Nepal Family Adventure
Eight days across Nepal's three signature stops — the temple squares of Kathmandu, the lakeside calm of Pokhara beneath the Annapurnas, and a jungle safari in Chitwan National Park — paced for travelling with kids and grandparents alike, with every transfer and hotel handled for you.
Nepal's three headline stops, made easy for families
Nepal packs an unusual amount of contrast into a small footprint: a medieval temple city, a Himalayan lakeside town, and a lowland jungle thick with wildlife — often visited independently, at the cost of long, self-arranged travel days. This eight-day itinerary strings the three together in the order that makes sense — Kathmandu, then Pokhara, then Chitwan — with the pace, hotels and transfers set for travelling with children and grandparents, not backpackers.
You'll wander the temple courtyards of Kathmandu Durbar Square and the monkey-dotted hilltop of Swayambhunath, row across Phewa Lake beneath the Annapurna range in Pokhara, and head out on jeep and canoe safaris through Chitwan National Park in search of the one-horned rhino. Every hotel, breakfast, transfer and guided sightseeing day is arranged in advance, so the only real decision each morning is what to have for breakfast.
Airport transfers, centrally located accommodation, daily breakfast and guided sightseeing throughout are arranged for you. Prefer a private vehicle for the whole trip, an extra night in Pokhara, or to swap the road transfers for short domestic flights? Every element here can be tailored — this itinerary is the starting point, not the ceiling.
What you'll actually see
Kathmandu's Durbar Square & Monkey Temple
The former royal palace complex of Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sits alongside centuries-old pagoda temples and the Kumari Ghar, home to Nepal's living goddess. A short drive away, Swayambhunath — the "Monkey Temple" — crowns a hilltop with sweeping valley views and resident monkeys that are a guaranteed hit with kids.
Phewa Lake & the Annapurna skyline
Pokhara's lakeside is Nepal's easiest introduction to the Himalayas — colourful wooden rowboats, calm water that mirrors the fish-tailed peak of Machapuchare, and views of the Annapurna range from the Sarangkot viewpoint without needing to trek a step.
Jeep & canoe safaris in Chitwan
Chitwan National Park is one of the best places in Asia to look for the greater one-horned rhinoceros, alongside deer, gharials and over 500 recorded bird species — explored the family-friendly way, by open jeep and quiet canoe rather than on foot.
Tharu village & cultural evening
An evening with the Tharu community of the Chitwan lowlands — a walk through a traditional village of mud-and-thatch homes, followed by a stick-dance cultural performance that gives kids a genuinely hands-on window into local life.
Your 8-day itinerary
Three stops, one clean route, and a pace built for families — with breakfast daily and all listed transfers included.
You're met at Tribhuvan International Airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Kathmandu sits at a gentle 1,400 metres, so there's no altitude adjustment needed. Settle in, then ease into the evening at your own pace — Thamel, the city's trekker and tourist hub, is a walkable introduction to Nepali street food and handicraft shops on your first night.
A guided day through the Kathmandu Valley's UNESCO World Heritage sites: Kathmandu Durbar Square, with its pagoda temples and the Kumari Ghar; Swayambhunath, the hilltop "Monkey Temple" with panoramic valley views; and Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in Asia, where a slow walk around its base among fluttering prayer flags is a favourite with all ages.
A scenic transfer west to Pokhara, following the Trishuli and Marshyangdi valleys — roughly six to seven hours by road, with a short domestic flight available as a faster alternative [[CONFIRM]]. Check in lakeside, then spend the afternoon on Phewa Lake itself: hire a colourful wooden rowboat and drift across water so still it doubles the view of Machapuchare, Nepal's sacred "Fishtail" peak.
A full day around the Pokhara Valley: the Sarangkot viewpoint for wide-open views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges over the lake and city below, the roaring Davis Falls, the Gupteshwor Mahadev cave opposite it, and — reached by a short boat crossing and an easy uphill walk — the white-domed World Peace Pagoda overlooking Phewa Lake.
A transfer south into the subtropical Terai lowlands — around five hours by road, dropping from mountain views to dense sal forest and grassland. After checking in to your jungle-lodge-style accommodation, the evening is given over to Chitwan's Tharu community: a walk through a traditional village of mud-and-thatch homes, followed by a lively Tharu stick-dance performance.
A morning open-jeep safari through Chitwan National Park's grassland and riverine forest, tracking one-horned rhino, spotted deer and — with real luck — a glimpse of a Bengal tiger. In the afternoon, a quiet canoe ride along the Rapti River for a different vantage point on crocodiles and water birds, followed by a visit to the park's Elephant Breeding Centre to see resident elephants and calves up close. In line with current animal-welfare guidance, this itinerary does not include elephant-back riding.
An early guided nature walk or bird-watching outing around the lodge grounds and park buffer zone — a gentler pace to close out the safari days. Late morning, transfer back to Kathmandu by road, or by a short domestic flight via nearby Bharatpur Airport as a time-saving upgrade [[CONFIRM]]. The evening is free for last-minute shopping in Thamel or a relaxed dinner.
A final breakfast and, depending on your flight, a little free time before your airport transfer. Keen to see more? We can extend this trip with a short Everest scenic flight, a Bhaktapur day trip, or additional nights in Pokhara for paragliding and further lake time.
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 — rhino, tiger and bird sightings 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 7 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
October to April generally gives the clearest mountain views and the most comfortable temperatures across all three stops. The June–September monsoon brings heat and humidity, and jeep safaris in Chitwan are typically suspended during the wettest weeks.
Currency
The Nepalese Rupee (NPR). Cards are accepted in Kathmandu and Pokhara's hotels and larger shops, but carry cash — including some US dollars — for markets, park fees and smaller vendors, especially in Chitwan.
Visas & documents
Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport, paid in cash (US dollars preferred) against a valid passport and passport photo. Requirements vary by nationality — please confirm based on your own passport before you travel.
Wildlife is wild
Chitwan is home to a strong and growing population of one-horned rhino, and rhino sightings are common on jeep and canoe safaris. Tigers are present but far more elusive. No responsible operator can guarantee any wildlife sighting — always follow your guide's instructions and keep a safe distance.
Getting between the three hubs
Road transfers are scenic but long — Kathmandu–Pokhara runs six to seven hours, Pokhara–Chitwan around five. Short domestic flights between Kathmandu and Pokhara (and via Bharatpur for Chitwan) can save a travel day and are available as a paid upgrade — ask us to price this in for your dates.
What to pack
Layers — Kathmandu and Pokhara evenings can be cool, while Chitwan's lowlands are hot and humid year-round. Add comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent for the jungle stops, sun protection, and modest clothing for temple and stupa visits.
Nepal, from temple square to jungle river
Good to have answered
Is the US$999 price per person? What does it cover?
Yes — that's a starting price, per person, for the 8-day itinerary based on twin-share accommodation. It covers your hotels, daily breakfast, airport and listed intercity transfers, the sightseeing in the itinerary, selected entrance fees and local assistance. 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.
Is Chitwan's jungle safari safe for children?
Yes — the jeep and canoe safaris on this itinerary are the family-friendly way to see Chitwan, staying at a comfortable distance from wildlife with an experienced guide throughout. Longer walking safaris exist but aren't included here; if your children are older and keen, we can add one on request. We don't include elephant-back riding, in line with current animal-welfare guidance — the Elephant Breeding Centre visit is an observation-only alternative.
Will we definitely see a rhino or tiger?
Rhino sightings are common in Chitwan — the park has a strong resident population, and jeep or canoe safaris usually turn up at least one. Bengal tigers are present but genuinely elusive, so a tiger sighting is a bonus, not something any responsible operator can promise.
Are international flights included?
No — international flights aren't included unless we've specifically stated so in your quote. Most travellers fly into Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport; we can advise on convenient routings and arrange your airport transfers to match your flights.
Can we fly instead of driving between Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan?
Yes — short domestic flights run between Kathmandu and Pokhara, and via Bharatpur for Chitwan, and can trade a long road transfer for a 25–40 minute flight. This itinerary is written with road transfers by default; tell us if you'd like flights priced in instead, particularly useful with young children or limited time.
Do I need a visa for Nepal?
Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival at Kathmandu's airport, paid in cash. A small number of nationalities need to arrange a visa in advance through a Nepali embassy. 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 Nepal family adventure
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.