One week is enough to see the highlights of Nepal: the temples of the Kathmandu Valley, a Himalayan sunrise and the lakes of Pokhara.
Quick answer: spend 2–3 days in the Kathmandu Valley (including a night at Nagarkot or Bhaktapur) and 3 days in Pokhara, with a short hike or paragliding. Swap Pokhara days for Chitwan if wildlife is your priority.
Day by day
- Day 1: arrive in Kathmandu; evening in Thamel.
- Day 2: Swayambhunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath. See our sightseeing tour.
- Day 3: Patan and Bhaktapur, then sunset and overnight at Nagarkot.
- Day 4: sunrise at Nagarkot, fly or drive to Pokhara.
- Day 5: Sarangkot sunrise, Phewa Lake and the World Peace Pagoda.
- Day 6: paragliding, or a day hike to Australian Camp.
- Day 7: return to Kathmandu and depart.
Variations
- Wildlife: replace days 5–6 with a Chitwan safari.
- Trekking: do the Australian Camp trek from Pokhara.
- See Everest: add an Everest flight on day 2 or 7.
The classic week in more detail
Day 1: arrive in Kathmandu
Land at Tribhuvan International Airport, get your visa on arrival, and transfer to your hotel. Spend the evening wandering Thamel or have dinner on a rooftop. See airport arrival guide.
Day 2: Kathmandu's highlights
Start at Swayambhunath at sunrise, then explore Kathmandu Durbar Square and the Kumari Ghar. After lunch, visit Pashupatinath, then walk or drive to Boudhanath for the evening kora and dinner overlooking the stupa.
Day 3: Patan, Bhaktapur and Nagarkot
Explore Patan's Durbar Square and museum in the morning, then Bhaktapur's squares and Pottery Square, with juju dhau for a snack. Drive up to Nagarkot for sunset and overnight in a hotel with mountain views.
Day 4: sunrise and Pokhara
Watch the sunrise over the Himalaya from Nagarkot, return to Kathmandu, and fly to Pokhara (25 minutes). Afternoon by the lake.
Day 5: Pokhara's classics
Sunrise at Sarangkot, then boat across Phewa Lake to Tal Barahi temple and hike to the World Peace Pagoda. Evening in Lakeside.
Day 6: adventure or hike
Choose tandem paragliding, the zip line, or a day hike to Australian Camp for close-up views of Machhapuchhre. Or simply relax by the lake.
Day 7: depart
Fly back to Kathmandu for your international flight. Allow at least three hours between the domestic and international flights.
Alternative one-week itineraries
| Focus | Plan |
|---|---|
| Culture and wildlife | Kathmandu (2 days), Chitwan (2 nights), Bandipur (1 night), Kathmandu |
| Short trek | Kathmandu (2 days), Pokhara, Poon Hill trek (4 days) |
| Everest views | Kathmandu (3 days), Everest mountain flight or helicopter tour, Pokhara (3 days) |
| Buddhist heritage | Kathmandu (3 days), Lumbini (2 days), Chitwan (2 days) |
| Everest View trek | Fly to Lukla; Namche and Tengboche; back to Kathmandu (tight; needs spare days) |
Is one week enough?
One week is enough for a memorable first taste of Nepal, especially the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara. You will not have time for a long trek such as Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit, which need two weeks or more. Try not to cram in too much: travel times are long, roads slow and flights weather-dependent. Two destinations, plus an optional short trek or safari, is a comfortable pace. See two weeks in Nepal.
Best time for a one-week trip
October and November offer the clearest mountain views and pleasant weather, as do February to April. December and January are cold but clear. In the monsoon (June–September), mountain views are rare and flights more often delayed, but the valleys are green and quiet. See best time to visit.
Budget for a week
A comfortable mid-range week, including hotels, private transfers, a domestic flight, guides, entry fees and meals, typically costs from around US$700–1,200 per person, excluding international flights. Budget travellers can spend much less using tourist buses and guesthouses; luxury travellers more. See trip cost.
Tips for a one-week trip
- Book your domestic flight to Pokhara for the morning, when weather is best.
- Keep the last day free of flights to the mountains, in case of delays.
- Arrange a private car for sightseeing days to save time.
- Get a local SIM card on arrival for maps and ride-hailing apps.
- Carry cash for entry fees and small purchases.
- Don't overpack the schedule: Nepal rewards slow travel.
One week with children
Families can follow the classic itinerary at a slower pace: shorter sightseeing days in Kathmandu with monkeys at Swayambhunath and pottery in Bhaktapur; Pokhara boat rides and a gentle hike; or Chitwan for jungle adventures. Avoid long road journeys where possible by flying between cities. See family travel.
Where to stay
| Place | Area |
|---|---|
| Kathmandu | Thamel for convenience; Boudhanath or Patan for atmosphere |
| Nagarkot | A hotel with mountain-facing rooms |
| Pokhara | Lakeside, or a hillside lodge for views |
| Chitwan (variation) | Sauraha or Meghauli jungle lodges |
See Kathmandu hotels and Pokhara hotels.
Getting around
Use a private car with driver for sightseeing in the Kathmandu Valley, a domestic flight between Kathmandu and Pokhara to save time, and taxis or walking in Pokhara. If you prefer to travel by road, tourist buses between Kathmandu and Pokhara are cheap and comfortable but take six to eight hours. See Kathmandu to Pokhara.
Making the most of a short trip
With only seven days, focus on quality rather than quantity. Choose a few experiences that matter most to you, whether a Himalayan sunrise, a temple at dusk, a short trek or a safari, and give them time. Nepal's magic often lies in unplanned moments: a conversation over tea, a festival procession, or a view that suddenly opens up as the clouds lift.
One week of trekking
If trekking is your priority, you can spend most of a week on the trail. Arrive in Kathmandu, fly or drive to Pokhara the next day, and trek Ghorepani–Poon Hill or a short version of Mardi Himal in four or five days, returning to Kathmandu on the last day. Alternatively, start right from Kathmandu with the Chisapani–Nagarkot trek or Helambu, avoiding domestic flights altogether. Remember that a licensed guide is required in national parks and conservation areas. See treks near Kathmandu and treks near Pokhara.
A one-week wildlife and culture itinerary
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Kathmandu |
| 2 | Kathmandu highlights |
| 3 | Patan and Bhaktapur |
| 4 | Drive to Chitwan; Tharu village and sunset |
| 5 | Canoe, jungle walk and jeep safari |
| 6 | Drive to Bandipur or fly to Kathmandu |
| 7 | Return to Kathmandu and depart |
Our recommendation
For a first visit, the classic Kathmandu–Nagarkot–Pokhara week gives the best balance of culture, mountains and relaxation. If wildlife excites you more than lakes, swap Pokhara for Chitwan. If you want to walk in the Himalaya, choose Poon Hill. And if Everest is the dream, add a mountain flight. Whatever you choose, leave room for the unexpected. Contact us to tailor your week.
Costs at a glance
| Item | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (15 days) | US$30 |
| Kathmandu–Pokhara flight | About US$100–130 one way |
| Kathmandu Valley entry fees | Around US$40–45 in total |
| Everest mountain flight | Around US$200–250 |
| Tandem paragliding | Around US$80–120 |
Prices change; check current rates.
Ready-made tours
Our Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan tour covers the classics. See also two weeks in Nepal and our itinerary guide.