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Kathmandu & Pokhara: the Day-by-Day Itinerary

Nepal's classic corridor runs from Kathmandu's medieval squares to Pokhara's lakeside, where the Annapurna range fills half the sky. Between them sits Bandipur, a hilltop bazaar town the highway forgot — in the best way.
Kathmandu & Pokhara is a 340 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as 5–7 days; the plan below is the 6-day version for October, built from 146 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.
Customize this plan → 5-day plan · 6-day plan · 7-day plan · best time to go
6
days
169 km
distance
4.8 h
driving
35
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Post-monsoon clarity: the Annapurna wall stands over Pokhara and festival season fills the squares.
Day 1 Kathmandu
🌡 10.0–29.4°C · 🌧 ~6 rain days · ☀ 11.3h light
09:00
Indiamuseums & heritage
Indian visa centre requires early arrival for processing.
50 min · Kathmandu
09:50
Volunteer Society Nepallocal & traditional
Live locally and contribute meaningfully in homestays.
90 min · Kathmandu
11:20
Bagamati Tripureswor Bridge
Spanning the Bagmati River with city views.
50 min · Kathmandu
12:10
Bagamati Bridge, Kupondole Rd
Crossing the Bagmati River with bustling riverside scenes.
50 min · Kathmandu
13:00
Bijeshwori Bridge
Connecting both sides over the serene Bishnumati River.
50 min · Kathmandu
13:50
Bhimsen paakhaa Bishnumati Bridge
Arches gracefully above the flowing Bishnumati River.
50 min · Kathmandu
Day 2 Around Kathmandu
🌡 10.0–29.4°C · 🌧 ~6 rain days · ☀ 11.3h light
09:00
Shankhadhar Bridge
A footbridge offering intimate views of the Bishnumati River.
50 min · Kathmandu
09:50
Shova Bhagawati Bridge
A swaying suspension bridge over the Bishnumati River.
50 min · Kathmandu
10:40
Park Ln Bridge
Stretching over the Bagmati River with city bustle.
50 min · Kathmandu
11:30
Teku Bagamati Bridge
Linking neighborhoods above the Bagmati River.
50 min · Kathmandu
12:20
Tripura Marg Bridge
Crossing the tranquil Tukucha River.
50 min · Kathmandu
13:10
Vishnumati Bridge
Bridging the gap over the wide Bishnumati River.
50 min · Kathmandu
Day 3 Bhaktapur
🌡 10.0–29.4°C · 🌧 ~6 rain days · ☀ 11.3h light
09:17
Changu Narayanmuseums & heritage
Enjoy ancient temple views and serene hilltop scenery.
50 min · Bhaktapur
18:30
Cafe Beyondlocal & traditionalcoffee & bakes
Relish fresh, locally-grown Korean vegetables in dishes.
75 min · Bhaktapur · Mains Rs 400
open: 06:00 to 21:00
Overnight: Bhaktapur
e.g. Nyatapola Guesthouse · Pagoda Guesthouse & Cafe
See the remaining 3 days of the 6-day plan →
Route map
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