“On a still morning, Phewa Lake at Pokhara mirrors the Annapurna peaks and the sacred fishtail summit of Machhapuchhre rising startlingly close behind the city.”
About Pokhara
Pokhara grew along old trading routes between the lowlands and the mountains and the Tibetan plateau, and long remained a quiet valley town. The opening of trekking tourism to the Annapurna region transformed it into Nepal's second major destination, and the lakeside developed into a hub of guesthouses, cafes and outfitters. Its setting, low and warm by Himalayan standards yet directly beneath some of the highest peaks on Earth, made it a natural base for both relaxation and adventure, and it has grown steadily as the country's centre for paragliding and trek logistics.
Overview Pokhara is Nepal's lakeside resort city and the gateway to the Annapurna treks, a relaxed counterpoint to the intensity of Kathmandu. It sits on the shore of Phewa Lake, whose calm water mirrors the surrounding hills and, on clear mornings, the snow peaks of the Annapurna range and the sacred fishtail summit of Machhapuchhre rising startlingly close behind.
Overview Pokhara is Nepal's lakeside resort city and the gateway to the Annapurna treks, a relaxed counterpoint to the intensity of Kathmandu.
On and Around the Lake The lakeside strip, with its boats, cafes and guesthouses, is where most visitors stay. You can row a wooden boat out to the island temple of Tal Barahi, paddle beneath the peaks, or hike up to the World Peace Pagoda on a ridge above the lake for a panorama of water and mountains.
Adventure Hub Pokhara is also the adventure capital of Nepal: it is one of the world's premier paragliding destinations, with flights launching from Sarangkot ridge above the city, and a base for everything from trekking to ultralight flights, kayaking and mountain biking.
Gateway to the Mountains Most Annapurna treks begin or end here, and the city's restaurants and gear shops are full of trekkers preparing for or recovering from the trail.
Gateway to the Mountains Most Annapurna treks begin or end here, and the city's restaurants and gear shops are full of trekkers preparing for or recovering from the trail.
The Experience
Days in Pokhara are easy: a boat out across Phewa Lake to the island shrine, coffee at a lakeside cafe with the peaks ahead, and perhaps a paraglide off Sarangkot that drifts you down over the water. The hike or drive up to the World Peace Pagoda rewards you with the classic view of lake, city and mountains stacked together. Many travellers use it to decompress before or after an Annapurna trek, and the contrast between the laid-back lakeshore and the giant mountains on the horizon is the city's enduring appeal.
Why It Matters
Pokhara is Nepal's principal lakeside destination and the gateway to the Annapurna Conservation Area, as well as one of the world's leading paragliding sites. It is the country's adventure-tourism hub and a key base for trekkers.
Why Visit
It offers Himalayan grandeur with lakeside ease, world-class paragliding, and the launch point for Nepal's most popular treks. Get on the lake early for the mountain reflections, fly from Sarangkot if you can, and use the city to bookend an Annapurna trek.
✦ Insider Tips
- 1
Row or take a boat onto Phewa Lake early, when the water best mirrors the peaks.
- 2
Paraglide from Sarangkot, one of the world's top tandem flying sites, on a clear day.
- 3
Hike or drive to the World Peace Pagoda for the classic lake-and-mountains panorama.
- 4
Use Pokhara as your base before or after an Annapurna trek to rest and resupply.
- 5
Clear mountain views are a morning event; clouds often build over the peaks by afternoon.
