A lakeside city about 200 km west of Kathmandu and the gateway to the Annapurna treks, with mountain views over Phewa Lake.
Altitude: 822 m
Getting there
About 200 km by road from Kathmandu; buses are scheduled at 6–7 hours, but roadworks can make it 8–10. Flights take about 30–40 minutes and land at Pokhara International Airport, opened in January 2023.
Sites and entry fees
Fees are per person, in Nepali rupees, as published by the bodies that collect them.
Phewa Lake: No fee found. Pokhara's lake, at 742 m, with the Tal Barahi temple on an island. We found no entry fee; boats are hired on the shore.
Sarangkot: No fee found. A hill at about 1,600 m west of the city, known for sunrise views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu, and for paragliding.
World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa): Free (not confirmed by an official source). A white Buddhist peace pagoda on a hill above Phewa Lake, opened in 1999. Entry is free according to Wikivoyage; filming may be charged.
International Mountain Museum: NPR 750 (SAARC nationals: NPR 350). A museum of the Himalaya, its peoples and mountaineering. Open daily, 9:30 am to 5 pm.
Davis Falls: No fee found. A waterfall that drops into a tunnel and comes out in Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave. Best after heavy rain.
Fees change; check the official source before you go. Fees and rules checked on 2026-11-02.
Know before you go
Winter and spring usually have the clearest mountain views. June to September brings very heavy monsoon rain, and leeches on the forest paths, such as the walk up to the Peace Pagoda.
Sources disagree
Pokhara altitude: about 822 m (Wikipedia); 800 m (Nepal Tourism Board)
Flight from Kathmandu: about 30 minutes (Wikipedia); 40 minutes (Wikivoyage)
General guidance from the sources listed, not a guarantee. Rules, fees and trail conditions change; confirm with the official source or a registered trekking agency before you go.