Nepal is close enough to Dhaka that the flight barely gives you time to finish a cup of tea, yet it feels a world away. In one week you can see the temples and old royal squares of the Kathmandu Valley, then relax by a lake in Pokhara with the Annapurna range above you. It is a gentle trip that suits families, couples and friends alike, and you do not need to trek to enjoy the mountains.
How to split seven days
A comfortable plan looks like this:
- Days 1 to 3, Kathmandu Valley. Arrive, settle in, and spend two full days on the Durbar Squares and the great stupas.
- Day 4, travel to Pokhara. Fly or drive, then take an easy evening by the lake.
- Days 5 and 6, Pokhara. Sunrise at Sarangkot, boating on Phewa Lake, and a slow day of cafés and viewpoints.
- Day 7, back to Kathmandu and home. Leave a little buffer, because mountain weather can delay domestic flights.
Kathmandu: squares, stupas and the old city
The valley has three old royal cities, and each has its own Durbar Square, a cluster of palaces, temples and courtyards. Kathmandu Durbar Square is in the middle of the city. Patan, just across the river, is known for its fine metalwork and quieter lanes. Bhaktapur, a short drive east, is the best preserved of the three, with brick streets, pottery squares and a famous creamy yoghurt called juju dhau.
Two Buddhist sites are essential. Swayambhunath, often called the Monkey Temple, sits on a hill with wide views over the city, and you will earn them by climbing the steps. Boudhanath is one of the largest stupas in the world, ringed by monasteries and small cafés. Walk around it clockwise with the pilgrims in the early evening, when the butter lamps are lit.
Many of these sites charge an entry fee for foreign visitors, so keep some Nepali rupees handy. Thamel is the busy tourist quarter for shopping, money exchange and restaurants.
Pokhara: the lake and the mountains
Pokhara is slower and greener than Kathmandu. The town sits beside Phewa Lake, and on a clear day the peaks of the Annapurna range, including the fishtail-shaped Machhapuchhre, are reflected in the water. Hire a wooden boat to the small Tal Barahi temple on its island in the lake, and walk or drive up to the World Peace Pagoda for a view back over the town.
The highlight for most visitors is the sunrise at Sarangkot. You leave in the dark and drive up to a viewpoint, and as the light comes up the snow peaks turn pink and then gold. Take a warm layer, because it is cold up there before dawn, even when the days are mild. Paragliding from Sarangkot is popular too, if you have the nerve.
The mountains are shy. Give yourself two mornings in Pokhara, so one cloudy sunrise does not cost you the view.
Kathmandu to Pokhara: fly or drive?
The flight is very short and gives you mountain views from the window if you sit on the right side. It saves a full day, which matters on a one-week trip. Flights can be delayed or cancelled when visibility is poor, so keep your plans loose on travel days.
The road takes most of a day, through river valleys and hill villages. It is scenic, but the highway is winding and often slow, so it suits travellers with extra time who do not mind a long journey. Many people fly one way and drive the other.
When to go, and what to bring
For clear mountain views, the best months are usually October and November, after the monsoon has washed the air clean. March and April are also lovely, with flowering rhododendrons, though haze can soften the views. From around June to September, the monsoon brings cloud and rain, and the peaks are often hidden. December to February is clear but cold, especially in the mornings.
- A warm jacket and layers, whatever the season
- Comfortable shoes for steps and uneven old streets
- Modest clothing and a scarf for temples and monasteries
Nepal has usually offered a visa on arrival to Bangladeshi passport holders, but rules can change, and Softway Travels checks the current requirements when you book.
Our Nepal package brings together the flights, hotels, transfers and sightseeing for a week like this. Softway Travels can plan it around your dates and book the whole trip for you.
