Nepal Family Adventure
Overview
- Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
- Departures: Private, any date
- Group size: Private, from 2 travellers
- Accommodation: Comfortable, family-friendly 3–4★ hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara and a safari lodge near Chitwan National Park
- Country: Nepal
A family trip through Nepal that mixes the monkeys and stupas of Kathmandu, canoes and jeep safaris in Chitwan National Park and boats, caves and short hikes around Pokhara.
This ten-day route is designed for families who want a first taste of Nepal with plenty of variety and no long treks. It suits parents travelling with children of about six and upwards, and the mix of temples, wildlife and outdoor time keeps teenagers interested too.
You begin with three nights in Kathmandu, where the monkeys of Swayambhunath, the potters of Bhaktapur and the great stupa of Boudhanath bring history to life. Then you head down to the warm lowlands for two nights at a lodge in Chitwan National Park, with a canoe trip, a jeep safari, a bird walk and a visit to a Tharu village. Three nights in Pokhara follow, with boats on the lake, a waterfall and cave, and a short hike to a hilltop pagoda.
The pace is gentle. Most days have one main outing, with free time in the afternoon for swimming, games or rest, and the last night is back in Kathmandu so that the flight home is not a rush.
A few honest notes. Road journeys in Nepal take longer than the map suggests, so we suggest flying on at least one leg with younger children. Wildlife in Chitwan is never guaranteed: rhinos and birds are often seen, while tigers are rare. Mountain views around Pokhara depend on clear weather, which is most likely from October to March.
Every part of the trip can change to suit your family, from room types to the length of each day. Tell us about your children on our plan your trip page, and we will plan the route around you.
Day-by-day itinerary
Your driver meets the family at Kathmandu airport and takes you to your hotel, chosen with space for children and, where possible, a garden or pool. After the long journey, take the rest of the day easy. If everyone has energy left, a short walk to a nearby square gives a first look at the city’s rickshaws, pigeons and tiered temples.
Overnight: Kathmandu
With your guide, climb the long stairway to Swayambhunath, known to many as the monkey temple, where troops of macaques play among the shrines. Children usually enjoy spinning the rows of prayer wheels. Later, explore Kathmandu Durbar Square and look out for the window where the Kumari, the living goddess, sometimes appears. Spend the afternoon at leisure back at the hotel.
Overnight: Kathmandu · Meals: Breakfast
Drive about an hour to Bhaktapur, an old town of brick squares and carved wooden windows, with little traffic in its centre. In Pottery Square, watch potters shaping clay on spinning wheels, and children may get a chance to try. Taste juju dhau, the creamy local yoghurt. On the way back, walk around the giant stupa of Boudhanath as monks and pilgrims circle it at dusk.
Overnight: Kathmandu · Meals: Breakfast
Take a short flight to Bharatpur, or travel about five to six hours by road through river valleys, to the warm lowlands of Chitwan. Settle in at your safari lodge near the park and meet your naturalist guide. In the late afternoon, walk to the riverbank to watch the sunset, or visit a Tharu village to learn how the local community lives beside the forest.
Overnight: Chitwan National Park · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Glide down the Rapti or Budhi Rapti river in a dugout canoe in the early morning, looking out for crocodiles basking on the banks and kingfishers along the water. After lunch and a rest, head into the park on a jeep safari, shared or private depending on availability. Rhinos, deer, wild boar and monkeys are often seen, though sightings always depend on luck.
Overnight: Chitwan National Park · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After an early bird walk with your guide and a relaxed breakfast, drive about five hours to Pokhara, following the rivers up into the hills. We plan comfortable stops for snacks and stretching along the way. Arrive in the afternoon at your lakeside hotel, where the Annapurna peaks appear above town on clear days. Spend the evening strolling along the shore of Phewa Lake.
Overnight: Pokhara · Meals: Breakfast
Paddle across Phewa Lake in a colourful wooden boat to the small island temple of Tal Barahi. In the afternoon, visit Davis Falls, where a stream plunges into a narrow gorge, and Gupteshwor Cave across the road, with a Hindu shrine inside and steps down towards the waterfall. Older children may enjoy the mountain museum, which tells the story of the Himalaya and its climbers.
Overnight: Pokhara · Meals: Breakfast
Cross the lake by boat and hike uphill for about an hour through forest to the white World Peace Pagoda, a manageable walk for most children. From the top you see the lake, the town and, with luck, the snowy Annapurnas. Walk or drive back down for lunch, then enjoy a free afternoon for swimming, games or a lakeside café.
Overnight: Pokhara · Meals: Breakfast
Fly back to Kathmandu, a short flight with mountain views on a clear day, or travel about six to seven hours by road. In the afternoon, visit Patan Durbar Square and the Patan Museum, known for its bronze statues, or let the family relax at the hotel. This day also gives a margin if weather has delayed a flight. Enjoy a farewell dinner together.
Overnight: Kathmandu · Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, there may be time for a last walk or a little shopping for felt toys, puppets and colourful prayer flags to take home. Your driver then takes you to the airport for your flight. We time the transfer with plenty of margin so that the end of the trip stays calm for everyone. End of your trip.
Overnight: — · Meals: Breakfast
What’s included
- Accommodation for 9 nights with breakfast, in family rooms or connecting rooms where available
- Lunch and dinner at your safari lodge in Chitwan
- Private airport and hotel transfers
- Private car and driver for road journeys
- Local English-speaking guides for sightseeing in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Domestic flights named in the itinerary, where you choose to fly
- Canoe trip, jeep safari, bird walk and village visit in Chitwan with licensed naturalist guides
- Entrance fees to sights in the itinerary
- 24/7 support during your trip
Not included
- International flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities, such as paragliding or a scenic mountain flight
Good to know
Sample itinerary: we adapt the route, hotels and dates to you and confirm everything in your written quote. Best October–April, including school holidays at Christmas and Easter.
You travel with a private car and driver, and we can provide child seats on request where available. Kathmandu to Chitwan is a short flight to Bharatpur or about five to six hours by road; Chitwan to Pokhara is about five hours by road; and Pokhara to Kathmandu is a short flight or about six to seven hours by road. Mountain flights depend on the weather.
Frequently asked questions
It works well for children from about six upwards, and teenagers often enjoy it most. Some activities, such as canoeing and jeep safaris, may have minimum ages set by the park or the lodge, which we check when we book. We can shorten days or add rest time for younger children.
Yes, with sensible care. Activities in Chitwan National Park are led by licensed naturalist guides who keep a respectful distance from animals. Children stay with an adult at all times, and walking safaris may not suit younger children, so we choose activities by age.
Roads in Nepal are winding and slow, so the drives of five to seven hours can feel long. We plan regular stops, and you can fly between Kathmandu and Chitwan or Pokhara to save time. Travel-sickness tablets are worth bringing for the hill roads.
Hotels and lodges serve familiar dishes alongside Nepali food, and mild options are easy to find. Drink bottled or filtered water and keep hand gel handy. Speak to your doctor or travel clinic about vaccinations well before you go.
