Kathmandu Valley Rim
4 daysup to 2,430 m (Borlang Bhanjyang)Easybest Oct–Febby road
The hills around the Kathmandu Valley make a gentle trek that starts at the edge of the city.
The walk, day by dayTrip plans
One week in Nepal: a plan, day by day
A week is short for Nepal, but it is enough for a real taste: a few days on a trail with mountain views, and a day or two in the old cities of the Kathmandu Valley. Here is how I would plan it, without rushing.
- Holiday
- 7 days in Nepal
- Treks that fit
- 3
- Trek days
- 3–4
- Highest points
- 2,060–3,146 m
- Written by
- Rujan Neupane, trained guide
The plan, day by day
With Ghandruk Loop. Altitudes are where you sleep.
- Day 1Arrive in Kathmandu. Hotel, rest, an evening walk in the old lanes.1,400 m
- Day 2The Kathmandu Valley with your guide: Newar Food in Bhaktapur. Permits and gear for the trek in the afternoon.1,400 m
- Day 3Ghandruk Loop, day 1: Pokhara to Ghandruk1,940 m
- Day 4Ghandruk Loop, day 2: Ghandruk to Landruk1,565 m
- Day 5Ghandruk Loop, day 3: Landruk to Australian Camp2,060 m
- Day 6Ghandruk Loop, day 4: Australian Camp to Pokhara822 m
- Day 7Fly home. Leave three hours for the airport.
Other treks that fit
Swap the trek, keep the days in the valley.
Sailung
Khumbu (Everest)
3 daysup to 3,146 m (Thulo Sailung)Easybest Oct–Febby road
Sailung, in Dolakha east of Kathmandu, is a high plateau of rounded grassy hilltops, about a hundred of them, with rhododendron forest below and Tamang villages around.
The walk, day by dayMore or fewer days?
10 days in NepalTwo weeks in NepalThree weeks in NepalTreks by number of days
To make it work
- Count from the day you land to the day you fly. Long-haul flights from Europe usually arrive in the afternoon.
- Keep a spare day for any plan with a mountain flight. Flights to Lukla are often delayed by cloud.
- Don't fill the last day: traffic to the airport is slow and international flights need three hours.
- Choose the season first: trekking seasons · the valley's festivals.
- The budget: what a trek costs · a day in Kathmandu.
Questions people ask me
Is 7 days enough for Nepal?
For a short trek and the Kathmandu Valley, yes. For a high trek, no: give it at least ten days.
Can the plan be changed?
Of course. Every trip I guide is private: we move days, swap the trek or add a night in Bhaktapur as you like. Write to me with your dates.
What if I have a day more or less?
One day more goes to the valley or a spare day; one day less, choose a shorter trek. The other plans: one week · 10 days · two weeks · three weeks.
Not sure which trek suits you? Tell me your dates and what you hope for, and I will say honestly.
