Travel guide · Nepal
The Perfect 10-Day Nepal Itinerary
Ten days to balance Kathmandu's temples, a Chitwan safari, Pokhara's lakes and a short Himalayan trek without rushing.
Ten days is the sweet spot for a first trip that touches all three of Nepal's signature experiences: the cultural Kathmandu Valley, jungle wildlife in the Terai and the Himalaya on a short, achievable trek. This plan threads them together with one short flight and a sensible buffer.
The short answer
Spend days 1 to 3 in Kathmandu, then head south to Chitwan for days 4 to 5 of safari. Move west to Pokhara and tackle the Poon Hill trek on days 6 to 9, returning lakeside before flying back to Kathmandu on day 10. Fly the Pokhara to Kathmandu leg to protect your departure.
Day-by-day plan
Days 1 to 3: Kathmandu Valley
Explore the great Buddhist stupas of Boudhanath and Swayambhunath, the riverside Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and the carved palaces of Kathmandu Durbar Square, with a half-day in the medieval city of Bhaktapur. Base yourself in Thamel, the traveller district, and use the third day to arrange your Poon Hill trek logistics and rent any gear — a sleeping bag and trekking poles are useful even on a short walk.
Day 4: Travel to Chitwan
Take the tourist bus or a short flight to Bharatpur, the gateway to Chitwan National Park in the lowland Terai. Settle into a lodge in the riverside village of Sauraha and take an evening walk along the Rapti River as the sun sets over the grasslands, with crocodiles often basking on the far bank.
Day 5: Chitwan safari
Spend the day on a jeep safari and canoe trip, with strong chances of spotting one-horned rhinos, deer, crocodiles and, with luck, a Bengal tiger. A Tharu cultural show rounds off the evening.
Day 6: Chitwan to Pokhara
Drive west to Pokhara, arriving by afternoon. Relax on Phewa Lake and confirm your trek arrangements, since the trailhead is a short drive away.
Days 7 to 9: Poon Hill trek
Begin the three-day teahouse trek from the Nayapul trailhead, climbing through rhododendron forest and stone staircases to the ridge-top village of Ghorepani. Rise in the dark on day 8 for the short walk up to Poon Hill (3,210 metres), where sunrise sets the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges glowing one peak at a time. Descend on day 9 through the forest of Tadapani and the handsome Gurung village of Ghandruk before driving back to Pokhara for a hot shower and a celebratory dinner.
Day 10: Return and depart
Fly back to Kathmandu in the morning, leaving a comfortable margin before your international flight in case of weather delays. Use any spare hours for souvenir shopping in Thamel, where pashminas, singing bowls and handmade paper make good gifts.
What to know before you go
Ten days works because each stop gets two to three nights, so resist adding a fourth destination. Fly the Pokhara to Kathmandu leg at the end to protect your departure, and keep the buffer for the most weather-sensitive flights. Poon Hill is the most beginner-friendly multi-day trek in Nepal — comfortable teahouses, no serious altitude and a clear trail — but a basic level of fitness and a head torch for the pre-dawn climb still make a big difference. If you would rather not walk at all, swap the trek for two extra lakeside days and a Sarangkot sunrise.
Make it work
The Poon Hill section can be swapped for two extra Pokhara days if you prefer lakes to legs. To choose between flying and driving each leg, see getting around Nepal, and to compare trek options if you want something longer, read the best treks in Nepal. With more time, step up to the two-week Nepal itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Is 10 days enough to see Nepal and do a trek?+
Yes, for a short trek. Ten days comfortably fits the Kathmandu Valley, a Chitwan safari and a three- or four-day teahouse trek such as Poon Hill, or you can swap the trek for more time in Pokhara. Longer treks like Annapurna Base Camp need two weeks or more.
What is the best 10-day route in Nepal?+
The classic loop is Kathmandu, then south to Chitwan for wildlife, west to Pokhara, a short Poon Hill trek and back. It links Nepal's three signature experiences — culture, jungle and mountains — with manageable travel days and one short flight to save time.
Should I add Chitwan or a longer trek on a 10-day trip?+
Pick one focus. If wildlife matters to you, keep Chitwan and do only the short Poon Hill trek. If trekking is the priority, drop Chitwan and use the extra days for a four- or five-day route from Pokhara. Trying to do both a safari and a long trek leaves you rushed.
How many days do you need for the Poon Hill trek?+
Three to four days on the trail, plus travel to and from the trailhead at Nayapul near Pokhara. It is the most beginner-friendly multi-day trek in Nepal, with comfortable teahouses and a famous sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges from Poon Hill.
Is a 10-day Nepal trip too rushed?+
Not if you fly one long leg and keep to three destinations. The pacing works because each stop is two to three nights. The main risk is weather delaying the Pokhara flight, so build a buffer before your international departure and avoid scheduling tight connections.
