Classic Kathmandu and PokharaNepal in 5 nights

Nepal's two favourite towns at an easy pace: a full day at Kathmandu's temples and stupas, then two nights in Pokhara for Sarangkot, the caves and Phewa Lake.

Day 1

Arrive in Kathmandu

Welcome to Nepal. Our representative meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and drives you to your hotel. Kathmandu is the capital, and its valley is the political and cultural heart of the country. The rest of the day is free.

No meals included today Overnight: Kathmandu

Day 2

Kathmandu sightseeing

About 8 hours

A full day in the valley. Start at Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bagmati, Nepal's holiest Hindu temple and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where sadhus gather to pray. Then the great stupa of Boudhanath, the holiest Buddhist shrine in Nepal and a place of pilgrimage. Cross the river to Patan, the old city of Lalitpur, whose Durbar Square is packed with temples, and the Tibetan refugee centre, the place to buy a hand-knotted Tibetan carpet. Climb the steps to Swayambhunath, the hilltop stupa with the painted eyes of the Buddha and a view over the city, and end at Budhanilkantha, where a great stone Vishnu lies asleep on a bed of serpents in an open-air pond.

Breakfast Overnight: Kathmandu

Day 3

Kathmandu to Pokhara

210 km · about 7 hours

Drive west along the river valleys to Pokhara (about 720 m), the lake town below the Annapurna range. On the way you can stop to raft the Trishuli river (an add-on), or ride the 10-minute cable car up to Manakamana, the temple of the wish-fulfilling goddess (tickets about ₹670 per person, paid there). Check in at your hotel; in good weather the mountains are in view from the town.

Breakfast Overnight: Pokhara

Day 4

Sarangkot and Pokhara sightseeing

About 6 hours in two parts

Early in the morning, drive up to Sarangkot (1,592 m), 13 km from Lakeside, Pokhara's favourite viewpoint for sunrise over the mountains: Dhaulagiri to the west and the Annapurna range ahead, with Phewa Lake and the town below. In the afternoon, visit Bindhyabasini, one of Pokhara's oldest temples, set above the old bazaar with a view of the Himalaya on a clear day; Devi's Fall (Patale Chhango), a waterfall at its fullest after the monsoon; and Gupteshwor Cave across the road, with its limestone formations (no photography inside). End with a boat across Phewa Lake to the little island temple of Tal Barahi (boat fare paid there).

Breakfast Overnight: Pokhara

Day 5

Pokhara to Kathmandu

210 km · about 7 hours

Drive back to Kathmandu the way you came and check in at your hotel. The evening is free for shopping in Thamel, or for the casinos if you like.

Breakfast Overnight: Kathmandu

Day 6

Leave Kathmandu

A free morning. At the right time, our driver takes you to the airport for your flight home.

Breakfast

Tour details

Accommodation

Choose the hotel category. The same route and sightseeing in every category.

Hotels are as listed or similar, in their base room category unless a room is named, subject to availability.

Package cost

Price per adult on twin sharing, by the number of adults travelling together. Land only.

Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver: a Swift Dzire, Skoda Rapid or similar for 2 or 3, a Scorpio for 4 or 5, and a 14-seat Hiace van for 6 to 10. Point to point as per the itinerary, not at disposal.

Rates in INR per person on twin sharing. GST 5% and TCS extra as per Government of India rules. Extra adult and child prices are for a person sharing a room with two adults; the dinner supplement is per person for the whole trip.

Optional add-ons

Not in the package price. Add them when you book.

Tour information

Read this to prepare for your holiday.

Good to know

• Prices are for Indian nationals, per person on twin sharing, for Winter 2026–27. They are confirmed when you book, and hotels may add a supplement on festival and blackout dates such as Dashain, Tihar, Christmas and New Year.
• Adults flying to Nepal need an Indian passport valid for at least 6 months, or a voter ID card. Aadhaar, PAN and driving licence are not accepted. Children under 18 can use a school ID with a bonafide certificate; infants need their original birth certificate. OCI and PIO cards are not accepted.
• Indian ₹500 and ₹200 notes are not legal tender in Nepal. Carry notes of ₹100 and below, up to ₹25,000 per person.
• Gold: you may carry up to 25 g (men) or 50 g (women) as ornaments you are wearing or will take back. Coins, bars and other gold are confiscated by Nepal Customs.
• Your vehicle: a Swift Dzire, Skoda Rapid or similar for 2 or 3 guests (four people including the driver, and no roof carrier, so pack light), a Scorpio or similar for 4 or 5, and a 14-seat Hiace van for 6 to 10. Point to point as per the itinerary; it is not at your disposal for shopping or extra stops.
• Entrance fees are paid at the gate. Roughly, for Indian nationals: Pashupatinath and Budhanilkantha are free, Boudhanath ₹65, Patan Durbar Square ₹380, Kathmandu and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares ₹320 each, and at Pokhara Gupteshwor Cave and Devi's Fall about ₹100 each.
• Child rates are for children from 5 to 10. Children under 5 sharing their parents' bed stay free. Over 10, the extra-adult rate applies. Hotels check ages, so carry proof.
• For 3, 5 or 7 travellers, or a single traveller, ask us for the exact price.
• The dinner supplement adds dinner every night you have breakfast only, for the whole trip.
• Hotel check-in is at 3 pm and check-out at 11 am.
• SIM cards (Ncell or NTC) are sold at Kathmandu airport after baggage claim, for about ₹150; bring one passport photo and a copy of your ID.
• Adventure add-ons are run by local operators and cannot be refunded once booked, unless the operator cancels for weather or technical reasons.

When to go

October to November, and March to May. Clear skies and the best mountain views come after the monsoon, in October and November; spring brings warm days and rhododendrons. December to February is cold but often clear, and the monsoon, June to September, brings rain and cloud.

Our favourite months

Cancellation policy & payment terms

• Flights, trains and houseboats are paid in full at the time of ticketing or confirmation.
• Payments by bank transfer (NEFT / RTGS / IMPS), UPI or cheque in favour of TripRoutes. Card payments may carry a convenience fee.
• GST 5% is charged on the package cost as per government rules. On international holidays, TCS also applies as per government rules.
• Cancellation charges are per person, counted from the date of departure.
• Cancellations must be sent in writing by email or WhatsApp; the date we receive it is the cancellation date.
• Air and train tickets are refunded as per the airline / railway rules, plus our service charge.
• Visa fees, insurance premiums and non-refundable hotel or houseboat bookings (peak dates, special events) are not refundable.
• Refunds are processed within 15 working days of receiving supplier refunds.
• There is no refund for services not used during the holiday.
• Hotels may ask for a refundable security deposit at check-in, paid directly to the hotel.
• Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking.
• TripRoutes is not liable for changes caused by weather, strikes, roadblocks, flight delays or government orders; extra costs arising are payable by the guest.

Questions about this holiday