Month guide · Pokhara · Nepal
Pokhara in January
What January is really like in Pokhara: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mithunkunwar9, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
January is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 20°C (68°F), lows of 7°C (45°F), about 2 rainy days and roughly 10.5 hours of daylight. Cool mornings and sunny days with good mountain views, though haze can build in the afternoon; cold on high treks.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 20°C (68°F) / 7°C (45°F)
- Rainy days
- About 2
- Daylight
- About 10.5 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Pokhara: days average 20°C (68°F) against a yearly average high of 26°C (79°F), and nights fall to about 7°C (45°F). Rain falls on roughly 2 of its 31 days. Compared with December (21°C (70°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs climb to around 22°C (72°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:02
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:34
- Daylight
- About 10.5 hours
Monsoon (June–August). Heavy rain, cloud-covered mountains, leeches on trails and landslides on roads, but green scenery and the lowest prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 3 for crowds (the peak is October at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in October). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in January
January has no major recurring festival in Pokhara, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Nature · Lakeside
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.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Couples
- 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
Fly in the morning for calmer air and clearer mountains, and choose an operator with a clear safety record and insured pilots.
- 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
What to pack
For highs near 20°C, lows near 7°C and 2 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Pokhara?
A shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, March–April and October–December are better overall. Compare every month.
Pokhara in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Pokhara?
It is a shoulder-season month. Cool mornings and sunny days with good mountain views, though haze can build in the afternoon; cold on high treks.
+How warm is Pokhara in January?
Average highs are around 20°C (68°F) and lows around 7°C (45°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Pokhara in January?
Expect rain on about 2 days of the month, so it is usually dry.