Pokhara
Discover Pokhara…
Picture a cobalt blue lake with a gaggle of colourful rowing boats bobbing against the shore. Add in the soaring snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna range beyond, their reflections gleaming on the lake’s mirror-still surface. And there you have it: picture-postcard Pokhara, Nepal‘s most popular resort town, in the most gorgeous of settings. Besides its picturesque location, Pokhara is also the main hub for trekking in Nepal, offering everything from a multi-day hike to a gentle afternoon’s stroll.
Start planning your journey here...
Give us a call 9am-5pm UK time Monday to Friday, or make an enquiry online at any time.
Not all about the hike...
“There are all sorts of other intrepid activities on offer if hiking is not for you, including rafting, mountain biking and paragliding.”
Three things to do in Pokhara
Explore the town
You’ll certainly want to spend some time exploring Pokhara. It used to be a sleepy little market town, but now it’s a bustling city, exceptionally popular with tourists from all over the world. First ‘discovered’ by backpackers several decades ago, it retains a friendly, chilled-out vibe to this day. The town is growing quickly, slowly spreading further around the lake, but it’s not hard to find calm among the crowds if you venture off the beaten track. There are old shops to browse without the intense, hard sell energy you sometimes find in Kathmandu. Take in the views of the mountains over coffee or lunch in a friendly cafe by the lake, and explore a host of atmospheric temples and monuments.
Phewa Lake
Visitors to Pokhara are inevitably drawn to Phewa Lake, the second largest in Nepal. This serene expanse of freshwater produces spectacular reflections of the surrounding Annapurna mountains. You can walk or cycle around it, but the quintessential Pokhara experience is to hire a paddle boat and be gently skulled across the mirror-flat waters to Tal Barahi, a Hindu temple on an island at its centre. Take a boat all the way to the other side and climb the steep forest trail to the brilliant white stupa of the World Peace Pagoda. Set high on the hillside, it offers exceptional panoramas back across the lake, close up views of the Annapurna Massif and, on a clear day, the distinctive silhouette of Fish Tail Mountain.
Annapurna dreaming
For many, Pokhara is the jumping off point for exploring the epic mountains on foot, in particular the Annapurna Conservation Area. There are hikes for pretty much all fitness levels, from scenic day treks through the valleys and foothills to villages like Dhampus and Sarangkot, to multi-day expeditions to the high altitude Annapurna Sanctuary itself. On the subject of impressive panoramic views, Sarangkot – a hill just on the outskirts of Pokhara – is arguably the most spectacular viewpoint in Nepal. We think the best time to visit is at dawn, to savour the changing colours across the Annapurna mountains at sunrise, but the views at sunset are none too shabby either…
Inspiring experiences and places to stay
Lean into the details of your bespoke Asia trip to discover rare experiences, exceptional hotels, local connections, inspiring conservation and much more…
Start planning your journey here...
Give us a call 9am-5pm UK time Monday to Friday, or make an enquiry online at any time.
Talk to our expert team...
Every Asia trip we build is finely tuned to fit you, and that all starts with a chat. Let us know what you're hoping to see, feel and experience on your travels, and the places you're dreaming of, and your Asia Specialist will craft a route that includes everything you want and more.
The Selective Asia difference
-
Bespoke journeys tailored just for you
-
Unparalleled local knowledge and expertise
-
Award-winning, nose-to-tail service
-
Responsible travel
-
24 hour local support
-
Our flexi-booking promise and financial clarity
No ordinary Travel Company
Personally designed, exceptional journeys across Asia that champion a passion for travel with care for community connections and the planet.
Unfollow the herd.
Fully protected and flexible bookings
Selective Asia is a fully ATOL licensed and bonded tour operator, and our flexi-booking promise offers increased protection & peace of mind.,
