Altitude Himalaya’s 6-day Short Nepal tour package takes you to the most iconic sites around Kathmandu and the Pokhara Valley. Although the trip is brief, it covers the country’s top attractions.
In just six days, Altitude Himalaya ensures you’ll gain deep insight into Nepal’s rich cultural heritage. You’ll immerse yourself in authentic Newari traditions and meet people from diverse castes, religions, and backgrounds. All of whom will welcome you with warm smiles!
In Kathmandu, you’ll explore five of the ten UNESCO World Heritage sites, which includes Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Patan Durbar Square.
In Pokhara, you’ll be greeted by breathtaking views of the Annapurna, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Gaurishankar ranges. You’ll also visit the city’s most famous landmarks, which include Sarangkot, the World Peace Pagoda, Devi’s Falls, Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, and of course, the serene Phewa Lake!
We’ve even included a fun, 3-hour white-water rafting excursion on the Trishuli River. Beyond just the thrill, it’s a perfect team-building opportunity.
If you’d like to add more high-adrenaline activities, such as paragliding, ultralight flights, zip flying, mountain biking, cycling, bungee jumping, kayaking, and more: just let us know in advance.
Visit Nepal’s Vibrant Capital City: KATHMANDU
Your short Nepal trip begins the moment you land in Kathmandu, the capital city. Often called the “City of Temples”, you’ll immediately be immersed in its rich cultural heritage.
Kathmandu is home to over 3,000 temples, so while we can’t explore every single one on this quick tour, you will visit the most sacred and iconic highlights.
And did you know that out of Nepal’s ten UNESCO World Heritage Sites, seven are located right here in the Kathmandu Valley?
Well, Altitude Himalaya will guide you to exactly these must-see sites: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Swayambhunath Stupa.
While you’re here, don’t miss the chance to dive into Newari culture. From savoring authentic Newari cuisine to enjoying live cultural performances, the Newari community truly represents the heart and soul of Kathmandu.
Unwind in POKHARA: The Tourism Capital of Nepal
While Kathmandu may be Nepal’s political and cultural hub, the city of Pokhara in Kaski District stands as the tourism capital of the country. This status is because of the fact that most trekking routes begin here.
Although this short tour doesn’t include any trekking, Pokhara remains ideal for vibrant nightlife, breathtaking views over Phewa Lake, and an array of adventure activities, including paragliding, kayaking, zip-flying, ultralight flights, bungee jumping, cycling, and more!
In fact, it’s a popular getaway even for Kathmandu residents. A short trip to Pokhara never disappoints!
The region’s stunning mountain vistas, especially of Mt. Fishtail (also known as Machhapuchhre) make Pokhara a must-visit spot in Nepal. It serves as the perfect relaxation spot and the vacation destination you’ve been dreaming of!
Riding the Rapids: Water Rafting at Trishuli River
A 6-day Nepal tour may sound brief, but with Altitude Himalaya, it won’t feel that way. All thanks to our exhilarating rafting adventure built right into this mini Kathmandu–Pokhara package.
You’ll tackle white-water rapids on the Trishuli River, navigating its powerful currents and thrilling drops. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it?
Rest assured, a professional rafting instructor will guide you from start to finish. It’s a true team experience. So, it’s perfect for colleagues, friends, or family looking to add a splash of adventure to their Nepal journey!
You might like: Nepal River Rafting Tour of 9 Days
Dive Into Rich Culture and Fascinating History
But that’s not all. Throughout this 6-day Kathmandu–Pokhara tour, Altitude Himalaya provides professional tour guides in both Kathmandu and Pokhara.
No matter where you go, your guide will share comprehensive insights covering local history, people’s lifestyles, cultural traditions, festivals, languages, and more.
On the final evening, we host a special farewell cultural dinner, where you’ll savor authentic Nepali cuisine and experience warm Nepalese hospitality firsthand.
If you didn’t know: Nepal is a wonderfully diverse nation: the majority practice Hinduism (81.19%) and Buddhism (8.21%), alongside communities of Muslims (4.39%) and Christians (1.76%).
Despite these differences, Nepalese celebrate one another’s festivals with boundless enthusiasm. And they’ll gladly welcome you to join in too!
So even if this is a short Himalayan getaway, we promise you’ll experience every side of Nepal’s rich heritage.
Sacred and Historical Sites You'll Explore
Sightseeing in Kathmandu and Pokhara focuses on ancient temples, stupas, and caves. So, you’ll encounter abundant religious ceremonies and rituals. Each visit offers a window into Nepal’s rich cultural traditions.
Here’s a closer look at the sacred and historical sites you’ll explore on this Nepal package:
Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath Temple is one of the holiest destinations for all Hindus and it’s dedicated to Lord Shiva aka Mahadev. Every day, hundreds, sometimes even thousands of devotees gather here to offer their prayers and seek blessings.
If you're a non-Hindu, entry into the temple’s inner sanctum is completely restricted. However, you can still witness the vibrant atmosphere from outside.
Watch devotees perform pooja, and we highly recommend attending the Sandhya Aarati in the evening, which is truly mesmerizing. While the latter is not included in this package, you can go there alone after we drop you off at your hotel in the evening.
The Bagmati River flows right in front of the temple, and its riverbank, known as Aryaghat, is a significant cremation site. Observing the rituals here offers a moment of deep reflection, reminding us of the unpredictability of life.
Boudhanath Stupa
Approximately 5 km from Pashupatinath Temple stands the Boudhanath Stupa, one of Nepal’s most sacred sites for the Buddhist community. It’s remarkable how a sense of peace settles in here even amid such a huge crowd.
Built nearly 1,500 years ago, this pilgrimage site is especially revered by Tibetan Buddhists, who view the stupa as a living symbol of enlightenment. Its massive mandala structure, crowned by the eyes of Buddha, speaks of its spiritual significance.
When you visit Boudha, be sure to participate in the “Kora walk”. It’s a clockwise movement around the stupa. Along the way, you’ll encounter rows of prayer wheels; spinning each one is believed to accumulate blessings.
Swayambhunath Stupa
While Boudhanath sits quietly within the city’s embrace, Swayambhunath Stupa watches over the valley from its hilltop. So you’ll need to hike for a few minutes to reach here, which is a spiritual journey in itself.
The large troop of monkeys in this region has led tourists to affectionately call it the ‘Monkey Temple’. There’s an interesting mythological story that says these monkeys were actually lice that emerged from Manjushree’s head.
Besides the stupa’s deep Buddhist significance, Swayambhunath also serves as one of the best viewpoints in Kathmandu Valley.
When the weather is clear (especially in winter), you even get to see the Langtang Himal, Ganesh Himal, Gaurishankar, Jugal, Gang Chhenpo, Dorje Lakpa, Pabil, Rolwaling ranges, and sometimes even Mt. Everest!
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Spread over 5 acres in the heart of Kathmandu, Kathmandu Durbar Square used to serve as Nepal’s royal palace for the Malla and Shah kings until the Narayanhiti Royal Palace was reconstructed in 1969.
What makes this UNESCO World Heritage site so special is its collection of over 50 temples, and every monument and statue here has a story to tell.
Among them stands a prominent statue of Lord Hanuman, which gives the complex its popular name, ‘Hanuman Dhoka’.
You’ll also explore nearby landmarks: Kasthamandap Temple, Shree Kaal Bhairav Temple, Kumari Bahal, Taleju Temple, Jagannath Temple, Basantapur Tower, and the historic Old Freak Street.
Pumdikot Shiva Statue
This short Nepal tour package also takes you to a relatively new Pokhara attraction, Pumdikot. This place features the second-largest statue of Lord Shiva in Nepal, resting at an elevation of 1,500 m.
The 51-foot Shiva statue was completed in late 2021. From here, the panoramic views of Pokhara City and Phewa Lake are simply breathtaking.
World Peace Pagoda
Just about 4 km behind Pumdikot, we’ll drive you back the same road to Nepal’s third major Buddhist site. Built by Japanese Buddhist monks, the World Peace Pagoda (also known as Shanti Stupa) offers both sweeping views of Pokhara and the serene ambience you deserve.
Remember to remove your shoes when visiting the main pagoda. Security guards are stationed to ensure complete silence, so expect nothing but peaceful calm.
Patan Durbar Square
After returning from Pokhara, you’ll head directly to Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur District. Just like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square features more than 50 temples. Among them, the Krishna Mandir (built on a single carved stone) is the most sacred and popular.
Patan Durbar Square is another former royal palace, once home to the kings of Patan. It carries a rich history, which is clearly reflected in the intricate Newari architecture and the artworks displayed in its museum.
Glimpses of Natural Wonders Along the Way
Be honest. What picture comes to mind when somebody refers to ‘Nepal’? It’s definitely mountains and nature, isn’t it?
This short 6-day trip doesn’t take you to one of the Himalayan base camps. Nonetheless, Altitude Himalaya has made sure that the itinerary is prepared in such a way that you can enjoy the mountain views and immerse yourself in nature.
Here are the natural wonders of Nepal that you can check out even in a short period of time.
Trishuli River
One of the major highlights of this short Nepal tour package is the white-water rafting adventure on the Trishuli River.
Besides being famous as a rafting river, Trishuli holds significant religious importance for Hindus. As a tributary of the Narayani River, its waters ultimately flow into the sacred Ganges River in India.
This water source not only sustains local agriculture and supports abundant fish populations but also generates 24 MW of hydroelectric power.
Most Nepal tour packages only offer a fleeting glimpse of the river during the drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. However, Altitude Himalaya’s itinerary gives you the chance to navigate Trishuli’s thrilling rapids firsthand.
Sarangkot Sunrise
To bring you closer to the Himalayas, we’ve arranged an early-morning mountain sightseeing trip from Sarangkot, the nearby hilltop above Pokhara. The awe-inspiring sunrise view from this vantage point is renowned as one of Nepal’s finest.
You’ll witness panoramic mountain vistas, including the Annapurna Massif (Annapurna I, II, III, IV, and South), Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, Lamjung Himal, and many other peaks.
Devi’s Falls
Devi’s Falls originates from the Phewa Lake. While locally referred to as “Patale Chhango”, the name “Devi’s Falls” became widely known after a Swiss lady was tragically swept away by its ferocious currents in 1961.
Altitude Himalaya highly recommends visiting here during the monsoon season, when the water level is at its peak. It makes the waterfall look absolutely stunning, and you’ll even get to experience drizzle created by it.
Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave
Just opposite Devi’s Falls lies Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, dedicated to Lord Mahadev. There’s even a temple inside that houses a Shiva Lingam.
Furthermore, the stream from Devi’s Falls flows right through this cave. If you venture a little deeper, you can take a glimpse of the waterfall from within the cave itself. The sight is beyond our words!
Exploring Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave is like embarking on an underground adventure. Recognized as one of Nepal’s longest caves, stretching nearly 2,000 m in length, there’s so much to discover here.
Phewa Lake
Without a doubt, Phewa (Fewa) Lake is the heart of Pokhara city. Whether you’re here for boating or kayaking, or even if simply enjoying a stroll along the lakeside park, it’s the perfect way to unwind.
Stretching over 4 km long and 2 km wide, Phewa Lake offers quite the views and colors throughout the day. Our personal favorite is during the sunset.
When the morning weather is clear, you’ll be rewarded with the backdrop views of Mt. Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range. Seeing these mountains mirrored on the lake’s surface makes the experience very memorable.
Moreover, the Tal Barahi Temple stands on an island in the middle of Phewa Lake. While this 6-day Nepal tour package doesn’t include a visit there, just let us know and we’ll be happy to arrange it for you.
10 Km