Nepal Travelers Recommend

Standing 29,030 feet (8,848 meters), the iconic Mt. Everest, which sits on the Nepal-Tibet border, is the tallest mountain in the world. Catching a glimpse is a high priority for many travelers to Nepal, and you can do so several different ways from Kathmandu. From easy to strenuous, here are a few options.

Day Tours

The only way to see Everest on a day trip from Kathmandu is to take a scenic flight. Sightseeing airplanes run when the weather is good, and offer beautiful views of a large sweep of the Nepali Himalaya. For safety reasons, though, you can’t fly too close to Everest in a plane. For a real close-up, take a helicopter tour, some of which stop for breakfast on the way in small settlements in the Everest region.

Multi-Day Tours

No vehicular roads lead to Everest on the Nepal side of the border—the only way to reach the mountain is to trek there on foot. The most popular route is the Everest Base Camp trek: fly from Kathmandu to Lukla, then trek for about 12 days there and back. On the way, you’ll stop at Sherpa villages such as Namche Bazaar and Khumjung. Quieter alternatives are the Three Passes trek and the Gokyo Lakes trek, both of which offer views of Everest. If you’re short on time, you can trek one way, then hop in a helicopter back to Kathmandu.

Things to Know

• Everest is called Sagarmatha in Nepali, and Chomolangma in Sherpa.
• As the crow flies, Everest is only about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from Kathmandu; however, many hills and mountains sit in between. It’s rare but sometimes possible to see a sliver of Everest from Kathmandu on clear days.
• The most common ethnic group in the Everest region are the Sherpa people, Buddhists who originated in Tibet. You’ll see Buddhist monasteries, stupas, and prayer walls along the trekking route to Everest Base Camp.
• If trekking to Everest—or taking a helicopter that stops en route—know the symptoms of altitude sickness. Be prepared to turn back at any point, as altitude sickness can turn deadly.
• Although it’s not mandatory, it’s a good idea to trek with a guide in Nepal. They can keep you safe, secure your accommodation along the way, and tell you about what you see.

With two days in Kathmandu, there’s time to experience the city’s cultural treasures and get out into the countryside, too. Visit sacred Hindu and Buddhist sites, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites, and enjoy a day hike or a scenic cable car ride with sweeping Himalayan views. Here’s how to make the most of your 48 hours in the Nepali capital.

Day 1: Sacred Kathmandu

Morning: Rise early to reach Pashupatinath Temple at the most atmospheric time of day. This is the most sacred Hindu temple in Nepal and an important cremation area. Afterwards, head to the nearby Boudhanath Stupa, the largest and most important Tibetan Buddhist pilgrimage site in Nepal. Have lunch overlooking the bright white shrine.

Afternoon: After lunch, head south to Patan to check out Patan Durbar Square, a collection of temples and old palace buildings. Explore the informative Patan Museum here, then peruse the lanes surrounding Durbar Square, which hide many more temples, picturesque old buildings, and handicraft shops.

Night: Eat your fill of dal bhat tarkari (rice with lentil and vegetable curries), the Nepali national dish, at a restaurant in the lively district of Thamel, followed by drinks at a rooftop bar. Those who enjoy dancing can groove to the cover bands that play most nights of the week at Thamel bars.

Day 2: Get Out Into Nature

Morning: Wake early, again, to make a trip out to Nagarkot for the sunrise. This town just outside the Kathmandu Valley is famous for its sunrise views over the Himalayas, which rise just beyond the northern edge of the Kathmandu Valley. Have a postsunrise breakfast in Nagarkot.

Afternoon: This afternoon, active travelers can hike from Nagarkot to a nearby village, passing through forests, farmland, and traditional villages and enjoying great views along the way. Alternatively, return to Kathmandu and head to the Chandragiri Cable Car for sweeping views of the city and, when the weather is clear, the Himalayas beyond.

Night: The shops in Thamel are open late into the evening, making this a good time to do some last-minute souvenir shopping. Wrap up your stay with a cycle-rickshaw tour around Thamel and the Kathmandu Durbar Square area.

Three days in Kathmandu is enough time to get a feel for the city and its culture, watch the sun rise over the highest mountains in the world, and hike through rolling, forested hills. Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites, including sacred Hindu and Buddhist temples. Here are some great things to do in Kathmandu.

Day 1: Temples and Palaces

There are seven UNESCO World Heritage sites within the Kathmandu Valley, many near the center of the city. First head to Pashupatinath; it's the most sacred Hindu temple in Nepal. Next, visit nearby Boudhanath Stupa, the most important Tibetan Buddhist site in Nepal and the center of Kathmandu’s Tibetan community. After lunch overlooking the stupa, head to the hilltop stupa of Swayambhunath, which has been nicknamed Monkey Temple for the monkeys that live nearby. Be sure to take in the great views of the Kathmandu Valley from Swayambhunath. In the evening, have dinner in Thamel or Durbar Marg.

Day 2: Sunrise and Village Life

While Kathmandu is a big congested city, you don’t have to travel far to find rural village life and nature. Get up early to reach Nagarkot in time for sunrise. This town is famous for its sweeping Himalayan views, which are especially notable when bathed in a golden early morning glow. After breakfast, take a day hike or a sightseeing tour to nearby villages. Active travelers can hike to Namo Buddha, Panauti, Dhulikhel, or Changu Narayan. Travelers who want a more relaxed pace can reach these places by car to check out the ancient temples, farmland, and views.

Day 3: Visit an Ancient Kingdom

On your third day, visit either Patan to the south or Bhaktapur to the east. Both are outlying areas of Kathmandu that were once independent kingdoms and still retain their own distinct atmospheres and traditions. The old cities are culturally Newar, with the architectural styles and handicraft traditions reflecting this. The focal points of both are the Durbar Squares, collections of temples and old palace buildings around a plaza. Patan also has the excellent Patan Museum, and Bhaktapur the five-storied Nayatapola Pagoda. In the lanes around the squares, find hidden temples and courtyards, handicraft workshops, and relaxed cafes and restaurants.

Kathmandu is home to Nepal’s only international airport, so it’s a natural jumping-off point for exploring the rest of the country. With many cultural attractions, delicious food, shops selling Nepali handicrafts, and Himalayan views, there’s plenty to do in Kathmandu. Here’s how to fill an action-packed day in the Nepali capital.

Morning: Sacred Sites

Get up early to experience Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple, at its most atmospheric. Many Nepali people come here to die or be cremated, and there’s a somber but celebratory feel to the temple complex. The mixture of Nepali architecture and traditional culture makes this a must-visit site. Pashupatinath is close to the Boudha neighborhood, the center of Kathmandu’s Tibetan community and site of the Boudhanath Stupa, with its huge white dome, golden spire, and colorful prayer flags. Have a relaxed lunch at one of the many restaurants overlooking the stupa.

Afternoon: The Medieval Kingdom of Patan

After lunch, head south of the Bagmati River to Patan. Now part of Kathmandu’s urban sprawl, this neighborhood was once a separate kingdom and maintains a unique atmosphere. The focal point is Patan Durbar Square, a collection of redbrick palaces and temples that represent Nepali carving and metalsmithing at its finest. Visit the Patan Museum here for an informative overview of Buddhist and Hindu culture in the Kathmandu Valley, then dip into the lanes around the square—they’re among the best places in Kathmandu to shop for handicrafts, including paper products, metal statuettes, and Buddhist thangka paintings.

Night: Sample Nepali Cuisine

Many visitors stay in the Thamel area of central Kathmandu, which has a plethora of restaurants and bars and is the center of the city’s nightlife. Most venues are not open much past midnight, so a good night out in Kathmandu means enjoying a hearty dinner and a few relaxed drinks at a bar. You can’t leave Kathmandu without a full dal bhat experience. At its simplest, the Nepali national dish is lentil curry and rice, but at many higher-end restaurants you’ll get a huge platter with several vegetable and meat curries, pickles, a salad, and, of course, rice. It’s a great way to end the day.

Pokhara is a popular starting point for long treks in the Annapurna range of the Himalaya, but it’s also an attractive and rewarding destination in its own right. Whether you’re passing through the lakeside city on the way to the mountains or it’s your final destination in Western Nepal, here’s how to get the most out of three days in Pokhara.

Day 1: All About the Views

Start your time in Pokhara by getting an overview of the city—quite literally. Wake up early and head up to Sarangkot, the hill to the north of Lake Fewa (Phewa Tal). It’s an ideal spot for watching the sunrise, with sweeping views over the Annapurnas, and the jumping-off point for paragliding over Pokhara. Most paragliding tours include gear, instruction, 30–40 minutes of flight, and hotel pickup and drop-off. After soaking in the views, enjoy a leisurely day by the lake. Paddle on Lake Fewa (or hire an oarsman to do that for you), visit the Tal Barahi Temple on an island in the lake, stroll along the promenade, and do some souvenir shopping in the Lakeside area. End the day at a bar or restaurant overlooking the lake—time it right and you can enjoy the sunset over the lake and mountains.

Day 2: Cultural Pokhara

Kathmandu may be better-known as a cultural destination in Nepal, but Pokhara has worthwhile cultural destinations, too. Just outside the city is a Tibetan refugee camp, which has been there for several decades. Tour the camp with a guide, where you can talk with residents, shop for handicrafts to support them, try some authentic Tibetan food, and visit the attractive monastery. Another cultural highlight, the International Mountain Museum tells the stories of the people who live in the Nepal Himalaya and those who explore and climb it, as well as providing information about the ecology and nature of the range. The museum will especially interest those who have been, or are planning to go, trekking in the nearby mountains.

Day 3: Mountain Trails and Villages

If you only have three days in Pokhara and are unable to go on a longer Himalayan trek, you can still spend one of your days hiking in the mountains to get a good taste of the Nepal Himalaya without the time commitment. The most convenient way to do this is to get a private transfer—ideally a four-wheel drive—to Phedi, Dhampus, or the Australian Camp. You’ll hike part of the way and be rewarded with mountain views and an intimate peek into Nepali village life. Going with a local guide is optimal for a deeper understanding of the landscape and culture of the places you visit. Return to Pokhara in time to enjoy a final sunset over the mountains and the lake before dinner.

With one week in Nepal, you’ll have enough time to enjoy the cultural treasures of Kathmandu, get out into the surrounding hills and villages, and even take a scenic flight along the Himalayas. Here’s how to get the most out of a week in Nepal.

Days 1–3: Kathmandu’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The Kathmandu Valley contains several UNESCO World Heritage sites, which should be a top priority when visiting the Nepalese capital. On your first day, visit the sites closest to the central Thamel neighborhood: Pashupatinath, a Hindu temple and cremation ground; the Boudhanath Stupa, a Tibetan Buddhist pilgrimage site; and the hilltop temple of Swayambhunath Stupa. Continue the cultural exploration on days two and three by traveling to Patan and Bhaktapur, once separate kingdoms but now on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Home to the Kathmandu Valley’s indigenous Newar people, Patan and Bhaktapur are each full of temples, palaces, shops selling local handicrafts, and plenty of atmosphere. 

Days 4–6: Day Trips Outside the Kathmandu Valley

For a glimpse into rural Nepali life, strike out to nearby towns such as Nagarkot, Namo Buddha,  Panauti, and Dhulikhel. Nagarkot is especially famous for its sunrise views of the Himalaya; Namo Buddha has equally good mountain views and a Buddhist pilgrimage site; Panauti is one of the best-preserved Newari towns in Nepal; and Dhulikhel also has good views and many trekking trails. You can hike or mountain bike through the steep terraced farmland and forest, or just experience local village life, clear mountain views, delicious food, and Nepal’s diverse cultures. Visit all four towns or chill out in one or two, either staying at small guesthouses or homestays or returning to your Kathmandu accommodation each night. 

Day 7: Scenic Flight and Himalayan Views

Get up early to take a flight along the mighty Himalaya, including the highest mountain in the world, Everest. Travelers on a more generous budget can take a helicopter flight to Everest Base Camp, a truly memorable experience. Alternatively, check out the cable car at Chandragiri Hills in the southwest of the Kathmandu Valley, with sweeping views of the capital and, when the weather is clear, the Himalayas beyond. Take the cable car up and down, or hike one way. End the day—and your week in Nepal—at one of Kathmandu’s finest Nepali restaurants. There are many options in Thamel, as well as at some of the smarter hotels in other parts of Kathmandu. 

Pokhara is a beloved outdoor-adventure-sport destination, and with two days in the city you can enjoy a range of experiences. From getting a bird’s-eye view of the Annapurna range to white-water kayaking, here’s how to spend two days in the lakeside city.

Day 1: Take to the Skies

**Morning:**Almost every day you’ll see colorful paragliders floating in the air above Pokhara’s Lake Fewa (Phewa Tal)—join them on your first morning in the city. The jumping-off point is Sarangkot Hill, and you’ll quickly see why this is said to be one of the best paragliding spots in the world: The views of the Annapurna range, the villages and farmland below, and Lake Fewa beyond are spectacular. 

**Afternoon:**After the morning’s excitement (and with big plans for the day tomorrow), spend a relaxing afternoon by the lake. Stroll along the promenade and snap some pictures of Pokhara’s famous paddleboats, shop for souvenirs, indulge in a massage or spa treatment, or enjoy an afternoon by your hotel pool. 

**Night:**An hour or so before sunset, take a private vehicle up to the Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa), on the south side of the lake. The bright-white stupa, on top of a hill with sweeping views over the lake and the mountains beyond, is a perfect sunset-viewing spot. Return to Pokhara for dinner.

Day 2: Water-Sports Fun

**Morning and Afternoon:**With the Seti River close to the city, Pokhara is an ideal base for day-trippers wanting to try some white-water rafting or kayaking. Beginners can enjoy rafting on the moderate, class II–IV rapids, and experienced white-water kayakers can practice their skills. 

Alternatively, spend the day on Lake Fewa instead, hiring a paddleboat (with an oarsman, if you wish) or even take a kayaking lesson. Sightseeing-boat rides make a stop at the Tal Barahi Temple, on a little island in the lake. 

**Night:**Pokhara’s Lakeside area has a vibrant nightlife scene, from cheap-and-cheerful shacks on the edge of the lake serving passable cocktails to more upmarket bars with a stylish ambience. Many bars offer happy-hour deals around sunset time, perfect for a final toast to Pokhara.

Pokhara, at the foot of the Annapurna mountain range, is a popular jumping-off point for multi-day treks in the Himalayas, but it’s also a rewarding destination in its own right. If you only have one day in the lakeside city, here’s how to spend it.

Morning: Sunrise at Sarangkot

Get up early and take a private vehicle up to Sarangkot, a hill above Pokhara, to see the sunrise over the Annapurnas. While the enormous peaks are somewhat visible from Pokhara city, the view from the top of the hill is spectacular. It can be cold up there, though, even in the warmer months, so don’t forget your sweater. After sunrise, head back down to Pokhara for breakfast, then spend a leisurely couple of hours shopping for souvenirs, walking along the lakeside promenade, or enjoying your hotel pool.

Afternoon: Paddle on Fewa Tal

Pokhara’s centerpiece is the pretty Lake Fewa (Fewa Tal), and the colorful wooden boats that line its banks are an iconic Pokhara sight. Spend an hour or two in the afternoon paddling on the lake, enjoying the peace and quiet and taking some impressive pictures. You can rent a small boat with an oarsman, hop on a slightly larger canopied boat that holds more people, or even take a kayaking lesson on the lake. Sightseeing-boat rides make a stop at the Tal Barahi Temple on a little island in the lake. 

Night: Happy-Hour Cocktails at Sunset

Although Pokhara isn’t a large city, its Lakeside area has a lively nightlife scene, and visitors can find lively bars and restaurants any night of the week. Many of the bars with views of the lake offer happy-hour specials around sunset, so pick one you like, and relax as you watch the sky turn pink over the lake. Wrap up your visit with dinner at a local restaurant. There are many Nepali and international dining options in Pokhara, so you’re sure to find something to suit your tastes.