By air
Domestic flights from Kathmandu take about 25 minutes. Flights from India mostly connect through Kathmandu.
Gandaki Province · Nepal
Pokhara travel guide
A lakeside town under the Annapurna range, with boating, paragliding and the start of Nepal's most popular treks. Relaxed, walkable and good value.
Photo: titas gurung / Unsplash
Quick facts
- Best time
- October to April
- How long
- 4–6 days
- Daily budget
- ₹1,800–3,000 backpacking
- Getting in
- Pokhara (PKR), or 6–8 hours by road from Kathmandu
- Altitude
- About 820 m
Costs are typical per-person ranges in Indian rupees, reviewed September 2026. Nepal prices are in Nepali rupees, fixed at NPR 1.60 to ₹1. Check current prices and conditions before you book.
Pokhara sits on Phewa Lake with the fishtail peak of Machhapuchhre rising straight behind it. On clear mornings the Annapurnas fill the skyline, and the lakeside strip has cafés, boats for hire and trekking shops.
It's the base for short treks like Poon Hill, and for paragliding from Sarangkot, one of the world's best-known launch sites.
When to go
Best time to visit Pokhara
- Oct–NovBest
The clearest mountain views and the main trekking and paragliding season. Book stays around Dashain and Tihar.
- Dec–FebGood
Crisp, clear mornings and quieter trails. Nights are cold, and snow can close higher trek routes.
- Mar–AprGood
Warm days and rhododendrons in bloom on Poon Hill, though haze often hides the peaks by midday.
- May–SepMixed
Monsoon from June: clouds hide the mountains, trails are muddy with leeches, and roads see landslides. Paragliding is limited.
Getting there
How to reach Pokhara
By road
Tourist buses from Kathmandu take 6–8 hours. From the Sunauli–Bhairahawa border, buses and jeeps take about 7–9 hours via Tansen.
Budget
Pokhara trip cost per day
| Per day | Backpacker | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (lakeside guesthouse) | ₹700–1,500 | ₹3,000–6,000 |
| Food | ₹450–900 | ₹1,000–2,000 |
| Local transport (bus, taxi) | ₹200–500 | ₹1,000–2,500 |
| Activities and entry | ₹300–800 | ₹1,000–2,000 |
Tandem paragliding from Sarangkot is the big splurge, typically several thousand rupees for a 20–30 minute flight; compare licensed operators on the lakeside. For treks into the Annapurna Conservation Area, Indians pay the SAARC permit rate, about NPR 1,000 (roughly ₹625).
Itinerary
5-day Pokhara route
- 1
Day 1: Lakeside
Walk the Phewa Lake shore and row out to the island temple of Tal Barahi.
- 2
Day 2: Sarangkot
Sunrise over the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhre, then paragliding back down to the lake if the weather allows.
- 3
Day 3: World Peace Pagoda
Boat across the lake and hike up to the white stupa, then Devi's Falls, Gupteshwor Cave and the International Mountain Museum.
- 4
Day 4: Australian Camp or Begnas Lake
A short hike to Australian Camp for close mountain views, or a quiet day at Begnas Lake.
- 5
Day 5: Onward
Bus to Chitwan (5–6 hours) or Kathmandu, or start a Poon Hill trek.
Don't miss
Top things to do in Pokhara
Phewa Lake
Rowing boats, lakeside cafés and the reflection of Machhapuchhre on still mornings.
Sarangkot
A hilltop viewpoint for sunrise over the Annapurnas and the main paragliding launch.
World Peace Pagoda
A white hilltop stupa with views back over the lake and town.
Poon Hill
A 3–4 day trek to one of Nepal's best mountain viewpoints.
Kids and pets
Visiting Pokhara with kids or pets
With kids
Great for kids- The flat lakeside path, rowing boats and the mountain museum all suit children. Ask for child-size life jackets on the lake.
- Paragliding operators set their own minimum age and weight; check before promising a flight.
- Poon Hill is a manageable first trek for fit older children; younger ones do better with a day hike to Australian Camp.
With pets
Possible with planning- Crossing into Nepal with a pet needs a vet health certificate and border quarantine clearance; check the current rules first.
- Lakeside is relaxed, and some guesthouses and cafés accept dogs. Confirm before you book.
- Go by your own car; tourist buses and domestic flights rarely take pets in the cabin.
Pet and child policies vary by stay and operator and change often. Confirm before you book.
Local guides
Local guides in Pokhara
Reviewed by WanderTrail. Message them on the site without sharing your number.
S
Sandesh bhandari
Pokhara, Lumbini, Chitwan +5 · Nepal
English, Nepali, Hindi
Licence provided
$25 / day
Before you go
Practical tips
- Trek permits
- Get an Annapurna Conservation Area permit at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Pokhara before you start. Carry your passport or voter ID and passport photos.
- Paragliding safety
- Fly with registered operators and check the pilot's licence. Flights are cancelled in poor weather, so keep a spare day.
- Lake safety
- Ask for life jackets on boats, especially with children. Afternoon winds can make the lake choppy.
Questions
Pokhara FAQs
When can you see the mountains from Pokhara?
October to February gives the clearest views, especially early in the morning. In spring, haze often hides the peaks by midday, and in the monsoon they're usually in cloud.
Can I do a short trek from Pokhara?
Yes. Poon Hill is a 3–4 day loop from Nayapul or Ulleri with no high altitude. For a single day, hike to Australian Camp or Dhampus.
How do I get from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
A tourist bus takes 6–8 hours and costs little; a domestic flight takes about 25 minutes. Book the morning flight, as afternoon flights are more often delayed.
Planning Pokhara with friends?
Send them this guide so everyone sees the same costs and route.
More travel guides
Bagmati Province
Kathmandu
4–5 days · ₹1,800–3,000 backpacking
Gandaki Province
Annapurna Base Camp
7–10 days · ₹2,800–4,500 backpacking
Bagmati Province
Chitwan
2–3 days · ₹2,500–4,000 backpacking