What to do with one week in Nepal?

I get to Kathmandu in the morning on December 22 and my departing flight leaves midday December 28. Based on the research I've done so far, it seems like the Mardi Himal trek is probably my best bet with limited time, but am wondering if anyone has any other recommendations? Particularly interested in anything a little more challenging/higher elevation. 

Is Everest Base Camp doable in that time frame? I have experience at 6000m and am pretty fit so am not really worried about acclimatization, just not sure how reliable flights to/from Lukla and Kathmandu are that time of year, and unfortunately can't afford to extend my dates at all. 

Thanks for any advice/recs!

You’d need at least 10 days for EBC, you could squeeze in Annapurna Base Camp but I think that’s better/safer with a bit more time. Altitude doesn’t really care how fit you are. If you’re really set on trekking Madri Himal or Poon Hill would be my recommendations. If it’s your first time definitely take a few days to check out Kathmandu, and don’t spend all of it in Thamel!

You could get to Namche Bazar safely and return. From Namche, you can do a walk into the hills and catch a glimpse of Everest, take in the culture and meet some interesting people. It is quite the cross roads.

It's not Base Camp, but it is several interesting days that was quite memorable to me when I went to EBC and Gokyo.

Good luck and be wise about acclimating. 

Michael Catlettwrote:

You could get to Namche Bazar safely and return. From Namche, you can do a walk into the hills and catch a glimpse of Everest, take in the culture and meet some interesting people. It is quite the cross roads.

It's not Base Camp, but it is several interesting days that was quite memorable to me when I went to EBC and Gokyo.

Good luck and be wise about acclimating. 

Second this.. Namche is magnificent!!! so is the trek from lukla! I will say if you're dates are tight you may get stuck in Lukla and miss your flight so factor that in.. ONce you're there there really is no way out other than a flight or a 3 day jeep drive/hike. 

Piggy backing on this thread. Is there any rock to be climbed this time year? Larger objectives maybe?
Skiing? Mountaineering? 

Alex Guzmanwrote:

Piggy backing on this thread. Is there any rock to be climbed this time year? Larger objectives maybe?
Skiing? Mountaineering? 

https://www.himalaya-alpine.com/explore/himalaya-map/

 Link to a map with climbing skiing trekking and mountaineering opportunities in the Himalaya. By no means exhaustive but a good first look

I've spent a fair bit of time in Nepal over the last 5 years. You only have 6 days to work with, and unless you're living in Asia somewhere nearby already, you'll be pretty jet-lagged for the duration of your trip. I think it's unrealistic to plan a trek, and you'd really just end up killing 2 of your 6 days hanging out at KTM or Lukla. I recommend you postpone the trek for your next visit. 

Stay in Thamel for a few days, but explore around. I like "Hotel Red Planet" for an affordable, safe place to stay with excellent hosts. Himali Kitchen is my go-to for Dal Bhat. Visit Pashupatinath and Swayambunath on one of your days; take a taxi between these locations. Take the public bus to Bhaktapur Durbar Square; it's pretty cool and the bus experience will be something you remember if it's a busy day. You can probably take a taxi back home if you can't handle two trips on the bus. Dhulikhel and the surrounding area might be worth 1-2 days. It's a 2 hour bus ride east of Kathmandu. There are some nicer hotels, the air is cleaner, and some interesting walks to go on. The Namobuddha Monastery is awesome (you can walk there from Dhulikhel and take the bus back, but don't miss the last bus!), and its fun to check out the smaller temples in Panuti and Dhulikel. Strongly consider flying or taking a charter bus to Pokhara. I haven't actually been there, but I regret not going on my last trip. You'll get nice mountain views and escape the brown Kathmandu air. Negotiate taxi prices if you're trying to be frugal. Earlier this year, I could usually get a 15-20 minute ride for 500-1000Npr, but they'll ask double or triple that. All of these suggestions are somewhat "adventurous", in that you'll have to figure a lot of things out on the fly and you might feel confused. It's part of the Nepal experience, in my opinion. Don't be afraid to ask for help. The Nepalis are very nice and most people in Kathmandu seem to speak enough english to help out if you need.

Final question: How on earth did you end up making a trip to Kathmandu for 7 days? I have to think you live nearby, or will already be in the region for some other reason. It's such a long trip from the US! Enjoy it and plan a longer trip in the future. For the 10-14 day treks, you'll probably want to have at least 3 weeks in Nepal to make it comfortable. If you did not know, as of 2023, it is mandatory that you hire a guide for Himalayan treks. Foreigners are no longer allowed to do the treks independently.

I haven’t to Nepal in years but can’t imagine how you’ll be able to do much trekking wise with the time you have.  You owe yourself a few days in Kathmandu to check out Swayambhu, Durbar Square, Thamel, etc.  Namche Bazar seems possible but you’d have to scratch seeing any of the capital AND you’d have to get lucky with flights in and out.  There’s a reason why they call it the Lukla lottery.  You might have time to get to Pohkara and maybe hike to Poon Hill.  I forget the distance but my understanding is that the road goes almost all the way there now.  It is was still a several day hike from Besisahar when I was there BITD.  Honestly, if you want to see Nepal, I’d recommend canceling your trip and going when you have a few weeks to burn.  You need time to do a full trek, see some rhinos in Chitwan, chill by the lake in Pohkara, etc.  That can be tough as Americans given our unhealthy “work ethic”, i.e., lack of employment benefits.  The only Americans I met when I went were ones like me, who had quit work, on sabbatical or were taking a break from their former life.  This is contrast to Euros, who were simply on vacation, or Israelis, who had just finished their military service and needed a break.  Good luck with whatever you plan.  

Thanks for all the replies and info everyone. Regarding the short duration, I'm doing a study abroad program in Thailand over my winter break and managed to find cheaper airfare going through Kathmandu but only one week before, unfortunately. EBC or anything involving Lukla seems too risky given my strict departure date and short time. 

I'd like to still try Mardi Himal and it seems pretty doable in 5 days roundtrip from Kathmandu, which would leave me with two days to explore the city. Is there unreasonable? And should I book with an online outfitter or is it easy/cheaper to get a guide in country?

No need to book a trip online. You're going to be bombarded with folks trying to sell you trips as soon as you get there.  

I can’t comment on whether you have enough time to pull off the Mardi Himal trek.  Never done it but you’d have to hit the ground running and snag a bus ticket to Pohkara for probably the day after you arrive.  However, people go to Nepal to see the Himalaya. Hanging out in Kathmandu, nice cool and all, is really secondary.  Hanging out in Thamel isn’t that different from hanging out on Khao San Road.  You might as well go for it.  Now that you’re prohibited from trekking solo, you can probably score a trip that includes transportation to and from the capital.

chadwick huppwrote:

No need to book a trip online. You're going to be bombarded with folks trying to sell you trips as soon as you get there.  

This is true but you'll have no idea if there reputable or not.. Some definitely are but some are probably a bit shady.. booking online lets you read some reviews.. But if you're looking for more of and adventure then you can defiantly just wing it!