Travel guide · Nepal
Kathmandu and Pokhara Itinerary
Nepal's classic loop — temple-packed Kathmandu and lakeside Pokhara with a sunrise hike, over a relaxed six to seven days.
The Kathmandu and Pokhara loop is the definitive Nepal trip for first-time visitors: the temple-packed Kathmandu Valley paired with the laid-back lakeside town of Pokhara, joined by a single short flight or scenic drive. Over six to seven relaxed days it covers Nepal's richest culture and its most famous mountain views without any trekking or altitude commitment.
The short answer
Spend days 1 to 3 in the Kathmandu Valley among stupas, Durbar Squares and Bhaktapur, then move to Pokhara for days 4 to 6, with a Sarangkot sunrise and easy lake walks. Fly at least one leg to protect your time. For a quicker version, see the 5-day Nepal itinerary; to add a jungle safari, follow the Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan itinerary.
Days 1 to 3: Kathmandu Valley
Base yourself in Thamel and work through the valley's icons. Boudhanath is one of the world's largest stupas, best at dusk during the kora; Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple) crowns a hill with city views; and Pashupatinath, Nepal's holiest Hindu temple, sits on the Bagmati. Add the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu and Patan, then take a day trip to medieval Bhaktapur for its pottery square and the Nyatapola Temple.
Day 4: Travel to Pokhara
Take the 25-minute morning flight or the scenic six-to-eight-hour tourist bus west to Pokhara. Spend the afternoon by Phewa Lake, rowing a doonga out to the island temple of Tal Barahi, then stroll the Lakeside strip.
Days 5 to 6: Pokhara highlights
Rise before dawn for the Sarangkot viewpoint as the Annapurna and Machhapuchhre peaks light up in turn. Walk or boat to the hilltop World Peace Pagoda, visit the International Mountain Museum, and keep one flexible afternoon for paragliding, a short hike to Australian Camp, or simply lakeside cafes — this buffer also absorbs flight delays.
Day 7: Return and depart
Fly or drive back to Kathmandu with a comfortable margin before your international flight, and do any last shopping for pashminas and handicrafts in Thamel.
What to know before you go
Pokhara's short flights are weather-sensitive, so build a buffer before your international departure. Travel light, since you move only once, and pack a warm layer for the cool pre-dawn Sarangkot start even in summer. October and November give the clearest mountain views, with March to May a close second.
Make it work
New to Nepal? Start with the first-time-in-Nepal guide. To weigh flying against the bus and get realistic transfer timings, read getting around Nepal, and time your trip with the best time to visit Nepal. To compare this loop with shorter and longer plans, browse the Nepal itineraries hub.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for Kathmandu and Pokhara?+
Six to seven days is ideal, allowing three days for the Kathmandu Valley's temples and Durbar Squares and three for Pokhara's lake, viewpoints and day hikes, plus a travel day between them. You can compress it into four or five days if time is short.
Should I fly or drive between Kathmandu and Pokhara?+
Flying takes about 25 minutes and saves the best part of a day, while the tourist bus takes six to eight hours but is far cheaper and scenic. A popular compromise is to fly one way and take the bus the other, balancing time, cost and views.
What is the best day hike near Pokhara?+
The pre-dawn climb or drive to Sarangkot for sunrise over the Annapurna and Machhapuchhre peaks is the classic. The walk to the World Peace Pagoda gives lake-and-mountain views, and a single night at Australian Camp offers a teahouse taste without a full trek.
Is the Kathmandu to Pokhara loop good for first-timers?+
Yes, it is the definitive first-timer's route. It pairs Nepal's richest concentration of culture in the Kathmandu Valley with the relaxed lakeside scenery of Pokhara, with only one transfer between them and no altitude or trekking commitment required.
