7-Day Nepal Itinerary for First-Time Visitors: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan

Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu

Land at Tribhuvan International. Clear visa on arrival (see our visa guide — 20–45 minutes). Taxi or hotel transfer to Thamel. Rest in the afternoon, light dinner of momos and dal bhat. Walk Thamel in the evening to orient.

Stay: Thamel boutique (Kantipur Temple House, Traditional Comfort). Eat: Or2k, Momo Hut, or a casual Nepali thakali set.

Day 2: Kathmandu Valley UNESCO sites

Full-day guided tour of Kathmandu Valley Durbar Square, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), and Patan Durbar Square. Add Pashupatinath in the afternoon. Evening: Newari dinner at Bhojan Griha or Krishnarpan.

If you prefer a slower pace, split into two days: Kathmandu Durbar Square + Swayambhunath one day, Patan + Pashupatinath the next.

Day 3: Bhaktapur and Boudha

Morning day trip to Bhaktapur — the best-preserved UNESCO town in the valley. Walk the three main squares (Durbar, Taumadhi, Dattatreya). Eat juju dhau from a sweet shop. Return via Boudhanath for the evening kora ritual — a powerful experience as Tibetan monks and pilgrims circle the stupa at sunset.

Evening flight to Pokhara (25 minutes) OR overnight bus if budget is tight.

Day 4: Pokhara lake day

Morning: rent a boat on Phewa Lake and row to Tal Barahi temple. Afternoon: hike up to the World Peace Pagoda for valley views. Evening: Lakeside restaurants and shopping.

Stay: central Lakeside mid-range (Hotel Barahi, Temple Tree Resort) or boutique (Waterfront Resort).

Day 5: Sarangkot sunrise + paragliding

4:30 a.m. taxi to Sarangkot for sunrise over Annapurna, Machapuchare, and Dhaulagiri. Return by 8:00 for breakfast. If paragliding season (October–April), take a tandem flight from Sarangkot — 25–40 minutes, lands by the lake. NPR 10,000–12,000.

Afternoon at leisure: Devi's Fall, Mountain Museum (rainy day), or a coffee by the lake. Evening dinner at Moondance.

Fly to Chitwan (Bharatpur, BHR) next morning — 20 minutes — or drive (5 hours scenic).

Day 6: Chitwan arrival + afternoon safari

Arrive at Bharatpur, transfer to a Chitwan lodge (Sauraha is the tourist base). Afternoon program: elephant bathing in the Rapti River OR canoe ride + jungle walk. Sunset over the Rapti.

Stay: Chitwan lodge (Green Park, Hotel Parkside, Meghauli Serai for luxury).

Day 7: Full jungle safari day, return

Pre-dawn bird-watching walk. Breakfast. 4WD jeep safari through Chitwan National Park — looking for one-horned rhino, gharial crocodile, spotted deer, and (rare but possible) Bengal tiger. Tharu cultural program in the evening.

Return flight Bharatpur → Kathmandu (20 min) OR drive 5 hours. International departure from Kathmandu.

Cost breakdown (2026 mid-range, per person)

• Hotels 6 nights: NPR 30,000–60,000
• Domestic flights (KTM–PKR, PKR–BHR, BHR–KTM): NPR 25,000–35,000
• Chitwan full board + activities: NPR 15,000–25,000
• Kathmandu / Pokhara meals and tours: NPR 15,000–25,000
• Visa on arrival: USD 50 (30-day)
• Total: NPR 90,000–150,000 (~USD 675–1,125)

Variations

• Skip Chitwan: extend Pokhara by 2 days — add a Poon Hill trek (3 days, from Pokhara).
• Add a day hike: replace day 5 afternoon with a Dhampus/Australian Camp hike from Pokhara.
• Luxury upgrade: Dwarika's Kathmandu, Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, Meghauli Serai Chitwan — full 7-day cost ~NPR 350,000+.

What to pack

• Light layers (T-shirts, fleece, rain jacket)
• Closed walking shoes for UNESCO sites
• Sunglasses, sunscreen SPF 50+, hat
• Insect repellent for Chitwan
• Reusable water bottle with filter
• Binoculars (Chitwan)

Book the 7-day itinerary with Yatra

Yatra offers customizable 7-day Nepal packages with Kathmandu hotels, Pokhara lakeside stays, Chitwan lodges, domestic flight bundles, and private or group tours. Local team handles the logistics so you focus on the trip.