This short trip allows you to appreciate the Kathmandu and Pokhara valleys' grandeur completely. You'll fly to Pokhara and drive to Astam in the lower Annapurna foothills, starting and concluding in Kathmandu. It's the ideal combination of gaining a sense of native village life while taking breathtaking Himalayan views.
Major Highlights Of The 5 Days Trip
- In a short length of time, you can see breathtaking Himalayan views.
- Stay at Astam, a beautiful ridge-top village in the Annapurna foothills.
- You can stay in luxury lodges for a one-of-a-kind experience.
- Before returning to Kathmandu, visit the tranquil lakeside city of Pokhara.
Itinerary In Brief
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu
Day 02: Flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara and then Drive to Astam
Day 03: Drive from Astam to Pokhara
Day 04: Flight From Pokhara to Kathmandu
Day 05: Departure from Kathmandu
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu
You'll enjoy beautiful views of the city, the Himalayas, and the terraced farms below as you fly into Kathmandu. After clearing customs, a representative will greet you and help you settle into your hotel by guiding you through the culture shock of Kathmandu's narrow, winding streets.
Caption: Timeless heritage at Kathmandu's Durbar Square
After you've settled in, go exploring in the city. Durbar Square is an excellent site to begin your research since it leads you through narrow lanes lined with modest stores, ancient temples, and local eateries. Swayambhunath, the white stupa standing above the valley, is a great place to stretch your legs and watch the sunset over the valley.
The tourist hub of Thamel is a good place to eat your first meal in the evening, with a variety of restaurants serving both Western and local Nepali cuisine.
Day 02: Flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara and then Drive to Astam
You will be taken to the Tribhuwan International Airport for your trip to Pokhara after an early breakfast. Before landing in Pokhara, take a breathtaking half-hour flight along the Himalayan Range, passing by four of the world's fourteen most enormous mountains over 8,000 meters: Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Annapurna I, and Shishapangma.
Caption: Serenity Amidst Majestic Himalayan Landscapes
You'll be picked up and taken out of town (1-2 hours) over a gorgeous route to the village of Astam, where you'll enter a world very different from Kathmandu. Beautiful vistas of the Annapurna Range and Machapuchare may be seen along the trip.
Day 03: Drive from Astam to Pokhara
You'll wake up to a stunning vista of the Himalayan Range's Annapurna portion (weather permitting) and a full breakfast to get you ready for the trip back to Pokhara (1-2 hours). Astam is a lovely village in and of itself, so spend some time after breakfast exploring it and the nearby trails.
Day 04: Flight From Pokhara to Kathmandu
After breakfast, you may have time to do some sightseeing, rest or visit one of Pokhara's coffee shops. You'll be picked up from your hotel about 1.5 hours before your flight and brought to the domestic airport to catch your aircraft back to Kathmandu.
Image Cr: Nepal Village Hike
Caption: Astam, Nepal
After being transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu, you can spend the remainder of the day and evening on your own. Explore Kathmandu's streets by foot, bicycle, or rickshaw, perhaps for souvenirs or to see what you missed at the start of your journey.
Choose from a variety of Nepali, Vietnamese, French, and Middle Eastern dishes in Kathmandu in the evening.
Day 05: Departure from Kathmandu
It's time to bid Nepal farewell. Enjoy one more breakfast at a café, a city stroll, and souvenir shopping in Kathmandu. A representative will pick you up from your hotel and transport you to the airport for your return trip home. It's an excellent idea to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight.