Travel Tips
Nepal 2 Weeks on a Budget: A Complete Day-by-Day Itinerary
Two weeks is the ideal length for a first Nepal trip. This day-by-day budget itinerary covers Kathmandu, Pokhara, a classic trek, and Chitwan without unnecessary expense.
Two weeks in Nepal is enough to experience Kathmandu's temples, the Himalayas from Pokhara, a proper trek, and one of Asia's best wildlife parks — all on a genuine budget. This itinerary balances the essential Nepal experiences with realistic cost management.
Overview
Kathmandu: Days 1-3
Pokhara: Days 4-6
Poon Hill Trek: Days 7-10
Chitwan: Days 11-12
Return to Kathmandu (departure): Days 13-14
Days 1-3: Kathmandu
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport. Purchase a local SIM card at the arrivals terminal. Take a pre-paid taxi or a negotiated taxi to Thamel (NPR 700-1,000).
Day 1: Recover from jet lag. Walk the Thamel backstreets. Breakfast at a local bakery (NPR 100-200). Evening: wander to Kathmandu Durbar Square (entry fee applies unless you are staying in the square's neighborhood hotel).
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Day 2: Morning walk to Boudhanath — do the kora, watch the monks. Afternoon: Pashupatinath ghats (free exterior access). Local dal bhat dinner (NPR 200-300).
Day 3: Day trip to Patan (Lalitpur) — Durbar Square, artisan studios, local lunch. Prepare trekking gear and book tourist bus to Pokhara for the next morning.
Kathmandu accommodation estimate: NPR 600-1,000 per night for a budget private room.
Days 4-6: Pokhara
Day 4: Arrive in Pokhara by tourist bus (NPR 800-1,500). Settle into a lakeside guesthouse (NPR 500-1,000 per night). Afternoon lakeside walk — free.
Day 5: Hike to World Peace Pagoda (free). Rent a rowing boat on Phewa Lake (NPR 600-1,200 for 2 hours). Evening at Lakeside.
Day 6: Purchase ACAP permits and TIMS card for the Poon Hill trek. Gather food supplies for the trail. Budget accommodation near bus park area.
Pokhara accommodation estimate: NPR 500-1,000 per night.
Days 7-10: Poon Hill Trek (Ghorepani-Poon Hill)
This 4-day circuit is one of Nepal's most rewarding short treks. Altitude: maximum approximately 3,200m.
- Day 7: Bus from Pokhara to Nayapul (NPR 200-300). Trek Nayapul to Ulleri (4-5 hours). Teahouse accommodation plus meals.
- Day 8: Trek Ulleri to Ghorepani (4-5 hours). Arrival at the rhododendron forest zone.
- Day 9: Pre-dawn hike to Poon Hill viewpoint (45 minutes). Return to Ghorepani. Trek to Tadapani.
- Day 10: Trek Tadapani to Ghandruk. Return to Pokhara by local transport.
Daily trekking cost: NPR 1,500-2,500 (accommodation plus 3 meals).
Permits: ACAP (NPR 3,000) plus TIMS (NPR 2,000) — one-time cost.
Days 11-12: Chitwan
Travel by tourist bus from Pokhara to Sauraha/Chitwan (NPR 700-1,000, 5-6 hours).
Day 11: Afternoon canoe ride on the Rapti River (NPR 500-1,000). Evening tharu cultural program (sometimes free or NPR 200-300).
Day 12: Morning guided jungle walk (NPR 1,500-3,000). National Park entry (NPR 1,500-2,000). Afternoon cycling in the buffer zone.
Chitwan accommodation: NPR 600-1,200 per night in Sauraha guesthouses.
Days 13-14: Return to Kathmandu
Bus from Chitwan to Kathmandu (NPR 500-800, 5-6 hours). Final evening in Kathmandu for last-minute shopping and a proper Nepali dinner. Departure.
Budget Summary (14 Days)
| Category | Estimated Total |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (14 nights) | NPR 8,000-15,000 |
| Food | NPR 10,000-18,000 |
| Transport (all) | NPR 5,000-9,000 |
| Entry fees and permits | NPR 8,000-12,000 |
| Activities | NPR 3,000-6,000 |
| SIM card and misc | NPR 1,000-2,000 |
| Total | NPR 35,000-62,000 |
At mid-range exchange rates, this equates to approximately USD 260-460 for 14 days — or USD 18-33 per day. Nepal remains one of the world's genuinely affordable destinations for travelers willing to live locally.
