Everest Annapurna
3
Day Itinerary •
Nepal
Three days in the Everest and Annapurna region delivers the most extraordinary mountain experience accessible without a multi-week trek, from the remarkable Everest mountain flight above the highest peaks on earth to the extraordinary Pokhara lakeside Annapurna reflection, the fine Ghandruk Gurung village walk with Annapurna South directly above and the remarkable Sarangkot sunrise panorama. This focused route covers the finest accessible mountain experience in Nepal. The extraordinary Everest mountain flight from Kathmandu, the remarkable 25-minute flight to Pokhara along the Himalayan foothills and the fine Phewa Lake Annapurna reflection on Day 1, the extraordinary Ghandruk village walk with remarkable Annapurna views on Day 2, and the fine Sarangkot sunrise panorama, the remarkable World Peace Pagoda and the extraordinary return flight on Day 3.
Best Time To Visit
October to November and March to May for clearest mountain views
Getting There
Fly Kathmandu to Pokhara (30 min), or from Kathmandu directly
Getting Around
Taxi and walking in Pokhara, hired car for Ghandruk trailhead
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 200 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, Ghandruk walk is 6 hours return with elevation
DAY 1
MOUNTAIN FLIGHT
MORNING
MOUNTAIN FLIGHT OVER EVEREST AND THE HIMALAYA
The extraordinary mountain flight from Kathmandu over the highest mountain range on earth, the finest aerial experience in Asia, where the remarkable Boeing aircraft flies at 7,000 metres alongside the extraordinary Himalayan chain passing Everest at 8,849 metres, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri and the remarkable Annapurna massif. Every passenger gets a window seat and the fine commentary identifies each of the extraordinary peaks. The remarkable 45-minute flight is the finest mountain view accessible without trekking. Approx 200 to 250 USD. 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
TRIBHUVAN INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN FLIGHT DEPARTURE TO POKHARA
flight The extraordinary 25-minute mountain flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, the finest short flight in Nepal, along the remarkable Himalayan foothills with outstanding views of the extraordinary Manaslu and Annapurna massifs growing through the windows as the remarkable Phewa Lake and Pokhara valley appear below. The fine landing at Pokhara airport, with the extraordinary Annapurna south face and the remarkable Machhapuchhre fishtail peak visible directly from the runway, is the finest airport arrival in the world. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
POKHARA PHEWA LAKE AND TAL BARAHI TEMPLE
The extraordinary Phewa Lake in Pokhara, the finest lake in the Himalayan foothills, where the remarkable reflection of the extraordinary Annapurna massif and the fine Machhapuchhre in the clear lake water on still mornings creates the most extraordinary mountain reflection in the world. The fine Tal Barahi Temple on the remarkable island in the middle of the lake and the outstanding lakeside Lakeside quarter with its fine cafes and remarkable mountain views make Pokhara the most extraordinary town in Nepal.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Sarangkot viewpoint above Pokhara at 1,592 metres, accessible by 45-minute walk or taxi, gives the finest ground-level sunrise panorama of the Annapurna massif with the remarkable Dhaulagiri to the west and the extraordinary Machhapuchhre directly above Pokhara. The remarkable paragliding from Sarangkot, the finest in Asia, allows the extraordinary experience of soaring alongside the Himalayan foothills. Tandem paraglide approx 90
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Kathmandu hotel Good breakfast before the early mountain flight. Flights depart from 6:30am. | Lunch: Pokhara lakeside Outstanding fresh Nepali meal at a remarkable Pokhara lakeside restaurant. Extraordinary Phewa Lake and Annapurna views. | Dinner: Pokhara lakeside evening Outstanding dinner at a fine Pokhara restaurant with the extraordinary Annapurna above. Dal bhat or remarkable wood-fired pizza.
DAY 2
GHANDRUK VILLAGE
MORNING
ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY TREK INTRODUCTION AT GHANDRUK
The extraordinary Ghandruk village, the finest classic Gurung hill village in Nepal, accessible by 1-hour drive from Pokhara to Nayapul then a remarkable 3-hour walk through the extraordinary rhododendron and oak forest. The fine Gurung village at 1,940 metres with its remarkable stone paved lanes, outstanding Gurung Heritage Museum and the extraordinary close-up view of the Annapurna South face, Hiunchuli and the remarkable Machhapuchhre rising almost vertically above the village is the finest single mountain village view in Nepal. 1 hour drive + 3 hour walk
MIDDAY
GHANDRUK TO LANDRUK TRAIL AND MOUNTAIN VIEWS
The extraordinary ridge trail from Ghandruk to Landruk village, the finest mountain viewpoint walk accessible on a day hike from Pokhara, traversing the remarkable forested ridgeline above the extraordinary Modi Khola valley with the outstanding views of the Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and the fine Machhapuchhre summit visible above and the remarkable Pokhara valley far below. The fine stone rest houses and the extraordinary mountain atmosphere are the finest introduction to Himalayan trekking. 1 hour walk back
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO POKHARA AND BARAHI GHAT
The extraordinary return walk and drive to Pokhara, arriving at the fine Barahi Ghat on the Phewa Lake waterfront for the most remarkable afternoon lake and mountain view. The extraordinary Annapurna range reflecting in the lake in the afternoon light and the fine setting sun on the remarkable Machhapuchhre summit create the finest evening scene in Nepal.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Poon Hill viewpoint at 3,210 metres, the most famous sunrise panorama in the Annapurna region, requires a 3 to 4 day trek from Nayapul but rewards with the most extraordinary 180-degree Himalayan panorama in Nepal, showing Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, II, III and IV, Gangapurna, Lamjung Himal and the remarkable Machhapuchhre simultaneously. The finest mountain panorama in the Himalayas accessible without technical climbing.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Pokhara hotel Good substantial breakfast before the Ghandruk walk. Bring water and snacks for the extraordinary trail. | Lunch: Ghandruk teahouse Outstanding dal bhat thali at a fine Ghandruk teahouse with the extraordinary Annapurna South directly above. | Dinner: Pokhara lakeside farewell Outstanding dinner at a remarkable Pokhara lakeside restaurant. Extraordinary mountain farewell view.
DAY 3
SARANGKOT SUNRISE
MORNING
SARANGKOT SUNRISE OVER ANNAPURNA
The extraordinary Sarangkot viewpoint above Pokhara at dawn, the finest sunrise mountain panorama in the foothills of the Annapurna region, where the remarkable Dhaulagiri, Annapurna massif and the extraordinary Machhapuchhre turn from grey silhouettes to extraordinary gold and then brilliant white as the Himalayan dawn unfolds. The remarkable elevation above the Pokhara valley and the fine angle of the sunrise light on the extraordinary snowy peaks make Sarangkot the finest single early morning experience in Nepal. 45 min drive
MIDDAY
WORLD PEACE PAGODA AND LAKE VIEWS
The extraordinary World Peace Pagoda on the hilltop south of the Phewa Lake, a remarkable Japanese-style stupa built by the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist order, giving the finest elevated view of the extraordinary Phewa Lake and the Annapurna massif simultaneously. The remarkable 45-minute hike up from the Phewa Lake shore through fine forest is the finest short walk near Pokhara. The extraordinary view from the pagoda terrace across the lake to the mountains is the finest in the Pokhara valley. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
DEPARTURE FROM POKHARA TO KATHMANDU
flight The extraordinary return mountain flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu along the remarkable Himalayan foothills, with the final extraordinary views of the Annapurna south face from the aeroplane window as the remarkable mountains recede and the fine Kathmandu Valley appears below. The outstanding farewell to the most extraordinary mountain landscape on earth from the aeroplane window is the finest close of any Nepal itinerary.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Begnas Lake 15km east of Pokhara, the finest and most overlooked lake in the Pokhara valley, is completely free of the tourist development that surrounds the remarkable Phewa Lake. The fine rowing boats on the extraordinary quiet lake, the remarkable mountain views of the Annapurna range from the opposite shore and the fine Begnas lakeside fishing community are the finest hidden experience near Pokhara.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Sarangkot tea stall Outstanding simple Nepali tea and biscuits at the extraordinary Sarangkot sunrise viewpoint in the dawn cold. | Lunch: Pokhara lakeside before flight Fine last dal bhat or remarkable thukpa noodle soup at a Pokhara lakeside restaurant before the airport. | Dinner: Kathmandu on return Outstanding Kathmandu dinner at Thamel House or Bhojan Griha on return to the capital.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Pokhara Lakeside Temple Tree Resort or Summit Hotel. Annapurna views. Approx 60 to 200 USD per night. Budget Pokhara Peace Home or Butterfly Lodge. Approx 15 to 50 USD per night. Ghandruk Himalayan Lodge or local teahouse if staying overnight. Approx 20 to 40 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Mountain flights cancel in bad weather. Book as the first activity of your trip for rebooking flexibility.
2. Leave for Sarangkot by 5am for the finest pre-dawn arrival. Sunrise is the most extraordinary moment.
3. The Ghandruk walk requires fitness. Bring water, sun protection and trekking poles if available.
4. TIMS card and ACAP permit required for Ghandruk trek. Get both in Pokhara before departure.
5. Pokhara Phewa Lake is finest before 9am. The extraordinary Annapurna reflection disappears with wind.
6. Paragliding from Sarangkot is the finest in Asia. Tandem flights approx 90 USD from any Lakeside operator.
Total Budget
145 to 580 USD/day