Cornelius Amann
October 06, 2026
5/5
Nepal: the Kathmandu Valley and Chitwan
6 days from Kathmandu: Patan, Boudhanath at dusk, a Nagarkot sunrise and Bhaktapur, then two nights in Chitwan National Park, with a short flight each way instead of a long drive.
6 days · Round trip from Kathmandu · up to 12 guests
A fruit seller in the lanes of Bhaktapur Photo: jafsegal (Thanks for the 5 million views), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bhaktapur,_Nepal_in_2015_-_8.jpg)
The facts
At a glance
- Length
- 6 days, 5 nights
- Start and end
- Round trip from Kathmandu
- Group size
- 7 to 12 guests
- Activity level
Easy
Valley days mean 3 to 4 hours on foot on brick paving and temple steps, including about 365 steps up to Swayambhunath (you can drive to the top instead). Day 3 starts before dawn for the Nagarkot sunrise at about 2,100 m; an optional walk down to Changu Narayan is about 10 km and 3 to 4 hours, mostly downhill. In Chitwan you sit in a canoe and a jeep, with short walks on flat ground. Any part can be sat out.
- Meals included
- 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners
- Room of your own
- + CAD 250 (estimated price)
- Season
- October to April
Highlights
Why this trip
- Swayambhunath at about 8 am, with the Kathmandu Valley below
- Patan's Durbar Square and the Patan Museum in the old royal palace
- The evening kora around Boudhanath as the butter lamps are lit
- Sunrise over the Himalaya from the Nagarkot ridge, with breakfast on a terrace
- Changu Narayan's carved temple and an afternoon in Bhaktapur's squares
- A Tharu village walk and a Tharu cultural evening in Sauraha
- A dugout canoe on the Rapti River at first light and a jeep safari for one-horned rhino
What makes this trip different
Free time is part of the plan
Free time and choices are marked on the days they fall.
Solo without the penalty
A room of your own is + CAD 250 (estimated price).
Day by day
Itinerary
Tap any stop on the map to open that dayClick any stop on the map to open that day
Arrive in Kathmandu
Tribhuvan International Airport to your hotel in central Kathmandu
- Welcome dinner
- Stay in Kathmandu
Fly into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), whether from home or from Paro, Delhi or Varanasi at the end of another trip. Most visitors pick up a tourist visa on arrival in the hall before immigration, so allow time for that queue. A driver meets you outside arrivals and takes you about 30 minutes across the city to a central hotel within walking distance of Thamel and the old market lanes of Asan. Kathmandu sits at about 1,400 m, so evenings from November to February are cool. Rest after the flight, or walk to the Garden of Dreams, a restored early 20th-century garden a few minutes from Thamel. At about 6 pm your See Sight Tours guide meets the group to go through the days ahead: the early start for Nagarkot, the short flight to the Terai and how to dress at temples.
Evening
Then we sit down together to a welcome dinner of dal bhat and Newari dishes at a local restaurant.
Included
- Pick-up at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM)
- Welcome briefing with your guide
- Welcome dinner
Free time: Free until the evening briefing
Activity: Plan to land by about 3 pm to reach the briefing; later arrivals are met and join the group at dinner or the next morning.
Swayambhunath, Patan and Boudhanath at dusk
Swayambhunath to Patan, then Pashupatinath and Boudhanath
- Breakfast and lunch
- Stay in Kathmandu
- Drive about 1.5 h
We reach Swayambhunath, the stupa on a wooded hill west of the city, at about 8 am, while the light is soft on the valley and before most groups arrive. Climb the eastern stairway, about 365 steps past monkeys and stone Buddhas, to the white dome and the painted eyes on its gilded tower.
Morning
Then we cross the Bagmati River to Patan, the old city of craftsmen, for a morning with a local guide in Patan Durbar Square: the stone Krishna Mandir, the courtyard of the Golden Temple and the Patan Museum in the old palace, which explains the valley's bronze and woodcarving.
Afternoon
Lunch is sit-down in Patan, then a rest at the hotel through the hottest hours. In the late afternoon we drive to Pashupatinath, the most important Hindu temple in Nepal, and watch the riverside rites from the terraces across the Bagmati. We end at Boudhanath, walking the kora clockwise with Tibetan pilgrims as the butter lamps are lit.
Evening
The evening is free.
Included
- Swayambhunath at about 8 am
- Patan Durbar Square with a local guide: the Krishna Mandir, the Golden Temple and the Patan Museum
- Sit-down lunch in Patan
- Pashupatinath from the terraces across the Bagmati River
- Boudhanath stupa and the evening kora
Easier option: Drive up to the western entrance of Swayambhunath and skip most of the stairway.
Free time: Early afternoon at the hotel; dinner free around Boudhanath or back in central Kathmandu
Activity: About 3 to 4 hours on foot over the day. Non-Hindus may not enter the main temple at Pashupatinath; please do not photograph the cremations.
Sunrise at Nagarkot, Changu Narayan and Bhaktapur
Kathmandu to Nagarkot, then Changu Narayan and Bhaktapur, back to Kathmandu
- Breakfast and lunch
- Stay in Kathmandu
- Drive about 3 h
Morning
This is the one early start of the trip: we leave before dawn, the exact time set by the season's sunrise, for the drive of about 32 km and an hour and a quarter up to Nagarkot, a ridge at about 2,100 m on the eastern rim of the valley. On a clear morning the Himalaya turns pink and then white along the northern skyline, from the Langtang and Ganesh ranges eastward; Everest itself is at most a faint point far to the east. Breakfast is on a terrace with the view. Then we drive down to Changu Narayan, a Vishnu temple on a hilltop whose carved struts and stone sculptures are among the oldest in the valley and part of the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site.
Afternoon
Lunch is sit-down in Bhaktapur, with a bowl of juju dhau, the town's sweet set curd. The afternoon is for Bhaktapur with a local guide, as the day visitors thin out: Durbar Square and the 55-Window Palace, the five-tiered Nyatapola temple in Taumadhi Square, and Pottery Square.
Evening
We are back in Kathmandu by early evening; the evening is free.
Included
- Sunrise from Nagarkot with breakfast
- Changu Narayan temple
- Sit-down lunch in Bhaktapur
- Bhaktapur with a local guide: Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square and the Nyatapola temple, Pottery Square
Easier option: Skip the sunrise and sleep in; we arrange a car to bring you to Bhaktapur to join the group for lunch.
More active option: Walk down from Nagarkot to Changu Narayan with your guide instead of driving, about 10 km and 3 to 4 hours on village paths, mostly downhill; the vehicle meets you at the temple.
Free time: Evening free in Kathmandu
Activity: Dawn at Nagarkot is near freezing from December to February; bring a warm layer and a hat. Mountain views are clearest from October to February.
Fly to Chitwan and a Tharu evening
Kathmandu to Bharatpur by air, then by road to Sauraha
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Stay in Sauraha (Chitwan)
- Drive about 1 h
Morning
After breakfast we transfer to the domestic terminal for the flight to Bharatpur, about 25 minutes over the hills to the Terai, Nepal's flat, hot lowland. By road the same trip takes five to six hours, so the flight gives you back most of a day. From Bharatpur it is about 30 minutes by road to Sauraha, the village on the north bank of the Rapti River at the edge of Chitwan National Park, Nepal's first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.
Afternoon
Our lodge for two nights is a short walk from the river, and lunch is waiting. In the late afternoon the naturalist who leads our safaris walks us through a Tharu village. The Tharu are the indigenous people of the Terai, and their mud-plastered houses, grain stores and painted walls are unlike anything in the hills.
Evening
We watch the sun go down on the Rapti riverbank, where rhinos and deer sometimes graze on the far side, then go to a Tharu cultural evening of drumming and the stick dance before dinner at the lodge.
Included
- Flight from Kathmandu to Bharatpur
- Transfer to Sauraha
- Tharu village walk with a naturalist
- Sunset on the Rapti riverbank
- Tharu cultural evening with the stick dance
- Lunch and dinner at the lodge
Free time: Early afternoon free at the lodge
Activity: Sauraha is at about 150 m, so days are warm even in winter; mornings from December to February are often foggy and cool, which can delay the flight.
Canoe at first light and a jeep safari
The Rapti River and Chitwan National Park
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Stay in Sauraha (Chitwan)
- By boat
Morning
An early start: at first light we board long dugout canoes, each cut from a single tree trunk, and drift down the Rapti with a naturalist. Watch the sandbanks for mugger crocodiles and, with luck, the rarer fish-eating gharial, and the banks for kingfishers, herons and storks. From December to February mist often lies on the river at dawn and lifts by mid-morning. We are back at the lodge for a late breakfast, and the middle of the day is free to rest in the shade or by the river.
Afternoon
After lunch we drive into the national park by open jeep for about four hours, along forest tracks and the edges of the tall grasslands where the greater one-horned rhinoceros grazes. Spotted deer, sambar, wild boar, gaur and sloth bear also live here, and so do Bengal tigers, though they are seldom seen.
Evening
We are back at the lodge around sunset for a last dinner together. We do not offer elephant rides on this trip.
Included
- Dugout canoe on the Rapti River with a naturalist
- Jeep safari in Chitwan National Park, about 4 hours
- Chitwan National Park entry
- All meals at the lodge
Easier option: Skip the canoe and sleep in; join the group for the afternoon jeep safari.
More active option: Walk back from the canoe landing through the community forest with the naturalist, about an hour on flat paths.
Free time: Middle of the day free at the lodge
Activity: The four hours of the jeep safari are inside the park, not road travel. The canoes sit low on the water: you step in from the bank and stay seated. The jeep tracks are bumpy; tell us if you have back problems.
Fly back to Kathmandu and depart
Sauraha to Bharatpur, then by air to Kathmandu and Tribhuvan International Airport
- Breakfast
- Drive about 1 h
Morning
If you are up early, join the optional bird walk along the river with a naturalist before breakfast; Chitwan has well over 500 recorded bird species, and the riverbank is busiest at dawn. After breakfast we drive about 30 minutes to Bharatpur for the flight back to Kathmandu, about 25 minutes, landing by late morning on a normal day. The trip ends at Tribhuvan International Airport, where the domestic and international terminals sit side by side, or at a central hotel if you are staying on; your guide says goodbye at the airport. Book an onward flight leaving after about 3 pm.
Evening
From December to February, fog can hold the Bharatpur flight for hours, and if it is grounded we drive instead, about 5 to 6 hours, so in those months we suggest an evening or next-day departure. If you are continuing to Bhutan, most Kathmandu to Paro flights leave in the morning, so add a night in Kathmandu and we will book it. If you want more of Nepal, our classic trip adds Pokhara, and our Everest Base Camp trek also starts in Kathmandu.
Included
- Transfer to Bharatpur airport
- Flight from Bharatpur to Kathmandu
- Drop-off at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) or a central Kathmandu hotel
Optional experiences
- Early bird walk with a naturalist in Sauraha before breakfast
Free time: Early morning free
Activity: Book an international departure after about 3 pm, or later from December to February when fog is common; allow three hours at the airport.
- Kathmandu3 nights
- Sauraha (Chitwan)2 nights
- Kathmanduend
- Overnight stop
- Day trip
- By boat or train
Wildlife and weather: October and November bring the clearest mountain views from Nagarkot. December to February are clear and cold at dawn, with Terai fog that can delay the Bharatpur flights and mist on the Rapti. March and April are warm, with haze that can hide the peaks and good rhino sightings once the tall grass is cut in winter. Tigers live in Chitwan but are rarely seen.
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Before you book
Right for you?
Good for you if you want
- Travellers adding a few days of Nepal to a Bhutan or India trip
- First-time visitors short on time who want the valley's temples and the jungle
- Wildlife watchers happy with early starts for the canoe and the safari
- Solo travellers who want company and a fair single price
Not for you if you want
- Travellers who want Pokhara and the Annapurna views: see our classic Nepal trip
- Trekkers: see our Everest Base Camp trek
- Step-free access: temple stairways and uneven brick lanes
- Anyone set on seeing a tiger, which is rare in Chitwan
Book flights after we confirm your seat.
5 nights
Where you'll stay
Your hotels are named in your trip confirmation.
- Kathmandu3 nights
- Sauraha (Chitwan)2 nights
One price
What's in the price
Included
Accommodation
- 5 nights: 3 in central Kathmandu, 2 at a lodge in Sauraha by Chitwan National Park
- Hotels of a 3-star-plus standard, named when we confirm your dates
- Rooms shared, or your own for a supplement
Transport
- Pick-up and drop-off at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM)
- A private vehicle and driver for the group in the Kathmandu Valley and Chitwan
- Return domestic flights between Kathmandu and Bharatpur, with airport transfers
- The dugout canoe on the Rapti River and the jeep safari in Chitwan National Park
Your guide
- A See Sight Tours guide for the whole trip
- Licensed local guides in Patan and Bhaktapur, and naturalists in Chitwan
Activities
- Kathmandu: Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath
- Patan: Patan Durbar Square and the Patan Museum
- Nagarkot: sunrise over the Himalaya with breakfast
- Changu Narayan temple
- Bhaktapur: Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square and Pottery Square
- Chitwan: Tharu village walk, Rapti riverbank sunset, Tharu cultural evening, dugout canoe, jeep safari and national park entry
Meals
- Breakfast daily (5)
- Sit-down lunch on days 2 to 5 (4)
- Welcome dinner in Kathmandu and both dinners at the Chitwan lodge (3)
Not included
- International flights to and from Kathmandu
- Nepal tourist visa, paid on arrival
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed
- Drinks
- Tips for drivers, naturalists and local guides
- Optional activities: the early bird walk and the Everest scenic flight
- Extra hotel nights before or after the trip
- Personal expenses
- Excess baggage on domestic flights
Extras
- Room of your own
- CAD 250 (estimated price)
When you can go
Dates and prices
Pick your start date when you request to book. We check that date and confirm it in your quote.
Prefer to travel without a group or guide? Ask us about arranging hotels, transport and city tours for you to travel independently.
Before you book
Booking terms
Nothing is charged now. Full terms and the cancellation schedule come with your quote, before you accept.
Business addresses
See Sight Tours Trips (USA): 3172 N Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89108, United StatesSee Sight Tours Trips (Canada): 5305 50 Avenue, #1091, Red Deer, AB T4N 4B6, Canada+1-888-961-6584Guest reviews
What guests say
Reviews from guests on our day tours.
Jane
October 06, 2026
5/5
Susan
October 06, 2026
5/5
Tom L
October 05, 2026
5/5
MandL83
October 05, 2026
5/5
Darren O
October 05, 2026
5/5
Good to know
Questions
What does the price include?
Five nights in a central Kathmandu hotel and a Chitwan lodge, breakfast daily, four lunches and three dinners, the return flights to Bharatpur, airport transfers, a private vehicle and driver, your See Sight Tours guide throughout with local guides and naturalists, every entry in the day plan, the Nagarkot sunrise, the canoe, the jeep safari and the Tharu evening.
How big is the group on this Nepal small group tour?
The small-group trip runs with 7 to 12 guests, never more. That keeps the group to one or two jeeps on safari, one table at lunch, and close enough to hear the guide in the busy squares of Patan and Bhaktapur.
Who leads the trip?
A See Sight Tours guide travels with the group from the welcome dinner to the airport on the last day. Licensed local guides join in Patan and Bhaktapur, and naturalists lead the village walk, the canoe and the jeep safari in Chitwan, as the park requires.
How fit do I need to be for this short Nepal trip?
Average fitness is enough. Valley days mean 3 to 4 hours on foot with some temple steps, and Chitwan is mostly sitting in a canoe or a jeep. The one demanding part, the walk down from Nagarkot to Changu Narayan, is optional, and nothing goes above about 2,100 m.
I am travelling solo. Do I pay a single supplement?
Only if you want a room of your own, which is CAD 250 more, about 17 percent of the price and shown before you book. If you would rather share, ask when you request to book and we will try to pair you with another solo guest; we tell you whether we found a match before anything is confirmed.
When is the best time to visit Kathmandu and Chitwan?
October to April, which is when this trip runs. October and November have the clearest mountain views from Nagarkot. December to February are clear but cold at dawn, with fog in Chitwan that can delay flights. March and April are warmer, with more haze. We do not run in the summer monsoon.
How does booking work?
Choose a start date and request to book. No payment is taken at that point. We check the hotel, the lodge and the flights for your date and confirm your place within 24 hours, then send the payment details and your final itinerary.
Can I travel on my own dates?
Yes. The private version runs for your party only on a date you choose, with your own guide and vehicle. If you would rather travel independently, ask us from the dates section and we will quote the same hotel, lodge, flights, drivers and local guides as a separate plan.
Do I need a visa for Nepal?
Yes. Canadians and most other visitors can get a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, paid in US dollars, for 15, 30 or 90 days; the 15-day visa covers this trip. If you are combining it with Bhutan or India, those countries need their own visas. We send the current fees with your final itinerary.
Can I add this trip to a Bhutan or India tour?
Yes, that is what it is built for. Kathmandu has direct flights to Paro, Delhi and Varanasi. Tell us your other trip's dates when you book and we will line up the start day, and add a hotel night in Kathmandu if your flights need one, especially for the morning Paro flights.
What happens if the flight to Chitwan is cancelled?
We drive instead, about 5 to 6 hours each way, with a lunch stop. Fog in the Terai from December to February is the usual cause of delays. On the way out we shift the village walk to the next day; on the way back, that is why we ask you to book an afternoon or later onward flight.
Will we see a tiger or a rhino in Chitwan?
The greater one-horned rhino is the park's best-known resident and is often seen from the jeep, along with deer, crocodiles and many birds, though sightings are never guaranteed. Bengal tigers live in the park but are shy and rarely seen. A canoe at first light and an afternoon safari give you the best chances two nights allow.
See Sight Tours has been providing travel services across North America since 2006. Operating in 20 cities across Canada and the USA, the company specializes in small group tours that offer personalized, high-quality experiences for travelers.
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