Morning: Board the **Rajdhani Express** at Bangalore SBC and enjoy a comfortable, budget‑friendly journey to New Delhi, arriving around noon. Grab a quick local breakfast on the platform to keep costs low.
Afternoon: Transfer to the **Sunauli border** bus service (approximately 8 hours) that runs overnight to the Nepal frontier, then continue by local bus to **Kathmandu**. The scenic ride offers a glimpse of the Terai plains.
Evening: Check into a clean **Thamel dormitory** (≈ $10 / night per person). Take a short stroll through **Thamel** to soak up the lively street atmosphere and sample affordable momos from a roadside stall.
Find HotelsMorning: Visit the iconic **Swayambhunath Stupa**, also known as the Monkey Temple, and enjoy panoramic city views; spend about two hours exploring the prayer wheels and shrines.
Afternoon: Head to **Patan Durbar Square**, marvel at the intricate Newari architecture, and wander through the bustling artisans’ market for inexpensive souvenirs.
Evening: Dine at a local **dhaba** in Thamel, where a hearty plate of dal‑bhat costs around $3, then relax back at the dormitory or join a low‑cost cultural show.
Find HotelsMorning: Sleep in the dormitory and enjoy a simple continental breakfast provided by the hostel (≈ $2). Prepare for the early departure.
Afternoon: Board an overnight **night bus** to Pokhara (≈ $5). The comfortable seat recline lets the group rest while crossing the scenic hills.
Evening: Arrive in Pokhara, check into a lakeside dormitory (≈ $10 / night per person). Take a relaxing walk along **Phewa Lake** and savor cheap street‑food snacks.
Find HotelsMorning: Explore **Davis Falls** and the adjacent **Gupteshwar Cave**, where the cool interior offers a refreshing contrast to the morning chill; allocate about two hours.
Afternoon: Journey to **Mahendra Cave**, a limestone wonder perfect for adventurous photo‑ops; spend roughly two hours discovering its chambers.
Evening: Catch a **night bus** to Chitwan (≈ $6), enjoying the stars over the hills while the group rests.
Find HotelsMorning: Embark on a guided **jungle safari** in **Chitwan National Park**, spotting rhinos, elephants, and a kaleidoscope of birds; the trek lasts about three hours.
Afternoon: Visit a traditional **Tharu cultural village**, interact with locals, and learn about their unique customs; allocate two hours for the experience.
Evening: Enjoy a communal **campfire dinner** featuring local thali (≈ $4) before settling into a modest **forest dormitory** (≈ $9 / night per person).
Find HotelsMorning: Take an early **night bus** back to Kathmandu (≈ $6) and arrive by midday; store luggage at the dormitory.
Afternoon: Fly from **Kathmandu** to **New Delhi** on a low‑cost airline (≈ $45) to catch the scheduled **train back to Bangalore**; the flight saves precious time.
Evening: Board the **Rajdhani Express** for the final leg home, reflecting on the journey’s highlights while enjoying the comfortable sleeper class.
Find HotelsTo stretch the trip, add an extra day in Pokhara for a sunrise trek to the World Peace Pagoda, or explore the lesser‑known village of **Bandipur** on the way to Kathmandu. If you need to shorten the itinerary, skip the night bus to Chitwan and instead spend the final day exploring the tranquil **Nagarkot** hill for sunrise views before heading back to Delhi.