Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Assuming you land early enough to start the day, take a taxi from Tribhuvan International Airport to Swayambhunath Stupa on Swayambhu Hill; allow roughly 30–60 minutes, depending on traffic. Give yourself about 1½ hours for the hilltop shrines and broad valley views. There are steep steps if you climb from the eastern side, so a taxi to the western entrance can save your legs; expect a modest entry fee, often around NPR 200 for international visitors, and carry cash.
Head to Garden of Dreams in Thamel by taxi, usually around 20–40 minutes from Swayambhu in traffic. Allow an hour to slow down among the pavilions and lawns; it typically opens daily from morning until evening, but check locally in case hours or access have changed. Entry for international visitors is commonly around NPR 400. Then wander Thamel’s lanes for crafts and trekking essentials—prices are negotiable, and it’s worth comparing a couple of shops before buying.
Stay in the neighborhood for OR2K, a colorful vegetarian restaurant that’s a relaxed finish after a travel day. Budget roughly NPR 800–1,500 per person; it’s popular, so allow a little time for a table at busy dinner hours. This schedule works best with a morning arrival; if your flight lands later, traffic and airport formalities may make completing every stop in order unrealistic.
Start early at Pashupatinath Temple in Gaushala; a taxi from central Kathmandu usually takes 20–40 minutes, depending on traffic. Allow about two hours to explore the riverside complex and observe its rituals respectfully. Non-Hindus can visit much of the complex but cannot enter the main temple; dress modestly, ask before photographing people, and expect an entrance fee for foreign visitors—check the current rate at the gate. Cremation ceremonies take place along the river, so keep a quiet distance.
Walk or take a short taxi ride to Guhyeshwari Temple, near Pashupatinath, and allow around 45 minutes. It’s an important Shakti shrine, but access inside may be restricted to Hindus; check with staff before entering, and enjoy the architecture and atmosphere from permitted areas if you’re asked to stay outside.
Take a taxi to Boudhanath Stupa in Boudha—typically 15–30 minutes, though traffic can stretch that. Give yourself 1½–2 hours to walk the kora clockwise with local pilgrims, then wander the monastery-lined lanes. There’s usually an entry fee for visitors who aren’t local; confirm the current charge at the entrance. For a relaxed break, finish at Roadhouse Café Boudha for pizza or Nepali-inspired dishes; budget roughly NPR 1,000–1,800 per person. The surrounding cafés and rooftop terraces are lovely for lingering, but leave extra time for the taxi back if you’re crossing the city in evening traffic.
Allow 7–9 hours door to door for the tourist bus from Kathmandu, including getting to the departure point and transferring from Pokhara’s arrival stop to your accommodation. Leave early, and confirm the operator’s pickup point and arrival arrangements when you book; traffic and road conditions can stretch the trip. After checking in, keep the rest of the day easy and head to Lakeside on foot or by a short taxi ride.
Take an unhurried, roughly one-hour stroll along the Phewa Lake lakeside promenade to loosen up after the journey. If you still have daylight and the boats are running, continue to Tal Barahi Temple, on an island in the lake: allow about 1–1½ hours including the short boat ride. Boat availability and fares can vary, so check at the lakeside landing before setting off.
Finish at Moondance Restaurant in Lakeside, a relaxed spot with a varied menu; budget about NPR 800–1,600 per person. Keep dinner flexible if the bus runs late—both the promenade and temple visit are easy to shorten, and you’ll have a fuller day to explore Pokhara tomorrow.
Leave Lakeside before dawn by taxi or pre-arranged car for Sarangkot; the uphill drive usually takes about 30–45 minutes, and you’ll want 2–3 hours there including the round trip. Sunrise over the Annapurna range is weather-dependent, so keep expectations flexible: clouds can hide the peaks, but the valley views are worthwhile regardless. There’s typically a small local entrance fee, often around NPR 50–100; carry cash and a warm layer, as the ridge can feel chilly before sunrise.
Head down to Devi’s Falls in Chhorepatan, about 30–45 minutes by car from Sarangkot depending on traffic. Allow around 45 minutes; the waterfall’s flow varies by season, and paths can be slippery when wet. Cross the road to Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave for a 45–60-minute visit. Expect steep steps and damp surfaces, and check locally before entering: access and water levels can affect what’s open. Together, the two sights generally cost a few hundred rupees per person; bring small notes.
Take a taxi or ride-hailing car to the International Mountain Museum in Ratopairo—roughly 15–25 minutes from Chhorepatan. Give the exhibits about 1½–2 hours; opening hours and admission can change, so check locally before setting out. Afterward, return to Lakeside for dinner at Café Concerto. A taxi usually takes around 15–25 minutes, or you can wander the lakeside streets if you still have energy. Budget roughly NPR 1,000–1,800 per person for dinner; after this full day, it’s worth booking a car back to your hotel rather than relying on tired legs.
Start at dawn at Bindhyabasini Temple in Old Bazaar. Allow 45–60 minutes for the hilltop shrine and its views; go respectfully, and check locally for the day’s access and पूजा timings, as these can vary. A taxi from Lakeside is the easiest way up, usually around 15–25 minutes depending on traffic.
From the temple, spend about an hour wandering Pokhara Old Bazaar’s traditional market lanes, then head back toward Lakeside for an early brunch or takeaway at The Juicery Café. Budget roughly NPR 700–1,400 per person. Be realistic: a full visit to all three stops plus the road transfer makes for a very long day, so keep the temple and bazaar visits focused and take brunch to go if needed.
The tourist bus to Kathmandu typically takes 7–9 hours door to door, and traffic or road conditions can push arrival later. To have a reasonable chance of reaching Kathmandu before late evening, confirm the operator’s earliest suitable departure and pickup point in advance; if it leaves before you can complete the morning stops, a domestic flight (about 3–4 hours door to door, including airport logistics) is the more practical option, subject to schedules and booking. Arrange onward transport from your Kathmandu arrival point ahead of time, especially if you arrive late.
No packing list attached yet.