Visit Beautiful Pokhara Valley

Pokhara Valley – Nepal's Most Scenic City

Pokhara sits at 884m above sea level on the shore of Phewa Lake, with the entire Annapurna massif – eight peaks above 7,000m – rising just 28km to the north. On clear mornings, Machhapuchhre (the Fish Tail Peak, 6,993m), Annapurna South (7,219m) and Dhaulagiri (8,167m) reflect in the lake's still surface. From Sarangkot hill above the city, sunrise turns the snowfields from dark blue to vivid orange and gold in the space of twenty minutes. It is the kind of scenery that silences even the most seasoned travellers.

Pokhara is Nepal's adventure capital and one of its finest relaxation destinations simultaneously. The same city offers world-class paragliding, white-water rafting, mountain biking, ziplining and boat trips on the lake – alongside luxury lakeside resorts, a growing restaurant scene and some of Nepal's most beautiful hotels. Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, The Pavilions Himalayas and Rupakot Resort all deliver exceptional luxury experiences in extraordinary natural settings.

Things to Do in Pokhara

Sarangkot sunrise: The classic Pokhara experience. Sarangkot (1,592m) above the city offers arguably the finest sunrise view of the Annapurna range in Nepal. A 30-minute drive or 90-minute hike from the lakeside. The panorama – Dhaulagiri to Manaslu, with Machhapuchhre front and centre – is extraordinary in good light.

Phewa Lake: The 4.4km lake at the heart of Pokhara mirrors the mountains on clear mornings. Row boats and kayaks are available for hire. The small Tal Barahi temple on an island near the centre is accessible by boat. The lakeside promenade is the best place in Pokhara for morning walks and evening dining.

World Peace Pagoda: The gleaming white Japanese stupa on a forested ridge south of the lake offers 360-degree views over the lake, city and Annapurna range. Accessible by boat (across the lake) and a 20-minute uphill walk. Outstanding at sunset.

Paragliding: Pokhara is one of the best paragliding destinations in the world. Tandem flights with certified instructors launch from Sarangkot and soar over the lake and valley with mountain views in all directions. Flights last 20–40 minutes depending on conditions.

International Mountain Museum: One of the best mountaineering museums in the world, with comprehensive coverage of all fourteen 8,000m peaks, the history of Himalayan exploration and Nepal's mountain communities. Worth two to three hours.

Getting to Pokhara

By air: 25-minute domestic flight from Kathmandu with multiple daily departures. By road: 6–7 hours on the scenic Prithvi Highway through river gorges and hill country – a beautiful drive worth doing at least one way. We arrange private vehicle transfers from Kathmandu and can also book helicopter transfers (45 minutes) for those with limited time.

Best Time to Visit

October and November are the peak months: dry, clear, ideal temperatures. March to May offers spring warmth and good paragliding conditions. December to February is quieter, cooler and delivers outstanding mountain visibility. The monsoon (June–September) brings rain most afternoons but the lake and hills are intensely green.