Walking Discoveries in Nepal - 11 Days

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Haatiban Resort

Welcome to Nepal! Start your adventure with a drive through lush countryside to the Haatiban Resort (which means "Elephant Forest" in Nepalese). Southwest of the Kathmandu Valley and about 1,300 feet (396 m) above the city, the views here are vast and one-of-a-kind. Spend your afternoon relaxing at the resort, surrounded by pine trees and hiking trails. 

Day 2: UNESCO World Heritage villages of Khokana and Bungamati

Spend your second morning in Nepal making your way down into the Kathmandu Valley to Bansbari. From there, lace up your hiking boots and walk through Khokana—a typical Newari village famous for its mustard oil mills—and visit the 17th-century Hindu Rudrayani Temple, a three-story pagoda-style temple. 

Next, make your way to the world-famous 16th-century wood-carving village of Bungamati, the birthplace of Rato Machhendranath, patron guardian and deity of the valley. Visit the shikhara-style temple in the middle of the village square, where Rato supposedly spends six months per year. On your way back, stop by Patan Durbar Square—one of the oldest Buddhist cities in the world, believed to have been founded in the third century A.D. The city is known for its traditional crafts and rich artistic heritage. 

Day 3: Drive to Summit River Lodge

Grab a window seat in your transport—today's journey is a scenic one through Nepal's middle hills, down to the Trisuli River, and along its banks to the village of Kurintar, where traditional village homes line the edges of a flat, fertile expanse of farmland surrounded by forested hills. From here, take an easy 30-minute walk through the village to your accommodation for the night where you'll find excellent forest views and a cool pool ready for a dip. Or, if you prefer a bit more adventure, stop at Majhimtar for an 8.5-mile (13.5 km) river rafting trip.

Day 4: Village walk

On your fourth day in Nepal, trek into the hills to visit the traditional village homes of the Chepang and Magar peoples. Orchids hang off the trees along shaded paths as you hike into the forest then out into a narrow valley with a small stream. Follow the stream along its many pools, falls, and natural rock slide (and stop for a dip if you need to cool off). If you're lucky, you might stumble upon a village woman making alcohol and fermented cereals at her sill or a traditional ox cart carrying goods or people. When you're ready to head back, take the lower route through fields and along the white, sandy beaches of Trisuli.

Day 5: Manakamana Temple, walk to Gorkha

Lace up those hiking boots and stock up on water. Today, you're hiking from Manakamana Temple to Gorkha Gaun. Start with a short gondola ride to the temple of Manakamana (the goddess of wishes) where sweeping views of the villages, river, and hills await. From the gondola exit, make your way to the temple to pay your respects to the goddess of wishes, take in the colorful facade, and then hike up the ridge toward the Toran village. After lunch in one of the mountain villages, walk downhill through the villages of Khanchowk and Thulo Dipling to the Ludi Khola River and then uphill for another hour to Gorkha Gaun where your hike ends.

Day 6: Day excursion to Gorkha Palace

Grab your camera and backpack for another full day of hiking! Start at the Gorkha Bazaar and take the steps upward to the ancient palace and remains of an old fort. From there, make your way to Bajra Bairab Temple for views over the northern hills and a panorama of the Himalayas, with Langtang in the east and the Annapurna massif in the west. Once you've soaked it all in, make your way make to Gorkha Village, stopping at historic sites and in traditional villages like Ale Bhanjang and Panche Swara. End the day with a beautiful sunset from Gorkha Gaun.

Day 7: Drive to Pokhara, afternoon excursion to Peace Pagoda

After breakfast, drive to Pokhara and check into your charming local hotel before boarding a boat to visit the famed Brindawasini Temple, located in the center of Phewa Lake. After exploring the temple, return to the boat to finish crossing the lake. Then take the trail to the Peace Pagoda —about an hour an a half's hike away. On a clear day, the pagoda's views encompass the entire expanse of the Annapurna Mountain Range.

Day 8: Pokhara sightseeing

Wake early on your eighth day in the Kingdom of Nepal and drive to Sarangkot Hill for a short uphill hike and a beautiful sunrise view of the city and the Himalayas. Once you've had your fill of sweeping views and orange-pink skies, make your way back downhill and to town for breakfast and a day of sightseeing. Attractions include the Medieval Barahi Temple, Devi's Fall, the International Mountain Museum, and the old town of Pokhara.

Day 9: Fly to Kathmandu

Wave farewell to the rolling hills and traditional villages as you board a plane for a short, scenic flight back to the bustling capital of Kathmandu. Once you arrive, the day is yours to relax, explore, rest your feet, or shop for souvenirs. 

Day 10: Boudhanath & Pashupatinath sightseeing

On your last day in Kathmandu, it's time to visit the city's most famous attractions. First, head to Pashupatinath—one of the holiest pilgrimage destinations for Hindus worldwide. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the guardian (patron) deity of Nepal. It is situated on the banks of the holy Bagmati River.

Next, make your way to the world-famous Boudhanath Stupa, also known as Khasti Chitya, one of the oldest stupas in the country. Following the cultural revolution of Tibet in 1959, numerous Tibetans re-settled in the Boudhanath area. It is a bustling neighborhood and a true melting pot of many cultures and traditions. If your visit there falls on a holy day (according to the Lunar calendar), you may be fortunate enough to see Boudhanath illuminated against the night sky. 

Day 11: Departure

Bid mystical, mountainous Nepal farewell as you board your flight home!