Nepal is a land of stunning landscapes, vibrant cultures, and majestic mountains. Its territory ranges from tropical lowland to the top of the world within a short distance, making Nepal diverse in many aspects. The tropical lowland preserves the jungles that have been the last shelter of many endangered species like the Royal Bengal Tiger and the Asian Rhino, for which Chitwan National Park is listed as a World Heritage Site by the UN. The middle hills have famous hill stations and charming villages with many adventure activities like White Water Rafting, Bungee jumping, Paragliding, and more. The Himalayan foothills provide famous short treks and hikes with options of comfortable lodges.
Now, many of the popular destinations in Nepal can be planned within a week in Nepal. Thanks to the road network that expands further into the mountains and the betterment of airports, which has made domestic flights more frequent and reliable.
So if you are travelling to South Asia, but only have a week to spare, you’ll be thrilled to learn that recent advancements in domestic travel have made exploring this enchanting nation easier than ever before. These week's itineraries are also popular among people living and working in Asia as Nepal is just about few hours' flight away.
Here are the best one-week itineraries, combining driving and flying options to help you make the most of your time in this beautiful country.
The Golden Triangle Tour of Nepal
Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara are the most popular destinations in Nepal. Kathmandu has the best medieval art, craft, and architectural heritage that has remained untouched to date. The Chitwan National Park is the last shelter of the Royal Bengal Tigers and Asian Single-Horned Rhinos. With three lakes, lush mountains and the Himalayas in the backdrop, Pokhara is known as the natural capital of Nepal. A one-week tour of these three cities is the most popular tour of Nepal, which samples the highlights of Nepal.
Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek
With the extension of the dirt road further into the Modi River Valley, it is now possible to do the Annapurna Base Camp Trek in as little as one week. While those acclimatized have done the shortest ABC trek, even within 5 days from Pokhara and back, the 6-day itinerary is the safest. Your international flight could be connected with a Pokhara flight, saving more days for the trek.
Lower Mustang Tour
A road trip to the trans-Himalayan region of Annapurna is the most scenic in the entire Himalayas. As it traverses the world's deepest gorge, the landscape changes from the lush southern slopes to the arid windswept valleys in the north. Charming little villages with stone and mud houses tightly fitting in honeycomb structures exhibit the intact Tibetan culture. Availability of boutique luxury hotels makes this journey the best way to experience the Himalayas.
As the tour of the lower Mustang could be done within 3 - 4 days from Pokhara and back, this makes the best one-week tour in Nepal, with travel time from Kathmandu and back.
Langtang Trek
Langtang National Park in the north of Kathmandu provides the most vibrant trek, with an option of climbing some adventurous peaks within a week. The Langtang trek to Kyanjin Gompa is considered an easy trek in Nepal and it could be accomplished within 5 - 6 days from Kathmandu and back. For those looking for a more adventurous option, there are a few peaks like Kyanjin Ri (4,777 m) , Tserko Ri (5,010 m) and Yala Peak. (5,500 m)
While these were the four most popular itineraries for one week in Nepal, a tour and trek could be customized according to your fitness and interests. Ghorepani / Poon Hill Trek, Lumbini (birthplace of Buddha), Everest Cultural Trek and Bardiya National Park are other popular destinations which could be customized within a week in Nepal.
Nepal is a treasure trove of adventure and culture, and spending a week here allows you to soak in its beauty without feeling rushed. With improved traveling infrastructure, combining flights and drives gives you the flexibility to see all the highlights. Whether you choose to trek in the mountains, explore cultural sites, or embark on wildlife adventures, there’s something for everyone.