5 Days in Pokhara: an itinerary hour by hour
The valley, the eastern lakes and a night in the mountains.
Five days: the north, the south and the eastern lakes, then a night at Australian Camp with the sunrise on the Annapurnas and the walk down through Dhampus. Times are for October, when the sun rises about 06:05. The sunrise moves through the year, from about 05:12 in June to about 07:03 in January, and our planner moves the whole day with it. Each day goes one way, so the driving stays short.
Day 1: Sunrise at Sarangkot, then the caves and the old town
Sarangkot, Kaskikot, Bindhyabasini, Bat Cave, Mahendra Cave and the Gaine village of musicians
From the tower, first light moves along Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhre while Phewa Lake is still dark below.
The old Kaski fort and temple on the ridge above Sarangkot, with wide mountain views.
Pokhara's oldest temple, on a hill in the Old Bazaar; mornings are busiest with worshippers.
A short crawl into a cave roof full of horseshoe bats; bring a torch.
Stalactites and a Shiva shrine in a limestone cave north of town.
The small temple of the goddess of Batulechaur, a few minutes from the caves.
The village of the Gandharva minstrels: a family plays and sings for you on the sarangi they make themselves.
Day 2: The south: Gupteshwor Cave, Davis Falls and the Peace Pagoda
Gupteshwor Cave, Davis Falls, the Tibetan settlement, the World Peace Pagoda, the Mountain Museum and Pumdikot
A cave temple to Shiva; the inner passage ends under Davis Falls.
The Pardi river drops into a sinkhole; loudest after the monsoon.
The southern Tibetan settlement next to Davis Falls: a small gompa and craft stalls.
The white stupa above the lake, with Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhre across the valley.
The story of the Himalaya and the people who climb it: gear from the first ascents, culture, geology.
The 51-foot Shiva above the lake, with the Peace Pagoda below and the Annapurnas behind.
Day 3: Begnas and Rupa: the quiet lakes to the east
Bhadrakali, the Pachbhaiya wildlife park, a boat on Begnas, the small lakes of Lekhnath and Rupa Lake
A hilltop temple above the Seti with views over the city.
A small zoo and wildlife rescue centre near Begnas: leopard, deer, birds.
The calmer lake: forest on one side, rice terraces on the other, and fishermen in dugout boats.
The five little-known lakes of Lekhnath, with egrets and ducks, on the way to Begnas.
The third lake, shallow and full of birds, with almost no visitors.
Days 4 and 5: Australian Camp & Dhampus Hike
Our 2-day package from US$ 100 per person (for two), with the guide, permit, lodge night and meals. See the full package
Late-morning pickup in Pokhara and a one-hour drive along the Baglung highway to the trailhead at Kande. A steady climb through forest brings you to the open meadow of Australian Camp. Settle into your lodge, watch the sunset on Machhapuchhre and enjoy dinner with the mountains in view.
Wake for sunrise over the Annapurna range. After breakfast, walk along the forested ridge to Pothana and down to Dhampus, a village of stone houses and terraced fields. Continue to Dhampus Phedi on the road, where your vehicle waits for the short drive back to Pokhara.
Make it yours
Open this plan in our planner to swap any stop, add a paraglide or a cooking class, change the month and see the price for your group. A car with a driver for the day starts at NPR 5,400 (car rental prices).
Other lengths: 1 day · 2 days · 3 days · 4 days · all itineraries