Travel guide
The Complete Pokhara Travel Guide: What to See, Do and Experience
Shakurma's home-base guide to Pokhara — lakeside sights, viewpoints, short treks, adventure activities and wellness, written by our Pokhara-based team.
Start at the lake
Phewa Lake is Pokhara's centre of gravity — a boat ride to Tal Barahi Temple, a walk along the lakeside path, and a coffee with an Annapurna view on a clear morning is a genuinely good way to spend a first day.
Viewpoints worth the early start
Sarangkot at sunrise is the classic; the World Peace Pagoda and Pumdikot's Shiva statue offer alternative angles, and the Old Bazaar/Bindhyabasini area gives a more local, lived-in perspective away from the lakeside strip.
Short treks from Pokhara
If you have a spare day or two, Australian Camp and Dhampus are the gentlest introductions, Ghandruk and Sikles offer deeper village immersion, and Poon Hill, Mardi Himal or Annapurna Base Camp are the multi-day options depending on your time and fitness. See our dedicated short-treks guide for a fitness-matched breakdown.
Adventure activities
Paragliding, ziplining, bungee jumping, rafting, kayaking and mountain biking are all based around Pokhara — we coordinate these through operators we know, rather than leaving you to compare unfamiliar companies on the ground.
Wellness and a slower pace
Pokhara's calmer rhythm compared to Kathmandu makes it a natural place for a yoga or meditation-focused stay, or simply a few unhurried days between more active parts of your trip.
Official sources
Time-sensitive details (visas, fees, schedules) can change — always check the current position with the source directly.
Journeys built around this
Pokhara & the Annapurna Foothills
A Pokhara-focused week combining lakeside time, a short Annapurna foothill walk and a choice of adventure activities.
Mardi Himal Private Trek
A configurable private trek to the Mardi Himal viewpoint, a quieter alternative to the classic Annapurna routes.
Poon Hill & Pokhara
A configurable itinerary combining the classic Poon Hill sunrise trek with Pokhara's lakeside highlights.
Ready to start planning?
Planning a trip around this? Tell us your dates and interests and we'll put together a tailored itinerary.
