Month guide · Pokhara · Nepal
Pokhara in May
What May is really like in Pokhara: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Q-lieb-in, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
May is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 30°C (86°F), lows of 18°C (64°F), about 15 rainy days and roughly 13.5 hours of daylight. Hot and humid with pre-monsoon storms; views are often hazy and treks quieten.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 30°C (86°F) / 18°C (64°F)
- Rainy days
- About 15
- Daylight
- About 13.5 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in May
May is the warmest month in Pokhara: days average 30°C (86°F) against a yearly average high of 26°C (79°F), and nights fall to about 18°C (64°F). Rain falls on roughly 15 of its 31 days. Compared with April (29°C (84°F)), May is about as warm; by June highs stay near 30°C (86°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:19
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:52
- Daylight
- About 13.5 hours
Autumn (September–November). Peak season after the monsoon, with clear views, Dashain and Tihar festivals and the busiest trekking trails.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May 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 May
- Buddha Jayanti — Buddha's birthday at monasteries and stupas (April or May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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
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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
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.
- 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
What to pack
For highs near 30°C, lows near 18°C and 15 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Pokhara?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, March–April and October–December are better overall. Compare every month.
Pokhara in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Pokhara?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Hot and humid with pre-monsoon storms; views are often hazy and treks quieten.
+How warm is Pokhara in May?
Average highs are around 30°C (86°F) and lows around 18°C (64°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Pokhara in May?
Expect rain on about 15 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.