Taxis are abundant in Pokhara and one of the main ways to get around. Taxis can be found outside tourist attractions, hotels, and shopping areas. InDrive is an available ride-share app. 

The city is very compact, so walking around and exploring on foot is easy to do. There are many sights and attractions that can be reached via a short walk. Taking a scenic walk around the lakeside is an especially great way to explore the city and take in the surrounding beauty of the landscape. 

Riding a bicycle in Pokhara is a great way to explore the city. Bicycles are available for rent at many shops along the lakeside. Cycling around allows visitors the freedom to explore the area and nearby attractions. 

Pokhara is considered a safe destination to visit. However, due to its increased population and visitors over the recent years, crimes against tourists are becoming more common with petty theft and muggings. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets and tourist attractions. At night, stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers. Be careful when walking at night, and don’t walk outside the main center of town. 

There are a few interesting shopping opportunities to explore when visiting Pokhara. The popular tourism hub is the second most populous city in Nepal, after Kathmandu. The shops here sell a variety of unique local handicrafts that help support the local economy and community. Tourists can shop at a number of places and pick up special trinkets and souvenirs to take home. The RK Shopping Complex is a large shopping center with a variety of stores, each with something unique to offer. There are shops selling some very unique, delicate, and elegant items at moderate prices. Other stores offer beautiful wall hangings, handcrafted jewelry, and pashmina shawls. Shops are dotted along the lakeshores, including the Tibetan Mini Market in Lakeside, popular for Tibetan carpets and Tibetan weaving, and the Pokhara Cottage Emporium, popular for pashmina shawls. The Fair Mount Trekking Shop is the city’s well-known trekking shop, providing essential trekking and hiking equipment. This shop provides all the necessary gadgets that are needed for a day of trekking in the area, It’s always busy for a reason. 

An interesting place to visit and shop is the Women Skills Development Organization Center in Pokhara, a social welfare council-run project registered under the Nepal government. The primary goal is the initiative to empower woman by showing them that their efforts can make a difference in the world. The women are trained in several jobs such as weaving, cutting, and sewing textiles. It was a project to help the neediest, poor, illiterate women and teach them some skills. The woman here make different kinds of bags, jhari work, and antique pieces.

The official language spoken in Pokhara is Nepali, however, English is widely spoken by people working in the service and tourism industries. We recommend you get a good English-Nepal guidebook and familiarize yourself with a few common phrases, such as hello, goodbye, please and thank you, excuse me, and numbers 1-10.

The climate in Pokhara is subtropical, but the elevation keeps the temperatures pretty moderate. The summers in Pokhara are warm and humid, with temperatures ranging anywhere from 77-95 F. Winters are pretty mild, with pleasant temperatures that range from 30-60 F. The city receives the highest amount of rain in the country, but the valley itself does not receive any snowfall, just the surrounding hills and mountains. The best time to visit the city is between October and November, the autumn months, or March and May, the springtime, when the rhododendron forests are in full bloom. These months offer visitors the most pleasant weather with clear blue skies, moderate temperatures, and good visibility, great for exploring and outdoor activities. 

The currency of Pokhara is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for New Zealand dollars upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city.

Pokhara is a food mecca in Nepal, not only known as a gateway to trekking, but it’s a foodie’s dream destination and filled to the brim with excellent dining options. Pokhara offers diners endless eateries, including lakeside restaurants, cafes with outdoor seating, cozy pubs, and bars, many of which boast breathtaking scenic views. The menus in many of the city’s establishments cater to a wide variety of palates with both local Nepali dishes and international cuisines. Mainly, the restaurants in Pokhara are either found along the lake shores, providing the perfect setting and ambiance to enjoy a relaxing evening and a delicious meal. Other popular restaurants can be found lining the main street in town or by the busy bazaar. Fusion dining experiences are growing more popular in Nepal, and the growth of tourism in Pokhara has led to culinary creativity and the development of hybrid foods accommodating tourists with Westernized adaptations of traditional dishes. Restaurants around Pokhara offer a diverse array of cuisines and dishes that showcase the country’s diverse culinary heritage. Street food is a popular thing in Pokhara and a great evening activity. At night, busy street stalls come alive all over the city selling delicious momos/dumplings, samosas, grilled corn, and fried noodles.

Some iconic local dishes include: momo (meat or vegetable dumplings, fried or steamed), Dal Bhat (lentil soup with rice), dhido (buckwheat dish), sel roti (rice doughnut), Thukpa (noodle soup), kwati (bean and lentil soup), gundruk (leafy greens), Jeri (deep fried sweet treat), Chhoyela (spicy dish marinated meat), laphing (spicy mung bean noodles), Dhau (Nepali yogurt).

The nightlife in Pokhara offers a nice, relaxed atmosphere with many charming lakeside establishments that offer a wonderful blend of modern and cultural entertainment to choose from. There are several places to enjoy an exciting after-dark experience in Pokhara, including restaurants, bars, pubs, and clubs. After observing the sun setting behind the majestic mountains, the lakeside town transforms into a hub of activity. There are sophisticated rooftop lounges boasting magnificent panoramic views of the lake and mountains. There are live music venues where local artists play and a great mixture of traditional Nepali music and other more contemporary styles like jazz, blues, and rock. Strolling around the lakeside promenade at night is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience Pokhara’s nightlife, enjoying a cool breeze and serene views with the soft glow of cafes and bars spilling onto the streets. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a busy day of exploring. 

In case of an emergency, dial 101 for fire, 102 for an ambulance. 

Hospital:

Western Regional Hospital tel. 977-61-570066