed less since the 15th and 16th centuries than either Kathmandu or Patan. The main Durbar Square holds the 55-Window Palace (built 1427, expanded through the Malla period), the stone Vatsala Temple, the wooden Pashupatinath Temple and the Sun Dhoka (Golden Gate): a gilded copper gateway considered the finest piece of repousse metalwork in Asia. The Nyatapola Temple in Taumadhi Square, built in 1702, is the tallest pagoda in Nepal at 30 metres: five tiers, each slightly smaller than the one below, with stone guardians at each level of the staircase. The Pottery Square to the north of the main square is an active working neighbourhood where potters use traditional foot-wheel methods that have not changed in 500 years. Bhaktapur charges foreigners a USD 15 entrance fee, included in our package.

Pokhara: Nepal's Mountain and Lake City

Pokhara at 884 metres sits at the base of the Annapurna range: the closest major town to 8,000-metre peaks anywhere in the world. The distance from the town to the summit of Annapurna I (8,091m) is approximately 48 kilometres in a straight line. On a clear day, the north face of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Peak, 6,993m) is visible from the lakeside restaurants. This proximity is what makes Pokhara's sunrise points among the most dramatic mountain viewing positions in Nepal without any trekking involved.

Sarangkot Sunrise

Sarangkot ridge at 1,592 metres is reached by vehicle in 45 minutes from the lakeside. The Annapurna panorama from the main viewing platform on a clear morning covers 180 degrees: Dhaulagiri (8,167m) to the west, Annapurna South (7,219m), Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna II (7,937m), Manaslu (8,163m) to the east, and Machhapuchhre directly ahead. The ridge walk toward Naudada after sunrise passes through Gurung villages, terrace farms and rhododendron forest: a 2 to 3-hour walk suitable for all fitness levels. On the return to Pokhara, Bindhyabasini Temple: the oldest and most important Hindu temple in Pokhara, dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati: is a 20-minute stop on the hillside above the old bazaar.

Phewa Lake and World Peace Pagoda

Phewa Lake at 784 metres is the second largest lake in Nepal: 4.43 square kilometres of calm water reflecting the Annapurna range on clear mornings. Rowboats are available at the main ghat (NPR 500 per hour) and we include a 60-minute row to the Tal Barahi Temple, a two-storey Newari temple on an island 200 metres from the main shore that has been a pilgrimage site for Pokhara's Hindu community since the Malla period. The World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa), built by Japanese Buddhist monks between 1973 and 1996, sits on a ridge 1,100 metres above the lake and is reached by a 45-minute forest trail from the south shore. The view from the pagoda covers the full Annapurna range to the north and Pokhara Valley and Phewa Lake to the south. Davis Falls, where the Pardi Khola river drops through a series of limestone channels before disappearing underground into a sinkhole, and Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, the sacred Shiva cave directly opposite the falls with a 3-kilometre interior passage, complete the Pokhara sightseeing.

Chitwan National Park: Jungle Safari and Wildlife

Chitwan National Park covers 952 square kilometres of subtropical lowland forest and grassland in the Terai at 415 metres above sea level: Nepal's first national park, established in 1973, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. The park holds the world's most successful population of one-horned rhinoceros: from 95 individuals in 1973 (when intensive poaching had reduced the species to near-extinction) to approximately 700 today: one of the great conservation recovery stories of the 20th century. Bengal tigers (approximately 128 individuals in Chitwan), spotted deer, sambar, sloth bear, wild boar, langur monkeys, mugger and gharial crocodiles, and over 500 bird species share the forest and grassland. We spend two nights in Sauraha village on the northern boundary of the park.

Jungle Activities

The morning guided jungle walk with a certified park naturalist is the most direct wildlife encounter in Chitwan: on foot through buffer zone grassland and forest edge where one-horned rhinos are commonly met at close range. The naturalist reads the animal's behaviour and positions the group correctly. The Rapti River canoe ride (45 to 60 minutes in dugout boats paddled by local boatmen) covers riverbank habitats where mugger and gharial crocodiles bask on sandbars, Gangetic river dolphins occasionally surface, and over 100 bird species are reliably seen from water level. The afternoon jeep safari into the park covers the central grassland zones where rhino sightings are nearly guaranteed, deer are present in large numbers, and tiger sightings occur on approximately 25 to 35% of safaris depending on season. Tharu cultural dance performance in the evening: stick dances, fire dances, and traditional music from the Tharu community, the indigenous people of the Chitwan Terai whose village economy predates the national park by centuries.

What This Tour Does Not Include

This is a cultural and wildlife tour. There is no trekking, no high altitude, and no overnight at more than 1,592 metres (Sarangkot viewpoint, reached by vehicle). It is suitable for first-time visitors to Nepal, for families with children of any age, for older travelers, and for anyone who wants to see Nepal's major sites without the demands of a trekking itinerary. If you want to add a trekking section before or after this tour: Annapurna Basecamp, Poon Hill, or a short Langtang valley walk: we can build that into a customised extension.

Best Time to Do This 10-Day Nepal Tour

The two peak seasons: October to November and March to May: are the best months for this itinerary. October and November offer the clearest skies of the year, with exceptional visibility at Sarangkot (the Annapurna range is typically visible 6 to 7 days out of 7 in October), dry trails for the Naudada ridge walk, and ideal Chitwan wildlife concentration near water sources after the monsoon. March to May brings rhododendron flowering across Nepal's hill country, comfortable temperatures, and good mountain visibility. December to February is cold (Kathmandu nights drop to 2 to 7 degrees Celsius) but clear: Sarangkot sunrise is reliable, Chitwan daytime temperatures are pleasant, and tourist crowds are at their lowest. June to September is monsoon season: rain is frequent, mountain views are often cloud-covered, and Chitwan can receive significant rainfall. We run this tour year-round and advise clients on the specific trade-offs for their target dates.

Accommodation and Transport

The package uses 3-star hotels throughout: established properties with en-suite bathrooms, hot water, air conditioning or heating as seasonally appropriate, WiFi, and daily breakfast. In Kathmandu we use hotels in Thamel for convenience to restaurants, pharmacies and currency exchange. In Pokhara we use lakeside hotels within walking distance of the main ghat and restaurant strip. In Chitwan we use a lodge in Sauraha village, fenced and secure, with garden seating and outdoor dining. All transport between cities and between sites is in a private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver. No shared buses, no public transport schedules to follow.

Your Guide

A private English-speaking guide accompanies you for all 10 days. Our guides are Nepal Tourism Board licensed and have led this specific circuit many times. They brief you on each site before you enter, manage logistics silently so you do not deal with ticket queues or transport coordination, and adapt the daily pace to your group's energy. For specialist interests: birdwatching, photography, religious history, architecture: let us know at booking and we match the appropriate guide. We do not assign first-time guides to private tours.

10 Days Nepal Family Tour Overview

Local Guide Note — Sunil Tiwari, Trekking Guide, Next Trip Nepal: I have managed the 10-day Nepal circuit 19 times and the detail most itineraries overlook is Tansen old town on the Siddhartha Highway — a Newari hill settlement that most standard routes skip entirely. We include a Tansen stop on every 10-day Nepal tour we run, because it adds authentic cultural depth that Kathmandu and Pokhara alone cannot provide.

Critical Safety and Logistics

No trekking permits required for Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan itineraries. Chitwan National Park entry permit (NPR 2,000 per person) applies for the jungle safari component.
Kathmandu to Pokhara by road: 180 km, 7 hours by private vehicle. Internal flight available: 30 minutes, USD 90 to 150 depending on season.
Chitwan National Park jungle activities conducted with government-licensed naturalist guides. All wildlife Jeep safaris and canoe trips depart from the designated park zone.

The 10-day Nepal highlights tour covers the essential geography of Nepal in the most efficient sequence possible: three nights in the Kathmandu Valley exploring seven centuries of Newari civilisation, three nights in Pokhara for Himalayan sunrise and the lake country, and two nights in Chitwan National Park for jungle wildlife. The route works because each destination is genuinely distinct. You eat different food, hear different languages, see different landscapes, and sleep at different altitudes at each stop. Ten days is enough time to absorb each place rather than just pass through it.

We have been running this circuit from our Kathmandu office since 2010. The itinerary has not changed in its fundamental shape because the shape is correct: Kathmandu first (jet lag recovery, culture immersion), Pokhara second (mountain scenery, active half-days), Chitwan third (the lowland wildlife contrast), then back to Kathmandu for the Bhaktapur day and departure. Groups who try to reverse the order or skip a destination consistently tell us they wished they had done the standard sequence.

The Kathmandu Valley Heritage Circuit

The Kathmandu Valley was once a lake: the geological record confirms it: and the mythology of the valley's founding describes a Buddhist saint draining it to create habitable land. The three cities that occupy it (Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur) were separate kingdoms from approximately the 12th century until Prithvi Narayan Shah's Gorkha unification in 1768. Each city had its own Durbar Square, its own palace, its own temples, its own artisan guilds, and its own distinct dialect of Newari language. The Newari people built everything you see in the heritage zones: the multi-tiered pagoda temples, the carved wooden window lattices, the gilded metal roof covers, the intricate stone sculpture, and the brick-paved courtyards with their sunken water spouts.

The 2015 earthquake damaged many structures: most significantly the Kathmandu Durbar Square (Kasthamandap temple, several Malla-era buildings) and parts of Bhaktapur: but the UNESCO-supported reconstruction has been methodical and the major monuments are all accessible. Patan Durbar Square and the Patan Museum were the least affected of the three squares. Swayambhunath and Boudhanath were moderately damaged and have been fully restored.

Swayambhunath on Day 2 is best visited early morning (before 9:00 AM) when the resident monkeys are most active and the light from the east illuminates the stupa face directly. The 365 steps take about 15 minutes at a relaxed pace. The complex at the top has both Buddhist and Hindu shrines occupying the same hillside: a spatial arrangement that reflects the religious character of the Kathmandu Valley where the two traditions have coexisted and cross-pollinated for at least 1,000 years. The valley view from the top extends north to the Langtang range on clear days.

Patan in the afternoon of Day 2 is a different kind of experience: more refined, more architectural, more museum-like in its preservation. The Krishna Mandir is the centrepiece: a pure shikhara-style stone temple built entirely in the Indian manner (unusual for Nepal) with 21 carved friezes around the base showing scenes from the Bhagavata Purana and Mahabharata in a style of narrative sculpture that is found nowhere else in the Kathmandu Valley. The Patan Museum, housed in the restored Degutale wing of the old palace, displays the finest collection of Newari religious metalwork in existence: bronze deity castings of a quality and intricacy that still cannot be fully replicated today.

Bhaktapur on Day 9 is the most complete medieval urban environment surviving in Nepal. The main Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square (where the Nyatapola Temple stands), Dattatreya Square and the connecting lanes between them form a continuous heritage zone with no modern intrusions. The Nyatapola Temple at 30 metres is the tallest pagoda in Nepal and one of the most structurally sophisticated wooden buildings in Asia: built in 1702 in 14 months by Bhupatindra Malla, it has survived multiple major earthquakes including 1934 and 2015 with only minor damage. The Pottery Square potters work daily and visitors can watch the entire process from clay preparation through wheel-throwing and sun-drying. The wood carving workshops in the lanes off Dattatreya Square produce replica peacock windows and latticed window panels using the same joinery techniques as the originals.

Pokhara and the Annapurna Range

Pokhara is 200 kilometres west of Kathmandu at 884 metres: a lower altitude, a warmer climate, and a completely different landscape. Where Kathmandu is dense, urban and layered with history, Pokhara is open, spread across a valley floor beside a lake, with the Annapurna range occupying the northern horizon. The city grew from a small trading town into a tourist hub from the 1970s onward, when the first Annapurna Circuit trekkers began using it as a base. Today it functions as the gateway city for all Annapurna-region trekking and as a destination in itself for those who want mountain views without the trek.

Sarangkot ridge at 1,592 metres is the standard sunrise viewpoint for Pokhara visitors. The drive from the lakeside takes 45 minutes on a winding vehicle road, then a 10-minute walk to the main platform. The panorama from Sarangkot on a clear morning is one of the best mountain views accessible without physical effort anywhere in the Himalayan region: Dhaulagiri at 8,167m, the complete Annapurna massif from Annapurna South through Annapurna I to Annapurna II, Manaslu at 8,163m, Himalchuli, and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Peak, 6,993m) directly above Pokhara. The Naudada ridge walk from Sarangkot (2 to 3 hours, returning to Pokhara by vehicle from Naudada) passes through Gurung villages and agricultural terraces. Bindhyabasini Temple in old Pokhara on the return is the city's oldest Hindu shrine, built on a hill above the bazaar with a temple courtyard active with daily puja ritual.

Phewa Lake on Day 5 is experienced at water level from a rowboat: the most effective way to appreciate the scale of the lake and its Himalayan backdrop. The Tal Barahi Temple on its island in the middle of the lake is reached in 15 minutes of rowing. The World Peace Pagoda hike from the south shore (45 minutes of forest trail, steady uphill) reaches a white Japanese-built stupa at 1,100 metres with views south over the valley and north over the lake to the Annapurna range. Davis Falls in the afternoon is brief but memorable: particularly after monsoon, when the volume of water disappearing into the underground channel is impressive. Gupteshwor Cave across the road is a sacred Shiva cave with formations and an underground waterfall visible through a natural skylight shaft.

Chitwan and the Terai Wildlife

The Terai is Nepal's southern lowland strip: a subtropical plain between the Himalayan foothills and the Indian border that holds some of South Asia's most important remaining wildlife habitat. Chitwan National Park, at 415 metres, is the most accessible point of entry to the Terai ecosystem. The park's one-horned rhinoceros population (approximately 700 animals) is the centrepiece of Nepal's conservation success story. The grassland and forest habitat of Chitwan also supports Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, Indian wild dogs (dholes), gharial and mugger crocodiles, and a bird list of over 500 species including several globally threatened species found nowhere else in Nepal.

The Tharu people have lived in the Chitwan Terai for centuries. The Tharu cultural dance performance on the evening of Day 6 is not a tourist construct: it draws on a tradition of communal celebration that includes stick dances performed at festivals, fire-handling ceremonies, and the peacock dance (mayur naach) that tells seasonal agricultural stories. The Tharu village visit attached to the evening program shows the distinctive architecture of Tharu longhouses, which are built with a continuous earthen plaster technique that naturally regulates interior temperature without mechanical cooling.

Jungle activities on Day 7 include the guided walk, canoe ride and jeep safari: three modes of approaching the same ecosystem, each revealing different species and behaviours. The morning walk at first light is best for rhino encounters on foot and for bird activity. The river canoe covers crocodile basking habitat and kingfisher and heron territories. The afternoon jeep safari reaches the central park zones where deer herds are largest and tiger sightings most probable. Our naturalist guides who lead Chitwan activities are trained park naturalists with deep local knowledge of individual animal territories and movement patterns.

Who This Tour Is For

This 10-day itinerary works for first-time Nepal visitors, for families with children of any age (the highest point is 1,592 metres, reached by vehicle), for older travelers, for couples, and for small groups. There is no trekking and no sustained physical demand beyond comfortable walking at each site. The pace can be adjusted on any day: earlier starts for early risers who want the best light at sites, afternoon rest built in where needed, meal timing adapted to the group. We have run this tour with clients from their late 70s who had no difficulty. We recommend it to anyone who asks us what to do in Nepal with 10 days and no previous Himalayan experience.

10 Days Nepal Family Tour Tour Highlights

Swayambhunath Stupa (the Monkey Temple): 2,500 years old, hilltop panorama of the Kathmandu Valley, resident macaque monkeys, Buddhist and Hindu shrines sharing the same complex
Patan Durbar Square and Patan Museum: the finest Newari palace architecture and the best museum of Nepali religious metalwork in existence, both on the same UNESCO-listed square
Sarangkot sunrise at 1,592m: 180-degree panorama of Dhaulagiri, the Annapurna massif, Manaslu, and Machhapuchhre at first light, reached by vehicle with no trekking required
Naudada ridge walk from Sarangkot: 2 to 3 hour ridge hike through Gurung villages and rhododendron forest with Himalayan views throughout
Phewa Lake rowboat to Tal Barahi Temple: 60 minutes on the second-largest lake in Nepal with Machhapuchhre reflected in calm water
World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa) hike: 45-minute forest trail to a Japanese-built stupa with panoramic views of the Annapurna range and Pokhara Valley
Chitwan one-horned rhino safaris: guided jungle walk, Rapti River canoe ride, and afternoon jeep safari covering three habitat types in Nepal's premier wildlife park
Tharu cultural dance performance: stick dances, fire dances, and peacock dance from one of Nepal's oldest indigenous communities in the Chitwan Terai
Bhaktapur full-day heritage visit: Nepal's best-preserved medieval city including the 30-metre Nyatapola Temple, Pottery Square, and the 55-Window Palace
Private guide and vehicle throughout: no shared groups, no public transport, pace and schedule adapted to your party every day

Itinerary

Day
01

Arrive Kathmandu (1,400m): Airport Transfer, Thamel Orientation, Program Briefing

Your guide from Next Trip Nepal meets you at the arrivals exit of Tribhuvan International Airport with a name sign. The drive from the airport to your Thamel hotel takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. Thamel is Kathmandu's main tourism neighbourhood and the most practical base for the valley sightseeing days: restaurants, pharmacies, money changers, bookshops, and gear stores are all within a 10-minute walk from most hotels in the area.
After checking in, your guide does a 30-minute orientation walk through Thamel's main lanes to orient you to the neighbourhood: currency exchange counters, the nearest pharmacy, recommended restaurants for different budgets, and the general layout. This is especially useful if you plan to explore independently in the evenings.
In the late afternoon or evening, your guide sits with you for the full 10-day program briefing: daily timings, what to expect at each site, what to wear and bring each day, tips for the Chitwan activities, and answers to any questions. This briefing is the most efficient use of the arrival evening and means the following nine days run without unnecessary questions or logistics confusion. Welcome dinner at a restaurant your guide recommends: typically a Nepali set meal (dal bhat, rice, lentils, vegetables, achaar) at a restaurant in Thamel that serves reliable local food at fair prices. Overnight at your Kathmandu hotel.

Dinner
Day
02

Kathmandu Heritage Day: Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple) and Patan Durbar Square

Early start by 7:30 AM to reach Swayambhunath before the mid-morning crowds. The drive from Thamel to the base of the hill takes 15 minutes. The 365 stone steps up the eastern face of the hill pass through the resident population of rhesus macaques: habituated and bold, they will attempt to take any food, open bag, or bright object within reach. Brief children and unprepared adults before the climb: no food visible, bags zipped, sunglasses secured. The climb takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes at a relaxed pace and the steps are well-maintained.
At the top, your guide explains the Swayambhu complex in the context of both Buddhist and Hindu traditions that share the hilltop. The main stupa's gilded spire and the all-seeing eyes painted on its four faces are the most reproduced image in Nepali tourism, but standing directly below the spire is a different experience from seeing it in photographs. The complex is active with morning worshippers: women circling the stupa with prayer beads, monks from the monastery buildings to the north performing morning rituals, local Hindu families making offerings at the surrounding shrines. Budget 45 to 60 minutes at the complex.
After Swayambhunath, drive 20 minutes to Patan. The Patan Durbar Square entrance fee is included. Your guide leads a 90-minute walking tour of the square: the Krishna Mandir and its narrative stone carvings, the royal courtyards of the palace, the Patan Museum (45 minutes inside, the most informative museum for Newari art in Nepal), and the Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar) monastery 10 minutes north of the square. Afternoon free for walking the craft lanes around the square: bronze workshops, singing bowl sellers, pashmina shops. Return to Thamel for dinner independently. Overnight Kathmandu.

8 hour

Breakfast
Day
03

Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara (884m): 200km, Prithvi Highway, Trishuli River, Lakeside Arrival

Depart from your Kathmandu hotel by 7:00 AM to 7:30 AM. The drive to Pokhara follows the Prithvi Highway west through the Trishuli River gorge for the first two hours, then climbs through the mid-hills toward the Pokhara Valley. Total distance is approximately 200 kilometres and the drive takes 6 to 7 hours in normal traffic, including stops. We make a mid-journey stop for tea and stretching in Mugling at the Trishuli-Marsyangdi river confluence, and a second stop for lunch at a roadside restaurant in the hill section west of Mugling.
The highway through the Trishuli gorge passes through forested ridges with the river visible in the gorge below: one of the most used whitewater rafting rivers in Nepal. The section from Naubise to Mugling is the most winding part of the journey. Motion sickness medication is advisable for anyone prone to car sickness; front seat allocation is worth requesting if needed.
Arrive in Pokhara lakeside by 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Check in to your hotel. The lakeside area has cafes, restaurants, bike rentals, and kayak hire along the main road above the lake shore. In the evening, walk to the main ghat and watch the sunset over the lake: if the sky is clear, the reflection of Machhapuchhre on the lake surface in the golden hour is one of the better natural light experiences in Pokhara. Your guide confirms the 4:30 AM departure time for tomorrow's Sarangkot sunrise. Overnight Pokhara.

7 hour

Breakfast
Day
04

Sarangkot Sunrise (1,592m), Naudada Ridge Walk, Bindhyabasini Temple

4:30 AM departure from your hotel by vehicle. The drive to Sarangkot ridge takes 40 to 45 minutes on a winding road above the city. Dress in layers: the ridge temperature at 1,592 metres before sunrise is significantly colder than the lakeside, especially between November and February (4 to 10 degrees Celsius at pre-dawn compared to 12 to 18 degrees at the lake). Bring a warm jacket regardless of the season. The main viewing platform at the top of the road is a 5-minute walk from the car park.
Sunrise timing: between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM in October and November, around 6:45 AM in December and January, between 5:45 AM and 6:15 AM in March to May. The light hits Dhaulagiri first (it is the westernmost peak visible and catches the earliest light), then moves progressively east across the Annapurna range to Manaslu. Machhapuchhre, directly in front of the viewpoint and closest, is the last of the major peaks to receive full sunlight because it is partially shaded by its own northern ridge until the sun clears the eastern horizon. Budget 45 to 60 minutes on the ridge for the full light sequence.
The Naudada ridge walk begins from Sarangkot directly after sunrise. The trail follows the ridge east and then descends through Gurung villages and agricultural terraces with Himalayan views throughout. The walk takes 2 to 3 hours at a comfortable pace and ends at Naudada village, where your vehicle meets you for the return to Pokhara. On the way back, stop at Bindhyabasini Temple: built on a hilltop above old Pokhara bazaar, this is the oldest and most important Hindu temple in Pokhara city, dedicated to the goddess Bhagwati. A 20-minute visit. Afternoon free in Pokhara. Overnight Pokhara.

6 hour

Breakfast
Day
05

Phewa Lake Rowboat, World Peace Pagoda Hike, Davis Falls, Gupteshwor Cave

A morning on the lake followed by afternoon sightseeing. The main ghat for rowboat hire is a 10-minute walk from most lakeside hotels. Boats are available from 7:00 AM for NPR 500 per hour. We row south-southeast across the lake to the Tal Barahi Temple: a two-storey Newari temple on a small island 200 metres from the north shore. The temple is a Shakti shrine dedicated to Barahi Devi and has been an active pilgrimage site for Pokhara's Hindu community since the Malla period. Fishing cormorants perch on the rocks around the island in the morning. The reflection of Machhapuchhre directly across the lake from the temple island is the most photographed view in Pokhara.
After returning the rowboat, drive around to the south shore of the lake for the World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa) hike. The trail begins at the boat dock on the south shore (where a short rowboat crossing is also possible as an alternative) and climbs through deciduous forest for 45 minutes on a clear trail. The stupa at the top was built by Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist monks from Japan between 1973 and 1996. From the pagoda platform, the view north takes in the full Annapurna range above the Pokhara Valley, and the view south shows the full length of Phewa Lake. The descent returns to the south shore boat dock.
Afternoon: Davis Falls (Patale Chhango), where the Pardi Khola river drops through a limestone gorge and disappears into an underground sinkhole, is a 5-minute drive from the lake. The fall is most dramatic in the monsoon and early post-monsoon months. Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave directly across the road is a sacred Shiva cave with natural limestone formations, narrow passage sections, and an interior chamber where a shaft in the rock above lets you look up at the base of Davis Falls from underground. Free evening in Pokhara. Overnight Pokhara.

7 hour

Breakfast
Day
06

Drive Pokhara to Chitwan (415m): 4 to 5 Hours, Sauraha Check-in, Tharu Cultural Evening

Depart Pokhara after breakfast, typically 8:00 AM. The drive to Chitwan takes 4 to 5 hours on the Prithvi Highway east to Mugling junction, then south on the road through Tanahu and Chitwan districts. The route drops from the mid-hills at approximately 600 metres to the flat Terai lowland at 415 metres over the last 30 kilometres. The temperature increases noticeably as you descend into the subtropical plain: Chitwan runs 5 to 12 degrees Celsius warmer than Pokhara or Kathmandu depending on the season. This temperature shift is part of the environmental contrast that makes the Chitwan section of this tour feel genuinely different from what preceded it.
Arrive in Sauraha village at midday to 1:00 PM. Sauraha is the main tourism gateway on the northern boundary of Chitwan National Park: a strip of lodges, restaurants, elephant facilities, and nature guide offices along the Budhi Rapti River, which forms the park's northern boundary. Check in to your jungle lodge, which includes a compound garden, outdoor dining area, and en-suite rooms with hot water. Lunch is included today. Afternoon rest or optional brief village walk.
The Tharu cultural program is in the early evening after dinner. Your guide arranges transfer to the performance venue in Sauraha village. The program runs approximately 45 minutes and includes the stick dance (lathi nach), the peacock dance (mayur naach), fire handling, and drumming. The Tharu people are the indigenous community of the Chitwan Terai, predating the national park establishment and the arrival of hill communities in the lowlands. The cultural program reflects their actual festival traditions, not a tourist-manufactured performance. Overnight at Chitwan jungle lodge.

6 hour

Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Day
07

Full Day Chitwan Jungle Activities: Morning Walk, Canoe Ride, Afternoon Jeep Safari

5:30 AM wake-up for the guided jungle walk: the activity with the highest probability of close-range wildlife encounter. A trained park naturalist leads the group through the buffer zone and forest edge on foot, typically 2 to 3 hours. One-horned rhinoceros are commonly encountered in the grassland sections. The naturalist reads the animal's body language and positions the group at a safe and respectful distance (typically 15 to 30 metres for rhinos, who are generally calm unless they have a calf nearby). The walk also covers bird identification: Chitwan's morning bird activity includes grey-headed fish eagle, giant hornbill, pied kingfisher, crested serpent eagle, and in October to November, several migrant species passing through. Return to the lodge for breakfast by 8:30 AM.
The Rapti River canoe ride departs at 10:00 AM. Traditional dugout canoes (dugout from single sal tree trunks) are paddled downstream by experienced boatmen for 45 to 60 minutes. Mugger crocodiles (broad-snouted, shorter: commonly seen) and gharial crocodiles (narrow-snouted, longer: rarer, more endangered) bask on the sandbanks year-round. Gangetic river dolphins appear occasionally in the deeper bends. The canoe ride provides close-up access to the riverbank habitat and the bird life there. Life jackets are available and provided for children. Landing at the park boundary elephant facilities for a 20-minute walk back to the lodge.
Afternoon rest from noon to 2:30 PM: this mid-day break is important in Chitwan where temperatures between October and April can reach 28 to 35 degrees Celsius. The jeep safari departs at 3:00 PM in open-top 4x4 vehicles through the Sauraha park gate. The afternoon hours (3:00 PM to 6:00 PM) are the most productive for rhino sightings in the grassland and for deer herds in the forest edge. We have recorded tiger sightings on approximately 30% of afternoon safaris across the year, most commonly in February, March, and October. Return to the lodge at sunset. Overnight Chitwan.

10 hour

Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Day
08

Drive Chitwan to Kathmandu: 5 to 6 Hours, Optional Manakamana Stop, Pashupatinath Evening

Departure from the Chitwan lodge after an early breakfast at 7:00 AM. The return drive to Kathmandu follows the Chitwan highway north through Hetauda and then the Prithvi Highway east to Kathmandu, or alternatively the route north through Tanahu to Mugling and east: your driver uses the current best-condition route. Total drive time is 5 to 6 hours including stops.
Optional stop at Manakamana (adds approximately 1 hour): halfway between Chitwan and Kathmandu, the Manakamana Cable Car ascends from the Trishuli River gorge to the Manakamana Temple (1,302m) in a 10-minute gondola ride over a dramatic river gorge. The temple is a significant Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to the wish-fulfilling goddess Manakamana. The cable car itself is the draw for many visitors: the gondola crosses the gorge with the river 800 metres below and forested ridges on all sides. Cost approximately USD 7 to 10 per person return; at your own expense if chosen.
Arrive Kathmandu by 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Check in to your hotel. Late afternoon visit to Pashupatinath Temple (20 minutes from Thamel by taxi): the most important Hindu pilgrimage site in Nepal, the principal Shiva temple on the Bagmati River, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Non-Hindu visitors cannot enter the inner sanctum but walk freely through the outer courtyard and along both banks of the Bagmati River, where the open-air cremation ghats are visible at close range. The evening aarti (fire offering ritual) performed by priests at the main ghat between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM is accessible from the opposite riverbank. This is a significant and genuine religious site: dress appropriately (shoulders and knees covered) and follow guide instructions on photography. Overnight Kathmandu.

7 hour

Breakfast
Day
09

Bhaktapur Full Day: Durbar Square, Nyatapola Temple, Pottery Square, 55-Window Palace

Full day in Bhaktapur: Nepal's best-preserved medieval city, 13 kilometres east of Kathmandu. The drive from Thamel takes 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on morning traffic. Bhaktapur charges a USD 15 foreign visitor entrance fee (included in the package), which covers access to all heritage monuments within the historic zone for the duration of your visit.
Your guide leads a structured walking tour of the three interconnected squares: Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, and Dattatreya Square. Durbar Square contains the 55-Window Palace (constructed 1427, expanded by successive Malla kings), the Vatsala Temple with its bronze bell cast in 1737 by King Jaya Ranjit Malla, the Sun Dhoka (Golden Gate) repousse metalwork doorway set in the palace wall and considered the finest example of this craft in Nepal, and the stone Pashupatinath Temple. Taumadhi Square holds the Nyatapola Temple: five tiers, 30 metres, built in 1702 in 14 months and the most imposing pagoda structure in Nepal. Each tier of the staircase has a pair of stone guardians in ascending order of power: human wrestlers at the base, elephants, lions, griffins, and the goddesses Baghini and Singhini at the top.
After the main squares, walk to the Pottery Square: an active working neighbourhood where potters use traditional foot-wheel techniques to produce the clay pots, water vessels, and religious objects sold throughout the Kathmandu Valley. This is not a demonstration for tourists; it is a functioning industry, and the potters work regardless of visitor presence. Watch the clay being centred, walls pulled up, rims finished, and pots left to dry on the square's stone pavement. The wood-carving workshops in the lanes off Dattatreya Square are worth a 20-minute browse: craftsmen produce replica Bhaktapur peacock window panels using the same joint-and-pin technique as the 15th-century originals. Return to Kathmandu for dinner and final shopping. Overnight Kathmandu.

8 hour

Breakfast
Day
10

Departure Day: Free Morning, Final Shopping, Airport Transfer

The final morning is free until your airport transfer, which your guide confirms the evening before based on your flight departure time. For international flights departing in the afternoon (2:00 PM to 6:00 PM), you typically have until 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM for final activities before checking out. For morning flights (before noon), airport transfer takes priority and the free morning is limited to an early Thamel walk.
Final Thamel shopping is the most common morning activity for departing clients. The main categories: singing bowls (USD 20 to 200 for a quality piece: check that it sustains a ring for at least 20 seconds when struck with the wooden mallet), thanka paintings (traditional Tibetan Buddhist art on cotton canvas, USD 30 to 200 for smaller pieces), pashmina shawls (USD 40 to 120 for genuine ring-pass quality: anything under USD 20 is almost certainly acrylic or blended), dried Himalayan spice packets (timur pepper, Himalayan pink salt, masala mixes), and hand-made lokta paper products (notebooks, cards, lampshades). Your guide can point you to shops known for genuine merchandise and fair fixed prices rather than commission-based shops.
Airport transfer departs 3 hours before your international flight. The drive from Thamel to Tribhuvan International Airport takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on traffic (Kathmandu traffic is heaviest between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM: we factor this into the departure time). Your guide and driver see you to the departure terminal entrance. Your 10-day Nepal tour ends here. Thank you for traveling with Next Trip Nepal.

Breakfast

Cost Includes

Airport pickup and drop-off in Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport)
3 nights 3-star hotel in Kathmandu, Thamel area, with daily breakfast
3 nights 3-star hotel in Pokhara, lakeside area, with daily breakfast
2 nights jungle lodge in Sauraha, Chitwan, with breakfast, lunch and dinner
1 night 3-star hotel in Kathmandu on return from Chitwan (Day 9), with breakfast
Private air-conditioned tourist vehicle with experienced driver for all transfers and sightseeing
Experienced private English-speaking guide (Nepal Tourism Board licensed) for all 10 days
Kathmandu heritage sightseeing: Swayambhunath, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur
Pokhara sightseeing: Sarangkot sunrise, Naudada ridge walk, Phewa Lake rowboat, Peace Stupa hike, Davis Falls, Gupteshwor Cave, Bindhyabasini Temple
Chitwan activities: guided jungle walk, Rapti River canoe ride, afternoon jeep safari, Tharu cultural dance performance
All entrance fees: Bhaktapur heritage zone (USD 15), Chitwan National Park fees, all monuments and museums listed in the itinerary
All applicable government taxes and service charges

Cost Excludes

International flights to and from Kathmandu
Nepal entry visa fee (USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, payable on arrival at Kathmandu airport in cash USD)
Travel and medical insurance (strongly recommended, not optional for Chitwan activities)
Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu and Pokhara (breakfast included at hotels; meals at client choice for other times)
Personal expenses, tips, and souvenir purchases
Alcoholic beverages and drinks beyond included meals
Tips: guide USD 15 to 20 per day recommended, driver USD 8 to 10 per day recommended
Optional Pokhara flight (domestic Kathmandu to Pokhara one-way approximately USD 85 to 100, available as upgrade)
Personal medical expenses or pharmacy costs during the tour
Any activities not listed as included: optional boat upgrades, spa, additional site visits

Tour Summary and Comparison

10 Reasons to Choose This Nepal Tour

Three UNESCO World Heritage zones: Swayambhunath, Patan Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur
Sarangkot sunrise panorama: Dhaulagiri, Annapurna range, Manaslu, and Machhapuchhre at first light
Naudada ridge walk through Gurung villages with Himalayan views, no trekking permit needed
Phewa Lake rowboat to Tal Barahi Island Temple: Machhapuchhre reflected in calm water
World Peace Pagoda 45-minute forest hike with 360-degree valley and mountain panorama
One-horned rhino on foot in Chitwan: the park holds approximately 700 individuals
Rapti River canoe ride: mugger crocodiles, gharial, river dolphins, 100+ bird species
Tharu cultural evening: authentic stick dance, peacock dance, and fire performance
Bhaktapur Nyatapola Temple (30m, built 1702) and working Pottery Square
Private guide and vehicle every day: no shared groups, pace adapted to your party

Day-by-Day Summary

Day	Location	Main Activities	Altitude	Meals
1	Kathmandu	Airport arrival, Thamel orientation, program briefing, welcome dinner	1,400m	D
2	Kathmandu	Swayambhunath Stupa, Patan Durbar Square, Patan Museum, Golden Temple	1,400m	B
3	Kathmandu → Pokhara	Drive 200km via Prithvi Highway, Trishuli River gorge, lakeside arrival	884m	B
4	Pokhara	Sarangkot sunrise (1,592m), Naudada ridge walk, Bindhyabasini Temple	1,592m max	B
5	Pokhara	Phewa Lake rowboat, Tal Barahi Temple, World Peace Pagoda, Davis Falls, Gupteshwor Cave	884m	B
6	Pokhara → Chitwan	Drive to Sauraha, check-in, Tharu village visit, cultural dance evening	415m	B, L, D
7	Chitwan	Morning jungle walk, Rapti River canoe ride, afternoon jeep safari	415m	B, L, D
8	Chitwan → Kathmandu	Drive back, optional Manakamana cable car, Pashupatinath Temple evening	1,400m	B
9	Kathmandu	Bhaktapur full day: Nyatapola Temple, Pottery Square, 55-Window Palace, Golden Gate	1,400m	B
10	Departure	Free morning, final Thamel shopping, airport transfer	1,400m	B

B = Breakfast | L = Lunch | D = Dinner | All Chitwan meals (B, L, D) included at the lodge

This Tour vs a 12-Day Nepal Extension

What You Get	10-Day Tour (This Package)	12-Day Nepal Highlights
Swayambhunath + Patan	✓	✓
Pashupatinath + Boudhanath	Pashupatinath only	✓ Both
Bhaktapur full day	✓	✓
Nagarkot sunrise	✗	✓
Sarangkot sunrise	✓	✓
Naudada ridge walk	✓	✗
Phewa Lake + Peace Stupa	✓	✓
Chitwan nights	2 nights	2 nights
Best for	First-time visitors, tight schedules	Deeper Kathmandu coverage

FAQs

What is included in the 10-day Nepal tour package?

The package includes: airport pickup and drop-off in Kathmandu, 3 nights hotel in Kathmandu, 3 nights hotel in Pokhara, 2 nights jungle lodge in Chitwan with all meals, 1 night hotel in Kathmandu on return, private air-conditioned vehicle and driver for all 10 days, private English-speaking guide for all 10 days, all entrance fees (Bhaktapur USD 15, Chitwan park fees, all listed monuments), all Chitwan activities (jungle walk, canoe ride, jeep safari, Tharu cultural program), Sarangkot vehicle transfer, Phewa Lake rowboat to Tal Barahi Temple, and all government taxes.

Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to Nepal?

Yes. This is one of the most popular itineraries for first-time Nepal visitors because it covers the three most distinct regions of the country in a logical sequence with no prior knowledge of Nepal needed. The guide provides context at every site. There is no trekking, no altitude concern, and no need for previous Himalayan experience. We have run this tour with clients who had never previously visited Asia and with clients who had traveled widely but never to Nepal.

What is the highest altitude on this tour and is altitude sickness a concern?

The highest point on the entire 10-day tour is Sarangkot viewpoint at 1,592 metres, reached by vehicle in 45 minutes from Pokhara. For comparison, Kathmandu city is at 1,400 metres and Pokhara is at 884 metres. Altitude sickness (acute mountain sickness) does not present a risk at these elevations. The threshold at which AMS becomes a concern is typically around 2,500 metres for susceptible individuals, and this tour does not approach that level. Chitwan is at 415 metres.

Can children do this tour?

Yes, this tour is suitable for children of all ages. There is no trekking and the highest point is reached by vehicle. The Sarangkot Naudada ridge walk is 2 to 3 hours on a clear path and is manageable for children who are comfortable walking. Chitwan jungle activities are conducted by trained naturalists who are experienced with family groups. We recommend the guided jungle walk for children of 5 years and older (they need to follow instructions quietly). The canoe ride and jeep safari are suitable from any age. Inform us at booking if you have children under 5 so we can advise on the Chitwan walk.

What is the best time of year for this Nepal tour?

October and November are the peak season and the clearest months for mountain views: Sarangkot sunrise is reliable and the Annapurna range is typically visible on 6 to 7 days out of 7. March to May is the second best season with rhododendron flowering in the hills and good visibility. December and January are cold (Kathmandu nights 2 to 7 degrees Celsius) but clear and much less crowded. June to September is monsoon season with frequent rain and cloud-covered mountains, though Chitwan is still operational and the valley heritage sites are unaffected by rain. We run this tour year-round and advise on seasonal trade-offs for specific dates.

Can we fly to Pokhara instead of driving?

Yes. Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines operate multiple daily flights between Kathmandu and Pokhara. The flight takes 25 to 30 minutes and costs approximately USD 85 to 100 per person one-way. We offer this as an upgrade to the standard package at additional cost. The flight saves the 6 to 7-hour road journey. Note that mountain flights operate under visual conditions and can be delayed or cancelled in poor visibility. We always have the vehicle available as a backup. Some clients choose to fly one way and drive the other.

What kind of accommodation is used and are there upgrade options?

The standard package uses 3-star hotels: established properties with en-suite bathrooms, hot water, WiFi, air conditioning or heating, and daily breakfast. In Kathmandu and Pokhara we use hotels in the main tourism districts. In Chitwan we use a jungle lodge in Sauraha with a garden compound and outdoor dining. Upgrades to 4-star or boutique properties are available in all three destinations at a supplement. If you have a specific hotel preference or require accessible rooms, inform us at booking.

Is the guide present for all 10 days?

Yes. Your private guide accompanies you from the airport arrival on Day 1 to the airport departure on Day 10. This includes all sightseeing days in Kathmandu, the drive and sightseeing in Pokhara, the drive to Chitwan, all jungle activities in Chitwan, and the Bhaktapur day on return. The guide also joins the Chitwan canoe ride and jeep safari, coordinating with the local Chitwan naturalists. In the evenings when clients prefer to dine independently, the guide is available by phone and meets the group the following morning.

What is the Tharu cultural program in Chitwan?

The Tharu are the indigenous people of the Chitwan Terai: they have lived in the lowland forest region for centuries and developed a culture adapted to the subtropical environment. The evening cultural program (approximately 45 minutes) includes the stick dance (lathi nach), which is performed at Tharu festivals to demonstrate community strength and agility; the peacock dance (mayur naach), which tells agricultural cycle stories through movement; fire-handling demonstrations; and traditional drumming on the madal and dhol. The performers are members of local Tharu families, not professional entertainers hired for tourist shows.

What wildlife can we expect to see in Chitwan?

One-horned rhinoceros sightings are nearly guaranteed on the jungle walk and jeep safari: the Chitwan rhino population (approximately 700 animals) is the densest in any national park in South Asia. Spotted deer (chital), sambar, hog deer, and wild boar are present in large numbers and seen on every safari. Mugger crocodiles are reliably seen on the canoe ride. Bengal tiger sightings occur on approximately 25 to 35% of afternoon jeep safaris depending on season. Langur monkeys, common mongooses, and various mongoose species are frequently observed. Over 500 bird species have been recorded in Chitwan, and your naturalist guide identifies species throughout the activities.

How do we get from Chitwan back to Kathmandu?

By private vehicle on Day 8, the same driver who brought you to Chitwan. The drive takes 5 to 6 hours including stops. An optional stop at Manakamana Cable Car (approximately halfway) is available at your own expense (USD 7 to 10 per person return for the cable car, which rises 1,302 metres from the Trishuli River gorge to the temple). The drive arrives in Kathmandu in the early to mid afternoon, with time for the optional Pashupatinath evening visit.

What should I pack for this 10-day tour?

Clothing: lightweight layers for Kathmandu and Pokhara (which can be cool at night year-round), warm jacket for Sarangkot sunrise pre-dawn, comfortable walking shoes for the heritage sites and Naudada ridge walk. For Chitwan: neutral or earth-toned clothing (bright colours attract insect attention in the jungle), long sleeves and trousers for the jungle walk, closed shoes or light hiking boots. General: sun protection (hat, sunscreen), insect repellent for Chitwan, a small daypack for site visits, a power bank for device charging, and a reusable water bottle (we recommend water purification tablets or a UV steriliser rather than buying single-use plastic throughout). Camera equipment: no restrictions at any site on this itinerary, though some inner sanctums of temples do not permit photography inside.

Can the tour be customised or extended?

Yes. Common customisations include: adding Nagarkot (a hilltop resort town at 2,175m east of Kathmandu with Himalayan sunrise views) as a Day 2 overnight before or after the valley heritage days; extending Pokhara to 4 nights to add a short Poon Hill trek (4 days) from Pokhara; replacing the Chitwan drive with a flight to save time; adding Lumbini (the birthplace of the Buddha, 5 hours from Chitwan) as a Day 8 stop before returning to Kathmandu. If you want a different pace, more photography time, or a particular focus (religious sites, birdwatching, craft traditions), let us know at booking.

Is travel insurance required?

We strongly recommend travel insurance with medical coverage and helicopter evacuation for all Nepal travel. While this 10-day tour has no altitude risk and no trekking, medical evacuation from Chitwan by helicopter (in case of a road accident or sudden illness) costs USD 2,000 to 5,000 and is not covered by most standard health insurance outside Nepal. Travel insurance that includes Nepal helicopter evacuation coverage is available from multiple providers and costs USD 50 to 150 for 10 days depending on your origin country and coverage level. We ask clients to confirm their insurance details at the pre-trek briefing.

What are the visa requirements for Nepal?

Most nationalities obtain a Nepal tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The visa costs USD 30 for a 15-day single-entry permit or USD 50 for a 30-day permit. Payment is accepted in USD cash, euros, or major credit cards (though cash USD is the most reliable). Visa forms are available at the airport or can be filled in online in advance on the Nepal Department of Immigration website (cdn.mofa.gov.np). Citizens of India do not require a visa. Citizens of SAARC countries (except Afghanistan) get a free 30-day visa. Check your specific nationality requirements before travel.