Journey to Kathmandu, Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Poon Hill & Ghorepani - 8 Days

Highlights

• See Kathmandu's cultural attractions, from Pashupatinath to Patan Durbar Square
• Trek from Nayapul to Tikhedhunga through fields of rice, maize, and millet
• Hike from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani while enjoying fantastic mountain views
• Visit Pokhara, the beautiful lakeside city known for its caves and serene lakes

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu

Welcome to Nepal! Flying into Kathmandu, you'll have views over the valley, the Himalaya, and the terraced fields below. After completing customs, a guide will greet you outside the airport and take you through Kathmandu's narrow, winding streets to your hotel.

After you've settled in, go explore one of Kathmandu's cultural attractions. Boudhanath is home to the world's largest spherical stupa (Buddhist shrine). Pashupatinath has the most sacred of all Hindu temples in Nepal, located on the holy Bagmati River. Bhaktapur, a 30-minute drive outside of Kathmandu, was a center of medieval art and wood carving founded in the ninth century. However you choose to spend your day, return to your hotel in the early evening to meet your guide, who will go over the details for tomorrow's adventure.

Day 2: Tour Boudhanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square & Pashupatinath

Today, depending on what you covered on day one, you'll have the chance to visit Boudhanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Pashupatinath with your tour guide.

Kathmandu Durbar Square is a major attraction in Kathmandu. It's home to the temple of the living goddess, who acknowledges the greetings of her devotees from the balcony of her temple residence, Kasthamandap, the source of the name Kathmandu. Next, continue to an array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the ancient palace of the Nepalese royalty.

Day 3: Fly to Pokhara, Trek to Tikhedhunga 

You'll be picked up by private car from your hotel in the morning and ride to Kathmandu's domestic airport for a short flight to Pokhara. Upon arrival, you'll be driven to Nayapul, where the trekking adventure begins. Today's hike will take between 4-5 hours. 

Your first trail heads uphill through farms of rice, maize, and millet fields. Following the main trail of Birethanti, you pass by a small waterfall and continue until you reach Sudami, where you'll stop and have lunch. After this midday break, get back on your feet and climb steadily along the side of the valley until you reach Tikhedhunga Teahouse for your overnight stay.

Day 4: Hike from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani 

After an early breakfast at your teahouse in preparation for your big climb, you'll start on your hike. The trek begins with a steep stone stairway, 3,767 steps up the ridgeline, eventually leading you through cultivated fields. Once you've completed this section, the rest of the trail continues through a scenic area of blooming rhododendron blossoms and old oak forests.

Keep climbing uphill until you reach Nangethanti, your stop for lunch. Thanti is a Nepalese word that means "rest house." Keep in mind that during winter months, the trail can be covered with snow. Work off your lunch and continue the climb until you get to Ghorepani, a village surrounded by spectacular scenery that's popular with trekkers. The total hiking time today is 6-7 hours. 

Day 5: Trek from Ghorepani to Ghandruk

Today is the third day of the trek, beginning with the rare chance of seeing the sunrise over the Himalayas. Go on an early morning excursion to Poon Hill, about a 40-minute hike from your lodge at Ghorepani. The views from Poon Hill are truly spectacular: you'll see fantastic panoramic mountain views of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchare, Nilgiri, and many other mountain ranges, and the sunrise is breathtaking.

Return to the lodge to have breakfast and get ready for a hike. The 4 to 6-hour route takes you up the hill through the dense forest of Deurali, then descending to Tadapani. From Tadapani, you'll be gradually walking on the smooth trail by descending to Ghandruk, one of the largest Gurung settlements in western Nepal. 

Day 6: Trek from Ghandruk to Nayapul, Transfer to Pokhara

Wake up with breakfast in Ghandruk and enjoy views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South, and the Hiunchuli peaks. On today's two-hour hike, you'll trek past small villages and picturesque rice fields to reach Nayapul. It's a mostly downhill walk with a section following the road down to Birethanti, a small village located at the confluence of the Modi Khola and Bhurungdi Khola rivers. The walk from Birethanti to Nayapul isn't very long, around 20 minutes. Once you arrive, you'll meet your private Jeep transfer waiting to take you to Pokhara.

Upon arrival in Pokhara, you'll be greeted by the beautiful lakeside city known for its views of the Annapurna mountain range and serene lakes. Pokhara offers a wide range of accommodation options, restaurants, and recreational activities, making it a popular tourist destination in Nepal.

Day 7: Fly to Kathmandu

After breakfast, you may have time to do more sightseeing, relax, or check out one of Pokhara's coffee shops. If you have more time before your flight, consider side-tripping to Tal Barahi temple, located in the middle of a lake, the bright-white World Peace Pagoda, or the picturesque Davis Falls. 

Ahead of your flight, you'll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the domestic airport to catch your flight back to Kathmandu. The evening is free to relax or explore.

It's time to say farewell to Nepal. Enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu, a final stroll through the narrow alleys and temples, and some souvenir shopping. A driver will be waiting for you at your hotel to take you to the airport for your return flight home. Safe travels!

 

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