Grand Nepal Discovery
Twelve days across the four faces of Nepal — the temples and stupas of Kathmandu Valley, jungle and wildlife in Chitwan, the lakeside calm of Pokhara, and a genuine taste of the Annapurna foothills — the most complete first-time Nepal itinerary we build, with every transfer, hotel and guide arranged.
Everything a first Nepal trip should cover, in one itinerary
Most Nepal trips force a choice — culture or jungle, lake or mountains. The Grand Nepal Discovery is built for travellers who don't want to choose. Over twelve days you move through Nepal's four defining landscapes in a logical, unhurried loop: the temple-dense Kathmandu Valley, the subtropical Terai lowlands of Chitwan, the lakeside calm of Pokhara, and a real, walkable taste of the Annapurna foothills — without needing prior trekking experience or gear.
You'll stand in three UNESCO World Heritage squares in the Kathmandu Valley, take a canoe and jungle walk through Chitwan National Park in search of the greater one-horned rhinoceros, watch the Annapurna range catch the evening light over Phewa Lake, and spend a night in the Gurung village of Ghandruk with the Annapurna massif rising directly behind it. It's a comprehensive introduction to Nepal built for couples, families, friends and first-time visitors — with the flexibility to run it fully private.
Airport transfers, accommodation, daily breakfast, all listed intercity transfers, guided sightseeing and local assistance throughout are arranged for you. Prefer to swap the foothills night for a multi-day Poon Hill trek, add an extra Chitwan night, or upgrade to boutique lodges throughout? This itinerary is the starting point — every element can be reshaped around you.
Four regions, four very different days
Three UNESCO squares in the Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath's hilltop stupa overlooking the valley, and the golden dome of Boudhanath — three of the seven monument zones that make up the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site, all visited with a guide who can explain what you're looking at.
Chitwan National Park by canoe and on foot
Nepal's first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984 — a canoe ride and guided jungle walk through sal forest and grassland in search of the greater one-horned rhinoceros, deer and, if you're fortunate, the elusive Bengal tiger.
Phewa Lake & the Annapurna skyline from Pokhara
A relaxed lakeside city where the Annapurna range and the fishtail peak of Machhapuchhre rise directly behind the water — best appreciated from a boat on Phewa Lake or the sunrise viewpoint at Sarangkot.
A night in the Gurung village of Ghandruk
A short drive and gentle walk into the Annapurna foothills to Ghandruk, a traditional Gurung village at roughly 2,000m with Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and Hiunchuli visible from the village itself — a genuine foothills experience without technical trekking.
Your 12-day itinerary
A logical loop through Nepal's four regions — culture, jungle, lakes and foothills — with breakfast daily and all listed transfers included.
You're met at Tribhuvan International Airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Settle in and ease into the city at your own pace — a first walk through the surrounding streets is a good introduction to Nepal's capital before the itinerary properly begins tomorrow.
After breakfast, a guided tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square — the plaza of palaces and temples that once stood at the heart of the Malla-era royal city — followed by Swayambhunath, the hilltop stupa (often called the "Monkey Temple") whose white dome and painted eyes have watched over the Kathmandu Valley for centuries. Both sit within the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A morning at Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world and the spiritual centre of Kathmandu's Tibetan Buddhist community, followed by Pashupatinath — the most sacred Hindu temple complex in Nepal, set on the banks of the Bagmati River. The afternoon is free for Thamel, Kathmandu's shopping and trekking-gear quarter, or simply resting ahead of tomorrow's transfer.
A scenic drive south from the hills of the Kathmandu Valley down into the subtropical Terai lowlands, arriving at your jungle lodge or resort near Chitwan National Park in time for a briefing on the days ahead and your first look at the Terai landscape.
A full day inside Nepal's first national park, established in 1973 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. A traditional dugout canoe ride along the Rapti River is followed by a guided jungle walk through sal forest and grassland, looking for the greater one-horned rhinoceros, spotted and barking deer, and the varied birdlife the park is known for.
A morning visit to the Elephant Breeding Centre near Sauraha before checking out and transferring onward to Pokhara. Arrive in the afternoon to your lakeside hotel, with the evening free to walk the Phewa Lake waterfront and watch the Annapurna range catch the last light.
A full day around Pokhara: a boat out on Phewa Lake to the Barahi Temple on its small island, the limestone chambers of Gupteshwor Cave, the thundering Davis Falls, and the hillside World Peace Pagoda for a wide panorama over the lake and the Annapurna range beyond it.
A morning drive from Pokhara into the hills, followed by a gentle 2–3 hour walk along a well-established trail into Ghandruk, a traditional stone-built Gurung village at around 2,000m elevation and a key stop on the Annapurna Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit routes. Overnight in a village teahouse, with Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and Hiunchuli visible from the village itself on a clear day.
An early start to watch sunrise light the Annapurna range from the village, then breakfast before walking back down to the trailhead and driving to Pokhara. The rest of the day is free to relax by the lake or revisit anything you'd like a second look at.
A deliberately unscheduled day to rest after the foothills excursion, or to add an optional activity — paragliding over Phewa Lake, a sunrise trip to Sarangkot, or simply more time on the water. We're happy to arrange any of these when you enquire.
Transfer back to Kathmandu, with the afternoon free for last-minute shopping in Thamel or Patan Durbar Square if you didn't reach it earlier in the trip. A farewell dinner in the evening rounds out the twelve days.
Enjoy a final breakfast and, depending on your flight, a little free time before your airport transfer for the onward journey. If you'd like to extend, we can add nights in any of the four regions, or link this trip to a Nepal wildlife extension or an onward Asia itinerary.
Indicative itinerary. The exact order of activities, sightseeing and transfer times is confirmed at the time of booking and may adapt to flight schedules, road conditions, weather and local conditions. Wildlife is wild — sightings at Chitwan can never be guaranteed.
What's included — and what's not
Clear from the start, so there are no surprises when you travel.
Included
- Accommodation for 11 nights
- Daily breakfast
- Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
- Intercity transfers where applicable
- Sightseeing as listed in the itinerary
- Selected entrance fees
- Local assistance throughout
Not included
- International flights (unless stated)
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Meals not stated in the itinerary
- Optional activities & hotel upgrades
- Tips & gratuities
Before you go
Best time to visit
Nepal's peak seasons are autumn (October–November) and spring (March–April), when skies are clearest for both Chitwan wildlife viewing and Annapurna mountain views. Summer brings the monsoon and winter is cold at altitude — we'll advise on timing for your dates when you enquire.
Currency
The Nepalese Rupee (NPR). Cards are accepted in Kathmandu and Pokhara hotels and larger shops; carry cash for Chitwan, Ghandruk, park fees, tips and small vendors.
Wildlife is wild
The rhinoceros, deer and birdlife at Chitwan are free-roaming and wild — sightings are likely on a full day in the park, but no responsible operator can guarantee them. Keep your distance, follow the guide's instructions, and never approach wildlife on foot.
The Ghandruk walk
The Day 8 walk into Ghandruk is graded easy-to-moderate — a well-established trail rather than technical trekking — but does involve a couple of hours on uneven stone steps at altitude. A reasonable level of fitness is enough; let us know of any mobility concerns and we'll advise or adjust.
What to pack
Layered clothing (Kathmandu and Pokhara are mild, Ghandruk is noticeably cooler at altitude), sturdy walking shoes, a rain layer, insect repellent for Chitwan, sun protection and a reusable water bottle. Modest cover-ups are appropriate at temples and stupas.
Visas & documents
Most nationalities can obtain a Nepal visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, or apply in advance — requirements and fees depend on your passport and length of stay. Please verify based on your own nationality before you travel; we're happy to point you to the right official source.
Nepal, from Durbar Square to the Annapurna foothills
Good to have answered
Is the US$1,399 price per person? What does it cover?
Yes — that's a starting price, per person, for the 12-day itinerary based on twin-share accommodation. It covers your hotels and lodges, daily breakfast, airport and listed intercity transfers, the sightseeing in the itinerary, selected entrance fees and local assistance throughout. The final figure depends on your travel dates, hotel choice, group size and whether you'd like it private, so we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.
Do I need trekking experience for the Annapurna foothills section?
No. Days 8–9 use a jeep transfer plus a 2–3 hour walk on a well-established trail into Ghandruk — it's designed for first-timers with a reasonable level of fitness, not experienced trekkers. If you'd prefer a longer, more serious trek such as Poon Hill or Annapurna Base Camp instead, tell us and we'll rebuild this section of the itinerary around it.
Will we definitely see rhinos or other wildlife at Chitwan?
Sightings of the greater one-horned rhinoceros and deer are common on a full day in Chitwan National Park, and your guide will read the terrain and time of day to maximise your chances. But these are wild animals in a genuine national park, not a zoo, so no responsible operator can guarantee a sighting.
Are international flights included?
No — international flights aren't included unless we've specifically stated so in your quote. Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport is well connected via major Asian and Middle Eastern hubs; we can advise on convenient routings and arrange your airport transfers to match your flights.
Can the Kathmandu–Pokhara legs be done by flight instead of road?
Yes — this itinerary is built around scenic road transfers by default, but domestic flights between Kathmandu and Pokhara can be added as an upsell to save travel time. Let us know your preference when you enquire and we'll price it both ways.
Can this itinerary be customised or run privately?
Absolutely — this is a template, not a fixed package. Run it fully private, add nights in any region, upgrade the hotels, extend the foothills section into a full trek, or add a wildlife extension. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll shape it around you.
Do I need a visa for Nepal?
It depends on your nationality. Most travellers can obtain a visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, though requirements and fees vary. Please verify based on your own passport before you travel — we're glad to point you to the right official source.
How do I book or get a quote?
Send us an enquiry with your rough dates and traveller numbers and we'll come back with a tailored quote and next steps. There's no obligation, and no payment needed to get a proposal.
Let's plan your Grand Nepal Discovery
Tell us your dates and who's travelling. We'll send back a tailored itinerary and a clear, all-in quote — with the flexibility to make it exactly the trip you want.