Chat with us, powered by LiveChat Highlights of Nepal: Kathmandu, Chitwan & Pokhara

What to expect

Pokhara

Pokhara

Phewa Lake boat ride & hilltop shrines

Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Durbar Square & Boudhanath Stupa

Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park

Spot wildlife from a Rapti River canoe

Lakuri Bhanjyang

Lakuri Bhanjyang

Stay in a scenic Himalayan retreat

About this trip...

Discover the highlights of Nepal on this immersive guided group tour through ancient culture, spectacular landscapes and rich spiritual traditions. Explore Kathmandu’s sacred landmarks including Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Patan Durbar Square, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath, before flying to the lakeside city of Pokhara for Himalayan views from the Peace Pagoda and Pumdikot Shiva Statue, along with a tranquil boat ride on Phewa Lake. Continue to historic Gorkha, birthplace of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, before heading into the wilderness of Chitwan National Park for exciting jungle activities and wildlife encounters. In the peaceful hilltop retreat of Lakuri Bhanjyang, enjoy forest bathing, mountain biking and sweeping mountain views before ending your adventure in the medieval city of Bhaktapur.
Activity Level: Activity Level Rating
What's this?

What's included?

  • Return airport transfers
  • Internal flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara
  • Airport taxes & charges
  • Private Room
  • Solos Board: Breakfast daily, three lunches & four dinners
  • Kathmandu Durbar Square & Swayambhunath
  • Patan City tour
  • Pashupatinath & Boudhanath
  • Peace Pagoda & Pumdikot Shiva Statue
  • International Mountain Museum & Gurkha Museum
  • Boat ride on Phewa Lake
  • Jungle activities in Chitwan National Park
  • Bhaktapur Durbar Square
  • Accompanying Solos Tour Leader

What's extra?

  • Nepal visa, currently $30
  • International flights not included. Let us help you book them! Learn more.
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips & drinks
  • Meals when not included in the itinerary
  • Activities when not included in the itinerary

Itinerary

  • Depart the UK
  • Arrive in Kathmandu
  • Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath & Patan City
  • Pashupatinath & Boudhanath
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara
  • International Mountain Museum & Gurkha Museum
  • Pokhara to Gorkha
  • Gorkha to Chitwan National Park
  • Chitwan jungle activities
  • Chitwan to Lakuri Bhanjyang
  • Forest Bathing & Mountain Biking
  • Lakuri Bhanjyang to Kathmandu
  • Depart Kathmandu

What you'll be doing

Day One : Arrive in Kathmandu

Day One : Arrive in Kathmandu

Today we arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal’s vibrant capital, set within the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley at an elevation of around 1,400 metres (4,600 ft). The wider metropolitan area includes the historic sister cities of Patan, Kirtipur, Thimi and Bhaktapur, along with surrounding urban centres such as Banepa, Dhulikhel and Panauti. Surrounded by the mountains of Shivapuri, Phulchoki, Nagarjun and Chandragiri, the city blends ancient culture with dramatic natural scenery. After checking in to our hotel, we meet our fellow travellers and enjoy a welcome drink followed by dinner together.
  • Dinner included
Day Two : Explore Kathmandu's highlights

Day Two : Explore Kathmandu's highlights

We spend the day discovering the highlights of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. This morning, we visit the city’s most famous attraction, Durbar Square, along with the Kumari Temple, where monuments dating back to the 12th century showcase the city’s rich heritage. We also explore one of the Valley’s most ancient and intriguing holy sites — the golden-spired stupa of Swayambhunath, perched atop a wooded hill overlooking the city. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue to Patan City, renowned for its skilled artisans and superb handicrafts. Patan Durbar Square is widely regarded as one of the finest urban streetscapes in the world, with many of its remarkable monuments dating from the 16th to 18th centuries.
  • Breakfast & lunch included
Day Three : Discover the sacred sites of Kathmandu

Day Three : Discover the sacred sites of Kathmandu

After a leisurely morning, we visit Pashupatinath and Boudhanath in the afternoon. Pashupatinath is Nepal’s most sacred Hindu shrine and one of the subcontinent’s most important Shiva sites. Although the temple’s origins are unclear, an inscription dates from 477, and it is believed a shrine may have stood here for more than 1,000 years before that. We then visit Boudhanath, one of Nepal’s most distinctive landmarks and among the most important Buddhist sites in the country. With a diameter of over 100 metres, the stupa is one of the largest in the world. While several legends surround its construction, it is generally believed to date back to the 5th century.

  • Breakfast included
Day Four : Fly to Pokhara - Peace Pagoda & Pumdikot Shiva Statue

Day Four : Fly to Pokhara - Peace Pagoda & Pumdikot Shiva Statue

After breakfast, we take a short 35-minute flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, renowned for its serene lakes and breathtaking Himalayan panoramas. After checking in to our hotel, the day continues with a scenic sightseeing tour to the iconic World Peace Pagoda, a beautiful Buddhist stupa built under the inspiration of Nichidatsu Fujii to promote global harmony and non-violence following World War II.

Perched on a hilltop, the pagoda offers sweeping views of the city, tranquil lakes and the majestic Annapurna range. We then continue to the impressive Pumdikot Shiva Statue, Nepal’s tallest Lord Shiva statue, standing 108 feet high at an elevation of 4,921 feet. Surrounded by 108 Shiva lingas and home to the largest Shiva damaru in Asia, this sacred site also rewards visitors with magnificent views of peaks such as Machhapuchhre, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Himchuli and Mardi Himal on clear days, making it both a spiritually uplifting and visually spectacular experience.
 
In the evening, we take a stroll around the Fewa Lakeside promenade.
 
 
  • Breakfast included
Day Five : International Mountain Museum & Gurkha Museum

Day Five : International Mountain Museum & Gurkha Museum

This morning we enjoy a half-day cultural tour of Pokhara, beginning with a visit to the International Mountain Museum, located just south of the airport and set against the backdrop of three towering 4 mile high Himalayan peaks. The museum offers fascinating insight into the world of mountaineering, exploring the history of global mountain expeditions, the cultures and lifestyles of mountain communities, Himalayan ecology and the evolution of climbing achievements.

We then continue to the Gurkha Museum, which honors the bravery and legacy of the legendary Gurkha soldiers who have served in the British Army since 1815 and later in the Indian Army after 1947. Exhibits of historic uniforms, weapons and medals, along with detailed accounts of their campaigns in the World Wars — including stories of Victoria Cross recipients — provide a moving tribute to the courage and dedication of these renowned warriors.
 
This afternoon, we enjoy a one-hour boat ride at Phewa Lake and a stroll around the Fewa Lakeside promenade and some leisure time for your own exploration.
 
 
  • Breakfast included
Day Six : Pokhara to Gorkha

Day Six : Pokhara to Gorkha

After breakfast, we transfer to Gorkha, a scenic drive of approximately 83 miles (around four hours). On arrival, we check in to our hotel before visiting the local market and the famous Gorkha Museum. Standing on a hillock in the centre of Gorkha Bazaar, this historic 18th-century building was once known as the Gorkha Palace (Durbar), long before the Shah Dynasty kings ruled the region. Also referred to locally as Tallo Durbar, or the Lower Palace, it occupies a strategic hilltop position overlooking the district headquarters.

From here, we enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountain peaks, including Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal. Looking south, the rolling hills of the Mahabharata Range stretch across the landscape, while nearby lies Mt Manaslu — the world’s eighth-highest mountain at 26,758 feet— located within the Gorkha district.

  • Breakfast included
Day Seven : Gorkha to Chitwan National Park

Day Seven : Gorkha to Chitwan National Park

Today we travel from Gorkha to Chitwan National Park, a drive of approximately 59 miles (around two hours). A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chitwan is one of Asia’s richest wildlife reserves and among the most spectacular national parks in the region, located around 75 miles southwest of Kathmandu. This remarkable jungle landscape of towering trees, dense vines and open grasslands is home to one-horned rhinos, elephants, crocodiles, pythons, deer and a dazzling variety of birdlife — and, if you are fortunate, even the elusive Royal Bengal tiger. If time permits, we will enjoy some introductory jungle activities.

  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner included 
Day Eight : Chitwan National Park

Day Eight : Chitwan National Park

Today we enjoy a full day immersed in the natural wilderness of Chitwan National Park. After breakfast, we set out on an exciting canoe ride along the Rapti River, where you may spot marsh mugger crocodiles, gharials and a variety of exotic bird species gliding above the tranquil waters. We then continue with a guided jungle walk through dense sal forests and grasslands, offering opportunities to encounter wildlife such as deer, wild boar, monkeys and, with luck, the elusive one-horned rhinoceros. The day also includes a village walk to nearby Tharu communities, where we learn about the unique culture, traditional lifestyle, mud-and-thatch homes and centuries-old customs of the indigenous Tharu people.

 

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day Nine : Chitwan to Lakuri Bhanjyang

Day Nine : Chitwan to Lakuri Bhanjyang

After breakfast, we drive to Kathmandu and continue on to Lakuri Bhanjyang, a journey of approximately 125 miles (around 7–8 hours). Located about 9 miles from the Kathmandu Valley on the eastern edge of Lalitpur district, Lakuri Bhanjyang is a scenic hill station known for its breathtaking sunrise views, sweeping panoramas of the Himalayan ranges and snow-capped peaks, and spectacular vistas across Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur. Its peaceful countryside setting, with terraced fields and traditional village life, offers a refreshing escape from the bustle of the city. On arrival, we check in to the stunning Terraces Resort for our two-night stay.

  • Breakfast included
Day Ten : The Terraces resort activities

Day Ten : The Terraces resort activities

Today is ours to enjoy at leisure, with the choice of relaxing by the pool or taking part in a range of optional recreational and moderate adventure activities. Options may include mountain biking along scenic trails of around 6 miles, hiking routes of varying lengths and durations, a village tour, or forest bathing — a peaceful one-hour silent meditative walk through nature (additional cost applies).

  •  Breakfast included
Day Eleven : Lakuri Bhanjyang to Kathmandu

Day Eleven : Lakuri Bhanjyang to Kathmandu

After breakfast, we check out and make our way back to Kathmandu, visiting Bhaktapur en route. This medieval living city and UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its remarkable art, architecture and traditional layout. At Bhaktapur Durbar Square, we admire highlights including the impressive Palace of 55 Windows, built during the reign of King Bhupatindra Malla in 1754, and the National Art Gallery housed within the palace complex. The palace entrance, the Golden Gate — known as Sunko Dhoka in Nepali — is considered a masterpiece of repoussé metalwork. Once in Kathmandu, we check in to our hotel before gathering for a farewell Nepali dinner accompanied by a cultural show.

 

  • Breakfast & dinner included
Day Twelve : Depart Kathmandu

Day Twelve : Depart Kathmandu

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our return flight.

  • Breakfast included

Accommodations

(as specified or similar)
  • Day 1 - 3 | The Malla Hotel, Kathmandu (Four-star)
  • Day 4 - 5 | Temple Bell Boutique Hotel & Spa, Pokhara (Four-star)
  • Day 6 | Gorkha Garden Hotel, Gorkha (Three-star)
  • Day 7 - 8 | Tigerland Safari, Chitwan (Four-star)
  • Day 9 - 10 | The Terraces Resort & Spa, Kathmandu (Five-star)
  • Day 11 | The Malla Hotel, Kathmandu (Four-star)

Dates & Prices

Departure Return Nights Price from Other Info
Apr 11 2027 Apr 22 2027 11
$3999
 

Essential Information

Transfer Time
The transfer time between Kathmandu Airport and the hotel is approximately 25 minutes, depending on traffic.
Health Requirements

We recommend that you check if vaccinations are required for your destination at the CDC’s recommendations for your visited destination(s). We also recommend you purchase travel protection. A travel protection plan can often assist with medical emergencies and reimburse costs that are covered by the plan. Please verify coverage details with Solos before you travel.

Reasonable fitness and mobility is required as there will be long travelling days, a reasonable amount of walking and physical activities included.

Currency
Currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee.
Flights & Airport Transfers
Whether you'd like us to arrange your flights or prefer to book your own, we're here to make the process easy. Our team can secure flights from the location that suits you best, or provide all the arrival and departure details you'll need if booking independently.
 
Arrival & departure airport transfers are included for the majority of trips EXCEPT our UK Breaks, regardless if you book your own flights or if we book them for you. To learn more about flight options, payments, and transfers, click here.
Passport & Visa Information

We recommend that you check passport and visa requirements for the country you are visiting at the State Department if you have a U.S. Passport. Most countries require that your passport have at least six months validity when traveling internationally, and many require that you have one to two blank visa pages for either an entry stamp or visa. As a general rule, please check that your passport has six months validity beyond your planned trip, and if not, please renew your passport with plenty of time to provide Solos with your updated passport information by the final payment due date.

Not sure what travel documents you need? Our trusted partner, sherpa°, makes it easy to check visa and entry requirements based on your destination and passport. One quick check now means smooth sailing later. Click here to learn more.

Important Information
  • Please note that the order of the itinerary may be subject to change should local conditions necessitate.
  • A reasonable level of fitness/mobility is required as we include plenty of sightseeing/travelling, sometimes with early starts. There is a significant amount of walking on this holiday particularly due to the layout of the towns and activities featured.
Gratuities
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. In order to give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below. We suggest a group collection at the beginning of your holiday to cover drivers, guides, porters and hotel staff (including restaurant, kitchen and reception staff) of approximately £65 (or the equivalent amount in local currency). 
 
Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of bar staff and housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate% toadd on.
Dress Code
During the day when sightseeing, we recommend casual, lightweight cotton clothing. During spring and autumn the night temperatures in the mountains often dip below freezing, making warm gear essential. You will find that smart casual wear is acceptable, even in the best hotels during the evening. We would recommend a lightweight raincoat and an umbrella or hat for protection against rain or sun. Comfortable shoes are a “must” for sightseeing. From time to time, your guide will advise you about observing local customs. On certain occasions it will be necessary to wear clothing covering one’s shoulders and knees.

Rated as Excellent (4.8/5) by our customers

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Fantastic time

I’ve recently returned from my first Solos trip and had a fantastic time. I can honestly say that I enjoyed every minute, and the memories will last a lifetime.
-Patricia

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Highly Recommended

I’d highly recommend Solos to people looking to travel on their own with a group of like minded people.
-David

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Brilliant Week!

We laughed until our bellies ached. It was such a brilliant week.
-Janev

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Go for it!

I still get a bit nervous but this will be my third time with Solos and its one of the best decisions I have ever made- everyone is so friendly, just go for it!!
-Jane

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