Pokhara with kids: things to do with the family
Boats, caves, waterfalls, easy hills and a van big enough for everyone.
Pokhara is one of the easiest places in Nepal to travel with children: short drives, flat lake paths and plenty to do in a morning. Children love a boat to the island temple, the bats in Bat Cave, the roar of Davis Falls and the climbing gear at the International Mountain Museum, and older ones can hike up to Australian Camp for a night in the mountains. A car takes up to 4 people; for bigger families our tourist van seats 10 to 15.
Family favourites in Pokhara
A boat to Tal Barahi
Life jackets on, a wooden boat across Phewa to the little island temple. Twenty minutes on the water is enough for small children; older ones can take a paddle.
Bat Cave and Mahendra Cave
About 21 minutes north of Lakeside. Bat Cave ends in a chamber full of bats (bring a torch and shoes with grip); Mahendra Cave next door has stalactites and a shrine.
Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Cave
About 18 minutes south: the river roars into a hole in the ground, and across the road a cave temple leads down to the bottom of the falls. Steps are wet; hold hands.
International Mountain Museum
About 18 minutes away: the gear and stories of the first Himalayan climbs and the peoples of the mountains. Good for a hot or rainy afternoon.
A small zoo near Begnas
Pachbhaiya Zoological Park, about 34 minutes east, is a small zoo and wildlife rescue centre with leopards, deer and birds. Combine it with a boat on Begnas Lake.
A lakeside fun park
A small fun park by the lake has a Ferris wheel, bumper cars and rides for young children: an easy evening treat.
What suits which age
| Age | Good ideas |
|---|---|
| Under 5 | A short boat ride, the lake path, the fun park, the zoo, ice cream by the water. Keep drives short and mornings early. |
| 5 to 11 | Caves, Davis Falls, the Mountain Museum, an easy cycle in the Pame valley, a momo-making class, our family experiences below. |
| 12 and over | Sunrise at Sarangkot, the hike to the Peace Pagoda, a night at Australian Camp, and, within the operators’ age and weight rules, paragliding, the zipline or rafting. |
For paragliding, the zipline, bungee and rafting, each operator sets its own age, height and weight limits; tell us the children’s ages and we check.
Phewa Family Discovery
NPR 12,000 per family · 4 hours. A discovery walk, boat and island temple for kids.
Young Naturalists of Pokhara
NPR 12,000 per family · 4 hours. Nature discovery for children with an educator.
Pame Cycling & Picnic
NPR 5,500 per person · 5 hours. Cycle the Pame valley, picnic lunch.
Momo Masterclass & Lunch
NPR 5,500 per person · 3 hours. Fold, steam and eat your own momos.
Easy hikes with children
The World Peace Pagoda is the classic family walk: a boat across Phewa, then 45 minutes to an hour uphill through forest to the white stupa, with the lake below. Our Peace Pagoda hike with a Phewa boat is US$ 40 per person.
For one night in the mountains, the Australian Camp and Dhampus hike (US$ 100 per person for two) is short and gentle: a couple of hours up through forest to a meadow facing Machhapuchhre, a lodge night, and the sunrise from your door. Children who are happy walking a few hours manage it well, and the guide sets an easy pace.
A family day in Pokhara
- Morning: a boat to Tal Barahi temple before the day warms up, then breakfast by the lake.
- Late morning: Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Cave, then the Mountain Museum.
- Lunch and a rest at the hotel in the hottest hours.
- Late afternoon: Bat Cave and Mahendra Cave, or the lakeside fun park.
- Evening: an early dinner by the lake and a walk under the lights.
With a car and driver, a full day like this is NPR 5,400 by car or NPR 9,000 by van, and you can stop whenever someone needs a break. Ready-made plans with driving times: Pokhara itineraries.
Getting around with children
| Trip | Carup to 4 people | SUV / jeepup to 6 people | Tourist van10 to 15 people | Mini bus20 to 30 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pokhara International AirportArrival / departure | NPR 1,200 | NPR 1,800 | NPR 2,400 | NPR 4,800 |
| Pokhara half-day city tour3 hours | NPR 3,600 | NPR 4,800 | NPR 6,000 | NPR 8,400 |
| Pokhara full-day city tour6 hours | NPR 5,400 | NPR 7,200 | NPR 9,000 | NPR 15,600 |
| Pokhara to KathmanduTransfer | NPR 15,600 | NPR 20,400 | NPR 26,400 | NPR 48,000 |
Guide prices in Nepali rupees, per vehicle with a driver, VAT excluded. We confirm the final price in writing before you book. All 36 routes and prices
A car takes up to 4 people with 2 medium suitcases, an SUV up to 6, a tourist van 10 to 15 with about one bag each. If you need a child seat, tell us when you ask and we tell you what we can arrange.
Tips for families
- October, November and February to April are the most comfortable months; in the monsoon, plan indoor afternoons.
- Hats, sunscreen and water bottles: the sun on the lake is strong.
- Shoes with grip for the caves and the falls; a torch for Bat Cave.
- At temples, shoes come off and children should not climb on shrines.
- Drink filtered or bottled water, and carry snacks for the drives.
Questions people ask
Is Pokhara good for kids?
Yes. Drives are short, the lake path is flat, and there are boats, caves, waterfalls, a museum, a small zoo and easy hikes, all within an hour of Lakeside.
What can kids do in Pokhara?
Take a boat to Tal Barahi temple, explore Bat Cave and Mahendra Cave, see Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Cave, visit the Mountain Museum and the zoo near Begnas, and hike to the Peace Pagoda.
Can children go paragliding in Pokhara?
Sometimes: each operator sets its own age, height and weight limits. Tell us the child’s age and weight and we check before you book.
Can kids do the Australian Camp hike?
Yes. It is a short, gentle overnight hike with a guide; children who are happy walking a few hours manage it well.
Which vehicle do we need for a family?
A car for up to 4 people, an SUV for up to 6, a tourist van for 10 to 15. A full day costs NPR 5,400 by car and NPR 9,000 by van.
Is there a zoo in Pokhara?
Yes, a small one: Pachbhaiya Zoological Park near Begnas Lake, about 35 minutes east of Lakeside, also a wildlife rescue centre.