Overview
This Bandipur, Pokhara and Kathmandu tour is a relaxed five-day loop through three of the most rewarding corners of central Nepal. You drive up to the preserved Newari hill town of Bandipur, carry on to the lakes and mountain views of Pokhara, and finish among the temples and stupas of the Kathmandu Valley. It is a gentle, scenic itinerary built around culture, viewpoints and easy days rather than long walks, which makes it a good fit for families, couples and anyone who wants to see a lot of Nepal without rushing.
The itinerary
- Drive up the scenic Prithvi Highway to the hilltop town of Bandipur
- Settle in and wander the old Newari streets and bazaar
- Take in the panoramic mountain and valley views
- Overnight in Bandipur
- Morning walk through Bandipur's historic lanes
- Drive down to the lake city of Pokhara
- Evening stroll around the Lakeside
- Overnight in Pokhara
- Early drive to Sarangkot for sunrise over the Himalaya
- Visit Gupteshwor Cave
- Continue to the World Peace Pagoda for valley views
- See the hilltop Shiva statue at Pumdikot
- Overnight in Pokhara
- Morning boat ride on Phewa Lake to Tal Barahi Temple
- Drive back to Kathmandu along the Prithvi Highway
- Overnight in Kathmandu
- Explore Patan Durbar Square and its Newari temples
- Visit the great stupa of Boudhanath
- Finish at the sacred temple of Pashupatinath on the Bagmati
Things to carry
- Comfortable shoes for light walking
- A warm layer for early mornings and viewpoints
- Sun protection and a hat
- Modest clothing for the temples
- A camera
Good to know
Three sides of central Nepal in five days
Central Nepal packs an enormous amount into a small area: an old hill town, a lake city under the Himalaya, and a valley full of temples, all within a few hours' drive of each other. This tour strings them together over five relaxed days, from the Newari streets of Bandipur to the lakes and viewpoints of Pokhara and the heritage of the Kathmandu Valley. There is no trekking and no rush, which makes it one of the easiest ways to see a real cross-section of the country.
What the Bandipur Pokhara Kathmandu tour covers
Over five days you drive up to Bandipur for a night in the hills, continue to Pokhara for two nights of lakes and mountain viewpoints, and return to the Kathmandu Valley for its temples and squares. The days mix scenic drives, short walks and sightseeing, with comfortable hotels and a guide throughout. It is designed to be flexible, and if you are already in Nepal we can start it in Pokhara or Kathmandu to suit you. For a deeper day among the valley's monuments, our seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites day tour covers the main sites in one go.
Bandipur and Pokhara
Bandipur is the quiet surprise of the tour, a hilltop Newari town with a car-free bazaar, old shuttered houses and long views to the mountains, far calmer than the cities. Pokhara is its opposite in mood: a relaxed lake city with cafes along the water, an early sunrise viewpoint at Sarangkot, caves, waterfalls and hilltop shrines. Between them you get both the old hill culture and the easy lakeside pace that make central Nepal so popular.
The Kathmandu Valley
The tour finishes in the Kathmandu Valley, the cultural heart of the country, where the day is given to its heritage: the royal city of Patan, the great stupa of Boudhanath and the temple of Pashupatinath. These are living sites, busy with worship and daily life rather than museums, and a guide brings out the stories behind them. If you would like to see more of the valley's foothills on foot, our Shivapuri Peak day hike is an easy add-on from the city.
Who it suits and good to know
This is a leisure tour, best for families, couples and first-time visitors who want variety without effort. Expect comfortable hotels, short walks and plenty of viewpoints. October to April is the clearest season, though it runs all year. Because there is no trekking and little altitude, it needs no special preparation, just comfortable shoes and a camera. Tell us your dates and where you will be starting from, and we will tailor the pace and route to you.