7-Day Luxury Nepal Vacation: Exploring Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Beyond
Published: 29th Jun, 2022
Embark on a 7-day luxury Nepal vacation and discover the hidden treasures of Kathmandu, Pokhara, and beyond. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Patan Durbar Square and witness the awe-inspiring mountain views from Nagarkot. Experience the thrill of paragliding in Pokhara and indulge in a scenic hike from Panauti to Namo Buddha. Unwind in the charming hill-top town of Bandipur. Complete your journey by exploring iconic landmarks like Swayambhunath and Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. Get ready for an extraordinary adventure in Nepal that will leave you captivated. Book your luxury getaway now.
Although Nepal looks quite small on the map, it is actually a large country due to the difficulty of traveling due to mountains, valleys, poor roads, and restrictions on domestic flights. It takes weeks, if not months, to get to the farthest parts of the Himalayas in Nepal. But if you do not have that time, don’t worry. On a short 7-day luxury Nepal vacation, you can still see and experience some of Nepal’s most beautiful and interesting places. Traffic jams and flight delays are unavoidable in Nepal, so the trick is to keep your itinerary uncrowded.
This 7-day luxury Nepal vacation starts in Kathmandu, the capital for almost all travelers, and heads west to the beautiful Pokhara. The two cities are no more different, but both represent different parts of traditional and modern Nepal.
Day 01 Of Your Luxury Nepal Vacation
Patan Durbar Square
South of the Bagmati River in the Kathmandu Valley, Patan (also known as Lalitpur) was once an independent kingdom with its own royal family, palaces, and culture. Today, it’s part of the urban sprawl phenomenon in Kathmandu. However, it still has a unique feel, less busy and less crowded than in central Kathmandu. Patan is home to the indigenous peoples of the Kathmandu Valley.
Patan’s Durbar Square is a palace, a temple, and a townhouse (partially converted into a guesthouse) that fills Patan’s old town area. Further, it is a great place to experience a living example of Newar culture. The Patan Museum, located in an old palace building, offers a stylish and comprehensive introduction to Kathmandu’s art and architecture.
Day 02 Of Your Luxury Nepal Vacation
Bhaktapur Durbar Square & Nagarkot Hill
Bhaktapur is located in the eastern part of the Kathmandu Valley. It is 10 miles from downtown. Bhaktapur was once another kingdom displaying some of the best examples of Newar art, crafts, and architecture in Nepal.
The highlights here revolve around Bhaktapur’s Durbar Square and the 5-storey Nayatapola Temple. Notice the intricately carved peacock window in Pujari Math and Potters’ Square. Here, the potters line up the clay pots and dry them in the sun before firing. The city of Bhaktapur was severely damaged by the 2015 earthquake, but fortunately, the larger temples were largely spared.
When dining in Bhaktapur, look for a rich, creamy, sweet yogurt called Jujudau served in a clay pot. Bhaktapur is famous for this.
Perched on the Kathmandu Valley’s eastern rim, just a short 35 kilometers from Kathmandu, is the picturesque Nagarkot hill town. Popular for its breathtaking sunrises and mountain views, this location is a must-visit destination in Nepal. On any clear day, the mountain vista stretches from Mount Dhaulagiri in the west, through Mount Everest, all the way to Mount Kanchenjunga in the west.
The best time to visit Nagarkot is between October and March, when the skies are clear and the views of the mountains are breathtaking.
A short walk to the Nagarkot view tour at the highest southern point of the hill will reward travelers with a 360-panoramic view of the mountains. In addition, some popular hiking trails inside the Kathmandu valley start or end at Nagarkot hill.
Day 03 Of Your Luxury Nepal Vacation
Panauti to Namo Buddha Hike
On the third day, cross the eastern edge of the Kathmandu Valley and head to the hills around Kathmandu for trekking. You can’t go deep into the Himalayas on a week-long itinerary, but you can enjoy a modest trek in the hills. In fine weather (probably between November and January and March till June), you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Himalayas.
A day hike between Panauti and Namo Buddha is a good option as it includes culture, nature, scenery and good accommodation at both ends (or arrange a private transfer to get off and pick up at both ends). can do). Panauti is an ancient Newar town about 20 miles southeast of Kathmandu.
Located at the confluence of the Kamesen and Punyamati rivers, it has beautiful traditional architecture. There is a network of small guest houses and host families run locally. An almost uphill trek from Panauti to Namobudda, seven miles away, passes through villages, farmlands and woodlands. Namobudda is one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist sites in Nepal, but much smaller and less dramatic than Kathmandu’s Boudanath and Swayambhunath.
Day 04 Of Your Luxury Nepal Vacation
Pokhara
Get an early morning flight this morning to Pokhara. Early morning flights are best. Flights are usually in good condition at this point, and domino-effect delayed flights can avoid the inevitable delays that occur later in the day. The plane takes only 30 minutes to cover the 125 miles between Kathmandu and Pokhara. It takes 6 to 9 hours on the road. If possible, request a seat on the right side of the plane. On sunny days, central Nepal offers stunning views of the entire Himalayas.
Pokhara is Nepal’s second largest city, but no different from its capital, Kathmandu. Located on Phewa Lake, just a stone’s throw from Annapurna Himalayan, many travelers have a laid-back atmosphere, clean roads and air, relatively light traffic, adventure sports, and proximity to the mountains. I like.
Pokhara offers a wide range of accommodation options, from simple guesthouses to luxury resorts with matching price tags. Whatever you choose, try to raise the room above the building so that you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the lake and Machhapuchhare (Fishtail) on a clear day. The lakeside area of Pokhara has plenty of places to eat and drink, including Nepalese, Newar, Tibetan, and different types of international cuisine.
When you arrive in Pokhara, calm down and take a walk along the shore of the lake or buy Nepalese handicrafts.
Many lakeside restaurants and bars offer happy hour in the evening. It’s a great time to sit down with a drink and watch the sunset over the lake.
Day 05 Of Your Luxury Nepal Vacation
Activities/Sightseeing Tours in Pokhara
No matter what kind of activity you are doing, you may find something that suits your interests and skills in Pokhara.
The International Mountain Museum of Pokhara tells the story of people who have lived and climbed these mountains for centuries.
Sarangkot Hill, behind Lake Phewa, is one of the best places in the world to try paragliding. Beginner kayakers can take paddling lessons at the lake. A torrent rafting tour to a nearby river departs from Pokhara and is suitable not only for beginners and families, but also for experienced rafters. A day hike in the hills around Pokhara offers stunning views of Annapurna, even if you don’t have time to do the entire Annapurna Circuit.
Day 06 Of Your Luxury Nepal Vacation
Bandipur
On this sixth day of your luxury Nepal vacation, drive to Bandipur, a hill-top town. As seen in the Kathmandu Valley, the Newar influence is strong around the capital. Entering the main trade route between India and Tibet, Bandipur’s former wealth can be seen in its elegant brick townhouses and cobblestone main streets. The renovated mansion has several beautiful guest houses. When the weather is nice, there are also wonderful views of the northern Himalayas.
Bandipur is a good place to divide your journey between Pokhara and Kathmandu.
Day 07 Of Your Luxury Nepal Vacation
Drive Back To Kathmandu | Kathmandu Durbar Square | Swoyambunath Stupa | Pashupatinath Temple | Boudhanath Stupa
Return to Kathmandu from Bandipur in the morning, and spend your last day in Nepal exploring some of the capital’s sights that you haven’t already. Basing yourself in or around Thamel is convenient for checking out nearby attractions like the Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath Temple. If you visit the Kathmandu Durbar Square (also called Basantapur Durbar Square), you can see how it’s similar to, but also different from, the royal complexes at Patan and Bhaktapur. Hilltop Swayambhunath is also highly worthwhile visiting, both for the dramatic golden-spired stupa itself and also for the sweeping views across Kathmandu.
Alternatively, if you have an international flight the next day and want to be closer to the airport, you can fit in a visit to Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa. Staying close to these popular attractions will take you to the right place in town for easy access to the airport the next day. Pashupatinath is Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple and an important pilgrimage site for Hindus in Nepal and India. Hindus, located on the banks of the Bagmati River, believe that they are fortunate to die and be buried here (similar to Varanasi in India), so cremation can always be seen. Non-Hindus cannot enter the temple of Pashpatinath, but they can enter the grounds.
Boudhanath is the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist site outside of Tibet. The area around the enormous white dome of Boudhanath Stupa is Kathmandu’s Tibetan enclave, where many refugees live. The stupa is an especially atmospheric place to visit at dawn and dusk, when devotees do a kora of the stupa, a clockwise circumambulation, spinning prayer wheels and reciting mantras. It gets busy, but just go with the flow and don’t walk against the tide of humanity.