Itinerary Kathmandu, Pokhara & Annapurna Region

Seasonality: October is an excellent time to visit Nepal. It's post-monsoon, so skies are clear, views are stunning, and temperatures are ideal for trekking and cultural exploration.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	$1,500
🏨 Accommodations	$400
🧳 Gear	$150
🗺️ On-site	$850
Total	$2,900

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇳🇵 Kathmandu - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🛕 Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Iconic hilltop stupa with panoramic valley views. Beware of playful monkeys.

• [ ] 🏛️ Kathmandu Durbar Square ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Ancient royal complex; key for Newar architecture and vibrant atmosphere.

• [ ] 🛕 Pashupatinath Temple ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Sacred Hindu cremation temple by the river; non-Hindus cannot enter inner sanctum but ghats are memorable.

• [ ] 🏛️ Boudhanath Stupa ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • A spiritual heart for Tibetan Buddhists; circumambulate the large white dome and spin prayer wheels.

• [ ] 🏙️ Thamel District ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Lively area for cafes, shopping, and trekking supplies; bustling evenings.

• [ ] 🌳 Garden of Dreams ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Restful historic garden; ideal to unwind after sightseeing.

• [ ] 🎨 Patan Durbar Square & Museum ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Beautiful architecture and artifacts; cross the Bagmati River to nearby Patan.

• [ ] 🏙️ Bhaktapur Durbar Square ⭐⭐ (~2.5h)

  • Medieval city known for pottery and temple art.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Sam's Bar (Thamel) ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Iconic backpacker bar with laid-back vibe and local beers.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Yangling Tibetan Restaurant ⭐⭐⭐
  • Renowned for momos (dumplings) — approx $5 per meal.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Kopan Monastery (~2h)
  • Peaceful Buddhist retreat with meditation courses.

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🇳🇵 Pokhara - 4 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏙️ Lakeside Pokhara ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Central hub with cafés and gear shops — lively lakeside promenade.

• [ ] 🌳 Phewa Lake & Tal Barahi Temple ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Rent a rowboat for temple visit; tranquil waters and mountain backdrop.

• [ ] 🏔️ World Peace Pagoda ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Stupa atop a hill with sweeping Annapurna views; hike or taxi up.

• [ ] 🏙️ Old Bazaar ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Local trading hub; traditional architecture and vibrant spices.

• [ ] 🌳 Devi’s Fall ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Scenic waterfall; best after monsoon.

• [ ] 🏔️ Gupteshwor Cave ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Accessible limestone cave near Devi's Fall; sacred shrine.

• [ ] 🏛️ International Mountain Museum ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Inspiring mountaineering history and culture of Himalayas.

• [ ] 🌳 Sarangkot Sunrise Viewpoint ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h, incl. commute)

  • Spectacular sunrise panorama over Annapurna range.

• [ ] 🚣 Begnas Lake ⭐ (~3h)

  • Quieter alternative to Phewa Lake, good for tranquil walks.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Busy Bee Café ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Classic Pokhara live music venue; popular with travelers.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Moondance Restaurant ⭐⭐⭐
  • Local and international cuisine with great views, around $8–10.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🎨 Gurkha Memorial Museum (~1h)
  • Documents valiant history of Gurkha soldiers.

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🇳🇵 Annapurna Region (Trekking) - 7 days

(Base: Pokhara; Annapurna Sanctuary/Ghorepani-Poon Hill trek as the classic moderate adventure)

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏞️ Ghorepani ⭐⭐⭐ (~1 day hike)

  • Famous teahouse stop, rhododendron forests.

• [ ] 🏔️ Poon Hill for Sunrise ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h at top)

  • Legendary views of Annapurna & Dhaulagiri; pre-dawn start.

• [ ] 🏞️ Ulleri to Tadapani ⭐⭐ (~1 day hike)

  • Stone steps, Magar villages, waterfalls.

• [ ] 🏞️ Ghandruk Village ⭐⭐ (~1 day hike)

  • Gurung culture and beautiful terraced fields.

• [ ] ⛺ Teahouse stays ⭐⭐ (each night)

  • Cozy lodges with Nepali food; meet trekkers worldwide.

• [ ] 🌳 Chomrong Village ⭐⭐ (~1 day hike)

  • Gateway to Annapurna Sanctuary — epic views.

• [ ] 🏔️ Annapurna Base Camp ⭐⭐⭐ (~1 day hike)

  • Ultimate goal for dedicated trekkers — breathtaking glacial amphitheater.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🔥 Fireside at Teahouses ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Share stories over dal bhat and tea.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Lodge dining (Dal Bhat power!) ⭐⭐⭐
  • Unlimited Nepali lentil-rice set (~$5–8).

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏞️ Hot Springs at Jhinu Danda (~2h)
  • Soothe muscles after trekking.

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🎬 Films & series to watch

🇳🇵 Kathmandu

• [ ] 🎬 Himalaya (Caravan) (1999) — ⭐ 7.5 — Stunning tale of Nepalese mountain life — Prime Video
• [ ] 📺 Sacred Wonders (2019) — ⭐ 8.2 — Sacred sites including Pashupatinath — BBC/Netflix

🇳🇵 Pokhara

• [ ] 🎬 Everest (2015) — ⭐ 7.1 — Dramatization of real Himalayan climbing disaster — Netflix
• [ ] 📺 Departures S2E1 (Pokhara/Annapurna) — ⭐ 8.9 — Canadian travel docuseries — Prime Video

🇳🇵 Annapurna Region

• [ ] 🎬 Sherpa (2015) — ⭐ 7.7 — Story of Sherpas and Himalayan expeditions — Netflix
• [ ] 📺 Expedition Unknown: Lost City of the Monkey God (2018) — ⭐ 8.2 — Adventure travel in wild places — Discovery+

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🍜 Local specialties

🇳🇵 Kathmandu

• [ ] Momos (Tibetan-style dumplings)
• [ ] Chatamari (Newari rice crepe)
• [ ] Sel Roti (rice doughnut)

🇳🇵 Pokhara

• [ ] Thakali khana (mountain meal set)
• [ ] Fresh fish from Phewa Lake
• [ ] Bara (fried lentil patties)

🇳🇵 Annapurna Region

• [ ] Dal Bhat (lentils, rice, veg)
• [ ] Tibetan bread
• [ ] Gorkhali lamb curry

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📍 Maps - places to pin

🇳🇵 Kathmandu

1. 🌤️ Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
2. 🌙 Sam’s Bar (Thamel)
3. 🛍️ Asan Bazaar
4. 🏨 Alobar1000 Hostel
5. 🍽️ Yangling Tibetan Restaurant

🇳🇵 Pokhara

1. 🌤️ World Peace Pagoda
2. 🌙 Busy Bee Café
3. 🛍️ Old Bazaar
4. 🏨 Zostel Pokhara
5. 🍽️ Moondance Restaurant

🇳🇵 Annapurna Region

1. 🌤️ Poon Hill
2. 🌙 Tadapani (Teahouse area)
3. 🛍️ Ghandruk Village shop
4. 🏨 Ghorepani Teahouse
5. 🍽️ Chomrong Lodge

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✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Kathmandu
• [ ] 🚌 Kathmandu → Pokhara
• [ ] 🚌 Pokhara → Nayapul (trek start)
• [ ] 🚌 Nayapul → Pokhara
• [ ] 🚌 Pokhara → Kathmandu
• [ ] ✈️ Kathmandu → London

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🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Kathmandu	3	Alobar1000 Hostel	$60
Pokhara	4	Zostel Pokhara	$80
Annapurna Trek	7	Teahouses	$210
Total	14		$350

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