Overview
This Kathmandu Pokhara tour is a relaxed four-day retreat linking Nepal's two main cities with a short scenic flight in between. You fly to the lake city of Pokhara for its viewpoints, caves and easy lakeside days, catch the sunrise from Sarangkot, then return to the Kathmandu Valley for its temples and squares. It is a gentle itinerary with plenty of free time and very little walking, designed for first-time visitors, families and anyone on a short stay who wants to see the best of both cities without rushing.
The itinerary
- Short scenic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara
- Visit Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave
- Short walk up to the World Peace Stupa for valley views
- Evening around the Lakeside
- Overnight in Pokhara
- Early drive to Sarangkot for sunrise over the Annapurna range
- Return for breakfast, then a free day
- Options: boating on Phewa Lake, a trip to quieter Begnas Lake, or Lakeside cafes and shops
- Overnight in Pokhara
- Short flight back to Kathmandu
- Free afternoon to relax or explore
- Optional shopping for handicrafts and souvenirs in Thamel
- Overnight in Kathmandu
- Guided visit to Patan Durbar Square and its Newari architecture
- Explore the great stupa of Boudhanath, with a local lunch nearby
- Finish at the sacred temple of Pashupatinath
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes for short walks
- A warm layer for the early Sarangkot morning
- Sun protection and a hat
- Modest clothing for the temples
- A camera
Good to know
The easy way to see both cities
Kathmandu and Pokhara are the two poles of a Nepal holiday: one dense with temples and history, the other relaxed and framed by lakes and mountains. This four-day retreat links them with a short scenic flight, so you spend your time enjoying each rather than travelling between them. It is a gentle, comfortable itinerary with plenty of free time, built for people who want the highlights of both without a demanding schedule.
What the Kathmandu Pokhara tour covers
Over four days you fly to Pokhara for two nights of lakes, caves and the Sarangkot sunrise, then fly back to the Kathmandu Valley for its heritage. The days are easy, with short walks, viewpoints and free time to do as much or as little as you like, and a guide on the sightseeing days. If you are already in Nepal we can start it in Pokhara to suit you. For a fuller day among the valley's monuments, our seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites day tour covers the main sites in one go.
Pokhara and the Sarangkot sunrise
Pokhara is Nepal's most relaxed city, spread along Phewa Lake beneath the Annapurna range. The highlight is the early drive to Sarangkot for sunrise, when the light hits Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas, but there is plenty more at an easy pace: a boat on the lake, the Gupteshwor Cave, the hilltop World Peace Stupa, and the cafes of Lakeside. It is a place to slow down and enjoy the views.
The Kathmandu Valley
The retreat finishes in the Kathmandu Valley, the cultural heart of Nepal, with a guided day among its heritage: the royal city of Patan, the great stupa of Boudhanath and the temple of Pashupatinath. These are living sites, full of worship and daily life, and a guide brings out the stories behind them. If you would like to add a hill town and a night outside the city, our Bandipur, Pokhara and Kathmandu tour extends the same route with a stay in old Bandipur.
Who it suits and good to know
This retreat is ideal for first-time visitors, families and anyone on a short stay who wants comfort and the highlights of both cities. Expect easy days, short flights and plenty of leisure. October to April is the clearest season, though it runs all year. There is no trekking or altitude to prepare for, just comfortable shoes, a warm layer for the early Sarangkot start, and modest clothing for the temples. Tell us your dates and starting point and we will tailor the retreat to you.
