Pokhara Tour: 3 nights, 4 days via Drive

Day 1 – Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara
After having breakfast, you depart early from Kathmandu via bus or jeep. Enjoy the scenic drive through rolling foothills, alongside rivers, and through mountain villages. Once you arrive in Pokhara, check-in at your hotel and then head to the lakeside for dinner. If you can, try to catch the daily Hindu offering that takes place at sunset. It is a unique cultural ceremony.

Day 2 – Full-Day Pokhara Sightseeing
Today is a full day of exploring many of the major destinations in Pokhara. Rise early in the morning, around 4 am, and drive to Sarangkot, a viewpoint overlooking Pokhara and the Annapurna Mountain range. You will get to Sarangkot in time to witness the magical mountain sunrise.

This is one of the best paragliding spots in the world so a paragliding adventure can absolutely be arranged if you are interested. Next is a short visit to Bindhyabasini Temple and return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, head back down to Phewa Lake for a boat ride and a visit to the Tal Barahi Temple, located in the middle of the lake.

Alternatively, you might be interested in exploring the lake via stand up paddleboard or kayak. Have lunch anywhere along the lake and enjoy the afternoon resting, walking around, or shopping. The evening’s activity is a drive to Pumdikot where there is a huge statue of Lord Shiva and incredible views of the surrounding mountain range. This is an important spiritual site and a beautiful place to watch the sunset.

Day 3 – Full-Day Pokhara Sightseeing
Today is another full day of enjoying your Pokhara tour and what the city has to offer. If you are an early riser then you can try to catch the sunrise again, this time from the World Peace Stupa which is another culturally significant spot that overlooks Pokhara and its mountainous landscape.

The World Peace Stupa is a beautiful location for sunrise or sunset. If you would like to visit it at sunset instead, then you can drive 25 min to the top later in the day or hike up for an hour after a short boat ride on Phewa Lake. During the daytime you will see all the rest of the recommended destinations including Devi’s Falls, the Bat Cave, Mahendra Cave, the International Mountain Museum, and Gupteshwor Temple.

Whether you watch the vibrant sunset from the World Peace Stupa or from a lakeside restaurant, be sure to take a moment to reflect upon your time in Pokhara.

Day 4 – Drive Back to Kathmandu
After a final breakfast in the beautiful city of Pokhara, you start your journey back to Kathmandu via car or bus. The drive between Kathmandu and Pokhara takes anywhere from 6 to 9 hours depending on vehicle type and road conditions.

If you would like more time to enjoy Pokhara, then we would be happy to add additional days and activities to your tour. We can also arrange a Kathmandu City Tour, a trek into the Himalayas, or continued travel within Nepal.

3 Night Pokhara Tour Cost Per Person (USD)

1 person: $280
2 people: $215 per person
3-4 people: $200 per person
5-6 people: $185 per person
7-8 people: $170 person
9+ people: $155 per person

This Pokhara Tour Cost Includes:

• • Three-night stay at three-star hotel in Pokhara
  • Round trip tourist bus between Kathmandu to Pokhara
  • Transfer between bus stations and hotels
  • Three breakfasts at hotel in Pokhara
  • Local and professional English-speaking guide to meet you in Pokhara
    • Assistant guides will be added with larger groups
  • Boat ride to Taal Barahi Temple in Phewa Lake
  • All travel and entrance fees to the major sightseeing destinations listed
    • Your exact itinerary is customizable based on your interests so price might varying depending on activities
  • Company fees, administration, and government tax (VAT)
  • A tree planted in your name
  • A minimum of 1% of profits donated to schools and orphanages in Nepal

This Pokhara Tour Cost Does Not Include:

• • International flights to and from Nepal
  • Tourist visa to enter Nepal (can be obtained on arrival at the airport)
    • US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days, US$125 for 90 days
  • Airport pick up for international flights (contact us and we can arrange)
  • Accommodation in Kathmandu (contact us and we can arrange)
  • Breakfast on the first day, all lunches and dinners
  • Personal costs such as souvenirs, donations and laundry
  • Personal insurance, personal expenses, loss of property and theft, etc.
  • Staff tips
    • Many Nepali guides rely on tips to supplement a lower wage. With Himalayan Peace Treks, you will be able to travel knowing that the team is being paid fairly and that any tip you want to give is a reflection of your experience
  • We can arrange extra activities that you might like such as kayak rentals, paragliding, a Himalayan singing bowl session, or anything else that sparked your interest

Best Time of Year for a Tour of Pokhara

You can book a Pokhara tour any time of year! The best time of year to visit Pokhara is in the spring (March-May) or autumn (September-November) when the weather is more likely to be enjoyable and clear. During spring and summer you can expect spectacular mountain views, limited rain and warm days.

The rains of monsoon season (May-August), bring with them beautiful lush vegetation and a freshness to the air. During the chillier months of winter (December-February), the tourist areas are much quieter and the mountain views are often crystal clear.

Our Favourite Touring Spots in Pokhara

• Phewa Lake: Phewa Lake, sometimes written as Fewa Lake, is a lovely freshwater lake in Pokhara’s heart that is a must-visit destination for both international and domestic tourists. The main tourist area of the city is wrapped around the lake’s shore and is referred to as “lakeside”. Along the lakeside there are many restaurants and benches that overlook the water.

A small island in the middle of the lake is home to a Hindu temple called Tal Barahi and is a popular pilgrimage site for religious people. You are welcome to take a boat ride around the lake and stop to visit the temple. It is also a fun activity to rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard to explore the calm lake yourself.

Enjoy the greenery surrounding the lake and its reflection of the Annapurna Himalayan range. Every night at sunset there is a Hindu Aarti ritual in which flames are ceremoniously waved and mantras are sung as spiritual offerings.

• Sarangkot: Sarangkot, a hill station situated at 1600 m elevation, is a popular spot to enjoy a magical mountain sunrise. It is a 30 min drive (about 10 km) from Pokhara’s lakeside and overlooks the entire Pokhara valley and surrounding mountain ranges.

Tourists from all over the world come here to see views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Manaslu mountains. Sarangkot has even been named one of the best locations in the world to paraglide. Hiking up from the highway is also an option and takes about 90 min.

• Devi’s Falls: Devi’s Falls is a natural waterfall located about 2 km from the city center of Pokhara. It is one of the most visited places in Pokhara because of its powerful water, deep eroded stones and lush greenery during monsoon season. The original name was Patale Chango which translates loosely to “underworld’s waterfall” or “underground waterfall” because the waterfall tunnels its way through the rock and disappears underground.

In 1961 there was an incident in which a Swiss woman drowned in the waterfall. This tragedy resulted, over time, in the name change to Devi’s Falls. There are various speculations about the name, with the most likely narrative being that her surname was “David” or “Davis” which, due to Nepali pronunciation and spelling, eventually morphed into “Devi”, a common name for a woman in Nepal. You will likely see many different spellings of the waterfall, but it’s all the same, lovely place.

• Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave: Gupteshwor Cave is a natural wonder and religious place; these two things often go hand-in-hand in Nepal. The cave, which is also considered a temple, is located close to Devi’s Falls. Walk down a huge spiraling staircase to enter the cave and see water flowing from Devi’s Falls.

The cave temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva with various statues, art and offerings associated with this Hindu god. Quite surprisingly to some tourists, there is a statue of a cow in the cave. Cows are a holy animal in Hindu culture (you won’t find any beef here!) and the cow in the cave symbolically protects Lord Shiva.

• World Peace Stupa: The World Peace Stupa, also known as World Peace Pagoda or Pokhara Shanti Stupa, is a noteworthy Buddhist monument located on a hilltop. The stupa is a striking symbol of peace and harmony. Just a 25 minute drive from Pokhara’s lakeside, it is a popular spot to visit for sunrise or sunset.

Enjoy beautiful views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayan ranges, Phewa Lake, and Pokhara city. If you are interested in hiking, first take a short boat ride across Phewa Lake, then hike for about an hour to reach the monument and viewpoint.

• Pumdikot Shiva Statue: Perched on a hilltop in Pumdikot is the home of the second tallest Lord Shiva statue in Nepal. The statue is sitting on a large stupa (dome-shaped structure) that totals 108 feet tall (108 is a sacred number in Hindu mythology).

The statue was fairly recently constructed and is quickly becoming a popular tourist destination due to its religious relevance and panoramic views. From the hilltop, you can see the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayan ranges above as well as Pokhara and Phewa Lake down below.

• Bindhyabasini Temple: Bindhyabasini Temple, or Shree Bindhyabasini Temple, is another sought-after attraction in Pokhara. The temple has a long history and interesting legend about its establishment. It is thought that hundreds of years ago, the king wanted to build a temple dedicated to Bindhyabasini, a reincarnated form of the Hindu goddess, Kali.

When the king’s men were carrying a statue of the goddess, they rested at the current temple’s location for the night. In the morning, her statue was unmovable so that’s where they decided to build the temple. On a clear day you can enjoy views of the surrounding mountains.

• International Mountain Museum: Another major tourist attraction in Pokhara is the International Mountain Museum. The museum was established in 2005 in order to record and showcase the development of mountains and mountaineering activities around the world.

There are three exhibit halls: Hall of Great Himalayas, Hall of Fame and Hall of World Mountains. The museum includes historical and present-day exhibits about the mountains themselves, the people (and animals!) who climb them, and the locals who inhabit the fascinating mountainous environments.

• Lakeside: Lakeside is one of the easily accessible visiting places in Pokhara. It is a strip of shops, restaurants, and waterfront access to Phewa Lake. This vibrant area has something for everyone! If you’re hungry, you can find pubs, restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops with local and international cuisines.

There are many shops along the neighbouring streets with trekking gear, handmade crafts and local souvenirs. If you’re in the mood for something rejuvenative, you can find yoga studios, massage parlors and even take a Himalayan singing bowl session or lesson.

Getting to Pokhara

• Flight: Flying is usually the fastest way to reach Pokhara as it is only a 25 min flight from Kathmandu. The incredible aerial views from the small plane showcase the vastness of the Himalayas. It is the only option that gives you time to explore Pokhara city and the lakeside on the same day that you are travelling.

Although not as sustainable as road travel, domestic flights are a great way to save time and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the mountains. Depending on availability, time of year and weather, flights can often be cancelled. During peak season, try to book as far ahead in advance as you can. If it’s cloudy, flights won’t be operating so be prepared to hop in a car or on a bus as an alternative.

Our 2 Night, 3 Day Pokhara Tour includes the cost of flights. If you would like to add flights to one of our other tour or trek packages such as our 3 Night, 4 Day Pokhara Tour or our Annapurna Base Camp Trek, then just let us know and we will arrange it.

• • Flight Cost: ~USD$205-240 round-trip, per person
• Private Car or Jeep: A private car is another comfortable and convenient option to get to Pokhara from Kathmandu or anywhere in Nepal. From Kathmandu, it will take 6-7 hours to drive to Pokhara if everything goes smoothly. It is a scenic drive with views of lush green hills, rivers, and mountain villages.

This is an ideal option for stopping on your own time and adding on any side trips you might like. As you might imagine, the mountainous roads in Nepal are windy, bumpy, dusty and unpredictable. A standard tour package to Pokhara from Kathmandu includes round-trip travel via tourist bus. If you would like to book a private vehicle, please let us know.

• • Cost:
    • Car (seats 3-4 people) ~US$220 round-trip
    • Jeep (seats up to 7 people) ~US$300 round-trip
• Tourist Bus: Tourist buses are a reliable and comfortable option for travelling between Kathmandu and Pokhara. As you might know, travelling via bus is a more sustainable and cost-effective travel option. There are a few different tourist bus companies that operate different classes of tourist buses including regular, deluxe and sofa.

These buses depart from Kathmandu at the tourist bus station in Sorakhutte, near the tourist hub of Thamel, at 7 am every day. They leave Pokhara from the Pokhara tourist bus park at 7:30 am daily. The journey by bus takes around 8-9 hours. Our 3 Night, 4 Day Pokhara Tour Package includes a tourist bus. Let us know if you would like to change your method of transportation.

• Local Bus: The local bus is the cheapest and, honestly, least comfortable option to reach Pokhara. It takes about 8-9 hours because it stops frequently to pick up and drop off passengers along the way.

The buses are often crowded, they play loud music and you might just end up sitting next to a goat! They can be quite challenging for some tourists, or a lot of fun, depending on your style. Local travel in any country, especially Nepal, offers an authentic glimpse into local travel and way of life.