Major city
Pokharaपोखरा
Use Pokhara as the lakeside base for Annapurna treks and short hikes: two nights, or longer if you are trekking.
Rules in force · 4
- Nepal ↗Get visa information only from the Department of Immigration; visa-service lookalike sites charge extra, and the rules differ by nationality.
- Nepal ↗At stupas walk clockwise; at temples and homes remove shoes where there is a rack or a raised floor; cover shoulders and knees.
- Nepal ↗Carry Nepalese rupees in small notes: many stalls, taxis and tea shops are cash-only, and shops rarely take foreign notes.
- Nepal ↗Strikes (bandh) and protests can close roads without notice: check the news and your hotel the night before any airport or highway day.
Pokhara is Nepal's second most visited destination, on Phewa Lake with the Annapurna range behind it. It is the usual start and end point for Annapurna-area treks. The town is relaxed and geared to visitors.
At a glance
- Known for
- Phewa Lake · Annapurna views · Trek starting point · Paragliding · World Peace Pagoda
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr
- Avoid
- Jun–Sep (monsoon rain and cloud hide the mountains)
- Nights
- 2–4
- Airports
- PKR Pokhara International (Domestic flights and limited international services: check the operator)
Where to sleep
Lakeside
Main visitor area with guesthouses, restaurants and the lake.
Damside
Quieter, with views of the lake and hills.
Getting around
Lakeside is walkable; taxis reach trailheads and viewpoints. Buses and flights link Pokhara to Kathmandu, and mountain flights can be cancelled for weather.
Watch out
- Monsoon cloud often hides the views.
- Check that trekking permits and guide requirements are current before you go.
- Adventure-sport operators vary in quality: check safety records and insurance.
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Pokhara. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
Sources
Sources
- Nepal Tourism Board (official)
- Wikivoyage — Pokhara (secondary)