Nepal Wildlife & Himalayan Journey
Nine days across two completely different sides of Nepal — the temple squares of Kathmandu, a jungle safari for one-horned rhinos in the Chitwan lowlands, and the Annapurna skyline reflected in Pokhara's Phewa Lake — with your transfers, hotels and guided sightseeing handled from arrival to departure.
Jungle mornings, mountain evenings — one itinerary
Nepal is usually sold as one thing or the other: a Himalayan view or a jungle safari. This nine-day route is built to give you both, in a sequence that actually makes sense on the ground — starting in Kathmandu's temple squares, dropping into the subtropical lowlands of Chitwan National Park for wildlife, then climbing back into the foothills at Pokhara for the Annapurna skyline.
You'll walk the UNESCO-listed Durbar Square and the great stupa at Boudhanath in Kathmandu, head out on jeep safari and dugout canoe through Chitwan's sal forest and grassland in search of the greater one-horned rhino, then watch the sun rise over the Annapurna range from Sarangkot before an afternoon on Phewa Lake. It's a trip built around contrast — city, jungle, mountains — without the logistics of arranging any of it yourself.
Airport transfers, centrally located accommodation, daily breakfast and guided sightseeing throughout are arranged for you. Prefer to add a Himalayan flight, extend Chitwan by a night, or run it fully private? Every element here can be tailored — this itinerary is the starting point, not the ceiling.
What you'll actually see
Kathmandu's UNESCO temple squares
Kathmandu Durbar Square's tiered pagoda temples and former royal palace, the great white stupa at Boudhanath with its painted watchful eyes, and the hilltop stupa of Swayambhunath overlooking the valley — three of the seven UNESCO World Heritage sites packed into a single city.
Jeep and canoe safari in Chitwan
A UNESCO World Heritage national park in the Terai lowlands, home to one of the world's largest populations of the greater one-horned rhino. You'll head out by open jeep through sal forest and grassland, then drift down the Rapti River by traditional dugout canoe past basking gharial and mugger crocodiles.
Sunrise over the Annapurna range
An early climb to Sarangkot, above Pokhara, for one of Nepal's most-photographed views — Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and the fishtail peak of Machhapuchhre catching the first light, with Phewa Lake and the Pokhara valley laid out below.
Two Nepals in one trip
The subtropical Terai lowlands and the Himalayan foothills sit only a day's drive apart — jungle safari one week, mountain lake views the next. Most itineraries pick one; this one is built to give you the contrast.
Your 9-day itinerary
City, jungle, then mountains — with breakfast daily and all listed transfers included.
You're met at Tribhuvan International Airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Settle in, then ease into the city at your own pace — the narrow lanes of Thamel, with their prayer-flag-strung rooftops and easy first-night restaurants, are a good introduction to Kathmandu's texture.
After breakfast, a guided tour through the Kathmandu Valley's UNESCO World Heritage core: the tiered pagoda temples of Kathmandu Durbar Square and the former Royal Palace, the hilltop stupa of Swayambhunath with its panoramic valley views, and the vast white dome of Boudhanath — one of the largest stupas in the world and the heart of Kathmandu's Tibetan Buddhist community.
A scenic overland transfer south to Chitwan, trading Kathmandu's hills for the flat, subtropical Terai. After checking into your lodge, an afternoon Tharu village walk introduces the indigenous community whose homeland this national park now protects, before an evening by the Rapti River as the light drops.
A full day built around Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best places in Asia to see the greater one-horned rhino in the wild. Morning jeep safari through sal forest and open grassland, a guided nature walk with an armed park ranger, and an afternoon dugout canoe ride down the Rapti River past resting gharial and mugger crocodiles and the park's rich birdlife. A visit to the elephant breeding centre rounds out the day — for observation, not riding; this itinerary is built without elephant-back safari, in line with current welfare standards across most reputable Chitwan operators.
An optional early birdwatching walk for those who want one last look at Chitwan's wildlife, then an overland transfer to Pokhara. Nepal's lake city sits at the foot of the Annapurna range, and the drive itself trades grassland for terraced hillsides as the road climbs back into the foothills. Settle in for the evening beside Phewa Lake.
A pre-dawn drive up to Sarangkot for sunrise over the Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri and the distinctive fishtail peak of Machhapuchhre — one of Nepal's signature views, with the Pokhara valley and Phewa Lake spread out below. Back in town, an afternoon boat ride on Phewa Lake to the lakeside Tal Barahi temple, with time to wander Pokhara's relaxed lakeside strip.
A free day to slow down or go further. Popular add-ons include Davis Falls and the adjoining Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, the hilltop World Peace Pagoda across the lake, or — for the adventurous — tandem paragliding off Sarangkot with the Annapurna range as a backdrop. Tell us your interests and we'll pre-book whichever suits.
Transfer back to Kathmandu, with the afternoon free for last-minute exploring — the narrow trading lanes of Ason Bazaar, a stop in the historic city of Patan across the Bagmati River, or simply more time in Thamel for souvenirs and a final Nepali meal before departure.
Enjoy a final breakfast and, depending on your flight, a little free time before your transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward journey. Want to extend? We can add an Everest scenic mountain flight, a short Annapurna foothills trek, or a few extra nights in Pokhara.
Indicative itinerary. The exact order of activities, sightseeing and transfer times is confirmed at the time of booking and may adapt to flight schedules, park hours, weather and local conditions. Wildlife is wild — 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 8 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 is the sweet spot for this itinerary — dry weather for jungle safari and the clearest mountain views in Pokhara. The June–September monsoon brings heavy rain and cloud that can hide the Annapurna range entirely, so we'll advise on timing when you enquire.
Currency
The Nepalese Rupee (NPR). Cards are accepted in Kathmandu and Pokhara's hotels and larger shops; carry cash for Chitwan, park fees, local markets and small vendors.
Wildlife is wild
Rhino sightings are the norm on a Chitwan jeep or canoe safari — this is one of the more reliable wildlife encounters in Asia. Bengal tigers also live in the park but are rarely seen given the dense sal forest; treat a tiger sighting as a bonus, never an expectation.
Getting between hubs
Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara are linked by scenic overland roads (around 5–6 hours each leg), included as standard in this itinerary. Short domestic flights between the three can shave hours off the journey — ask us about upgrading any leg when you enquire.
What to pack
Light layers for Kathmandu and Chitwan's warmer lowland climate, plus a fleece or light jacket for early starts in Pokhara and Sarangkot, where mornings run cool. Insect repellent, sun protection, comfortable walking shoes and a reusable water bottle round out the list.
Visas & documents
Nepal offers visa-on-arrival for many nationalities at Tribhuvan International Airport, but requirements depend on your passport. Please check based on your own nationality before you travel — we're happy to point you to the right official source.
Nepal, from jungle to Himalaya
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 9-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 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.
Will we definitely see a rhino — or a tiger?
The greater one-horned rhino is genuinely one of the more reliable wildlife sightings in Asia — most jeep and canoe safaris in Chitwan encounter one. Bengal tigers live in the same park but are elusive by nature and rarely seen; we never promise a tiger sighting, and any responsible operator who does should raise a flag. Go in expecting rhino, crocodile and birdlife, with a tiger as a genuine bonus.
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 across Asia and the Middle East; we can advise on convenient routings and arrange your airport transfers to match your flights.
Can this itinerary be customised or run privately?
Absolutely — this is a template, not a fixed package. Run it fully private, add a night in Chitwan or Pokhara, upgrade the hotels, swap in a short Annapurna foothills trek or a scenic Everest mountain flight. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll shape it around you.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
It's a moderate, comfortable trip for most travellers — no trekking or high-altitude walking is built in. Kathmandu's heritage sites and Chitwan's jungle activities involve easy-to-moderate walking, the canoe and jeep safaris are seated, and the Sarangkot sunrise excursion is done by vehicle with only a short walk to the viewpoint. Tell us your preferences and we'll plan the days around them.
Do I need a visa for Nepal?
It depends on your nationality. Nepal offers visa-on-arrival for many travellers at Tribhuvan International Airport, but requirements do 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 Nepal 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.