northern india

[Voley]

I will also want days just chilling and discovering whatever delights the local smoke has in store for me. Heard so much about it, definitely want to enjoy it. I guess that can better be done in pokhara than kathmandu. But the latter is a place i want to experience too.

Avoiding charas-wallahs in Kathmandu is more difficult. Loads of people dealing fairly openly in the streets of Thamel. If you want a bit of peace and quiet, though, I'd think about staying in Boudha (Boudhanath) instead of the touristy ghetto of Thamel. Thamel's a bit like Khao San Road - ideal for arranging onward travel and what-have-you but not really very Nepali. In Boudha you can stay near Boudhanath Stupa:

You can fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara no problem - it's about $60US iirc and is a stunning flight if you get a day when the haze isn't too bad. You get great views of Macchapucchre as you fly into Pokhara. Get a seat on the right hand side for the best views.

You might want to think about the Everest Flight, too. $90US or so (I think) from Kathmandu out to Everest over the Himalayas and then back. Absolutely stunning - Yeti Airlines are the firm to aim for - they let you up in the cockpit and everything. Took these photos from up there. Bloody wonderful, it was.