Below the Annapurnas
Pokhara
A big lake, clean air and, on a clear day, a wall of 7,000- and 8,000-metre peaks some thirty kilometres away: the town where you catch your breath, and where the Annapurna treks begin.
- Region: Below the Annapurnas
- Time needed: 2–4 days
- Entry: depends on the site (50 to 500 NPR (≈ €0.3 to €2.9))
- From Kathmandu: 25 min by plane, 6 to 10 h by bus
At a glance
After Kathmandu, Pokhara is surprisingly calm. The town stretches along Phewa Lake at 800 m, and the Lakeside district lines up hotels, cafés and agencies along the water. Above it, on a clear day, rise the Annapurna range and the pyramid of Machapuchare (6,993 m), the “Fishtail”, a sacred mountain that has never been climbed.
People come for the view, the lake, paragliding, and because it's the starting point of the country's most accessible treks: Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, Annapurna Base Camp. Two days are enough for the highlights; three or four if you want to walk a little or simply slow down.
One condition: the view is never guaranteed. From October to February it's almost always there in the morning; in spring, haze often veils it; during the monsoon, the peaks stay hidden for days on end.
Don't miss
- Sunrise over the Annapurnas from Sarangkot.
- A rowing boat on Phewa Lake to the island temple, then the climb to the World Peace Pagoda.
- Paragliding over the lake, one of the most renowned sites in the world.
- Quiet evenings in Lakeside, facing the water.
Less good
- Lakeside is very touristy: restaurants and shops all look alike.
- The view depends entirely on the weather, especially in spring and summer.
- The rainiest of Nepal's big towns during the monsoon.
In pictures
What to see
No combined ticket: each site has its own small entry fee, paid on the spot (foreigner prices, checked in September 2026).
Lakeside
Phewa Lake and Tal Barahi temple
boat ≈ 900 NPR (≈ €5) / h
The country's second-largest lake, lined with wooded hills. Hire a rowing boat with a boatman (or without, a bit cheaper) from Lakeside to reach the small Hindu temple of Tal Barahi on its island, or cross to the start of the World Peace Pagoda trail. Life jacket compulsory.
- Time
- 1 to 2 hours
- When
- In the morning, calm lake and visible mountains, or at sunset
Viewpoint · 1,600 m
Sarangkot
≈ 50 NPR (≈ €0.3)
The hill overlooking the lake to the north: the classic viewpoint for sunrise over Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas and Machapuchare. Go up by taxi (20 to 30 min, leave around 5 am) or on foot from Lakeside (2 hours' climb). It's also the paragliding take-off site.
- Time
- a morning
- Tip
- Look at the sky the evening before: if it's overcast, the view probably will be too.
South shore
World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa)
A white stupa built by Japanese monks on the ridge facing the town. The finest view of the lake and Pokhara with the mountains behind. Reach it by boat then a steep 45 min to 1 hour climb through the forest, or by road by taxi. Dress respectfully and keep quiet around the stupa.
- Time
- half a day with the boat
Near the airport
International Mountain Museum
500 NPR (≈ €3)
A large museum devoted to the Himalayas: history of expeditions, mountain peoples, geology, wildlife. Interesting before or after a trek, or on a rainy day.
- Time
- 1 h 30 to 2 hours
Activity
Paragliding
≈ 8,500 NPR (≈ €49)
Tandem flight with a pilot from Sarangkot, 20 to 30 minutes over the lake, landing in Lakeside. Price quoted by local agencies for a standard flight, transport included; photos and videos cost extra, longer flights cost more. Best conditions from October to April; flights cancelled in bad weather.
- Time
- half a day
If you have time
Davis Falls, Gupteshwor Cave, old bazaar
South of town, a waterfall that plunges underground (100 to 200 NPR (≈ €0.6 to €1.2)) and, opposite, a sacred cave dedicated to Shiva (100 NPR (≈ €0.6)): classics of organised tours, nothing more. More authentic: the old bazaar in the north of town, its Newar houses and the Bindhyabasini temple.
- Time
- half a day
Planning your visit
In 2 days
Day 1: arrival, walk along Lakeside at sunset. Day 2: Sarangkot at sunrise, rowing boat to Tal Barahi then to the south shore, climb to the World Peace Pagoda, boat back at the end of the day.
In 3 or 4 days
Add paragliding, the Mountain Museum, or a day's walking: the villages of Dhampus and Australian Camp, facing the Annapurnas, can be reached in a day or two with a night in a lodge.
With a trek
Pokhara is the starting point for Poon Hill (3 to 4 days), Mardi Himal and Annapurna Base Camp. Permits, guides and programmes on Trek Nepal.
Getting there
Kathmandu → Pokhara by plane
Several flights a day. Pokhara International Airport, opened in 2023, handles domestic flights; allow 20 to 30 min by taxi to Lakeside. Sit on the right on the way there to see the mountains.
Kathmandu → Pokhara by tourist bus
Departs from Kantipath, near Thamel. Arrives at the tourist bus station, about 1.5 km from Lakeside: 20 min on foot, or a taxi.
From Chitwan (Sauraha)
Tourist buses every morning. See Chitwan National Park.
Getting around locally
On foot
Lakeside is walkable, and the lakefront is pleasant all the way to North Lakeside.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Taxis to negotiate; Pathao and InDrive also work in Pokhara. Essential for Sarangkot at dawn: book it with your hotel the day before.
Scooter or bike
Easy to rent in Lakeside. An international driving permit is required if you're stopped, and the Sarangkot road is steep: be careful.
Where to stay
Lakeside
The heart of tourist life: every price range, every restaurant, everything on foot. The streets parallel to the lake are quieter than the main road.
North Lakeside (Khahare)
Further north, by the water: quiet guesthouses, a more bohemian feel. 15 to 30 min on foot from the centre.
Sarangkot
A few lodges and hotels on the ridge: the view when you wake up without getting up at 4 am. But far from everything else.
When to come
bestpossiblenot advised
In October and November the sky is at its clearest: it's trekking and paragliding season, and Lakeside is full. From December to February, mornings are cool but very clear. From March to May it's hot and haze often hides the peaks in the afternoon, but it's rhododendron season.
From June to September, Pokhara gets some of the heaviest rain in the country: violent downpours, hidden peaks, leeches on the trails. The lake is still beautiful and hotels slash their prices, but don't come for the view.
Festivals
| Dashain and Tihar | October–November As everywhere in the country: family celebrations, oil lamps, and packed buses. |
| Pokhara Street Festival | late December Around New Year: Lakeside goes pedestrian, with stalls, music and shows. |
| Holi | March The festival of colours, very lively in Lakeside. |
Religious festival dates follow the lunar calendar and change every year.
Good to know
You get your visa on arrival, at Kathmandu airport or at the border: form, fees and pitfalls to avoid on our dedicated site.
Visa Nepal →Fancy a few days of walking? Permits, guides, transport and day-by-day itineraries on our trekking site.
Treks that start from here: Annapurna Base Camp, Poon Hill, Khopra Danda, Mardi Himal, Upper Mustang.
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