Places to Visit to Experience Nepal in 7 Days
If you have a week to travel in Nepal, you might be asking yourself: Is it enough time to really discover this wonderful land? The great thing about this country is that there is expected to be much more to find out than time will allow. Still, if you have a well-planned week-long trip, you will have a wonderful time. And a memorable first-hand introduction to everything about its culture, mountains, spirituality, and visual beauty. You will be able to discover ancient temples and a city with chilling lakes to relax, and incredible views of the Himalayas. Nepal has a way of surprising you over and over again!
Below you will find the best guide to seeing Nepal in 7 days in the best way.
Day 1: Core of Heritage and Culture in Nepal, Kathmandu
Your journey begins through the busy streets of Kathmandu. Kathmandu possesses a certain vitality that was present long before the arrival of tourists. If you visit temples, particularly the extremely impressive and extremely notable UNESCO Heritage Sites of the Kathmandu Valley. Like Swayambhunath, which is sometimes referred to as the “monkey temple”. Beyond these stupas, it also has magnificent 360-degree views of mountain ranges above, which is the epitome of the old world sharing of religion.
Deriving from Swayambhunath, you will tour the Pashupatinath Temple, the holiest temple on the planet for Lord Shiva’s worship! These rituals of the Pashupatinath temple, as you witness them being carried out at the crematorium by the banks of the Bagmati, will be calming, but more enchanting to believe and feel to unite with the temple spirituality. As we continue to follow the remainder of the rituals, we take you now to the next destination of the Boudhanath Stupa, heralded as the largest stupa of the South Asian subcontinent, the center of Buddhism, and where monks still spin their prayer wheels at the bottom of the stupa!! We conclude our tour back in Kathmandu Durbar Square, or home to the old Kathmandu city, where there are some palaces and squares left to see, and the living goddess Kumari.
Day 2: The Living Museum of Nepal, Bhaktapur
On our second day, we would move on to Bhaktapur, which was a little bit out of Kathmandu. Bhaktapur is an ancient city and is actually an open-air museum as well, just purely with its perfect preservation in form and beauty, it seems like it has a history beginning eons ago.
You will walk around Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and observe fine carved wood sculptures, stone sculptures. And many old and beautiful phagonda-style temples touch history and awe of its grandeur.
Be sure to check out Nyatapola Temple. The five-story structure is the largest pagoda temple in all of Nepal. Walk to Pottery Square, where local pottery makers turn clay into eye-catching vases and bowls that they have honed through generational family methods and ideas. You will feel like you are traveling back in time with its narrow streets, red-brick houses, and artistic disposition of the city. To finish the evening, don’t forget to try local tortures, including Juju Dhau, the infamous King Curd of Bhaktapur (a desert to die for).
Day 3: City of Fine Arts, Patan
Next in the journey of the ancient royal cities in and around the Kathmandu Valley is Patan (Lalitpur). Known for its fine art, sculpture, and architecture, Patan is known as the “City of Beauty”. Start the adventure in Patan Durbar Square, a stunning complex of exquisite temples, courtyards, and the ancient palace of the Malla kings. The Krishna Mandir is completely stone. You will agree it is a remarkable work of craftsmanship and devotion.
Stop by the Patan Museum in where you can observe ancient sculptures and artifacts which represent Nepal’s religious and artistic life throughout centuries of civilization. You can stroll around the narrow streets to see artisans and metal craftsmen who are still in operation. Patan is also well known for its delightful monasteries, complexes, and ancient Newari-style homes. Wrap the day up at one of the rooftop restaurants looking down on the square with the sunset of shades and tones against the mountains and temples glowing in all their golden glory.
Day 4: City of Lakes, Pokhara
After roaming around Kathmandu Valley, you can take on the short 30-minute flight or drive to enter the lake culture and live with foothill views of the mountain experience. Pokhara, regarded as the ‘Gateway to Annapurna’.
On your first morning, take your time and spring on a boat over Phewa Lake for view of the mighty Annapurna range. After reaching the Tal Barahi Temple on the lake’s island, head over to World Peace Pagoda by hiking or driving. The mountains and scenery of Pokhara valley and the lake are really picturesque. And with a discerning eye and being at the right angle, the spectacular snow-capped Himalayas even show themselves in the distance!
Day 5: Sarangot
For those who wake up early in the morning. I encourage you to wake up and take in one of the most inspiring places to witness a sunrise setting above the sublime landscape of Pokhara valley. It is known as Sarangot hill , you can have a thrilling experience being able to see the sun rise above the far hills of the snowy ranges of both Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhre.
When the early morning sun rises above the light-filled valleys of the gorgeous land of Nepal. You can even witness streams of rays of golden sunlight reflecting off the snowy mountains in range below! In looking back on this part of your life, I can only imagine that you will be saying to yourself. “That was a one in a million experience!” If you happen to be an adventurous outdoor person, or just happen to love nature, I feel perfectly confident in saying!
If you wanted to make adventure day more adventurous. You will have the opportunity to experience paragliding, hopefully! As you’ve already discovered, you will take off from Sarangkot hill, flying over the Pokhara valley. Coordination experience will be required, as all you need to do is hang glide! The best thing you will ever experience in your lifetime will include hang gliding, as you hang glide over lakes, with stunning mountains of the Himalayas in the background.
In the afternoon, have breakfast and then enjoy the rest of the morning and afternoon exploring the Lakeside of Pokhara with delicious Nepali food. And check out to the International Mountain Museum to learn more about the country and the mountainous activities.
Day 6: The Newari Village, Bandipur
Visit Bandipur, a hilltop village between Pokhara and Kathmandu, now a secret gem of Newari architecture, culture, and the landscape of the surrounding hills. Bandipur is often called a living museum due to its beautifully preserved buildings as well as its stone-paved roads free from the movement of motorized traffic.
Walk through the middle bazaar, admiring the intricately carved wood windows and doors and Newari crafts. Visit the Thani Mai Temple to have the light on the Himalaya mountains at sunrise or sunset, and to see some nearby caves, such as Siddha Gufa, one of the largest caves in Nepal. Bandipur may be quite more laid-back in tempo as you heal and relax, interact with villagers, and have very real village life.
Day 7: The Ideal Departure View, Nagarkot
If you want to end your week-long visit to Nepal in style, we recommend spending your last night at Nagarkot. A hill station that tourists enjoy for fabulous daybreak or sunset views of the Himalayas!
You might even be lucky enough to see Mount Everest on a sunny day while at Nagarkot . This is reason enough to go! Nagarkot is the perfect last stop before heading back to the city, filled with recapturing mountain air, quiet walks, and calmness.
Thus, be sure to enjoy the fresh morning air in Nagarkot, and walk around the beautiful paths around terraced farmland and surrounding villages below. Nagarkot is the best place for those who seek peace. It will be their last minutes of appreciating the beauty and magic of Nepal once more.
Conclusion
There are seven days of experiences in Nepal that may be the most satisfying week of your life. With cities steeped in culture and history like the Kathmandu Valley, stunning lakes and landscape in Pokhara, the creative vibe of Patan, and the view from Sarangkot and Nagarkot. It is everything you would want to feel connected to culture, spirituality, and nature in one place. You will leave with stories about this incredible place, whether you seek gratitude, adventure or culture with memories. In just seven days, traveling deep into the heart of the Himalaya, you will reach that special feeling of coming home.
Nepal is a land of endless surprises. In addition to the spectacular landscape, the smiles on the faces around you, and the smell of food that radiates light and laughter in all directions, there is no place like Nepal. From serene walks along Shivapuri to the rush of the nutty Everest Base Camp trek, each trek provides the opportunity to hear the stories yet untold. Within seven days, Nepal forces you to look at, perceive, and own a place that will never be out of your heart.