Travel guide · Nepal
Pokhara travel guide
Lakeside cafés, Annapurna views, paragliding and the gateway to Himalayan treks
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Utsab Raj Giri, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Pokhara is Nepal's second city and its main base for the Annapurna region, set around Phewa Lake at about 800 metres with the fishtail peak of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range rising behind it on clear days. Lakeside, the strip of guesthouses, cafés and trekking shops along the eastern shore, is where most visitors stay. From here you can row to the island temple of Tal Barahi, watch sunrise from Sarangkot, paraglide over the lake, and start treks to Poon Hill, Ghandruk and Annapurna Base Camp. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are March–April and October–December.
Key facts
- Country
- Nepal
- Best time to visit
- March–April and October–December
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- PKR, KTM
- Mid-range daily budget
- $50–$110 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Phewa Lake, Annapurna views, Paragliding and Trekking base
Why visit Pokhara
- Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South and Dhaulagiri can be seen from the town and lake on clear mornings, most dramatically at sunrise from Sarangkot.
- Tandem paragliding launches from Sarangkot and glides down over Phewa Lake, one of the most popular flights of its kind in Asia.
- Treks into the Annapurna Conservation Area, from short hikes to Australian Camp to the Annapurna Circuit, start within a couple of hours' drive.
- Lakeside is the most relaxed place in Nepal to recover after a trek, with boats for hire, yoga, bakeries and live-music bars.
- The World Peace Pagoda, the International Mountain Museum and Davis Falls make full days around the town.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 16 things to do.
Nature · Lakeside
Phewa Lake
Nepal's second-largest lake stretches about 4 km along the edge of Pokhara, with forested hills on its southern shore and, on clear days, Machhapuchhre reflected in the water.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Couples
- Kids
- Photo spot
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Religious site · Phewa Lake
Tal Barahi Temple
A small two-tiered pagoda temple on an island in Phewa Lake, dedicated to the goddess Barahi, a form of Durga.
- Time needed
- 1 hour with the boat
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Sarangkot
Sarangkot sunrise
At about 1,600 metres on a ridge above Phewa Lake, Sarangkot's viewing towers look across to Dhaulagiri, the Annapurna range and the sharp summit of Machhapuchhre, which turn pink and gold at dawn.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
Experience · Sarangkot
Tandem paragliding
Tandem flights take off from the slopes of Sarangkot and glide over the valley for about 20–60 minutes, landing on the shore of Phewa Lake, with the Annapurnas behind on clear days.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours including transfer
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
Religious site · Anadu hill
World Peace Pagoda
A white Buddhist stupa built by the Japanese Nipponzan Myohoji order on a ridge above the southern shore of Phewa Lake, at about 1,100 metres.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Free
- Active
- Photo spot
Nature · Damside
Davis Falls
The outflow of Phewa Lake plunges into a deep, narrow sinkhole at Davis Falls (Patale Chhango) and disappears underground.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Photo spot
Where to stay
Lakeside is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$ · Best for first-timers, families, nightlife and food lovers
Lakeside
Guesthouses, cafés, trekking shops and bars along Phewa Lake's eastern shore
$ · Best for budget, solo travellers and quiet stays
North Lakeside
Quieter, greener stretch of guesthouses and yoga retreats beyond the main strip
$ · Best for quiet stays, budget and couples
Damside
Older, quieter tourist area by the Phewa dam with views of Machhapuchhre
$$ · Best for couples and quiet stays
Sarangkot
Hilltop village at about 1,600 metres with sunrise views and the paragliding launch
What to eat
- Dal bhat — Nepal's everyday meal: rice with lentil soup, vegetable curry, pickle and often meat curry, with free refills of rice and dal.
- Thakali khana set — The refined dal bhat of the Thakali people from the Kali Gandaki valley, served on a brass plate with black lentil dal, buckwheat dishes, gundruk (fermented greens), spicy pickles and meat curry.
- Momo — Steamed or fried dumplings filled with buffalo, chicken, pork or vegetables, served with tomato-sesame chutney.
- Thukpa — A Tibetan noodle soup with vegetables and meat in a spiced broth, warming after a day in the hills.
- Sekuwa — Skewers of marinated meat — chicken, mutton or buffalo — grilled over wood fire and served with chutney, beaten rice and pickles.
- Lake fish fry — Fresh fish from the lakes and fish farms, rubbed with spices and deep-fried until crisp, served with rice or beaten rice.
When to go
The best time to visit Pokhara is October to December, when the monsoon has cleared the air and the Annapurnas are visible almost every morning. March and April are also popular for trekking, with rhododendrons in bloom but hazier views. The monsoon from June to September brings heavy rain, hidden mountains and disrupted travel.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | September–November | Peak season after the monsoon, with clear views, Dashain and Tihar festivals and the busiest trekking trails. |
| Winter | December–February | Dry, clear and cool, with cold nights; good for lower treks and quieter than autumn. |
| Spring | March–May | Warm, with rhododendrons on the hills and a second trekking season; afternoon haze and storms increase by May. |
| Monsoon | June–August | Heavy rain, cloud-covered mountains, leeches on trails and landslides on roads, but green scenery and the lowest prices. |
Getting there and around
Pokhara International Airport (PKR), on the eastern side of the city, is about 15–20 minutes by taxi from Lakeside. Flights to Kathmandu take about 25 minutes and are often delayed or cancelled by cloud, especially in the monsoon. Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) handles most international arrivals.
Lakeside is compact and walkable, and taxis cover the rest of the town cheaply. Boats are the way across Phewa Lake, and bikes or scooters suit trips to Pame, Begnas and the hills.
Plan your days
Two days covers Sarangkot at sunrise, a boat on Phewa Lake, the World Peace Pagoda and Davis Falls. Four days adds paragliding, the International Mountain Museum, Begnas Lake and a short hike to Australian Camp or Dhampus. Many visitors stay longer as the start or end of an Annapurna trek.
Practical information
- Currency
- NPR
- Language
- Nepali and English
- Plugs
- Type C, D and M sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is not drinkable; use refill stations, filtered water or bottled water.
- Emergency number
- 100 (police), 102 (ambulance), 1144 (Tourist Police)
- Tipping
- Restaurants usually add a 10% service charge.
Choose licensed, insured operators for paragliding, rafting and trekking, and follow guide advice on weather and altitude on treks. Monsoon landslides can block roads and trails, and boats on Phewa Lake should only be used with life jackets.
Flights to Pokhara
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Pokhara?
Two days covers Sarangkot at sunrise, a boat on Phewa Lake, the World Peace Pagoda and Davis Falls. Four days adds paragliding, the International Mountain Museum, Begnas Lake and a short hike to Australian Camp or Dhampus. Many visitors stay longer as the start or end of an Annapurna trek. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Pokhara?
The best time to visit Pokhara is October to December, when the monsoon has cleared the air and the Annapurnas are visible almost every morning. March and April are also popular for trekking, with rhododendrons in bloom but hazier views. The monsoon from June to September brings heavy rain, hidden mountains and disrupted travel.
+What is Pokhara known for?
Phewa Lake, Annapurna views, Paragliding, Trekking base, Sarangkot sunrise, World Peace Pagoda and Lakeside cafés. Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South and Dhaulagiri can be seen from the town and lake on clear mornings, most dramatically at sunrise from Sarangkot.
+Is Pokhara expensive?
Pokhara is very affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $50–$110 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Pokhara?
No. Taxis, boats and walking cover Pokhara, and buses or private jeeps reach trailheads. Hire a car with driver for Bandipur or Tansen if you prefer not to take buses.