Itineraries for Your Trip to Pokhara
2 Days in Pokhara for First Timers
On a recent trip to Nepal, reintroducing my young daughter to her fatherland, she was excited to see the Himalaya on Kathmandu’s northern horizon. “Just you wait until we get to Pokhara,” I told her. It didn’t disappoint. It’s hard for travelers not to compare Pokhara with Kathmandu, the capital. In most respects, lake-side, mountain-ringed Pokhara comes out on top. The traffic is less problematic, the air a whole lot cleaner, and the Annapurna range of the Himalaya are right there.
Many travelers pass through Pokhara on the way to and from trekking trips in the Annapurna Himalaya. But whether you’re heading deeper into the mountains or are visiting Pokhara for its own sake, there are many ways to fill two action-packed days.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the cable car up to Sarangkot for views of Mt. Fishtail.
The city is at a low altitude, so it never gets very cold; visit late November–early February for the clearest mountain views.
Get up early to ride the cable car up Sarangkot Hill in time for the sunrise. The cable car station is a short taxi ride from Lakeside. From the city, you can often see the peak of Mt. Fishtail (Machhapuchhre) poking through, but from Sarangkot, you can see the whole mountain and many more. There’s a café up there for a morning coffee, or you can linger over breakfast or brunch.
Back in the city, spend the afternoon on the water. Pokhara is famous for its colorful row boats on Lake Phewa, and renting one and an oarsman is a peaceful way to spend time. You’ll also stop at the Tal Barahi Temple in the middle of the lake. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you could also spend the afternoon whitewater rafting on the Seti River, as tours run from Pokhara.
Pokhara’s Lakeside area is full of great restaurants and bars. The spots facing the lake often have sunset happy hour specials, so find a comfortable place to watch the sky turn pink behind the lake and mountains. Then, refuel from your day’s activities with a traditional Nepali meal of dal bhat tarkari (lentil curry, rice, and vegetables, often with a meat curry too).
Pokhara is home to many Tibetan refugees, and you can learn more about the people, their culture, and their stories on a morning tour of a Tibetan settlement. Sample Tibetan food—perhaps even making your own—and visit the monastery to meet the monks and learn about Tibetan Buddhism. You can also support the community by purchasing handicrafts from them.
Hiking isn’t the only outdoor activity you can enjoy around Pokhara. You can also bungee jump or ride a steep 1.1-mile (1.8-kilometer) zipline with the mighty Himalaya as your backdrop. If this isn’t your cup of chia, check out the International Mountain Museum instead to learn about Nepal’s mountain cultures and mountaineering.
Take a taxi to the hilltop Shanti Stupa, also known as the World Peace Pagoda, on the southern end of Lake Phewa, an hour or so before sunset. You’ll need to walk the last section up some steep steps. The views from here are great because you can see the Himalaya and Lake Phewa and Pokhara spread out below.
