Experience Pokhara

Overview

The charming lakeside city of Pokhara is set in the heart of the fascinating Himalayas. It is the gateway and endpoint for those trekking the Annapurna Circuit, filled with spectacular scenery and fun adventures. The serene Phewa Lakeside district is home to rejuvenating yoga centers, excellent restaurants, and the International Mountain Museum. Pokhara is Nepal’s crown jewel, nestled in its heart center. The enchanting city is set amongst the breathtaking mountain ranges and pristine lakes. It leads nature lovers and adventurers out to some of the most mesmerizing landscapes filled with thrilling activities. The alluring city is known for its stunning natural beauty and majestic peaks. It's the perfect destination for unforgettable experiences.

Things to see and do

Get out on the waters of the serene Phewa or Fewa Lake. The idyllic lake is set in the heart of the city and is one of its most iconic landmarks. The spectacular soaring Annapurna mountain ranges reflect in its calm waters, and there is a selection of cafes, shops, restaurants, and bars dotted around its shores. Spending quality time on the lake can be enjoyed through many activities, such as boating, sailing, and kayaking. The Tal Barahi Temple sits on a small island in the center of the lake, where visitors can stop and enjoy a spiritual experience while out on their boating adventures.

The Rupa and Begnas Lakes are situated just 10 miles outside of Pokhara on the way to Kathmandu. These lakes can be the ideal retreat for a peaceful day filled with boating and fishing opportunities, and a good option for escaping the busy nature of Phewa Lake. The Begnas offer a much more tranquil experience, the picture-perfect spot to soak up some serenity amongst nature, and are surrounded by the beautiful Himalayas.

Pokhara is the gateway to the Annapurna Circuit for avid trekking enthusiasts. Go trailblazing along the magnificent Annapurna ranges, which soar to an astonishing height of 26,545 feet above sea level. This is a challenging, high-altitude trek that takes around 20 days to complete (shorter day-long hikes and multi-day hikes are also optional through a portion of the circuit), traveling through the eponymous range. Tour guides, porters, and overnight stays at traditional teahouses can all be included and are highly recommended along your journey. The Pokhara valley is the starting point for many hiking trails. It's a Hiker’s paradise, and the verdant valley caters to all trekking needs with all levels of experience.

Sarangkot Mountain in the small village sharing the same name reaches 5.249 feet in altitude, overlooks the verdant Pokhara valley and the surrounding mountain ranges. The mountainside ride is a lovely place to capture a sunrise or sunset, and is said to offer some of the best views in the Annapurna. This location boasts the most outstanding panoramas and glorious mountain views over the majestic Himalayas.

Sarangkot is a famous destination for paragliding, it's a launchpad for paragliding adventures in the region. Thrill seekers have the opportunity to glide over the beautiful, verdant valley below and soak in the spectacular birds-eye views. There are also options to take a cable car ride to Sarangkot from Pokhara.

Head to Patale Chango (also known as Davis falls), which translates to ‘Underworld’s Waterfall', a beautiful, majestic waterfall that disappears underground. The Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, locally known as ‘Bhalu Dulo’ is located just opposite the falls and is considered one of the longest caves in the country. The cave features stalactite formations within the intricate cave system and boasts stunning views of the waterfalls from inside.

Visit the International Mountain Museum is the one and only mountain museum in the world. It is located in Pokhara and was established in 1973 with the basic objective to record, document, and chronicle the past and present of the development of mountaineering activities in the Himalayan peaks, in particular.

Shopping

There are a few interesting shopping opportunities to explore when visiting Pokhara. The popular tourism hub is the second most populous city in Nepal, after Kathmandu. The shops here sell a variety of unique local handicrafts that help support the local economy and community. Tourists can shop at a number of places and pick up special trinkets and souvenirs to take home. The RK Shopping Complex is a large shopping center with a variety of stores, each with something unique to offer. There are shops selling some very unique, delicate, and elegant items at moderate prices. Other stores offer beautiful wall hangings, handcrafted jewelry, and pashmina shawls. Shops are dotted along the lakeshores, including the Tibetan Mini Market in Lakeside, popular for Tibetan carpets and Tibetan weaving, and the Pokhara Cottage Emporium, popular for pashmina shawls. The Fair Mount Trekking Shop is the city’s well-known trekking shop, providing essential trekking and hiking equipment. This shop provides all the necessary gadgets that are needed for a day of trekking in the area, It's always busy for a reason.

An interesting place to visit and shop is the Women Skills Development Organization Center in Pokhara, a social welfare council-run project registered under the Nepal government. The primary goal is the initiative to empower woman by showing them that their efforts can make a difference in the world. The women are trained in several jobs such as weaving, cutting, and sewing textiles. It was a project to help the neediest, poor, illiterate women and teach them some skills. The woman here make different kinds of bags, jhari work, and antique pieces.

Dining

Pokhara is a food mecca in Nepal, not only known as a gateway to trekking, but it's a foodie's dream destination and is filled to the brim with excellent dining options. Pokhara offers diners endless eateries, including lakeside restaurants, cafes with outdoor seating, cozy pubs, and bars, many of which boast breathtaking scenic views. The menus in many of the city’s establishments cater to a wide variety of palates with both local Nepali dishes and international cuisines. Mainly, the restaurants in Pokhara are either found along the lake shores, providing the perfect setting and ambiance to enjoy a relaxing evening and a delicious meal. Other popular restaurants can be found lining the main street in town or by the busy bazaar. Fusion dining experiences are growing more popular in Nepal, and the growth of tourism in Pokhara has led to culinary creativity and the development of hybrid foods accommodating tourists with Westernized adaptations of traditional dishes. Restaurants around Pokhara offer a diverse array of cuisines and dishes that showcase the country's diverse culinary heritage. Street food is a popular thing in Pokhara and a great evening activity. At night, busy street stalls come alive all over the city, selling delicious momos/dumplings, samosas, grilled corn, and fried noodles.

Some iconic local dishes include; momo (meat or vegetable dumplings, fried or steamed), Dal Bhat (lentil soup with rice), dhido (buckwheat dish), sel roti (rice doughnut), Thukpa (noodle soup), kwati (bean, and lentil soup), gundruk (leafy greens), Jeri (deep fried sweet treat), Chhoyela (spicy dish marinated meat), laphing (spicy mung bean noodles), Dhau (Nepali yoghurt).

Nightlife

The nightlife in Pokhara offers a nice, relaxed atmosphere with many charming lakeside establishments that offer a wonderful blend of modern and cultural entertainment to choose from. There are several places to enjoy an exciting after-dark experience in Pokhara, including restaurants, bars, pubs, and clubs. After observing the sun setting behind the majestic mountains, the lakeside town transforms into a hub of activity. There are sophisticated rooftop lounges boasting magnificent panoramic views of the lake and mountains. There are live music venues where local artists play and a great mixture of traditional Nepali music and other more contemporary styles like jazz, blues, and rock. Strolling around the lakeside promenade at night is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience Pokhara’s nightlife, enjoying a cool breeze and serene views with the soft glow of cafes and bars spilling onto the streets. It's the perfect place to unwind after a busy day of exploring.