Kathmandu, Lumbini and Chitwan in 7 Days: Day by Day, Cost and Who It Suits

Last updated 12 October 2026.

Short answer: Seven days is enough to see the Kathmandu temples, the Buddha's birthplace at Lumbini and a proper day in the Chitwan jungle, with no trekking and no long bus days. You fly Kathmandu to Bhairahawa (about 30 minutes), drive to Lumbini, then drive east to Chitwan and finish with the road back to Kathmandu. Our Kathmandu, Lumbini and Chitwan Tour, 7 days costs USD 1,370 (Budget), USD 1,690 (Standard) or USD 2,485 (Luxury) per person for 2 to 4 people, with hotels, guides, the flight and every entrance fee included. The best months are October to March.

I built this trip for people who write to me and say, "We want Nepal, but not the mountains this time." Maybe you are walking the Annapurna Circuit next year and want something gentler first. Maybe you travel with parents, or with children, or you simply prefer temples and wildlife to trails. The order matters. Two days in Kathmandu to settle in, a quick flight to Lumbini, and then a drive east so you finish with rhinos and the river instead of a long bus ride.

Kathmandu, Lumbini and Chitwan at a glance

What does each day look like?

Days 1 and 2 are easy on purpose. You land, rest and see the old city at a gentle pace. Some buildings in Durbar Square are still being restored after the 2015 earthquake, so part of it may be screened off on the day, and your guide will tell you what you are looking at either way. My guide to the Kathmandu temples in one day says more about the first two days. Only Hindus may enter the main temple at Pashupatinath, but you can watch from the terraces on the far bank.

Why fly to Lumbini and drive back?

This is the one choice I made that people ask about. The road from Kathmandu to Lumbini is about 280 km and takes 9 to 11 hours. The flight takes about 30 minutes. Then the road from Lumbini to Chitwan is a pleasant four hours along the Mahendra Highway, and the road from Chitwan back to Kathmandu is 5 to 6 hours. So you do one long road day, not two. If you would like to go by road both ways, tell me and I will price it.

The honest downside is the flight. The aircraft are small, the baggage limit is tight and the timetable depends on the weather. Fog on the plains can delay flights between December and January, so keep a spare day before your international flight and do not book an onward flight for the evening of day 7.

What is Lumbini like?

Lumbini is where Buddhist tradition says the Buddha was born, and it is one of the calmest places I take guests. On day 3 we walk the Sacred Garden in the late afternoon, when it is cooler. You see the Maya Devi Temple, built over the excavated remains of earlier shrines, the sacred pond and the Ashoka pillar with its inscription. Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off at the temple, voices low. The Lumbini Sacred Garden entry is NPR 1,000 for foreign visitors, and we pay it for you.

On day 4 we visit the monasteries, built by Buddhist communities from many countries on either side of a long canal. The Theravada monasteries are on the east side and the Mahayana and Vajrayana ones on the west. Your guide picks the ones worth your time. We start early, because from spring onwards the heat builds by midday. In the afternoon we drive to Tilaurakot, the excavated walled site that Nepali archaeologists identify with the ancient capital of the Shakya kingdom. My longer Lumbini travel guide covers the garden in detail. If Kapilvastu and Gotihawa interest you, they need a second day, and our 4-day Lumbini tour includes them.

What do you do in Chitwan?

We do the jungle the quiet way. You walk with a naturalist at the forest edge, ride a 4x4 jeep through sal forest and grassland, and drift down the Rapti river in a dugout canoe. The greater one-horned rhinoceros is the animal most people come for, and you may also see spotted deer, wild boar and gharial and marsh mugger crocodiles on the banks. Tigers live in the park but are rarely seen, and I never promise a sighting. The Chitwan National Park entry is NPR 2,000 per person per entry (about USD 15), and it is included.

We do not sell animal rides, and the days are built around the forest instead. In the evening the Tharu people, the indigenous community of the Terai, perform their stick dance by firelight. For more detail, read my guide to things to do in Chitwan and my notes on Tharu culture.

Which version suits you: 7 days, 4 days or 3 days?

If you want mountain views, this is not the trip, because Lumbini and Chitwan sit at about 150 m and 190 m. I would choose the Pokhara version instead, and my notes on Chitwan or Bardia may help if the wildlife is your priority.

When is the best time to go?

For 2027 I would aim for November or the weeks between January and March. Avoid the Dashain days in early October, when buses and flights are full. My best time for Chitwan and festival calendar go month by month.

What does it cost?

Prices are per person and are the same whether you travel privately or as a group. A child pays the same as an adult. Budget has simple, clean hotels, twin share and breakfast only. Standard has 3-star hotels with private rooms and all meals. Luxury has deluxe hotels with ensuite rooms, all meals and non-alcoholic drinks, and a heritage specialist guide. All tiers include the Kathmandu to Bhairahawa flight, a private vehicle, a naturalist for the Chitwan activities, and every entrance fee. The visa (USD 30 for 15 days or USD 50 for 30 days), international flights, travel insurance, tips and hotel nights before or after the tour are extra. A single traveller pays more per person than a couple.

Questions people ask

Is 7 days enough for Kathmandu, Lumbini and Chitwan? Yes, if you accept a quick pace on days 1 and 2. You get two nights in each place and one full day in the jungle. If you want a second day in the park, ask me to add a night.

How do you get from Kathmandu to Lumbini? We fly Kathmandu to Bhairahawa (about 30 minutes) and drive 25 km to Lumbini. By road it is about 280 km and 9 to 11 hours.

How far is Lumbini from Chitwan? About four hours by road along the Mahendra Highway, with stops when you want them.

How much does the Chitwan park entry cost? NPR 2,000 per person per entry for foreigners, about USD 15. It is included in our price, along with the Lumbini Sacred Garden entry of NPR 1,000.

What is the best month for Lumbini and Chitwan together? October to November, with the dry, clear weather. January to March is also good. Avoid April to June for the heat and June to September for the monsoon.

Will we see a tiger? Almost certainly not. Tigers live in the park but are rarely seen. You can expect birds, deer and crocodiles, and probably a rhino.

Is it suitable for older parents or children? Yes. The walks are short and flat, and the grade is easy. My notes on a gentle tour for older travellers and a 10-day family itinerary have more.

Can vegetarians eat well? Yes. Monastery kitchens and hotels cater for vegetarians easily. Tell us if you also avoid egg, onion or garlic.

How are the terms for this trip?

Group size is 1 to 20, and you can travel alone. The deposit is 10 per cent and it is non-refundable, with no refund if you cancel. You can reschedule free of charge with at least 72 hours notice to any date within one year. The balance is paid on arrival in Kathmandu in USD or EUR, cash or by card. Card carries 3.5 per cent and cash in Kathmandu carries none. We do not take Nepali rupees from foreign clients. Buy travel insurance at home that covers domestic flights and medical care. We do not recommend insurance bought in Nepal.

How do you plan this with us?

Message me on WhatsApp on +977 9810351300 with your dates, how many of you there are and whether you want mountains added. I will tell you which tier and which route I would choose, and send you the exact quote.

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586. WhatsApp +977 9810351300.