# Pokhara Tours and Activities

## Pokhara tours and activities

**Pokhara** is Nepal's adventure and relaxation capital. Watch sunrise over the Annapurnas from **Sarangkot**, explore the city and Phewa Lake, fly tandem on a **paragliding** flight, cycle to **Begnas Lake**, hike to the **World Peace Pagoda**, or join a **yoga retreat**, and set off on short treks to **Australian Camp**, **Ghandruk** and **Panchase**.

All activities include pick-up from your Lakeside hotel and an experienced local guide or pilot.

- **Day tours:** sunrise, city tour, cycling, hikes
- **Adventure:** paragliding
- **Short treks:** 2–3 days from Pokhara

## Trips
- [Pokhara ZipFlyer Adventure](https://himalayanhiking.com/pokhara-zipflyer-adventure.md): 1 days, Easy, max About 1,600 m / 5,250 ft (Sarangkot launch), from US$85. The Pokhara ZipFlyer adventure is one of the biggest adrenaline rushes in Nepal. From the hillside of Sarangkot, you fly about 1.8 km down to Hemja, dropping ab...
- [Pokhara Tandem Skydive](https://himalayanhiking.com/pokhara-tandem-skydive.md): 1 days, Easy, max Jump from about 11,000–13,000 ft, from US$890. The Pokhara tandem skydive is one of the rarest adventures in Nepal. Strapped to a qualified instructor, you jump from about 11,000–13,000 feet and free-fall wi...
- [Australian Camp Camping Trip](https://himalayanhiking.com/australian-camp-camping-trip.md): 2 days, Easy, max About 2,060 m / 6,760 ft, from US$95. The Australian Camp camping trip is an easy night under the stars close to Pokhara. Drive to Kande, hike about an hour through forest and farmland to the grassy...
- [Pokhara Hot Air Balloon Flight](https://himalayanhiking.com/pokhara-hot-air-balloon-flight.md): 1 days, Easy, max Flight altitude varies with conditions, from US$180. The Pokhara hot air balloon flight is a peaceful way to see the Himalaya. In the calm of early morning, the balloon rises over the Pokhara Valley and Phewa Lake...
- [Pokhara Destination Wedding](https://himalayanhiking.com/pokhara-destination-wedding.md): 5 days, Easy, max About 1,600 m / 5,250 ft (Sarangkot), from US$1,290. The Pokhara destination wedding is a 5-day celebration by Phewa Lake, with the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhre as your backdrop. Choose a traditional Hindu or Budd...
- [Pokhara Tour: Lakes, Sarangkot Sunrise & Adventure](https://himalayanhiking.com/pokhara-tour.md): 4 days, Easy, max 1,600 m / 5,249 ft (Sarangkot), from US$390. Our Pokhara tour is a 4-day holiday in Nepal's lakeside adventure capital, at the foot of the Annapurna range. Watch sunrise from Sarangkot over Machhapuchhre,...
- [Australian Camp and Dhampus Trek](https://himalayanhiking.com/australian-camp-dhampus-trek.md): 3 days, Easy, max 2,060 m / 6,759 ft (Australian Camp), from US$190. The Australian Camp and Dhampus trek is an easy 3-day short trek from Pokhara with some of the best mountain views you can get for very little effort. A short d...
- [Ghandruk Trek](https://himalayanhiking.com/ghandruk-trek.md): 3 days, Easy, max 1,940 m / 6,365 ft (Ghandruk), from US$210. The Ghandruk trek is an easy 3-day short trek from Pokhara to Ghandruk (1,940 m), one of the largest and most beautiful Gurung villages in Nepal, with close-up...
- [Pokhara Paragliding](https://himalayanhiking.com/pokhara-paragliding.md): 1 days, Easy, max About 1,600 m / 5,250 ft (Sarangkot take-off), from US$95. Paragliding in Pokhara is one of the most memorable things you can do in Nepal. Ride up to Sarangkot, the hill above the city, run a few steps with your license...
- [Panchase Trek](https://himalayanhiking.com/panchase-trek.md): 3 days, Easy to moderate, max About 2,500 m / 8,202 ft (Panchase Danda), from US$220. The Panchase trek is a quiet 3-day trek from Pokhara to a sacred, forested ridge west of Phewa Lake. Cross the lake by boat, climb past the World Peace Pagoda,...
- [Pokhara Yoga Retreat](https://himalayanhiking.com/pokhara-yoga-retreat.md): 7 days, Easy, max About 1,600 m / 5,250 ft (Sarangkot), from US$690. The Pokhara yoga retreat is a calm, restorative week by Phewa Lake, with the Annapurnas on the horizon. Each day includes morning and evening yoga, guided medit...
- [Pokhara Countryside Cycling Tour](https://himalayanhiking.com/pokhara-countryside-cycling-tour.md): 1 days, Easy to moderate, max About 900 m / 2,950 ft, from US$55. The Pokhara countryside cycling tour takes you away from Lakeside on quiet roads and village lanes through the green Pokhara valley, past rice fields, farms and...
- [Sarangkot Sunrise Tour](https://himalayanhiking.com/sarangkot-sunrise-tour.md): 1 days, Easy, max About 1,600 m / 5,250 ft, from US$25. The Sarangkot sunrise tour is the classic start to a day in Pokhara. Leave Lakeside before dawn, drive up to the Sarangkot viewpoint at about 1,600 m, and watch...
- [Pokhara City Day Tour](https://himalayanhiking.com/pokhara-city-day-tour.md): 1 days, Easy, max About 1,100 m / 3,600 ft (World Peace Pagoda), from US$55. The Pokhara city day tour shows you the best of Pokhara in one day: row across Phewa Lake to Tal Barahi Temple, walk up to the World Peace Pagoda, visit Davis F...
- [World Peace Pagoda Hike](https://himalayanhiking.com/world-peace-pagoda-hike.md): 1 days, Easy, max About 1,100 m / 3,600 ft, from US$30. The World Peace Pagoda hike is the best short walk in Pokhara. Cross Phewa Lake by boat, climb through forest to the white World Peace Pagoda, and enjoy views o...
- [Begnas Lake Boating and Village Walk](https://himalayanhiking.com/begnas-lake-boating-village-walk.md): 1 days, Easy, max About 900 m / 2,950 ft, from US$35. The Begnas Lake boating and village walk shows you a quieter side of Pokhara. Drive about 45 minutes east of Lakeside to Begnas Lake, the second-largest of Pokh...

## Pokhara tours and activities: the complete guide

Pokhara is Nepal's favourite holiday town. It sits beside the calm waters of **Phewa Lake** at about 820 m, with the fishtail summit of **Machhapuchhre** and the Annapurna range rising almost straight above it. It is the starting point for the Annapurna treks, the adventure capital of Nepal and simply a lovely place to relax.

This guide covers the best things to do in Pokhara, from sunrise viewpoints and city sights to paragliding, short treks and wellness, with tips on when to go and how long to stay.

## Sunrise at Sarangkot

The classic Pokhara experience is watching dawn light up **Dhaulagiri**, the **Annapurnas** and **Machhapuchhre** from [Sarangkot](/places/sarangkot) (about 1,600 m). Our [Sarangkot sunrise tour](/sarangkot-sunrise-tour) has you back at Lakeside in time for breakfast.

## Sights in and around the city

- [Phewa Lake](/places/phewa-lake): rent a colourful boat and row to the island temple of Tal Barahi.
- [World Peace Pagoda](/places/world-peace-pagoda-pokhara): a white stupa on the ridge above the lake; walk up on our [World Peace Pagoda hike](/world-peace-pagoda-hike).
- [Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Cave](/places/davis-falls-gupteshwor-cave): a waterfall that vanishes underground, and a cave temple beneath it.
- [Mahendra Cave and the Bat Cave](/places/mahendra-and-bat-caves): limestone caves north of the city.
- [International Mountain Museum](/places/international-mountain-museum): the story of Himalayan climbing and mountain cultures.
- The Tibetan settlements, with carpet weaving and handicrafts.

Our [Pokhara city tour](/pokhara-city-day-tour) covers the main sights in a day.

## Adventure activities

- **Paragliding:** fly tandem from Sarangkot over Phewa Lake; see [Pokhara paragliding](/pokhara-paragliding) and our [paragliding guide](/blog/paragliding-in-pokhara-guide).
- **Zip flying:** the [ZipFlyer](/pokhara-zipflyer-adventure) drops about 600 m from Sarangkot to Hemja.
- **Hot air balloon:** a calm sunrise [balloon flight](/pokhara-hot-air-balloon-flight) over the valley.
- **Cycling:** ride to the quiet lakes on our [countryside cycling tour](/pokhara-countryside-cycling-tour).
- **Rafting:** the gentle Seti river runs close to Pokhara.

## Lakes beyond Phewa

About 45 minutes east, [Begnas](/places/begnas-lake) and Rupa lakes are quieter, surrounded by farms and forest. Our [Begnas Lake boating and village walk](/begnas-lake-boating-village-walk) combines both.

## Short treks from Pokhara

Pokhara is the gateway to some of the best short treks in Nepal:

- [Australian Camp and Dhampus](/australian-camp-dhampus-trek): 2–3 days with big views.
- [Ghandruk](/ghandruk-trek): a Gurung village beneath Annapurna South.
- [Panchase](/panchase-trek): quiet forest trails and sacred lakes.
- [Ghorepani Poon Hill](/ghorepani-poon-hill-trek): the most famous sunrise in the Annapurnas.
- [Mardi Himal](/mardi-himal-trek): a ridge trek close to Machhapuchhre.

See our [best treks near Pokhara](/blog/best-treks-near-pokhara).

## Wellness

Pokhara is Nepal's yoga capital. Join our [Pokhara yoga retreat](/pokhara-yoga-retreat), or simply book a massage at Lakeside after your trek.

## Evenings in Pokhara

Lakeside comes alive at night with restaurants, live music and bars. See our [Pokhara nightlife guide](/blog/pokhara-nightlife-guide).

## Getting to Pokhara

Pokhara is about 200 km west of Kathmandu: a short flight, or six to eight hours by road. Pokhara's international airport opened in 2023. See our [Kathmandu to Pokhara travel guide](/blog/kathmandu-to-pokhara-travel-guide).

## Best time to visit

October–November and March–April have clear views and pleasant temperatures. Winter mornings are crisp and clear. The monsoon (June–August) brings heavy rain and cloud, though the town is green and quiet.

## How many days?

Two or three days lets you see the sights, enjoy an adventure activity and relax. Add two to five days for a short trek. Read our [Pokhara travel guide](/blog/pokhara-travel-guide).

## Book Pokhara activities with Himalayan Hiking

All our Pokhara tours include pick-up from your Lakeside hotel and licensed guides or pilots. [Contact us](/contact-us) to plan your days in Pokhara.

## Frequently asked questions
### What is the best thing to do in Pokhara?
Sunrise at Sarangkot, boating on Phewa Lake and paragliding.

### Can I trek from Pokhara?
Yes, short treks start within an hour of Lakeside.

### Is paragliding safe?
With licensed operators in suitable weather, yes.

### How many days do I need?
Two to three days, plus treks.

### Do tours include pick-up?
Yes, from Lakeside hotels.


Web page: https://himalayanhiking.com/category/pokhara-tours-and-activities