Pokhara

Updated on February 24, 2026

Pokhara is neither a hamlet or a trekking outpost; it is Nepal's top tourist and adventure destination. It is a lively city surrounded by mountains and lakes at an elevation of around 822 meters (2,700 feet). It is the cultural, logistical, and scenic center of the Annapurna area. It is the calm, oxygen-rich antithesis to the busy, intense Kathmandu and the only route to get to the Himalayan paths you've been exploring.

History

The history of Pokhara goes back further than its image as a tourist town would imply. It was an important commercial center on the old salt route between India and Tibet. The Old Bazaar area still shows signs of its trading past. It was part of the Kaski Kingdom, a minor independent country, for many years. The rise of trekking tourism in the 1970s gave it its contemporary identity. As the Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary treks became more popular, Pokhara's unique location on the banks of Phewa Lake, with its beautiful views of the Annapurna Range and the famous Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) mountain, made it the perfect basecamp. It changed from a sleepy market town to Nepal's "adventure capital," a location to relax, get ready, and enjoy the city in the middle of nature.

The Experience: Between Lake and Mountain

Pokhara is very different from both Kathmandu and the mountain treks.

The Lakeside (Baidam): The tourist core is a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly strip surrounding Phewa Lake, packed with cafes, booksellers, gear stores, and restaurants. It's a place to plan, relax, and get your energy back. The atmosphere is relaxed and international.

The Panorama: The city's essence is its perspective. The "Pokhara Valley View" is famous for the calm lake that reflects the almost vertical ascent of the Annapurna range, especially around sunrise. Sarangkot Hill, which is a short drive away, is the best place to see the sun rise and set.

Adventure Launchpad is the starting point for paragliding, ultra-light flights, zip-lining, and rafting, in addition to trekking. The Annapurna Circuit, ABC, Poon Hill, and Mardi Himal hikes all start or conclude here.

The World Peace Pagoda (a Buddhist stupa on a hill), the Tal Barahi Temple (on an island in Phewa Lake), and the Gupteshwor Cave and Devi's Fall are all places where you may explore both nature and spirituality.

Role in the Trekking Universe

For hikers, Pokhara is the most important place:

Before the trek, you may get your permits, rent gear, meet your guides, and get used to the low altitude.

Post-Trek: a place to relax and recover with hot showers, comfy mattresses, a wide range of cuisine, and even ayurvedic treatments to ease sore muscles.

Logistical Heart: This is where all the roads and planes go to the trailheads (Nayapul, Phedi, Kande). It is the heart of the Annapurna hiking business.

Compare to the Villages

Pokhara seems like a return to the outside world after living in small, rural places like Ghandruk, Chomrong, or Deurali. It gives you a sense of place and contrast: the busy, well-stocked metropolis that makes the clean, simple mountain villages feasible. It is where the trekker's story usually starts and ends.

The Gateway and the Sanctuary

There are two sides to Pokhara. It is a place where you may do things and get your heart racing, as well as a place to think and enjoy beauty. It shows how Nepal's interaction with the Himalayas is a perfect mix of natural beauty and human activity. It is more than simply a stop; it is an important part of the journey. It is when excitement builds, adventures begin, and memories are made against the background of one of the most beautiful cities on Earth.