5 days in Pokhara

Day by day

1. Day 1: Phewa Lake and Tal Barahi Temple

   Phewa Lake, Tal Barahi Temple and Sarangkot sunrise, then Central Lakeside in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Phewa Lake

      Go out early in the morning when the water is calm and the mountains are most likely to be clear; wear the life jacket provided. (1–2 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Tal Barahi Temple

      Combine it with a longer boat hire and continue to the far shore to walk up to the World Peace Pagoda. (1 hour with the boat, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Dal bhat

      Local restaurants in Old Pokhara and Lakeside; many tourist restaurants serve a set version.

   4. Afternoon

      Sarangkot sunrise

      Leave Lakeside by taxi about an hour before sunrise, or walk up the day before and stay overnight; October to December gives the clearest views. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Central Lakeside

      Bars with live bands and open-air terraces along the main Lakeside road, busiest in October and November.

2. Day 2: Tandem paragliding and World Peace Pagoda

   Tandem paragliding, World Peace Pagoda and Davis Falls, then Lakefront terraces in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Tandem paragliding

      Fly in the morning for calmer air and clearer mountains, and choose an operator with a clear safety record and insured pilots. (2–3 hours including transfer, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      World Peace Pagoda

      Boat across and walk up for the best experience, then descend on the other side towards Damside; remove shoes on the stupa terrace. (2–3 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Thakali khana set

      Thakali restaurants along Lakeside and in town.

   4. Afternoon

      Davis Falls

      Visit the Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave across the road on the same trip to see the water emerge underground. (45 minutes, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Lakefront terraces

      Restaurants and bars along the lakeshore path with fire pits and views of the water.

3. Day 3: Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave and International Mountain Museum

   Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, International Mountain Museum and Mahendra Cave and Bat Cave, then Sunrise at Sarangkot in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave

      Wear shoes with grip; the inner passage is slippery and low in places, and photography is not allowed in the shrine area. (45 minutes, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      International Mountain Museum

      Visit before a trek to understand the mountains you will see, or on a cloudy day when the peaks are hidden. (2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Momo

      Momo shops all over Pokhara, from Lakeside cafés to local eateries near Mahendrapul.

   4. Afternoon

      Mahendra Cave and Bat Cave

      Bring a torch for the Bat Cave and expect to scramble; the exit route is very narrow. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Sunrise at Sarangkot

      Stay overnight in Sarangkot and watch the peaks light up from your lodge terrace.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Australian Camp and Dhampus

   About 1 hour by car, plus 1 hour's walk each way. Getting there: Taxi to Kande, then hike.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Australian Camp and Dhampus

      About 1 hour by car, plus 1 hour's walk (Taxi to Kande, then hike); about 25 km.

   2. Day

      Australian Camp and Dhampus

      A short walk from the road at Kande climbs through forest to Australian Camp, a grassy ridge with close views of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas. Best for families, first-timers and couples.

   3. Evening

      Back in Pokhara

      Dinner: try Thukpa.

5. Day 5: Bindhyabasini Temple and Old Pokhara bazaar walk

   Bindhyabasini Temple, Old Pokhara bazaar walk and Seti River gorge, then Rowing on Phewa in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Bindhyabasini Temple

      Come in the early morning to watch daily worship, then walk to the Newar houses around Bhairab Tole. (45 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      Old Pokhara bazaar walk

      Take a taxi to Bindhyabasini Temple and walk south through the bazaar towards Mahendrapul. (2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Thukpa

      Tibetan restaurants in Damside, Lakeside and the Tibetan settlements.

   4. Afternoon

      Seti River gorge

      Look over the edge from the bridges rather than approaching unfenced banks. (30 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Rowing on Phewa

      Rent a boat in the late afternoon and drift as the hills and Machhapuchhre reflect in the water.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Tandem paragliding before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Lakeside keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, North Lakeside ($) suits budget, solo travellers and quiet stays. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 16–20 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.4 hours in December to 13.9 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Pokhara
• 2 days in Pokhara
• 3 days in Pokhara

Questions travellers ask