Pokhara Travel Guide: The Gateway to the Great Annapurna

Dubbed as the “City of Lakes and Mountains”, Pokhara is the largest city of Nepal. Located in Gandaki Province in central Nepal, it serves as a base for treks and expeditions in Annapurna Region.

Pokhara has a totally different vibe from Kathmandu. It is more quiet, relaxed and hip. Sit in a café by the Lakeside, watch people while enjoying a glass of beer or a cup of coffee; indulge on Nepali, Indian and even Korean, Chinese and Italian foods in various restaurants along the road; go canoeing, paragliding or white water rafting; explore the various trails of Annapurna Circuit; experience the different adventures and see the numerous attractions that await in Pokhara!

Going In and Out of Pokhara

By Air

Pokhara Airport serves as main gateway to the city and the region. It connects the city to Kathmandu and Jomsom with regular daily flights, and to Manang with seasonal flights. Airlines flying there are Buddha Air, Gorkha Air, Nepal Airlines, Sita Air, Simrik Airlines, Tara Air and Yeti Airlines.

By Land

There are buses and mini vans from Kathmandu, Sunauli (Indian border) and Buwal to Pokhara.

From Kathmandu, airconditioned tourist buses that are operated by various tour companies depart on daytime from Thamel including Greenline, Global Vacation, Baba Adventure, HamroBus, Pokhara Jagadamba and Loyal Travels. Travel time is around six to seven hours and fare ranges from 600-1,000 NPR. Meanwhile, there are local and micro buses in New Bus Park in Gonganbu that depart for Pokhara almost every hour from as early as 7AM, with night buses as late as 7PM. Travel time is also six to seven hours and fare ranges from 400 to 600 NPR.

There are also buses and vans from Sunauli and nearby town of Butwal. Travel time from Sunauli is around eight hours, from Butwal is approximately seven hours. Fare starts at 600 NPR.

Local buses stop in Old Pokhara Bus Park where you can catch you can catch your ride back to Kathmandu, Sunauli, Butwal and other points of Nepal. Meanwhile, microbuses load and unload passengers along the stretch of Phewa Marga while tourist buses at the Tourist Bus Park along the Lakeside. Buses to Pedhi, Siwai, Nayapul, Baglung and other towns at the foot of Annapurna are station at Pokhara Baglung Bus Park.

Going Around Pokhara

Local buses and taxis are available. Bicycles and motorbike can also be rented. Bicycle rental ranges from 200 – 300 NPR per day while motorbike rental starts at 600 NPR per day.