Kathmandu

Pre-paid taxi to Thamel(30 minutes)

Use the pre-paid counter inside the airport. 600-800 NPR (~$4.50-6). Or Pathao app for fair pricing

Thamel evening walk(2 hours)

Browse trekking gear shops, bookstores, and handicraft stalls. Buy a singing bowl (~1,500-5,000 NPR) or pashmina scarf (~500-2,000 NPR). The narrow streets buzz from morning to midnight

Dinner at OR2K(1 hour)

Israeli-Nepali vegetarian restaurant on Mandala Street. Thali ~400 NPR, hummus plate ~350 NPR. Sit on floor cushions. Popular with travelers

Kathmandu Durbar Square(2.5 hours)

1,000 NPR (~$7.50) for foreigners (valid for multiple visits with letter from tourist office). Newari temples, palaces, courtyards from 12th-18th centuries. The Kumari Ghar houses the Living Goddess — she occasionally appears at the window. Some 2015 earthquake damage, restoration ongoing

Old Kathmandu walking tour(1.5 hours)

Wander the backstreets behind Durbar Square — Indra Chowk (bead market), Asan Tole (spice market), and Makhan Tole. Vibrant, chaotic, and deeply atmospheric. Free to walk — or hire a guide (~1,500 NPR)

Lunch at Yangling(45 minutes)

Near Thamel. Famous for momos (Nepali dumplings). Buff (buffalo) momos ~200 NPR for a plate. Steamed or fried. The chili achar (dipping sauce) is fiery

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) sunset(1.5 hours)

200 NPR entry (foreigners). 2,500-year-old Buddhist stupa atop a hill. 365 steps up. All-seeing Buddha eyes on the golden spire. Panoramic valley views. Monkeys everywhere — guard your food. Best at sunset when the golden light hits the stupa

Boudhanath Stupa(2 hours)

400 NPR. One of the world's largest Buddhist stupas. Join the monks and pilgrims performing kora (circumambulation) — walk clockwise. The rooftop cafes overlooking the stupa are perfect for contemplation. Best at dusk when butter lamps are lit

Lunch at Garden Kitchen(1 hour)

Near Boudhanath. Nepali thali ~350 NPR, coffee ~150 NPR. Peaceful garden setting after the stupa's spiritual intensity

Pashupatinath Temple(1.5 hours)

Nepal's holiest Hindu temple complex. Free to observe from the east bank (inner temple: Hindus only). Open-air cremation ceremonies along the Bagmati River ghats. Sadhus pose for photos (100-200 NPR tips). The evening aarti is moving. Open 4AM-9PM

Dinner at Bhojan Griha(2 hours)

Traditional Newari feast in a 150-year-old restored palace. Set menu ~1,800 NPR. Cultural dance performance included. 6-course Newari meal with tongba (hot millet beer). Book ahead

Patan Durbar Square(2.5 hours)

1,000 NPR (~$7.50). The Patan Museum in the old royal palace is Nepal's finest museum (included in entry). Newari metalwork and woodcarving workshops surround the square. Less crowded and better maintained than Kathmandu's Durbar Square

Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar)(30 minutes)

50 NPR. A 12th-century Buddhist monastery with gold-plated facade, intricate metalwork, and a courtyard of silence. Hidden in the backstreets of Patan. No leather items allowed inside

Lunch at Cafe Swotha(1 hour)

In a restored Newari heritage building near Patan Durbar Square. Newari set meal ~600 NPR. Beautiful courtyard. The social enterprise supports heritage restoration

Metalwork and woodcarving workshops(1.5 hours)

Walk the streets around Patan for working artisans — thangka painters, bronze casters, and woodcarvers. Watch them work. Small metal Buddha statues from 500 NPR. The craft tradition is centuries old

Pre-dawn drive to Nagarkot(1.5 hours)

32 km east. Taxi 3,000-4,000 NPR one-way. Depart 4:30AM. Or stay overnight at a Nagarkot guesthouse (1,500-3,000 NPR)

Nagarkot sunrise over the Himalayas(1.5 hours)

Free from viewpoints. Tower entry 50 NPR. On clear days, see Everest, Langtang, and Ganesh Himal ranges. The sunrise illuminating snow peaks from 2,100m is unforgettable. Oct-Nov and Feb-Apr are clearest

Rest afternoon(3 hours)

Sleep, read, or get a massage. Massage parlors in Thamel from 1,000 NPR/hour

Dinner at Rosemary Kitchen(1 hour)

Thamel. Excellent Nepali and Italian food. Dal bhat ~350 NPR, pasta ~400 NPR. Reliable and popular

Bus or taxi to Bhaktapur(45 minutes)

14 km east. Local bus 25-50 NPR from Ratna Park. Taxi 1,000-1,500 NPR. Entry: 1,500 NPR (foreigners), valid for the duration of your stay

Bhaktapur Durbar Square(2 hours)

The most atmospheric of the three Durbar Squares. The 55 Window Palace, Golden Gate, and Nyatapola Temple (tallest in the valley) are masterpieces. Potter's Square nearby has working artisans. Less touristed and more authentic than Kathmandu

Juju Dhau (King of Yogurt)(15 minutes)

Bhaktapur's famous creamy yogurt served in clay cups. 50-100 NPR. Available everywhere in Bhaktapur. Rich, sweet, and unlike any yogurt you've had

Lunch at Cafe Nyatapola(1 hour)

On the upper floor of the Nyatapola Temple pagoda. Newari food with square views. Momo set ~400 NPR. Unbeatable location

Taumadhi Square and Dattatreya Square walk(1.5 hours)

Two more temple squares in Bhaktapur. The Peacock Window in Dattatreya Square is Nepal's most famous woodcarving

Last momos for breakfast at Gilingche(30 minutes)

Near Thamel. Tibetan momos 150-250 NPR. Perfect farewell breakfast

Last-minute trekking gear or souvenir shopping(1 hour)

Singing bowls, thangka paintings, Rudraksha malas, trekking gear. Thamel prices are negotiable — start at 50% of asking

Transfer to Tribhuvan Airport(30 minutes)

Pre-paid taxi 600-800 NPR. KTM is just 6 km from Thamel. Allow 2.5 hours before international flights — airport is chaotic

Durbar Square(2.5 hours)

1,000 NPR

Swayambhunath sunset(1.5 hours)

200 NPR

Boudhanath(2 hours)

400 NPR

Bhojan Griha dinner(2 hours)

~1,800 NPR Newari feast

Patan Durbar Square & Museum(2.5 hours)

1,000 NPR

Golden Temple(30 minutes)

50 NPR

Drive to Nagarkot(1.5 hours)

3-4k NPR taxi

Taxi to Bhaktapur(45 minutes)

1,500 NPR entry

Taxi to Changu Narayan(45 minutes)

22 km east. Taxi ~1,500 NPR

Changu Narayan Temple(1.5 hours)

300 NPR. UNESCO World Heritage. Nepal's oldest temple (4th century). Exquisite stone carvings including a 5th-century Vishnu Vikrantha (considered Nepal's finest sculpture). Less visited than the Durbar Squares

Hike from Changu Narayan to Nagarkot (or reverse)(3 hours)

Free. A beautiful 12 km ridge-top trail through villages, terraced farms, and forests with Himalayan views. Moderate difficulty. The trail is well-marked. End at Nagarkot or Bhaktapur depending on direction

Nepali cooking class(3 hours)

Several hosts on Airbnb Experiences. ~2,000-3,000 NPR. Learn dal bhat (the national dish), momo making, and sel roti (Nepali sweet ring bread). Market visit often included

Heritage walk: Kathmandu's forgotten courtyards(2 hours)

The old city has hundreds of hidden bahals (Buddhist monastery courtyards). A local guide (1,500-2,000 NPR) reveals doorways you'd never find alone. The Itum Bahal, Jana Bahal, and Musya Bahal are highlights

Dinner at Krishnarpan(2 hours)

At Dwarika's Hotel. Nepal's finest dining experience — 6 to 22-course Nepali degustation. From $35 USD. Served on traditional Newari metalware. Reserve well ahead

Free day(5 hours)

Get a massage, visit Pilgrims Book House (excellent), or explore the Garden of Dreams (200 NPR — a restored neo-classical European garden in the middle of Thamel)

Everest mountain flight (if weather permits)(1 hour)

1-hour flights departing 6:30AM. $200-250 per person (Buddha Air or Yeti Airlines). Fly along the Himalayan range — each passenger gets a window seat and a turn in the cockpit for Everest photos. Only operates in clear weather. Book the day before after checking forecast

Alternative: Drive to Kakani viewpoint(3 hours)

29 km north. Taxi ~2,000 NPR. If no mountain flight, drive to this hilltop for Ganesh Himal and Langtang views. Tea garden and strawberry farms nearby

Dinner at Thamel House(1.5 hours)

Restored Newari house. Traditional 6-course Newari set meal (~1,500 NPR). Cultural ambiance

Drive to Bandipur(4 hours)

Take tourist bus to Dumre (700-1,000 NPR, 4 hours) then taxi up (500 NPR). Or hire car for ~6,000 NPR for the day

Bandipur village walk(2 hours)

A pristine Newari village on a hilltop with car-free streets, traditional architecture, and Himalayan views (Manaslu, Himalchuli, Ganesh Himal). No entry fee. Almost no tourists. The main bazaar street is like stepping back 200 years

Lunch at Old House(1 hour)

Newari food in a restored heritage house. Dal bhat ~350 NPR. The rooftop has mountain views

Thangka painting lesson(3 hours)

Several studios near Boudhanath offer half-day intro sessions. ~3,000-5,000 NPR. Learn the ancient art of Buddhist scroll painting — drawing, pigment mixing, and fine brushwork. You won't finish a painting in a day but you'll understand the 600+ hour process

Tibetan refugee market at Jawlakhel (Patan)(1 hour)

Tibetan carpet factory and handicraft center. Watch carpet weaving. Fair-trade prices. Small carpets from 3,000 NPR

Lunch at Yangtze River restaurant(1 hour)

Near Boudhanath. Tibetan and Chinese food. Tingmo (Tibetan steamed bread) and thukpa (noodle soup) ~300 NPR. Cozy and authentic

Evening meditation at a monastery(1 hour)

Several monasteries around Boudhanath welcome visitors for evening prayers. Kopan Monastery (3 km north) offers drop-in meditation sessions. The chanting with the stupa visible is deeply peaceful

Final shopping in Thamel and Patan(2.5 hours)

Singing bowls, thangka paintings, pashmina, Rudraksha malas. Patan's artisan workshops offer better quality than Thamel's tourist shops

Garden of Dreams afternoon(1 hour)

200 NPR. A quiet neo-classical garden in the heart of Thamel. Perfect for reflection

Farewell dinner at Dwarika's Hotel(2 hours)

Even if not staying, the restaurant is open to visitors. Heritage architecture, Newari cuisine. A refined farewell

Transfer to KTM airport(30 minutes)

600-800 NPR pre-paid. Allow 2.5 hours — airport is chaotic

Durbar Square(2.5 hours)

1,000 NPR

Swayambhunath sunset(1.5 hours)

200 NPR

Boudhanath(2 hours)

400 NPR

Patan Square & Museum(2.5 hours)

1,000 NPR

Bhaktapur full day(5 hours)

1,500 NPR. Durbar, Taumadhi, Dattatreya squares. Juju Dhau yogurt

Changu Narayan(1.5 hours)

300 NPR. 4th century

Nepali cooking class(3 hours)

2-3k NPR

Krishnarpan dinner(2 hours)

From $35

Garden of Dreams(1 hour)

200 NPR

Everest mountain flight(1 hour)

$200-250. Weather dependent. 6:30AM

Thangka painting lesson(3 hours)

3-5k NPR

Flight to Pokhara(25 minutes)

Buddha Air/Yeti Airlines: $100-130 one-way. Or tourist bus 700-1,000 NPR (7 hours). The flight along the Himalayas is stunning — sit on the left side

Check-in on Lakeside(30 minutes)

Hotels from 1,500-5,000 NPR along Phewa Lake

Phewa Lake boating(1.5 hours)

Row across the lake (500-800 NPR/hour) to the Tal Barahi Temple on an island in the middle. The Annapurna range reflected in the lake on a still morning is one of Nepal's iconic images

Lakeside evening walk(1.5 hours)

Restaurants, shops, and mountain views. More relaxed than Kathmandu. Try the Busy Bee for dal bhat (~350 NPR) or Moondance for Western food

Sarangkot sunrise(2 hours)

Pre-dawn drive or hike (1.5 hours up) to this viewpoint at 1,592m. The sunrise over Annapurna, Machapuchare (Fishtail), and Dhaulagiri is spectacular. Taxi ~1,000 NPR one-way. Often clearer than Nagarkot

World Peace Pagoda(2 hours)

Hike (45 min from the lakeside boat crossing, 200 NPR) or taxi. Japanese-built white stupa with panoramic views of Phewa Lake and the mountains. Free entry. Worth the effort

Lunch at Pokhara Thakali Kitchen(1 hour)

Authentic Thakali food — the cuisine from the trekking region. Dal bhat thali ~350 NPR. More refined than typical dal bhat

Optional paragliding(1.5 hours)

Tandem paraglide from Sarangkot: $70-90 USD (30 min flight). You soar above Phewa Lake with Annapurna behind you. One of the world's best paragliding locations. Multiple operators — Avia Club Nepal is reputable

Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Cave(1 hour)

Falls: 50 NPR. Cave: 100 NPR. An underground waterfall that disappears into a cave. The cave temple is atmospheric. Near the Tibetan settlement

Early morning Phewa Lake walk(1 hour)

The reflection of Machapuchare in the still lake at dawn is legendary. Best Oct-Feb

International Mountain Museum(1.5 hours)

500 NPR. Excellent museum covering all 14 of the world's 8,000m peaks, mountaineering history, and Himalayan peoples. A must for trekking enthusiasts

Flight back to Kathmandu(25 minutes)

Or bus (7 hours). Book ahead in peak season

Spa or massage(2 hours)

Thamel massage from 1,000 NPR/hour

Taxi to Budhanilkantha(30 minutes)

Northern Kathmandu

Budhanilkantha sleeping Vishnu statue(30 minutes)

Free (foreigners). A 5m stone carving of Vishnu lying on a bed of serpents in a pool. One of Nepal's most remarkable sculptures. Non-Hindus cannot touch the water

Shivapuri National Park hike(4 hours)

1,000 NPR entry. Hike through rhododendron and oak forest to Shivapuri peak (2,732m). 4-5 hours round trip. Valley and mountain views from the top. Moderate-strenuous. Carry water and snacks

Local bus to Kirtipur(30 minutes)

5 km southwest. Bus from Ratna Park ~30 NPR

Kirtipur old town walk(2.5 hours)

Free. A medieval hilltop settlement with narrow lanes, ancient temples, and views of the entire Kathmandu Valley. Bagh Bhairav Temple has a collection of weapons from the 1768 siege. Uma Maheshwor Temple at the top has the best views. Almost no tourists

Lunch at a local Newari restaurant(1 hour)

Kirtipur is known for juju dhau and chatamari (Newari 'pizza' — a rice flour crepe with toppings). ~200 NPR

Revisit Boudhanath in evening light(1.5 hours)

Return for the butter lamp lighting at dusk. The kora with pilgrims and monks as the sun sets on the white dome is the most spiritual moment in Kathmandu

Final shopping — Thamel and Patan(2.5 hours)

Singing bowls, thangkas, pashmina, Rudraksha. Patan for quality, Thamel for variety

Transfer to KTM airport(30 minutes)

600-800 NPR. Allow 2.5 hours