Destination: Lumbini

This 17-day tour is not just about seeing the locations of Nepal, but experiencing it genuinely. This tour lets you pay closer attention and experience a more profound sense of connection to the environment, culture, and yourself. It takes you from the holy stupas & temples of Kathmandu to serene rural paths, from lowland jungle safaris to Himalayan sunrises.

Starting in the center of the Kathmandu Valley, you will see historic palaces, revered temples, and lively districts that are teeming with customs and history. From there, you’ll travel leisurely via sleepy hill towns like Panauti, Dhulikhel, and Nagarkot, where serene country walks and Himalayan sunrises beckon you to take your time and appreciate everything.

From there, the journey takes a turn toward the wild and the peaceful, beginning with Chitwan, where nature is right at your doorstep. You’ll glide down a quiet river in a canoe, go on safari drives through the jungle, and spot rhinos, deer, and all kinds of birds along the way. It’s a place where the air smells like earth and trees, and the evenings come alive with traditional music and dance from the local Tharu community.

Then it’s on to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. It’s calm and quiet there—monasteries from all over the world tucked into peaceful gardens, prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, and a stillness that invites you to slow down and just be present.

After that, you’ll arrive in Pokhara, the kind of place that makes you want to stay longer than planned. Mornings start with mountain reflections in Phewa Lake, days are filled with visits to caves, waterfalls, and temples, and the evenings? Perfect for unwinding by the water or catching sunset from a peaceful hilltop. And when you’re ready for a little more adventure, a short hike to Dhampus village gives you open skies, mountain views, and a quiet look at life in the hills.

Then, while returning to Kathmandu, we will spend a night in Bandipur, a mountain village with cobblestone alleys, traditional Newari dwellings, and breathtaking panoramic views of mountains.

Once you return to Kathmandu, you will have memories, experiences, and emotions that are impossible to capture in photographs. Perhaps it’s the tranquility of the mountains at sunrise, the smile of a local child, the thrill of seeing a rhino in the wild, or the peaceful delight of savoring tea on a hilltop.

This is a beautifully curated tour that lets you explore not only a particular country, but also yourself and the people who live there. Upon departing, a fragment of Nepal remains delicately nestled within your spirit.

This 12-day Kathmandu, Chitwan, Lumbini, Pokhara, Dhampus, and Bandipur Tour lets you visit and explore Nepal’s most captivating locations, experiencing its breathtaking beauty and rich cultural heritage. This itinerary is perfect for every age group and has been carefully curated to ensure a trouble-free tour experience, like altitude sickness or any other concerns. Additionally, if you are planning a tour with your family, friends, partner, or any other group, you will find this luxurious and enjoyable vacation experience in Nepal to be perfectly curated. During this 12-day tour, you will have the opportunity to explore city tours, natural beauty, wildlife excursions, photography, and religious pilgrimages. This trip includes everything from touring the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu, such as Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Swayambhunath Stupa, to enjoying the tranquil lakes and mountains of Pokhara, the wildlife-rich jungles of Chitwan National Park, with an exhilarating safari, and visiting the holy Lumbini, Gautam Buddha birthplace.

The tour starts in Kathmandu, where you will arrive from your home. However, we will skip the Kathmandu Sightseeing and drive to Chitwan to visit Chitwan National Park, where we will experience a thrilling jungle safari and witness endangered animals such as the One-Horned Rhinos, Royal Bengal Tiger, and more. Additionally, we will enjoy a canoe ride, bird watching, traditional dance and cuisine, and a fantastic sunset view.

After the Chitwan National Park tour, we will drive to the sacred place of peace and harmony, Lumbini, which is the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. This site is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will get to explore different sides of Lumbini, including the birth spot of Gautam Buddha (Mayadevi Temple) and Ashoka Pillar (indicating the exact spot where Buddha was born). Additionally, you will explore the sacred garden of Tilaurakot and visit multiple monasteries built by various countries.

The end of our spiritual tour of Lumbini will take us to the beautiful city of Pokhara. We will spend a whole day sightseeing in Pokhara, visiting top attractions such as Sarangkot, Davis Fall, Gupteshwor Cave, Phewa Lake, and the World Peace Pagoda.  We will start the day with a sunrise view from Sarangkot and then explore other attractions.

On another day, we will hike to Dhampus, where you can explore the lovely Gurung communities and witness stunning terrace farms with a spectacular mountain view of Mount Annapurna and Fishtail. Once we return to Pokhara, we will drive the next day to Bandipur, where you will have the opportunity to interact with the Newar Community. Bandipur offers sweeping views of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Ganesh Himal. From this charming Newari village, the Marshyandi River may be seen gushing down through farmlands.

Then, finally, we will return to Kathmandu and explore the four UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kathmandu, where we will witness the beauty, history, culture, and way of living. We will visit two famous and oldest stupas, Swayambhunath and Bouddhanath. At Swayambhunath Stupa, you will experience a blend of Hindu and Buddhist elements, accompanied by panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley. Bouddhanath is the oldest stupa, and you will have the opportunity to explore the spiritual atmosphere surrounding the stupa. You will find a perfect angle and capture of this marvelous dome-shaped stupa from nearby rooftop restaurants and cafes.

Visiting Kathmandu Durbar Square (Basantapur) allows you to discover Nepal’s history and the culture, traditions, and values of the Newar community. If lucky, you will get to see Kumari, the living Goddess of Nepal. You will also visit the most significant Hindu temple, Pashupatinath, dedicated to Hindu Lord Shiva. Additionally, you will experience the largest crowd of devotees during the evening Sandhya Aarati of Lord Shiva. There is one thing you should be aware of: if you are non-Hindu, then you cannot enter the main temple premises, and if you are Hindu and enter the premises, you still cannot take photographs.

This tour promises a fantastic experience exploring Nepal’s beauty. You will have the opportunity to explore nearly all aspects of Nepal and capture multiple hands-on photography moments and spots that you won’t want to miss. Additionally, if you would like to customize the tour or require more days in Nepal, you can contact us directly or one of our experts.