The short version
The classic 14-day Nepal itinerary that combines a major Himalayan trek, Kathmandu Valley temples, and wildlife safari in Chitwan. Day-by-day plan from arrival to departure.
- Two weeks is the sweet spot for Nepal — a major trek, Kathmandu culture, a Chitwan safari and Pokhara, without rushing.
- The flagship route pairs the 6-day Annapurna Base Camp trek with Chitwan wildlife and Pokhara leisure.
- In-Nepal cost runs $1,200–1,900 per person (excluding international flights); the 30-day visa ($50) gives a buffer.
- Alternatives for the same 14 days: Everest Base Camp, Langtang Valley, or a short-trek-plus-culture itinerary.
Nepal in 14 Days: The Gold Standard Itinerary
Two weeks is the sweet spot for Nepal. It's enough time for a major trek, proper cultural immersion in Kathmandu, a wildlife safari in the Terai, and relaxation in Pokhara — without feeling rushed. This itinerary has been refined by 25+ years of travel planning and represents what most experienced Nepal guides consider the optimal 2-week experience.
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport. Hotel check-in in Thamel. Evening walk through Thamel market — chaotic, colourful, and full of gear shops and restaurants. Dinner at one of Thamel's excellent rooftop restaurants (try Thamel House for authentic Nepali cuisine).
Day 2: Kathmandu Valley Cultural Day
Morning: Boudhanath Stupa (arrive at dawn for monk kora). Midday: Pashupatinath Temple — observe the sacred ghats from the opposite bank. Afternoon: Bhaktapur Durbar Square (one of Asia's finest medieval city centres). Evening: Thamel neighbourhood walk, gear shopping if needed.
Day 3: Kathmandu to Pokhara — Trek Begins
Morning flight to Pokhara (35 minutes) or tourist bus (7–8 hours). Afternoon: Pokhara orientation — Lakeside walk, Phewa Lake boat ride, Fishtail Lodge view. Trek briefing with guide. Early dinner and bed — trek starts early tomorrow.
Days 4–9: Annapurna Base Camp Trek (6 days)
Day 4: Drive to Nayapul (2 hours), walk to Tikhedhunga or Ulleri (3–4 hours hiking). Day 5: Ulleri through rhododendron forest to Ghorepani (2,860m). Day 6: Pre-dawn hike to Poon Hill (3,210m) for sunrise — Annapurna and Dhaulagiri panorama. Continue to Chhomrong (2,170m). Day 7: Chhomrong to Bamboo (2,310m). Day 8: Bamboo to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m) via Machhapuchhre Base Camp. Day 9: ABC sunrise views, descent to Bamboo or Chhomrong.
Day 10: Trek End — Return to Pokhara
Complete descent to Nayapul (full day walking). Drive to Pokhara. Rest afternoon — hot shower, massage at one of Pokhara's excellent therapeutic massage centres ($10–15/hour). Sunset boat ride on Phewa Lake.
Day 11: Pokhara Leisure + Travel to Chitwan
Morning: Paragliding from Sarangkot (30-minute tandem flight over the lake, $45–60). Afternoon: Bus or private car to Chitwan National Park (4–5 hours drive). Evening: Arrival and lodge check-in in Sauraha village. Elephant bathing viewing at the river.
Days 12–13: Chitwan National Park
Day 12: Full-day safari — morning jeep safari (rhinos, crocodiles, deer), canoe ride on the Rapti River, afternoon elephant walk with mahouts, evening cultural Tharu stick dance performance. Day 13: Dawn jungle walk with naturalist guide, birding on the Rapti River floodplains (600+ bird species), afternoon village walk through Tharu community. Afternoon drive back to Kathmandu or direct Chitwan–Kathmandu flight.
Day 14: Departure
Final Kathmandu morning: last-minute shopping in Thamel (fixed-price shops for quality pashmina and thangka paintings), airport transfer, depart. Most international flights leave in the evening.
Cost Estimate for This Itinerary
- International flights: $600–1,500 (varies enormously)
- Nepal visa: $50
- Kathmandu hotel (3 nights): $50–150
- KTM–Pokhara flight: $90
- ABC guided trek (6 days, guide + permits + accommodation + food): $650–900
- Pokhara hotel + activities: $80–150
- Chitwan 2-day safari: $150–250 (mid-range)
- Chitwan–KTM transfer: $15–100
- Food, incidentals: $100–150
- Total in-Nepal cost (excluding international flights): $1,200–1,900
Alternative 14-Day Nepal Itineraries
The ABC + Chitwan option above is the most popular, but Nepal rewards flexibility. Here are three compelling alternatives for the same 14 days:
Option B: Everest Base Camp
The iconic Nepal experience — Namche, Tengboche, Dingboche, Gorak Shep and Base Camp. Takes the full 14 days, so no time for Chitwan or Pokhara. Choose it if the Everest region is your main reason for coming. Full EBC day-by-day itinerary.
Option C: Langtang Valley + Kathmandu
Nepal's closest major trekking region (4-hour drive to the trailhead). A 7-day Langtang circuit leaves time for Kathmandu, Pokhara and a Chitwan day. Lower cost, fewer crowds, dramatic scenery. Read the Langtang Valley guide.
Option D: Short Trek + Deep Culture
3 days Kathmandu (Bhaktapur, Patan, Bandipur), a 5-day Poon Hill short trek, 2 days Pokhara and 3 days Chitwan. Ideal for mixed-interest groups, families, or a gentler pace. See our Nepal short treks.
Best Time for a 14-Day Nepal Trip
Nepal has two prime windows and two shoulder seasons:
- October–November (Autumn peak): Post-monsoon, clear skies, dry trails, warm days and cool nights at altitude. The single best time to visit Nepal — book accommodation 3–4 months ahead, especially in the Everest region.
- March–May (Spring peak): Rhododendron forests in bloom, stable trekking weather, warm Pokhara and Chitwan temperatures. Second-best season, slightly more humidity than autumn.
- December–February (Winter shoulder): Quieter, cheaper, clear but cold. High-altitude treks (EBC, ABC) are doable but cold; lower treks (Poon Hill, Langtang lower valley) are fine. Chitwan and Kathmandu are pleasant.
- June–August (Monsoon): Not recommended for most treks — leeches, mud, poor visibility. However, Upper Mustang and the Dolpo region are rain-shadowed and excellent in monsoon; cultural trips to Kathmandu and Chitwan are still viable.
For the ABC + Chitwan + Pokhara itinerary above, October and March–April are the best months by some margin. See our complete best time to trek Nepal guide for month-by-month breakdown.
Getting to Nepal: Visas and Flights
Nepal is straightforward to enter. Most nationalities (including all EU/UK/USA/Australia/Canada) can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu or in advance through the official Nepal e-visa portal:
- 15 days: $30
- 30 days: $50 (standard for a 2-week trip — gives a buffer for delays)
- 90 days: $125
The 30-day visa is the right choice for a 14-day trip — it gives you a buffer if flights are delayed or you decide to extend. Have a passport photo and USD cash ready at the visa-on-arrival counter; card payment is accepted at most counters now but cash is faster. See our Nepal visa guide for the full process.
Most travellers connect through Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Emirates/flydubai), Abu Dhabi (Etihad), or Delhi (Air India, IndiGo). Direct flights from Europe take 9–12 hours; from East Coast USA expect 20+ hours with one stop.
Practical Tips for 2 Weeks in Nepal
- Cash: Withdraw Nepali rupees from ATMs in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Most ATMs dispense NPR 35,000–40,000 per transaction. Few places on trek accept cards; bring 3–4 days of cash before each trekking leg.
- SIM card: Buy an Ncell or NTC SIM at the airport on arrival (~$2–5, ID required). Ncell has the best coverage in the Annapurna region; NTC is stronger in the Everest region.
- Altitude: For the ABC trek, acclimatisation is built into the 6-day itinerary. Drink 3–4 litres of water daily. Diamox (acetazolamide) is widely available at pharmacies; discuss with your doctor before departure.
- Travel insurance: Non-negotiable for trekking. You need a policy that covers helicopter evacuation from altitude (up to 5,000m for ABC). Standard travel insurance typically does not cover trekking above 4,000m — buy a specialist outdoor/adventure policy. See our Nepal travel insurance guide.
- Tipping: Expected for guides ($15–20/day) and porters ($10–15/day). Budget roughly $100–150 total for a 6-day guided trek.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 14 days enough for Nepal?
Yes — two weeks is the optimal Nepal trip length for most first-time visitors. It's enough for a complete major trek, cultural immersion in Kathmandu and the valley, a Pokhara stay, and a Chitwan wildlife safari without feeling rushed. Ten days is a workable minimum if you focus on one region; 21 days opens up EBC or Upper Mustang alongside the standard circuit.
Which trek is best for a first-time Nepal visitor in 14 days?
Annapurna Base Camp (6 days, included above) is the classic recommendation — shorter than EBC, lower maximum altitude, and the ABC sanctuary is arguably Nepal's most visually dramatic trekking destination. EBC is the iconic name but takes the full 14 days on its own. If you want maximum variety (trek + Pokhara + Chitwan), ABC wins. If the Everest region is your sole purpose, dedicate the full 14 days to it.
Can I do this itinerary independently (without a guide)?
Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan are all independently navigable. The ABC trek can technically be done without a guide on the main trail (well-signed, busy in season) but the New Trekking Regulations 2023 require all foreign trekkers in most areas to hire a licensed guide. Additionally, a guide significantly improves your cultural experience and safety. Budget $25–35/day for a good guide. See our guide to trekking with vs without a guide in Nepal for the full picture.
What's the minimum budget per day in Nepal?
Budget travellers can manage $50–70/day in Nepal (excluding international flights and visa). This covers a mid-range guesthouse ($10–20/night), dal bhat meals ($4–8), transport, and small activities. The ABC guided trek is the biggest single cost ($650–900 for 6 days all-in). Comfortable mid-range travel runs $100–150/day; a luxury trip with top-end lodges runs $200–400/day.
Every itinerary in this guide is one we build, customise, and guide ourselves. Whether you want the classic ABC + Chitwan combination, a full Everest Base Camp expedition, or a tailor-made private itinerary built around your dates and interests — our team has been designing Nepal trips since 1998. Talk to us and we'll build it to fit.
Enquire About Your Nepal Trip →All prices in USD. Last updated 2026.
Written by
Travel Himalaya Nepal
Pokhara-based, NMA-certified trekking guides. We’ve led 5,000+ treks across the Annapurna and Everest regions since 1998 — every word here comes from the trail. Meet the team →
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