- Duration
- 13 days · 12 nights
- Group size
- Private journey for 2 or more guests
Overview
This thirteen-day trip includes one of Nepal's best-loved short treks. It begins in the Kathmandu Valley with Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Changu Narayan, then heads to Pokhara for a boat ride on Phewa Lake and a hike to Chapakot.
The trek starts at Kande and passes through Tolka, Landruk and Ghandruk, then through forest to Tadapani and Ghorepani. The high point is an early-morning climb to Poon Hill (3,200 m) for sunrise over the Himalaya. Nights on the trail are spent in local lodges.
After the descent through the villages to Nayapul and Pokhara, the trip ends in Kathmandu with Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath.
The route
Day by day, at a glance
Day 1 · Kathmandu
Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 2 · Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur and Changu Narayan
Day 3 · Pokhara
To Pokhara and Phewa Lake
Day 4 · Pokhara
Pokhara
Day 5 · Tolka
Trek Begins: Kande to Tolka
Day 6 · Ghandruk
Tolka to Ghandruk
Day 7 · Tadapani
Ghandruk to Tadapani
Day 8 · Ghorepani
Tadapani to Ghorepani
Day 9 · Tikhedhunga
Sunrise on Poon Hill
Day 10 · Pokhara
Trek Ends: Nayapul and Pokhara
Day 11 · Kathmandu
Return to Kathmandu
Day 12 · Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Day 13 · Kathmandu
Departure
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 1 · Kathmandu
Arrival in Kathmandu
On arrival in Kathmandu, you are met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Soaltee Kathmandu (suggested)DinnerDay 2 · Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur and Changu Narayan
After breakfast, a morning tour of Bhaktapur Durbar Square. In the afternoon, a tour of Changu Narayan. Overnight in Bhaktapur.
Breakfast, DinnerDay 3 · Pokhara
To Pokhara and Phewa Lake
After breakfast, drive to Pokhara (210 km, about 7 hours). In the afternoon, a boat ride on Phewa Lake (about 1 hour). Overnight in Pokhara.
Temple Tree Resort (suggested)Breakfast, DinnerDay 4 · Pokhara
Pokhara
After breakfast, hike to Chapakot from Pokhara. Alternatively, you can mountain-bike from Pokhara to Pame (about 1.5 hours) and hike from Pame to Chapakot. Overnight in Pokhara.
Temple Tree Resort (suggested)Breakfast, DinnerDay 5 · Tolka
Trek Begins: Kande to Tolka
Pick-up from your hotel in Pokhara and drive to Kande (1,770 m), where the trek begins. Overnight at a local lodge.
Local tea-house lodges (per brochure)Breakfast, lunch, dinnerDay 6 · Ghandruk
Tolka to Ghandruk
After breakfast, walk to Landruk (1,565 m) on a flat, gradual descent, with some gentle ascent, then on to Ghandruk. Walking time is about 5 hours. Overnight at a local lodge.
Local tea-house lodges (per brochure)Breakfast, lunch, dinnerDay 7 · Tadapani
Ghandruk to Tadapani
A gradual climb through forest makes for a pleasant day's walk (about 4 hours). Overnight at a local lodge.
Local tea-house lodges (per brochure)Breakfast, lunch, dinnerDay 8 · Ghorepani
Tadapani to Ghorepani
The first part of the walk goes downhill for about half an hour, followed by a 45-minute uphill walk to Banthanti (2,520 m). Walking time is about 6 hours. Overnight at a local lodge.
Local tea-house lodges (per brochure)Breakfast, lunch, dinnerDay 9 · Tikhedhunga
Sunrise on Poon Hill
An early-morning climb of about an hour to Poon Hill (3,200 m) for sunrise. Walking time is about 7 hours, including Poon Hill. Overnight at a local lodge.
Local tea-house lodges (per brochure)Breakfast, lunch, dinnerDay 10 · Pokhara
Trek Ends: Nayapul and Pokhara
A walk on flat land through several villages, then on to Pokhara. Overnight at your hotel.
Temple Tree Resort (suggested)Breakfast, lunch, dinnerDay 11 · Kathmandu
Return to Kathmandu
Drive back to Kathmandu from Pokhara (210 km, about 7 hours). The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Soaltee Kathmandu (suggested)Breakfast, DinnerDay 12 · Kathmandu
Kathmandu
A tour of Swayambhunath and Kathmandu city, with Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Soaltee Kathmandu (suggested)Breakfast, DinnerDay 13 · Kathmandu
Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Kathmandu airport in time for your onward flight.
Breakfast
Where you'll stay
Accommodations
Day 1 · Kathmandu
Soaltee Kathmandu (suggested)
Days 3–4 · Pokhara
Temple Tree Resort (suggested)
Days 5–9 · Tolka
Local tea-house lodges (per brochure)
Day 10 · Pokhara
Temple Tree Resort (suggested)
Days 11–12 · Kathmandu
Soaltee Kathmandu (suggested)
How it works
Made to order
- Every Tourcan trip is built by a specialist, not a template — the route, hotels, and pace are tuned to how you want to travel.
- Dates are flexible. There are no fixed departures; we plan around your calendar.
- Quotes and bookings happen by phone and email with your specialist — no automated checkout, just a real conversation.
What's included
Inclusions and exclusions
Included
- Accommodation on a twin-sharing basis, hotel taxes included
- Meals as noted in the itinerary
- Private airport transfers
- Sightseeing tours and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking local guide for sightseeing in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Entrance fees to the monuments in the itinerary
- Drinking water on board the vehicle
- All current government taxes
- Trekking lodge accommodation and meals on trek days as listed
Not included
- Nepal visa fee
- International flights and airport taxes
- Personal expenses such as telephone, laundry, bar bills and internet
- Gratuities for guides and drivers
- Travel and medical insurance
- Any costs from emergency evacuation or rescue
- Tours and transfers not listed in the itinerary
- Extra hotel nights for any reason
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included in the price of any Tourcan itinerary. We strongly recommend comprehensive coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, and baggage.
Your specialists
Plan this trip with Dinesh, Mukesh, and Crista
Dinesh Sapra
Senior Travel Consultant
Senior Travel Consultant specializing in Europe, Asia and the South Pacific.
Mukesh Sharma
Senior Travel Consultant
Senior Travel Consultant specializing in Asia and the South Pacific.
Crista Bongais
Tours Coordinator - Asia