How many days · Pokhara · Nepal
How many days do you need in Pokhara?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jmhullot, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
4 days is the sweet spot for Pokhara, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. 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.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 4 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 5
- Daylight
- 10.4 h (Dec) to 13.9 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Phewa Lake, Tal Barahi Temple, Sarangkot sunrise and Tandem paragliding |
| 2 days | Good | Tandem paragliding, World Peace Pagoda and Davis Falls |
| 3 days | Good | Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, International Mountain Museum and Mahendra Cave and Bat Cave |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Australian Camp and Dhampus |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Australian Camp and Dhampus and Ghandruk |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Pokhara add up to roughly 16–20 hours of visiting time — about 2–3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Sarangkot sunrise (2–3 hours), Tandem paragliding (2–3 hours including transfer) and World Peace Pagoda (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Phewa Lake | 1–2 hours | Lakeside |
| Tal Barahi Temple | 1 hour with the boat | Phewa Lake |
| Sarangkot sunrise | 2–3 hours | Sarangkot |
| Tandem paragliding | 2–3 hours including transfer | Sarangkot |
| World Peace Pagoda | 2–3 hours | Anadu hill |
| Davis Falls | 45 minutes | Damside |
| Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave | 45 minutes | Damside |
| International Mountain Museum | 2 hours | Ratopahiro |
| Mahendra Cave and Bat Cave | 1–1.5 hours | Batulechaur |
| Bindhyabasini Temple | 45 minutes | Old Pokhara |
| Old Pokhara bazaar walk | 2 hours | Old Pokhara |
| Seti River gorge | 30 minutes | Old Pokhara |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 4 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Phewa Lake and Tal Barahi Temple |
| With children | 5 days | Slower days and time for Phewa Lake |
| With day trips | 6 days | Add Australian Camp and Dhampus and Ghandruk |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 10.4 hours of daylight) than in June (about 13.9 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Pokhara with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Pokhara?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 4 days is more comfortable. 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.
+Is a week too long in Pokhara?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Australian Camp and Dhampus and Ghandruk.