The Lake and the Mountain
Kathmandu · Pokhara · 6 days
Two days of the valley's temples, then the lake city — sunrise above Sarangkot, an hour on Phewa Lake, and a free afternoon for the optional thrills Pokhara is known for.
what stays with you
Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath Stupa, Patan Durbar Square
Sarangkot hill
Pokhara town tour
one-hour boat ride on Phewa Lake
day by day
- Day 1
Arrival
A Karmix representative meets you at the airport and drives you to the hotel. Overnight Kathmandu.
- Day 2
The valley's great squares
A full day of private sightseeing: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath Stupa, and Patan Durbar Square.
- Day 3
The road to the lake
A scenic drive to Pokhara over the mountain highway (200 km, about six hours). Overnight Pokhara.
- Day 4
Sunrise at Sarangkot
An early morning excursion to Sarangkot hill for the mountain view. After that, a half-day Pokhara town tour with a one-hour boat ride on Phewa Lake; the rest of the day is free for optional activities.
- Day 5
Back to the valley
Drive back to Kathmandu over the mountain highway (200 km, about six hours). Overnight Kathmandu.
- Day 6
Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight onward.
what's included
- twin-share accommodation with breakfast
- private airport transfers with a Karmix representative
- private sightseeing with a local English-speaking guide
- monument entrance fees during sightseeing
- all applicable current taxes
- private surface transfers Kathmandu–Pokhara–Kathmandu with a chauffeur
- the one-hour boat ride on Phewa Lake
- lunch and dinner (all meals are included during the Chitwan nights)
- vehicle on demand or for local runs
- expenses of a personal nature
- travel insurance
- international airfare
- Nepal visa fee
- alcoholic beverages and bar bills
- tips and gratuity for staff
- services not listed under what's included
hotels, by city
Kathmandu
- A · 5-starHotel Radisson (premium room)
- A · 5-starDusit Princess (superior room)
- B · 4-starHotel Ramada Encore (deluxe)
- B · 4-starHotel Barahi Kathmandu
- C · 3-starHotel Marshyangdi (deluxe)
- C · 3-starHotel Landmark Kathmandu (deluxe)
Pokhara
- A · 4+ starTemple Tree Resort & Spa (deluxe)
- A · 4+ starHotel Barahi Pokhara (super deluxe)
- B · 4-starAtithi Resort & Spa (deluxe)
- B · 4-starHotel Landmark Pokhara (deluxe)
- B · 4-starMount Kailash Resort (deluxe)
- C · 3-starHotel Lake Paradise (deluxe)
- C · 3-starHotel Queens Park (deluxe)
the practical part
Visa
- a tourist visa is issued on arrival at designated entry points, or can be arranged in advance
- your passport must be valid for at least six months
- we recommend applying online up to 72 hours before arrival at nepaliport.immigration.gov.np
- at the airport, pay at the visa fee payment desk with your online confirmation, collect the receipt, then proceed to the immigration desk — the self-service machines are slower
- visa fees are payable in cash (card and wallet payments are not always reliable) and are set by the government, so check the current fee before you fly
Children
- with two full-paying parents, a child under 10 with an extra bed pays 75% of the twin-share rate
- a child under 10 sharing a bed pays 50%
- a child under 5, with no extra bed, travels free (without extra breakfast)
- a child on twin share pays the same as an adult
- maximum two children under 12 per room (not recommended at some hotels); from 12, children are treated as adults
- maximum three adults per room
Cancellation
- 45 or more days before departure: no charge (a few cases excepted)
- 45 to 21 days: 15%
- 20 to 8 days: 30%
- 7 to 2 days: 35%
- within 24 hours: 50%
- after arrival in Nepal: 100% of the tour cost
dates & prices, on request
Tell us your dates and your party size — we’ll send the current price for The Lake and the Mountain and answer everything else.