The field notes
A journey with rhythm
Private guiding, thoughtful pacing, and enough room to absorb each place rather than simply pass through it.
PrivateThoughtfulLocal
Journey overview
The experience at a glance
This 14-day Nepal tour brings together the country’s defining experiences without requiring a high-altitude trek. Travelling privately from Kathmandu to Bandipur, Pokhara, Lumbini, Chitwan and Nagarkot, you encounter living heritage, Himalayan landscapes, Buddhist pilgrimage, wildlife and everyday local life within one carefully paced circuit.
The journey begins in Kathmandu Valley, where Hindu and Buddhist traditions coexist around centuries-old palace squares, temples and stupas. Guided visits to Swayambhunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath provide essential context before the road turns west to Bandipur. This preserved Newar trading town introduces a quieter side of Nepal through traditional architecture, pedestrian lanes and hill-country views.
Pokhara adds lakeside scenery and the Annapurna range. Weather permitting, an early visit to Sarangkot reveals sunrise over Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhre, followed by visits around Pokhara and time beside Phewa Lake. The route then continues through Nepal’s middle hills and plains to Lumbini. At the Maya Devi Temple and Sacred Garden, you explore the internationally important birthplace of the historical Buddha and the wider monastic zone. In Chitwan, the emphasis changes from pilgrimage to subtropical nature. A lodge naturalist coordinates the available programme, which normally includes a shared jeep safari and may include canoeing, birdwatching, a nature walk or a Tharu cultural presentation. Greater one-horned rhinoceroses are frequently encountered, while tigers live in the park but are elusive and can never be guaranteed.
The return journey includes Nagarkot, Bhaktapur and Patan before a final Kathmandu day at Chandragiri Hills. Because this is a private tour, hotel standards, meal plans, sightseeing pace and selected activities can be adjusted before confirmation. Road journeys are an important part of the experience, but traffic, construction, weather and seasonal conditions can extend published driving times. The result is a broad and authentic introduction to Nepal for couples, families, active seniors and first-time visitors who want more than a short city stay.
Trip highlights
What makes this journey
- 01
Explore Kathmandu Valley’s UNESCO-listed palace squares, stupas and sacred Hindu and Buddhist sites with a private guide.
- 02
Stay in the preserved Newar hill town of Bandipur and enjoy Pokhara’s Phewa Lake and weather-dependent Annapurna views from Sarangkot.
- 03
Visit the Maya Devi Temple and Sacred Garden in Lumbini, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha.
- 04
Join naturalist-led activities in Chitwan, including a shared jeep safari and seasonal canoe excursion, with opportunities to see rhinos, crocodiles, deer, monkeys and birds.
- 05
Complete the circuit with sunrise or sunset views from Nagarkot, the medieval streets of Bhaktapur and Patan, and a cable-car journey to Chandragiri Hills.
Places covered
Destinations on this trip
The places this journey moves through, in the order they shape the experience.
Kathmandu
Bhaktapur & Patan
Bandipur
Pokhara
Lumbini & Chitwan
Nagarkot
Day by day
14 days
Walk the route one day at a time — meals, overnight stays, and the details that shape each stage.
Meet the HimalayanWindows representative at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer privately to your hotel. After check-in, meet your guide for a trip briefing covering the route, driving conditions and daily arrangements. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a selected Nepali restaurant. The programme remains light to allow time to rest after the international journey.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Overnight
- Hotel
- Altitude
- 1,410m
Explore four major Kathmandu landmarks with a private cultural guide: hilltop Swayambhunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, the Hindu temple complex of Pashupatinath and Boudhanath Stupa. The day introduces the Valley’s Newar art, royal history and living Hindu–Buddhist traditions. Entry to temple interiors may be restricted according to faith and local rules, and any sighting of the Kumari depends on her schedule.
- Meals
- Full Board
- Overnight
- Hotel
- Altitude
- 1,410m
Travel west along the Prithvi Highway and climb to Bandipur, a former trading town known for its preserved Newar houses and traffic-free bazaar. After arrival, walk gently through the old centre and enjoy the atmosphere of the surrounding hills. Driving time varies with traffic, road works and weather.
- Meals
- Full Board
- Overnight
- Hotel
- Distance
- 150 km
Continue to Pokhara and check in near Lakeside. Later, take a boat ride on Phewa Lake when weather and operating conditions permit, with the forested hills and Annapurna skyline as a backdrop. The remainder of the afternoon is free for a relaxed walk around Lakeside.
- Meals
- Full Board
- Overnight
- Hotel
- Distance
- 80 km
- Altitude
- 820m
Leave early for Sarangkot. On a clear morning, sunrise illuminates Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and other peaks. Return via Bindhyabasini Temple, have breakfast, then visit selected Pokhara attractions such as Davis Falls, Gupteshwar Cave and the World Peace Pagoda. The guide may reorder visits according to weather, traffic and opening conditions.
- Meals
- Full Board
- Overnight
- Hotel
- Altitude
- 820m
From Pokhara, we will drive towards the Lumbini via Tansen. We can drive for several hours through the hilly road to reach the Lumbini - the birthplace of the Lord Buddha. Lumbini is the Buddhist pilgrimage site. According to Buddhist traditions, Queen Mahamayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautam in 563 B.C who became Buddha after the enlightenment.
The night will be near Lumbini at one of the local hotels or lodges. All meals are included.
- Meals
- Full Board
- Distance
- 200 km
Visit the Maya Devi Temple, the marker stone and Ashoka Pillar within the Sacred Garden, then explore selected monasteries in Lumbini’s international monastic zone. The day is designed to explain both the archaeological importance of the birthplace and the diverse Buddhist traditions represented here. Some sites require shoes to be removed and modest dress is expected.
- Meals
- Full Board
- Overnight
- Hotel
Travel east to Chitwan and check in at the jungle resort. The lodge naturalist will explain the activity schedule, which may include a village walk, riverside sunset visit, wildlife briefing or Tharu cultural presentation. Activities are adjusted by the lodge according to season, weather and park conditions.
- Meals
- Full Board
- Overnight
- Resort in Chitwan
- Distance
- 155 km
Join the lodge’s naturalist-led programme. A shared jeep safari is included, and a seasonal canoe excursion or guided nature activity may also operate. Look for greater one-horned rhinoceroses, crocodiles, deer, monkeys and diverse birdlife. Wildlife encounters are unpredictable; Bengal tigers inhabit the park but sightings are rare and never guaranteed. Elephant-back safari is not part of the recommended programme.
- Meals
- Full Board
- Overnight
- Resort in Chitwan
Return toward Kathmandu Valley and continue uphill to Nagarkot. Check in and, when skies are clear, watch the late-afternoon light over the Himalayan foothills. The drive can take longer during traffic, road construction or poor weather.
- Meals
- Full Board
- Overnight
- Hotel
- Distance
- 210 km
Rise early for a weather-dependent sunrise view, then drive to Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Explore palace courtyards, temples, pottery traditions and Newar architecture before continuing to Patan Durbar Square and its artistic heart. Return to Kathmandu after the guided visits.
- Meals
- Full Board
- Overnight
- Hotel
Drive to the Chandragiri cable-car station and ascend to approximately 2,551m. On a clear day, the hilltop offers broad views over Kathmandu Valley and toward the Himalayan range. Visit the viewpoint and Bhaleshwor Mahadev area before returning to the city. Enjoy a farewell cultural dinner in the evening. If the cable car is closed because of maintenance or weather, Himalayan Windows will arrange the most suitable available alternative.
- Meals
- Full Board
- Overnight
- Hotel
Keep the final full day flexible for shopping, rest, a spa treatment or an optional activity arranged at additional cost. Your guide or local team can assist with practical arrangements. Lunch and dinner are not included, allowing you to choose your own restaurants and menu.
- Meals
- Full Board
- Overnight
- Hotel
After breakfast, remain at leisure until the scheduled private transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport. The normal hotel check-out time applies unless late check-out has been confirmed. Allow generous transfer time because Kathmandu traffic can be unpredictable.
- Meals
- Full Board
- Overnight
- Hotel
Private vehicle & English-speaking guide throughout · Kathmandu
Trip essentials
What your journey covers
A clear split between what we arrange and what you budget yourself.
- Private international airport arrival and departure transfers in Kathmandu.
- Thirteen nights’ accommodation in selected hotels and a Chitwan jungle resort: Kathmandu (5), Bandipur (1), Pokhara (2), Lumbini (2), Chitwan (2) and Nagarkot (1), normally twin/double sharing.
- Meal plan shown in the itinerary: 13 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 12 dinners, including welcome and farewell/cultural dinners.
- Private air-conditioned road transportation for scheduled transfers and sightseeing.
- Professional English-speaking Nepali guide throughout the scheduled touring programme.
- Local naturalist services for the included Chitwan activities.
- Entrance fees for the heritage sites and attractions specifically named in the itinerary.
- Chitwan National Park entry permit and one shared jeep safari; seasonal canoe or nature activity when included in the lodge programme.
- Phewa Lake boat ride and Chandragiri cable-car ticket, subject to safe operating conditions.
- Bottled or treated drinking water during private road transfers and sightseeing, as specified in the final quotation.
- Applicable government taxes, service charges and trip coordination.
- International airfare to and from Nepal and any airline-imposed charges.
- Domestic flights; this itinerary is planned as an overland circuit unless a flight upgrade is confirmed in writing.
- Nepal tourist visa fee and passport-related expenses.
- Single-room supplement or room-category upgrades.
- Lunch and dinner on Day 13 and any meal not specifically listed as included.
- Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, specialty coffee, snacks, desserts, minibar purchases and room service unless specifically included.
- Travel, medical, evacuation, cancellation, interruption and baggage insurance.
- Medical treatment, emergency transport or evacuation expenses.
- Optional activities, spa treatments and sightseeing not listed in the confirmed itinerary.
- Personal expenses including laundry, telephone/data use, shopping and souvenirs.
- Tips for guides, drivers, naturalists and hotel staff.
- Additional accommodation, meals, transport or programme changes caused by weather, road closure, traffic disruption, illness, government restriction or circumstances beyond operational control.
- Any service not specifically stated under What’s Included.
Guest voices
What travellers say
What guests wrote after this trip — in their own words.
Nepal Tour Package
After emailing a bunch of agencies and reading endless reviews, I decided to go with Anup and his team at Himalayan Windows based on the excellent reviews. Anup replied incredibly quickly to all emails and answered my many questions succinctly. His price was also very reasonable too. I ended up booking a 10 day private tour for 2 people with him opted to exclude hotels and food. He did provide a list of recommended hotels, which was helpful. Our guide in Kathmandu was Anish and guide for the remaining 8 days was Dilip. Our driver was Sakil. Both of our guides were wonderful and shared so much information about the country- the history, religion, sights, and general life. Sometimes you get a tour guide who is clearly watching the clock and wants to finish each day as quickly as possible, the earlier the better. This was never the case for our guides. They really take pride in being a great guide. They answered all the questions we asked and even took the initiative to take us to other interesting places not on the itinerary. I especially appreciated that despite the difficult times in Nepal recently, they were both very positive and their love for their country was very apparent. On top of that, we were so well-taken care of, especially by Dilip, with whom we spent a majority of our trip. He really paid attention to what we said and went out of his way to make sure that all of our needs were met, sometimes even before we realized what we needed! When I mentioned wanting to buy a snack, he walked us to multiple shops until we found some. Even at the end of the day, when I knew he had to be tired, he was still full of energy and insisted on helping us find places to eat dinner. Some nights, I had to forcibly send him home to rest! Our drive Sakil was a really good driver and incredibly patient. The communication between guide and driver was always seamless and we never had to wait for pickup between sights. Nepal is spread out and there were some really long rides. Dilip carefully scouted out restaurants for lunch each time, even in remote towns, making sure they were clean and checking the menu before bringing us inside. Before we used the restroom, he insisted on checking it first and even cleaned some of them before sending us in. The roads in Nepal were heavily damaged by recent weather events. One night, we were stuck on the side of a mountain for 20 hours overnight. Dilip walked an hour just to find us warm food to eat. He also found us a bathroom to use at a small hotel, even though I told him I was fine using the “sky toilet” outside behind the rocks as other ladies were doing. Neither guide nor driver were able to sleep that night as the car was asked to move every 30-60 minutes. Despite that, they were so patient and cheerful. It is obviously not ideal to be stranded on a roadside overnight but we couldn’t have picked a better team to do this with. We felt safe and well-cared for. My only small issue with the tour is the use of an electric car, which I did mention to Anup at the end of the tour. In some of the towns, it was hard to find a charging station and I was worried that we would get stranded somewhere. I am grateful we had our driver Sakil, who always eventually found a charging station, but I felt badly that he had to spend extra time doing this instead of resting. Nepal is a beautiful country- especially the landscape and the temples. The people are incredibly kind too. The long bumpy rides were rough but I expected it and it was part of the adventure. The food is also incredibly inexpensive ($11 for 4 people!!!) and very fresh. The hotels were much nicer than I expected, better than many I’ve stayed at in the US. I wouldn’t recommend a self-driven tour though, especially across the country, as the roads are tough and not well-labeled. I am so glad that I ended up choosing this company and HIGHLY recommend them. The guides were among the best I’ve had on my many trips around the world. Source of Review: Google (HimalayanWindows Tours
Before you go
