International Tours
The Best of Nepal
The Best of Nepal is a six-day loop through the country's greatest contrasts — the temple-crowded valley of Kathmandu, the tigers and one-horned rhinos of Chitwan National Park, the serene lakes of Pokhara and a Himalayan sunrise over Mount Everest from the ridge at Nagarkot. In under a week it moves from sacred cities to jungle and from lakeside calm to snow-peak panoramas, making it the ideal first encounter with Nepal.
Tour overview
Nepal packs extraordinary variety into a small country, and this itinerary is built to capture it. You start in Kathmandu, the religious, cultural and political heart of the nation, where Hindu and Buddhist monuments stand side by side; drop to the lowland Terai for a wildlife stay in Chitwan, the country's first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site; drive to the tranquil lake city of Pokhara beneath the Annapurna range; and finish on the hill station of Nagarkot for its celebrated Himalayan sunrise.
Era Tours arranges the trip privately with a driver and guide throughout and hotels in whichever category you prefer. The drives between regions are themselves part of the experience, winding past rivers, terraced fields and forest. Everything below is our recommended flow; we tailor the pace, the hotels and the balance of temples, jungle and mountains to your interests, whether that is pilgrimage, wildlife or scenery.
Kathmandu's temples
Pashupatinath on the Bagmati, the great stupas of Boudhanath and Swayambhunath, the Durbar Square and the artisan city of Patan pack the valley with sacred sites.
Wild Chitwan
Nepal's first national park shelters the one-horned rhino, Bengal tiger, crocodiles and countless birds, explored on safari and nature walks.
Sunrise on the Himalaya
From the ridge at Nagarkot you watch the sun rise over a wall of snow peaks, with Mount Everest visible on the clearest mornings.
Day-by-day itinerary
6 daysYour trip begins on arrival in Kathmandu, the capital, where you are escorted to your hotel to check in and rest. The city blends the ancient and the modern in its streets and buildings, and remains the centre of Nepal's religion, culture and politics. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Kathmandu.
After breakfast you set out on a full city tour. You visit the sacred Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of the Bagmati, dedicated to Lord Shiva and the epitome of Hinduism in Nepal; the great stupa of Boudhanath, one of the oldest and largest Buddhist structures in the country; the heritage city of Patan (Lalitpur) with its rich architecture and Tibetan handicraft stalls; Kathmandu Durbar Square with its temples and giant Hanuman statue; and the hilltop Swayambhunath Stupa, whose painted eyes of the Buddha gaze out over the valley. Overnight in Kathmandu.
- Pashupatinath Temple
- — Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple, dedicated to Shiva, on the Bagmati river.
- Boudhanath & Swayambhunath
- — Two of the great Buddhist stupas of the Kathmandu valley.
After breakfast you drive to Chitwan, home to Nepal's first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site rich in wildlife. Here you may spot rare and endangered animals including the one-horned rhino, Bengal tiger, crocodiles and many exotic birds. Activities can include a wildlife safari, nature walks and time to learn about the culture and lifestyle of the local Tharu people. In the evening you return to your lodge for dinner. Overnight in Chitwan.
- Chitwan National Park
- — A UNESCO-listed reserve famous for the greater one-horned rhinoceros.
After breakfast you drive to the scenic lake city of Pokhara, the road lined with greenery, rivers and calm. After checking in and resting, you set out for local sightseeing in the afternoon: the Bindhyabasini Temple, dedicated to the goddess Durga, and Devi's Fall, a striking waterfall opposite which lies the sacred Gupteshwar cave with its natural rock formations. Overnight in Pokhara.
- Devi's Fall & Gupteshwar Cave
- — A dramatic waterfall that vanishes underground beside a revered limestone cave.
After breakfast you drive back towards Kathmandu and on to Nagarkot, a hill station perched on a ridge east of the valley. Nagarkot is famous for its panoramic Himalayan views — the rising and setting sun over the mountains, with Mount Everest visible on clear days. After checking in and resting you head out for sightseeing, returning to your hotel in the evening. Overnight in Nagarkot.
- Nagarkot ridge
- — A hilltop viewpoint renowned for its Himalayan sunrises and, on clear days, distant Everest.
After breakfast you are driven back to the airport in Kathmandu for your onward flight, and this beautiful tour comes to an end. Tour ends.
This itinerary is a suggested flow and is fully customisable — hotels, pace and sightseeing are tailored to you. Ask us to adjust it →
Places on this tour
What's included
- Accommodation on twin-sharing basis in your chosen hotel category
- Daily breakfast, with dinner at the Chitwan lodge
- Private vehicle with driver and guide throughout
- All arrival and departure transfers
- Sightseeing and Chitwan activities as specified in the itinerary
- All applicable taxes on the services quoted
Not included
- International airfare, applicable taxes and any permits
- Monument and national-park entry fees unless specified
- Lunches, dinners and drinks unless specified
- Camera and video charges
- Tips, gratuities and personal expenses
- Anything not mentioned under inclusions
Ideal for: First-time visitors to Nepal, families and travellers who want temples, wildlife and mountains together.
FAQ
The Best of Nepal — your questions answered
Around six days is ideal for a first, well-rounded trip to Nepal. This itinerary uses that time to combine Kathmandu's temples, wildlife in Chitwan, the lakes of Pokhara and a Himalayan sunrise at Nagarkot, covering the country's main experiences without rushing.
October–November and March–April are the best times to visit Nepal. Autumn brings the clearest skies and finest mountain views after the monsoon, while spring is warm and colourful with blooming rhododendrons; both offer comfortable weather across Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara.
Yes, on a clear day you can see Mount Everest from the ridge at Nagarkot. The viewpoint looks out over a broad sweep of the Himalaya at sunrise and sunset; visibility depends on the weather, and the autumn and spring seasons give the best chance of clear skies.
Chitwan is best known for the greater one-horned rhinoceros, and also shelters Bengal tigers, crocodiles, deer and a wealth of exotic birds. You explore it on safari and nature walks, with a good chance of spotting rhinos in particular.
Indian nationals do not need a visa to visit Nepal, but should carry valid photo identification such as a passport or voter ID for entry. We advise on the current documentation requirements as part of arranging your trip.
