A close neighbor to Kathmandu, Pokhara is one of the main tourism hotspots in Nepal. It is also the top destination spot for travelers who visit Nepal with the primary purpose of exploring its towering peaks. The trekking gateway to the Annapurna range is situated in Pokhara and forms an eminent part of every adventure-lover’s bucket list. The population of Pokhara is made up of a mix-and-match of indigenous communities that migrated from places near and far. While the city was mostly inhabited by the Khas community initially, the influx of British camps brought in the Gurung and Magar communities as well. The current eastern edges of Pokhara are also home to a small Muslim community called the Miya Patan.

The part of the city of Pokhara attracts tourism due to its lakes and adrenaline pumping activities. The city boasts of the widest possible range of quaint cafes and fancy restaurants to satisfy all your cravings, along with nature spots bursting at their seams in this exceptional city. Take a look at this thorough travel guide for your next trip to Pokhara.

By Air:

The quickest and most convenient way to reach Pokhara is by flying to Pokhara Airport via the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport if you’re coming from Kathmandu or the corresponding local airport of other cities in Nepal you might be traveling in from. 

By Road: 

The distance between Pokhara and Kathmandu is roughly 210 km and if you prefer the road over planes. You can choose from a range of bus services to reach your destination. Depending on your choice of vehicle, the journey can last anywhere from 6-8 hours.  

By Rail:

Trains do not run between cities in Nepal. The only rail option is to combine a train journey with road travel by reaching one of the border crossings between India and Nepal by train, and getting a bus or car to move on to Pokhara. 

Autumn (September-November):

These months witness the perfect kind of weather conditions for those visiting for sporting purposes. Clear skies are accompanied with minimal rain, which make it an optimum climate for paragliding and other similar activities.

Winter (December-February):

Winter is also ideal for undertaking adventure-sports since the weather is predominantly dry with little to no snowfall. Night time temperatures can dip low and will prove to be enjoyable for people visiting from tropical countries and hot climates.

Spring (March-April):

The weather starts to get warmer in this season and marks the peak time of tourist influx in the city. It sees optimum weather conditions to enjoy lakeside activities like boating and fishing, and city activities like shopping and sightseeing.

Summer (May-August):

Summertime gets immensely hot and humid, with the most amount of monsoon rainfall seen in this part of the country. A good season to visit, only if you can find ways to keep cool in the heat and generally enjoy the monsoon weather.

Lakeside Activities: 

Phewa Tal is one of the top tourist spots in Pokhara, and is known for its pristine waters that provide ample boating and fishing opportunities. Begnas Tal and Rupa Tal are less commercial, but no less stunning fresh water lakes that are worth visiting as well.

Adventure Sports: 

Pokhara is world renowned in the area of hosting adventure-sports, especially paragliding and microflight options. You can also opt to go bungee jumping, white water rafting and kayaking, zip lining, and sky diving across scenic locations all over the city. 

Sightseeing:

Pokhara is home to a large number of architectural landmarks and heritage sites. Sightseeing here includes places like the World Peace Pagoda, Sarangkot hill and all the temples and monasteries spread across the region.

Yoga:

The importance of yoga needs no introduction today, and Nepal is known as the epicenter of the yoga movement. Pokhara boasts the presence of numerous yoga retreats that provide ample meditation sessions and knowledge that you will take back home with you, having gained more insight into the world of yoga. It provides an ideal respite from the usual chaos of the city that is bustling from dawn to dusk, and lets you take a break from

Caves and Museums:

A substantially important part of the tourism culture in Pokhara is dedicated to the presence of mystical caves and historical museums in the city that see travelers coming in from every part of the world. The caves of Pokhara, while being a tourist hotspot, also hold special importance for the locals who worship numerous structures formed by nature within the walls of the caves. The museums in this city hold individual substance as each is known for depicting important aspects of distinct entities, like the Annapurna Butterfly Museum dedicated solely to butterflies and the Gurkha Memorial devoted to commemorating the services of the Gurkha soldiers.

In contrast to its neighbour Kathmandu, the cuisine in Pokhara is less about native delicacies and more about catering to all the tourist taste buds. Here, you will easily run into cafes and restaurants serving cuisines from all over the world; from Thai, Mexican, Chinese, Italian, Indian to even vegan options, there is something for everyone here.  

Some of the best eateries in the city definitely worth visiting are Godfather’s Pizzeria, German Bakery, Krishna’s Kitchen (Thai), Natssul (Korean), Marwadi Restaurant (Indian vegetarian), OR2K (Middle Eastern), Deja Vu (French), and Old Mike’s Kitchen (Mexican). If you are fond of seafood, don’t forget to ask for fresh fish options in the restaurants you visit. The local lakes provide delicious opportunities for all fish lovers.