Pokhara in 5 days

A laid-back lakeside town under the Annapurnas, Nepal's gateway to the Himalayas. Best time to visit: October-November and March-April. Average daily budget: $25 to $55 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Lakeside (Baidam), The traveller hub along Phewa Lake: cafés, gear shops, boat hire and sunset views of the peaks.

Morning: Sunrise at Sarangkot. Watch dawn light the Annapurna and Machapuchare (Fishtail) peaks turn gold above the valley.

Afternoon: Explore Lakeside (Baidam), The traveller hub along Phewa Lake: cafés, gear shops, boat hire and sunset views of the peaks.

Evening: Row on Phewa Lake. Hire a colourful doonga boat to the island Tal Barahi temple, with the peaks mirrored on the water.

Eat: Dal bhat, the unlimited rice-and-lentil thali that powers every trek

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Sarangkot, The ridge above town, famous for Himalayan sunrises and as the main paragliding launch.

Morning: Sunrise over the Annapurnas from Sarangkot. Wake early and head to the Sarangkot viewpoint to watch the sun light up the Annapurna and Machapuchare peaks. Unforgettable on a clear morning.

Afternoon: Explore Sarangkot, The ridge above town, famous for Himalayan sunrises and as the main paragliding launch.

Evening: Paraglide over the valley. Tandem flights from Sarangkot are among the world's best, drifting over the lake and hills.

Eat: Momos, steamed or fried Himalayan dumplings

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Old Bazaar, The historic, more local quarter with temples, markets and traditional Newari architecture.

Morning: Hike to the World Peace Pagoda. A short, scenic climb through forest to a white stupa with the finest panorama of the lake and mountains.

Afternoon: Explore Old Bazaar, The historic, more local quarter with temples, markets and traditional Newari architecture.

Evening: Boat on Phewa Lake and paragliding. Paddle a colourful wooden boat on the serene lake reflecting the mountains, then (if you're brave) paraglide off the surrounding hills, Pokhara is one of the world's top spots for it.

Eat: Newari thakali sets in the Old Bazaar

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: World Peace Pagoda hill, The forested ridge across the lake, crowned by a white stupa with sweeping views.

Morning: Begnas Lake, a quieter, greener alternative to Phewa on the edge of town.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore World Peace Pagoda hill, The forested ridge across the lake, crowned by a white stupa with sweeping views.

Evening: The Gupteshwor cave and Davis Falls, a dramatic underground waterfall.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Fresh lake fish grilled at a Lakeside restaurant

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Lakeside (Baidam), The traveller hub along Phewa Lake: cafés, gear shops, boat hire and sunset views of the peaks.

Morning: A short Australian Camp or Dhampus overnight, a teahouse taste of trekking without the long haul.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Lakeside (Baidam), The traveller hub along Phewa Lake: cafés, gear shops, boat hire and sunset views of the peaks.

Evening: Early-morning yoga and dawn coffee on a Lakeside rooftop before the clouds roll in.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Dal bhat, the unlimited rice-and-lentil thali that powers every trek

Hidden gems

Begnas Lake, a quieter, greener alternative to Phewa on the edge of town.
The Gupteshwor cave and Davis Falls, a dramatic underground waterfall.
A short Australian Camp or Dhampus overnight, a teahouse taste of trekking without the long haul.
Early-morning yoga and dawn coffee on a Lakeside rooftop before the clouds roll in.

Getting around

Lakeside is small and walkable, with cheap bicycle and scooter rentals for exploring further. Taxis are plentiful but agree the fare first. Tourist buses link Pokhara to Kathmandu (6 to 7 hours) and the new Pokhara International Airport adds regional flights. For Sarangkot and trailheads, a taxi or arranged jeep is easiest.

Safety

Pokhara is very safe and relaxed, with the friendliest of locals. The main risks are road conditions on mountain routes and the usual altitude considerations if you trek higher. Drink bottled or filtered water, and check trekking permits (TIMS/ACAP) before heading into the Annapurnas.

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