Highlights
- Get lost in the bustle of Nepal's sprawling capital, Kathmandu
- Experience the Niwari culture in the medieval village of Bandipur
- Explore the peaceful lakeside city of Pokhara and enjoy an evening boat tour
- Wander Bhaktapur and marvel at the impressive Nyatapola Temple
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Welcome to Kathmandu! | Kathmandu |
| Day 2 | Explore Kathmandu: Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, & Patan Durbar Square | Kathmandu |
| Day 3 | Drive from Kathmandu to Bandipur | Bandipur |
| Day 4 | Drive from Bandipur to Pokhara, Evening Boat Tour | Pokhara |
| Day 5 | Explore Pokhara: Guided or Self-Guided Day Tours | Pokhara |
| Day 6 | Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu, Overnight in Bhaktapur | Bhaktapur |
| Day 7 | Depart Kathmandu |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu!
Flying into Kathmandu, you'll have views over the valley, the Himalaya, and the terraced fields below. After completing customs, a representative will be waiting to greet you outside the airport and to guide you through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s narrow, winding streets to your hotel.
Once you've settled in, head out and explore the city. Kathmandu Durbar Square is a great place to start your exploration, where you'll walk through narrow alleyways teeming with small shops, ancient temples, and local restaurants. If you want to stretch your legs, Swayambhunath, the white stupa rising above the valley, is the perfect spot to catch the sunset over the valley.
In the evening, the tourist hub of Thamel is a good place to grab your first meal, with a variety of restaurants to chose from offering both Western and local Nepali dishes.
Day 2: Explore Kathmandu: Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, & Patan Durbar Square
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll be picked up by an English-speaking guide for a full-day tour of the Kathmandu Valley, visiting three sacred sites: Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Patan Durbar Square.
This day fits quite a bit in—helpful for maximizing your time in Kathmandu—but doesn't overload you with too many sites. You can spend as much time as you like at each temple (this is a private tour just for you), although most people tend to spend an hour. For lunch, you'll stop at one of our recommended local restaurants.
Return to your hotel in Kathmandu in the late afternoon and meet your trekking guide who will go over details for tomorrow's adventure.
Tour length: 7-8 hours (including transfers)
Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Bandipur
After breakfast, you'll start the overland trip to Bandipur in the early morning to avoid traffic in Kathmandu. Arrive in Bandipur for a late lunch and explore the charming village for the rest of the day. Before sunset, you may want to climb the nearby hill to watch the beautiful shapes of the foothills as they change color.
Bandipur
Bandipur is a living museum of Newari culture, a beautifully preserved village crowning a lofty ridge above the highway stop of Dumre. Its winding lanes are lined with traditional Newari houses. Time seems to have stood still here, although it has taken a lot of effort to preserve the magic while developing the town as a destination. Despite its proximity to the epicenter of the 2015 earthquake, Bandipur escaped with only minor damage, though a number of village houses collapsed
Driving time: 6 hours
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Drive from Bandipur to Pokhara, Evening Boat Tour
After enjoying the sunrise and early morning, you'll leave Bandipur behind and travel overland to Pokhara, one of the enchanting places to view the Phewa Lake and the magnificence of Machhapuchhere (6,977 m) rising behind it create an ambiance of peace and magic. En route, you can take a detour to Begnas Lake, a beautiful spot for a short walk or boat tour.
After arriving in Pokhara, we will check in to our hotel and then head out to explore the lakeside and then relax over dinner.
Pokhara Valley
At 827 m, Nepal's second largest city is situated in a tranquil valley along the banks of Phewa Lake. It's the starting point for many of Nepal’s famous treks and rafting destinations. The valley surrounding Pokhara is home to thick forests, gushing rivers, clear lake and the world famous views of the Himalaya.
Driving time: 3 hours (79 km)
Day 5: Explore Pokhara: Guided or Self-Guided Day Tours
Today, you'll have a full day in Pokhara to relax or enjoy a variety of activities. You may want to explore the cafés and restaurants, go shopping, or perhaps do something more adventurous like paragliding or mountain biking.
Day 6: Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu, Overnight in Bhaktapur
After breakfast, you may have time to do more sightseeing, relax, or check out one of Pokhara's many coffee shops. About 1.5 hours before your flight, you'll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the domestic airport to catch your quick flight back to Kathmandu.
Once in Kathmandu, you'll be driven to Bhaktapur (20 minutes). Although extensively damaged by the 2015 earthquake, most of Bhaktapur's impressive religious buildings, including the tallest temple in the Kathmandu Valley—the five-story Nyatapola Temple—remain standing in this medieval Newari city. The town is known for its production of fine Newari crafts, especially pottery, which you can see drying in the large town squares.
Day 7: Depart Kathmandu
It's time to say farewell to Nepal. Enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu with breakfast in a café, a final stroll through the narrow alleys and templtes, and some final souvenir shopping. A driver will be waiting for you at your hotel to take you to the airport for your return flight home. It's best to be at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure.