Two weeks lets you combine culture, mountains and wildlife, or tackle a classic trek.
Quick answer: choose a classic tour (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini), a tour plus short trek (adding Poon Hill or Mardi Himal), or a big trek such as Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp with a few days in Kathmandu.
Option 1: classic Nepal
- Kathmandu Valley: 3 days
- Bandipur: 1 day
- Pokhara: 3 days
- Chitwan: 3 days
- Lumbini: 1–2 days
- Return to Kathmandu
See our Nepal highlights tour.
Option 2: tour and trek
- Kathmandu Valley: 3 days
- Poon Hill or Mardi Himal trek: 5–6 days
- Pokhara: 2 days
- Chitwan: 2–3 days
Option 3: a classic trek
- Everest Base Camp (12–14 days with Kathmandu days), or
- Annapurna Base Camp plus Pokhara
Tips
- Leave a buffer day for flight delays.
- Don't try to see everything; travel times are long.
- Choose the season to suit your plans; see best time to visit.
See also one week in Nepal.
Option 1 in detail: classic Nepal
| Days | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1–3 | Kathmandu Valley: Swayambhunath, Durbar Squares, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Patan, Bhaktapur |
| 4 | Drive to Bandipur, a preserved Newar hill town |
| 5–7 | Pokhara: Sarangkot, Phewa Lake, World Peace Pagoda, paragliding or a short hike |
| 8–10 | Chitwan: jeep safari, canoe trip, jungle walk, Tharu culture |
| 11–12 | Lumbini: birthplace of the Buddha, monastic zone |
| 13 | Fly to Kathmandu; last-minute shopping |
| 14 | Depart |
See Bandipur, Chitwan and Lumbini.
Option 2 in detail: tour and trek
| Days | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1–3 | Kathmandu Valley sightseeing |
| 4 | Fly or drive to Pokhara |
| 5–9 | Ghorepani–Poon Hill or Mardi Himal trek |
| 10 | Rest day in Pokhara |
| 11–13 | Chitwan safari |
| 14 | Return to Kathmandu and depart |
Option 3 in detail: a classic trek
| Trek | Fits in two weeks? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Everest Base Camp | Tightly | 12 walking days plus Kathmandu; very little buffer for Lukla flight delays |
| Annapurna Base Camp | Yes | 7–10 days walking, plus Pokhara and Kathmandu |
| Langtang Valley | Yes | 7–10 days, reached by road from Kathmandu |
| Gokyo Lakes | Tightly | 11–12 days walking |
| Upper Mustang | Yes | About 10–12 days, good even in the monsoon |
| Annapurna Circuit | Shortened version | Using jeeps for the lower sections |
See treks by duration.
Option 4: Nepal and Bhutan
Spend nine or ten days in Nepal (Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan), then fly to Paro for four or five days in Bhutan, visiting Thimphu, Punakha and the Tiger's Nest. See Nepal vs Bhutan.
Pacing and travel times
Distances in Nepal look short on a map, but roads are slow and winding. Kathmandu to Pokhara takes 6–8 hours by road, Pokhara to Chitwan 4–6 hours, and Chitwan to Lumbini 4–5 hours. Domestic flights save time but can be delayed. Plan one major move every two or three days, and include at least one buffer day, especially before your international flight. See domestic flights.
Budget for two weeks
A mid-range two-week trip, with comfortable hotels, private transport, domestic flights, guides and activities, typically costs around US$2,000–3,500 per person, excluding international flights. A guided trek such as Everest Base Camp has its own costs. Budget travellers can spend much less. See trip cost.
Best season for each option
- Classic tour: October to April.
- Tour and short trek: October–November and March–April.
- High-altitude trek: October–November and late March–May.
- Monsoon trip: Upper Mustang trek plus Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Choosing your option
| If you want… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Culture, wildlife and a relaxed pace | Option 1: classic Nepal |
| A taste of trekking with culture and wildlife | Option 2: tour and trek |
| A true Himalayan adventure | Option 3: a classic trek |
| Two countries in one trip | Option 4: Nepal and Bhutan |
Things not to miss
- Sunrise over the Himalaya, from Sarangkot, Nagarkot or Poon Hill.
- The kora at Boudhanath at dusk.
- A dal bhat in a local eatery and momos in the old town.
- A boat on Phewa Lake.
- Rhinos in Chitwan.
- The Durbar Squares of Patan and Bhaktapur.
What to pack
Pack light layers for the valleys, a warm jacket for mornings and evenings, comfortable walking shoes, rain gear in the monsoon, sun protection, and trekking gear if you plan to trek (much of which can be rented in Kathmandu or Pokhara). Remember the 10–15 kg baggage limits on some domestic flights. See packing list.
Option 5: off the beaten track
For travellers who want quieter places, consider two weeks in less-visited regions: the tea gardens of Ilam and the Kanchenjunga foothills in the east; the Tamang Heritage Trail and Langtang north of Kathmandu; or Bardia National Park and the far-western hills. These trips involve longer journeys and simpler accommodation, but reward you with authentic encounters and very few other tourists. See Ilam, Tamang Heritage Trail and Bardia.
Two weeks in the monsoon
From June to September, plan around the rain. A good monsoon itinerary combines a few days in Kathmandu and Pokhara with an Upper Mustang trek or jeep tour in the rain shadow, where the weather stays mostly dry. Avoid Chitwan in the wettest months, when many lodges close. See Upper Mustang and monsoon travel.
Two weeks with children
Families often enjoy a slower version of the classic route: three days in Kathmandu with short sightseeing days, a flight to Pokhara for boating, caves and a two-day trek to Australian Camp, then Chitwan for jungle activities and Tharu culture, finishing with a flight back to Kathmandu. Flying instead of driving reduces long days in the car. Build in pool time and rest afternoons. See family travel.
Two weeks for older travellers
For travellers who prefer comfort and gentle activity, two weeks allows a relaxed pace: heritage hotels in the Kathmandu Valley, a scenic flight to see Everest, a lakeside hotel in Pokhara with short walks, and a comfortable jungle lodge in Chitwan. A short, easy trek such as Ghandruk is possible with a slow pace and porter support. See trekking over 60.
Sample day-by-day: tour and Annapurna Base Camp
| Days | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Kathmandu sightseeing and preparation |
| 3 | Fly to Pokhara |
| 4–11 | Annapurna Base Camp trek, returning via Jhinu hot springs |
| 12 | Rest in Pokhara; boating on Phewa Lake |
| 13 | Fly to Kathmandu |
| 14 | Depart |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Trying to see Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini and do a trek all in two weeks.
- Booking an international flight the day after a Lukla or Jomsom flight.
- Underestimating road travel times between destinations.
- Skipping acclimatisation days to fit in a high-altitude trek.
- Ignoring the season: monsoon and winter change what is possible.
Visa for two weeks
For a two-week trip, the 15-day tourist visa (US$30 at the time of writing) is enough if you stay no more than 15 days, counting arrival and departure. If there is any chance of delay, for example with Lukla flights, the 30-day visa (US$50) gives peace of mind. See visa guide.
Plan with us
We design tailor-made two-week itineraries around your interests, fitness and season, combining sightseeing, treks, safaris and cultural experiences, with private transport, guides and handpicked hotels. Contact us to start planning.