Short Treks Near Kathmandu and Pokhara: 1 to 5 Days in Nepal

Not everyone has two weeks for Everest or the Annapurna Circuit. Some people come for business, some for a family visit, some for a short holiday. Many write to me with the same question: “I only have a few days. Is it worth walking?”

My answer is always yes. Some of my favourite walks in Nepal are short ones: quiet village trails, forest ridges and sunrise hills, without high altitude, without flights, and often without crowds. They are also perfect for slow walkers, families, and anyone who wants to feel Nepal without racing for a summit.

I’m Rujan, a licensed trekking guide in Nepal since 2018. Here are the short walks I love most around Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Why choose a short trek?

• No serious altitude. Most stay below about 3,200 m, so altitude sickness is rarely a concern.
• No mountain flights. You start by road, so no waiting for the weather in Lukla or Jomsom.
• Villages and people. Short walks pass through farming villages, where life goes on as it always has.
• Mountain views. On clear days, many have wide views of the Himalaya.
• Gentle on the body, and kind to a short holiday.

Near Kathmandu

Shivapuri day hike (1 day)
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park rises just north of the city. A forest trail climbs past the Nagi Gompa nunnery towards Shivapuri peak at about 2,700 m, with views back over the Kathmandu Valley and, on clear mornings, the Himalaya to the north. It’s the easiest way to leave the noise of the city behind in a single day. A park entry permit is needed.

Chisapani and Nagarkot (2 to 3 days)
From the edge of Shivapuri, the trail follows forest ridges and villages to Chisapani, then on to Nagarkot, famous for its sunrise view over the Himalaya. A lovely short trek with mountain views, Tamang villages and lodges along the way.

Nagarkot to Dhulikhel and Namobuddha (1 to 2 days)
Gentle hill walking through fields and small villages, ending at Namobuddha, a peaceful Buddhist monastery on a hilltop and a place of pilgrimage. A beautiful walk for people who love quiet and culture.

Helambu (4 to 6 days)
If you have a few more days, Helambu is the closest real trek to Kathmandu: Sherpa and Hyolmo villages, monasteries and forests of rhododendron, without high altitude.

Langtang Valley (about 7 days)
Not really short, but the closest high valley to Kathmandu, reached by road. My favourite answer for anyone with about a week who wants real mountains all around.

Near Pokhara

Astam and Dhampus village walk (2 to 3 days)
This is one of my favourite walks for slow walkers. Short, gentle days through farming villages on the hills above Pokhara, with wide views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and the fishtail peak of Machhapuchhre. You sleep in simple village lodges, eat with families, and wake to the mountains outside your window. No rush, no crowds, just Nepal.

Australian Camp (1 to 2 days)
A short walk to a grassy ridge with a famous view of the Annapurna range. Easy, beautiful, and wonderful at sunrise.

Ghorepani and Poon Hill (4 to 5 days)
The most loved short trek in Nepal: stone staircases through rhododendron forest to Ghorepani, and an early climb to Poon Hill for sunrise over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas. Perfect for a first trek.

Mardi Himal (4 to 6 days)
A quieter ridge walk that climbs above the forest to views of Machhapuchhre so close you feel you could touch it. A little higher and steeper than Poon Hill.

Ghandruk (2 to 3 days)
A large, beautiful Gurung village of stone houses and terraced fields, with close mountain views. Good for culture and an easy walk.

Panchase (2 to 3 days)
Forest trails to Panchase hill, sacred to local people, with views over Phewa Lake and the Annapurna range. Quiet and green.

Day hikes from Pokhara

• Sarangkot for sunrise over the Annapurnas and Phewa Lake.
• The World Peace Pagoda, across the lake, with a walk through the forest.

Choose by your days

Honest notes

• Permits: walks inside a national park or conservation area need a permit: for example the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park entry permit near Kathmandu, and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) for walks like Poon Hill, Mardi Himal and Ghandruk. See my guide to Nepal trekking permits.
• A licensed guide: since 2023, most trekking areas require foreign walkers to go with a licensed guide. See my guide to the mandatory guide rule.
• Views need clear weather. The best time is autumn and spring; winter is clear but cold. In the monsoon, the mountains often hide in clouds and lower forest trails can have leeches. See my guide to the best time to trek in Nepal.
• Roads reach many villages now. On some walks, parts of the trail meet a road. A good guide knows the old paths that avoid them.
• Short does not mean flat. Nepal’s hills have many stone steps. Bring good shoes and walk slowly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best short trek near Kathmandu?
For one day, Shivapuri. For two or three days, Chisapani and Nagarkot. With about a week, Langtang Valley.

What is the best short trek near Pokhara?
Ghorepani and Poon Hill is the most popular. For a gentle, quiet village walk, Astam and Dhampus is my favourite.

Can I trek in Nepal with only 3 days?
Yes. Walks like Astam and Dhampus, Chisapani and Nagarkot, Ghandruk or Panchase fit well into two or three days.

Do short treks have altitude sickness?
Most stay below about 3,200 m, so altitude sickness is rarely a problem. Still, walk slowly and drink enough.

Are short treks good for families?
Yes. Gentle village walks like Astam and Dhampus, Australian Camp or Ghandruk are wonderful for families.

A Few Days Can Be Enough

You don’t need weeks to feel the Himalaya. A few days of walking through villages and forests, waking to the mountains, and eating dal bhat with a family can stay with you for life. Walk slowly, and let a short trek be deep, not fast.

Write to me →

Have more questions? Read my trekking FAQ or browse all my Nepal travel guides.