an aerial view of a building with mountains in the background

Pokhara

Pokhara is a city in central Nepal on the shore of Phewa Lake, with views of the Annapurna range and a base for many treks.

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Pokhara is a city in central Nepal and the capital of Gandaki Province. It is the country's second-largest city after Kathmandu. The city sits on the shore of Phewa Lake, about 200 km west of Kathmandu, at roughly 822 m above sea level. Flights from Kathmandu take about 30 minutes. Most travelers come for the lake, the mountain views and the treks that start here, including the Annapurna Circuit.

Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I and Manaslu, three of the world's ten highest peaks, can be seen from the valley, about 24 to 56 km away. Machhapuchchhre, at 6,993 m, is the peak closest to the city. Sarangkot, a hill northwest of the city, is the place to watch the sun rise and set over the lake and the Annapurna range. Winter and spring bring clear, sunny weather, while most rain falls from June to September. Give it two to three days for the lake, Sarangkot and a boat ride, and more if you plan to trek.

Pokhara in five

Get your Annapurna permit before the trekTreks in the Annapurna Conservation Area need an entry permit, issued in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Check the current guide rules with your agency.
Go to Sarangkot for sunriseThe ridge above the lake has views of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas on clear mornings, most often October to December.
Fly or allow a day by roadFlights from Kathmandu take about 25 minutes. Tourist buses take 6–8 hours on a slow mountain road.
Book paragliding with a registered companyTandem flights take off from Sarangkot. Morning flights usually get the best mountain views.

Things to do in Pokhara

See all attractions in Pokhara

Sight · PokharaShiva Temple

Park · PokharaMahendra gufa

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Need to know

Airport: Pokhara (PKR), mostly domestic flights from Kathmandu
Getting there: Flight about 25 min from Kathmandu, or 6–8 hours by bus
Getting around: Walking and taxis; boats on Phewa Lake
Best base: Lakeside, along Phewa Lake
Time needed: 2–3 days, more for a trek

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh17°Low6°Clear, cool
FebruaryPartly cloudy5 rainy daysHigh19°Low8°Clear
MarchPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh23°Low11°Warm, hazy
AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh27°Low15°Rhododendrons
MayRain19 rainy daysHigh27°Low17°Hot, hazy
JuneRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh27°Low20°Monsoon
JulyRain31 rainy daysHigh26°Low21°Monsoon
AugustRain29 rainy daysHigh26°Low20°Monsoon
SeptemberRain24 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°Rain easing
OctoberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Clear
NovemberClear1 rainy dayHigh21°Low12°Clear
DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh18°Low8°Cool, clear

Average daily high and low in Pokhara, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Pokhara

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 10°
Humidity: 71%
Wind: 8 km/h
Chance of rain: 12%

Pokhara

02:25 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+5:45

Today24°14°12%Tuesday: Fog. High 24°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 12%.
Wed24°16°6%Wednesday: Fog. High 24°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 6%.
Thu24°14°4%Thursday: Fog. High 24°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 4%.
Fri24°14°0%Friday: Clear. High 24°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat24°13°0%Saturday: Fog. High 24°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun25°11°0%Sunday: Clear. High 25°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 12:03 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 152 NPR

Amount

Converted to

NPR · Nepalese Rupee

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Sarangkotabout 30 min by roadSunrise viewpoint and paragliding launch.
Australian Campabout 1.5 hours by road and trailShort hike with Annapurna views.
Kathmanduabout 25 min by airTemples and squares of the valley.Read the guide

Before you go to Pokhara

Annapurna trek packagesPermits and guide arrangedCompare tours

Lakeside stays in PokharaWalk to the boats and cafesCheck availability

eSIM for PokharaOffline maps for the trailRead the guide

Insurance for Annapurna treksCheck paragliding exclusionsRead the guide

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Rules for Pokhara, checked

Check the visa or e-visa rules for your passport with Nepal's Department of Immigration before you fly.Source
Trekkers from Pokhara to the Annapurna Conservation Area need a conservation area permit and a trekkers' registration card. Confirm current requirements with Nepal Tourism Board.Source
Take off your shoes before entering temples and Buddhist monasteries such as Matepani Gumba, and dress modestly at religious sites.
Dial 100 for police and 102 for an ambulance. Keep your hotel's address and your embassy's phone number with you.

Plan around Pokhara

All of Nepal

Treks, valley cities and entry basics

Read the guide Kathmandu

Temples and squares, 25 min by air

Read the guide Chitwan National Park

Rhinos and jungle, a bus ride south

Read the guide Travel insurance

Cover for trekking and paragliding

Read the guide Connectivity

Data for the lake and signal gaps on trails

Read the guide Visas and entry

Check your passport rules before you fly

Read the guide

Pokhara FAQ

When can you see the mountains from Pokhara?

Most reliably from October to December, after the monsoon clears the air. Spring views are often hazy.

What treks start from Pokhara?

The Annapurna Base Camp, Poon Hill and Mardi Himal treks, and the end of the Annapurna Circuit, all start or finish near Pokhara.

How do I get from Kathmandu to Pokhara?

By domestic flight in about 25 minutes, or by tourist bus in 6–8 hours. Flights can be delayed by cloud.

Is paragliding in Pokhara safe?

Use a registered company with certified pilots, ask about gear and weather, and check your insurance covers adventure sports. Morning flights usually have better visibility.

Is Pokhara or Kathmandu better?

They do different jobs. Kathmandu has temples and old squares; Pokhara has the lake, mountain views and trek starts. Most trips use both.