Nepal Honeymoon in 8 Days: Kathmandu, Nagarkot and Pokhara Day by Day, with Cost

Last updated 12 October 2026.

Short answer: An eight-day Nepal honeymoon works well as three nights in Kathmandu, one night on the Nagarkot ridge for the sunrise, and three nights in Pokhara beside Phewa Lake, with two short flights and no trekking. Our Nepal Honeymoon Tour, 8 days costs USD 1,290 (Budget), USD 1,765 (Standard) or USD 2,955 (Luxury) per person for a couple. It is private, with your own guide and vehicle, and Standard and Luxury include a flower and cake surprise and a private candle-lit dinner by the lake. The clearest months are October to November and February to April.

Couples write to me every year, usually from the UK, the US and Australia, and the question is almost always the same: "We have eight or nine days. What do we do?" Most want a bit of culture, a bit of mountain view and a bit of quiet. They do not want long road days or a group of strangers. That is what I built. Below is the trip day by day, what the three tiers change, what it costs, and the honest limits. I cannot promise a clear sky on the morning you choose.

Nepal honeymoon in 8 days at a glance

What does each day look like?

How do the first three days in Kathmandu work?

We meet you at the airport, take you to the hotel and let you sleep. In the late afternoon we go to Boudhanath, the great white stupa at the centre of Tibetan Buddhist life in Kathmandu. At sunset people walk the kora clockwise, butter lamps are lit, and the rooftop cafes look down on the whole scene. It is a quiet way to begin, and if your flight lands late we move it to another day. On day 2 we walk through Patan Durbar Square, the old city of metalworkers, and climb to Swayambhunath, the hilltop stupa. It is 365 steps from the front, so we can use the back entrance by vehicle if you prefer. My Kathmandu travel guide has more, and my notes on arriving at Kathmandu airport explain the first hour.

On day 3 we drive east to Bhaktapur, the best preserved of the old Malla cities, and walk Durbar Square, the five-storey Nyatapola temple and the potters' square. Read my Bhaktapur day trip for the details. In the afternoon we continue up to Nagarkot.

Is Nagarkot worth a night?

For a honeymoon, yes. Nagarkot is a ridge on the eastern rim of the valley at 2,175 m, and the hotels face the Himalaya. The sunset from the terrace is the reason couples stay the night, and the sunrise is the reason they set the alarm. On a clear morning you can see snow peaks along the northern horizon. It is cooler than Kathmandu, so bring a warm layer. The weather decides, and cloud sometimes hides the mountains, but the light on the valley is worth the early start. If you want to compare it with the other hill town near Kathmandu, read my guide to Nagarkot or Dhulikhel, and my longer Nagarkot guide.

What happens in Pokhara?

After the sunrise we drive to Kathmandu airport for the short flight to Pokhara. A driver meets you and takes you to your hotel, and in the late afternoon you take a private boat on Phewa Lake, past the temple on its small island. On Standard and Luxury there is a flower and cake surprise waiting in the room that night. We ask for a lake-facing room where the hotel has one, but that is not guaranteed.

Day 5 starts early. Your vehicle takes you up to Sarangkot before dawn, only your party, with a flask of tea. As the light comes up, the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre appear above the valley. Cloud can hide them, and your guide will tell you at 4:30 am if the forecast is poor. My Sarangkot sunrise guide explains what to expect. After breakfast the day is slow. You can see the Bindhyabasini temple and the old bazaar, or rest, and in the evening Standard and Luxury guests have a private candle-lit dinner by the lake. Day 6 is the World Peace Pagoda by boat and a short, steady 45-minute walk through the forest, with a road if you prefer, and an afternoon with nothing planned. Paragliding, boating and spa visits can be booked locally and are not included. My guide to Pokhara adventure activities helps if one of you wants more action.

When is the best time for a Nepal honeymoon?

The Pokhara figures are 1991 to 2020 averages from the same weather table I use on our Annapurna pages, not forecasts. Book early for the weeks around Dashain and Tihar, and read my festival calendar for the 2027 dates. My best time to visit Nepal guide has the month-by-month detail.

What does it cost?

Prices are per person. For a couple, the whole trip is double the figure. Budget has seven nights in simple, clean hotels, breakfast each morning, a private car or van, an English-speaking licensed guide, the flights to and from Pokhara, the Sarangkot drive, the private boat, and the entrance fees at Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Patan and Bhaktapur. Standard moves to 3-star hotels and adds all meals, the flower and cake surprise and the candle-lit dinner. Luxury has deluxe hotels with ensuite rooms, a senior guide and a more spacious air-conditioned vehicle. International flights, the visa, travel insurance, tips, drinks, and Kathmandu hotel nights before or after the programme are extra. Your guide's flights are included. You do not need a marriage certificate.

It is a short trip, and I would rather say so. If you can stretch to ten days, my family itinerary and the Kathmandu and Pokhara 4-day tour show other ways to use the time. For ideas beyond this route, read my Nepal honeymoon guide.

Questions people ask

How many days do you need for a honeymoon in Nepal? Eight days is enough for Kathmandu, Nagarkot and Pokhara without rushing. If you want a trek or the jungle, add days.

What is the best time for a Nepal honeymoon? October to November for the clearest skies, then February to April. The summer rains bring green hills and hidden mountains.

How much does a Nepal honeymoon cost? Our 8-day private tour is USD 1,290, USD 1,765 or USD 2,955 per person for a couple, depending on the tier. Flights to Nepal, the visa and insurance are extra.

Do we need to be fit? No. There is no trekking. The longest walk is about 45 minutes to the World Peace Pagoda, and a road is available.

Is the trip private? Yes. You have your own guide and vehicle, and nobody else decides the pace.

Can you promise mountain views? No. We plan for sunrises and give you spare time, but cloud can hide the peaks. Nagarkot and Sarangkot give you two chances.

Do the hotels have double beds? On Budget, ask when you book, because a double bed is not guaranteed. On Standard and Luxury you have a private room, and you can ask for a double bed when you book.

Can we add a trek or the jungle? Yes, tell me before you book. A short trek like Poon Hill from Pokhara or a few days in Chitwan can follow the honeymoon.

How are the terms for this trip?

Group size is up to 4 guests, and you can also travel alone. The deposit is 10 per cent and it is non-refundable, with no refund if you cancel. You can reschedule free of charge with at least 72 hours notice to any date within one year. The balance is paid on arrival in Kathmandu in USD or EUR, cash or by card. Card carries 3.5 per cent and cash in Kathmandu carries none. We do not take Nepali rupees from foreign clients. Buy travel insurance at home that covers domestic flights and medical care. We do not recommend insurance bought in Nepal.

How do you plan this with us?

Message me on WhatsApp on +977 9810351300 with your dates, your arrival time and whether it is for a honeymoon, an anniversary or a birthday. I will tell you which tier and which route I would choose, and send you the exact quote.

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586. WhatsApp +977 9810351300.