Things To Do In Pokhara, Nepal
Known as the gateway to the Annapurna Circuit, Pokhara, Nepal is a beautiful laid back area with completely different vibes from Kathmandu where many travelers come from, where we had just come from. Whether you’re looking to start an epic trekking adventure into the Annapurna mountain range or want to unwind and relax, Pokhara is the place to do that. You can find thrills and chill in one place and if you’re backpacking through Nepal, chances are you’ll end up in Pokhara at some point.
Looking for things to do in Pokhara, you’ve come to the right place:
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How To Get There
Pokhara is a city that is 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu directly under the Annapurna mountain range, so it can be a bit of a trek to get there. Wreaths of flowers were hung on the hood and incense was burned. People splashed some liquid on the bus and then threw petals and some red dust on the bus too. The windows were wrapped in colorful ribbons which obstructed the view.
I assumed it was all for our safety and it worked because eight hours later we were in Pokhara safe and sound. The roads were anything but smooth and our driver seemed to speed down the road with his eyes shut at certain times only to open them just in time to swerve to miss a cow that had wandered onto the road. It was an eventful ride and though I can sleep on any mode of transport, this trip wasn’t all that relaxing.
Getting There By Bus: If you’re on a budget, then traveling by bus is the best option but do understand that the roads are very bumpy and the trip will be at least eight hours but could be longer depending on traffic and just numerous other things. There are both standard and deluxe buses.
We took a standard on our bumpy ride and it was… squished, dusty, and cramped but it got us there. The difference in cost between the standard really isn’t all that much, so just know your options. If you want to see the landscape between the two cities, then the bus is a great option. We don’t regret our choices, because when you’re young and only live once, you do what you do, but YOU should know your options.
- How To Book: You can book a standard or deluxe bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara on Klook.
Getting There By Plane: The flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara is only 25 minutes and had I known it existed and known just how unpaved the roads are between the two cities, I probably would have opted for a plane. Flying is the quickest and most comfortable way to travel between Kathmandu and Pokhara but it does cost more so keep that in mind.
It doesn’t hurt to look into it though and I highly recommend it if you’re someone that is prone to getting carsick or just want a more comfortable ride.
- How To Book: Simrik Airlines, Buddha Air, and Yeti Airlines all operate flights between the cities. You can book a flight between Kathmandu and Pokhara on Klook.
Where To Stay
Most travelers to the city will stay in the Lakeside Pokhara area and it gives off a very boho traveler vibe and oozes calm and serenity which is no surprise as it sits on the banks of the Phewa Lake. The area features hotels, restaurants, cafes, trekking stores, and plenty of travel agents to help you on your way whether you’re going here or going there. For us, it was our last stop in Nepal before heading south to India and boy was it a necessary rest before we got there. While the Lakeside District is popular with tourists, it’s not the only area to the city. There is the more commercial old city and it is quite sprawling.
Shangri-La Village Pokhara
Renovated in 2010, the Shangri-La Village Pokhara guarantees guests a pleasant stay whether in Pokhara for business or pleasure. Guests can choose from 61 rooms, all of which exude an atmosphere of total peace and harmony. Superb facilities and an excellent location make the Shangri-La Village Pokhara the perfect base from which to enjoy your stay in Pokhara.
Book a room at the Shangri-La Village in Pokhara on Agoda.com
The Pavilions Himalayas
The Pavilions Himalayas is home to 15 bedrooms. All are tastefully furnished and many even provide such comforts as television LCD/plasma screen, additional bathroom, additional toilet, carpeting, clothes rack. The hotel’s canoe, hiking trails, yoga room, fitness center, sauna are ideal places to relax and unwind after a busy day. Whatever your reason for visiting Pokhara, The Pavilions Himalayas is the perfect venue for an exhilarating and exciting break away.
Book a room at The Pavilions Himalayas on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
What To See
Though Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal it feels nothing like the busy streets of Kathmandu. Pokhara, Nepal is often used as the starting point for those trekking into the nearby Annapurna region, but there’s plenty more to do in the area if trekking is not your jam. Wondering what places to visit in Pokhara, here is where to start.
We spread these stops out over a few days and lazily saw what we saw when we saw it, but if you’d like to get out and about quickly so as not to waste time if you’re going to be headed out on a trek soon, then hire a guide to take you around to all of them in one day.
- Book Ahead: Klook has a great Pokhara tour that will take you to Phewa Lake, Barahi Tal Temple, Devi’s Falls and the caves nearby, World Peace Pagoda, Seti River Gorge and more. It’d be a packed day but worth it to have a guide so there’s no lost moments.
Phewa Lake
This is the main attraction in the area and for good reason. It’s gorgeous. Near the shore in the touristy lakeside area it’s easy to find a boat to rent and prices are labeled on a large board in the front so it’s not something that changes or can be haggled. You can opt to hire someone to row the boat for you, or take it out yourself like we did. You can choose to go for a short 30 minutes or an hour or even two hours. Two hours was a good amount of time for us as we wanted to row across the lake to the Peace Pagoda and then back again.
From my travel journal:
We woke up early and walked down the lazy main road. We had breakfast at one of the many cafes amidst the shops and watched the absence of hustle and bustle making this town very different from where we’d just come. After getting a bite, we rented a paddle boat and had our go on Phewa Lake. Rhi isn’t too adept at paddling so it took awhile for us to get the hang of it… and each other’s rhythm.
Peace Pagoda/ Shanti Stupa
Constructed in response to the spread of Buddhism, there are over 100 world peace pagodas around the world today in locations with large Buddhist populations. There are a couple different ways to get to the pagoda including a bus or taxi, but we opted to take the boat we’d rented and paddled across from our hotel on the other side. Might as well have a goal.
We made it across the lake and took a short hike up to Shanti Stupa also known as the World Peace Pagoda as the sign directing us up the path indicated. The foundation for this stupa was laid in 1973 and through some discrepancies with the local government wasn’t able to be completed until 1992. The location allows for a great view of the surrounding area.
Barahi Tal Temple
If you’re enjoying that paddle boat ride and want to continue after stopping at the Peace Pagoda, then head to this temple which sits on an island on the lake and is only accessible via boat. A small two story pagoda sits on the island and is devoted to Durga, the protector of gods. This is the holiest site in Pokhara so be respectful if you’re headed there.
Mahendra Caves & Devi’s Falls
Located north of Pokhara, Mahendra Caves and Devi’s Falls are just next to each other so might as well visit both if in the area. Mahendra Caves are large limestone caves famous for their stalactites, stalagmites, and the bats that reside there. Visitors can walk down the metal stairwell to get inside but do note that it is a bit slick.
Devi’s Falls are also known as Hell’s Falls and there are numerous legends that surround the falls and various deaths that happened there. Today, there are railings so no one can get too close and suffer the same fate.
From my travel journal:
Yesterday was spent renting bikes, going to Devi’s Falls and meandering around the small town watching the cows own the streets, people sitting in doorways while it was too hot to go out, and hippies with dreads slowly go wherever it is they wanted to go. We spent the past couple of evenings in Blues Bar with Samundra and Suresh playing pool and talking. It’s quiet here but just what we needed.
Sarangkot Hill
Head to the top of Sarangkot Hill for an unforgettable view of white snow-capped peaks in the distance and the Himalayan range surrounding. There are sunrise tours that take visitors up to the top of this hill for some of the best panoramic views the world over. Do not miss it.
- Book Ahead: Join the Sarangkot Sunrise Tour with Klook or with Get Your Guide
What To Do
Trek To Annapurna Base Camp
You will get spectacular views on one of the most scenic and challenging treks in the world. From cascading waterfalls to beautiful villages, terraced farmlands, forests full of pine trees and flowers, there is much to see. Hire a guide so that meals and accommodation can be figured out easily and just enjoy this medium difficulty hike that you’ll remember for a lifetime. There are different hike options with varying lengths depending on how long you went to get on the trails.
You can do the hike on your own, but it just sounds easier to have a porter and someone that knows the best places to stay and eat on the way. But know your options in any event. If you want a great write up about the trekking options since we decided to just enjoy the rafting in the area instead, check out Hiking the Annapurna Circuit by Nomadasaurus.
- 9 Day 8 Night Annapurna Sanctuary Tour: Head out with Klook
- 7 Day 6 Night Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Head out with Klook or with Get Your Guide
- 3 Day 2 Night Chitwan National Park Tour: Head out with Klook
Hike to Ghorepani Poon Hill
If you don’t have enough time to trek into the Annapurnas, try this hike which takes 4 days and 3 nights. This is the best option if you’re a bit pressed for time but still want those amazing mountain views. The hike is easy to medium difficulty and also provides the lush forest landscapes, stops into the Himalayan villages and more. It’s definitely the next best option. If you want to read about the trek from someone who has done it, because we didn’t have the time while we were there, definitely check out this great informative post by Laugh Travel Eat.
- 4 Day 3 Night Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek: Head out with Klook or with Get Your Guide
- 2 Day 1 Night Pool Hill Trek: Head out with Get Your Guide
Paraglide Over Pokhara
Looking for some adventure of the high flying sort? The airborne views of the Annapurnas and Mt. Everest will leave you breathless… if the paragliding doesn’t anyway. Paired with a pilot, it’s a fun and safe way to launch yourself from the 1,592 meter tall take off point on Sarangkot. If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at flying like a bird, this is definitely the best place to do it.
- Book Ahead: You can book your paragliding experience on Klook or on Get Your Guide
Ride On An Ultralight Flight
If the views from above are your thing, then this is right up your alley. Tried the paragliding and want something just a bit extra? Take an exhilarating flight on an ultralight aircraft operated by the Avia Club Nepal. You will be able to soar 9,000 feet above sea level and fly near the summit of Fish Tail Mountain while you see views of the Himalayan Mountains. This is the best way to get up close and personal in the tallest of ways. This is one of those unforgettable experiences you’ll want to have while you’re in Nepal.
- Book Ahead: You can book an ultralight flight experience on Klook or on Get Your Guide
Try the ZipFlyer
Shoot down a 56 degree angle incline, the steepest in the world for a zipline, and experience the thrill of weightlessness as you soar 1.8 kilometers. The zipline is the tallest in the world with a 600 meter drop but not to worry, the ZipFlyer has met all world-accredited standards for safety. If you’re looking for adventure, this might be the ride for you!
- Book Ahead: You can book a ZipFlyer experience on Klook or on Get Your Guide
Go Mountain Biking
There are plenty of ways to get your heart pumping in the Pokhara area and mountain biking is just another one of them. Ride along the shoreline of Phewa Lake and then out into the nearby farmlands and then up to the Sarangkot ridge. Enjoy the picturesque landscape and stop whenever you want to take photos or for a rest. This is a great way to get the views around the area and also includes stops at Begnas Lake, Deurali Temple and Sundhari Danda Hill.
- Book Ahead: You can book your mountain bikes on Klook.
Go Rafting Down the Seti River
If hiking isn’t your thing, then maybe rafting is. Take on the Class IV rapids in the upper Seti River with a group of certified professionals for a fun and adventurous way to see the Annapurna Mountains. Enjoy the clear water, suspension bridges and prayer flags hung across the waters. For us, it was the perfect activity to get our hearts pumping and our guides couldn’t have been better.. like honestly amazing.
- Book Ahead: You can book your rafting experience ahead on Klook or on Get Your Guide
Today we’ve decided to go rafting and head for the border with India. Our guide for the day on the river was Maili. We rafted for three hours with Maili yelling “power” to get us going every couple of minutes but with five girls our power wasn’t really enough. Rhiannon fell in once and Maili hoisted her back in safely. The excitement really came after we finished though. We had been told that after the rafting trip, buses would be waiting to take us but what they really meant was that we’d have to hitch a ride on a passing bus and hope that one came that was going where we wanted to go.
Unfortunately, a bus going our direction never came. Maili and Dapendra, another guide, offered to take us back up to their village and they’d get a tent and sleeping bags for us to sleep by the river until the next morning. With no other viable options, we agreed.
They don’t live in what would be considered a town, it’s 20 houses or so where the guides live and some families stay. One house was set up as a makeshift “restaurant” to serve people/guides coming back from a long day. When we arrived we were fed panfried peanuts with spicy goodness, cucumbers and other side dishes and assuming it was our dinner we filled up. A couple hours later after we’d set up the tents, Maili and Dapendra walked us back to the house for more. We ate curry with rice and water buffalo. We weren’t so hungry anymore, but they were offering and the locals seemed keen on us being well taken care of. The hospitality was truly special here. The houses are small but the hearts of the people that live here are huge.
Maili and Dapendra helped us set up a tent and we made a fire near the river we’d rafted on during the day. I was surprised when Maili told me this was the first time anyone had been left behind and couldn’t find a bus. I apologized for the inconvenience but he said he was happy if we were happy and now he’d have a great story to tell other people.
The evening was spent talking with him and finding so many things in common with a Nepali man that grew up in the Annapurna mountains was stunning. Rhi and I went to sleep in the tent while Maili and Dapendra slept outside. I woke up early the next morning and helped Maili pump up the rafts for another day out on the river. We watched as the mist rolled in over the rapids. It was bittersweet to say goodbye to such caring, genuinely nice and hospitable people.
When I think of Nepal today, I still think of Maili and his village and they are probably one of the biggest reasons I would go back if I had the chance, the time and the money. To make a connection with someone that grew up a world away but still finding things in common was eye opening and to find a whole village of people that took us in, fed us, and housed us when they didn’t have to but when we were lost with no where else to go was stunning in a way that is almost indescribable.
The news and media and wars and whatever else we become inundated with would have us believe hatred exists in every corner of the globe and there is nothing else but time and again when I have traveled I haven’t found this to be the case.
In the end, I said, “goodbye” to Maili and so wanted to give him something but didn’t know what. I handed him a W10,000 bill from Korea that I had in my pocket. I told him it wasn’t much but if he made it to Pokhara or Kathmandu, he could probably exchange it for a fairly good amount of Nepali money and hopefully that would pay for at least the food that we’d eaten. He told me that he didn’t want to exchange it, he would keep it as a reminder of the time two girls couldn’t catch a bus, stayed in his village and were happy and so he was happy. I believe he really meant that, too.
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