Nepal Highlights 5N is a compact first trip to Nepal: two nights in Kathmandu, two in Pokhara and a last night back in Kathmandu. It suits first-time visitors, couples and friends who want temples and stupas, a lakeside town and a chance of Himalayan views without a long itinerary.
The first two days cover Kathmandu's heritage sights, including Swayambhunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath. You then move to Pokhara by road for Phewa Lake and a Sarangkot sunrise, and return to Kathmandu on day five. Day six is departure.
Private vehicles carry you between hotels and sights, and breakfast, airport transfers and entry-document guidance are included. Flights, domestic flights, other meals, entry fees not listed and travel insurance are extra. Read our Nepal travel guide and places to visit in Nepal before you go, and add a night or two if you want Chitwan, as in our seven-night Nepal with Chitwan plan.
Your trip expert can stretch, shorten or swap any day.
Land at Tribhuvan International Airport and meet your driver for the transfer to your hotel. Check in and rest. If your flight arrives early, visit Boudhanath or Pashupatinath in the afternoon. Keep the day light, because heritage traffic in Kathmandu can slow every plan and the next day is full.
Spend the day on the UNESCO-listed sights of Kathmandu: Swayambhunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Patan. Start early and allow extra time, because traffic and festival closures can turn a half-day plan into a full one. If you missed Boudhanath and Pashupatinath yesterday, fit them in today.
Travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara by road. The journey commonly takes six to nine hours, so leave after breakfast and plan stops on the way. Check in and spend the evening by Phewa Lake. A domestic flight is a faster option, but weather delays are frequent, so confirm it with your planner.
Drive up to Sarangkot for sunrise, when clear skies show the Annapurna range. Cloud changes quickly, so your planner can shift the visit to the first clear morning. Return for breakfast, then explore Pokhara and spend time on Phewa Lake. A short easy hike near Pokhara is a common add-on.
Return to Kathmandu by road, a long day of six to nine hours. Check in and rest. Use the evening for a short walk or last shopping nearby. Staying the last night in Kathmandu keeps a buffer in case road or weather delays push your plans, and it makes the airport transfer easy.
Have breakfast and check out. Your driver takes you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home. Leave generous time for traffic and check-in, and keep your passport or Election Commission voter ID handy, because Aadhaar is not accepted as a travel document for Nepal.
Flights are not included.
Two cities in six days, so the Kathmandu-Pokhara road days are long.
The road transfer commonly takes six to nine hours each way.
Sarangkot sunrise depends on clear weather, so the day can be swapped.
Carry a passport or Election Commission voter ID; Aadhaar is not accepted.
Carry some Nepalese rupees, because Indian cash and UPI are accepted inconsistently.
The final night in Kathmandu is a buffer before your flight.
Breakfast is included daily; other meals are extra.
Flights are not included and are booked separately.
Entry fees and activities not listed, and travel insurance, are extra.
FAQs
What travellers ask about this trip. Your trip expert can answer anything else.
Five nights covers Kathmandu's main heritage sights and Pokhara with Sarangkot, which suits a first trip. It does not fit Chitwan or trekking. Choose seven nights if you want a safari, or ten to fourteen for a trek.
Five nights in 4-star hotels on twin sharing, daily breakfast, private airport transfers, road transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary, and entry-document guidance. Flights, other meals, unlisted entry fees, insurance and GST are extra.
The road journey commonly takes six to nine hours, depending on traffic, weather and stops. Travellers often say it takes more of the day than expected. Your planner can quote a domestic flight instead, though weather delays are frequent.
No. Indian nationals do not need a visa for Nepal. You must carry an accepted identity document such as a passport or Election Commission voter ID. Nepal immigration states that Aadhaar is not accepted as a travel document.
October and November, and March and April, usually give the clearest views and comfortable sightseeing. These are also busy months, so book early. June to September is monsoon, with cloud and possible transport delays.
Yes, but add at least two nights, because Chitwan sits on a long road leg. Our seven-night Nepal with Chitwan package is built for that. Your planner can also customise this plan with extra Kathmandu or Pokhara time.
More ideas
Kathmandu 2N · Pokhara 3N · Kathmandu 1N
Kathmandu 2N · Pokhara 2N · Chitwan 2N · Kathmandu 1N
*Approximate price per person, excl. GST. Contact us for exact pricing.
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