trekhigh

Nepal Classic Tour — 7 Days

Patan Durbar Square-2644
Length
7 days
Highest point
1,401 m
Difficulty
Easy
Best months
Year-round (best Oct–May)
Starts
Kathmandu
Group size
2–15 People
Sleeping
Hotel (3–4 star)

Nepal in one week: UNESCO heritage temples in Kathmandu, lakeside Pokhara, and a Chitwan jungle safari — the essential first-timer itinerary.

  • Three UNESCO World Heritage regions in one trip: Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, and Chitwan
  • Sunrise over the full Annapurna range from Sarangkot — Machapuchare at 150 m viewpoint
  • Wild one-horned rhino and Bengal tiger tracking on dawn jeep safari in Chitwan NP
  • Kathmandu heritage walk: Pashupatinath cremation ghats, Boudhanath stupa circuit, Durbar squares
  • Phewa Lake sunset row with Fishtail Mountain reflected in glassy water
  • Tharu village cultural dinner and traditional stick dance performance in Chitwan
  • Private licensed guide and vehicle throughout — no group bus schedules, full flexibility

The climb, day by day

1,000 m1,401 m, day 3
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Altitude reached each day of the itinerary
  1. Day 1Arrive Kathmandu — Welcome Dinner1,400 m

    Airport pick-up, hotel check-in, and orientation. Welcome dinner in Thamel with an overview of the week ahead.

    Distance
    –
    Walking
    –
    Meals
    D
    Night
    Hotel
  2. Day 2Kathmandu — Pashupatinath — Boudhanath1,400 m

    Visit Pashupatinath Temple (Nepal's holiest Hindu shrine) on the Bagmati River, then Boudhanath Stupa — one of the world's largest Buddhist stupas. Afternoon at leisure in Thamel.

    Distance
    –
    Walking
    3–4 hours
    Meals
    B, D
    Night
    Hotel
  3. Day 3Bhaktapur — Changu Narayan1,401 m

    Full day in UNESCO-listed Bhaktapur, the best-preserved medieval city in Nepal. Explore the 55-Window Palace, Nyatapola Pagoda, and the pottery square. Afternoon at Changu Narayan, Nepal's oldest temple (4th century) on a forested hilltop.

    Distance
    –
    Walking
    4–5 hours
    Meals
    B, D
    Night
    Hotel
  4. Day 4Fly to Pokhara — Phewa Lake Boating820 m

    Morning flight to Pokhara (820m). Afternoon boat ride on Phewa Lake with magical reflections of Machapuchare (6,993m). Evening lakeside stroll.

    Distance
    –
    Walking
    Flight
    Meals
    B, D
    Night
    Hotel
  5. Day 5Sarangkot Sunrise — Phewa Lake — Afternoon Activities820 m

    Pre-dawn drive to Sarangkot (1,592m) for the iconic Himalayan sunrise. Return for breakfast. Afternoon visit to Devi's Falls, Gupteshwar Cave, and the Tibetan refugee camp. Optional paragliding or zip-line.

    Distance
    –
    Walking
    3–4 hours
    Meals
    B, D
    Night
    Hotel
  6. Day 6Pokhara — Drive to Chitwan — Jungle Walk150 m

    Morning drive (3.5 hours) from Pokhara to Royal Chitwan National Park (150m). Check in to jungle lodge. Evening guided jungle walk along the Rapti River watching rhinos and deer.

    Distance
    –
    Walking
    Drive
    Meals
    B, L, D
    Night
    Lodge
  7. Day 7Chitwan Safari — Return Kathmandu1,400 m

    Morning canoe safari and jungle walk for rhino and tiger sightings. Visit the elephant breeding centre. After lunch, drive back to Kathmandu or to the airport for departure.

    Distance
    –
    Walking
    Drive
    Meals
    B, L
    Night
    –

The price includes

  • Licensed English-speaking guide throughout
  • All internal transport and domestic flights (Kathmandu–Pokhara, Chitwan transfers)
  • Hotels 3–4 star (twin share; Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan)
  • Chitwan National Park package: jeep safari, canoe, jungle walk
  • UNESCO heritage site entry fees as per itinerary
  • Breakfast daily + all meals during Chitwan safari
  • Kathmandu and Pokhara airport transfers
  • All government taxes and service charges

You pay separately

  • International airfare to/from Kathmandu
  • Nepal entry visa fee ($30–$50 on arrival)
  • Comprehensive travel insurance
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs
  • Tips for guide, driver, and lodge staff
  • Alcoholic beverages and premium drinks
  • Any optional activities or extensions not listed in the itinerary
  • Costs arising from illness, delays, or early departure

The Nepal Classic Tour covers the three UNESCO World Heritage regions in 7 days with private transport and a licensed guide throughout: Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, and Chitwan National Park. Kathmandu delivers the culture — Pashupatinath at sunset, Boudhanath's Buddhist circuit at dawn, Swayambhunath, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Pokhara delivers the mountain landscape — Phewa Lake sunrise by private boat, Sarangkot dawn panorama, and the Annapurna range up close. Chitwan delivers the wildlife — dawn jeep safari for one-horned rhino and Bengal tiger, canoe safari, and Tharu village cultural dinner.

No group buses, no fixed departure times. The guide adjusts pace and depth of each site to your interests. This is the Nepal introduction that makes most first-time visitors want to come back for a longer trek.

Best seasons: October–November and February–April. Chitwan wildlife: Best Jan–March. Private guide and vehicle throughout.

Questions people ask

What does the $980 price cover across 7 days?
The price includes accommodation for 6 nights (3 in Kathmandu, 2 in Pokhara, 1 in Chitwan), domestic flights or ground transport between destinations, all guided sightseeing at UNESCO sites in Kathmandu Valley, a jungle safari and nature walk in Chitwan National Park, and an English-speaking guide throughout. International flights, most meals, personal expenses, and tips are not included.
Is the Nepal Classic Tour appropriate for first-time travellers with no trekking experience?
Absolutely — this itinerary is rated Easy and designed specifically for first-timers. There is no trekking involved; all sightseeing is done on foot at a comfortable pace around heritage sites, lakeside promenades, and flat jungle paths. Anyone who can walk a few kilometres a day is well suited.
How do I get between Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan on this tour?
The standard itinerary uses a domestic flight between Kathmandu and Pokhara (approx. 25 minutes) and tourist bus or private vehicle between Pokhara and Chitwan (approx. 5 hours along the scenic Prithvi Highway). A fully private itinerary can use vehicle transport for all legs on request.
Which months are best for the Nepal Classic Tour?
October–November and March–April are the peak seasons — warm, dry, and with excellent mountain visibility. December–February is cooler but still very manageable and less crowded. The monsoon (June–mid-September) brings lush scenery but heavy rain and reduced mountain views; the tour still operates but conditions differ.
What will I actually see and do on each day of the tour?
Days 1–3 cover Kathmandu's highlights: Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), and Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares. Days 4–5 are based in Pokhara for Phewa Lake, Sarangkot sunrise, and the International Mountain Museum. Days 6–7 are spent in Chitwan for jeep safari, elephant bathing, and canoe rides on the Rapti River.
Can the 7-day itinerary be customised or extended?
Yes — this classic route is our most flexible product. Common extensions include adding a Nagarkot sunrise (1 day), a Pokhara paragliding session, or extending Chitwan to 2 nights for deeper wildlife immersion. Speak to your trip coordinator before booking and we will build a custom quote at no extra planning charge.

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