My 3-week Nepal itinerary and questions about the Poon Hill trek

Hi everyone,

I'm heading to Nepal solo for over 3 weeks at the beginning of March and wanted to get your thoughts on this itinerary:

Mon 03/03: Visit Kathmandu in the afternoon (night in Kathmandu) Tue 04/03: Kathmandu (night in Kathmandu) Wed 05/03: Swayambunath – Pashupatinath (night in Kathmandu) Thu 06/03: Kathmandu in the morning then go to Boudhanath (night in Boudhanath) Fri 07/03: Shechen - Patan (night in Boudhanath) Sat 08/03: Bhaktapur (night in Bhaktapur) Sun 09/03: Changu Narayan (night in Bhaktapur) Mon 10/03: Bhaktapur (night in Bhaktapur) Tue 11/03: Panauti – Namo Buddha (night in Dhulikhel – drop off my bag at the hotel in the morning) Wed 12/03: Dhulikhel (night in Dhulikhel) Thu 13/03: Nagarkot (night in Nagarkot) Fri 14/03: Kathmandu Airport – Flight to Chitwan Park (night in Chitwan) Sat 15/03: Chitwan Park (night in Chitwan) Sun 16/03: Chitwan Park (night in Chitwan) Mon 17/03: Departure to Pokhara (6-hour bus ride) (night in Pokhara) Tue 18/03: Pokhara (Poon Hill trek) Wed 19/03: Pokhara (Poon Hill trek) Thu 20/03: Pokhara (Poon Hill trek) Fri 21/03: Pokhara (Poon Hill trek) Sat 22/03: Pokhara (Paragliding or Sarangkot? Is it possible to do both in one day?)

Sun 23/03: Bandipur (night in Bandipur) Mon 24/03: Kathmandu (night in Kathmandu)

I plan to travel mostly by bus and taxi (for destinations where I can’t take the bus), except for the trip from Kathmandu to Chitwan Park, where I’ll take a flight. Should I book the flight now, or can I do it once I arrive in Nepal? Is a trekking permit required for the hike from Panauti to Namo Buddha Monastery? And is it required for the trek from Dhulikhel to Nagarkot?

Is it better to book the Poon Hill trek in advance through an agency, or is it best to do it independently (without an agency) without a guide or porter? Is it easy to do this trek without getting lost? What’s the typical price for the Poon Hill trek when going through an agency? Is it better to book accommodations for the Poon Hill trek before leaving for Nepal, or can I easily find places to stay on the same day without prior booking? Is it possible to do both the sunrise excursion to Sarangkot and paragliding over the lake in one day (on my fifth and final day there)? Thanks in advance for your help!

hi, you can do the Poon Hill trek without a guide. The path is well-marked, maps are available, and people can point you in the right direction if needed. There’s no need to book accommodations during the trek—especially if you’re traveling independently. There’ll be plenty of places to eat and sleep every hour! Just watch the size/weight of your bag... for 5 days... you don’t need to carry a sleeping bag. Be careful on the last night in Gorepani (2,400m)—it can get cold depending on the weather. Wind is also possible at Poon Hill. Dominique

Hi, Your itinerary looks perfect. You can do it on 11/03: Panauti – Namo Buddha (overnight in Dhulikhel – drop your bag at the hotel in the morning), but it’s better to spend a night in a Namo Buddha monastery. Wed 12/03: Namobuddha to Dhulikhel (overnight in Dhulikhel) Thu 13/03: To get to Nagarkot (overnight in Nagarkot), you’ll need to go via Nala. Mon 17/03: Departure for Pokhara (6-hour bus ride) (overnight in Pokhara). It might take 7/8 hours by bus since the road is currently under construction. Sat 22/03: Pokhara (paragliding or Sarangkot? Is it possible to do both in one day?). Normally, the paragliding takeoff is from Sarangkot. For the flight to Chitwan, it’s best to book in advance to get the first flight. A permit isn’t required for the trek from Dhulikhel to Nagarkot, but you’ll need to pay the Annapurna conservation area fees. For the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, if you want a guide (for explanations about the Himalayas, ethnic cultures in the region, or to better connect with a Nepali family), it’s preferable to book before departure, but there’s no obligation to hire a guide or a porter. If you need even more info, just let me know. Welcome to Nepal. Adventure |||

Hi there, I don’t see any point in changing accommodation in KTM just to go to Boudhanath and then Bhaktapur. Stay in the same place every night—either KTM, Boudhanath, or Bhaktapur. Alternatively, stay in Bhaktapur on the way out and in KTM on the way back from the trek. No risk of getting lost on the trek from Pokhara to Poon Hill. Lodges on the trek don’t need to be booked—there’s always space. If you arrive at the stop early enough, you’ll have more choices. If you want a porter, you’ll find one in Pokhara.