Nepal · Hidden Gems

Tansen-Palpa, an ancient hill station with Pokhara Tour from Kathmandu

5 Days Round trip from Kathmandu Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore the ancient hill town of Tansen-Palpa
  • 02 Visit heritage sites including Tansen Durbar and Shital Pati
  • 03 See the riverside Ranighat Palace and enjoy views from Shreenagar Tower
  • 04 Watch sunrise over the snowcapped mountains from Sarangkot
  • 05 Discover Pokhara Valley highlights such as Gupteshwor Cave and Devi's Falls
  • 06 Visit the International Mountain Museum
  • 07 Travel with private transfers and guided sightseeing
  • 08 Stay in 3-star accommodation with meals included as per itinerary

Discover two very different sides of Nepal on this 5-day journey from Kathmandu, combining the lakeside beauty of Pokhara with the heritage-rich hill town of Tansen-Palpa. Explore an off-the-beaten-track destination known for its cobbled streets, Newari architecture, temples, and historic landmarks, while also enjoying some of Pokhara’s most popular sights.

Along the way, visit places such as Tansen Durbar, Shital Pati, Bhagwati Temple, Shreenagar Tower, and the riverside Rani Mahal. In Pokhara, take in a sunrise from Sarangkot and see highlights including Gupteshwor Cave, Devi's Falls, and the International Mountain Museum. With private transfers, accommodation, entrance fees, and guided sightseeing included, this itinerary offers an easy way to experience both culture and scenery in a limited time.

Discover two very different sides of Nepal on this 5-day journey from Kathmandu, combining the lakeside beauty of Pokhara with the heritage-rich hill town of Tansen-Palpa.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Pokhara, Kathmandu, Tansen
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Day 1 : Hotel pick up and drive to Pokhara (5 hrs drive)

  • Your English speaking driver will pick you up from your Hotel in Pokhara and takes you for a drive to Pokhara 
  • Meals not included
  • Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel
2
Day 02

Day 2 : Drive to Palpa (4 hrs drive) and sightseeing around Palpa

After breakfast drive to Palpa which takes around 4 hours. Upon arrival check in to hotel and your English speaking guide will take you visit these points:

  • Bhagwati Temple: Bhagawati Temple was rebuilt by Colonel Ujir Singh Thapa, the governor of Palpa in 1815 in commemoration of the victory over colonial British Indian Forces in the battle fought at Butwal. He took oath to build a large temple and organize chariot processions to Goddess Mahis Mardini if he gets victory in the battle. Bhagawati Temple is three small temples of Shiva, Ganesh and Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom. Every August, a chariot procession of deities is paraded through the town with military honor to observe the historic battle.
  • Shital Pati: Literally known as “Cool Resting Place’’ this octagonal landmark was built by General Khadga Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana during his tenure (1891-1902 AD) as western commanding chief of Nepal, based in Tansen, Palpa. Built in Mughal style, its unique architecture resembles a fort or a rook- shaped castle tower piece in a chess board. Shital Pati is believed to have been built a few years earlier than the Rani Mahal.
  • The Mul Dhoka (main gate) or Baggi Dhoka (gate for horse drawn carriage) as the locals call it, is probably the only one of this size and dimension in Nepal. The gateway leads to the famous Ranaujieshwori Bhagwati temple, regarded as the guardian deity of Tansen and to the Tansen Durbar square which since accommodated various district level government offices. There are fine woodcarvings on the buildings on both sides of the gate, examples of the fine Newari craftsmanship.
  • Tansen Durbar was built in 1927 AD by Pratap Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana and formed the grand palace that was the seat of the Rana governors. Though in January 2006 during the Maoist insurgency it was destroyed, after the abdication of the king a few months later, the palace was one of the first government buildings to be restored
  • Amar Narayan Mandir: The large classic three-tiered pagoda style temple is sacred to the Lord Vishnu. It was built in 1807 AD by the first governor of Tansen, Amar Singh Thapa and is very beautiful with its carved wood deities. The erotic carvings on the wooden struts are remarkable. The temple is surrounded by one meter wide stone wall locally known as the Great wall of Palpa. In the vicinity of the temple, there are two other temples. Mahadev Mandir is found just below, sacred to Shiva and the other is to Vishnu Paduka.
  • Meals included: lunch, dinner, breakfast
  • Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel
3
Day 03

Day 3 : Visit Sri Nagar Tower, Rani mahal and drive back to Pokhara

After breakfast your guide will take you to visit drive to Sri Nagar Tower and Rani mahal:

· Shreenagar Tower, enjoy view of glorious mountains and Palpa.

  • Rani Mahal is a Rana palace located in the banks of Kali Gandaki River in Palpa district of Nepal. This palace was constructed by General Khadga Samsher Rana JBR in 1893, named after his wife as Rani Mahal (Literary translates as Queens Palace.

After side seeing head back for Pokhara

  • Meals included: breakfast
  • Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel
4
Day 04

Day 4 : Sunrise from Sarangkot, full day Sightseeing of Pokhara valley

  • Early morning wakeup call and your English speaking guide picks you from hotel and drive to sarangkot view point for the glorious view of sunrise over snowcapped mountains, back to hotel enjoy your breakfast. After breakfast: begin full day sightseeing of Pokhara valley which includes: Gupteshwor cave, Davis falls, Seti George, and International Mountain Museum. Overnight at hotel.
  • Meals included: breakfast
  • Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel
5
Day 05

Day 5 : Return to Kathmandu

  • After breakfast and drive back to Kathmandu in a private vehicle.
  • Meals included: breakfast
  • Accommodation not included

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Kathmandu 3 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Lunch
  • Hotel pick up and drop off service
  • All private transfer in a luxurious vehicle
  • All entrance fees
  • English speaking guide during sightseeing only
  • Accommodation in 3 star category hotel in Pokhara in BB plan and in Sri Nagar with all meals.
  • Accommodation in twin/double sharing basis. For solo traveler we provide single room.

What's Not Included

  • Lunch and dinner during Pokhara stay
  • Tips
  • Extra activities fees
  • Any drinks

Know before you go

  • INFANTS MUST SIT ON LAPS
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • We offer pickup and drop off service from Hotels inside Kathmandu city ring road. Please provide us the name of Hotel. For hotels outside ring road, you need to pay additional charge.
  • We offer pick up and drop off service from Hotel inside Kathmandu city

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Kathmandu, NP
Tour start
Kathmandu, NP
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 5 days finish where they began, in Kathmandu.

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