A Taste of the Himalayas: Our Family Trip to Nepal
There’s a certain magic to Nepal that calls to you, a blend of spiritual serenity and breathtaking mountain grandeur. This April 2025, we decided to answer that call, swapping the familiar hum of Bangalore for the prayer flags and ancient wonders of Kathmandu and Pokhara. This blog post spans 9D/8N itinerary which has a mix of temple runs, adventures, local markets and sampling lots of local delicacies. We had a full pack with my parents and in-laws both part of the trip.
Day 1: Settling in
Our adventure began as we landed in Kathmandu, the city’s vibrant energy immediately wrapping around us. We checked into the Kantipur Temple House, a beautiful heritage hotel that felt like stepping back in time. We had hired a Toyota HiAce, apparently one of the popular choices to navigate treacherous mountain routes, which is a comfortable 9 seater vehicle.
That first evening was a sensory overload in the best way possible, as we navigated the lively, chaotic lanes of Thamel Chowk, a whirlwind of colorful shops, trekking gear, and the promise of adventures to come.
Day 2: Pashupatinath Temple
The next day was dedicated to the spiritual heart of the city. We made our way to the sacred Pashupatinath Temple. Getting the parchi (entry ticket) felt like a small quest in itself, a reminder that some things still run on a system of trust and local know-how rather than online portals. Just a short drive away, there is another temple, the Guheshwari Temple, one of the revered 51 Shakti Peeths. There’s a profound sense of completeness in visiting both, feeling the inseparable connection between Shiva and Shakti.
The evening was spent wandering through Kathmandu Durbar Square, where history stands carved in wood and stone at Hanuman Dhoka and the Kumari Temple. We capped off the night back in Thamel, sipping on fragrant Himalayan golden leaf tea and the sweet, milky local Chiya, letting the day’s experiences sink in.
Day 3: Bhaktapur and around
Our quest for spiritual connections continued the next day with a trip to Bhaktapur. We sought out the Doleshwar Mahadev Temple, a place of immense significance, now officially recognised as the head of Lord Kedarnath. For anyone who has made the pilgrimage in India, the journey feels truly complete only after bowing here.
Bhaktapur itself was a marvel. We took a guided tour through its ancient square, a living museum of Newari culture. The highlight for our taste buds was undoubtedly the Juju Dhau, or “King Curd.” Served in a simple clay pot, its creamy, sweet richness is something you can only experience there.
We had planned to end the day with a Himalayan sunset at Nagarkot, but the mountains had other plans. A thick blanket of fog rolled in, and while we missed the view, sipping coffee at Cafe du Mont while enveloped in clouds became its own unique memory.
Day 4: Local Kathmandu
The following days were a beautiful blur of stupas and temples. We climbed the steps to Swayambhu Mahachaitya, playfully dubbed the Monkey Temple for its mischievous residents, and were rewarded with panoramic views of the valley. In contrast, the immense, peaceful dome of Boudha Stupa offered a serene ambiance, with monks chanting and prayer wheels spinning.
That evening, we visited the unique Budhanilkantha Temple, where a giant reclining Vishnu sleeps on a bed of serpents, surrounded by water.
Day 5: Manokamna Temple
We started early morning from Kathmandu after a sumptuous breakfast and had packed lunch for the day ahead, knowing the journey was long. The road trip to Pokhara was an adventure in itself. Our most memorable stop was the Manakamana Temple, reached by a thrilling ropeway ride over lush valleys. The queue looked intimidatingly long, but the belief that a wish made here comes true within a year gave us the patience to wait it out. By the time we reached Pokhara in the late evening, we were tired but full of stories.
The road condition is not great, with tranches from perfecting motorable to barely manageable parts. It takes anywhere from 7-8 hours to cover this distance.
Day 6: Pokhara
Pokhara was a breath of fresh mountain air. Our stay at the Fish Tail Lodge, with its stunning views, felt like a dream.
We spent our first day on the tranquil waters of Phewa Lake, taking a boat to the Tal Barahi Temple nestled on an island in the middle.
The evening, however, was the absolute highlight of the trip. My parents, full of adventurous spirit, joined us for an Ultra Light Flight. I opted for the longer sunset tour, and it was an experience that words can hardly do justice—soaring with the magnificent Annapurna range in front of me, a sea of clouds below, and the setting sun painting the sky on one side. It was pure magic.
We celebrated that evening with a cultural dinner on Lakeside Street, feasting on a traditional Thakali thali—a delicious and wholesome platter of Nepali flavors, at the same time family humming and dancing to the tunes of local folk music!
Day 7: Local Pokhara
While the day today was a lazy one and nothing was planned, we decided to check out some of the local temples, such as Bindhyabasini Temple and Gupteshwar Mahadev temple. We attempted another Himalayan Sunset, having been disappointment at Nagarkot, with a trip to Sarangkot. With some luck on our side, we witnessed a spectacular sunset rounding out our perfect stay in this lakeside paradise, and sipping tea and Gurung bread.
Day 8-9: Flight back to Kathmandu & Bangalore
Our final leg of the journey was a scenic flight back to Kathmandu. For our last night, we chose Hotel Dolmaling, a place with a purpose, as it supports an adjacent monastery. We spent the evening roaming the nearby area, buying some local herbs and enjoying a final coffee tasting, reflecting on our incredible journey. The next day, with hearts full of memories and bags full of souvenirs, we began our journey home, reaching Bangalore by evening, already dreaming of our next Himalayan adventure.
Our time in Nepal was also a culinary journey. We made sure to try all the local delicacies: the fluffy, deep-fried Gurung bread served hot with butter, the comforting noodle soup of Thukpa, and the tangy, soupy dumplings known as Jhol momo.
GB Hacks
- As widely known, Nepal entry is very seamless for Indian citizens. If flying into Nepal, carrying Passport is advisable as that shortens your immigration. Otherwise Aadhar Card works too.
- Car rental is somewhat expensive. Nepal being a land locked country, relies a lot on imports and hence the duty.
- Taking domestic flight is preferable over driving between cities. However, if you have to visit a place en route, like in our case, flying doesn’t work.
- Operators like Buddha Air, Yeti Air all are similar in pricing and providing multiple flying options. It is as safe as it can get.
- Some Indian currency denominations such as 100 rupee notes are not acceptable in Nepal.
Kedia's Travelogue 