With kids · Pokhara · Nepal

Pokhara with kids

Family-tested sights, a calm base and the practical details that make travelling with children easier.

Updated 24 October 2026By the AMZBooking editorial team

Quick answer

Pokhara is Nepal's most family-friendly town: flat lakeside walks, boat rides, caves and waterfalls, and gentle hikes with mountain views. Paragliding has age and weight requirements, and early-morning trips to Sarangkot are easiest with older children. Top picks: Phewa Lake, Tal Barahi Temple and Davis Falls. Families usually base themselves in Lakeside.

Family picks: 6
Best area for families: Lakeside
Rainy-day options: 3
Busiest months: October–November

Best things to do with kids

Nature · Lakeside

1.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. Brightly painted wooden boats can be hired with or without a rower from the Lakeside shore, and a walking path follows much of the eastern bank.

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

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Views
Couples
Kids
Photo spot

Religious site · Phewa Lake

2.Tal Barahi Temple

A small two-tiered pagoda temple on an island in Phewa Lake, dedicated to the goddess Barahi, a form of Durga. Worshippers row out with offerings, especially on Saturdays, and the boat ride from Lakeside takes about 10 minutes.

Combine it with a longer boat hire and continue to the far shore to walk up to the World Peace Pagoda.

Time needed: 1 hour with the boat
Cost: Low cost

Iconic
History
Kids
Photo spot

Nature · Damside

3.Davis Falls

The outflow of Phewa Lake plunges into a deep, narrow sinkhole at Davis Falls (Patale Chhango) and disappears underground. A small park with railings surrounds the gorge. The falls are most powerful in and just after the monsoon.

Visit the Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave across the road on the same trip to see the water emerge underground.

Time needed: 45 minutes
Cost: Low cost

Nature
Kids
Photo spot

Religious site · Damside

4.Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave

A cave across the road from Davis Falls, entered down a spiral staircase, with a shrine to Shiva housing a natural stone lingam. Further in, a damp passage leads to a chamber where you can see the Davis Falls water pouring into the cave.

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

Time needed: 45 minutes
Cost: Low cost

Rainy day
Kids
Nature
History

Museum · Ratopahiro

5.International Mountain Museum

A large museum south of the airport devoted to the Himalaya and mountaineering, with displays on the 14 peaks over 8,000 metres, early Everest and Annapurna expeditions, mountain peoples and geology. Outside, a model of Manaslu stands in the grounds and there is a climbing wall.

Visit before a trek to understand the mountains you will see, or on a cloudy day when the peaks are hidden.

Time needed: 2 hours
Cost: Low cost

Rainy day
History
Kids

Nature · Batulechaur

6.Mahendra Cave and Bat Cave

Two limestone caves in the north of the city. Mahendra Cave has lit passages with stalactites and a small Shiva shrine, while the nearby Bat Cave is darker, home to large colonies of bats, with a tight exit squeeze for the adventurous.

Bring a torch for the Bat Cave and expect to scramble; the exit route is very narrow.

Time needed: 1–1.5 hours
Cost: Low cost

Kids
Rainy day
Active

Rainy-day ideas

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.
International Mountain Museum — Visit before a trek to understand the mountains you will see, or on a cloudy day when the peaks are hidden.
Mahendra Cave and Bat Cave — Bring a torch for the Bat Cave and expect to scramble; the exit route is very narrow.

Where families should stay

$$ · Best for first-timers, families, nightlife and food lovers

Lakeside

Lakeside (Baidam) stretches for a couple of kilometres along the eastern shore of Phewa Lake and holds most of Pokhara's hotels, restaurants, bakeries, trekking agencies, gear shops and live-music bars. The lakefront path is good for walking, boats for Tal Barahi leave from the shore, and many rooms have mountain views from their roofs.

Good: Everything within walking distance; Huge choice of rooms at every price; Lakefront walks and boats
Watch out: Commercial and busy in peak season; Traffic on the main Lakeside road
Nearby: Phewa Lake, Tal Barahi Temple, Basundhara Park

Family travel tips

Hire a boat with a rower and life jackets for the trip to Tal Barahi.
The short hike to Australian Camp suits children with good walking legs and gives big mountain views.
Lakeside has plenty of restaurants with Western and mild Nepali dishes for fussy eaters.
Pack warm layers for cold mornings and sun protection for midday, even in winter.
Bring a torch and sturdy shoes for the caves.

Day trips for families

Australian Camp and Dhampus (About 1 hour by car, plus 1 hour's walk) — 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.

When to go with children

The best months overall are March–April and October–December. October–November are the busiest, so book the big sights early. Weather by month.

Questions travellers ask

+Is Pokhara good for kids?

+What can kids do in Pokhara?

Phewa Lake, Tal Barahi Temple, Davis Falls, Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave and International Mountain Museum.

+Where should families stay in Pokhara?

Lakeside: Guesthouses, cafés, trekking shops and bars along Phewa Lake's eastern shore.