7-Day Classic Nepal Route: Kathmandu Valley, Nagarkot Sunrise, Pokhara Lakes & Chitwan Safari

Day 1: Kathmandu arrival

Kathmandu, Nepal on October 29, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — OR2K Thamel

Popular vegetarian-friendly café in Thamel serving Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-style breakfasts; great for a relaxed arrival meal and coffee. Open daily around 8:00am.
NPR600, 1h0m

9:30am

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)

Ancient hilltop stupa offering panoramic views of Kathmandu and lively pilgrim activity; visit early to avoid crowds and enjoy bright prayer flags. Typically accessible 5:00am–6:00pm.
NPR200, 1h0m

11:30am

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Historic royal palace complex with temples, courtyards and museums showing Newar architecture; best between 9:00am–5:00pm when museums are open. Good introduction to Kathmandu’s cultural heart.
NPR1000, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch — Bhojan Griha

Traditional Nepali multi-course meal in an atmospheric old house; ideal to taste Newari and national dishes. Serves lunch typically 11:00am–3:00pm (reservation recommended).
NPR800, 1h0m

3:00pm

Boudhanath Stupa

One of the largest stupas in South Asia and the center of Tibetan Buddhist life in Kathmandu; open 24 hours and lovely for late-afternoon circumambulation as butter lamps are lit.
NPR200, 1h0m

5:00pm

Thamel stroll & shopping

Explore narrow lanes for trekking gear, handicrafts, prayer flags and souvenirs; shops generally open 9:00am–9:00pm though some cafés stay later.
NPR0, 1h30m

7:30pm

Dinner — Thakali Bhanchha

Hearty Thakali set meals (dal-bhat with local sides) that introduce regional flavours; open for dinner until around 10:00pm.
NPR700, 1h0m

Day 2: Patan, Bhaktapur & Nagarkot

Kathmandu Valley, Nepal on October 30, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Early breakfast to start a full day of valley exploration; most hotels provide breakfast from 7:00am onwards.
NPR0, 0h45m

8:30am

Patan Durbar Square (Lalitpur)

Known for exquisite metalwork and a quiet, artistic atmosphere; museums and temples are usually open 9:00am–5:00pm — arrive early to enjoy the Patan Museum and Krishna Mandir.
NPR1000, 1h30m

11:30am

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Living medieval city famed for its terracotta, woodwork and the towering Nyatapola Temple; best visited between 9:00am–5:00pm to see artisan workshops in action.
NPR1500, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch — Café Nyatapola (Bhaktapur)

Casual spot near Nyatapola serving Newari snacks and set lunches; a good stop for local flavours and pauses between temple visits. Generally open 9:00am–5:00pm.
NPR600, 1h0m

3:00pm

Drive to Nagarkot & hotel check-in

Short scenic drive east to Nagarkot (30–45 minutes from Bhaktapur) — check in and relax before sunset; roads are open all day, allow 45–60 minutes depending on traffic.
NPR1200, 1h0m

5:30pm

Nagarkot sunset viewpoint

Famous ridge for Himalayan sunset and, on clear days, views of Everest and other peaks; viewpoint accessible any time, best around sunset (approx 5:15pm–6:00pm in late October).
NPR0, 0h45m

7:30pm

Dinner at hotel

Many Nagarkot hotels offer Nepali and international dinners with mountain views — recommended to reserve a table by the window for the night sky and panorama.
NPR900, 1h0m

Day 3: Nagarkot sunrise & transfer

Nagarkot to Pokhara, Nepal on October 31, 2025

5:45am

Sunrise at Nagarkot viewpoint

Early-morning panoramic Himalayan sunrise — accessible 4:30am onward; wrap up quickly to return to hotel for breakfast. Clear mornings offer best visibility.
NPR0, 1h0m

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Hearty breakfast and check-out; plan either a scenic 6–8 hour drive to Pokhara or book a 25–30 minute domestic flight from Kathmandu (drive adds landscape views, flight saves time).
NPR0, 0h45m

9:00am

Transfer to Pokhara — by road

Road transfer: tourist bus (approx 6–8 hours) or private car (approx 5–6 hours) through hill and valley scenery; if you prefer speed, domestic flights leave Kathmandu for Pokhara frequently (25–30 min).
NPR3000, 6h0m

4:30pm

Arrive Pokhara & lakeside stroll

Check in to Lakeside and walk along Phewa Lake as the late afternoon light softens the Annapurna reflection; lakeside shops and cafés are open till late evening.
NPR0, 1h0m

6:30pm

Dinner — Moondance Restaurant & Bar

Popular Lakeside restaurant for continental and Nepali dishes with live music some nights; generally open from midday to late night — reservation recommended on weekends.
NPR1200, 1h15m

Day 4: Pokhara highlights

Pokhara, Nepal on November 1, 2025

5:00am

Sarangkot sunrise viewpoint

Short drive to Sarangkot for one of Nepal’s best sunrises over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri; viewpoint accessible any time, arrive by 5:00am for sunrise (seasonal times vary).
NPR0, 2h0m

8:30am

Breakfast — Pumpernickel Bakery & Café

Comfortable bakery café on Lakeside with fresh pastries and cooked breakfasts; open from 7:00am so good for a relaxed post-sunrise meal.
NPR600, 0h45m

10:00am

Boating on Phewa Lake & Tal Barahi Temple

Row or motor boat to the island temple for gentle lake scenery and mountain reflections; boats operate roughly 8:00am–5:00pm, hire per boat (fits 2–4 people).
NPR800, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch — OR2K Pokhara

Vegetarian-friendly lakeside restaurant with healthy bowls and Middle Eastern dishes; open through lunchtime and a pleasant spot for international travellers.
NPR700, 1h0m

3:00pm

Davis Falls (Devi’s Falls) & Gupteshwor Cave

Davis Falls is a dramatic waterfall that disappears into an underground tunnel; Gupteshwor Cave opposite is open typically 9:00am–5:00pm and links to the fall area for a short exploration.
NPR300, 1h0m

5:00pm

Sunset lakeside & souvenir shopping

Relax on the lakeside promenade, try a lakeside café, or shop for local handicrafts and trekking souvenirs; most shops open 9:00am–9:00pm.
NPR0, 1h30m

7:30pm

Dinner — Purple Haze Rock Bar & Restaurant

Lively restaurant with a mix of Nepali and international dishes and occasional live music; great for an upbeat last evening in Pokhara. Open late even on weekdays.
NPR1000, 1h15m

Day 5: Transfer to Chitwan

Pokhara to Chitwan, Nepal on November 2, 2025

6:30am

Early breakfast & checkout

Early start recommended for the drive south; most hotels provide breakfast from 6:30am for transfer days.
NPR0, 0h30m

8:00am

Drive to Chitwan National Park

Road transfer takes about 5–6 hours by private vehicle or tourist bus along the Prithvi Highway and plains; offers changing landscape from hills to Terai lowlands.
NPR2500, 6h0m

1:30pm

Lunch at jungle lodge

Most lodges include lunch as part of the package — perfect to refuel before afternoon activities and to learn about included excursions such as village visits and safaris.
NPR0, 1h0m

3:00pm

Tharu village visit & cultural introduction

Short cultural walk to a local Tharu settlement to learn traditional lifestyles and crafts; village visits typically scheduled in the afternoon and run 1–2 hours.
NPR500, 1h30m

5:30pm

Sunset riverside walk / birdwatching

Guided birdwatching along the Rapti riverbank — excellent for spotting wetland and riparian birds around dusk; guides operate early morning and late afternoon.
NPR800, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at lodge

Typically buffet-style Nepali and international dishes served at lodges; evening often includes a short cultural dance program by Tharu performers.
NPR0, 1h0m

Day 6: Chitwan jungle day

Chitwan National Park, Nepal on November 3, 2025

5:30am

Early birding walk or canoe on the Rapti River

Early-morning guided walk or canoe trip for birdwatching and spotting wildlife along river edges; guides and activities usually start before sunrise for best sightings.
NPR1200, 2h0m

8:00am

Breakfast at lodge

Breakfast is often included — refuel after early activity and plan the mid-morning jeep safari or jungle walk with your guide.
NPR0, 0h45m

9:30am

Jeep safari or guided jungle walk

Jeep safaris explore deeper park areas for chances to see one-horned rhino, deer and more; guided walking safaris offer close-up bird and flora experience. Park entry and safari schedules usually run throughout the day with morning and afternoon slots.
NPR3500, 3h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at lodge

Return to lodge for lunch and a rest — most packages include meals and afternoon activities like elephant bathing or village demonstration.
NPR0, 1h0m

3:30pm

Elephant bathing or more canoeing

Interactive lodge activity (subject to lodge offering and season) — safe, ethical options available at responsible operators; timing typically mid-afternoon.
NPR800, 1h0m

6:30pm

Tharu cultural show & dinner

Evening cultural performance featuring traditional Tharu dance followed by dinner; shows are standard at many lodges and last about 45 minutes.
NPR0, 1h30m

Day 7: Return to Kathmandu

Chitwan to Kathmandu, Nepal on November 4, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast and checkout

After breakfast, prepare for the transfer back to Kathmandu by road (approx 5–6 hours) or catch a short domestic flight from Bharatpur airport to Kathmandu if available — flights cut travel time to ~25–35 minutes.
NPR0, 0h45m

8:00am

Transfer to Kathmandu

Road transfer to Kathmandu takes approx 5–6 hours; expect arrival in the afternoon depending on traffic. Flights from Bharatpur to Kathmandu operate multiple times daily but should be booked in advance.
NPR2500, 6h0m

1:30pm

Lunch — Garden of Dreams Café (Kathmandu)

Relaxing café inside the restored Garden of Dreams near Thamel, suitable for light lunches and a calm city break; open roughly 9:00am–6:00pm.
NPR800, 1h0m

3:00pm

Shopping in Thamel or visit Patan Museum (optional)

Pick up final souvenirs, pashminas and trekking gear in Thamel (shops 9:00am–9:00pm) or visit Patan Museum if missed earlier; museums usually close 5:00pm so plan time accordingly.
NPR0, 2h0m

6:30pm

Farewell dinner — Krishnarpan (Dwarika’s Hotel)

Special traditional multi-course Nepali meal served in an intimate setting — requires advance reservation and is an excellent culinary finale to a Nepal trip. Service typically starts around 7:00pm; confirm booking prior.
NPR4000, 2h0m

9:30pm

Transfer to airport / hotel

If you have a late international flight, arrange transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu). Otherwise return to your hotel and prepare for onward travel.
NPR800, 0h30m
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