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Snow-covered Himalayan peaks above green terraces and village houses in the Annapurna region, Nepal

Sample journey · 14–18 days

Nepal — into the Himalayas

The Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara & the Annapurna foothills

Photo: Raimond Klavins / Unsplash

Illustrative journey ideas — not bookable packages. No prices, dates or accommodation are implied.

Nepal can seem like a journey only for seasoned trekkers, yet in the Annapurna region the trails link villages where you can sleep in simple, welcoming lodges, eat a steaming plate of dal bhat for dinner and watch the sun reach the snow peaks each morning. The length and difficulty of the walk can be shaped around you, from a few gentler days in the foothills to a longer route higher into the mountains.

Before and after the mountains there is time for the Kathmandu Valley, where temple squares, monasteries and craftsmen's courtyards are still part of daily life, and for Pokhara, beside Phewa Lake. This sample also leaves room for buffer days: mountain weather changes and flights are sometimes delayed, so breathing space matters more than a tight schedule.

The route

The journey

  1. Kathmandu
  2. Pokhara
  3. Annapurna region
  4. Pokhara
  5. Chitwan
  6. Kathmandu
  1. Pagoda-style temples in Kathmandu's Durbar Square, lit up at dusk

    01Days 1–3 · Kathmandu Valley

    The valley's old cities

    The first days are for settling in. With a local guide you might explore the Durbar Squares of Patan and Bhaktapur, walk the circuit around Boudhanath stupa as pilgrims gather in the evening, and wander the lanes of Asan market, with its spices, candles and copper pots.

  2. Sunset over the hills and boats on the still water of Phewa Lake, Pokhara

    02Days 4–5 · Pokhara

    Beside Phewa Lake

    A short flight or a longer drive through the hills brings you to Pokhara. You can take a boat out on the lake, watch dawn from Sarangkot if the sky is clear, and prepare for the trek without rushing — checking boots, meeting your guide and talking through the route.

  3. First light on a summit of the Annapurna massif, seen from Ghandruk, Nepal

    03Days 6–11 · Annapurna region

    On foot between mountain villages

    A lodge-based trek, with no tents and no heavy packs, since porters can carry your bags. A classic loop of a few days through Ghandruk, Ghorepani and Poon Hill passes rhododendron forest, terraced fields and Gurung villages; if you'd like more, the route can extend towards Annapurna Base Camp. Daily distances are set around your fitness, and height is gained gradually.

  4. The white World Peace Pagoda above Pokhara, with flowers in bloom in the foreground

    04Days 12–13 · Pokhara

    Buffer days and rest

    After the trail there's no need to hurry: a massage, a book by the lake or a walk up to the World Peace Pagoda. These days also act as a buffer if you need to wait for better weather in the mountains or a flight is delayed.

  5. Two men poling a wooden canoe along a river in Chitwan National Park

    05Days 14–16 · Chitwan

    Optional: the forests of Chitwan

    If you'd like to extend the journey, a few days in the lowlands of Chitwan National Park. Guided jungle walks, a canoe trip along the river and birdwatching; rhinos or crocodiles are sometimes seen, though nature makes no promises.

  6. Swayambhunath stupa lit up at night on its hill above Kathmandu

    06Days 17–18 · Kathmandu

    A last evening in the valley

    Back in Kathmandu there's time for Swayambhunath above the city, a last browse through the lanes of Thamel or simply a quiet dinner before the journey home.

Experience highlights

  1. 01

    Boudhanath at dusk

    Pilgrims circle the great stupa turning prayer wheels, as evening chanting drifts from the surrounding monasteries.

  2. 02

    Dawn from Poon Hill

    A short climb before sunrise and, if the sky is clear, the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges light up one after another.

  3. 03

    Evenings in mountain lodges

    A stove in the shared dining room, a steaming plate of dal bhat and conversation with fellow walkers and your hosts — simple, cosy evenings.

  4. 04

    Bhaktapur's courtyards

    Potters' Square, carved wooden windows and yoghurt served in clay bowls — an old town where life still happens outdoors.

First, we listen. Then, we explore what's possible.

Make it your own

  • A gentler walk

    A three- or four-day route in the Annapurna foothills, with shorter distances and more time in the villages — suitable even if you've never walked in the mountains.

  • Higher into the mountains

    Annapurna Base Camp or the Mardi Himal trail, with longer days and more time to adjust to altitude. Worth preparing for well in advance.

  • With a family

    Short day walks from Pokhara, boats on the lake, Chitwan's forests and more free time — you can feel the mountains without a multi-day trek.

  • Another season

    Autumn often brings the clearest skies and spring the rhododendron bloom; in the monsoon months trails are wetter and the peaks more often in cloud. Conditions vary from year to year.

Practical considerations

  • Lodge treks need no mountaineering skills, but a few months of regular walking beforehand helps you enjoy every day.
  • Weather sometimes delays flights to and from Pokhara, so it's worth leaving at least one buffer day.
  • Mountain lodges are simple and welcoming; facilities usually become more basic the higher you go.
  • In the Kathmandu Valley a local guide helps you understand the meaning behind temples, rituals and festivals.

General guidance only. Seasons, weather and wildlife are never guaranteed, and travel requirements are always worth checking before you go.

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