8-Day Kathmandu Chitwan and Pokhara Tour with Safari and Heritage

You will be picked up at the airport by one of the Tour and Trekking Nepal staff and driven to your Kathmandu host family or hotel. Here, you will be welcomed into the family, given your own room, and provided with all your meals while in Kathmandu. This will be your home during your orientation and volunteering in Nepal. With easy bus routes into town and the surrounding countryside, this quiet and safe suburb is the perfect base for your time in Nepal.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

We tour Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, and Bouddhanath Stupa, all of which are World Heritage Sites. Durbar Square sheds light on the life of the royals in ancient times. Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most important places of pilgrimage for all Hindus. Swayambhunath is also known as the Monkey Temple, and Bouddhanath Stupa is one of the largest stupas in the world. At noon, we are introduced to our fellow participants and discuss our trip at the Tour and Trekking Nepal office. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

We descend along the winding road on the banks of the Trishuli River. After checking into the hotel, there will be a briefing on the activities we will be engaged in during our stay in Chitwan. We then walk on the banks of the Rapti River to enjoy the sunset in the sub-tropical jungles of Chitwan. In the evening, we enjoy dinner and a brief cultural program showcasing the tribal dances unique to the Chitwan region of Nepal. Overnight stay in Chitwan.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Early in the morning, we will be mounted on elephants for a jungle safari through dense grasslands to witness wildlife in its natural habitat. After breakfast, we visit the elephant stables and even enjoy bathing the elephants. During the afternoon, we can drive through the jungles, followed by a canoe ride down the Rapti River. While canoeing, we may get a close look at the Gharial and Mugger crocodiles, along with freshwater dolphins, otters, and varieties of water birds. Or, we may even go bird watching or on nature walks and come closer to the various wild flora and fauna found in the park. Overnight stay in Chitwan.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

We drive to Pokhara - about 140 kilometres from Chitwan and a 5-6 hour drive. The drive is very much similar to the one we had while coming to Chitwan from Kathmandu. From Mugling, we drive further west into the mountains, following the rivers for much of the day. Pokhara, also nicknamed the Lake City, is not only Nepal's but one of the most beautiful places on earth. The town offers magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, the five peaks of Annapurna, and others. Pokhara is also the gateway for trekking in the Annapurna Region. After arriving in Pokhara, we make a sightseeing trip to some of Pokhara's marketplaces, old bazaars, and landmarks. In the evening, explore the surrounding lakeside areas. Overnight stay in Pokhara.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

We spend a full day exploring Pokhara. After breakfast, we set out for a full day of sightseeing in Pokhara. Enjoy walking along the bank of Phewa Lake, admiring the stunning reflection of Fish Tail Peak in the blue waters of the lake. We also take a boat ride on Phewa Lake, the second biggest lake in Nepal. We cross the lake by boat and take an hour's walk to the World Peace Pagoda. We also make a short visit to Gupteshwar Gufa Cave, also called Shiva Gufa. Some of the other places we visit today include the Seti River Gorge, Devi's Fall, the mountain museum, and more. Overnight stay in Pokhara.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

We transfer to the tourist bus station and, at 6:30 a.m., drive back to Kathmandu by tourist bus. This scenic drive offers fascinating glimpses of rural Nepal as you pass through Middle Hill scenery along the famous rafting Trishuli River, which originates from Tibet northeast of Kathmandu. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Our journey in Nepal comes to an end today. A Tour and Trekking Nepal representative will drop us off at the airport approximately 3 hours before our scheduled flight. On our way home, we have plenty of time to plan our next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.