Nepal Kathmandu & Pokhara Tour
NPL 014 · 5 Nights · 6 Days
Nepal Kathmandu & Pokhara Tour
A perfect blend of spiritual heritage and Himalayan scenery. Kathmandu's ancient temples, the iconic Pashupatinath Ganga Aarti, Manakamana cable car, and the tranquil lake city of Pokhara with sunrise views over the Annapurna range.
Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most sacred Shiva shrines in the world — the Ganga Aarti here rivals Varanasi in spiritual intensity and draws thousands of devotees at dusk.
Boudhanath is the largest stupa in Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking the kora (circumambulation) at dawn alongside Buddhist monks is a profoundly peaceful experience.
Manakamana Temple, perched at 1,302m, is believed to fulfill wishes. The 10-minute cable car ride offers sweeping views of the Trisuli River valley far below.
Pokhara's Sarangkot viewpoint delivers one of the most spectacular mountain panoramas on earth — Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) lit by the rising sun.
Ideal for: Senior Citizens · Families · First-Time International Travelers
Day-by-Day Journey
Activities & Schedule
- Airport pickup and hotel check-in
- Pashupatinath Temple evening darshan & Ganga Aarti (starts 5:30 PM)
- Orientation walk through Thamel market
- Welcome dinner at hotel
Stay
Kathmandu
Meals
Dinner
Activities & Schedule
- Boudhanath Stupa — morning kora walk alongside Buddhist monks
- Patan Durbar Square — finest Newar architecture in Nepal (UNESCO Heritage)
- Swayambhunath — the Monkey Temple, a hilltop Buddhist stupa overlooking the valley
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square — medieval capital with the 55-Window Palace
Stay
Kathmandu
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Activities & Schedule
- Early drive to Manakamana (3 hrs from Kathmandu)
- Manakamana Temple cable car — wish-fulfilling Goddess shrine at 1,302m
- Continue drive to Pokhara (3 hrs through scenic Gandaki hills)
- Phewa Lake boat ride at sunset
Stay
Pokhara (Lakeside)
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Activities & Schedule
- Sarangkot sunrise (4:30 AM departure) — Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre panorama
- David Falls (Patale Chhango) — waterfall that disappears underground
- Gupteshwar Mahadev Cave — natural Shiva lingam inside a sacred cave
- World Peace Pagoda — Japanese Buddhist stupa with panoramic valley views
- Bindhyabasini Temple — patroness Goddess of Pokhara city
Stay
Pokhara
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Activities & Schedule
- Leisure morning at Phewa Lake or Lakeside market
- Drive to Kathmandu (7 hrs via Prithvi Highway)
- Stop at Sanga — 143-foot Shiva statue, tallest in Nepal
- Kathmandu Durbar Square evening stroll (lit at night)
Stay
Kathmandu
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Activities & Schedule
- Breakfast at hotel
- Last-minute shopping — Thamel (pashminas, thangka paintings, rudraksha)
- Tribhuvan International Airport drop (3 hours before flight)
Meals
Breakfast
Where You'll Stay
Hotel Tibet / Hotel Moonlight
Lakeside Retreat / Hotel Landmark
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- 5 nights accommodation — 2 nights Kathmandu (3-star) + 3 nights Pokhara (lakeside hotel), twin-sharing
- Daily breakfast + dinner throughout (vegetarian meals always available on request)
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing
- Manakamana Temple cable car tickets (return journey)
- Sarangkot sunrise jeep transfer (4:30 AM departure)
- Phewa Lake shared boat ride
- Boudhanath Stupa entry fee
- Patan Durbar Square entry fee
- English/Hindi-speaking guide for all days of sightseeing
- Nepal entry assistance — document checklist and border guidance
- All applicable government taxes and tourism levies
- 24/7 support from Nithyeshwar Tours coordinator throughout the trip
Not Included
- Airfare or train/bus fare to/from Kathmandu (can be arranged separately)
- Lunch throughout (approx. ₹200–400 per meal at local restaurants)
- Personal expenses — shopping, laundry, phone calls, tips
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended — from approx. ₹350/day)
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square entry fee (NPR 1,500 for Indian nationals)
- Swayambhunath entry fee (NPR 200)
- Optional pony/golf cart at temples
- Any services not explicitly listed under Inclusions
How to Book
Required Documents
- Valid Indian Passport OR original Voter ID card
- Children under 18 must carry original birth certificate & school ID
- For foreign nationals/NRIs: Valid Passport & Nepal Tourist Visa
Payment Schedule
Important Notes
- Indian currency notes of ₹100 and below are widely accepted in Nepal.
- Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, and Driving License are NOT accepted at immigration.
- Hotel check-in time is usually 2:00 PM and checkout is 12:00 PM.
Know Before You Go
Visa & Entry
Indian citizens do NOT need a Nepal visa. Entry is completely visa-free with a valid Indian passport or original Voter ID. NRI or foreign nationals require a valid passport and Nepal tourist visa (obtainable at Kathmandu airport or Sonauli border, USD 25 for 15 days).
ID Documents (Critical)
Original valid Passport OR original Voter ID is mandatory at the Nepal border. Aadhaar card, PAN card, and driving licence are NOT accepted at any Nepal entry point. Students must carry original school ID + parent's ID. Children under 18 must carry original birth certificate.
Fitness Level
This is an Easy-level package. Normal walking fitness is sufficient. Sarangkot involves a short uphill walk (~20 min) — a seated jeep alternative is available. No altitude concerns at any point of this itinerary.
What to Pack
- 1 small daypack + 1 main bag (keep your original ID in your daypack at all times)
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip — avoid slippers at temples
- Warm jacket for Sarangkot sunrise (temperature ~5°C at 4:30 AM year-round)
- Light rain jacket (April–September)
- Reusable water bottle (Nepal tap water is not potable — buy sealed bottles)
- Basic first aid (antiseptic, antacid, ORS sachets)
- Small denomination INR or some NPR cash for tips and small purchases
- Camera with extra memory card — Pokhara sunrise and Boudhanath are unmissable
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Indian SIM cards in Nepal?
Indian SIMs (Airtel/Jio/Vi) work in Nepal on international roaming, but charges are high and coverage may be limited outside Kathmandu and Pokhara. We recommend buying a local Nepal SIM at Kathmandu airport on arrival — NCell or Nepal Telecom costs approx. NPR 200 with 5 GB data and works excellently across both cities.
Is the Manakamana cable car safe for senior citizens?
Yes. Manakamana cable car is a standard enclosed gondola — similar to ski lifts at Indian hill stations (Gulmarg, Auli). It is very safe, runs year-round, and the ride takes about 10 minutes each way. Seniors with mobility issues can remain seated throughout. Those with severe acrophobia (fear of heights) may find the open valley views challenging.
Can we fly Kathmandu–Pokhara instead of driving?
Yes. The Kathmandu–Pokhara flight is only 25 minutes and costs approx. ₹4,000–5,500 per person (subject to availability). We can arrange this as an upgrade. Note: you will miss the Manakamana Temple stopover unless we restructure that day — our team can adjust the itinerary accordingly.
Are vegetarian / satvik food options available throughout?
Nepal is extremely vegetarian-friendly. All our included meals (breakfast + dinner) are 100% vegetarian. Most Kathmandu and Pokhara restaurants offer Indian thali and pure veg options. Satvik meals (no onion, no garlic) can be arranged with 24 hours' prior notice through our coordinator.
Terms & Conditions
Cancellation Policy
Travel Insurance
Highly recommended for international travel to cover medical emergencies or trip delays.
Changes & Amendments
Itinerary changes can be done up to 14 days prior to departure, subject to availability and flight rescheduling fees.
Company Rights
Nithyeshwar Tours reserves the right to modify the route or hotels due to weather anomalies, landslides, or political closures.
Refund Policy
No refund for unused services (hotel nights, meals, sightseeing, transport) once the tour starts.
Age Restriction
No strict age limits for this tour. Safe for toddlers and senior citizens.