10 Days in Nepal: The Ultimate Itinerary
Ten days is the sweet spot for a first trip to Nepal — enough to combine ancient cities, jungle wildlife, lakeside calm and a real Himalayan trek without rushing.
A glimpse of 10 Days in Nepal
Overview
If you have ten days in Nepal, you can experience the country's three great faces — its living medieval culture, its wild Terai jungle, and its Himalayan high country — at a relaxed pace. This itinerary pairs the UNESCO-listed temples of the Kathmandu Valley with a jungle safari in Chitwan, the lakeside ease of Pokhara, and the famous Poon Hill (Ghorepani) trek — a short, beginner-friendly walk that rewards you with a sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
It is designed for first-time visitors of average fitness and works in either direction. Prefer not to trek? Swap the trek days for more time in Pokhara, a Bandipur detour, or extra valley exploration. The best seasons are autumn (October–November) and spring (March–April), when skies are clearest. Below is the day-by-day plan, followed by transport logistics, an honest Nepali-rupee budget, where to stay and eat, and practical tips.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrive in Kathmandu
Land at Tribhuvan International Airport, transfer to Thamel and settle in. Shake off the journey with an easy wander through the old bazaars of Asan and Indra Chowk, and dinner in Thamel. If you arrive early, visit nearby Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Day 2 — Kathmandu Valley heritage
A full day of UNESCO sites: Swayambhunath (the hilltop "Monkey Temple") at the start of the day, then Kathmandu Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath on the Bagmati, and the great Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath — magical at dusk during the evening kora.
Day 3 — Bhaktapur, then drive to Chitwan
Spend the morning in medieval Bhaktapur, the best-preserved of the valley's royal cities, then travel south to Chitwan (about 5–6 hours by tourist bus, or a short flight to Bharatpur). Evening: a Tharu cultural welcome in Sauraha.
Day 4 — Chitwan National Park safari
A full day of wildlife in Chitwan — a jeep safari and a dugout-canoe trip on the Rapti River, with chances to spot one-horned rhinos, crocodiles, deer and a wealth of birdlife (and, with luck, a Bengal tiger). Visit the elephant breeding centre and enjoy a riverside sunset.
Day 5 — Chitwan to Pokhara
Travel west to Pokhara (about 5 hours). Spend the afternoon by Phewa Lake — hire a colourful doonga boat out to the Tal Barahi temple, then relax at a Lakeside café beneath the Annapurnas.
Day 6 — Pokhara highlights
Pre-dawn drive to Sarangkot for sunrise over Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas, optionally paragliding back down to the lake. Afternoon: Davis Falls, Gupteshwor Cave and the World Peace Pagoda. Stock up on any trekking gear you need.
Day 7 — Trek begins: drive to Nayapul, walk to Tikhedhunga/Ulleri
Drive to Nayapul (about 1.5 hours) and start the Poon Hill trek, walking through villages and terraced fields to Tikhedhunga and up the famous stone staircase toward Ulleri (around 1,960–2,070m).
Day 8 — Ulleri to Ghorepani
Climb through enchanting rhododendron and oak forest to Ghorepani (about 2,860m), a ridge village with your first big mountain panorama.
Day 9 — Poon Hill sunrise, trek to Tadapani/Ghandruk
Rise before dawn for the short climb to Poon Hill (3,210m) and a glorious sunrise over Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas and the "Fishtail." Descend and trek on toward Tadapani and the handsome Gurung village of Ghandruk.
Day 10 — Trek out, return to Pokhara, fly to Kathmandu
Walk down to the road and drive back to Pokhara, then take the short flight (or drive) to Kathmandu for your onward departure. (Tip: if your international flight is early, keep this as a Pokhara night and fly out on an extra Day 11.)
Best Time to Go
Autumn (late September–November) is the prime window: stable weather, the clearest Himalayan views and the festival season. Spring (March–April) is the other sweet spot, with warm days and rhododendrons in bloom along the Poon Hill trail. Winter (December–February) is doable — Chitwan and the valley are pleasant and Poon Hill is still walkable, though cold with possible snow up high. The monsoon (June–August) is green but wet, with cloud often hiding the peaks. See our autumn and spring season guides for detail.
Transport & Logistics
You will use a mix of road and air. Tourist buses link Kathmandu–Chitwan (~5–6 hrs), Chitwan–Pokhara (~5 hrs) and Kathmandu–Pokhara (~6–8 hrs); short domestic flights save time on the Kathmandu–Pokhara and Bharatpur (Chitwan) legs. A popular time-saver on Day 10 is the 25-minute Pokhara–Kathmandu flight.
Trek permits: the Poon Hill trek lies in the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you need an ACAP permit (NPR 3,000) and a TIMS card (NPR 2,000), both arranged easily in Pokhara or Kathmandu. A guide and/or porter is optional on this easy route but recommended for first-timers; check current rules, which periodically require a licensed guide for national-park treks.
Budget for 10 Days
Rough per-person costs for 10 days on the ground in Nepal (excludes international flights), in Nepali rupees:
| Style | Per day | 10-day total |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | NPR 3,000–5,000 | NPR 30,000–50,000 |
| Mid-range | NPR 8,000–15,000 | NPR 80,000–150,000 |
| Comfort | NPR 18,000+ | NPR 180,000+ |
On top of daily costs, budget separately for: a Chitwan safari package (roughly NPR 2,500–6,000), domestic flights (about NPR 5,000–8,500 each), trekking permits (ACAP NPR 3,000 + TIMS NPR 2,000), and heritage-site entry fees in the valley (for example Kathmandu Durbar Square around NPR 1,000, Bhaktapur around NPR 1,800). A guide/porter for the trek adds roughly NPR 3,500–5,000 per day.
Where to Stay & Eat
Kathmandu: base in or near Thamel for convenience, or quieter Jhamsikhel/Patan. Chitwan: stay in Sauraha, from budget lodges to riverside resorts. Pokhara: Lakeside (Baidam) puts cafés, boats and mountain views on your doorstep. On the trek: simple, friendly teahouses provide a room (NPR 500–1,500) and hearty meals — the all-you-can-eat dal bhat is the trekker's staple.
Eat widely: momos and dal bhat everywhere, Newari specialities in the valley, Tharu cuisine in Chitwan, and Pokhara's broad international café scene. Drink filtered or treated water and ease into street food.
Tips & Practical Advice
- Pack for three climates: warm valley days, humid jungle, and cold mountain mornings — layers plus a warm jacket and a rain shell.
- Don't want to trek? Replace Days 7–9 with extra Pokhara time, a Bandipur or Begnas Lake detour, or more valley exploration.
- Visa: most nationalities get a visa on arrival; fill the form online in advance and bring the fee in US dollars and a passport photo.
- Build a buffer: keep the final day flexible in case of flight delays, and avoid connecting tightly to an international departure.
- Acclimatise sensibly: Poon Hill tops out at 3,210m — drink plenty of water and walk at a steady pace.
- Go slower if you prefer depth: this is a full ten days — see our 7-day and 5-day itineraries for shorter trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 10 days enough for Nepal?
Yes — ten days is an ideal length for a first trip. It lets you combine the Kathmandu Valley, a Chitwan jungle safari, Pokhara and a short Himalayan trek like Poon Hill at a comfortable pace, without feeling rushed.
Can a beginner do the Poon Hill trek in this itinerary?
Yes. Poon Hill (Ghorepani) is one of Nepal's easiest classic treks — mostly well-made trails and stone steps, with comfortable teahouses each night and a top altitude of 3,210m. It suits first-time trekkers and families with reasonable fitness.
How much does a 10-day Nepal trip cost?
On the ground, budget travellers can manage on about NPR 30,000–50,000, mid-range travellers NPR 80,000–150,000, and comfort travellers NPR 180,000 or more for the ten days — excluding international flights and extras like the Chitwan safari, domestic flights and trek permits.
What is the best time for a 10-day Nepal itinerary?
Autumn (October–November) and spring (March–April) are best, with the clearest mountain views and stable weather. Winter is fine for the valley, Chitwan and Poon Hill but cold up high; the monsoon is green but often cloudy.
Should I fly or drive between cities?
Both work. Tourist buses are cheap and scenic but slow (5–8 hours per leg); short domestic flights (about NPR 5,000–8,500) save time, especially Kathmandu–Pokhara and the Bharatpur leg for Chitwan. Many travellers bus one way and fly the other.
Do I need permits for the trek?
Yes — the Poon Hill trek needs an ACAP permit (NPR 3,000) and a TIMS card (NPR 2,000), both easily arranged in Pokhara or Kathmandu. Check whether a licensed guide is currently required for national-park treks.
Can I do this itinerary without trekking?
Absolutely. Swap the three trek days for more time in Pokhara, a detour to the hilltop town of Bandipur, Begnas Lake, or deeper exploration of the Kathmandu Valley.
Is this itinerary good for families?
Yes, with the easy Poon Hill trek it works well for active families. For young children you can replace the trek with lakeside and cultural days. Chitwan's wildlife is a hit with kids.
Which direction is better — start with the trek or end with it?
Most travellers do culture and jungle first and finish with Pokhara and the trek, so they acclimatise gradually and end on a scenic high. The itinerary works equally well in reverse if your flights suit it.
Do I need a visa for Nepal?
Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport for 15, 30 or 90 days; Indian citizens do not need one. Fill the application online in advance and bring a passport photo and the fee in US dollars.
How fit do I need to be?
Average fitness is enough. The Poon Hill trek involves several hours of walking a day with some long staircases, but no technical terrain. Training with some hill walks beforehand makes it more enjoyable.
Can I add Everest Base Camp to 10 days?
Not comfortably — Everest Base Camp itself needs about 12–14 days. With ten days, the Poon Hill trek is the realistic Himalayan option; save EBC for a dedicated trip.
By the BriefNepal Travel Desk
Researched and maintained by our Nepal-based editorial team and reviewed for accuracy. Last updated June 18, 2026. Prices, permits and conditions change — always verify before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
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