10 Days in Nepal: Exploring mountains and hidden gems

Nepal. One of the most wonderful countries, with ancient temples, towering Himalayan peaks, chaotic cities, but above all, the most peaceful of places. I spent 10 days in Nepal, and it quickly became one of my favourite countries ever.

Why visit Nepal? – 10 days in Nepal

Most people head to Nepal to embark on the challenge of attempting to hike to Base Camp. However, there is so much more to this country, and it is absolutely worth visiting even if you don’t want to take this on. In fact, it would be a desperate shame if you visited Nepal and missed out on all the other things it has to offer! So even if you only have time to spend 10 days in Nepal, it is still absolutely worth going.

Nepal is perfect for:

• Trekking: Nepal is a dream destination for hikers of all levels. There is plenty to offer, even if you aren’t visiting Base Camp
• Stunning landscapes: Nepal has some of the most breathtaking landscapes – be inspired and humbled, taking in the view of the awesome Himalayas.
• Rich culture and spirituality: Nepal is a spiritual hub, with a blend of Hinduism and Buddhism, and centuries-old traditions deeply woven into daily life.
• Ancient history and heritage: Nepal is steeped in history, with ancient kingdoms, impressive temples, and UNESCO World Heritage.

Is 10 days in Nepal enough?

Is any time in any country ever enough? While you could easily spend a lot longer than 10 days in Nepal, this itinerary will give you a taste of everything and a chance to see the highlights.

Although it is worth noting, hikes to base camps are not included in this 10 days in Nepal itinerary. If you want to embark on one of those challenges, it will take nearly the entire 10 days. Or you would need to make your trip much longer.

How to travel around Nepal

Nepal isn’t the easiest country to travel around, which can make it challenging if you only have 10 days in Nepal. There are airports in Kathmandu and Pokhara, so the fastest way to travel between the two is by air.

Alternatively, if you want the cheapest way, you can look at buses. Bear in mind that travel is slow, so you might need to allow yourself some more time to get between destinations. There are two options for buses. The first is the public bus, which you can catch almost anywhere you want to go in the country, and they are extremely cheap. However, you will need to contend with unreliable timetables, old and tired buses, cramped seating and questionable safety. The other option is a tourist bus, which does guarantee you a seat. The main routes are Kathmandu–Pokhara, Kathmandu–Sauraha (Chitwan) and Pokhara–Sauraha.

By far the easiest way is to arrange a private driver. This allows you the flexibility to travel on your own timetable and can stop for breaks when you wish. It is worth noting that foreigners aren’t allowed to drive in Nepal, so self-driving isn’t an option.

Final point, buses and cars use the same roads. These are poorly maintained, full of potholes and dusty and muddy. As well as being subject to random traffic jams. Patience and a sense of adventure are key.

I travelled around Nepal with G Adventures, which meant we had a private driver for the duration of the tour. And this definitely felt like the best option. The tour I took was:

Nepal: Mountains and Temples

10 days in Nepal – itinerary overview

• Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu
• Day 2: Kathmandu
• Day 3: Hike to Panauti
• Day 4: Panauti
• Day 5: Drive to Bandipur
• Day 6: Bandipur
• Day 7: Drive to Pokhara
• Day 8: Pokhara
• Day 9: Drive to Kathmandu
• Day 10: Depart Kathmandu

10 days in Nepal – itinerary in detail

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (stay 2 nights)

Depending on what time of day you arrive will depend on how much time you have to explore the city on your first day. Most people will arrive late afternoon, so don’t plan too much other than checking into your hotel and wandering out to grab a Dal Bhat – Nepali Thali.

There are actually three cities located in Kathmandu Valley, all royal cities and all linked together. Kathmandu itself, Patan and Bhaktapur. I recommend staying in either Patan or the Thamel area of Kathmandu.

WHERE TO STAY IN KATHMANDU:
Traditional Stay Boutique Hotel (Patan) – Traditional comfy rooms and only a 4-minute walk from Patan Durbar Square.

Day 2: Kathmandu

For a full breakdown of all things you cannot miss in Kathmandu:
Epic Places to Visit in Kathmandu: Breathtaking Sights & Amazing Culture

A lot of people say to skip Kathmandu when visiting Nepal, but I disagree. I loved this city. It is noisy, chaotic and alive and a great place to explore. This is going to be a busy day of sightseeing in Kathmandu, but well worth it to get a feel of the city. Make sure not to miss out on the following:

Swayambhunath Stupa – Also known as the Monkey Temple, this is one of Nepal’s most significant Buddhist sites. Dating back to 460 A.D. and built by King Manadeva, it features many shrines and monasteries. By the 13th century, it had become a key centre of Buddhism.

Kathmandu Durbar Square – Durbar means “palace,” and all buildings here relate to the palace. Tourists must pay 1,000 rupees for entry, so keep your ticket handy. The square was heavily damaged in the 2015 earthquake, and reconstruction will take years. Be sure to visit the Tribhuvan Museum, which showcases artefacts from the King of Nepal.

House of the Living Goddess – In Nepali traditions, the Living Goddess, or Kumari, is a chosen virgin representing divine female energy. Selected around age 3, she lived in a house until her first bleeding. The Kumari leaves only during specific festivals, and her feet cannot touch the ground. Visitors can try to catch a glimpse of her, but if she smiles, it’s considered a bad omen.

Thamel – One of the more well-known areas in Kathmandu. A maze of narrow alleyways packed full of shops – it is the perfect place to pick up some souvenirs, bags, and anything you might want for the outdoors.

Patan Durbar Square – Finally, head back to Patan to see the royal palace area in this city. You can enter the palace and walk around the inside.

Day 3-4: Panauti (2 nights)

Everest Panoramic Flight

Before leaving Kathmandu, there is the option of taking a very early flight. The destination listed on the departure boards is ‘Mountain’. But this is the sightseeing flight to fly past Mount Everest. If you have no intention of hiking to Base Camp, this is a great option for a chance to see the mountain. Be aware that this is very weather-dependent, so there is a chance it will get cancelled.

Top Tip: There are multiple companies you can book your flight through. Take a look at the options here: Scenic flight to Everest

Hike to Panauti

Drive to Sangu and from there depart on a beautiful hike to the village of Panauti. Along the way, you will pass local villages and travel through the stunning scenery of lush hills and forests. A perfect way to experience rural and serene Nepal. Before eventually arriving in the historic village of Panauti.

Where to stay in Panauti

If you travel to Panauti, then there is only one place to stay – Panauti Community Homestay. This was a highlight of my entire time in Nepal, and a must-do.

Top Tip: To ensure you get the most out of your homestay at Panauti Community Homestay, book at least two nights. More meals to cook, henna to have painted and time to chat!

This Community Homestay is a women-led initiative that started in 2012 and became one of the founding members of the Community Homestay Network (CHN), which now has over 36 locations across Nepal. It connects travellers with local families and is one of the best ways to support the community. While staying with our host family, we cooked together, chatted and played cards, learned about their routine, helped with the house, had henna tattoos and were dressed in their traditional dress for a local dance.

What to do in Panauti

For all the details on what to do in Panauti: A Complete Guide to Visiting Panauti, Nepal’s Hidden Cultural Treasure

Bike Ride – one of the best ways to see the surrounding countryside, and see a little more of the village, is on a bike ride. You can do this through the Community Homestay with Panauti Bike Tour. The ride takes 3-4 hours, going via the old market, Indreshwor Temple, and Tri-beni Ghat. Then via orange farms to Sunthan, onwards to Khopasi, a small Newari town, where you have the best Nepali masala tea. Finally, return to Panauti to visit a silk farm.

Indresvar Mahadev temple – One of the largest Newari pagoda-style wooden temples in Nepal, it dates back to 1294. It took nearly 90 years to complete, and has been restructured over the years, as well as surviving numerous earthquakes, including the most recent 2015 one.

Tri-beni Ghat – A serene and spiritual place in Panauti, which is located at the confluence of three rivers. Steps lead down into the water, and religious rituals and holy dips take place here.

The Palace Ruins – There is very little that remains of the palace, and hardly any excavation has been done. But you can spot the place where it once stood, although now it is more likely to be used as a football pitch!  

Day 5-6: Bandipur (2 nights)

Bandipur is a real hidden gem of a town. Quiet, peaceful and beautiful – it is a perfect escape to relax amongst the beautiful scenery of the Himalayas.

An early start for day 5, to get on the road to Bandipur. It is just over 170 KM by road, but due to the remote roads and the conditions, it will feel like a fairly long drive.

Arrive in Bandipur before sunset, and head to the Tundikhel viewpoint, where, if the weather is behaving, you will have the most stunning views. We had quite a bit of cloud, so we could only see the top of the mountains peering out – but it was enough to be in awe of their size.

Check out this post on all the things not to miss in Bandipur:
Bandipur Nepal: the beautiful, hidden gem Newari town

Hike to Ramkot

Ok, so you might not be in Nepal for one of the famous, huge hikes, but it is still a country that deserves to be hiked in. And this hike offers the perfect compromise. It is around 14 KM there and back, and offers a chance to see rural life in Nepal. As well as stunning scenery and beautiful temples.

Thani Mai

Step steeps will lead you up to this temple, but the view at the top is worth the effort. The temple itself is a small Hindu temple, but it is the 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside and the town that make this hard to beat.

Wander Banidpur

Spend the rest of your time wandering around this incredibly picturesque part of the country. From traditional buildings, to the town square, cute cafes and little shops to browse. You will want to spend some time just soaking up the atmosphere of this place.

Day 7-8: Pokhara (2 nights)

On the road again, and this time to Pokhara. It is only an 80 KM drive, but again, because of the road, this could take the best part of 4.5 hours.

Pokhara is Nepal’s second-largest city and the gateway to the Annapurna circuit, meaning it is hugely popular with trekkers. But, it is not a destination only for trekkers and is worth a visit to see some of the awesome places to visit in Pokhara.

Upon arrival, the best way to burn off some energy after sitting in a van for a few hours is to hire a boat on Phewa Lake and row out to visit the Tal Barahi temple. Located on an island in the middle of the lake.

The next day, make sure you are up early to head up to the Sarangkot viewpoint for the most amazing sunrise over the Himalayas.

Also check out the World Peace Pagoda, Pumdikot Shiva Statue and Devi’s Fall

For more details on how to spend your time in Pokhara, don’t miss this post: Awesome places to visit in Pokhara, Nepal

WHERE TO STAY IN POKHARA:
Batika Classic Hotel – This hotel is good value for money, with friendly staff and within walking distance from the Lake.

Day 9-10: Kathmandu

Two days at the end to spend in Kathmandu might seem like a lot, but the first day is almost entirely going to be taken up with the 200KM drive from Pokhara to the capital. And then on the 10th day, you depart.

If you do have any time left in the city, head to Pashupatinath Ghats and Temple. It is one of the most sacred Hindu temple complexes in Nepal. Located on the banks of the Bagmati River, families bring their loved ones here to set funeral pyres on the ghats for cremation, a final stop for many Hindus. Respectful viewing from across the river is culturally acceptable.

Should you have more time than 10 days in Nepal?

You absolutely could spend a lot more time than 10 days in Nepal, and if you have that luxury, then I am very jealous! If this is you, then there are some further places you should consider adding to your itinerary.

• Chitwan National Park – Visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site for a safari and a chance to see a rhino.
• Everest Base Camp – needs no introduction. If you want to embark on one of the most challenging and iconic hikes.
• Annapurna Base Camp – Typically takes 7-12 days. This is another incredibly challenging hike, but with beautiful, rewarding views.

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If you are heading to Nepal, I hope this post on how to spend 10 days in Nepal helps! And have the most amazing time, this country is really something special.

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