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Pokhara Valley Tour

Pokhara Valley Tour

80 reviews in Tripadvisor

duration-icon

Trip Duration

2 Days
destination

Destination

Nepal
difficulty-icon

Trip Difficulty

Easy
group-size

Group Size

1-12
transportation

Transportation

Private Vehicle
accommodation

Accommodation

3 Star Hotel
activity-icon

Activity

Tour
meals

Meals

Breakfast
start_end

Start / End

Pokhara
region

Region

Annapurna
best-season

Best Season

Spring & Autumn

Trip Overview

Imagine a lake that acts as a mirror, mountain that goes above the cloud, and peaceful villages that never rushes. That’s Pokhara. And we have designed Pokhara Valley Tour entirely around moments like this. Most people see Pokhara as a gateway to the Annapurna trek. But treating this beautiful valley only as gate to reach somewhere else will make you miss out many aspects of the valley’s beauty.

Pokhara is an important part of Nepal tour than just another point for trekking. Pokhara has its own unique features, completely different from Kathmandu, from cold morning with mist rising over the beautiful Phewa lake to evening sunset with the view of mountain becoming golden before your eyes.

Trekker use pokhara as an entry point before beginning their journey into the Annapurna region, but Pokhara Valley doesn’t get the attention it deserves. A properly planned Pokhara Sightseeing Tour will ensure that you explore caves, temples, viewpoints and waterfalls that are normally ignored by most tourist.

Families, solo traveler and nature lover, they all have found something interesting in this place. Being on the boat on Phewa Lake give that relaxed vibe, paragliding above the valley give you that sensation like your stomach just left your body and walking around the old streets give you that feeling as if you are walking through history.

And no, you don’t have to be experienced hiker to undertake this tour. A normal Pokhara Tour Package combines both easy sightseeing and some light hike, making it possible for everyone who want a taste of Himalayas.

Culture and History of Pokhara

Pokhara is not only an area of lakes and mountain. There is rich culture here as well. To understand some of it make the sightseeing even more meaningful.

Communities of Gurung and Magars

The Gurung and Magar community inhabited the valley for a long time. People from these community are famous for being member of the Gorkha regiment of Nepal. many families from the region serve in the army of Britain and India for generation.

It is easy to find the evidence of their culture almost everywhere, in their holidays, in their cuisine, even in how the surrounding village are built. While walking through the streets of Old Bazaar, it becoes possible to sense this heritage in the architecture and everyday life of the local.

Religious Improtance

The religion in the valley is an important aspect that exists quietly and consistently everywhere around. The temples like Bindabasini and Barahi still serves as religious center than tourist attraction.

Also, the Buddhist cannot be ignored since there are such places like World Peace Pagoda. This demonstrates the existence of a harmonious coexistence of the two religious which shows the peacefulness of Nepal and its diversity of religions.

Valley’s History

As for the history, the valley developed as a part of the trade route between Tibet and India even before tourism appeared in the area. Salt, wool, and grain were transported through these hills.

This tradition is evident nowadays in the mixture of different cultures and languages present in the valley, even in our times the Pokhara Valley Tour can provide some insight into that history.

Pokhara Valley Tour Highlight

Pokhara Valley Tour offers many things to witness within just two days. So here is what usually stands out for most traveler along the way.

Scenic drive along the Valley

The drive itself becomes the part of the experience than just transportation from one place to another. The roads go through terraces, small villages, and the view of the lake from time to time. This is a relaxed way to understand the landscape of the valley before jumping into the sightseeing at particular places.

Major Tourist attraction sightseeing

This tour includes the visit to all the major landmarks in one tour route. From Davis falls to Gupteshwor Cave, each point of interest has its own specific characteristic. Pokhara Sightseeing Tour ensures visiting all of the best-known tourist destinations in the region.

Panoramic view of the Himalayas

There is nothing more spectacular than Annapurna range right before your eyes. Sarangkot and World Peace Pagoda have fantastic panoramic views of the mountains. Clear morning will be perfect opportunity to see breathtaking mountain view and click some memorable photos.

Local culture and temple

The area is not just about the natural beauty. Temples such as Barahi temple and Bindabasini Temple are a way for people to appreciate the spiritual side of the valley. Visiting the Old Bazaar provide another angle by which tourist can get glimpse of how the local combine their culture with the daily life.

Phewa Lake Boating

Boating on Phewa Lake can be an excellent way to complete Pokhara Valley Tour. The activity itself is tranquil, straightforward, and offers a unique perspective of the surrounding hills.

Combined, all these elements form a really well-balanced Pokhara Tour Package.

Highlights of Pokhara Valley Tour

  • Phewa Lake boat ride & Barahi Temple visit
  • Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Cave visit
  • World Peace Pagoda view during sunset
  • Sarangkot sunrise watching Annapurna range
  • Bindabasini Temple & Old Bazaar visit
  • Visit Pokhara Museum for the local history
  • Seti Gandaki Gorge and Mahendra cave visit
  • Pickup/drop off service

Itinerary of Pokhara Valley Tour

Your Pokhara Valley Tour begins at the Phewa lake and it’s the best possible to start the day. A short boat ride will take you to Barahi Temple, a tiny temple with its own island dedicated to Durga, a Hindu goddess. It is very simple, but for some reason, it is very peaceful and unique to get to the temple by boat.

Then, you will go to Davis falls. Keep your eye on it, the river just disappears into an underground tunnel out of nowhere which usually surprises many people. On the other side of the road, there is Gupteshwor Cave with its dark limestone walls and cave waterfall within.

You days ends at World Peace Pagoda, the site on the top of the hill. And the views from here speak for themselves- the beautiful Phewa Lake below and Annapurna Range behind it and no place to hurry anywhere.

activity-small

Activity: Drive and Sightseeing

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Max. Altitude: 1113m./3,652ft.

meals-small

Meal: Breakfast

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Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel

If you are traveling in a private group, we can arrange a fully customized trip based on your preferences, group size, and travel dates, available any day you choose.

Includes/Excludes

What is included?

  • Private transportation (car/jeep) for the entire day.
  • Professional English-speaking guide.
  • Boat ride to Barahi Temple on Phewa Lake.
  • All entrance fees:
    • Sarangkot viewpoint
    • Davis Falls
    • Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave
    • World Peace Pagoda
    • International Mountain Museum
  • One bottle of mineral water.
  • Fuel and parking charges.
  • Government taxes and service charges.
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off in Pokhara Lakeside area.

What is not included?

  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • Personal expenses and shopping.
  • Tips for guide/driver.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Any additional activities:
    • Paragliding (NPR 8,000-12,000)
    • Extra boat rides
    • Cycling rentals
  • Drinks and beverages.
  • Accommodation (if multi-day trip)
  • Emergency evacuation costs.
  • International flights to/from Nepal.

Trip Information

Pokhara Valley route overview

The Pokhara Valley Tour typically covers a couple of relaxing days where all the major sight of the valley are explored without rushing in a hurry.

During the first day of the tour, the visit begins with Phewa Lake that serves as the main attraction of the valley. A pleasant boating experience at Phewa Lake is the perfect way to start the tour, a serene and relaxed just as any tour should be. In the center of Lake, there is an interesting temple called Barahi Temple dedicated to goddess Durga, which can be reached by boat only.

Further on, there is Davis Falls – the relatively small waterfall, but with quite an interesting feature where the stream vanishes into an underground tunnel. Not far from it, there is Gupteshwor Cave – the deep limestone cave with a hidden waterfall and unique rock formations. The first day tour ends with a visit to World Peace Pagoda that is the Buddhist stupa located on top of the hill with splendid views of the lake and Annapurna range.

The second day of Pokhara sightseeing tour focuses on views and local culture. It begins very early morning at Sarangkot, which offers spectacular views of Himalayan Mountain at sunrise. After that, you will visit to Bindabasini temple, which is an old hill-top temple that is actually used by the locals for praying now.

Further, Old Bazaar is the next destination, where traditional Newari architecture is available to see and which features daily routine of local people. Some other activities are visits to museum which talks about the history of Pokhara, its ethnicity and mountaineering heritage. Finally, the day ends up with Seti Gandaki Gorge, a gorge through which the river flows, and Mahendra Cave, famous for its bat colonies.

As a whole, this Pokhara Sightseeing Tour is a good combination of nature and cultural and adventurous activities.

Best Time for Pokhara Valley Tour

Spring (March to May)

Spring brings pleasant weather and rhododendron flower everywhere in the hills. The sky is clear most of the day, especially in the morning for that stunning sunrise view over the Himalayas. A lot of travelers prefer this season for exploring the Pokhara valley.

Autumn (September to November)

Autumn is generally considered the best season for Pokhara Sightseeing Tour. After the monsoon rain clear the sky, it gives very crystal-clear views of peaks. Mountain view form Sarangkot are almost always guaranteed to be perfect.

Winter (December to February)

Though winters may seem cold in the morning, the days usually remain dry and bright with sunshine during the day. Mountain sights will still be clear, but the early morning surely demands wearing warm clothing. The season is quiet as well since there are not so many visitors at the main sightseeing points and temples.

Monsoon (June to August)

This time is bringing constant rains and cloudy weather. You cannot expect clear mountains, as some days you will have luck and others not. Outdoor sightseeing becomes harder, as the road may become slippery and there’s a risk of landslide during the drive.

When choosing the best season for your Pokhara Tour Package, it is important to know that spring and autumn periods provide most favorable weather for sightseeing and photography. For travelers who wish to avoid crowds, winter might also be considered a good choice. As for monsoon period, it is perfect for travelers who do not mind rains at all.

Difficult Level

The Pokhara Tour Package is easily completed by almost anyone. There is no need for technical trekking, just simple walking and driving across the sights.

Most of the major attraction requires just a few minutes of walking from the vehicle. Walking around caves such as Gupteshwor and Mahendra include some steps but nothing difficult that require great effort. The pace remains comfortable throughout the entire tour.

Some viewpoints such as Sarangkot or World Peace Pagoda have mildly uphill sections in their route. However, most of the part will be covered by the vehicle, so visitors won’t have to climb up themselves. Walking distances at these places remain short and manageable even for beginner visitors.

Family with children often finds this tour quite easy to organize. The sites remain sufficiently spread out with plenty of natural views in the itinerary so that no one is exhausted by the end of the day. Children tend to love boating on Phewa Lake as much as temples do, sometimes even more.

Also, senior tourists find this itinerary quite manageable. Vehicles help to reduce walking distances between the main locations considerably. If necessary, guides usually help to slow down the pace, especially at viewpoints with those gentle slopes.

A Pokhara Valley Tour doesn’t require some special equipment or physical training before the tour at all. Comfortable shoes and casual clothes are more than enough for the whole tour.

This Pokhara Tour Package focuses on sightseeing, suitable for any age group that comes to mind. It combines attractiveness of scenery with convenience, which cannot be found in every tour. Anyone who is comfortable with a little walking will be able to complete this tour effortlessly.

Preparation for the Pokhara Valley Tour

Preparation for the Pokhara Valley Tour is not a difficult task as the whole thing remains quite relaxed and the preparation remain quite simple. There isn’t much to get stressed about.

Bring comfortable clothes during the Pokhara Valley tour as it makes the experience more pleasant. You need to wear light clothing during warmer times and a light jacket for cooler morning weather.

You must use walking shoes or sneakers instead of sandals. This will make your visit more comfortable especially when you are going to caves and viewpoints.

You should carry sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen, particularly in the open viewing sites where there is no shade at all. The mornings are cool, but the levels of sun exposure increase rapidly after a while.

It is best to carry a day pack for carrying essential items throughout the tour. You must not forget to bring water, camera and medication that you might need on the way. Money will also come in handy, especially when you go into local shops and temples.

We also advise getting your basic travel insurance sorted before your trip. Your insurance plan should include cover for trip cancellation, health emergencies, and lost baggage. These are all the essential features of a decent travel insurance.

Transportation

For transportation, Epic Trek Nepal take care of all the transport for your Pokhara Valley Tour, so you will never have to worry about that. Here are some of the transportation options that can be arranges according to your preferences.

Private Vehicle

For couple, small group or individial, we suggest you go for this option. All locations along this tour route, from Phewa Lake to Mahendra Cave, are connected by well-laid roads that can be easily accessed. Our drivers are very familiar with local roads, and they make sure that they pace themselves according to your schedule.

Tourist Bus (For large groups)

Larger groups will not find difficulty in reaching all points on this itinerary through a tourist bus. Old Bazaar has a very narrow lane, so the bus stops near the spot, and the travelers walk inside. The road to Sarangkot Hill is drivable but a little winding, and that is why we prefer a slightly smaller vehicle in this case.

Jeep

If the route is a little bumpier, then we tend to suggest jeep arrangements. Jeep is especially suitable for locations such as Sarangkot where road conditions may differ.

Hotel transfers

In all our Pokhara Sightseeing Tours, pick-up and drop-offs are done directly from your hotel. So, you do not have to worry about any other means of transport on both days. We have scheduled everything in such a way that you will be able to leave without any delay in the morning.

Accommodation and Meals on the Tour

Pokhara has a wide range of accommodation option, ranging from budget hotels all the way up to luxury hotel near the lakeside. The ideal option for most people would probably be mid-range hotel that provide good services with clean bedroom, reliable Wi-Fi, and a rooftop terrace where you get to enjoy the view of the mountains without having to leave the hotel.

Of course, budget travelers will have enough choices too. Guest houses in Lakeside and other surrounding areas offer comfortable rooms at affordable prices.

As far as food is concerned, Pokhara has just about everything covered. Authentic Nepalese food, from dal bhat to momos and thukpa, which is easily one of the most amazing things you will come across outside Kathmandu. But because Pokhara is such a popular tourist destination, you can also find plenty of Italian, Continental, and Indian cuisine, along with decent Korean and Japanese food.

Breakfast is usually served complimentary in your hotel room, which comes as a pleasant surprise after that early morning ride to Sarangkot. The lunch and dinner are not included and left to your choice, but you can ask us to suggest some good options for you if you don’t feel like taking any chances.

In other words, Pokhara provides you with almost everything you may desire when visiting Nepal. it comes to food.

Why Choose Our Pokhara Valley Tour?

Since there are many operators providing the same service, the selection process is very important. Here are some reasons why you should choose our Pokhara Valley Tour:

Experienced Local Guides

Our guides have a deep knowledge of Pokhara which goes far beyond the conventional tourist path. The local’s history and traditions will be shared with you, making the tour more informative than just entertaining.

Flexible route option

The itinerary can vary depending on your preferences, schedule, and the time you spend during each location visit. No tours should be the same.

Comfortable transportation

Depending on the number of participants, we provide either a private vehicle or a tourist bus. We always make sure that hotel pick-up/drop-off is included in each ride.

Competitive pricing

The Pokhara Tour Package is completely upfront about their charges. You have all the best without any hidden expenses and extra packages.

Customer support 24 hours a day

Any doubts and questions can arise at any time during your trip. That is why we ensure that our employees are accessible round the clock.

Personalized services

Your tour package is unique from others because we provide personal attention to every client.

Frequently Asked Questions

This tour lasts for 2 days and visits all the main sightseeing places on either side of the valley.

Absolutely no. It’s a sightseeing tour that involves only short and easy walking without any need for trekking experience.

Definitely yes. The whole tour pace remains easy with transportation handling most of the distance and stopping places well-spaced out.

Spring season (March-May) and autumn season (September-November) are the clear winners.

No, only breakfast is included. The lunch and dinners are flexible so you can choose restaurants according to your tastes.

Pick up at Sarangkot will usually occur around 4:30 – 5:00 AM because the timings of sunrise vary with the seasons.

Private vehicle and/or tourist bus will be arranged for us, both including hotel pick up and drop off.

Yes, boating on Phewa lake to Barahi temple is part of the first day.

No, it is not very challenging. It is just a simple and easy walk from the parking lot to the viewpoint. Most of the elevation change is done by vehicles themselves.

Walking shoes, light clothes, sun cream, and hat will be good enough. It is also worth packing light jackets because of an early start at Sarangkot.

There is quite a good mobile network coverage in the majority of places visited on this tour. There is also Wi-Fi in some hotels and cafes along the way.

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