By air
Pokhara International (PKR), ~3 km; ~25 min from Kathmandu
Nepal & Bhutan · Nepal
Pokhara, Nepal
A lakeside town under the Annapurnas
Getting there
Best time to visit
October to November and March to April — clear mountain views
Don't miss
Phewa Lake
Sarangkot
The World Peace Pagoda
Davis Falls
Things to do
Paragliding from Sarangkot
Boating on Phewa Lake
The World Peace Pagoda at sunrise
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Saroj Pandey · CC BY-SA 3.0
What to pack
Layers, trekking gear
A quieter corner
Begnas Lake, quieter than Phewa
Questions travellers ask
How long is the flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
About 25 minutes into Pokhara International (PKR), which is roughly 3 km from town.
When are the mountain views clearest in Pokhara?
October to November and March to April. Bring layers, plus trekking gear if you're heading into the hills.
What adventures can I have in Pokhara?
Paraglide from Sarangkot, go boating on Phewa Lake and catch the World Peace Pagoda at sunrise.
Is there a quieter lake than Phewa?
Yes, Begnas Lake is quieter than Phewa.
About Pokhara
- Lakeside
- Mountains
Where it is
Pokhara is the capital of Gandaki Province in central Nepal, set in a valley on the shore of Phewa Lake at about 800 m, with the Annapurna range and the peak of Machhapuchhre rising to the north.
History
Pokhara grew as a market town on the trade route between India and Tibet, where Newar merchants settled in the 18th century, and it became part of the unified kingdom of Nepal later in that century. Roads and flights opened it up in the second half of the 20th century, when Tibetan refugee settlements were also founded nearby, and it became Nepal's great base for trekking and lakeside holidays.
People
Pokhara's people include Gurung, Magar, Newar and Thakali communities, with Tibetan settlements nearby, and Nepali is the common language. Many Gurung families have long served as Gurkha soldiers in the British and Indian armies, a story told at the city's Gurkha Museum.
Known for
- Phewa Lake and the Tal Barahi Temple
- Sunrise over the Annapurnas from Sarangkot
- Paragliding
- The World Peace Pagoda
- Gateway to the Annapurna treks
Did you know?
Machhapuchhre, the fishtail peak above Pokhara, is considered sacred and closed to climbers, so its summit has never been officially reached.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.