Kathmandu and Pokhara are the two major cities in Nepal. While one is known for its rich history and cultural traditions with many UNESCO-listed sites, the other prides itself in its natural beauty including stunning scenes of the Himalayas, calm lakes, and many other natural sites. The Kathmandu Pokhara Tour takes you on a journey of culture and nature, wherein you will cherish the memories for years to come.
During this 6-day long journey, you will visit many historical and religious sites in Kathmandu, and experience an adventurous and tranquil city tour of Pokhara. Along the way, you will have plenty of chances to try a number of Nepalese dishes including the national dish of Dal Bhat.
Kathmandu is not just the country’s capital but is also known as the city of temples, art, and tradition. Cultures have been nurtured here. Various temples and stupas like Swayambhunath and Boudhanath are a testament to strongly established Hinduism and Buddhist culture. The Newari are the natives of Kathmandu and their contribution to the country through art, architecture, festivities and dances can be profoundly seen across the city’s streets. In every other distance, you will encounter one more temple that vibrates with prayers and peace.
Pokhara has recently been announced as the tourism capital of Nepal. When describing Pokhara we always start with admiring the mountain ranges and the snow-capped mountains of Macchapucchre and Annapurna. On a clear sunny day, they enlighten the very atmosphere. Known as the city of 7 lakes, Pokhara’s water bodies have a lot to offer from boating to casually sitting by the side and embracing the cool breeze with a fine dine at restaurants and cafes nearby. You will also encounter various intriguing caves to explore in the city. Each has its significance and beauty attached to it.
The 1st day of the trip requires you to land at the international airport in Kathmandu. After you arrival at the airport, you will be guide to the immigrant booth where you will work out your tourist visa application. A tourist visa application is absolutely necessary for any international tourists to be able to roam within the country.
The second day of your Kathmandu Pokhara Tour starts with great excitement as we head towards Pokhara. There are two options to travel to Pokhara. By plane, it is a 30-minute flight and approximately 6-7 hours drive by car. If you wish to ignore the long drive, you can opt to take the flight but the flight expenses are not covered in the package.
After we reach the city, you can take some rest and later in the evening, you can stroll around the famous Phewa Lake and boat under the casting shadow of the prominent Mt. Machhapucchre.
We will start our 2nd day in Pokhara with the first rays of the sun at the hill of Sarangkot at 1600 m above sea level. Sarangkot is one of the major tourist destinations in Pokhara as it distances you from the hustle of the city and brings you closer to the mountains.
The view tower here provides a 360-degree panoramic view of the Annapurna Range, surrounding landscapes, and a bird’s eye view of this small and beautiful Pokhara valley. Sarangkot is also one of the best paragliding spots and you can partake in this activity if you feel adventurous.
After having breakfast at this wonderful scenery, we will drive downhill and head for another sightseeing location.
Peace Pagoda
Pokhara Peace Pagoda is a Buddhist monument built as a symbol of peace. 20-30 mins drive away, this place offers stunning views of Phewa Lake, the Annapurna mountain range, and a peaceful atmosphere. Here you can meditate,, learn and imbibe the Buddhist principles, take photographs but be mindful of making any noise.
Other than the mountains, Pokhara boasts some interesting caves and each has its unique characteristics.
One of them is Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave. It is located at an easily accessible location and is supposedly the longest cave in Nepal. With statues and scriptures of many Hindu deities on the way, the stairs lead you all of the way down to a Shiva Temple that holds great significance to the devotees.
Further away from the temple, you will see a fissure between the walls through which water fed from Phewa Lake falls with great rage. The experience of walking down the wet stairs in the dark and meeting at the temple by a waterfall lets you experience how deep devotion is seeped into this culture.
Begnas Lake
Unlike the popularity and crowd of Phewa Lake, a 40-minute drive to Begnas Lake offers a quiet and peaceful environment. It is the third largest lake in Nepal surrounded by lush green hills famous for boating, fishing, and enjoying the fish cuisines in the restaurants by the lake. If you are in the mood to spend a few hours in a calming site, Begnas is the best place to visit. The natural beauty and the cool surroundings of Begnas set you in the mood of peace and calmness.
Note: The sightseeing locations of the Kathmandu Pokhara Tour can be customized as per your choice.
After exploring the stunning Pokhara valley, on the fourth day of the Kathmandu Pokhara Tour, we will head back to Kathmandu to explore the ancient culture and history of the city through its magnificent sites.
We will either take a flight or drive by car to Kathmandu depending on your preference. After reaching the city, we will take some rest and prepare ourselves for the exploration the next day.
The capital city offers a lot for visitors to taste the bits of its vibrant culture that have emerged since civilization. Architectures from many eras stand intact and radiate vibrancy. Kathmandu is a living museum where history speaks from every corner, its streets witness the seamless intertwining of Hindu and Buddhist culture, festivities, art, and dances.
After breakfast, we will be all set to immerse in the country’s culture and visit the majestic Stupas, Durbar Squares, and various temples where each one of them has their story to tell.
Swayambhunath Stupa
Swayambhunath, located at a hilltop in Kathmandu is a renowned Buddhist monument sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus. The very structure of the Swayambhunath is a symbol where its base signifies stability and its towering peak represents the path to enlightenment.
The legend says that Syamabhunath was self-formed and emerged from a primordial lake. For some, it is a manifestation of Buddha himself and some see it as a representation of enlightenment.
The climb to the Swayambhunath is led by a flight of stairs lined with monkeys, hence the nickname “Monkey Temple”. While enjoying the climb be mindful of your belongings.
Along with its spiritual significance and importance as a pilgrimage site, Swayambhunath offers a tranquil atmosphere where you devour a panoramic view of Kathmandu Valley and the majestic Himalayan range in the distance. It is a place where nature, religion, and spirituality converge giving you the utmost experience of peace and serenity.
Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath Temple, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a powerful and sacred site for Hindus. The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva celebrates both life and death. Where Devotees from around the country pray for their wellbeing, Pashupatinath also has huge open cremation rituals going at the banks of Bagmati River.
The area within the Pashupatinath has numerous smaller shrines dedicated to various Hindu deities and there is the main temple where the Lingam of Lord Shiva resides. Many Sadhus and monks hold this place significant in their hearts for their spiritual pursuits. Therefore, the temple is highly revered, and people from all over come to place their offerings, celebrate auspicious occasions, and even perform last rites.
Patan Durbar Square
Another UNESCO World Heritage site is the Patan Durbar Square. This magnificent palace built in the 17th century is a testament to the architectural mastery of the Malla dynasty. The layout of the place is organized as the three main courtyards known as Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk, and Keshav Narayan Chowk. These spaces were once used for religious gatherings and royal ceremonies.
The intricate woodcarvings in the struts and doorways of the palaces and temples speak the culture, honor, and contribution of the craftsmen of the era. There are many temples and statues in the area. One of the most important sites here is Krishna Mandir, a three-storied structure. The stone carvings on the pillars narrate the events of Mahabharata and Ramayana. This depiction speaks of the history and its importance that is still alive and significant in shaping the culture to date.
Patan Durbar Square is a cultural experience that leaves you struck by Nepal’s artistic and vibrant traditions.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square is also known as Basantapur Durbar and Hanuman Dhoka. The durbar square is made up of three squares; the Basantapur square area to the south, the main durbar square to the west, and in the northeast is the second durbar square.
The outer complex of the palace treasures numerous temples carved meticulously by the craftsmen of Malla’s reign. Look out for Kasthamandap, Shiv-Parvati Temple, the intriguing Kumari Ghar, the octagonal Krishna Temple, and the Kal Bhairav.
The inner complex houses the main palace buildings and courtyards. The royal palace is where the kings of the Shah and Malla Dynasty ruled over the city. Now they have been turned into museums showcasing artifacts from Nepal’s royal past.
As we enter into this historical site, the vibrancy is such that you read the history of this city through its architecture, sculpture, religious artifacts, coins, weapons, and tools.
Here comes the culmination of our Kathmandu Pokhara Tour. This final day is when you take all the experiences of this journey and bid us goodbye. One of us will drive you to the Kathmandu airport and wish you a great journey ahead. Hope you keep exploring, and coming back to Nepal.
We also operate private trips.
The Kathmandu Pokhara tour allows us to live in the city and thus, the accommodation throughout the tour will cover all your necessary amenities. Expect a 3-start hotel facilities. You shall savour the taste of authentic Nepali cuisine, and its spices and explore with your taste buds as well. You will also be able to find other international dishes and choose as per your liking.
The beauty of this tour is you can customize it as per your interests and budget. You can always change the sightseeing locations, modes of transportation, and itinerary therefore, the tour budget changes accordingly. Feel free to chat with us so that we can create the best travel experience for you.
Kathmandu Pokhara Tour can be done anytime throughout the year. However, for the best experience, you might want to skip the monsoons (June to August) as they don’t provide the flexibility for outdoor activities.
The seasons that provide a pleasant atmosphere and breathtaking views are Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September- November).
Spring provides comfortable temperatures (14℃ to 30℃), clear skies, and beautiful spring blooms elevating the mood for exploration, perfect for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
Similarly Autumn is also great for tours and hikes. Moderate temperatures(10℃ to 25 ℃), clear views,s and fewer crowds than in the spring season make it a great time to explore Nepal.
All transportation required by the Kathmandu Pokhara Tour is covered by the package. This includes travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back, and rides within the cities.
On the way to Pokhara, we can pay a short visit to Bandipur; a charming Newari town that has preserved its architecture, and tradition. Wander around the bazaars of Bandipur to expose yourself to the local crafts. More than just the amazing sights of the Himalayas and buzzing markets, you can indulge in the taste of authentic Nepali cuisine in the cozy and vibrant cafes of Bandipur.
Yes, the trip is comfortable for people of all ages. You will be traveling comfortably within the cities. The temperature and altitude are moderate making it a pleasant experience for everyone.
Pack according to the season you are traveling in. If you are here in the winter, make sure you dress warmly and bring gloves, warm boots and jackets. If you are doing the tour in the Spring or Autumn, moderate clothing will do as the temperature is moderate. However, take a pair of jackets to adjust the temperatures during the day as it can get chilly in the mornings and evenings.
We will be walking around a lot, so make sure you have a pair of comfortable shoes, a hat, and sunglasses for sun protection. You can bring the gadgets you need like laptops and cameras as you will have no problem in finding charging and internet access.
Anything that is not mentioned as part of your Kathmandu Pokhara tour such as your flight fare, travel insurance, lunch and dinner, and personal expenses, should be considered as your extra expenses.

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