A guide to Pokhara Nepal for the adventurous
How to get there:
The two main ways to get to Pokhara are to fly or take a bus from Kathmandu. There are daily flights from Kathmandu to Pokhara, this is more expensive than the bus, but much faster. The flight is only about an hour, the bus ride takes 7-10 hours depending on traffic. It is also possible to hire a private car, which would likely be a little faster and more comfortable than the bus.
Pokhara is also easily reached post trek in the Annapurna Region since you are already partway there from Kathmandu. There are also buses coming from/to Chitwan and Lumbini area daily to Pokhara.
Where to stay:
Budget: Forest Way Backpackers, Hotel My Dream, and Hotel Mountain View
Mid range: Hotel Middle Path & Spa, Pokhara Boutique Hotel and Dahlia Boutique Hotel
Luxury: Waterfront Resort by KGH Group, Temple Tree Resort & Spa, Sarangkot Mountain Lodge, and The Pavilions Himalayas The Farm.
Where to eat:
OR2K: Considered a Mediterranean place and located on the second floor of a small shopping mall, the deck has some good views. They serve great fresh foods and vegetarian meals, including great falafel and buddha bowls. This a great spot when you are some veggies that aren’t a part of traditional Nepali food.
The Juicery: A great spot with a garden along the lake, you’ll want to spend a whole afternoon here eating and drinking fresh foods. They have wood fired sourdough bread avocado toasts, fresh juices, smoothie bowls, salads and other delicious fresh foods. They also have a small yoga studio on site that offers fantastic morning classes.
French Creperie: The name might be the only description you need, but this cozy little restaurant serves great sweet and savory crepes.
The Roadhouse: A pizza place like its sister restaurant in Kathmandu. They have a nice upper deck and a surprising good wine and cocktail list for Nepal. Come here for a good dose of western style food. Pizza is the main attraction, but there is a large variety on the menu.
Little Windows: Vegetarian place, with safe to eat fresh vegtables, they have a large variety on the menu from boddha bowls, to crepes, to pizza, salads and sizzling fajitas. Grab a seat on their second floor deck and watch people go by on the main street through Pokhara.
Taste of Boudha: A cute little spot serving up traditional sherpa foods, from the mountains, for a little bit different foods than you get at the typical Nepali style restaurant.
What to do:
Take a boat across Phewa Lake:
Pokahara is situated along the Phewa Lake shore. It is very picturesque with its small wooden colorful boats, while you are there you can’t miss jumping in one of the boats and having one of the Nepali men paddle you across the lake. It is a great way to see the scenery.
2. Watch the sunrise at Sarangkot:
The top of the hill from Pokhara, Sarangkot has great views of the Annapurna Range. Go to the viewpoint in the early morning to watch the mountains turn color and light up. You can take a taxi from Pokhara up to the viewpoint, hike, or spend a night in a guest house in the little town of Sarangkot to experience the sunrise. Sunrise is also when it is most likely to be clear as the clouds often come in later in the day and you might not be able to see the mountains.
3. Hike to Sarangkot:
A great training hike if you are headed to the Annapurnas or other area for a trek, the hike to Sarangkot is beautiful as you weave through different little villages and farm terraces. You will also have great views of the mountains, Pewa Lake, and Pokhara. There are also great spots to stop and hake a snack and a cold drink.
4. Take a yoga class:
There are lots of different yoga classes, workshops and retreats in and around Pokhara. Yoga is an important part of the culture and there are lots of experts in Nepal. Stretch out before or after your trek, with some great classes. We loved the ones at the Juicery restaurant, stop by for a meal and check the class schedule.
5. Hike to the World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa):
The peace pagoda is situated on a hill across the lake from the main part of Pokhara. It was the first world peace pagoda built in Nepal in 1973 by a Buddhist Monk. The Stupa is very beautiful and has great views of Phewa Lake and the Annapurna Range. To get there you can drive most of the way and walk about 10 minutes from the road, or you can hike up from the lakeshore which takes about 45 minutes. If you want to do an all day adventure you can hike up the lakeshore way and then walk back via trails and dirt roads into the more local side of Pokhara and then make your way back along the lakeshore. Be sure to download a map, the little roads and trails can be a bit confusing, so it was very helpful to have a GPS.
6. Spend a day at the spa:
Pokhara is a great place to relax and unwind on vacation, especially after a trek. Spend a day getting pampered and book a spa package, they are quite reasonably priced. We spent a half day at Jiva Spa getting a massage, facial, scrub and mani/pedis. It was amazing and the spa is located in a nice courtyard, so you can sit in the garden. Many hotels and resorts also have spas you can visit even if you aren’t staying there.
7. Go to a movie at the outdoor theater:
There is a great outdoor movie theater in Pokhara called Movie Garden, that plays older movies, but also does some special films for different events. They have stadium seating and can bring blankets and snacks and hang out and watch the movies. There are also snacks available for purchase. It is a super fun way to spend a night or two in Pokhara.
8. Do a day trip to Bengas Lake:
Bengas Lake is a smaller lake not too far from Pokhara. This is a local hangout and does not get a ton of tourists, but can be reached by a bus or taxi. They drop off at the main lakeshore and then from there you can walk the dirt roads and trails to the far side. There is a tower you can go up for views of the lake and the surroundings and then have someone row you back across. There are some great little guesthouses and restaurants to get fresh fish for lunch.
9. Visit the Tashiling Tibetan Refugee Settlement:
There are several Tibetan Refugee settlements throughout Nepal, but this is located close to several sights in Pokhara and is a great place to spend a little time walking around. You can go by the Shree Gaden Dhargay Ling Monastery, which is very beautiful. I also recommend getting lunch and doing a little souvenir shopping, many of the refugee’s can’t legally work, so buying from their stalls and supporting their local businesses is great way to show support for their community. We had great Momos at Tibetan Yak restaurant at the refugee camp.
10. Go white water rafting:
There are lots of a major rivers with rapids near Pokhara and what better way to see them than to go white water rafting. There are options for just day long trips, or head out on a multi-day adventure. I did a three day and two night trip n the Khaligandaki with Paddle Nepal and it was a great experience. You get to pass through areas along the river that would take days of driving and hiking to reach.
11. Head out for a hike in the Annapurnas:
Pokhara serves as the gateway to many treks in Nepal, but is most well known for its proximity to the Annapurna Region, so take advantage and get out on a trek. There are lots of options from short to long treks such as The Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal and Poon Hill treks just to name a few. There are lots of local guide agencies in Pokhara that can help you organize and get the proper permits for your trek once you are there. Seeing this famous mountain range up close, is not an opportunity to be missed.
12. Visit the Gupteshwar Mahadev caves and Davi Falls:
The caves are actually located in a commercial area of Pokhara tucked between businesses and other buildings. You walk through and elaborate and beautifully painted staircase to enter them. There is a Hindu temple located in the cave and you can go down a ways and explore the cave system a little. Across the street is Davi Falls, which has a little park surrounding it and you can see the falls. The water from the falls flows through the cave.
