Pokhara

By air

PKR · Pokhara International

New airport (opened 2023) a few kilometres from Lakeside; domestic flights from Kathmandu take about 25 minutes, with a growing number of regional international routes — confirm current services with the airline.

Lakeside (Baidam)

The main visitor strip: guesthouses, trekking agencies and restaurants right on Phewa Lake, but busy and noisy in high season.

Damside

Quieter southern end of the lake, still walkable to Lakeside, with fewer crowds and lower prices.

Etiquette

• Greeting: Namaste with palms together; a handshake between men in business; avoid: Hugging or kissing in public
• Temples and stupas: Walk clockwise, spin prayer wheels clockwise, shoes off at shrines; avoid: Touching offerings; entering Hindu-only areas
• Food: Right hand, accept refills gracefully; avoid: Sharing food you have bitten; stepping over food
• Feet and heads: Keep feet flat and away from people and altars; avoid: Touching anyone's head
• Photos: Ask first; offer to show the picture; avoid: Photographing cremations or rituals without permission
• On the trail: Pass mani walls and chortens on the left (keeping them on your right); give way to yaks on the mountain side; avoid: Standing on the drop side when animals pass

Scams and watch-outs

• Monsoon cloud (Jun–Sep) hides the mountain views most days: come outside this window if seeing Annapurna and Machapuchare is the point.
• Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) cards and Annapurna Conservation Area permits are required for most treks and rules change: confirm current requirements with a registered agency or the Nepal Tourism Board before setting out.
• Paragliding and other adventure operators vary widely in safety standards: check for licensed pilots, insurance and recent safety records rather than booking on price alone.
• Roads and trails can be damaged by landslides after heavy rain, including outside the core monsoon months: check current trail conditions locally before a trek.