Kathmandu & Pokhara Highlights
Six days across Nepal's cultural capital and its lakeside mountain town — the UNESCO-listed squares and stupas of Kathmandu, sunrise over the Annapurna range from Sarangkot, and an easy morning on Phewa Lake — with your transfers, hotels and guided sightseeing handled from arrival to departure.
Heritage, Himalaya and a lake town — Nepal's essentials in one trip
Nepal rewards travellers who don't try to see all of it at once. This six-day itinerary picks the two places that define a first visit — Kathmandu, the crowded, temple-dense capital of the valley, and Pokhara, the relaxed lakeside town used as the gateway to the Annapurna range — and gives each enough time to actually settle in.
In Kathmandu you'll walk the carved courtyards of Durbar Square, climb to the hilltop stupa at Swayambhunath and circle the great white dome of Boudhanath. In Pokhara, an early start to Sarangkot puts you above the clouds for sunrise over Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna peaks, before the pace drops into boating on Phewa Lake and wandering the lakeside strip. Between the two sits a transfer through the Nepali hills — by short domestic flight or a longer scenic drive, whichever you prefer.
Airport transfers, centrally located accommodation, daily breakfast and guided sightseeing are arranged for you. Want it fully private, extended by a night in Pokhara, or with a paragliding morning added over Phewa Lake? Every element here can be tailored — this itinerary is the starting point, not the ceiling.
What you'll actually see
Kathmandu Durbar Square
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the historic royal square of the old Kathmandu kings — a dense cluster of carved-wood palaces, temples and courtyards, still very much a working, living part of the city rather than a museum piece.
Boudhanath & Swayambhunath stupas
Two of Kathmandu Valley's great Buddhist sites: Boudhanath, one of the largest spherical stupas in the world and a hub of the city's Tibetan community, and Swayambhunath — the hilltop "Monkey Temple" with panoramic valley views and a long history of its own.
Sunrise from Sarangkot
An early climb to Sarangkot's viewpoint above Pokhara, timed for first light on the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain) — one of the most accessible Himalayan panoramas in Nepal, reached without a trek.
Phewa Lake & Pokhara's lakeside
Nepal's second-largest lake, ringed by hills and famous for its mirror-still reflections of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. A slow boat out to the Tal Barahi Temple, then time to wander Pokhara's easygoing lakeside strip of cafés and shops.
Your 6-day itinerary
Three full days in Kathmandu's valley and Pokhara's lakeside, balanced with breakfast daily and all listed transfers included.
You're met at Tribhuvan International Airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel, close to the Thamel district. Settle in and use the rest of the day at your own pace — Thamel's tangle of trekking shops, cafés and prayer-flag-strung lanes is an easy first taste of the city before dinner.
After breakfast, a guided walk through Kathmandu Durbar Square — the palace complex, temples and courtyards at the historic heart of the city. In the afternoon, head to Swayambhunath, climbing the stone stairway to the hilltop stupa for wide views back across the Kathmandu Valley.
A morning visit to Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest in the world and the centre of Kathmandu's Tibetan Buddhist community — walk a slow clockwise circuit with the pilgrims before the crowds build. From there, transfer on to Pokhara by short domestic flight (around 25 minutes) or, for those who'd rather see the country by road, a scenic 6–7 hour drive through the Nepali hills. Evening is free by Phewa Lake.
A pre-dawn drive up to Sarangkot for sunrise over the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre — clear mornings deliver one of Nepal's best Himalayan views without a trek. Back in Pokhara, the day continues with Davis Falls, the adjoining Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, and a boat out onto Phewa Lake to the Tal Barahi Temple.
A free morning in Pokhara — wander the lakeside strip, or add an optional paragliding flight over Phewa Lake or a trip up to the World Peace Pagoda if it appeals. In the afternoon, transfer back to Kathmandu by flight or road, with the evening free for last-minute shopping in Thamel.
Enjoy a final breakfast and, depending on your flight, some free time before you're transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward journey. Want to extend? We can add nights in Pokhara, an overnight in Nagarkot for a second mountain sunrise, or link this trip to Chitwan National Park.
Indicative itinerary. The exact order of activities, sightseeing and transfer times is confirmed at the time of booking and may adapt to flight schedules, weather and local conditions. Mountain views from Sarangkot depend on clear skies and can never be guaranteed.
What's included — and what's not
Clear from the start, so there are no surprises when you travel.
Included
- Accommodation for 5 nights
- Daily breakfast
- Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
- Intercity transfers where applicable
- Sightseeing as listed in the itinerary
- Selected entrance fees
- Local assistance throughout
Not included
- International flights (unless stated)
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Meals not stated in the itinerary
- Optional activities & hotel upgrades
- Tips & gratuities
Before you go
Best time to visit
October–November and March–May generally bring the clearest skies for mountain views from Sarangkot. The monsoon (June–September) brings more cloud cover — we'll advise on timing for your dates when you enquire.
Currency
The Nepalese Rupee (NPR). Cards are accepted in Kathmandu and Pokhara's hotels and larger shops; carry cash for temple entry fees, markets and small vendors.
Altitude & pace
Kathmandu sits at roughly 1,400m and Pokhara at about 820m — neither requires altitude acclimatisation, though mornings and the Sarangkot sunrise viewpoint can be noticeably cool. A packable warm layer is worth having.
Getting between the cities
Kathmandu and Pokhara are linked by a short domestic flight (around 25 minutes) or a scenic road journey of roughly 6–7 hours. This itinerary is built around the flight; the road option is available on request and may affect the package price.
What to pack
Layers for cool mornings and warm afternoons, comfortable walking shoes, a light rain layer, sun protection and a reusable water bottle. Modest cover-ups (shoulders and knees) are expected at temples and stupas.
Visas & documents
Many nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, but requirements vary by passport and change from time to time. Please verify based on your own nationality before you travel — we're happy to point you to the right official source.
Nepal, from valley temples to Himalayan sunrise
Good to have answered
Is the US$699 price per person? What does it cover?
Yes — that's a starting price, per person, for the 6-day itinerary based on twin-share accommodation. It covers your hotels, daily breakfast, airport and listed transfers, the sightseeing in the itinerary, selected entrance fees and local assistance. The final figure depends on your travel dates, hotel choice, group size and your chosen Kathmandu–Pokhara transfer mode, so we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.
How do we get from Kathmandu to Pokhara — flight or drive?
Both are available. A domestic flight takes around 25 minutes and is the faster option; a road transfer takes roughly 6–7 hours through scenic hill country and suits travellers who want to see more of the countryside. This itinerary is built around the flight — let us know if you'd prefer the drive, or to fly one way and drive the other.
Will we definitely see the mountains from Sarangkot?
We schedule the visit for the best odds — early morning, in the clearer autumn and spring seasons where possible — and views are common on a clear day. But mountain weather can turn overnight, and no responsible operator can guarantee a clear sunrise. If Sarangkot is clouded out, we'll suggest the best alternative viewpoint for your remaining time in Pokhara.
Are international flights included?
No — international flights aren't included unless we've specifically stated so in your quote. Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport is well connected across Asia and the Middle East; we can advise on convenient routings and arrange your airport transfers to match your flights.
Can this itinerary be customised or run privately?
Absolutely — this is a template, not a fixed package. Run it fully private, add nights in Pokhara, upgrade the hotels, add paragliding over Phewa Lake, or extend into a wider Nepal trip with Chitwan National Park or Nagarkot. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll shape it around you.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
It's a moderate, comfortable trip for most travellers — this is a heritage and lakeside itinerary, not a trek. Durbar Square and the lakeside involve easy strolling, Swayambhunath is a stairway climb of a few hundred steps, and Sarangkot is reached by vehicle with only a short walk to the viewpoint. Tell us your preferences and we'll plan the day around them.
Do I need a visa for Nepal?
It depends on your nationality. Many travellers can obtain a visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, but requirements and fees change, so please verify based on your own passport before you travel — we're glad to point you to the right official source.
How do I book or get a quote?
Send us an enquiry with your rough dates and traveller numbers and we'll come back with a tailored quote and next steps. There's no obligation, and no payment needed to get a proposal.
Let's plan your Nepal adventure
Tell us your dates and who's travelling. We'll send back a tailored itinerary and a clear, all-in quote — with the flexibility to make it exactly the trip you want.