Nepal Itinerary: Pokhara, Chitwan & Kathmandu Travel Blog

Our third trip of 2019 was a short one but oh-so-memorable. For the Eid long weekend, we decided to head to Nepal. Honestly, it wasn’t our first choice, but it quickly became the most practical one because of its proximity to Dubai, cheap flight tickets, and of course—no visa applications for Indians. That sealed the deal. Whoop!

Nepal Itinerary Overview

Here’s the route we followed during our 5-day trip:

• Dubai to Kathmandu Dubai to Kathmandu

• Overnight drive to Pokhara from Kathmandu Overnight drive to Pokhara from Kathmandu

• Exploring Pokhara (2 days) Exploring Pokhara (2 days)

• Road trip from Pokhara to Chitwan Road trip from Pokhara to Chitwan

• Wildlife & relaxation in Chitwan Wildlife & relaxation in Chitwan

• Back to Kathmandu for a short city visit before flying out Back to Kathmandu for a short city visit before flying out

If you’re looking for a Nepal itinerary that covers lakes, mountains, wildlife, and temples without trekking, this one’s a great starting point.

We went off-season, as usual. It was sweltering hot and I came back with a terrible tan. That said, Nepal’s weather really depends on what you’re looking for:

• Trekking Season: September to November is considered the best time to visit Nepal for trekking. The skies are clear, and the views of the Himalayas are unmatched. Trekking Season: September to November is considered the best time to visit Nepal for trekking. The skies are clear, and the views of the Himalayas are unmatched.

• Winter Season: January to March is great for travelers who want cool weather without heavy rainfall. Winter Season: January to March is great for travelers who want cool weather without heavy rainfall.

• Off-season travel to Nepal: May to August can be extremely hot and humid, but if you want fewer crowds and better deals, this could work for you (just pack sunscreen!)

Off-season travel to Nepal: May to August can be extremely hot and humid, but if you want fewer crowds and better deals, this could work for you (just pack sunscreen!)

We booked a short 4-hourlight from Dubai f to Kathmandu with FlyDubai.

• Nepal trip from Dubai → very convenient with daily direct flights. Nepal trip from Dubai → very convenient with daily direct flights.

• No visa for Indians in Nepal → if you hold an Indian passport, you just walk through immigration with your passport or voter ID. Quick and stress-free! No visa for Indians in Nepal → if you hold an Indian passport, you just walk through immigration with your passport or voter ID. Quick and stress-free!

Language in Nepal

The official language is Nepali, but most people understand Hindi and English to some extent. Communication was never an issue for us.

Nepali Rupee (NPR) is the official currency. However, you’ll find that most places accept Indian Rupees or even US Dollars in touristy areas.

Where We Stayed

Pokhara – Glacier Hotel

We stayed at Glacier Hotel in Pokhara, right in front of Phewa Lake. The location was unbeatable, and the food was amazing. The only downside? Wi-Fi was practically non-existent during our stay.

Chitwan – Barahi Jungle Lodge

This was easily the highlight of our trip. The luxury resort in Chitwan is eco-friendly, tucked away in the middle of nowhere. Reaching there wasn’t easy (the roads are still under construction), but once we arrived, we felt like royalty. From the service to the ambiance, everything was flawless.

We avoided driving ourselves because of the unpredictable traffic and narrow winding roads. Buses are a cheap option but slow. We didn’t have time to spare, so we booked a private car with a driver.

I highly recommend this option if you’re short on time. We booked through Above Himalayan Trekking—their quick response time and competitive rates impressed us. Be sure to ask for a spacious car with strong air conditioning.

This really made a difference in how comfortable our Nepal itinerary turned out.

Roads between Kathmandu and Pokhara/Chitwan can be risky at night—avoid late-night drives. People were extremely warm and welcoming. Overall, we didn’t feel unsafe at any point.

Food was one of the unexpected highlights of our trip!

• Plenty of vegetarian and vegan food in Nepal, from Italian and Indian to Nepali cuisines. Plenty of vegetarian and vegan food in Nepal, from Italian and Indian to Nepali cuisines.

• Momos became a daily ritual—we had them at least once a day, always paired with spicy chutney. Momos became a daily ritual—we had them at least once a day, always paired with spicy chutney.

• In Chitwan, our lodge served incredible farm-to-table meals that were fresh and wholesome. In Chitwan, our lodge served incredible farm-to-table meals that were fresh and wholesome.

Whether you’re vegetarian or vegan, you won’t struggle to find delicious options.

Pokhara – Lakes, Stupas & Sunrise

We landed at 12:30 am in Kathmandu where our driver, Rosan, was waiting for us. After a 6-hour drive (with a few pitstops), we finally reached Pokhara at sunrise.

Pokhara is often called the trekkers’ paradise as it’s the starting point for Annapurna treks. But even if you’re not trekking, there’s so much to explore.

Phewa Lake & Tal Barahi Temple

The best part of staying at Glacier Hotel was waking up to uninterrupted views of Phewa Lake.

For NPR 800, you can take a boat ride across the lake.

• Stop at the Tal Barahi temple, located right in the middle of the water. Stop at the Tal Barahi temple, located right in the middle of the water.

• From there, hike up a steep 45-minute trail to the World Peace Pagoda Pokhara. From there, hike up a steep 45-minute trail to the World Peace Pagoda Pokhara.

The climb is worth it. The stupa, painted in white and glowing against blue skies, is one of the most serene places I’ve been. Plus, you get stunning panoramic views of Pokhara.

By the time we got back to the hotel, it was around 5 pm and we were pretty exhausted after a day out in the sun. The rest of the day was spent chillin’ and enjoying real good food!

Sarangkot Sunrise

The next morning, we woke up at 4 am for the hike to Sarangkot sunrise point. It took us 2 hours to reach, but the sight of the Annapurna range bathed in golden light was unforgettable.

Pro tip: hire a guide from your hotel for the hike as the trail is dark in the early hours.

No matter how early you get there, the sunrise happens at the same time - which means, you will have a lot of tourist crowd and buses here.. but on a clear day, you can see stunning views of the Annapurna-Himalayan slopes.

Local Attractions & Sunset

Later in the day, we visited Devi’s Fall and Gupteshwar Mahadev Cave Temple. By evening, we were back at Phewa Lake for café hopping and a spectacular sunset view.

If you’re wondering about things to do in Pokhara without trekking—this is it. Lakes, temples, caves, sunsets, and peaceful vibes.

After Pokhara, we drove 6 hours to Chitwan, reaching Barahi Jungle Lodge just in time for lunch.

Chitwan National Park Safari

At 3 pm, we headed for a jeep safari around the outskirts of Chitwan National Park safari zone (the core is closed during monsoon). Within a couple of hours, we spotted elephants, rhinos, and spotted deer.

The safari ended with a magical sunset at the confluence of the Rapti and Narayani rivers in Meghauli. This was an exclusive experience for lodge guests—it felt extra romantic since we were the only ones there.

This point is the confluence of Rapti and Narayani river in Meghauli. Can you see the faint line behind us? It really was a special evening.. being the only ones here was extra romantic :)

On the second day in Chitwan, this was the highlight of our trip. If you stay at the Barahi Lodge, you have access to amazing activities inside and outside the resort.

Elephant Feeding & Bathing

The highlight of Chitwan was spending time with the elephants. We got to feed Tulsi (6 years old) and Subakali (17 years old). They were shy at first, but warmed up quickly once we started feeding them.

Guests at Barahi Lodge can also bathe elephants in the river, which was an unforgettable moment. For me, this was the ultimate memory of Nepal.

The rest of our time in Chitwan was spent relaxing at the spa, enjoying local dishes, and soaking up the luxury of our resort in Chitwan.

The rest of the day was spent having delicious food, visiting the spa and witnessing a stunning sunset right from the lounge of the resort. I could not recommend this place enough. Worth every penny. From the service, to the ambiance, to the food - everything was just spectacular.

Kathmandu – Temples & Bustling Streets

We only had a short stay in Kathmandu before flying back. The city is crowded, dusty, and chaotic—but it has its charm.

We made sure to visit the famous Swayambhunath Temple Kathmandu (also known as the Monkey Temple). The climb up involves plenty of stairs, but once you reach the top, you’re rewarded with views of the city under dramatic clouds.

If you’re short on time in Kathmandu, this temple is the one site I’d recommend.

It was pretty crowded in the evening.. but the view with dark clouds leering over the city was stunning.

If you only have time to do one temple, you can definitely this one a visit!

This trip showed us that you can absolutely enjoy Nepal without trekking. Sure, it’s the trekking capital of South Asia, but there’s so much more to experience. From serene lakes in Pokhara, to wildlife adventures in Chitwan, to cultural gems in Kathmandu—this Nepal travel blog barely scratches the surface.

Looking back, this trip was exactly what we needed—slow travel, relaxation, and just enough adventure to keep things exciting. Sometimes, the best itineraries aren’t the most ambitious ones, but the ones that let you savor the little moments.

So if you’re planning your own Nepal itinerary, don’t hesitate to go off-season, explore beyond the treks, and indulge in everything from momos to sunsets.

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Drop your comments below and show some love. Feel free to shoot me an email with your feedback.

Cheers,

Anki

To explore more Asian destinations, be sure to check out other blogs for additional insights.

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