You’ll need to be somewhat fit to tackle the magnificent treks in this Nepal itinerary, but the reward for all that effort is a front-row view of the world’s highest mountains. Back where the oxygen is less thin are fascinating cities and incredible wildlife-spotting opportunities. Click for Luxury, Mid-range or Budget. Here’s your Nepal itinerary:
| Luxury |  |
||||
| 1 | ✈To Kathmandu (Book >) | Dep: Evening | 🏨 In flight! | ||
| 2 | Arr: Afternoon | 🏨Hotel The Dwarika’s (Book >) | All hotels > | ||
| Relax in your beautiful hotel and go for a stroll around the old city. | |||||
| 3 | Explore the Thamel District, visit the Pashupatinath Temple, famous Boudhanath Stupa, beautiful Taleju Temple, the Patan Museum and, if time, climb up to up to the ancient Swayambhu temple for breathtaking views. Mid-afternoon head over to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bhaktapur. | Visitors from most countries can obtain a visa on arrival. | |||
| 4 | ✈Kathmandu to Pokhara flight (Book >) | Dep: Afternoon | Arr: Afternoon | 🏨The Pavilions Himalayas (Book >) | All hotels > |
| You have a little more time this morning to see any sights you missed out on yesterday before the breathtaking flight to Pokhara. Once you’ve arrived, dropped off your bags and got your trekking permit, head to the lake for a serene paddle over the water. | You will need to get a trekking permit (details here) – head straight to the Nepal Tourism Board office when you arrive in Pokhara or ask your hotel for help. | ||||
| 5 | 🚕Pokhara to Nayapul taxi 🚶Nayapul to Ulleri hike |
Dep: 07:00 Dep: 09:00 |
Arr: 08:45 Arr: 16:00 |
🏨Super View Guest House | |
| From Nayapul walk to the Birethani checkpoint and get your permit checked. Then onwards and upwards, through valleys and past rivers. Along the way you’ll pass tea houses where you can stop off for food and drink. | It isn’t necessary to book guest houses in advance – if those I’ve recommended aren’t available then be assured that standards don’t vary much. | ||||
| 6 | 🚶Ulleri to Ghorepani hike | Dep: 07:00 | Arr: 15:00 | 🏨Super View Lodge | |
| 3,767 stairs to Ghorepani, stopping at beautiful Ulleri village. About halfway through the walk you’ll start getting glimpses of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Once in Ghorepani leave your bags at the teahouse and take a couple of hours to rest, before ascending Poon Hill (about 45 mins away). From the top is one of the best views you’re ever likely to see. | These trekking times allow for a slow pace and many rest stops! | ||||
| 7 | 🚶Ghorepani to Tadapani hike | Dep: 08:30 | Arr: 17:30 | 🏨Fishtail Lodge | |
| Awake at 04:00 and trek back up Poon Hill for a spectacular sunrise. Return for breakfast then enjoy today’s walk through forests, over rivers, up to the highest point on the trek (about 10,000 ft) and yes, more steps. Tadapani has amazing views – including of the fishtail peak of Machhapuchhre – which you can admire over a recuperating drink. | Plastic water bottles can’t be bought on the trek – buy a filter water bottle. You’ll also need to bring your own sleeping bag, liner and towel. | ||||
| 8 | 🚶Tadapani to Birethanti hike 🚕Birethanti to Pokhara taxi |
Dep: 08:00 Dep: 15:00 |
Arr: 14:30 Arr: 17:00 |
🏨The Pavilions Himalayas (Book >) | All hotels > |
| A relatively easy walk, descending to Birethanti and stopping off at Ghandrung village. Back in Pokhara treat yourself to a well-earned massage. | Do you need a guide for your trek? I don’t think so, at least not for this one which is a pretty obvious route. | ||||
| 9 | 🚗Pokhara to Bandipur drive (Book >) | Dep: 11:00 | Arr: 13:30 | 🏨Depche Hotel (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Meet your guide and enjoy the drive to Bandipur. This well-preserved medieval town boasts old temples and shrines, as well as superb views of the Himalaya from Tudikhel hill. | Be wary of the signs of altitude sickness. | ||||
| 10 | 🚗Bandipur to Andrauli drive | Dep: 08:00 | Arr: 11:00 | 🏨Barahi Jungle Lodge(Book >) | All hotels > |
| Drive on to Chitwan National Park where you will spend today and tomorrow seeking out tigers, rhinos and wild elephants. | Take a power bank with you on treks and safaris. | ||||
| 11 | More time to see wildlife, including deer, monkeys, crocodiles, wild boars and many species of birds. | Do not ride elephants! They are often mistreated. | |||
| 12 | 🚗Andrauli to Kathmandu drive | Dep: 09:00 | Arr: 14:00 | 🏨Hotel The Dwarika’s (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Back in Kathmandu you’ll have plenty of time to see any sights you missed on days 2-4 of this Nepal itinerary. In need of souvenirs? Pick them up at Mangal Bazaar. | You can’t take Nepalese rupees out of the country; exchange before you leave. | ||||
| 13 | Today you’re going on a flight to see Mount Everest. The flight starts early and has you back on the ground in an hour, during which time you’ll see the world’s highest peak from your guaranteed window seat. | If you want to extend your trip then consider travelling to Lukla on day 13 for a ground view of Everest. | |||
| 14 | ✈Kathmandu to Home (Book >) | Dep: Morning | Arr: Evening | Connect this Nepal itinerary with the China or India (Rajasthan) itinerary | |
| Book your transfer to the airport. | |||||
| Mid-range |  |
||||
| 1 | ✈To Kathmandu (Book >) | Dep: Evening | 🏨 In flight! | ||
| 2 | Arr: Afternoon | 🏨Tibet International (Book >) | All hotels > | ||
| Relax in your beautiful hotel and go for a stroll around the old city. | |||||
| 3 | Explore the Thamel District, visit the Pashupatinath Temple, famous Boudhanath Stupa, beautiful Taleju Temple, the Patan Museum and, if time, climb up to up to the ancient Swayambhu temple for breathtaking views. Mid-afternoon head over to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bhaktapur. | Visitors from most countries can obtain a visa on arrival. | |||
| 4 | ✈Kathmandu to Pokhara flight (Book >) | Dep: Afternoon | Arr: Afternoon | 🏨Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge (Book >) | All hotels > |
| You have a little more time this morning to see any sights you missed out on yesterday before the breathtaking flight to Pokhara. Once you’ve arrived, dropped off your bags and got your trekking permit, head to the lake for a serene paddle over the water. | You will need to get a trekking permit (details here) – head straight to the Nepal Tourism Board office when you arrive in Pokhara or ask your hotel for help. | ||||
| 5 | 🚕Pokhara to Nayapul taxi 🚶Nayapul to Ulleri hike |
Dep: 07:00 Dep: 09:00 |
Arr: 08:45 Arr: 16:00 |
🏨Super View Guest House | |
| From Nayapul walk to the Birethani checkpoint and get your permit checked. Then onwards and upwards, through valleys and past rivers. Along the way you’ll pass tea houses where you can stop off for food and drink. | It isn’t necessary to book guest houses in advance – if those I’ve recommended aren’t available then be assured that standards don’t vary much. | ||||
| 6 | 🚶Ulleri to Ghorepani hike | Dep: 07:00 | Arr: 15:00 | 🏨Super View Lodge | |
| 3,767 stairs to Ghorepani, stopping at beautiful Ulleri village. About halfway through the walk you’ll start getting glimpses of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Once in Ghorepani leave your bags at the teahouse and take a couple of hours to rest, before ascending Poon Hill (about 45 mins away). From the top is one of the best views you’re ever likely to see. | These trekking times allow for a slow pace and many rest stops! | ||||
| 7 | 🚶Ghorepani to Tadapani hike | Dep: 08:30 | Arr: 17:30 | 🏨Fishtail Lodge | |
| Awake at 04:00 and trek back up Poon Hill for a spectacular sunrise. Return for breakfast then enjoy today’s walk through forests, over rivers, up to the highest point on the trek (about 10,000 ft) and yes, more steps. Tadapani has amazing views – including of the fishtail peak of Machhapuchhre – which you can admire over a recuperating drink. | Plastic water bottles can’t be bought on the trek – buy a filter water bottle. You’ll also need to bring your own sleeping bag, liner and towel. | ||||
| 8 | 🚶Tadapani to Naya Pul hike 🚌Naya Pul to Pokhara bus |
Dep: 08:00 Dep: 15:15 |
Arr: 14:45 Arr: 17:15 |
🏨Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge (Book >) | All hotels > |
| A relatively easy walk, descending to Naya Pul and stopping off at Ghandrung village. At the end of the trek you’ll need to wait for a passing bus back to Pokhara. Back in the city treat yourself to a well-earned massage. | Do you need a guide for your trek? I don’t think so, at least not for this one which is a pretty obvious route. | ||||
| 9 | 🚌Pokhara to Dumre Bazaar bus 🚌Dumre Bazaar to Bandipur bus |
Dep: 10:30 Dep: 13:30 |
Arr: 13:00 Arr: 14:30 |
🏨Gaun Ghar (Book >) | All hotels > |
| The well-preserved medieval town of Bandipur boasts old temples and shrines, as well as superb views of the Himalaya from Tudikhel hill. | Ask your hotel about transport from Dumre and to book your bus ticket to Sauraha. | ||||
| 10 | 🚌Bandipur to Dumre Bazaar bus 🚌Dumre Bazaar to Sauraha bus |
Dep: 08:30 Dep: 10:30 |
Arr: 09:30 Arr: 13:30 |
🏨Green Park Chitwan (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Drive on to Chitwan National Park where you will spend today and tomorrow seeking out tigers, rhinos and wild elephants. | Ask your Chitwan hotel to collect you from the bus stop. | ||||
| 11 | More time to see wildlife, including deer, monkeys, crocodiles, wild boars and many species of birds. | Do not ride elephants! They are often mistreated. | |||
| 12 | 🚌Sauraha to Kathmandu bus (Book >) | Dep: 09:00 | Arr: 14:00 | 🏨Tibet International (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Back in Kathmandu you’ll have plenty of time to see any sights you missed on days 2-4 of this Nepal itinerary. In need of souvenirs? Pick them up at Mangal Bazaar. | You can’t take Nepalese rupees out of the country; exchange before you leave. | ||||
| 13 | Today you’re going on a flight to see Mount Everest. The flight starts early and has you back on the ground in an hour, during which time you’ll see the world’s highest peak from your guaranteed window seat. | If you want to extend your trip then consider travelling to Lukla on day 13 for a ground view of Everest. | |||
| 14 | ✈Kathmandu to Home (Book >) | Dep: Morning | Arr: Evening | Connect this Nepal itinerary with the China or India (Rajasthan) itinerary | |
| Book your transfer to the airport. | |||||
| Budget |  |
||||
| 1 | ✈To Kathmandu (Book >) | Dep: Evening | 🏨 In flight! | ||
| 2 | Arr: Afternoon | 🏨Flock Kathmandu Hostel (Book >) | All hostels > | ||
| Relax in your beautiful hotel and go for a stroll around the old city. | |||||
| 3 | Explore the Thamel District, visit the Pashupatinath Temple, famous Boudhanath Stupa, beautiful Taleju Temple, the Patan Museum and, if time, climb up to up to the ancient Swayambhu temple for breathtaking views. Mid-afternoon head over to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bhaktapur. | Visitors from most countries can obtain a visa on arrival. | |||
| 4 | 🚌Kathmandu to Pokhara bus (Book >) | Dep: 07:30 | Arr: 15:00 | 🏨The Mountain House (Book >) | All hostels > |
| Once you’ve arrived in Pokhara, dropped off your bags and got your trekking permit, head to the lake for a serene paddle over the water. | You will need to get a trekking permit (details here) – head straight to the Nepal Tourism Board office when you arrive in Pokhara or ask your hostel for help. | ||||
| 5 | 🚌Pokhara to Nayapul bus 🚶Nayapul to Ulleri hike |
Dep: 07:00 Dep: 09:00 |
Arr: 09:00 Arr: 16:00 |
🏨Super View Guest House | |
| From Nayapul walk to the Birethani checkpoint and get your permit checked. Then onwards and upwards, through valleys and past rivers. Along the way you’ll pass tea houses where you can stop off for food and drink. | It isn’t necessary to book guest houses in advance – if those I’ve recommended in this Nepal itinerary aren’t available then be assured that standards don’t vary much. | ||||
| 6 | 🚶Ulleri to Ghorepani hike | Dep: 07:00 | Arr: 15:00 | 🏨Super View Lodge | |
| 3,767 stairs to Ghorepani, stopping at beautiful Ulleri village. About halfway through the walk you’ll start getting glimpses of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Once in Ghorepani leave your bags at the teahouse and take a couple of hours to rest, before ascending Poon Hill (about 45 mins away). From the top is one of the best views you’re ever likely to see. | The trekking times in this Nepal itinerary allow for a slow pace and many rest stops! | ||||
| 7 | 🚶Ghorepani to Tadapani hike | Dep: 08:30 | Arr: 17:30 | 🏨Fishtail Lodge | |
| Awake at 04:00 and trek back up Poon Hill for a spectacular sunrise. Return for breakfast then enjoy today’s walk through forests, over rivers, up to the highest point on the trek (about 10,000 ft) and yes, more steps. Tadapani has amazing views – including of the fishtail peak of Machhapuchhre – which you can admire over a recuperating drink. | Plastic water bottles can’t be bought on the trek – buy a filter water bottle. You’ll also need to bring your own sleeping bag, liner and towel. | ||||
| 8 | 🚶Tadapani to Naya Pul hike 🚌Syauli Bazaar to Pokhara bus |
Dep: 08:00 Dep: 15:15 |
Arr: 14:45 Arr: 17:15 |
🏨The Mountain House (Book >) | All hostels > |
| A relatively easy walk, descending to Naya Pul and stopping off at Ghandrung village. At the end of the trek you’ll need to wait for a passing bus back to Pokhara. Back in Pokhara treat yourself to a well-earned massage. | Do you need a guide for your trek? I don’t think so, at least not for this one which is a pretty obvious route. | ||||
| 9 | 🚌Pokhara to Dumre Bazaar bus 🚌Dumre Bazaar to Bandipur bus |
Dep: 10:30 Dep: 13:30 |
Arr: 13:00 Arr: 14:30 |
🏨Hotel The North Face (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Meet your guide and enjoy the drive to Bandipur. This well-preserved medieval town boasts old temples and shrines, as well as superb views of the Himalaya from Tudikhel hill. | Ask your hotel about transport from Dumre and to book your bus ticket to Sauraha. | ||||
| 10 | 🚌Bandipur to Dumre Bazaar bus 🚌Dumre Bazaar to Sauraha bus |
Dep: 08:30 Dep: 10:30 |
Arr: 09:30 Arr: 13:30 |
🏨Hotel Rhino Land (Book >) | All hostels > |
| Drive on to Chitwan National Park where you will spend today and tomorrow seeking out tigers, rhinos and wild elephants. | Ask your hostel to collect you from the bus stop (free service). | ||||
| 11 | More time to see wildlife, including deer, monkeys, crocodiles, wild boars and many species of birds. | Do not ride elephants! They are often mistreated. | |||
| 12 | 🚌Sauraha to Kathmandu bus (Book >) | Dep: 09:00 | Arr: 14:00 | 🏨Flock Kathmandu Hostel (Book >) | All hostels > |
| Back in Kathmandu you’ll have plenty of time to see any sights you missed on days 2-4 of this Nepal itinerary. In need of souvenirs? Pick them up at Mangal Bazaar. | You can’t take Nepalese rupees out of the country; exchange before you leave. | ||||
| 13 | Today you’re going on a flight to see Mount Everest. The flight starts early and has you back on the ground in an hour, during which time you’ll see the world’s highest peak from your guaranteed window seat. | If you want to extend your trip then consider travelling to Lukla on day 13 for a ground view of Everest. | |||
| 14 | ✈Kathmandu to Home (Book >) | Dep: Morning | Arr: Evening | Connect this Nepal itinerary with the China or India (Rajasthan) itinerary | |
| Ask your hostel for help flagging a meter taxi to the airport. | |||||
A Plan To Go 