10-Day Nepal Itinerary: Trek, Temples, and Mountains (2026 Guide)

Can You Really See Nepal in 10 Days?

Yes. Ten days is enough to walk through 2,000-year-old temple squares, trek above 3,000 metres in the Himalayas, and watch the sun rise over the Annapurna range from a lakeside town. You will not see everything — Nepal is too big for that — but you will see enough to understand why people keep coming back.

This itinerary is built for travellers with 10 days (including arrival and departure). It covers Kathmandu, a 5-day trek in the Annapurna region, and Pokhara. Every suggestion here is based on routes we operate and distances we have actually driven or walked.

The 10-Day Itinerary at a Glance

Days 1-2: Kathmandu Valley

Day 1 — Arrival

Most international flights land at Tribhuvan Airport in the afternoon. Your hotel transfer takes 20-40 minutes depending on traffic. Thamel is the standard base for tourists — it is loud, colourful, and everything you need is within walking distance.

If you arrive with energy to spare, walk to Garden of Dreams, a restored Edwardian park 5 minutes from Thamel. It costs NPR 400 entry and is the quietest place in central Kathmandu.

Day 2 — Kathmandu Sightseeing

Start early. A full day of Kathmandu sightseeing covers four UNESCO sites:

• Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) — 365 steps to the hilltop stupa. Sunrise here is worth the early alarm. Panoramic views of the valley.
• Kathmandu Durbar Square — The old royal palace complex. Some earthquake damage remains, but the Kumari house and Hanuman Dhoka are open.
• Pashupatinath Temple — Nepal's holiest Hindu temple on the Bagmati River. Non-Hindus cannot enter the main temple but can walk the grounds and watch cremation ceremonies from the opposite bank.
• Boudhanath Stupa — The largest stupa in Nepal. Walk clockwise around the base with the locals. The rooftop restaurants surrounding it are excellent for lunch.

A private car and guide for this full-day tour costs around $40-60. For a deeper look at Kathmandu, read our Kathmandu travel guide.

Days 3-7: The Trek

This is the core of the trip. You have three strong options for a 5-day trek from Pokhara, each at a different difficulty level.

Option A: Poon Hill Trek (Easiest)

The classic short trek in Nepal. You walk through Ghandruk and Ghorepani villages, climb to Poon Hill (3,210m) for a sunrise panorama of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South, and descend via Tadapani. Our Poon Hill trek package covers this in 6 days, but a fit walker can do it in 5.

Maximum altitude: 3,210m. No altitude sickness risk for most people. Suitable for beginners. Read more in our Poon Hill trek guide.

Option B: Mardi Himal Trek (Moderate)

A newer, quieter trail that reaches Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500m. The views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) are closer here than on any other trek. Fewer tea houses, fewer trekkers. Our Mardi Himal trek package runs 5 days from Pokhara.

Maximum altitude: 4,500m. Moderate fitness required. One night above 4,000m — acclimatisation matters. Full details in our Mardi Himal guide.

Option C: Short Annapurna Base Camp (Challenging)

A compressed version of the ABC trek, starting from Jhinu Danda or Chhomrong and reaching Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m) in 5 days. This is fast-paced — you need to be comfortable with 6-7 hour walking days. The reward is standing in the Annapurna Sanctuary, surrounded by peaks on all sides.

Maximum altitude: 4,130m. Good fitness required. Not recommended if you have never trekked at altitude before.

What Is Included on the Trek?

• TIMS permit and Annapurna Conservation Area permit
• Licensed English-speaking guide
• Tea house accommodation (twin sharing)
• Three meals per day on the trek
• Duffel bag and down jacket provided free of charge
• Porter service (Standard and Luxury tiers — see cost table below)

Days 8-9: Pokhara

Day 8 — Lakeside and Activities

After 5 days of walking, Pokhara feels like a different country. The town sits on the shore of Fewa Lake with the Annapurna range reflected in the water on clear mornings.

Spend the morning on the lake — a rowboat costs NPR 1,000-1,500 per hour. In the afternoon, paragliding from Sarangkot is the big draw: a 30-minute tandem flight costs $70-90 and you fly directly over the lake.

Other options: visit the International Mountain Museum, walk to the World Peace Pagoda, or simply sit in a lakeside cafe and do nothing. You have earned it. Our full Pokhara activities guide covers everything.

Day 9 — Sarangkot Sunrise and Free Time

Wake at 4:30 AM for the drive to Sarangkot viewpoint (1,592m). On a clear morning, you will see Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, and Manaslu — five 8,000m peaks in a single panorama. The sunrise colours last about 20 minutes.

The rest of the day is yours. Options include Mahendra Cave, Gupteshwor Cave, the Seti River gorge walk, or shopping for Tibetan handicrafts on Lakeside Road.

Day 10: Return to Kathmandu and Departure

The morning flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu takes 25 minutes and costs around $100-120 one way. The tourist bus takes 7 hours and costs $10-15. If your international flight departs in the evening, the morning flight gives you time for last-minute shopping in Thamel.

For the Kathmandu-to-Pokhara journey options, read our complete transport guide.

How Much Does 10 Days in Nepal Cost?

Costs vary depending on how you travel. Here is a realistic breakdown for this itinerary in 2026:

These figures exclude international flights and travel insurance. For a detailed cost breakdown, see our Nepal trekking costs guide.

When to Go

The two best windows for this itinerary are:

• October-November — Clear skies, stable weather, best mountain views. This is peak season. Book treks at least 2 months ahead.
• March-April — Rhododendron season in the Annapurna foothills. Warmer temperatures. Slightly hazier views than autumn but fewer crowds.

December-February works for Kathmandu and Pokhara, but trekking above 3,000m is cold and some tea houses close. June-September is monsoon season — not recommended for this itinerary. More detail in our best time to visit Nepal guide.

Practical Tips

• Visa: Available on arrival at Tribhuvan Airport. 15 days = $30, 30 days = $50. Bring passport photos and cash (USD accepted).
• Cash: ATMs work in Kathmandu and Pokhara. On the trek, carry enough Nepali rupees for personal extras (hot showers, charging, snacks). Budget NPR 2,000-3,000 per day.
• Altitude: If choosing Mardi Himal or short ABC, take Diamox only after consulting your doctor. Drink 3-4 litres of water daily above 3,000m.
• Insurance: Helicopter evacuation cover up to 6,000m is essential. Standard travel insurance does not cover trekking — check the fine print.
• Packing: For trekking gear advice and what to buy in Thamel, read our Kathmandu gear shopping guide.

Book This Itinerary

We run all three trek options (Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, and short ABC) as part of customisable packages. You can combine any trek with our Kathmandu-Pokhara tour for a complete 10-day trip.

Tell us your dates and preferred trek, and we will put together a detailed plan with fixed pricing — no hidden costs.

• WhatsApp us directly:+977 981 035 1300 (replies within a few hours)
• Browse trek options:Poon Hill Trek | Mardi Himal Trek | Kathmandu-Pokhara Tour

We are a government-licensed Nepal trekking company (Reg 147653, TAAN #1586) based in Kathmandu. We provide duffel bags and down jackets free on all treks. You pay a 10% deposit to confirm, with the balance due on arrival in Kathmandu.