One week is the most common length for a first Nepal trip, and used well it delivers an astonishing amount: medieval cities, living goddesses, mountain sunrises, lake mornings, and momos by the dozen. This itinerary balances the two essential bases — Kathmandu and Pokhara — without feeling rushed.
Overview
| Day | Base | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kathmandu | Arrive, Thamel, Garden of Dreams |
| 2 | Kathmandu | Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, Durbar Square |
| 3 | Bhaktapur → Kathmandu | Medieval Bhaktapur day trip |
| 4 | Pokhara | Fly west, Phewa Lake, Lakeside |
| 5 | Pokhara | Sarangkot sunrise, World Peace Pagoda |
| 6 | Pokhara | Adventure day (paragliding) or day hike |
| 7 | Kathmandu | Fly back, Swayambhunath, depart |
Day 1 — Arrive in Kathmandu
Clear the visa on arrival, grab a prepaid taxi to your hotel, and ease in gently. Wander Thamel's maze of prayer-flag-draped streets, then escape the chaos in the Garden of Dreams — a restored neo-classical garden perfect for shaking off jet lag. Dinner: your first dal bhat or a plate of momos.
Day 2 — Kathmandu's sacred sites
Start early at Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in the world, while morning pilgrims circle it spinning prayer wheels. Continue to Pashupatinath, Nepal's holiest Hindu temple on the Bagmati River. In the afternoon, explore Kathmandu Durbar Square — the old royal palace complex and home of the Kumari, the living goddess. Full guide: must-see attractions in Kathmandu.
Day 3 — Bhaktapur day trip
Forty minutes east lies Bhaktapur, the best-preserved of the valley's three medieval kingdoms — brick lanes, pottery squares, the 30-meter Nyatapola pagoda, and almost no traffic. Try the famous juju dhau ("king of yogurts") from a clay bowl. Return to Kathmandu for the evening. See the Bhaktapur guide for details.
Day 4 — Fly to Pokhara
The 25-minute flight west parallels the Himalayan wall — sit on the right side for mountain views. Check in at Lakeside, rent a rowboat on Phewa Lake to visit the island temple of Tal Barahi, and end with sunset over the water. Pokhara runs at half Kathmandu's speed; let it.
Day 5 — Sarangkot sunrise and lake day
A 5 a.m. taxi gets you to Sarangkot (1,600 m) for sunrise over the Annapurna range — Machhapuchhre's fishtail peak burning orange is the image you came to Nepal for. Afterwards, hike or boat across to the World Peace Pagoda for panoramic lake-and-mountain views, then reward yourself in Lakeside's cafes. More ideas: top things to do in Pokhara.
Day 6 — Adventure day
Pokhara is Nepal's adventure capital. Pick one:
- Paragliding from Sarangkot (~30 min tandem flight, world-class)
- Ultralight flight toward the Annapurna range
- Day hike to the Australian Camp viewpoint through rhododendron forest
- Zipline + Davis Falls + Gupteshwor Cave combo for a mixed day
Day 7 — Back to Kathmandu and departure
Morning flight back. If your international flight leaves late, squeeze in Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple) — its hilltop stupa overlooks the whole valley and is ten minutes from Thamel. Last-minute shopping: pashmina, singing bowls, tea.
Practical notes
- Budget: roughly $40–70/day mid-range per person plus ~$250 for the two domestic flights — full breakdown in the Nepal budget guide.
- Buffer: domestic flights shift with weather. Never book the Pokhara–Kathmandu flight on the same day as your international departure if you can avoid it; this itinerary returns you a day early precisely for that reason — treat Day 7 morning as the buffer.
- Season: this itinerary works year-round, but October–November and March–April give the clearest mountain views. Check the month guides: Nepal in October, Nepal in March.
Got more time? Extend with Chitwan's rhinos or the Annapurna foothills — see the two-week itinerary.
