Pokhara is the third largest city in Nepal. It is the starting point for most of the treks in the Annapurna area. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful place in the whole wide world.

Get in

You can travel to Pokhara from the capital Kathmandu using the tourist bus travels that are readily available or the local microbuses or buses which leave Kathmandu for Pokhara almost every 15 minutes. These buses are available until late afternoon. There are night buses as well running on this route but these can be a painful ride, so avoid them. The local buses will cost you around NRs. 400 to 600. Coming from the southern border to India, several buses leave to Pokhara from the border city, mainly in the very wee hours (first at 4AM). It takes about 9 hours and costs between 280 and 380 Rs. The plane flights are cheap and take only 1/2 hour from KTM. They have the added bonus of giving you a bird's eye view of the countryside and of the mountains themselves.you can book your bus & air Ticket online with http://www.guidenepal.com Contact Mr.Pasang Sherpa at:sales@guidenepal.com or Phone him at:0977-9841510169

See

  • '''Phewa Lake'''. One of the Nepal's most beautiful spots, Phewa Tal is surrounded by a combination of monkey-filled forests and the high white peaks. The reflections in the mirror-like water in the early mornings are something you must see at least once before you die. Hire a boat and row yourself across the lake (or hire a local to do it for you - there are some fine and funny times to be had on this lake, even in the middle of the night!)
  • '''Begnas Lake''' - Out of town and away from the hustle, Begnas Tal is quiet, clean and peaceful. There are a few basic hotels to stay in and the odd refreshment shop. The walk along the road leading to Begnas Tal is fascinating, the seasonal rhythms of daily life in the country make great images.
  • '''Rupa Tal'''. One of the more remote lakes in Pokhara with limited accessibility and hence more serene and unspoilt compared to the other lakes. A must visit for any nature lover
  • '''Dipang Tal'''. Beautiful lake where you can find wild lotus and wild swan. It is located about fifteen minutes walk from Sisuwa, the city centre of Lekhnath muncipality
  • '''Devis Falls'''. Spectacular, eerie and unusual, Devi falls plunge into a cave and disappear into the earth.[http://www.devisfall.com Devis fall's website].
  • '''World Peace Stupa'''. Recently built atop a hill overlooking Phewa Tal, the Stupa offers a great place to see the sun set over Pokhara. It can be accessed by hiring a boat and rowing across the lake and climbing a sometimes leech-infested track, or by foot from the road that passes Devi Falls.
  • '''Sarangkot'''. The perfect pre-trek warm-up. Head up Sarankot in the late afternoon (be prepared, it's steep and hard work) find yourselves a warm guest house before sunset, go up the top for sunset and again for sunrise... you won't be disappointed. You can rent a motor bike for under 700Rs and take yourself to the top. The road is rough, but traversable. Great views, spectacular images and a great way to get a taste of what it's like to be trekking. Beware of demented water buffaloes on the way out of town!
  • '''Mahendra Cave'''. Mahendra cave is a famous cave located in Batulechaur, the northern end of the Pokhara city. [http://www.mahendracave.com Mahendra Cave's website].
  • '''Chamare Gufa - Bat cave'''. It is another cave located some ten minutes away from the famous Mahendra cave. This cave is famous for the bats that can be seen hanging by the cave's walls
  • '''Gupteshawar mahedev Cave'''. Another cave famous for it's religious importance located in the southern end of the city, Chorepatan. This cave has a famous Hindu god Shiva. [http://www.gupteswarcave.com Gupteswar Cave's website].
  • '''International Mountain Museum'''
  • Do

  • '''Ride''' Learn to ride custom bikes with Hearts & Tears Motorcycle Club
  • '''Paragliding''' Don't miss soaring around Lake Pokhara and the Annapurnas with eagles to guide the way! There are several companies that organise flights ranging from 40 minutes - 1.5 hours, as well as cross-country. You will find advertisements on the main road as well as most guest houses and hotels. Prices start from around US$75-85 (2008).
  • '''Festivals''' Diwali is always a favorite
  • '''Ashrams'''
  • '''Parties''' ask around, there are sometimes full moon parties
  • '''Rock''' There's a great music scene, especially at Busy Bee
  • Buy

  • '''A motorcycle''' Do you own thing in real style, and avoid the tourist buses
  • Jewels and trinkets from the lovely Tibetan women who ply the streets with their wares in backpacks or blankets. Sit and enjoy the atmosphere, and make sure you bargain as beginning prices are generally highly inflated.

    Eat

    Along the lakeside road, a variety of quality restaurants can be found. Here are some that users have chosen to post.

  • '''Pokhara Thakali Kitchen''' Typical Thakali Dish, Uwa (Thakali liquor) very good. Kanchemba. It is located at Mahendra Pool, just near the Post Office. There is another Thakali Restaurant in Damside called Monalisa which is not a good place. It is very very expensive. The first one is good and cheap
  • '''Busy Bee Cafe''' A beautiful outdoor garden bar, with Pokhara's best rock & roll acts on stage around 8pm
  • '''Hanging Garden''' - This is one of the outlets of the famed Fulbari Resort and a one of its kind restaurant in Nepal because of it's design and location. It is located at the end of the cliff facing the Seti river gorge with part of the restaurant inching out in the open air. It offers a breathtaking view of the Seti gorge below and some of the best cuisines in Pokhara.
  • '''Pushkar Guest House''' - best budget breakfasts in town - in fact best breakfasts hands down!
  • '''Lumbini Restaurant''' - Probably the cheapest food in town and really good. A breakfast with a large cup of tea/coffee, eggs, hashbrowns, toast is 40Rs. The people who own the place are genuinely good people and most customers will return because of the great deal. The restaurant is on the road perpendicular with the main bazaar road. It's the same road that takes you to the public (not tourist) bus stop. It's also the road across from the pier. Go up this road for about 1/2 a kilometer and the restaurant is a little place located on the left.
  • '''The Love Shack''' - Located near the South end of town, beside Bistro Caroline. Run by a Welsh ex-pat, Sandra and her Nepali husband, Tilak. Serves classic British-style food. Make a point of trying the sizzling brownie with ice-cream for desert. Love Shack is very animal-friendly; expect to be greeted by Max the Rottweiler-puppy and Leila the cat. Both will be more than happy to receive affection. A great place to curl up by the fire with some home-made Baileys and a purring kitten.
  • '''Puja Bakery and Cafe''' - Delicious and cheap. Serve cinnamon rolls and the like but not cakes. Always fresh from that morning, even in the beginning or end of the season.
  • '''German Bakery''' - Great cakes, in off-season the cakes can be a few days old.
  • '''Hua-Han''' Chinese restaurant, that has been suspected of causing food poisoning. Beware.
  • '''Koto''' luxurious Japanese restaurant.
  • '''Mike's Breakfast''' - Pokhara branch of the famous KTM restaurant.
  • '''Bistro Caroline''' - Sister branch of the upscale KTM restaurant with a garden on the lake and stylish interior. Offers a good selection of French and continental food. Probably the best wine list in Pokhara- expensive, but the toilets alone are worth it!
  • '''Jazz Cafe ''' - Great pizzas, less great pasta.
  • Everest Steak House. okhara. 00M after Club Amsterdam on the left hand side. The best steaks in town, including a gigantic steak which can only be eaten by a minimum of 3 people.
  • Once upon a time. aidam 6 Lakeside Pokhara. n the right hand side facing to the north. 61461881. 730 to 1130pm. odarate. Italian and Indian Cuisine, very old restaurant in Pokhara lakeside.
  • Once upon a time. 50m.. akeside 6 Pokhara. ain street of the Lakeside road, on the right hand sight when you facing to the north.. 61461881. pening hours 0730 am to 1130 pm. ll dishes prises are modarate and very reasonable cheap.. restaurant is famouse for ITALIAN and INDIAN CUISINE.
  • Pokhara Steak House restaurant. 50m.. allan Chock, Lakeside Pokhara. ain junction for Khahar and going to Bazar. . 61692505. 000am to 1130pm. rice is modarate. Speciality for all kind of Beef steak dishes, Serolion, ribeye and T bone Steak.

    Drink

  • '''Gorkha Bar''' One of the famous outlets of the Fulbari resort the Gorkha Bar offers all kinds of drinks, cocktails and mocktails.
  • '''Pushkar Guest House''' Not just Beer, but COLD Carlsburg beer. They make a pretty good lassi as well.
  • '''Pema Tibetan Restaurant''' A local joint for Thukkpa (Tibetan Soup Noodles), Mo Mo (Tibetan style dumplings) great taste, with sukuti, sekuwa and Locally brewed liquor
  • '''Busy Bee''' Great spot on the lake in the heart of Pokhara. Late night, with live music from 8pm. Pool tables, decent food, local beers and imported spirits. Make sure you check out the Hearts & Tears Motor Cycle Club located next door. It has some amazing old Royal Enfields on show.
  • '''Hearts and Tears Motor Cycle Club''', Located at the Busy Bee Cafe' (on the lake in the middle of the tourist district), 984 602 0293, [http://www.heartsandtears.com]. Hire an old Royal Enfield and go on tours of surrounding districts. You will be required to take some time training and demonstrating you can actually ride as these are classics, not the normal cheap hire bikes.

    Sleep

    Virtually all tourist accommodations are located in the Lake side and the Dam Side, near the Phewa lake.

    Budget

  • '''Angle Hotel''', Lake Side. Quiet family run, clean rooms and hot shower for 200-300 Rs. tel: 00977-61-464713, mobile: 00977-9846025580
  • '''BANANA GARDEN LODGE''', [http://www.bglodge.co.cc](www.bglodge.co.cc) Tel:'''0977-61-464901''',Email:'''bglodge@gmx.com''' . Khahare.... north of lakeside, started in early 90's is one of the most popular and best budget guest house in Pokhara. Slightly elevated, gives the most specular views to the lake. Run by the family, helps one to experience true friendliness with great hospitality. Beautiful garden,sitting place and the hammock, makes it one of the best resting place.
  • '''Family Peace Home''', Khahare.... north of lakeside, Pokhara, Nepal is one of the popular guest house for peace and tranquility.Often busy, people who run the quest house are friendly who offer a true hospitality.
  • '''GREEN PEACE LODGE''', [http://greenpeaceresort.com]Email:greenpeaceresort5@yahoo.com(tel: 00977-61-532780. Sedi bagar, Lake side. One of the finest view over the lake provides the most elegant sunset.... .
  • '''karki Guest House''', Lake side, +977-61-535708. This guess house is quite and clean and the owner is fantastic. Clean rooms and bathrooms and hot water all the time. Prices vary by season.
  • '''Hotel Temple Villa''', Lake side, towards the northern end in a very quiet street. Friendly owners and basic but clean rooms, some ith balcony. The place is next to the Octagon Hotel and has a pleasant garden. Double with shared bath 500Rp, with attached bath 600Rp.
  • '''Hotel Mountain View''', Tel: +97761465281. Lake side, near Basundhara Park. Family run hotel with clean peaceful rooms, can see the lake from the room , hot shower facility . Arrangement for trekking to ABC, Ghandruk , Ghorepani , and many places on demand. Air, bus tickets booking facility. Affordable cost.
  • '''Pushkar Guest House''', A relaxed and comfortable guest house where open attitudes and good humour abound. Has a variety of rooms to suit all budgets, hot showers, a rooftop restaurant (BEST breakfasts in Pokhara with great crusty brown bread!) overlooking the lake and with awesome views of sacred "Machhapuchare". Your friendly host is Krishna, who manages the hotel with his father Boom. Krishna speaks many languages and is very knowlegable about trekking. Thoroughly recommended, he is trustworthy, hard-working, a fantastic host and properly qualified trekking guide.
  • '''Sweet Dreams''', Lake side, very small relaxed hotel with a small bar/cafe/garden attached which is great for escaping from the noise of the main road. Rooms from 300Rs, next door to Billy Bunters.
  • Mid-range

  • '''New Pokhara Lodge''', Tel : 977-61-464990, Email : poklodge@fewamail.com.np, [http://www.pokharalodge.com]. The lodge lies on the shores of Pokhara's largest Lake. Sufficiently set back from the main road to guarantee peace, quiet & privacy, there are just 16 rooms all with attach tiled toilets and 24 hours hot and cold running water. The Lodge is built around one of the best gardens in Pokhara.
  • '''Hotel Pokhara Castle Resort''', [http://www.pokharacastle.com] The Castle Resort is a Hotel situated on a small hilltop overlooking the scenery of Fewa Lake, Pokhara, 15 minutes of walking distance. It has rooms and lodges surrounded by beautiful gardens. The Castle Resort offers a heated swimming pool and an Irish pub and restaurant with Nepali and Continental kitchen.
  • Splurge

  • '''Baba Lodge''' Baba Lodge has fine meals in a great outdoor dining area overlooking the "Damside" end of Phewa lake. Gynendra will make you welcome.
  • '''Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge''' [http//www.tigermountain.com/pokhara]. This award winning eco-lodge situated 30 minutes out of Pokhara has stunning mountain views, fine home cooking with local and organic produce and 18 excellent bed rooms. A unique infinity pool complements the surroundings and a range of massage, yoga and meditation therapies are available. Expert local guides escort walks exploring local culture, flora and fauna.
  • "The Fulbari Resory & Spa" [http//:www.fulbari.com]. Is Nepal's only 5-star resort located outside of the capital. It is located about ten minutes from the airport and offers unfettered views of the surrounding Himalayan ranges. Also alongside the hotel is a former glacial canyon and the Seti-River gorge. Facilities at the hotel include four restaurants, Cafe Fulbari, Masala Bazar, Komagane, Hanging garden, one bar, Gorkha Bar, a spa/health club, golf club, and a casino for those slow or wet nights. Latitude: 28__10'36.69"N Longitude: 83__59'58.81"E

    Get out

  • '''Buses to Kathmandu''' Tourist buses run from the bus depot starting at 7.30 every morning, and will arrive in Kathmandu sometime after 2pm. Tickets are sold at all travel places and prices can start from 350 ruppees, up to $US18.
  • '''Ride to India''' Buy an Indian registered Royal Enfield from Hearts & Tears Motorcycle Club for Euro 400-800. Ride around Nepal and India, then sell it at the end of your trip.
  • '''Ride home''' Nepali bikes qualify for a Carnet de Passage (a passport for a vehicle) so you can ride virtually any country in the world. Hearts & Tears can set you up with a bike, papers, mechanics lessons, tools and spares ... everything you need for around Euro 1500.
  • Lumbini - This is the birthplace of the Buddah, 3~4 hours by bus.