Witness sunrise over the wonderous snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas and share in the personal triumphs of trekking in the mountain villages with this ultimate 10 Day Nepal Itinerary! Whether this is your first time in Nepal or your first time doing a multi-day hike, the famous Gorephani Poon Hill trek is an epic way to start.
Experience the wonder of the Himalayan Region. Take in the epic views of rice valleys and glacial rivers; forests of Rhododendron and truly explore the culture of rural Nepal that trekking so wholesomely encapsulates.
The views from Poon Hill are spectacular. Share sunrise on top of the mountain you’ve just climbed with uninterrupted, panoramic views of some of the largest and most photogenic Himalayan mountains.
And each trekking night you will stay in a hilltop village, drink tea and eat fresh food from the mountains; waking up to the bells of buffalos and mules. Meet local guides and families who have been living this way for generations!
Read on for a summary first followed by all the details and everything you need to know to plan the ultimate 10 Day Nepal Itinerary!
Summary – Nepal 10 Day Itinerary
See your complete adventure below.
- Day 1 – Arrival in Kathmandu
- Day 2 – Tour of Kathmandu
- Day 3 – Bus to Pokhara
- Day 4 – Pokhara
- Day 5 – Poon Hill Trek Day 1
- Day 6 – Poon Hill Trek Day 2
- Day 7 – Poon Hill Trek Day 3
- Day 8 – Poon Hill Trek Day 4
- Day 9 – Poon Hill Trek Day 5
- Day 10 – Fly to Kathmandu and Final Day
- Day 11 – Departure
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS – 10 Day Nepal Itinerary
There is so much of Nepal to share! Here are the highlights from this 10 Day Nepal Itinerary.
- Explore the historic UNESCO sites of Kathmandu
- Experience awe-inspiring Himalayan sunrise from Poon Hill (3210m)
- Spectacular views to Dhaulagiri, Himchili, Annapurna I, Machapuchhre and the Annapurna Range
- Stay in local tea houses and lodges
- Learn about diverse flora and fauna of the mountain region
- Trek the iconic suspension bridges
- Traverse through Annapurna Conservation Area
- Explore the beautiful landscapes of farming fields and serene waterfalls, green hills and natural vistas
- Visit the Gandruk Museum and try traditional Gurung dress
Choosing a trekking agency for your 10 Day Nepal Itinerary
Our Nepal Group Trip and Poon Hill Trek is organised with the support of 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking Agency based in Pokhara.
Choosing a trekking agency is the biggest decision of the Nepal adventure and without doubt the right agency will make your 10 day Nepal itinerary one to treasure.
- The 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking Agency specialises in training and employing female guides and assistants for treks in and around the Himalayas in Nepal; empowering women through a training programme and NGO Empowering Women of Nepal.
The training program teaches local women the necessary skills for trekking and guiding, including English language skills and knowledge of the tourism and hospitality industry.
The company has strict restrictions to ensure the safety and respect of their employees – women assistants can carry a maximum of 10kg and male assistants 13kg. (And trust me; we saw some porters carrying +30kg!).
Since the company was started in 1994 over 2,000 women from all over Nepal have completed the training.
We look forward to telling you more about it!
The complete adventure – 10 Day Nepal Itinerary
Read on for the full details.
Day 1 – Arrival in Kathmandu
The first day of this 10 Day Nepal itinerary is your chance to arrive and get settled (temporarily) in Kathmandu. It’s easiest to arrange an airport pickup with your hotel and transfer directly to Thamel – the popular tourist and accommodation area of Kathmandu.
Check in and depending on the time of day you have arrived take a wander through Thamel. We recommend dinner for night one in Kathmandu at Everest Momo or try a Dhal Baat Thali at Places Restaurant.
- Overnight in hotel, Kathmandu.
Day 2 – Tour of Kathmandu
Enjoy Nepali breakfast at your hotel and start the morning with a day tour of Kathmandu.
Kathmandu is a city full of historic and cultural sites including Swayambhunath, one of the sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites and the famous Basantapur Durbar Square. This square was once the royal palace of the Malla and Shah kings and remains with the original architecture that showcases the skills of the Newari people.
Leave a couple of hours free in the afternoon for some shopping in Kathmandu and any last minute purchases for your upcoming trek from Pokhara.
Try a Nepali dinner in Thamel at Yangling Tibetan Restaurant.
- Overnight in hotel, Kathmandu.
Day 3 – Bus to Pokhara – 10 Day Nepal Itinerary
An early start to get the 07:00am Tourist Bus to Pokhara. Recline and enjoy the sights of rural Nepal following the river from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
The bus stops 3 – 4 times for snacks, lunch and refreshments and you will arrive in Pokhara in the late afternoon where the first sight are the peaks of the surrounding Annapurna Region.
Given that bus timetables and travel times are somewhat fluid/flexible in Nepal take this even for a quiet night in with dinner at your hotel or a Nepali Dal Bhat on the lakeside.
- Read how to get the Tourist Bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
- Overnight in hotel, Pokhara.
Day 4 – Trek Prep in Pokhara – 10 Day Nepal Itinerary
Start with breakfast at your hotel in Pokhara.
Leave the morning free to explore Pokhara and to check the shops for anything else you need for the trek. After lunch visit the Pokhara museum before meeting with your Guide and trekking Assistant at 3 Sisters Trekking Agency.
Dinner at Lakeside, Pokhara.
- Overnight in guesthouse, Pokhara.
Day 5 – Nayapul to Hille – Trek Day 1
Your Poon Hill trekking adventure begins! Transfer by Jeep to the trek starting point of Birethanti; the first village of the trek.
Here your Permits are checked and the official adventure really begins. The path from here is peaceful along a dirt road and follows the Bhurungdi Khola river through farming villages and lush mountain valleys before starting a steady climb up the valley to Hille; your home for the first evening.
- Read our complete guide to Day 1 of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek from Pokhara to Hille here.
- Overnight in guesthouse, Hille.
Day 6 – Hille to Gorephani – Trek Day 2
Day 2 starts with a steep ascent up the famous stone steps to the Magar village of Ulleri (1960m). With a few (plenty) stops on the way up you can look forward to tea with incredible views overlooking the valley down to Hille.
The trail continues with a steady climb through colourful villages until lunch on the hillside of Banthanti (2250m). And from there you will follow the river in the shade of the beautiful Rhododendron forests to Gorephani (2875m).
Ghorepani village is the highest-altitude village of the trek. The name “Ghore Pani” translates to ‘horse water’ in Nepali as this village was once a rest stop for traders and travellers to quench the thirst of their horses on the way to Tibet.
- Read our complete guide to Day 2 Poon Hill Trek from Hille to Ghorepani here.
- Overnight in teahouse, Gorephani.
Day 7 – Poon Hill (3210m) Sunrise – Gorephani to Tadapani – Trek Day 3
The third day of the trek is one of the feelings of achievement and awe that is hard to describe. Start the day with the main destination of the trek – sunrise at summit of Poon Hill (3210m). Sip a hot tea and watch the sun coming up over the mighty peaks of the Annapurna Range. This is what you have come for!
Descend again to the guesthouse for a delicious breakfast and begin the days trek with a first ascent up Deurali Pass looking back at the spectacular panorama of Poon Hill.
The majority of today is downhill with lunch beside the river. The afternoon winds downwards through Rhododendron forest before the final (shorter) climb to Tadapani (2610m).
- Read our complete guide to Day 3 Poon Hill Trek from Ghorepani to Tadapani here.
- Overnight in teahouse, Tadapani.
Day 8 – Tadapani to Gandruk – Trek Day 4
Sunrise is spectacular again today with a view from the guesthouse overlooking the Annapurna Range. And today is the easiest trekking day with a short downhill trek from Tadapani to Gandruk.
Arrive around lunchtime in Gandruk and freshen up with lunch and a rest in the afternoon. Gandruk is the biggest village on the Poon Hill trek and home to the ethnic Gurung tribes. Visit the Gandruk Museum and try on traditional Gurung dress.
- Read here about Day 4 Poon Hill Trek from Tadapani to Gandruk.
- Overnight in guesthouse, Gandruk.
Day 9 – Gandruk to Kimche – Trek Day 5
The final day (downhill) of the Poon Hill Trek. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a gentle morning hike descending from Gandruk to Birethanti – back to where the trek started. A Jeep transport will be waiting here to take you back to Pokhara.
Enjoy the afternoon and evening off to rest – and really enjoy the incredible feeling of achievement at completing an amazing 5-Day trek in Nepal!
- Read our complete guide to Day 5 Poon Hill Trek from Gandruk to Kimche and Pokhara here.
- Overnight in Pokhara.
Day 10 – Fly to Kathmandu
Start the day with a morning flight back to Kathmandu. Witness the majestic Himalayan mountains from above this time!
Enjoy one last Nepali dinner in Thamel, Kathmandu and marvel at a fantastic 10 days in Nepal.
- Overnight in hotel, Kathmandu.
Day 11 – Hope you enjoyed Nepal!
Technically the last day of this 10 Day Nepal itinerary! However, if you are short of time with your itinerary for Nepal you could depart on the evening of Day 10 once back in Kathmandu. Safe travels for your onward itinerary!
Have longer than 10 days in Nepal? Extend your 10 Day Nepal Itinerary!
As well as trekking, read more about the best things to do in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the busy and vibrant, historic capital city of Nepal and likely the first point of arrival into the country.
There is plenty to see and do – and eat – in Kathmandu. It is an easy place to do any last minute shopping for gear (cheap or real) for your upcoming trek.
Things to do in Kathmandu
- Swayambhu Temple: Often called the “Monkey Temple” it is well worth the walk up 300 plus steps to the temple at the top for views over Kathmandu Valley.
- Bhaktapur: A UNESCO world heritage site just outside of Kathmandu but well worth the trip (and traffic) to visit.
- Pashupatinath Temple: A fascinating and certainly historic Hindu temple and place of worship in the city.
- Durbar Square: A touristy but must-see stop in the old town of Kathmandu filled with medieval religious, residential and royal buildings.
Pokhara
Pokhara is a city in central Nepal located on the edge of Phewa Lake and is Nepal’s second largest city in terms of both population and area. It is most well-known with travellers as the gateway to the Annapurna Circuit and for hiking in the Annapurna region.
There are many fun things to do in Pokhara so if you have extra time it is worth hanging about a couple of days before or after your Poon Hill Trek.
Things to do in Pokhara
- World Peace Pagoda: A short hike up to the hilltop pagoda with stunning views looking out to the Annapurna Range. Or get a taxi up at sunrise and walk back down.
- Mahendra Gupha: And the Cave of Bats. Just a ten minutes’ walk from the Mahendra Cave is an another cave named the ‘Bat Cave’ or in Nepali language (Chameri Gufa). Not the scenic of visits but they are the sites of Pokhara.
- Phewa Lake: Walk the lakeshore at sunset of take a paddle boat ride with a boatsman (550 NPR for one hour).
- Devis Falls: Small waterfalls just 5km from Pokhara.
- International Mountain Museum: All about mountaineering in Nepal and the communities that live in the mountains.
Best time to visit Nepal
Nepal is such a diverse country there is much to offer year round. However there are pros and cons to travel in Nepal during each season with the different seasons presenting opportunities for the best time to travel to different regions.
Nepal has a broadly temperate climate with four main seasons centred around the summer monsoon season from June to September.
- Summer (June to August): Summer brings the monsoon rains to most of Nepal.However the shoulder sides of summer are a quieter time for trekking and with pleasant temperatures.
- Winter (December to February): A good time to visit the National Park or to hang out in Kathmandu. It is possible to hike at lower altitudes however there can sometimes be snow to 2500m.
- Spring and Autumn: Spring is a good time to visit Nepal’s valleys and forests with beautiful clear skies and pleasant temperatures.
Spring and Autumn is the most popular time to visit Nepal for hikers and mountaineers.
It does have the beautiful weather windows and pleasant temperatures. However if you are looking to visit Nepal on a budget do be aware this is also the high season when booking accommodation.
Visiting Nepal in the shoulder seasons
We most recently completed this 10 Day Nepal Itinerary in September which was (in our opinion) the best time for trekking the Poon Hill Trek. September was just beyond the wet season but before the height of trekking season in the Annapurna Range.
Albeit there was the slight unlived fear of leeches on the trail. But that worry was far outweighed by the bliss of quiet teahouses and empty trails with just a few trekkers at the summit of Poon Hill the day we visited in September. A great experience!
Each season brings pros and cons.
Tips to have the best experience
- Dress appropriately. Although there is no official dress code (when not trekking that is), Nepal is a modest country. It is a good idea to carry a scarf with you for visiting religious sights.
- Take care with foods. Eat at places with high turnover (eat where the locals do) and make sure to practice good hygiene and carry sanitiser with you.
- Carry cash. Nepal operates as largely cash-based society. It is worth carrying small change and notes for tips, toilets and small purchases. In Kathmandu some of the tourist shops accept card payments.
Accommodation for your 10 Day Nepal Itinerary
These are the hotels where we stayed in Nepal and can recommend for your 10 day Nepal itinerary.
- Kathmandu: Magnificent Hotel (mid-range)
- Pokhara: Hotel Trip (budget); Hotel Orchid (budget)
- Hille: Dipak Guesthouse
- Gorephani: Sunny Hotel
- Tadapani: Himalayan Guesthouse
- Ghandruk: Travellers Inn
Read more about Poon Hill Trek
- Poon Hill Trek Day 1 – Pokhara to Nayapul – Nayapul to Hille.
- Poon Hill Trek Day 2 – Hille to Ghorepani.
- Poon Hill Trek Day 3 – Ghorepani to Tadapani.
- Poon Hill Trek Day 4 – Tadapani to Ghandruk.
- Poon Hill Trek Day 5 – Ghandruk to Pokhara.
More about travel planning for Nepal and beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site with a great cancellation policy for flexible planning.
- Skyscanner – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – Insurance for short or longterm and bookable even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Make sure to always have travel insurance before embarking on travel! World Nomads is a good choice for your 10 Day Nepal Itinerary as not all insurance companies cover trekking in Nepal – but they do!
More information for South Asia and planning your 10 Day Nepal Itinerary
- Overnight train in Pakistan from Islamabad to Karachi.
- How to apply for a Pakistan e-Visa: And can you use it at the Wagah Border?
- Crossing the Wagah Border from India to Pakistan.
- Pakistan with kids: A complete guide to travel in Pakistan.
- Money in India: Using ATM’s, withdrawing and carrying your money safely.
- How to use a squat toilet in Asia.
- Our complete packing list for travel in India.
